• The University of Hong Kong, PhD in Early Child Development and Education
• Beijing Normal University, Master in Early Childhood Education,
• Beijing Normal University, Bachelor in Early Childhood Education

• early mathematics learning and education
• early development of self-regulation and executive function
• Chinese socialization
• socioeconomic gradients in early development

• May 2023 – Present Associate Professor

University of Macau, Macau, China

• August 2012 – May 2023 Assistant Professor

The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Articles in preferred journals

1. Huang, Q., Sun, J.^*, Lau, Y. H. E., & Zhou, Y. (accepted). Parental scaffolding and children’s math ability: The type of activities matters. British Journal of Developmental Psychology.
2. Chen, H. E., Sun, D., Hsu, T-C., Yang, Y., & Sun, J. (2023). Visualising trends in computational thinking research from 2012 to 2021: A bibliometric analysis. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 47. doi: 10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101224.
3. Zhang, Q., Sun, J., & Yeung, W. Y. (2023). Effects of using pictures books in mathematics teaching and learning: A systematic literature review from 2000 to 2022. Review of Education, 11(1). doi: 1002/rev3.3383
4. Li, S., Sun, J.^*, & Dong, J. (2022). Family socio-economic status and children’s play behaviors: The mediating role of home environment. Children, 9(9), xx-xx, doi: 3390/children9091385
5. Bautista, A., Ho, A., Lee, K., & Sun, J. (2022). Classroom video in early childhood teacher education: Reviewing the literature to inform research and practice. Culture & Education, 34(3). doi: 1080/11356405.2022.2102728
6. Rao, N., Chan,S. W. Y., Su, Y., Mirpuri, S., Richards, B., Sun, J., Zhang, L., & Ip, P.(2022): Early motor development in China: secular trends among 4-year-olds, Early Child Development and Care, doi: 10.1080/03004430.2022.2064460. Online publication on https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03004430.2022.2064460?needAccess=true
7. Wong, R. S., Tung, K. T., Chan, B. N., Ho, F. K., Rao, N., Chan, K. L., Sun, J., …, Ip, P. (2022). Early-life activity patterns as mediators of the longitudinal association between family socioeconomic status in early childhood and physical fitness in early adolescence. Scientific Reports, 12. doi:.1038/s41598-021-03883-8
8. Tsao, W. Y., Chan, K. L., Lee, M. C., Rao, N., …, Sun, J., …, Ip. P. (2022). Mental health & maltreatment risk of children with special educational needs during COVID-19. Child Abuse & Neglect. Online publication on https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0145213421005263?dgcid=coauthor. doi: 1016/j.chiabu.2021.105457
9. Sun, J.; Qin, H.; Lee, K.; Bautista, A.; Zhang, Q. (2022). Early mathematics learning and teaching in Chinese preschools: A content analysis of teaching reference books for preschool teachers. Mathematics, 10(1), 10. doi: 0.3390/math10010010
10. Huang, Q, Sun, J.^*, Lau, Y. H., & Zhou, Y. L. (2022). Linking Chinese mothers and fathers’ scaffolding with children’s initiative and mathematics performance: A moderated mediation model. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 59, 74-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.11.001
11. Bautista, A., Yu, J., Lee, K., & Sun, J. (2021). Play in Asian preschools? Mapping a landscape of hindering factors. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood. Online published on https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/14639491211058035. doi: 10.1177/14639491211058035
12. Rao, N., Cohrssen, C., Sun, J., Su, Y, & Perlman, M. (2021). Early child development in low- and middle-income countries: Is it what mothers have or what they do that makes a difference to child outcomes? Advances in Child Development and Behavior. doi: 10.1016/bs.acdb.2021.04.002
13. Zheng, P. J. & Sun, J.^* (2021). Preschool children’s use of digital devices and early development in Hong Kong: The role of family socioeconomic status. Early Education and Development, 33(5), 893-911. doi: 10.1080/10409289.2021.1920767
14. Li, H., Sun, J., & Zhang, X. (2021). Editorial: Multidisciplinary approaches to understanding early development of spatial skills. Frontiers in Psychology.
15. Su, Y. F., Rao, N., Sun, J., & Zhang, L. (2021). Preschool quality and child development in China. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 56, 15-26. doi: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.02.003
16. Zhu, Y. X., Tao, S. S., Li, J. B., Zhang, M. G., Zheng, P. J., Lau, Y. H., & Sun, J. (2021). The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on child and adolescent aggression: A systematic review and meta-analysis, doi: 10.1007/s12671-020-01570-9
17. Huang, Q., Sun, J.^*, & Tang, Y. (2021). Chinese parents’ scaffolding and children’s initiative in mother-child and father-child interactions across different types of problem-solving activities. Early Education and Development, 3, 249-271. doi: 10.1080/10409289.2020.1752591
18. Rao, N., Richards, B., Lau, C., Weber, A. M., Sun, J., Darmstadt, G. L., Sincovich, A., Bacon-Shone, J., & Ip, P. (2020). Associations among early stimulation, stunting, and child development in four countries in the East Asia–Pacific. International Journal of Early Childhood, 52, 175-193. doi: 1007/s13158-020-00270-8
19. Wu, D. & Sun, J.^* (2020). Exploring the relationship between parental involvement, paper folding skills and early spatial ability: A mediation model. Frontiers in Psychology. doi: 3389/fpsyg.2020.568439
20. Sun, D., Looi, C-K, Yang, Y. Q, & Sun, J. (2020). Design and implement boundary activity based learning (BABL) principle in science inquiry: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 23, 147-162.
21. Sun, J. & Kang, R. (2020). Cool and hot self-regulation predict early achievement in Chinese preschoolers. Early Child Development and Care. 192(7), 1092-1107. doi: 1080/03004430.2020.1839062
22. Rao, N., Richards, B., Sun, J., Weber, A., & Sincovich, A. (2019). Early childhood education and child development in four countries in East Asia and the Pacific. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 47, 169-181. doi: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2018.08.011
23. Zhang, L, Sun, J., Richards, B., Davidson, K., and Rao, N. (2018). Motor skills and executive function contribute to early achievement in East Asia and the Pacific region. Early Education and Development, 29, 1-20. doi: 10.1080/10409289.2018.1510204.
24. Sun, J., Lau, C, Sincovich, A., & Rao, N. (2018). Socioeconomic status and early child development in East Asia and the Pacific: The projective role of parental engagement in learning activities. Children and Youth Services Review, 93, 321-330. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.08.010
25. Sun, J., Zhang, L., Chen, E., Lau, C., & Rao, N. (2018). Preschool attendance and executive function mediate socio-economic status–related early academic achievement gaps in East Asia and the Pacific. Early Education and Development, 29(8), 1039-1060. doi: 10.1080/10409289.2018.1498999
26. Rao, N., Sun, J., Richards, B., Weber, A., Sincovich, A., Darmstadt, G., & Ip., P. (2018). Assessing diversity in early childhood development in the East Asia-Pacific. Child Indicators Research. Online published on https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12187-018-9528-5#citeas. doi: 10.1007/s12187-018-9528-5 (Selected as one of 16 articles for Springer Nature CNY2020 collection)
27. Sun, J., & Tang, Y. (2017). Maternal scaffolding strategies and early development of self-regulation in Chinese preschoolers. Early Child Development and Care. doi: 10.1080/03004430.2017.1395874
28. Ip, P., Ho, F. K. W., Rao, N., Sun, J., Young, M. E., Chow, C. B., Tso, W., & Hon, K. L. (2017). Impact of nutritional supplements on cognitive development of children in developing countries: A meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 7, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11023-4
29. Sun, J., Liu, Y., Chen, E., Rao, N., & Liu, H. (2016). Factors related to parents’ engagement in cognitive and socio-emotional caregiving in low- and middle-income countries: Results from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 3. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 36, 21-31. doi: ecresq.2015.12.003 4
30. Rao, N., Sun, J., Ng, S., Ma, K., Becher, Y., Lee, D., …, & Ip, P. (2013). The Hong Kong Early Child Development Scale: A validation study. Child Indicators Research, 6, 115-135. doi: 10.1007/s12187-012-9161-7 4
31. Rao, N., Sun, J., Pearson, V., Pearson, E., Liu, H., Constas, M. A., & Engle, P. L. (2012). Is something better than nothing? An evaluation of early childhood programs in Cambodia. Child Development, 83, 864-876. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01746.x 4
32. Rao, N., Sun, J., Zhou, J., & Zhang, Li. (2012). Early achievement in rural China: The role of preschool experience. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 27, 66-76. doi: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2011.07.001 4
33. Sun, J., & Rao, N. (2012). Scaffolding interactions with preschool children: Comparisons between Chinese mothers and teachers across different tasks. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 58, 110-142. doi: 10.1177/1476718X11415578
34. Sun, J., & Rao, N. (2012). Scaffolding preschool children’s problem solving: A comparison between Chinese mothers and teachers across multiple tasks. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 10, 1-21. doi: 10.1177/1476718X11415578
35. Zhang, X., & Sun, J. (2011). The reciprocal relations between teachers’ perceptions of children’s behavior problems and teacher-child relationships in the first preschool year. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 172, 176-198. doi: 1080/00221325.2010.528077

Edited Books and Monographs

1. Rao, N., Zhou, J., & Sun, J. (Ed.) (2017). Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
2. Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2010). Early childhood care and education in the Asia-Pacific region: Moving towards Goal 1. Hong Kong: Comparative Education Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong/UNESCO.

Book Chapters

1. Bautista, A., Yu, J., Lee, K., & Sun, J. (accepted). The impact of play-based pedagogies on children in diverse Asian contexts: existing research and future agendas. In R. Maulana, M. Helms-Lorenz, & R. Klassen (Eds.), Effective teaching around the world: Contemporary insights (pp. XX-XX). The Netherlands: Springer.
2. Sun, J., & Rao, N. (2017). Growing up in Chinese families and societies. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.). Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
3. Rao, N. & Sun, J. (2017). Introduction. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.). Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
4. S., Sun, J., Lau, C., & Rao, N. (2017). Early childhood education in Hong Kong: Progress, challenges and opportunities. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
5. Jiang, Y., Pang, L., & Sun, J. (2017). Early childhood teacher education in China. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
6. Zhou, J., Sun, J., & Lee, D. (2017). Trends in government expenditure on early childhood education in China: Practices in Shanghai, Guizhou, and Nanshan. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
7. Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2017). Conclusions: Similarities and distinctions in early childhood education across Chinese societies. In N. Rao, J. Zhou, & J. Sun (Eds.), Early childhood education in Chinese societies. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
8. Rao, N., Ng, S., & Sun, J. (2016). Early learning experiences of young Chinese learners in Hong Kong: The role of traditional values and changing educational policy. In R. B. King & A. B. I. Bernardo (Eds.), The psychology of Asian learners: A festschrift in honor of David Watkins. Singapore. Springer.
9. Rao, N., Sun, J., & Wang, Y. (2015). Research on cognitive development in developing countries. In A. Farrell, S. L. Kagan, & K. Tisdall (Eds.). Sage handbook of early childhood research. Newbury Park, USA: Sage.
10. Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2015). Quality early childhood care and education in low resource level countries in Asia. In Investing against evidence: The global state of early childhood care and education. Paris: UNESCO.
11. Ng, S., & Sun, J. (2015). Preschool mathematics learning and school transition in Hong Kong. Chapter prepared for B. Perry, A. Gervasoni, & A. MacDonald (Eds). Mathematics and transition to school: International perspectives. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
12. Rao, N., Sun, J., & Zhang, L. (2014). Learning to learn in early childhood: Home and preschool influences in Chinese societies. In C. Stringher, & C. R. Deakin (Eds.), Learning to learn for all: Theory, practice and international research. Abingdon, Oxford, UK: Routledge.
13. Rao, N., & Sun, J. (2010). Educating Asian adolescents: A developmental perspective. In L. F. Zhang, J. B. Biggs, & D. A. Watkins (Eds.), Understanding the learning and development of Asian students: What the 21st century teacher needs to think about (pp.37-59). Singapore: Pearson Education Asia.
14. Sun, J. (2007). Comparing mother’s and teacher’s scaffolding in preschoolers’ problem solving: A case study. In D. A. Bryant, F. Gao, B. B. Hennig, & W. K. Lam (Eds.), Research studies in education (Vol. 5, pp. 147-158). Hong Kong: Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong.

1. Excellence in Publication Award (2017-2018), Department of Early Childhood Education, The Education University of Hong Kong
2. Faculty Quality Publication Award (2016-2017), Faculty of Education and Human Development, The Education University of Hong Kong
3. Additional Insights International Research Fellowship (2015-2016), New York University
4. Best of UNICEF Research 2015: The Development and Validation of the East Asia-Pacific Early Childhood Development Scales (Co-PI; Group Award)

• Associate Editor of Early Childhood Research Quarterly
• Associate Editor of Journal for the Study of Education and Development