ISSBD–Jacobs Foundation–Centro de Primera Infancia (CPI) Regional Workshop

About the workshop

The workshop will take place in Monterrey, Mexico, in collaboration with the annual Early Childhood Forum organized by the Centro de Primera Infancia (CPI) at Tecnológico de Monterrey and the LEARN Program, a capacity exchange initiative of the Jacobs Foundation supporting early-career scholars of human development in research on learning variability. This collaboration creates an exceptional environment for learning, exchange, and innovation, linking global developmental science with local and regional priorities for early childhood development.

The theoretical foundation of this workshop is built on the concept of learning variability in childhood: the understanding that children’s development is not a uniform, linear process but a dynamic trajectory shaped by a complex interplay of individual, contextual, and cultural factors. This perspective aligns with sociocultural and ecological theories of human development, which emphasize that learning emerges from children’s participation in culturally organized activities and relationships.

Therefore, this workshop will:

• Interrogate the applicability of WEIRD-derived models of learning and development within Latin American contexts.
• Highlight culturally grounded research that centers on local knowledge, languages, and values in explaining developmental pathways.
• Build methodological capacity to create and validate contextually sensitive measures of learning and its variability.

Workshop Structure

The three-day workshop will combine sessions specifically designed for ISSBD and LEARN scholars with participation in the CPI Forum.

• Day 1 — November 17: ISSBD and LEARN scholars will present their research in brief oral presentations, followed by opportunities for feedback and discussion.
• Days 2 and 3 — November 18–19: Participants will attend the CPI Forum and take part in its keynote presentations and thematic sessions.

Formal and informal networking opportunities—including coffee breaks, shared meals, and dedicated interaction spaces—will encourage collaboration and meaningful engagement among scholars, mentors, and principal investigators.

More information about learning variability is available on the LEVANTE Network website.