Christina VanOsdol

Dedicated to building bridges between disciplines in early childhood education, Christina VanOsdol serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies at Ball State University. With a robust 25-year career in early childhood education, Christina has been imparting her knowledge and passion both online and on campus since 2016. Her commitment to education is further exemplified by her pursuit of a doctorate in Early Childhood Education and Educational Psychology from Ball State University. Christina's areas of expertise are vast and include preschool child development and teaching, infant and toddler development and care, early literacy development, and professional development systems. Her research interests align closely with her teaching, focusing on early childhood education, professional development, literacy development, and child development. She is particularly interested in how these areas intersect and influence one another, aiming to enhance educational practices and outcomes for young children. Throughout her career, Christina has been dedicated to fostering environments that support the holistic development of children. Her approach emphasizes the importance of early literacy and the critical role it plays in a child's overall development. She is passionate about equipping educators with the tools and knowledge they need to effectively support young learners. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Christina is actively involved in developing professional development systems that empower educators to continuously improve their practice. She believes in the power of lifelong learning and strives to instill this value in her students and colleagues alike. Christina's dedication to her field is evident in her ongoing research and her commitment to advancing the understanding of early childhood education. Her work not only contributes to academic knowledge but also has practical implications for educators and policymakers. Through her efforts, she aims to create a more informed and effective educational landscape for young children and their families.