Introducing our Fellows:
Dr. Nadia C. Valentini,
Professor,
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
Dr. Nadia C. Valentini, a Full Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), is a leader in motor development research. With a distinguished academic background, she has dedicated her career to understanding and enhancing children's developmental trajectories.
Dr. Valentini’s research focuses on the impact of risk and protective factors on children’s motor development, with a special emphasis on interventions for children with motor delays, particularly those from low-income families. She also leads work in validating assessment tools for children and adolescents to ensure accurate evaluations in family, clinical, and school settings.
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As a member of the International Motor Development Research Consortium (I-MDRC) and NASPSPA, Dr. Valentini collaborates globally to translate her research into practical applications, fostering improved learning opportunities for children. She also serves as Coordinator of the GAIM Research Group, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in cutting-edge motor development research.
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Dr. Valentini’s work continues to shape the future of motor behavior science and child education, promoting equity and growth in diverse communities.
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Selected publications
1. Valentini Nadia C., de Borba Luana S., Panceri Carolina, Smith Beth A., Procianoy Renato S., Silveira Rita C. (2021). Early Detection of Cognitive, Language, and Motor Delays for Low-Income Preterm Infants: A Brazilian Cohort Longitudinal Study on Infant Neurodevelopment and Maternal Practice. Frontiers in Psychology 12. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.753551
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2. Valentini, N. C. (2023). Motor skills intervention: conceptual and operational model and the determination of fidelity indexes. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408989.2023.2271521.