Sudha SwaminathanView profile
Professor
Dr. Sudha Swaminathan is a Professor of Early Childhood Education and Director of the Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern Connecticut State University. She specializes in early childhood mathematics, educational technology, and teacher education, with a focus on play-based learning and technology integration. Her research explores how coding, robotics, and play-based interactions impact children’s cognitive and mathematical development, particularly among bilingual learners. Dr. Swaminathan holds a PhD and Master’s in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Buffalo. Her teaching emphasizes inquiry-based learning, where students engage with materials and apply knowledge through projects. She is passionate about action research, guiding in-service teachers in designing classroom research projects across disciplines. Her research spans six studies on math talk during play, published in journals like Early Child Development and Care , and has been featured at the American Educational Research Association conferences. She advocates for innovative teaching methods to enhance children’s mathematical reasoning through play and technology. Dr. Swaminathan’s advising philosophy prioritizes student growth, exemplified by her mentorship at conferences where students showcase their research. She believes Eastern’s programs prepare students for diverse careers in education, including roles beyond traditional classroom teaching. She directs the Center for Early Childhood Education, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in early childhood development. Her work emphasizes the importance of staying connected with alumni and faculty to advance educational practices.
