
Meet Dr. Andrea Miller Emerson

Dr. Andrea Miller Emerson is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Division of Education and Leadership at Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon. She is the developer of the Project Play Pack take-home play bags targeting preschool children’s Approaches to Learning. The take-home play bag model was derived from extensive work with Dr. Sandra Linder at Clemson University and a series of projects developing play bags to share with Head Start families to support in-home parent-child play with math, social-emotional, or approaches to learning topics.
Andrea lives (and laughs frequently) with her husband, Kyle, and her cat, Zuzu. She brings diverse personal perspectives to early childhood education and care from her father’s Colombian heritage, her mother’s all-American culture from North Texas, her ongoing involvement with an Italian Immersion Program for pre-service teachers in Carpi, Italy, and her extensive international travel. Read more…
A Note from Andrea

Welcome!
The website is intended to give you (visitors) a chance to get to know my interests and my work. I hope we can connect as a result of what you find here. I’m always excited to meet new likeminded teachers, administrators, researchers, and advocates. I’m also happy to share my expertise through tailored learning experiences for adults (parents, teachers, administrators, and the like). read more…
Recent Blog Posts
For Play’s Sake! Emergent Math
Don’t say you are not a math person…. slow down & stay a while. Emergent Math D.C.N. Developing Child Note: The emergent math skills of children 0 -5 begin way before number recognition and counting. Observations and explorations relating to mathematical...
read moreFor Play’s Sake: Emergent Fine Motor Skills
Play dough is my jam! How about you? My Squishy Squashy Soapbox D.C.N. Developing Child Note: The fine motor skills of young children are rapidly developing in the first 5 years. Little fingers are feeling, pushing, pulling, pinching, poking, and playing with all...
read morePete’s A Pizza
Creativity in the early years includes pretend (symbolic) play. Pretend play offers boundless opportunities for language development, creative expression, and relational connections. While children are exceptional players, sometimes adults need help getting started. ...
read moreRequest a Consultation or Invite Andrea to Speak
For Play's Sake
Why is play so important? Well, for play’s sake! These blogs are constructive messages regarding the importance of play.Recipes for Connection
Recipes for connection are springboards for approaches to learning themed adult-child connections. These blogs provide a theme, materials, and a starting point for fresh playful explorations.Parent Partnership
Few adults know children better than their parents. These blog posts honor parents as partners in education. Let’s work together.Emergent Early Childhood Issues
Something has come up. These blog posts address a buzz. Let’s talk about a trending early childhood issue.Say Hello!
Interested in inviting Andrea to speak to your collegues or at your next event? Just want to say hello? Use the contact form to reach Andrea directly, or feel free to use the contact info below.
Andrea Miller Emerson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor | Division of Education and Leadership
Early Childhood Education
Western Oregon University
345 Monmouth Ave N | Monmouth, OR 97361| RWEC 129
205-394-1929