Internationally renowned early childhood researcher, Professor Adam Winsler, from George Mason University in the USA, will deliver two public lectures at Charles Sturt University in Dubbo on April 23 and 24. The first lecture, Private speech, Scaffolding, and Self-Regulation in typical children and Children with ADHD and/or Autism, will examine the role of children’s ‘self talk’ in the development of self-regulation. “Children often talk to themselves during play or problem solving situations,” Professor Winsler said. “Such private speech is thought to play an important role in the development of self-regulation and in the transfer of autonomy/responsibility from others (teachers, parents) to the self.” The second lecture will examine Long-term associations between children's school readiness and later outcomes in school, and long-term effects of a culturally sensitive preschool literacy intervention. Professor Winsler’s research has been represented in more than 80 publications and he is the author of several books on early childhood education and development.