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.
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.
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
How can early childhood researchers incorporate artificial intelligence into their work?
Early childhood researchers discussed strategies, tools and best practices for incorporating AI into their work during the spring NAECR Knowledge event March 13.
Mel Sedlacek, office associate with the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies, and IDEA campus coordinator, led the virtual presentation for 21 attendees representing all four University of Nebraska campuses and the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.
Secure and effective online data collection is crucial to early childhood research. Its importance was emphasized during the Fall NAECR Knowledge event Dec. 10.
Amanda Prokasky, senior research specialist at the Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics, led the virtual presentation, which featured information and tips on creating and implementing effective survey questions for study participants.
A panel of researchers and community partners explored the latest programming, interventions and resources being used to promote early childhood social/emotional development across Nebraska at the Fall NAECR Networking event Oct. 31.
Panelists included Sami Bradley, Nebraska Association for Infant Mental Health, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation; Amy Colwell, Early Childhood MTSS; Holly Hatton, Child, Youth & Family Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Lisa Knoche, Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools, UNL; and Christen Million, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation–Rooted in Relationships.
Creating connections among early childhood research, practice and policy — and how each can enhance the lives of young children and their families — provided the central theme of the 2024 CYFS Early Childhood Research Summit.
Almost 200 attendees, including researchers from across the University of Nebraska system, practitioners, administrators, community partners and policymakers, gathered April 23 at Nebraska Innovation Campus for the daylong, seventh biennial summit, which highlighted the latest research to advance early childhood education and development, and implications for practice and policy.
Time is running out to register for the seventh biennial CYFS Early Childhood Research Summit, April 23 at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center.
Registration is open through Monday, March 25.
Presented by CYFS in partnership with the Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research, the summit aims to communicate cutting-edge early childhood findings from University of Nebraska–affiliated researchers and colleague; link ongoing efforts in early childhood research, practice and policy; and advance the science of early childhood education and development via connections among community partners, key stakeholders, policymakers, early childhood practitioners and researchers.
