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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

Study examines strategies to enhance preschool science instruction

Soo-Young Hong
Soo-Young Hong

A preschooler sends a toy car whizzing across a track and down a ramp. With a teacher’s guidance, this four-year-old can also learn about force and motion: the science behind her play.

Soo-Young Hong, associate professor of child, youth and family studies, is exploring how a professional development program could help preschool teachers integrate science into their daily classroom activities. Full Article

Upcoming free webinar to highlight family-school partnerships

Amanda Witte and Susan Sheridan
Amanda Witte and Susan Sheridan. View archived webinar.

CYFS director Susan Sheridan and Amanda Witte, CYFS project manager, will lead a free webinar titled “Family-School Partnerships: Evidence-Based Foundations and an Exemplar for Practice” on Friday, Dec. 9 from 2-3 pm Central Standard Time. Full Article

Students gain skills in early childhood autism spectrum disorders

Micheale Marcus, left, works with one of her clients at UNMC's Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic. The clinic provides services to children with autism, and their families.
Micheale Marcus, left, works with one of her clients at UNMC’s Autism Care for Toddlers Clinic. The clinic provides services to children with autism and their families. View photo gallery.

Micheale Marcus puts her hands in the air. Then on her nose. Then on the table—a miniature one, where she sits with her client: a 3-year-old toddler who mimics her every move.

Marcus, a second-year graduate student, is receiving training in early childhood autism spectrum disorders through a new traineeship offered in the College of Education and Human Sciences’ school psychology graduate program. Full Article

Davis leads evaluation of early childhood project

Lori Chleborad, CYFS project coordinator, and Dawn Davis, CYFS project manager, prepare materials for families participating in an evaluation of the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan. Davis is leading an evaluation of home visitations for children birth to age 3.
Lori Chleborad, CYFS project coordinator, and Dawn Davis, CYFS project manager, prepare materials for families participating in an evaluation of the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan. Davis is leading an evaluation of home visitations for children birth to age 3.

Among mattresses lining the living room floor, a mother of two—recently evicted and living with a friend—shares her parenting story with a CYFS data collection team.

Her story is one of many that will guide an evaluation of the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan, launched last year by the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska to close achievement gaps for at-risk children in the Omaha metropolitan area. Full Article

Bullying Prevention Conference draws early childhood educators, researchers

Cynthia Germanotta, co-founder of the Born This Way Foundation, addresses a crowd of more than 150 during the June 13 Bullying Prevention Conference at UNL. Conference participants included early childhood educators, teachers, administrators, parents and researchers.
Cynthia Germanotta, co-founder of the Born This Way Foundation, addresses a crowd of more than 150 during the June 13 Bullying Prevention Conference at UNL. View photo gallery. View videos.

Cynthia Germanotta had just buckled into a trans-Atlantic flight back from Paris when her daughter paused and looked at her.

Mom, it’s time, she said.

The 25-year-old singer, Lady Gaga, had just finished another international concert. She had just finished listening to yet more stories from young fans struggling with bullying and mental health issues. And she knew she had to do something about it. Full Article

CYFS joins UNL-Brazil early childhood partnership

CYFS faculty and affiliates are embarking on a new early childhood research partnership with Brazil. Faculty involved in the initiative include, back row, from left, Greg Welch, Soo-Young Hong, Lisa Knoche, Christine Marvin and Cody Hollist, and front row, from left, Natalie Williams, Michelle Howell Smith, Kathleen Rudasill and Amanda Witte. Not pictured are Carolyn Pope Edwards, Helen Raikes and Paul Springer.
CYFS faculty and affiliates participated in a meeting May 18-19 to begin a UNL-Brazil initiative in early childhood research. Faculty who attended the meeting include, back row, from left, Greg Welch, Soo-Young Hong, Lisa Knoche, Christine Marvin and Cody Hollist, and front row, from left, Natalie Williams, Michelle Howell Smith, Susan Sheridan, Kathleen Rudasill and Amanda Witte. Not pictured are Carolyn Pope Edwards, Helen Raikes and Paul Springer. Visit meeting website View photo gallery

CYFS joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in launching an early childhood research initiative with Brazil during a meeting held May 18-19 in São Paulo.

The working meeting drew 60 early childhood scholars, policymakers and educators from Brazil and UNL with the purpose of forming collaborative teams to conduct future research. UNL’s representation included 13 faculty members from CYFS and the College of Education and Human Sciences. Full Article