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Category: Affiliate Research

Researchers address early childhood needs of Nebraska’s immigrant, refugee families

The research team includes, front row from left: Sanya Tuncan-Minden, UNMC graduate research assistant; Kerry Miller, associate director of Munroe-Meyer’s Department of Education and Child Development and UNMC’s principal investigator; Laura Fritz, UNMC graduate research assistant; and Alexis Chavez, MAP Academy graduate research assistant. Back row, from left: Janella Kang, MAP Academy graduate research assistant; Amanda Prokasky, MAP Academy senior research specialist; Lorey Wheeler, MAP Academy director; and Charlie Lewis, project director at the Center on Children, Families and the Law. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

Early screening and support are vital for healthy child development, especially for immigrant and refugee families navigating unfamiliar systems in the U.S.

A recent multi-campus study found that many immigrant and refugee families in Nebraska struggle to access services to address developmental delays or disabilities in children, particularly those age 3 and younger. Barriers include language differences, limited awareness of available services and discomfort with the health care system due to past discrimination or negative experiences. Full Article

Study explores factors influencing youth sports participation

Researchers are studying factors that influence participation in youth sports, including where children and adolescents live.

For years, research has shown that active children — including those who participate in youth sports — tend to be healthier than those who are less active.

Ann Rogers, assistant professor in the Department of Health Promotion in the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, is leading a project to understand what influences youth sports participation, including where children and adolescents live. Full Article

CHIME expands its reach to Ghana

Holly Hatton, associate professor of child, youth and family studies, shares information on the research behind social emotional well-being for teachers and young children during her January 2025 trip to Ghana. View photo gallery.

A transformative program designed to help educators use mindfulness and reflection in their daily work is expanding its global reach.

Holly Hatton, associate professor of child, youth and family studies, is collaborating with researchers in Ghana to adapt CHIME — Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators — an interactive compassion- and mindfulness-based program developed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The program will support caregivers, young children and college students in the small west African country. Full Article

NAECR Networking event highlights latest research on social-emotional development

A panel of researchers from around the University of Nebraska system shared the latest news of early childhood social-emotional development research at the April 15 NAECR Networking event.

A panel of researchers discussed the latest programming, interventions and resources being used to promote early childhood social-emotional development across Nebraska at the NAECR Networking event April 15.

Panelists included Kerry-Ann Escayg, assistant professor of teacher education, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Sara Kupzyk, assistant professor of psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha; and Abbie Raikes, associate professor of health promotion, University of Nebraska Medical Center Full Article

CYFS launches Signature Research Impact Program

For the past 20 years, the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools has remained committed to making positive difference in people’s lives through research in the social, behavioral and educational sciences.

As CYFS looks ahead to the next 20 years, the center is offering a new funding opportunity: The CYFS Signature Research Impact Program. Full Article

Project broadens horizons for preservice teachers, middle school students alike

Jillian Harpster, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, chats with students during their May 2024 visit to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s city campus. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network. View photo gallery.

As student populations grow and change throughout American schools, teachers face new challenges in meeting students’ needs and preparing them for long-term success.

For educators, both practicing and in training, experience is key.

Jillian Harpster, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education, recently led a project to help preservice middle school teachers broaden their practical experiences, and to provide seventh and eighth graders with the opportunity to engage in the college experience. Full Article

Researchers building science confidence, capacity among rural early childhood educators

The project’s research team includes, front row, from left: Lisa Poppe, Sarah Paulos, Deepika Menon and Christine Wittich. Back row, from left: Marianna Burks, Maddie Pieper, HyeonJin Yoon, Soo-Young Hong, LaDonna Werth and Doug Golick. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

Research shows children starting kindergarten often know less about science compared to reading and math. Despite this, science activities typically make up the smallest proportion of the preschool day.

The science opportunity gap is even more pronounced in rural communities, where limited educational resources and lower emphasis on science education widen the divide. Full Article

Researchers aim to empower future K-12 teachers with computer science knowledge

Leen-Kiat Soh, professor in the College of Engineering’s School of Computing, is leading a project to ensure the next generation of K-12 educators includes plenty of teachers who can teach computing skills. Lean more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

As computers become more and more ubiquitous in nearly every aspect of daily life, the demand for teachers who can prepare the next generation of tech leaders is more pressing than ever.

Leen-Kiat Soh, professor of computing, is leading a project to ensure future generations of K-12 teachers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to bring the cutting-edge computer science into the classroom. Full Article