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Category: Early Childhood Education & Development

‘Nurture Nebraska’ builds support for children’s social, emotional growth

Nurture Nebraska vinyl art installation at the Lincoln airport raises awareness of the importance of children’s social and emotional development. All photos courtesy of Changmin Yan. View photo gallery.

This holiday season, a new statewide campaign is reminding Nebraskans that the smallest moments of connection can have the biggest impact on children’s lives.

Nurture Nebraska aims to boost awareness around the importance of children’s social and emotional development from birth to age 5. The campaign highlights how everyday interactions — a warm greeting, a kind response or a little extra patience to work through big feelings — help children develop confidence and skills that will benefit them throughout life. Full Article

Getting Ready program continues to engage families, prepare children for life success

The Getting Ready research team includes, from left, Sue Sheridan, Lisa Knoche, Tammi Hechtner-Galvin, Sue Bainter and Katie Zabel.

For more than two decades, the Getting Ready research program has promoted healthy development for children age 5 and younger by bringing evidence-based parent engagement strategies to early childhood programs throughout Nebraska.

As one of the first projects launched by CYFS in 2004, Getting Ready has focused on cultivating and fortifying relationships in children’s lives, including relationships among parents, children and the early childhood educators connected to the family. Full Article

A “KNEW” partnership aims to fortify Nebraska’s early child care workforce

Jaci Foged, Early Childhood Extension coordinator (left), works with educators at a KNEW workshop in Grand Island, Nebraska, in August. Learn more about this project in the CYFS Research Network.

For many Nebraska families, finding affordable child care can seem like piecing together an impossible puzzle.

Parents juggle waitlists, long commutes and tough choices between work and staying home — all while early childhood teachers themselves face low pay, long hours and stress. Full Article

Researchers aim to evaluate, streamline breastmilk sharing program

From left, Malone Maternal Wellness’ Jillian Boldt and Jordan Hardesty, and Nebraska researchers Patty Kuo and Alex Mason, check out the Malone Milk Mobile. Learn more in the CYFS Research Network.

Children who are breastfed as infants are less likely to develop obesity. However, despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 25% of infants in the U.S. are exclusively breastfed for the first six months.

As many as 70% of mothers experience problems with breastfeeding, contributing to lower rates — particularly among Black Americans (17.2%) and rural residents (18%). Research suggests these low breastfeeding rates may compound potential nutrition-related health disparities from the start of life. Full Article

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

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

NAECR Knowledge event highlights AI potential in early childhood research

The March 13 NAECR Knowledge event focused on strategies, tools and best practices for incorporating artificial intelligence into early childhood research.

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. Full Article