Michael Frank

Michael C. Frank is Benjamin Scott Crocker Professor of Human Biology in the Department of Psychology at Stanford University and Director of the Symbolic Systems Program. He received his PhD from MIT in Brain and Cognitive Sciences in 2010. He studies children's language learning and development, with a focus on the use of large-scale datasets to understand the variability and consistency of learning across cultures. He is a founder of the ManyBabies Consortium, and has led open-data projects including Wordbank and the ongoing LEVANTE project. He has received awards including the Troland Award from the National Academy of Sciences and the FABBS Early Career Impact award. He served as President of the Cognitive Science Society, has edited for journals including Cognition and Child Development, and is current co-Editor in Chief of the Open Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science.

King Center-Supported Research

2025–2026 Academic Year | Senior Faculty Research Grant

Investigating the efficacy of picture-based early childhood learning materials in global contexts

Early childhood researchers frequently use picture-based learning materials across many different cultures and contexts. However, it is unclear when and how children across cultures and contexts begin to understand pictures. While children in high-income contexts are often surrounded by picture books and other kinds of visual symbols, children in low-income global contexts may have less experience with pictures or other kinds of visual symbols. The proposed research will investigate whether children’s experience with pictures is related to the efficacy of picture-based learning materials, consequently helping teachers, researchers, and policy-makers determine the most effective learning materials tools for children worldwide.