Professor Rao is a highly accomplished researcher and has a lifetime total of over 300 research outputs across her career. She has authored/co-authored 3 books and 14 major research reports. Professor Rao has co-edited 2 books, and also authored/co-authored 27 book chapters. She has over 100 international peer refereed journal articles to her credit and has also co-authored policy briefs.
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Professor Rao’s books have been published by Routledge, Springer and UNESCO
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She has published in the top journals in the fields of child development and education
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She has presented keynote papers and have given invited papers in Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America and South America
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Professor Rao has published numerous articles in what are considered the best journals in the field
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She has received several external research grants as Principal Investigator (PI) since 1999 including from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Government’s Quality Education Fund, the Hong Kong Educational Bureau, UNICEF headquarters and country offices, UNESCO, Department for International Development, UK, and Optimus Foundation. Since September 2012 I have secured research grants as PI or Co-PI totaling over HK$ 200 million
KEY RESEARCH
HIGHLIGHTS
Names followed by an asterisk* are those of doctoral or post-doctoral students for whom I am/was the primary supervisor. Items preceded by a # are based on grants for which I was/am the PI.
Rao, N., Yang, Y., & Bala, M. (2024). Early childhood care and education: Landscape review 2010-2022 (pp. 107). UNESCO Paris. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000389380
Yang, H., Rao, N., & Pearson, E. (2024). Inequality in access to early childhood care and education programs among 3- to 4-year-olds: Trends and variations across low- and middle-income countries. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 66, 234-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.10.013
#Rao, N., Bala, M., Ranganathan, N., Anand, U., Dhingra, S., Costa, J. C., & Weber, A. M. (2023). Trends in the prevalence and social determinants of stunting in India, 2005–2021: findings from three rounds of the National Family Health Survey. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health. https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2023/12/06/bmjnph-2023-000648
Rao, N. & Fisher, P.A. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent development around the world. Child Development, 92, 738-748. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13653
Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., Sun, J. Su, Y., & Perlman, M. (2021). Early Child Development in low- and middle- income countries: Is it what mothers have or what they do that makes a difference to child outcomes? Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 61, 255-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.acdb.2021.04.002
# Rao, N., Chan, S. W., Su, Y., Richards, B., Cappa, C., De Castro, E. F., & Petrowski, N. (2021). Measuring being “Developmentally on Track”: Comparing direct assessment and caregiver report of Early Childhood Development in Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar. Early Education and Development, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2021.1928446
Rao, N., Mirpuri, S., Sincovich, A., & Brinkman, S.A. (2020). Overcoming challenges in measuring early childhood development across cultures. The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, 4(5), 352-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30026-2
Rao, N., Weber, A., Ranganathan N., & Ip, P. (2020).Creating equality for girls: on the right track but still a long way to go. The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, 4(7),490-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30171-1
Rao, N., Richards, B., Sun, J., Weber, A., & Sincovich, A. (2019). Early childhood education and child development in East Asia and the Pacific: A four-country study. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 47, 169-181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2018.08.011
Rao, N., Zhou, J., & Sun, J. (Eds.) (2017). Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
# Weber, A., Darmstadt, G.L., & Rao, N. (2017). Gender disparities in child development in the East Asia-Pacific. The Lancet: Child & Adolescent Health. 1(3), 213-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(17)30073-1.
Britto, P.R., Lye, S.J., Proulx, K., Yousafzai, A.K., Matthews, S.G., Vaivada, T., Perez-Escamilla, R., Rao, N., Ip, P., Fernald, L.C., & MacMillan, H. (2017). Nurturing care: Promoting early childhood development. The Lancet, 389(10064), 91-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31390-3.
Rao, N., Yousafzai, A.K., & Ip, P. (2017). Systematic review and meta-analyses of parenting and early childhood educational interventions. Web Appendix 2 (pp. 10 -15) as supplement to above article.
Names followed by an asterisk* are those of doctoral or post-doctoral students for whom I am/was the primary supervisor. Items preceded by a # are based on grants for which I was/am the PI.
*Chan, Y. Y., & Rao, N. (2024). Increasing reading motivation and vocabulary of South Asian children in Hong Kong: A home-based intervention. Early Education and Development, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2024.2360866
Wong, R.S., Lam, A.L.N., Tung, K.T.S., Rao, N., Xie, S.S.Y., Yam, J.C. & Ip, P. (2024). Early‐life family and school impacts on adolescent conduct problems: A path analysis. Family Process, 63(4), 2471-2483. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.13021
#*Li, Z., & Rao, N. (2024). Measuring children’s developmental status in China using the ECDI2030: Comparing with direct assessment and teacher report. Child Indicators Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-024-10184-9
#Rao, N., Su, Y. & Chan, S.W.Y. (2024). Reliability and validity of the East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales: A longitudinal validation study in China. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 55, 1691–1700. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-023-01526-9
Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., & Bala, M. (2024). The power of research and stakeholder collaboration in enhancing early childhood care and education in low-and middle-income countries. Children, 11(6). 698. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060698
*Chan, Y.Y., & Rao, N. (2024). Home and preschool influences on early literacy and numeracy development in England, Estonia, and the United States. Early Childhood Education Journal, 32(3), 399-415. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2023.2257913
Tso, W. W. Y., Chan, K. L., Lee, T. M. C., Rao, N., Lee, S. L., Jiang, F., Chan, S. H. S., Wong, W. H. S., Wong, R. S., Tung, K. T. S., Yam, J. C., Liu, A. P. Y., Chua, G. T., Rosa Duque, J. S., Lam, A. L. N., Yip, K. M., Leung, L. K., Wang, Y., Sun, J., . . . Ip, P. (2022). Mental health & maltreatment risk of children with special educational needs during COVID-19. Child Abuse & Neglect, 130(Part 1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105457
Yang, Y., Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2024). From pre-service preparation to professional development: Early childhood teachers’ learning experiences, ECE quality, and child development in China. Early Education and Development. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2024.2336659
Wong, R. S., S. Tung, K. T., W. Ho, F. K., Rao, N., Chan, K. L., & Ip, P. (2024). Longitudinal associations between child discipline methods and physical growth patterns across preschool years. Obesity. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23977
*#Yang, H., Rao, N. & Pearson, E. (2024). Inequality in access to early childhood care and education programs among 3- to 4-year-olds: Trends and variations across low- and middle-income countries. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 66, 234-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.10.013
#Rao, N., Bala, M., Ranganathan, N., Anand, U., Dhingra, S., Costa, J. C., & Weber, A. M. (2023). Trends in the prevalence and social determinants of stunting in India, 2005–2021: findings from three rounds of the National Family Health Survey. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health.https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2023/12/06/bmjnph-2023-000648
Pearson, E., Rao, N., Hendry, H., Horton, C., Aboud, F., & Siraj, I. (2023). Workforce preparation for delivery of nurturing care in low- and middle-income countries: Expert consensus on critical multi-sectoral training needs. Child: Care, Health & Development. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.13180
*Chan, Y.Y., & Rao, N. (2023). Home and preschool influences on early child development of Chinese and South Asian children in Hong Kong. Early Childhood Education Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01589-2
Tao, S., Reichert, F., Law, N.W.Y., & Rao, N. (2023) Digital technology use and adolescent mental health before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: The roles of internet addiction and digital competence. Cyberpsychol Behavior, and Social Networking, 26(10):739-746. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2023.0048
*#Dong, S., & Rao, N. (2023). The double burden of malnutrition among young Chinese children: a hierarchical structure of socioeconomic inequality indicators. Chinese Sociological Review, 1-28. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21620555.2023.2292535?src=
Rao, N., Yang, Y., Su, Y., & Cohrssen, C. (2023). Promoting equity in access to quality early childhood education in China. Children, 10(10), 1674. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10101674
Man, K.K.C., Gao, L., Lau, W.C.Y., Fan, M., Coghill, D., Chan, E.W., Chui, C.S.L., Li, X., Chan, A.Y.L., Lum, Terry, Luo, H., Au Yeung, S.L., Wei, L., Wong, K.H.T.W., Tung, K.T.S., Wong, R.S., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Wing, Y.K., Ip, P., & Wong, I.C.K. (2023). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, physical abuse and methylphenidate treatment in children. Nature Mental Health, 1, 66-75. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-022-00008-6
*Chan, Y.Y., & Rao, N. (2023). Home and preschool influences on early literacy and numeracy development in England, Estonia, and the United States. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2023.2257913
*Dong, S., & Rao, N. (2023). Associations between parental well-being and early learning at home before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: observations from the China Family Panel Studies. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1163009
*Li, Z., & Rao, N. (2023). Advancing equity in early childhood development in China: Progress in meeting Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.2. International Journal of Chinese Education, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2212585X231175499
*Yang, Y., & Rao, N. (2023). The status, pathways and discourses of professionalism for early childhood education teachers in Chinese policies. International Journal of Educational Development, 99.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102760
Raikes, A., Rao, N., Yoshikawa, H. et al. (2023). Global tracking of access and quality in early childhood care and education. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 17(14). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-023-00116-5
Cuartas, J., McCoy, D., Sánchez, J., Behrman, J., Cappa, C., Donati, G., Heymann, J., Lu, C., Raikes, A., Rao, N., Richter, L., Stein, A., & Yoshikawa, H. (2023). Family play, reading, and other stimulation and early childhood development in five low-and-middle-income countries. Developmental science, e13404.https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13404
#Rao, N., Su, Y., & Chan, S.W.Y. (2023). Reliability and validity of the East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales: A longitudinal validation study in China. Child Psychiatry & Human Development.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-023-01526-920.
#*Gong, J., & Rao, N. (2023). Preschool experiences and home learning environments of migrant children in urban China. Front. Public Health, 11, 1086439. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1086439
#Petermann-Rocha, F., Rao, N., Bala, M., Parshad-Asnani, M., Sifuna, A., Yousafzai, A., Ho, F.K., & Ip, P. (2023). Hygiene practices and early childhood development in the East Asia-Pacific region: A cross-sectional analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 20(4), 2798. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042798
#*Gong, J., & Rao, N. (2023). Early learning opportunities of preschool children affected by migration in China. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 63, 228-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2022.12.010
Man, K.K.C., Gao, L., Lau, W.C.Y., Fan, M., Coghill, D., Chan, E.W., Chui, C.S.L., Li, X., Chan, A.Y.L., Lum, T., Luo, H., Au Yeung, S.L., Wei, L., Wong, K.H.T.W., Tung, K.T.S., Wong, R.S., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Yun, K.W., Ip, P., & Wong, I.C.K. (2023). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, physical abuse and methylphenidate treatment in children. Nature Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-022-00008-6
Schirmbeck, K., Runge, R., Rao, N., Wang, R., Richards, B., Chan, S.W.Y., & Maehler, C. (2022). Assessing executive functions in preschoolers in Germany and Hong Kong: testing for measurement invariance. Journal of Cultural Cognitive Science, 6(3), 269-286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41809-022-00112-0
Tso, W.W.Y., Chan, K.L., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Lee, S.L., Jiang, F., Chan, S.H.S., Wong, W.H.S., Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T.S., Yam, J.C., Liu, A.P.Y., Chua, G.T., Rosa Duque, J.S., Lam, A.L.N., Yip, K.M., Leung, L.K., Wang, Y., Sun, J., Wang, G., Chan, G.C.F., Wong, I.C.K., & Ip, P. (2022) Mental health & maltreatment risk of children with special educational needs during COVID-19. Child abuse & neglect, 130, 105457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105457
Rao, N., Chan, S.W.Y., Wang, R., Lee, D., Ng, R.Y.T., Becher, Y., Lau, C., Sun, J., Ho, F.K., & Ip, P. (2022). The Hong Kong Early Child Development Scale-3: A Validation Study. Asia-Pacific Journal of Research in Early Childhood Education, 16(2), 1-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.17206/apjrece.2022.16.2.1
#*Richards B., Rao, N., & *Chan S.W.Y. (2022) Measuring indicators of Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.2.1: Factor structure of a direct assessment tool in four Asian countries. Oxford Review of Education, 49(1), 69-92. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2022.2093844
Rao, N., *Chan, S.W.Y., *Su, Y., *Mirpuri, S., *Richards, B., Sun, J., Zhang, L. & Ip, P. (2022). Early motor development in China: Secular trends among 4-year-olds. Early Child Development and Care. http://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2022.2064460
Rao, N., *Su, Y. & *Gong, J. (2022). Persistent urban-rural disparities in early childhood development in China: The roles of maternal education, home learning environments, and early childhood education. International Journal of Early Childhood.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-022-00326-x
*Chan, S.W.Y., & Rao, N. (2022). Relation between executive function and early language and literacy development in Bengali, Chinese, and Hindi. Reading and Writing. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-022-10285-3
Tso, W.W.Y., Chan, K.L., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Lee, S.L., Jian, F., Chan, S.H.S., Wong, W.H.S., Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T.S., Yam, J.C., Liu, A.P.Y., Chua, G.T., Rosa Duque, J.S., Lam, A.L.N., Yip, K.M., Leung, L.K., Wang, Y., Sun, J., …… Ip, P. (2022). Mental health & maltreatment risk of children with special educational needs during COVID-19. Child Abuse & Neglect, 105457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105457
Leung, C., Hui, A.N.N., Wong, R. Rao, N., Karnilowicz, W., Chung, K., Chan, J., & Ip, P. (2022). Effectiveness of a multicomponent parenting intervention for promoting social-emotional school readiness among children from low-income families in Hong Kong: A cluster randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatrics.https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.6308
Tso, W.W.Y., Reichert, F., Law, N., Fu, K.W., de la Torre, J., Rao, N., Leung, L.K., Wang, Y-L., Wong, W.H.S., & Ip, P. (2022). Digital competence as a protective factor against gaming addiction in children and adolescents: A cross-sectional study in Hong Kong. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 20, 100382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100382
Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T.S., Chan, B.N.K., Ho, F.K., Rao, N., Chan, K.L., Sun, J., So, H. K., Wong, W.H.S., Tso, W.W.Y., Yam, J.C.S., Wong, I.C.K., & Ip, P. (2022). Early-life activities mediate the association between family socioeconomic status in early childhood and physical fitness in early adolescence. Scientific Reports, 12, 81 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03883-8
*Wong, J.M.S., & Rao, N. (2022). Pursuing quality in early childhood education with a government-regulated voucher: views of parents and service providers in Hong Kong. Journal of Education Policy, 37(1), 39-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2020.1764628
Gao, L., Leung, M.T.Y., Li, X., Chui, C.S.L., Wong, R.S.M., Au Yeung, S.L., Chan, E.W.W., Chan, A.Y.L., Chan, E.W., Wong, W.H.S., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Wing, Y.K., Lum, T.Y.S., Leung, G.M., Ip, P., & Wong, I.C.K. (2021). Linking cohort-based data with electronic health records: A proof-of-concept methodological study in Hong Kong. BMJ Open, 2021;11(6): e045868.
Ho, F.K., Rao, N., Tung, K.T.S., Wong, R.S., Wong, W.H.S., Tung, J.Y.L., Chua, G.T., Tso, W.W.Y., Bacon-Shone, J., Wong, I.C.K., Yousafzai, A., Wright, C., & Ip, P. (2021). Association of early nutritional status with child development in the Asia Pacific Region. JAMA Network Open, 2021;4(12):e2139543. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.39543
Petermann-Rocha, F., Rao, N., Pell, J. P., Celis-Morales, C., Wong, I.C.K., Ho, F.K., & Ip, P. (2021). Weight-for-height, body fat, and development in children in the East Asia and Pacific Region. JAMA Network Open, 2022:5(1):e2142458. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.42458
Richter, L., Behrman, J., Britto, P., Cappa, C., Cohrssen, C., Cuartas, J., Daelmans, B., Devercelli, A., Fink, G., Fredman, S., Heymann, J., Lopez Boo, F., Lu, C., Lule, E., McCoy, D., Naicker, S., Rao, N., Raikes, A., Stein, A., Vasquez, C., & Yoshikawa, H. (2021). Measuring and forecasting progress in education: What about early childhood? npj Science of Learning, 6, 27. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-021-00106-7
Cohrssen, C., Rao, N., Kapai, P., & La Londe, P.G. (2021). Kindergarten children’s perceptions of the social unrest in Hong Kong. Journal of Early Childhood Research.https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X211062728
Rao, N., & Fisher, P.A. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child and adolescent development around the world. Child Development, 92, e738-e748. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13653
Rao, N., Ranganathan, N., Kaur, R., & Mukhopadhayay, R. (2021). Fostering equitable access to quality preschool education in India: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 15(9). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-021-00086-6
#Rao, N., Chan, S.W.Y., Su, Y., Richards, B., Cappa, C., De Castro, E.F., & Petrowski, N. (2021). Measuring being “Developmentally on Track”: Comparing direct assessment and caregiver report of Early Childhood Development in Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar. Early Education and Development, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2021.1928446
#*Richards, B., Umayahara, M., Mirpuri, S., & Rao, N. (2021). Correlates and mediators of geo-ethnic inequalities in child development in Cambodia. International Journal of Early Years Education, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669760.2021.1950648
#*Su, Y., Rao, N., Sun, J., & Zhang, L. (2021). Preschool quality and child development in China. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 56, 15-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.02.003
Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., Sun, J. Su, Y., & Perlman, M. (2021). Early Child Development in low- and middle- income countries: Is it what mothers have or what they do that makes a difference to child outcomes? Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 61, 255-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.acdb.2021.04.002
#*Chan, S.W., Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., & Richards, B. (2021). Predicting child outcomes in Bhutan: Contributions of parenting support and early childhood education programmes. Children and Youth Services Review, 126, 106051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106051
#*Richards, B., Umayahara, M., Maw, N., & Rao, N. (2021). Early Childhood Education, Language of Instruction, and Child Development in Myanmar: Comparisons among Ethnolinguistic Groups. Early Education and Development, 32(3), 421-442. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2020.1755179
#Rao, N., Umayahara, M., Yang, Y, & Ranganathan N. (2021). Ensuring access, equity and quality in early childhood education in Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar: Challenges for nations in a populous economic corridor. International Journal of Educational Development, 82, 102380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102380
*Chen, L.L., & Mirpuri, S., Rao, N., & Law, N. (2021). Conceptualization and measurement of digital citizenship across disciplines. Educational Research Review, 33, 100379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2021.100379
Chua, G.T., Tung, K.T., Kwan, M.Y.W., Wong, R.S., Chui, C.S., Li, X., Wong, W.H.S., Tso, W.W.Y., Fu, K.W., Chan, K.L., Wing, Y.K., Chen, E.Y.H., Lee, T.M.C., Rao, N., Chan, G.C.F., Hon, E.K.L., Hung, I.F.N., Lau, K.K., Ho, M.H.K., … & Ip, P. (2021). Multilevel factors affecting healthcare workers' perceived stress and risk of infection during COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Public Health, 66. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2021.599408
Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T., Rao, N., Ho, F.K., Chan, K.L., Fu, K.W., Tso, W.W.Y., Jiang, F., Yam, J.C.S., Coghill, D., Wong, I.C.K., & Ip, P. (2021). A longitudinal study of the relation between childhood activities and psychosocial adjustment in early adolescence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5299. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105299
Schirmbeck, K., Rao, N., Wang, R., Richards, B., Chan, S.W.Y.M & Maehler, C. (2020). Contrasting executive function development among primary school children from Hong Kong and Germany. European Journal of Psychology of Education.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-020-00519-9
Tso, W.W.Y., Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T.S., Rao, N., Fu, K.W., Yam, J.C.S, Chua, G.T., Chen, E.Y.H., Lee, T.M.C., Chan, S.K.W., Wong, W.H.S., Xiong, X., Chui, C.S., Li, X., Wong, K., Leung, C., Tsang, S.K.M., Chan, G.C.F., Tam, P.K.H.,…& Ip, P. (2020). Vulnerability and resilience in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-020-01680-8
*Wang, J., & Rao, N. (2020). What do Chinese students say about their academic motivational goals – reasons underlying academic strivings? Asia Pacific Journal of Education.https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2020.1812513
#Rao, N., Richards, B., Lau, C., Weber, A.M., Sun, J., Darmstadt, G.L., Sincovich, A., Bacon-Shone, J., & Ip, P. (2020). Associations among early stimulation, stunting, and child development in four countries in the East Asia-Pacific. International Journal of Early Childhood, 52(2), 175-193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-020-00270-8
Wong, R.S., Tung, K.T., Rao, N., Leung, C., Hui, A.N., Tso, W.W.Y., Fu, K.W., Jiang, F., Zhao, J., & Ip, P. (2020). Parent technology use, parent-child interaction, child screen time, and child psychosocial problems among disadvantaged families. The Journal of Pediatrics, 226, 258-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.07.006
#Rao, N., Weber, A., Ranganathan N., & Ip, P. (2020). Creating equality for girls: on the right track but still a long way to go. The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, 4(7), 490-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30171-1
#*Su, Y., Lau, C., & Rao, N. (2020). Early education policy in China: Reducing regional and socioeconomic disparities in preschool attendance. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 53, 11-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2020.02.001
#*Yang, Y., & Rao, N. (2020). Teacher professional development among preschool teachers in rural China. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education.https://doi.org/10.1080/10901027.2020.1726844
Rao, N., Mirpuri, S., Sincovich, A., & Brinkman, S.A. (2020). Overcoming challenges in measuring early childhood development across cultures. The Lancet: Child and Adolescent Health, 4(5), 352-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30026-2
Schirmbeck, K., Rao, N., & Maehler, C. (2020). Similarities and differences across countries in the development of Executive Functions in children: A systematic review. Infant and Child Development. 29(1), e2164. https://doi.org/10.1002/icd.2164
Rao, N., Yang, Y., & Bala, M. (2024). Early Childhood Care and Education: Landscape Review 2010-2022 (pp.107). UNESCO Paris. View PDF.
Law, N.W.Y., Pan, Q., Tao, S., Liang, Q., Chen, L., Rao, N., Reichert, F., & de la Torre, J. (2023). Hong Kong Students' Digital Citizenship Development 2019-2021: Findings from a Longitudinal Study (Version 1). HKU Data Repository. https://doi.org/10.25442/hku.22085738.v1
Rao, N., Lau, C., Chan, S., & Richards, B. (2022). Technical Report: Consultancy Study on the Effectiveness of the Provision of Quality Kindergarten Education in Hong Kong under the Kindergarten Education Policy. Submitted to Educational Bureau, HK SAR Government. Download PDF.
Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., Chan, S., & Richards, B. (2020). An Evaluation of the Early Childhood Care and Development Programme in Bhutan. UNICEF: Bhutan. Download PDF.
Rao, N., Lau, C., & Chan, S. with Koong, M. & Wong, J. (2019). International case studies of innovative early childhood systems: The early advantage: Hong Kong. National Center on Education and the Economy. Download PDF. (292pp.)
Pearson, E., Hendry, H., Rao, N., Aboud, F., Horton, C., Siraj, I., Raikes, A., Miyahara, J. (2017). Reaching expert consensus on training different cadres in delivering early childhood development at scale in low-resource contexts. UK Government Department for International Development. Download PDF. Pearson, E. & Rao, N. (2017). Evidence brief: Training early childhood development cadres in low-resource contexts. UK Government Department for International Development. Download PDF.
Rao, N., Richards, B., Umayahara, M., Sun, J., Bacon-Shone, J., Ip, P., Lee, D., & Becher, Y. (2017). Myanmar East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS) Project. UNICEF: Myanmar.
Rao, N., Becher, Y., Lau, C., Chen, E., Lee, D., Tse, S.K., McBride, C., Richards, B., & Lo, O. (2017). Promoting early development and learning in children from ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. Narrative report. Optimus Foundation, UBS.
Rao, N., Lee, D., Becher, Y., Taplin, M. (2016). Enhancing Early Child Development in Papua New Guinea: Findings from the Early Childhood Facility Survey. UNICEF Papua New Guinea.
Rao, N., Sun, J., Ip, P. Bacon-Shone, J. Sincovich, A., Ho, F.K., & Gao, S. (2016). Early Child Development Scale in-depth Analysis. Final Report. UNICEF. Cambodia.
Rao, N. & Lau, C. (2016). Development of a conceptual framework for the Survey of Teachers in Pre-Primary Education (STEPP) survey. UNESCO: Paris.
Rao, N., Sun, J., Bacon-Shone, J., Ip, P. & Becher, Y. (2016). East Asia- Pacific Early Child Development Scales - Short Form: Final Report. Singapore: Asia Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood.
Rao, N., Sun, J., Ng, M., Becher, Y., Lee, D., Ip, P., & Bacon-Shone, J. (2014). Validation, Finalization and Adoption of the East Asia-Pacific Early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS). UNICEF. Download PDF. Winner of Best of UNICEF Research UNICEF Office of Research (2015). Early Childhood Development in East Asia and Pacific: Culturally sensitive testing. In Best of UNICEF Research 2015 (p.19-23) Florence, Italy. Download PDF.
Chan, S.W.Y. & Rao, N. (2024). Implementing play-based pedagogy in early childhood education in Hong Kong. In R. M. Homes & J. L. Roopnarine, (Eds.). Culture, Schooling, and Children’s Learning Experiences (pp.165-180). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/9780191982651.001.0001
Chen, L. L., & Rao, N. (2022). A multimethod approach to assessing children’s 21st century digital skills. In S. Kotilainen (Ed.), Methods in practice: Studying children and youth online (pp. 12-15). CO:RE – Children online: Research and Evidence. https://core-evidence.eu/methods-toolkit/handbook-part1/handbook-multimethod-approach
Rao, N., Pearson, E., Piper, B., & Lau, C. (2022). Building an Effective Early Childhood Education Workforce. In M. Bendini & A. E. Devercelli, (Eds.). Quality Early Learning: Nurturing Children’s Potential. Human Development Perspectives. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Reid, J.L., Kagan, S.L., Rao, N., & Landsberg, E. (2019). Strong policy foundations. In S.L. Kagan (Eds.), The Early Advantage 2 -Building systems that work for young children. International insights from innovative early childhood systems. (pp. 20 – 49). New York: Teachers College Press.
Rao, N., & Lau, C. (2018). Responsive policymaking and implementation: Enhancing ECEC system quality and equity in Hong Kong. In S.L. Kagan (Eds.), The Early Advantage 1 - Early childhood systems that lead by example. A comparative focus on international early childhood education (pp. 99 – 127). New York: Teachers College Press.
Rao, N., & Wong, J.M.S. (2018). Early childhood development. In M.H. Bornstein (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Lifespan Human Development (pp. 688-691). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Lau, C., & Rao, N. (2018). Early childhood education in Hong Kong. In J. Roopnarine, J.E. Johnson, S. Quinn & M. Patte (Eds), Handbook of International Perspectives on Early Childhood Education (pp. 149-161). New York: Routledge.
Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2017). Introduction. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.). Early childhood education in Chinese societies (pp.1-8). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2017). Conclusions: Similarities and distinctions in early childhood education in Chinese societies. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.). Early childhood education in Chinese societies (pp.251-257). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
Ng, S.S.N., Sun, J., Lau, C., & Rao, N. (2017). Early childhood education in Hong Kong: Progress, challenges and opportunities. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun, (Eds.). Early childhood education in Chinese societies (pp.147-169). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
Sun, J., & Rao, N. (2017). Growing up in Chinese families and societies. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun, (Eds.). Early childhood education in Chinese societies (pp.11-29). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
Rao, N., Ng, S.S. N., & Sun, J. (2016). Early learning experiences of young Chinese learners in Hong Kong: The role of traditional values and changing educational policy. In R.B. King & A.B.I. Bernardo (Eds.), The psychology of Asian learners, 978-981-287-575-4, 322416_1_En, (39). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
Rao, N., Sun, J., & Wang, Y. (2015). Cognitive Research in Developing Countries. In A. Farrell, S.L, Kagan, S. L. and K. Tisdall (Eds.), The SAGE Handbook of Early Childhood Research (pp.449 – 466). Newbury Park, USA: Sage.
Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2015). Quality early childhood care and education in low resource level countries in Asia. In Early childhood care and education: Building the wealth of nations. Paris: UNESCO.
McHale, J.P., Dinh, K.T., & Rao, N. (2014). Understanding coparenting and family systems among East and Southeast Asian- heritage families. In H. Selin (Ed.), Parenting across cultures: Childrearing, motherhood and fatherhood in non-western cultures (pp.163-173). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7503-9_12.
Sayed., Y, Kanjee, A., Rao, N. (2014). Assessment of and for Learning. In D.A. Wagner (Ed), Learning and Education in Developing Countries: Research and Policy for the 2014 UN Development Goals. Palgrave Pivot.
Rao, N., Sun, J., & Zhang, L. (2014). Learning to Learn in early childhood: Home and preschool influences in Chinese learners. In C. Stringher, & R. Deakin (Eds.) Learning to learn for all: Theory, practice and international research. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Rao, N. (2024, November). Supporting ADHD in the school environment. Invited moderator at Parallel workshops: Advancing ADHD care in practice at “International Conference on ADHD: Launch of the Lancet Psychiatry Series on Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder” by ADHD Access for All, November 2, 2024.
Rao, N. (2024, October). Enhancing equitable access to quality early childhood education: Noteworthy policy and practices. Invited speaker at International workshop “Enhancing Early Educaion and Development in Low- and Middle- Income Countries” by Khalifa Award for Education, October 14, 2024. (online)
Rao, N. (2024, April). Invited panelist at Pre-schooling in India: Policy, progress, and practice, April 19, 2024. The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, Harvard University. https://mittalsouthasiainstitute.harvard.edu/event/pre-schooling-in-india-policy-progress-and-practice/ (online)
Rao, N. (2023, December). Measuring Global Progress in Meeting Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.2. Presented at 12th OMEP Asia-Pacific Conference by the OMEP Australia. December 6-8, 2023. Sydney, Australia. https://event.mq.edu.au/omep2023/keynote-speakers#Nirmala
Rao, N. (2023, November). Nourishing young minds: Measuring the influence of preschools and homes. Presented at Study of Early Education and Development (SEED) conference by the Institute (Department) of Early Childhood Education of Beijing Normal University. November 4-6, 2023. Zhuhai, China. http://fe.english.bnu.edu.cn/html/003/1/202308/661.shtml
Rao, N. (2023, June). Regional Disparities in Early Achievement in China. Presented at Scholars in Residence programme by College of Education, United Arab Emirates University. June 7-9, 2023. Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Rao, N. (2023, April). Preschool Experiences, Home Learning Activities and Early Achievement in China: Regional and Urbanicity differences. Invited presentation at the CASER Research Seminar, April 13, 2023. https://caser.shanghai.nyu.edu/preschool-experiences-home-learning-activities-and-early-achievement-in-china-regional-and-urbanicity-differences/ (online)
Rao, N. (2022, December). Beyond Formal Education. Invited panelist at the UNICEF HK 'Reimagine Education' International Forum 2022, Dec 6, 2022. Hong Kong. https://www.unicef.org.hk/en/news/latest_news/REIMAGINE_EDUCATION_INTERNATIONAL_FORUM/?back=c3acb621eafb5bd962e215ec85a35c4e
Rao, N. (2022, November). Enhancing Early Childhood Education: Noteworthy Policies, Practices and Innovations. Invited presentation. Nurturing Early Learners Symposium 2022. (online)
Rao, N. (2022, November). Effective Supervision to support the Early Childhood Care and Education Workforce. UNESCO World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education (WCECCE). November 14-16, 2022. Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Rao, N. (2022, September). Social Determinants of stunting in China and India Temporal Trends. Invited presentation. 17th Congress of Asian Society of Pediatric Research. Sept 17-18, 2022. https://aspr2022.sciconf.cn/cn/web/index/ & https://aspr2022.sciconf.cn/en/web/program/13624 (online)
Rao, N. (2022, September). [Webinar] From Learning Loss to Learning Recovery. Invited presentation. Asia-Pacific Regional Network for Early Childhood. Sept 8, 2022, https://arnec.net/events/webinar-learning-loss-learning-recovery (online)
Rao, N. (2022, June). Non-state actors in education: Lessons and experiences from regional experts. Invited presentation. APREMC II regional launch of 2021/2 UNESCO GEM Report. https://en.unesco.org/gem-report/non-state_actors (online)
Rao, N. (2022, February). Supporting playful learning in the early years: Challenges and opportunities in the COVID-19 era. Invited keynote speech at the “Play n Gain” project result announcement online symposium, Social-emotional learning through play: Helping children stay connected in times of challenges. CAISE, the University of Hong Kong. https://www.jcplayngain.edu.hku.hk/symp2022?lang=en (online)
Rao, N. (2021, December). Importance of early learning environments for promoting equality in education. Invited Intervention at the Opening Session of the International Seminar on the Evloving Rihgt to Education. UNESCO., Paris. https://events.unesco.org/event?id=968929687(online)
Rao, N. (2021, November). Promoting learning at home and in early childhood education: What works and why? Keynote adress at the OMEP Asia Pacific Regional Conferrence 2021 - Strong Children Today, better Asia-Pacific Tomorrow, hosted by OMEP China and CHina National Society for Early Childhood Education (CNSECE), November 6, 2021. Hangzhou, China. http://hygl.07baby.com/?id=cHJITWpyaWw%3D(online).
Rao, N. (2021, October). Early Childhood Education Quality Matters. Engaging Policymakers in Early Childhood, World Bank, Early Learning Partnership. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIKI9EaRHZU(online)
Rao, N. (2021, July). Right from the start: Ensuring quality and inclusive early childhood care and education for all – Launch Webinar. Global Education Monitoring Report and UNESCO. https://events.unesco.org/event?id=4190107614&lang=1033 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17Q0HYeOx1A
Rao, N. (2021, June). Scaling up quality early childhood Education: What gets measured gets done. Invited panelist at the Education Global Practices BBL Series, June 3, 2021. World Bank Education Practice.
Rao, N. (2021, March). The Evolution of Early Childhood Education in Hong Kong: Prioritizing Quality in Policy. Keynote presentation at the College of Education, UAE University on Emirati Child Day, March 15, 2021 (online)
Rao, N. (2020, December). Challenges in measuring participation in pre-primary education. Webinar on Harnessing Global Data for young children. Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN). https://www.ecdan.org/assets/harnessing-global-data-webinar-10-12-2020-presentations.pdf
Rao, N. (2020, December). Invited panelist at the 3rd KICCE Webinar in collaboration with the UNESCO Bangkok & ARNEC on ECCE Policy Development Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region: Outcomes and Future Tasks. December 29, 2020. Korea. https://kicce.re.kr/eng/board/view.do?menu_idx=20&board_idx=41191&manage_idx=99 (online)
Rao, N. (2020, November). Working with young children: What’s psychology got to do with it? Invited speaker at The Hong Kong Psychological Society Golden Jubilee Webinar Series II – Loving our work with children and families. November 20, 2020, Hong Kong. https://hkps.org.hk/en/conferences_and_events/detail/5/ (online)
Rao, N. (2020, September). ECD Strategies in reaching out to children from poor communities during COVID 19, lessons learnt and policy implications. Invited moderator at the SAFECDP’s 2nd Webinar on ‘ECD in the times of COVID-A South Asia Perspective”, September 3, 2020, Bangladesh. http://www.ichdbd.org/professional-forum
Rao, N. (2020, August). ECD Strategies in reaching out to children from poor communities during COVID 19, lessons learnt and policy implications. Invited moderator at the SAFECDP’s 1st Webinar on ‘ECD in the times of COVID-A South Asia Perspective”, August 6, 2020, Bangladesh. http://www.ichdbd.org/professional-forum
TALKSHARE
Professor Rao has presented keynote speech and papers in Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America and South America. Here is some of the recent ones.
2025, April - Parents vs Preschools: Lessons from Hong Kong
Invited speaker at the 40th Anniversary seminar series by the Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong.
2024, November - Research priorities in early childhood education systems across Asia.
Invited discussants at the international online forum for early childhood educators held by the Education University of Hong Kong.
Prof Rao talk starts at 5:19
2022, February - Supporting playful learning in the early years: Challenges and opportunities in the COVID-19 era.
Invited keynote speech at the “Play n Gain” project result announcement online symposium, Social-emotional learning through play: Helping children stay connected in times of challenges. CAISE, the University of Hong Kong.
2021, December - Importance of Early Learning Environments for Promoting Equality in Education.
Invited Intervention at the Opening Session of the International Seminar on the Evolving Right to Education. UNESCO, Paris.
Prof Rao intervention talk starts at 1:25:35
2021, October - Early childhood education quality matters. Engaging Policymakers in Early Childhood.
World Bank, Early Learning Partnership.
2021, July - Right from the start: Ensuring quality and inclusive early childhood care and education for all – Launch Webinar.
Global Education Monitoring Report and UNESCO.
2020, November - Working with young children: What’s psychology got to do with it?
Invited speaker at The Hong Kong Psychological Society Golden Jubilee Webinar Series II – Loving our work with children and families. November 20, 2020, Hong Kong.