Her son's experience inspired Kirova-Petrova to return to graduate school in 1993, this time at the U of A. Her second dissertation explored children's experiences with loneliness. Toy sets like doctor's kits are very important in socialization because they encourage children to become involved with groups. Not only do you need a doctor, but you need a nurse and a patient. Other kinds of toys can lead to isolation. The energetic new recruit has just returned from her second summer of teaching in Eastern Europe, where she is developing a course on applied research in the classroom, which will be translated into 28 languages.
Teachers have so much to offer research.
She also has funding from two American granting agencies to continue work on the development of logic and math in preschool children, as well as the role of gender in choosing appropriate technology for the preschool classroom.