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Dr. M. Susan Burns
PhD, Peabody College, Vanderbilt University
Professor Emerita of Education
Academic Program Coordinator, Human Development and Family Science

Contact Information

Send email to Dr. Burns

Phone: (703) 993-5343
Fax: (703) 993-4370

George Mason University
Fairfax Campus
Krug Hall 202C
4400 University Dr.
MS 4C2
Fairfax, VA 22030

Profile

M. Susan Burns is a member of the Human Development and Family Science Faculty with appointments in the College of Education and Human Development and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She has a secondary appointment in the Early Childhood Education Program.

Research Interests

Her research centers on the development and learning of young children (preschool through Grade 3). Her work includes all children: those with diverse abilities (children with disabilities), those living in poverty, and those from multi-lingual and multi-cultural backgrounds. Of particular interest are young childrens approaches to learning, cognition, and language. Current research includes study of

  • prekindergarten, kindergarten, and early elementary childrens writing,
  • intentional teaching, including differentiated instruction, and
  • effective professional development for adult learners.
Recent Publications

Burns, M. S., & Kidd, J. K. (2016). Play and early writing. In D. Couchenour and J. K. Chrisman (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Contemporary Early Childhood Education. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

McIlwain, M. J., Burns, M. S., & White, C. S. (2016). From Research to Evidence-Based Practice: An Account of the Scientific Implementation of Dialogic Buddy Reading. NHSA Dialog: A Research-to-Practice Journal for the Early Childhood Field, 18, 47-71.

McIlwain, M. J., Burns, M. S., & White, C. S. (2016). The Implementation and Study of Dialogic Buddy Reading in a Head Start Classroom. NHSA Dialog: A Research-to-Practice Journal for the Early Childhood Field, 18, 85-90.

Starting Out Right - A Guide To Promoting Children's Reading SuccessPreschool Education in Today's World: Teaching Children With Diverse Backgrounds and AbilitiesKnowledge to Support the Teaching of Reading: Preparing Teachers for a Changing WorldPreventing Reading Difficulties in Young ChildrenEager to Learn: Educating Our PreschoolersPreparing Our Teachers: Opportunities for Better Reading InstructionUn Buen Comienzo. Guia Para Promover La Lectura En La InfanciaStarting Out Right - A Guide To Promoting Children's Reading Success (Chinese)Un Buen ComienzoBright StartPreventing Reading Difficulties in Young Children - Chinese
Other Courses Taught