Nancy Close

Nancy Close, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University and a Lecturer in Psychology. She serves as the Clinical Director of the Parent and Family Development Program and the Associate Director of the Yale Program in Early Childhood Education. Her roles include overseeing the MOMS Partnership® and Minding the Baby programs, evidence-based initiatives focused on parent-child attachment and child development.

Education:

• PhD, Bryn Mawr College (Education and Child Development, 1984)
• MA, Bryn Mawr College (Education and Child Development, 1977)
• BA, Connecticut College (Child Development, 1972)

Research & Interests: Dr. Close specializes in infant mental health, parenting, and developmental assessment for children under five. Her work emphasizes home visiting programs like Minding the Baby, which aim to improve parent-child bonding, reduce child obesity, and enhance behavioral outcomes. She also investigates mental health consultation in early childhood education settings.

Grants & Awards:

• Samuel Ritvo Teacher of the Year Award (Recipient twice)
• Honored by the Connecticut Infant Mental Health Association

Labs & Programs: Directs the Yale Parent and Family Development Program and contributes to the Minding the Baby interdisciplinary research initiative.