Exploring child development in human development and family science with Dr. Arya Ansari

Finding a home in Human Development and Family Science 

“I honestly didn’t know much about HDFS as an undergrad in psychology. What drew me to HDFS for my master’s and PhD was that I didn’t quite fit in psychology, which focused more on cognitive, clinical, and developmental areas, while I was interested in understanding children’s development in context, especially at home and in school. I was drawn to the naturalistic experiences children have in real life. For example, when observing a classroom, what do interactions and relationships look like?  

“I noticed that people studying children’s experiences in schools and at home were in HDFS programs, and that’s when I realized my interests aligned more with HDFS than psychology.” 

Why investment in early childhood education matters in human development

Research in human development and family science covers the lifespan, and child development is a foundational area for understanding how early experiences shape long-term outcomes. Dr. Ansari’s research focuses on publicly funded preschool programs and the role of the home environment in shaping children’s early educational success.

“My work shows we need to invest early. Early intervention and early care and education programs are essential for young children. They boost academic, social, emotional, and cognitive skills. But it’s not enough to focus only on early childhood. We also need to maintain high-quality experiences in elementary, middle, and high school. Many children get only a year or two of support before it’s business as usual, which isn’t sufficient. 

“Programs should also invest in families, offering parent education and workshops. Teachers are present for a year or two, but parents are long-term. Supporting families alongside children is a key strategy for lasting impact.” 

Inside Dr. Ansari’s child development course

I bring in real-world examples, from my own kids to research, to connect what students are reading to what actually happens in children’s lives.

“For the bachelor’s program, I teach child development. It’s a fun course because it takes students through development from preconception all the way through middle childhood, including the transition to teenage years. We focus on the different experiences that shape cognitive, social, and physical development, especially in the early years, and on how much is happening day to day. 

“I bring in real-world examples, from my own kids to research, to connect what students are reading to what actually happens in children’s lives. Across the 14-week course, we cover development from pre-birth through infancy, early childhood, and middle childhood, exploring how children develop, why they develop that way, and the key components for success.” 

Learning and teaching with Ohio State’s HDFS faculty

The program is unique because of the rich expertise of faculty and the opportunities for students to shape the degree to fit their interests.

“The program is unique because of the rich expertise of faculty and the opportunities for students to shape the degree to fit their interests. I think that’s one of the cool things about HDFS. Some have backgrounds in applied developmental sciences, others in sociology or economics, but we’re all brought together to understand development in context. 

“A core focus of HDFS is relationships – between youth, families, and schools – and part of our role in training students is helping them understand and build those relationships and helping them understand what they want from their degrees and experiences. With our varied expertise, we can build connections for students. For mentoring, we match students with faculty based on interests so they get guidance from the right people.” 

Mentorship and career preparation in HDFS

Giving [students] ownership and helping them understand that their voice matters is critical. It takes the collective to shape the field.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of Dr. Ansari’s approach to teaching. He emphasizes giving students the space to explore their ideas, take ownership of their work, including opportunities to contribute as first- or co-authors on publications, and develop the confidence to shape the future of the field. 

“It’s important because the next group of students is going to shape what the field looks like. Their voice matters for the future of HDFS. Giving them ownership and helping them understand that their voice matters is critical. It takes the collective to shape the field. 

“I struggled as a graduate student with imposter syndrome, questioning whether my ideas were good enough. So for me, it’s important to give students space to grow, take ownership of their work, and bring their ideas to the table.” 

Advice for students considering Human Development and Family Science

Have conversations with faculty and reach out early and often…these conversations help you explore your interests and make the most of your time in the program.

For students wondering what you can do with a human development degree, Dr. Ansari points to the breadth of opportunities that come from strong faculty mentorship and real-world connections. 

“There are so many incredible resources here — centers, programs, and community connections that open doors. That’s what drew me here six or seven years ago: opportunities to connect with people in City Council, school districts, and other sectors. The College of Education and Human Ecology and HDFS provide faculty and resources to help build those connections, making the possibilities almost limitless. 

“My advice is to have conversations with faculty and reach out early and often. You don’t need to commit immediately; these conversations help you explore your interests and make the most of your time in the program.”