Advancing Early Childhood Innovation: LSU ECEI Highlights Birth-to-Three Nutrition Education in Florence, Italy
April 01, 2026
BATON ROUGE, LA — Faculty from the LSU Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI) recently delivered an invited presentation at the University of Florence titled Advancing
Early Childhood Innovation: ECEI’s Mission, FoodMASTER, and Expanding Nutrition Education
to Young Learners. The session brought together doctoral students and faculty from
the University of Florence, International Hellenic University (Greece), and the University
of Vic – Central University of Catalonia (Spain) to explore innovative approaches
to early childhood research and practice.
The presentation focused on ECEI’s model for integrating research, dissemination, and practice, while highlighting the FoodMASTER program and ongoing efforts to expand nutrition education to children ages 2, 3, and 4. This work directly supports ECEI’s mission to advance high-quality early childhood programming and disseminate research-based practices that impact children from birth to age three.
The presentation was delivered by Cynthia DiCarlo, PhD (Louisiana State University, Early Childhood Education Institute); Gene Geist, PhD (Louisiana State University, Early Childhood Education Institute); and Melani Duffrin, PhD (Northern Illinois University), and was hosted by Rossella Certini, PhD (University of Florence).
“Opportunities like this allow us to build meaningful collaborations across universities, not only among faculty but also for our doctoral students,” DiCarlo said. “Creating these connections strengthens how we prepare future scholars and expands the reach of early childhood work across countries.”
The presentation emphasized how programs like FoodMASTER can be adapted for younger learners, integrating nutrition, science and hands-on learning experiences in developmentally appropriate ways. These approaches support both children’s health and early learning outcomes, while also providing teachers with practical strategies that can be implemented in classrooms.
This international collaboration highlights the growing importance of connecting early childhood researchers across countries to address shared challenges in the birth-to-three space. By building global partnerships, ECEI continues to expand the reach and impact of research that supports young children, families, and the early childhood workforce.
For more information about the Early Childhood Education Institute, visit lsu.edu/ecei.
About the Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI)
The Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI) at LSU is an umbrella organization
to promote research and disseminate recommended practices in early childhood care
and education. ECEI is focused holistically on the early years and fills a unique
niche by targeting birth through age three. The institute develops expert care practitioners
who deliver high-quality early childhood programming, engage in research practices,
and advocate for the profession. ECEI focuses on research, education, and outreach
and is housed within LSU's College of Human Sciences & Education.