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Research aims to battle adolescent bullying, peer threat

Meredith Martin, assistant professor of educational psychology, is conducting research on factors contributing to peer threat to understand how children cope in different ways.
Meredith Martin, assistant professor of educational psychology, is researching children’s individual responses to bullying and peer threat to help tailor effective solutions.

Take a moment to recall a particularly overwhelming day.

Morning comes way too early after a restless, worry-fueled night of tossing and turning. A knotted, roiling stomach makes eating breakfast difficult. Deadlines loom, with too much to do in too little time. Full Article

Early childhood professionals ‘Getting Ready’ to make positive impacts

Early childhood special education providers, service coordinators and supervisors from across the state gathered at Nebraska Innovation Campus June 5-8 for Getting Ready training sessions.
Early childhood professionals gather at Nebraska Innovation Campus June 5-8 for Getting Ready training.

Early childhood special education providers, services coordinators and supervisors from across the state gathered at Nebraska Innovation Campus June 5-8 for Getting Ready training sessions.

Hosted by CYFS faculty and staff, a pair of two-day training sessions focused on translating evidence-based research practices into real-world settings to positively impact children and their families. Part C state trainers delivered the training material after having received one year of training and support in Getting Ready from CYFS faculty and staff. Full Article

Nebraska-Brazil early childhood research partnership continues progress

Marjorie Kostelnik, senior associate to University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds, speaks to researchers from Nebraska and Brazil May 8.
Marjorie Kostelnik, senior associate to University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds, speaks to researchers working on joint projects through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Brazil Early Childhood Partnership.

Faculty and students from two continents came together recently in Lincoln for a pair of research luncheons to update one another on various joint projects.

Researchers from the University Federal Rural of Pernambuco in Brazil visited Lincoln April 24 to meet with their CYFS faculty and student counterparts in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Brazil Early Childhood Partnership. A second group of Brazilian researchers, from University Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, were on campus May 8 to discuss their projects with their Nebraska partners. Full Article

Video available for CYFS Signature Event presentation by Michael Pluess

Michael Pluess, psychologist and associate professor of developmental psychology at Queen Mary University of London, kicks off the inaugural CYFS Signature Event April 11.
Michael Pluess, psychologist and associate professor of developmental psychology at Queen Mary University of London, leads the inaugural CYFS Signature Event April 11.

Michael Pluess, psychologist and associate professor of developmental psychology at Queen Mary University of London, led the inaugural CYFS Signature Event April 11. Video is now available of his presentation, “Individual Differences in Environmental Sensitivity.” Full Article

Research article named best of 2017 by Journal of School Psychology

From left, Susan Sheridan, CYFS director; Amanda Witte, CYFS project manager; and Shannon Holmes, postdoctoral affiliate at the University of Missouri, accept the award for Best Article of 2017.
From left, co-authors Susan Sheridan, CYFS director; Amanda Witte, project manager; and Shannon Holmes, postdoctoral fellow at the University of Missouri, accept the award for the 2017 Article of the Year.

A peer-reviewed research paper highlighting the success of a research-based program designed by CYFS has been named the 2017 Article of the Year by the Journal of School Psychology.

The article, “A randomized trial examining the effects of Conjoint Behavioral Consultation in rural schools: Student outcomes and the mediating role of the teacher-parent relationship,” appeared in the April 2017 issue of the Journal of School Psychology. It was one of two separate articles published about the outcomes of research using Conjoint Behavioral Consultation (CBC), a program now known as Teachers and Parents as Partners (TAPP). Full Article

Team develops virtual reality game to teach children healthy habits

A Nebraska team led by Changmin Yan, associate professor of advertising and public relations, has created a virtual reality game that teaches kindergarten children about nutrition and physical activity.
A Nebraska team led by Changmin Yan, associate professor of advertising and public relations, has created a virtual reality game that teaches kindergarten children about nutrition and physical activity.

Trees line the horizon under a bright, cloudless sky. It’s a typical outdoor scene — except for the giant pineapple soaring overhead.

Kindergarteners playing the virtual reality game must make a decision: What is the name of the fruit they see?

Changmin Yan with Google Cardboard glasses
Changmin Yan holds Google Cardboard glasses.

With $15 Google Cardboard glasses and an interdisciplinary research team, Changmin Yan, associate professor of advertising and public relations, has created an immersive experience to encourage healthy habits for young children in rural communities — particularly those from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Full Article

Study: Strong parent-teacher ties drive positive outcomes for rural children

Amanda Witte, co-investigator, and Susan Sheridan, principal investigator
Amanda Witte, co-investigator and CYFS project manager, and Susan Sheridan, principal investigator

When parents and teachers work together, student behavior improves, along with their academic and social skills, according to a recent CYFS study.

Using the research-based program known as Teachers and Parents as Partners, the study examined how emphasis on strong relationships between schools and families in rural communities affects children’s outcomes. TAPP supports collaboration between teachers and parents to enhance students’ academic and social skills, and behavior. 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.
Lisa Knoche presents during the June 6 Getting Ready training in Lincoln, Nebraska. View photo gallery. For more information, visit the Getting Ready website.

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