About Erika Christakis

Erika Christakis is an early childhood educator and New York Times bestselling author of "The Importance of Being Little: What Young Children Really Need From Grownups." A former preschool teacher and director, and faculty member of the Yale Child Study Center, Christakis holds teaching licensure in Massachusetts and Vermont (pre-k through 2nd grade) and consults with early childhood programs and schools. She also serves on the national advisory board of Defending the Early Years. Her writing on children has been featured in venues such as The Atlantic, The Washington Post, TIME.com and Salon.