His research focuses on connections among play, physical activity, and sport participation with executive function and early learning. He is currently examining connections among complex motor activity and active play with EF and math in a sample of 3 to 4-year-old children over the prekindergarten year. Prior to starting at WCU, Dr. Becker earned a master’s in Experimental Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Ph.D. in Human Development from Oregon State University.