Youngok Jung

Youngok Jung is an Associate Professor of Child Development and Family Studies at California State University Long Beach, affiliated with the College of Health and Human Services. Her research focuses on high-quality early childhood education, early childhood educator competencies, and literacy development in dual language learners.

• EducationPh.D. in Psychological Studies in Education, University of CaliforniaM.A. in Psychological Studies in Education, University of CaliforniaM.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education, University of VirginiaB.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, Ewha Woman’s University

Jung’s research explores the impact of early childhood education on child development, quality rating systems in early childhood programs, parenting influences on children’s health outcomes, and motor functioning in individuals with disabilities. She has contributed to understanding how family literacy programs and cultural diversity shape early learning.

Her publications span journals such as Physiotherapy Theory and Practice and Early Child Development and Care, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaborations in neuroscience, education, and linguistics. Key themes include teacher-child relationships, developmental coordination disorder, and policy implementation in family literacy programs.

• Courses TaughtCDFS 111: The Preschool ChildCDFS 310: Diversity in Child DevelopmentCDFS 311: Prenatal Development and InfancyCDFS 312: Family and Personal DevelopmentCDFS 409: Language, Learning and DevelopmentCDFS 490: Directed Studies & Special Topics

She has collaborated on evaluations of the First 5 LA Family Literacy Initiatives, working with institutions like the American Institutes for Research.