David Whitebread
Director, Research Centre on Play in Education, Development and Learning, University of Cambridge
Dr David Whitebread is a developmental cognitive psychologist and early years specialist. Before joining the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge, he taught in primary schools for 12 years. His research interests are concerned with children's psychological development and implications for early years and primary education. A particular focus has been the development of young children's metacognition and self-regulation in relation to a number of areas of development. These have included children's problem solving and reasoning, mathematical strategies and road safety skills. His current research focus is concerned with the early development of play and playfulness in young children, and the role of language and self-regulation and in supporting this development.