Long Bio
Professor, School of Social and
Family Dynamics, College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Education
Ph.D., Claremont Graduate School, 1977
CORE SCHOLARLY THEMES
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Child, adolescent, and life course development
Research Interests
James Christie is a Professor of Social and Family Dynamics at
Arizona State University. His research interests include children's
play and early literacy development. Dr. Christie is a member of the
Board of Directors of Playing for Keeps and the Scientific Advisory
Board of the International Council for Children's Play. He has
been past president of The Association for the Study of Play and a
member of the Early Literacy Development Committee of the
International Reading Association. He has co-directed three Early
Reading First projects funded by the U.S. Department of
Education: the Arizona Centers of Excellence in Early
Education (ACE) project in San Luis, AZ; the Mohave Desert
Coalition (MDC) in Bullhead City, AZ; and Pump Up the Volume in
Preschool (PVIP) in Gallup, NM.
Research Interests
Children's play and early literacy development
Publications
- Vukelich, C., Christie, J., & Enz, B. Helping young children learn language and literacy: Birth through kindergarten. (2012).
- Roskos, K., & Christie, J. Four play pedagogies and a promise for children’s learning. Knowledge development in early childhood: How young children build knowledge and why it matters (2012).
- Roskos, K. & Christie, J. Mindbrain and play-literacy connections. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy (2011).
- Roskos, K., & Christie, J. The play-literacy nexus and the importance of evidence-based techniques in the classroom. American Journal of Play (2011).
- Christie, J., Enz, B. J., & Vukelich, C. Teaching language and literacy: Preschool through the elementary grades. (2011).
- Roskos, K., & Christie, J. Examining the play-literacy interface: A critical review and future directions. Early Childhood Literacy (2011).
- Roskos,K., Christie, J., Widman, S., & Holding, A. Three decades in: Priming for meta-analysis in play-literacy research. Early Childhood Literacy (2011).
- Kathleen Roskos, James Christie, Sarah Widman, & Allison Holding. Three decades in: Priming for meta-analysis in play-literacy research. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy (2010).
- Kim Atwill, Jay Blanchard, James Christie, Joanna Gorin, & Herman Garcia. English-language learners: Implications of limited vocabulary for cross-language transfer of phonemic awareness with kindergartners. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education (2010).
- Johnson, J., & Christie, J. Play and digital media. Computers in the Schools (2009).
- Roskos, K., Christie, J., & Richgels, D. Reading, writing, and talking: Strategies for preschool classrooms. Teaching Young Children (2009).
- Vukelich, C., & Christie, J. Building a foundation for preschool literacy: Effective instruction for children's reading and writing development. (2009).
- Christie, J. , & Roskos, K. Play’s potential in early literacy development. Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development (2009).
- W. Drew, James Christie, J. Johnson, A. Meckley, M. Nell. Constructive play: A value-added strategy for meeting early learning standards. Young Children (2008).
- Vukelich, C., Christie, J., & Enz, B. Helping young children learn language and literacy: Birth – kindergarten. (2008).
- Christie, J. The SBRR approach to early literacy instruction. Achieving Excellence in Preschool Literacy Instruction (2008).
- James Christie, Myae Han. Individual differences in learning literacy: Revisiting play predisposition. Journal of Reading, Writing and Literacy (2007).
- Christie, J., Enz, B., & Vukelich, C. Teaching language and literacy: Preschool through the elementary grades. (2007).
- Roskos, K., & Christie, J. Play and literacy in early childhood: Research from multiple perspectives. (2007).
- Roskos, K., & Christie, J. Play and literacy in early childhood: Research from multiple perspectives. (2007).
- Christie, J. , & Roskos, K. Play in an era of early childhood standards. Several perspectives on children’s play: Scientific reflections for practioners (2007).
- Christie, J., Enz, B., Han, M., Prior, J. , & Gerard, M. Effects of environmental print on young children’s print recognition. Investigating play in the 21st century (2007).
- Roskos, K., & Christie, J. Play and early literacy in these times. Literacy for the new millennium: Early literacy (2007).
- Roskos, K., & Christie, J. Play in the Context of the new preschool basics. Play and literacy in early childhood: Research from multiple perspectives (2007).
- Christie, J. Play: A medium for emergent literacy development. Play from birth to twelve: Contexts, perspectives, and meanings (2006).
- Christie, J. , & Roskos, K. Standards, science, and the role of play in early literacy education. Play=learning: How play motivates and enhances children’s cognitive and social-emotional growth (2006).
- Johnson, J., Christie, J., & Wardle, F. Play, development, and early education. (2005).
- Vukelich, C., & Christie, J. Building a foundation for preschool literacy: Effective instruction for children's reading and writing development. (2004).
- Roskos, K,Christie, James Frederick. Examining the play-literacy interface: A critical review and future directions. Children’s play: The roots of reading (2004).
- Christie, J., Enz, B. J., & Vukelich, C. Teaching language and literacy: Preschool through the elementary grades. (2003).
- Christie, James Frederick. The role of toys and playthings in early literacy development. Toys in educational and socio-cultural contexts: Toy research in the late twentieth century (2003).
- Vukelich, C., Christie, J., & Enz, B. Helping young children learn language and literacy. (2002).
- Kathleen Roskos, James Christie. Examining the play-literacy interface: A critical review and future directions. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy (2001).
- Roskos, Kathleen,Christie, James Frederick. Under the lens: The play-literacy relationship in theory and practice. Early education and care, and reconceptualizing play (2001).
- Roskos, K., & Christie, J. Play and literacy in early childhood: Research from multiple perspectives. (2000).
- Johnson, J., Christie, J., & Yawkey, T. Play and early childhood developmen. (1999).
- Christie, James Frederick. Play: A medium for emergent literacy development. Play from birth to twelve: Contexts, perspectives, and meanings (1998).
- Christie, J., Enz, B. J., & Vukelich, C. Teaching language and literacy: Preschool through the elementary grades. (1997).
- Christie, James Frederick, Roskos, K., Vukelich, C., Enz, B.J., Neuman, Susan B. Linking literacy and play [video, manual, and book]. (1995).
- Christie, James Frederick. Academic play. Play and intervention (1994).
- Christie, J. Play and literacy development. (1991).
- Christie, James Frederick. Play and early literacy development. (1991).
- Noyce, R., & Christie, J. Integrating reading and writing instruction in grades K-8. (1989).
- Johnson, J., Christie, J., & Yawkey, T. Play and early childhood development. (1987).
- Christie, James Frederick,Johnsen, E. Peter. Preschool play. School play (1987).
- Christie, James Frederick,Noyce, Ruth. Play and writing: Possible connections. Cultural dimensions of play, games, and sport (1987).
- Christie, James Frederick. Training of symbolic play. Children's play: Research development and practical applications (1986).
- Christie, James Frederick,Johnsen, E. Peter. Play and psychometric approaches to intelligence. The many faces of play (1986).
- Johnsen, E. Peter,Christie, James Frederick. Pretend play and logical operations. The many faces of play (1986).
- Christie, James Frederick,Johnsen, E. Peter. Die rolle des spiels in der sozial-intellekfuellen entwickung. Aspekte des kinderspiels: Pädagogisch-psychologishe spielforschung (1985).
Research Activity
- Christie,James Frederick*, Blanchard,Jay S. Pump Up The Volume in Preschool Early Reading First. SW INST FOR FAMILIES & CHLDRN(10/1/2009 - 9/30/2013).
- Christie,James Frederick*, Blanchard,Jay S. Mohave Desert Early Literacy Coalition. SW INST FOR FAMILIES & CHLDRN(10/1/2007 - 8/31/2011).
- Blanchard,Jay S*, Christie,James Frederick, Enz,Billie Jean. Navajo Early Childhood Education Partnerships (NEEP). NAVAJO NATION(10/1/2004 - 9/30/2006).
- Christie,James Frederick*, Blanchard,Jay S, Bryan,Tanis H, Burstein,Karen W. Arizona Centers for Excellence, Gadsden Elementary School District. GADSDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT(9/1/2003 - 6/30/2007).
- Christie,James Frederick*. DOORS TO DISCOVERY EVALUATION. MCGRAW-HILL(8/15/2001 - 6/30/2002).
Courses
2025 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
2024 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
2023 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
2021 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| DCI 792 | Research |
| DCI 799 | Dissertation |
Presentations
- Christie, J. Cultural wrap around and play in an Early Reading First project. Annual meeting of The Association for the Study of Play, Albuquerque, NM (Feb 2012).
- Blanchard, J., Burstein, K., Burroughs, A., Christie, J., & Otto, C. High fidelity = high performance. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (May 2011).
- Christie, J. Authors’ panel. National Association for the Education of Young Children, Anaheim, CA (Nov 2010).
- Blanchard, J., Christie, J., & Atwill, K. First language skills to learn second language skills: A four-year, kindergarten to 3rd grade multiple cohort study. World Congress of the International Reading Association, Auckland, New Zealand (Jul 2010).
- Christie, J. Integrating dramatic play into skills-based early literacy programs. International Council for Children’s Play, Lisbon, Portugal (Jun 2010).
- Blanchard, Garcia, H., Atwill, K., & Christie, J. The influence of varying degrees of emergent Spanish literacy on emergent English literacy and achievement. American Educational Research Association conference, Denver (Apr 2010).
- Christie, J. Literacy-rich classrooms, play, and coaching. The Literacy Coaching Insitute (Feb 2010).
- Atwill, K. Blanchard, J.,Christie, J., & Millet, J. The development of literacy skills in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands: A four-year study (K-3rd) of language minority children in English immersion schools embedded in Spanish dominant communities. Annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (Jun 2009).
- Morrow, L., Christie, J., Lenhart, L., Casbergue, R., Strickland, D., & Gambrel L. Exemplary literacy strategies and professional development for preschool educators. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (May 2009).
- Christie, J., Blanchard, J., Bodrova, E., & C. Otto. Using play to teach evidence-based early reading skills. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (May 2009).
- Garcia, H., Cabrera, J., Blanchard, J., Christie, J., & Atwill, K. Does Spanish language proficiency really matter in Engish-only classrooms: A cohort-sequential longitudinal study of beginning readers. Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (Apr 2009).
- Atwill, K. Blanchard, J., & Christie, J. The effect of Spanish proficiency on English (L2) development in immersion classrooms: A longitudinal multiple cohort study. Biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development (Apr 2009).
- Burstein, Karen, Christie, James, Blanchard, Jay. Plan, teach, reflect, and revise: Building intentionality into professional development. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (Feb 2009).
- Millet, J., Atwill, K., Blanchard, J., & Christie, J. A longitudinal study of young Spanish-speaking children learning to read in English immersion-only classrooms. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (Feb 2009).
- Burstein, K., Christie, J., & Blanchard, J. Plan, teach, reflect, and revise: Building intentionality into professional development. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (Feb 2009).
- Millet, J., Atwill, K., Blanchard, J., & Christie, J. A longitudinal study of young Spanish-speaking children learning to read in English immersion-only classrooms. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (Feb 2009).
- Atwill, Kimberly, Blanchard, Jay, Christie, James, Hisrich, K. The influence of l1 language proficiency in cross-language transfer: A four-year longitudinal study in L2 immersion-only classrooms (kindergarten -3rd grade). Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (Jul 2008).
- Blanchard, Jay, Millett, J., Christie, James, Garcia, H., Atwill, K. Spanish L1 proficiency’s effect on cross-linguage transfer of phonological skills among young children learning to read in English-only classrooms. World Congress of the International Reading Association (Jul 2008).
- Christie, James, Blanchard, Jay, Burstein, Karen. Strategies for supporting early literacy skills with children who are ELL and have low language skills. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (May 2008).
- Garcia, H., Millett, J., Atwill, K., Blanchard, Jay, Christie, James. The effects of L1 proficiency on cross-linguistic transfer with Spanish-speaking children in English-only classrooms. Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (Mar 2008).
- Johnson, J., Meckley, A., Christie, James, Drew, W. Intellectualizing the play experience. Annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Play (Mar 2008).
- Christie, James. Networked Play: Integrating dramatic play into a skills-based early literacy program. Annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Play (Mar 2008).
- Blanchard, Jay, Christie, James, Atwill, K., Burstein, Karen, Zepeda, O. Successful practices for emergent literacy. Annual conference of the New Zealand Reading Association (Sep 2007).
- Zepeda, O., Blanchard, Jay, Christie, James, Atwill, K., Chen, T., Ergul, C., Burstein, Karen, Bryan, T. A successful ELL early literacy preschool program: Arizona Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood Education. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (May 2007).
- Ergul, C, Burstein, Karen, Bryan, T, Christie, James. Addressing the early literacy development of preschool English language learners in a science-based preschool program. Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (Apr 2007).
- Ersay, E., Christie, James, Johnson, J. Teacher education to foster understanding value of block play. Annual meeting of The Association for the Study of Play (Apr 2007).
- Han, Myae, Christie, James. Individual differences in learning literacy: Revisiting play predispostion. American Educational Research Association (Apr 2007).
- Atwill, Kimberly, Garcia, H, Blanchard, Jay, Millett, Joseph, Gorin, Joanna, Christie, James. Cross-language transfer of preliteracy skills: Regression analysis with Spanish-Speaking Children in English-Only Classrooms. Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (Apr 2007).
- Christie, James. The ACE³ project: Linking literacy and “evidence-based” early literacy instruction. 37th Annual Arizona State Language and Literacy Conference (Feb 2007).
- Drew, W, Christie, James, Johnson, J, Plaster, L, Blanford, S, Ong, N, Sharapan, H. Block play and performance standards: Using unstructured materials to teach academic content. Annual meeting of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (Nov 2006).
- Blanchard, Jay, Christie, James, Atwill, Kimberly, Millett, J. It works! Growing literacy skills in ELL preschoolers. West Regional Meeting, International Reading Association (Nov 2006).
- Atwill, Kimberly, Blanchard, Jay, Christie, James, Gorin, Joanna, Millett, J, Bartshe, P. Cross-language transfer of meta-linguistic skills in young Spanish-speaking children learning English. World Congress of the International Reading Association (Aug 2006).
- Blanchard, Jay, Christie, James, Gorin, Joanna, Atwill, Kimberly, Millett, J. The influence of a “science-based” preschool curriculum on literacy development in Spanish-speaking kindergarten children learning English. Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (Jul 2006).
- Besken Ergisi, Meral, You, Byeong Keun, Atwill, Kimberly, Christie, James, Blanchard, Jay, Enz, Billie. Navajo Nation Head Start teachers’ perspectives on play, literacy, and development. Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (Apr 2006).
- Christie, James, Burstein, Karen, Han, M. You're teaching, but are children learning? Using CBMs to monitor achievement and make instructional decisions. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (Apr 2006).
- Christie, James. Blended curriculum: A new approach to linking literacy and play. Meeting of the Japan Affiliate of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (Mar 2006).
- You, Byeong Keun, Liu, Nan, Christie, James. The ACE project. 36th Annual Arizona State Language and Literacy Conference (Feb 2006).
- Drew, Walter, Christie, James, Blanford, Sue, Cohen, Lynn, Sharapan, Hedda, Plaster, Liz, Ong, Norma. Block building: Fostering cognitive, linguistic, and social competence. Annual meeting of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (Dec 2005).
- Christie, James. Play research seminar: Play in a science-based Early Reading First project. Annual meeting of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (Dec 2005).
- Blanchard, Jay, Atwill, Kim, Gorin, Joanna, Friberg, Anders, Burstein, Karen, Christie, James. Is phonological awareness a language-specific skill? A test of cross-language transfer in young children. 14th European Conference on Reading (Aug 2005).
- Blanchard, Jay, Atwill, Kim, Burstein, Karen, Christie, James, Gorin, Joanna, Woodrich, David. An investigation of cross-language transfer in phonemic awareness of Spanish-speaking preschoolers. Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (Jun 2005).
- Christie, James, Roskos, Kathleen. Play, literacy, and early childhood standards. Play = Learning Conference (Jun 2005).
- Christie, James, Vukelich, Carol. Translating literacy standards into instruction. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (May 2005).
- Atwill, Kim, Blanchard, Jay, Christie, James, Burstein, Karen. Young children’s performance on assessments of phonological awareness with and without visual cues. Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (Apr 2005).
- Roskos, Kathleen, Burstein, Karen, Bryan, Tanis, Christie, James, Ergul, Cevriye, Han, Myae. Rare word vocabulary growth in at-risk preschool English language learners. Annual meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development (Apr 2005).
- Morrow, Lesley, Schickedanz, Judith, Christie, James. Exemplary practice in preschool and kindergarten literacy instruction: Perspectives from the International Reading Association. Annual meeting of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (Nov 2004).
- Drew, Walter, Christie, James, Ong, Norma, Cohen, Lynn. Promoting literacy and oral language through block play. Annual meeting of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (Nov 2004).
- Christie, James. Play and literacy in an era of early childhood standards. Meeting of the International Council for Children's Play (Sep 2004).
- Blanchard, Jay, Christie, James, Burstein, Karen, Atwill, Kim, Moore, Terry. The effect of illustrations on assessment of phonemic awareness: A preliminary study. Meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (Jun 2004).
- Christie, James, Vukelich, Carol. The times they are a changing: What preschoolers and their teachers need to know and be able to do. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (May 2004).
- Enz, Billie, Christie, James. A is for Apple Jacks: How early literacy instruction can connect to the real world. Annual conference of the International Reading Association (May 2004).
Service
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Student Affairs and Grievances Committee, Member (2011 - 2013)
- Southwest Institute for Families and Children, Board of Directors (2011 - 2013)
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Student Affairs and Grievances Committee, Member (2012 - 2012)
- Southwest Institute for Families and Children, Board of Directors (2012 - 2012)
- George Mason University, Promotion and Tenure Referee (2012 - 2012)
- Intergovernmental Agreement between ASU and the Navajo Nation, Committee member, subcommittee member (Early Childhood Education) (2011 - 2011)
- American Educational Research Journal, Editorial Consultant (2011 - 2011)
- SSFD Undergraduate Professional Development Conference, Participated in a panel discussion on grad programs on child development (2011 - 2011)
- Journal of Applied School Psychology, Editorial Consultant (2011 - 2011)
- Reading Research Quarterly, Editorial Consultant (2011 - 2011)
- Sesame Workshop, Consultant (2011 - 2011)
- Faculty Selection Committee - CLAS Undergraduate Research Scholarship in the Social Sciences, Member (2011 - 2011)
- SUNY College at Old Westbury, New York, External reviewer (2010 - 2011)
- International Play Association, Recess Advocate for Arizona (2010 - 2010)
- Play, Policy, and Practice Interest Forum, National Assoc. for the Education of Young Children, Member, Vision Committee (2010 - 2010)
- Intergovernmental Agreement between ASU and the Navajo Nation, Committee member, subcommittee member (Early Childhood Education) (2009 - 2010)
- International Council on Children's Play, Member, Scientific Advisory Board (2001 - 2010)
- SSFD Child Development Lab preschool, Made a presentation at Parent Discussion Night about the importance of play (2010 - 2010)
- Georgia State University, External reviewer (2010 - 2010)
- SSFD Undergraduate Professional Development Conference, Participated in a panel discussion on grad programs on child development (2010 - 2010)
- Early Childhood subcommittee, International Reading Association, consultant (2010 - 2010)
- Bakersfield City School District (CA), Consultant (2009 - 2010)
- C & I Programs Committee, Chair (2005 - 2009)
- United States Department of Education, Early Reading First site evaluator (2004 - 2009)
- Chandler Unified School District, Consultant (2009 - 2009)
- C & I Standards Committee, Member (2008 - 2008)
- Sesame Workshop, Early Literacy Advisor (2006 - 2008)
- C & I Programs Committee, Chair (2005 - 2008)
- Early Childhood Education cluster, Cluster coordinator (2007 - 2008)
- College of Education Personnel Committee, Member (2006 - 2008)
- C&I Ph.D. Executive Committee, Member (2005 - 2008)
- International Reading Association, Member, Early Literacy Committee (2003 - 2008)
- Gadsden Elementary School District, Consultant (2007 - 2007)
- Western Arizona Council of Governments, Consultant (2007 - 2007)
- European Society for Developmental Psychology, Editorial Consultant (2006 - 2006)
- The Association for the Study of Play, Editorial Consultant (2006 - 2006)
- Fulton Presidential Chair Advisory Committee, Member (2005 - 2006)
- Ohio Department of Education, Consultant (2005 - 2006)
- U. S. Department of Education, Early Reading First Site Evaluator (2006 - 2006)
- Sesame Workshop, Early Literacy Advisor (2003 - 2006)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children, Editorial Consultant (2005 - 2005)
- U. S. Department of Education, Early Reading First Site Evaluator (2005 - 2005)