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Study aims to support Brazilian early childhood development

Leslie Hawley and Natalie Koziol

Identifying what is developmentally normal for young children—and what is not—can lead to earlier interventions and better outcomes. Two Nebraska researchers are addressing this need for the world’s fifth most-populated country: Brazil.

Leslie Hawley, CYFS research assistant professor, and Natalie Koziol, CYFS postdoctoral scholar, are creating a screening tool to detect developmental delays in Brazilian children. They are collaborating with Denise Ruschel Bandeira, a professor at Brazil’s Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, as part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln/Brazil Early Childhood Initiative. Full Article

Study explores how to support caregivers affected by Zika virus

Natalie Williams

The mosquito-borne Zika virus has left hundreds of Brazilian families grappling with a new reality: caring for disabled infants and toddlers.

Natalie Williams, assistant professor of child, youth and family studies, is joining Brazilian researchers to explore how to support caregivers whose children have been affected by Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome, a neurological condition associated with cognitive and physical disabilities. Full Article

CYFS hosts ‘Getting Ready’ training for special education providers

Lisa Knoche presents during the June 6 Getting Ready training in Lincoln, Nebraska. CYFS faculty and staff are training Nebraska special education providers in the Getting Ready approach, which focuses on strengthening relationships between parents and children, and parents and early education professionals.

CYFS faculty and staff hosted ‘Getting Ready’ training sessions June 6-9 in Lincoln, Nebraska, for early childhood special education providers, service coordinators and supervisors across the state.

Developed by CYFS faculty and affiliates, Getting Ready is a research-based program that enhances school readiness for children birth to age five. It focuses on strengthening relationships between parents and their children, as well as parents and early childhood professionals. Full Article

Study examines strategies to enhance preschool science instruction

Soo-Young Hong

A preschooler sends a toy car whizzing across a track and down a ramp. With a teacher’s guidance, this four-year-old can also learn about force and motion: the science behind her play.

Soo-Young Hong, associate professor of child, youth and family studies, is exploring how a professional development program could help preschool teachers integrate science into their daily classroom activities. Full Article

Faculty invited to join early childhood research database

The Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research is inviting all faculty members with an interest in early childhood research to join an online, campus-wide database.

The database is designed to be easily searchable, allowing faculty to identify others who are doing research in their content area. The database will include faculty research areas and populations, as well as research tools, design and methods. Full Article