Skip to main content
News Home

Category: Early Education & Development

Michigan researcher outlines obstacles, potential solutions for racially marginalized youth

University of Michigan professor Deborah Rivas-Drake delivers a Distinguished Visiting Scholar Keynote, “Promoting Socioemotional Development in Racially Minoritized Youth,” May 3 at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center. See gallery.

Many racially minoritized youth do not have equal access to the benefits of being young, according to a University of Michigan researcher.

Deborah Rivas-Drake, Stephanie J. Rowley Collegiate Professor of Education and Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan, said during her May 3 keynote presentation at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center that youth of color are frequently dismissed or marginalized — often because of how they speak and express themselves. That generates an “unequal, social-emotional toll” on them from experiencing racial and immigration injustices. Full Article

Get SET Nebraska addresses special education teacher shortage

From left, HyeonJin Yoon, Pam Brezenski, Kris Elmshaeuser and Amanda Witte are leading the Get SET project to help retain special education teachers in Nebraska. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

As in other states, Nebraska’s ability to deliver high-quality instruction to students served in special education depends on the availability of qualified teachers.

Unfortunately, shortages of special education teachers — both statewide and nationally — leave many students in individualized education programs at further risk for compromised educational outcomes. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 49 states and the District of Columbia reported shortages of special education teachers in 2021. Full Article

Child care study examines whether kids eat healthier when mealtimes are positive

Jasmin Smith, graduate student in Human Sciences–Child Development/Early Childhood Education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is working with Dipti Dev, associate professor of child, youth and family studies and Nebraska Extension specialist, to explore the impact of mealtime emotional climate on child care providers’ feeding practices and children’s dietary outcomes. Learn more about the project in the CYFS Research Network.

As any parent knows, children and vegetables aren’t always a natural match. Research shows preschool-aged children are not meeting dietary recommendations, particularly when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables.

Dietary preferences are set early in life and carry throughout the lifespan, and poor diet is a risk factor for obesity, cancer, type II diabetes and other chronic diseases. Full Article

Equity-focused research hub aims to bridge gap between university, communities

The NE CARES Hub project team includes, from left, Sarah Zuckerman, Megan Kelley, Virginia Chaidez and Trey Andrews. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

Years ago, when Sarah Zuckerman worked as a special education teacher in Washington, D.C., she saw firsthand the myriad of educational and health needs her students brought with them to school.

Increasing access to more nutritious food, medical care and mental health services seemed to be constant needs she saw every day. Full Article

Grand Challenges research effort leverages STEM to inspire climate action

The RISE with Insects research team includes, from left, Susan Weller, director of the University of Nebraska State Museum; Sarah Roberts, Extension educator in science and nature education for early childhood; Ana María Vélez Arango, assistant professor of insect toxicology; Louise Lynch-O’Brien, assistant professor of insect biology and Extension specialist; and Holly Hatton-Bowers, associate professor of child, youth and family studies and Extension specialist. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

After decades of work, many researchers believe climate change poses the greatest global threat to human health — and that youth are the most vulnerable to the impacts and most-dire consequences, both today and in the future.

Black, Latinx, Native American and other youth of color may be disproportionately affected by climate change with deepening inequalities in access to clean air and water, healthy foods and forced migration. Full Article

Interdisciplinary program takes long-range view of visual impairment instruction

Mackenzie Savaiano, associate professor of practice in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, is leading a project to recruit and train new teachers to meet the needs of students with visual impairments. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Ophthalmology, the number of American preschool children with visual impairment is projected to increase by more than 25 percent in the coming decades, with most visual impairment resulting from simple uncorrected vision problems that interfere with clear sight. Full Article

Nebraska Extension early childhood team develops quality child care guide

Nebraska Extension’s “Child Care Essentials: Choosing Quality Child Care in Nebraska” guide is available online and will be provided to parents of newborns at all Nebraska hospitals. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

Access to quality child care is essential for working parents. Early care and education settings — including homes, child care centers and out-of-school programs — help Nebraska communities thrive by contributing to a strong workforce, while also providing children with safe and nurturing environments that foster their learning and development. Full Article

Researchers collaborate at Early Head Start University Partnership Data Camp

Researchers from four universities involved in the Early Head Start University Partnership met May 4-5 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to discuss expanding the knowledge base of early childcare and education programs. From left, HyeonJin Yoon, Lorey Wheeler, Ann Michele Stacks, Sue Sheridan, Johayra Bouza, Beth Van Horne, Sandra Scruggs and Lisa Knoche. Learn more about the project in the CYFS Research Network.

Research teams from four universities gathered May 4 and 5 at the Nebraska Union to discuss expanding knowledge and support of Early Head Start and other early care and education programs.

During the two-day Early Head Start University Research Partnership Data Camp, researchers collaborated in-person and virtually on a variety of topics, including parent-teacher relationships, infant/toddler well-being in Early Head Start center-based care and provider professional development. Full Article