Skip to main content

News Home

Connections for Kids training prepares students for early childhood careers

A University of Nebraska–Lincoln Children’s Center educator plays with two toddlers. Photo courtesy of Jacht Agency. Learn more about the Connections for Kids undergraduate coursework offerings on the TransformED website.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln students will soon have access to new online courses designed to provide career-ready training in early childhood care and education.

Starting in the 2026–27 academic year, undergraduates in all majors can enroll in Connections for Kids — a series of five online courses focused on preparing them to promote young children’s social and emotional development through innovative, evidence-based practices. Full Article

NAECR Knowledge event focuses on data repository selection

Selecting the right repository for research data is crucial.

What factors should you consider when selecting a data repository?

The March 9 NAECR Knowledge event was led by Amanda Prokasky, senior research specialist at the Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics & Psychometrics (MAP Academy), who outlined best practices for data repository selection and offered guidance for multiple points of the research cycle. Full Article

CYFS invites proposals for 2026 Signature Research Impact Program

For more than 20 years, the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools has worked to make a positive difference in people’s lives through research in the social, behavioral and educational sciences.

Building on this foundation, the center is launching the second round of its Signature Research Impact Program — a funding opportunity designed to support high-impact research that benefits Nebraska’s children, families, schools and communities. Full Article

University of Nebraska early childhood research featured at NAECR Networking event

The latest developments in early childhood research were discussed in the Nov. 18 NAECR Networking event.

A panel of researchers discussed the latest early childhood research from across the University of Nebraska system during the virtual NAECR Networking event Nov. 18.

Presenters included:

View the presentation.

NAECR Networking and NAECR Knowledge are an ongoing series of networking and training events designed to enhance early childhood research across the NU system. Full Article

NAECR Knowledge event focuses on AI in research

Researchers incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into their work was the focus of the Oct. 7 NAECR Knowledge event.

With artificial intelligence — AI — becoming increasingly integrated into daily life, researchers have the opportunity to incorporate the fast-evolving, cutting-edge technology into their work.

Early childhood researchers discussed strategies, tools and best practices for incorporating AI into their work during the fall NAECR Knowledge event Oct. 7. Full Article

NAECR celebrates 10 years of life-changing research across NU system

NAECR is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of supporting early childhood research and collaboration across the University of Nebraska system.

For 10 years, the Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research (NAECR) has advanced high-quality early childhood research and collaboration at the University of Nebraska.

Moving forward into the next 10 years and beyond, NAECR is focused on continuing to provide the tools, support and programs researchers need to ensure their work has the greatest impact on improving children’s lives. Full Article

NAECR selects 2025-26 Policy Fellows

The Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research has selected six faculty members to serve as Policy Fellows for the 2025-26 academic year.

The NAECR Policy Fellows Program is designed to educate early childhood researchers on policy processes, impacts and relationships to research; to provide policymakers with insight into the latest early childhood research at the University of Nebraska; and to generate collaboration among researchers and policymakers to develop effective research agendas that enrich early childhood experiences. 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