News from First Five Nebraska
November 2017
 

 

Our vision is that all Nebraska children begin kindergarten with the experience they need to become successful students and productive citizens.  

 

Nominations Accepted 
Through Dec. 31.
The Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children is accepting nominations for its Emerging Leader Award given annually to someone who positively affects children, families, programs and Nebraska's early childhood education community. Individuals from all sectors -- government agencies, nonprofits, corporations, Head Start or the private sector -- are eligible. The recipient will receive a $500 award.  

Golden Sower Nominees Named
Nominees for the 2018 Golden Sower Awards, Nebraska's children's choice literary awards, have been announced in three categories: picture books, chapter books and novels.  Last year more than 68,000 children voted for the awards. 
Quick Links
  • Research highlights a link between affection in childhood and health and happiness in the future.  Read More
  • November is Native American History Month; here are books that celebrate Native American history and culture. Read More 
 

 

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Local, National Research on Early Childhood Continues to Refine Practices to Help Children Succeed

Exciting research in the early childhood field continues to educate us about babies' brain growth and development, and what children need to grow into productive adults who contribute to their communities and are able to successfully parent the next generation. 

Here's a snapshot of three studies taking place in Nebraska and nationally.  

'Learning Frontiers' Looking at PreK to Grade 3
UNL researchers are coordinating a national study on factors that promote early learning and development in children from preschool to third grade. The Nebraska team is exploring unique factors contributing to outcomes for children living in rural and urban communities. The national study will have implications for educational practice and policy. 


'Magic 8' Practices Impact Student Success
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified eight key teacher actions that have a large effect on preschool children's success. Data was collected on 840 children over two years in 26 preschool classrooms. Among the factors impacting student success are time spent in transition, participating in sequential activities and increased teacher listening. 


Benefits of Quality Early Education Persist
A new study by the American Educational Research Association found that participation in high-quality early childhood education has lasting effects in three areas: increased high school graduation rates, reduced special education placement and reduced instances of grade retention.




 Watch for registration information 
early in 2018  for the
 
CYFS Summit on Research in Early Childhood: Creating Connections Among Research, Practice & Policy
 

When : April 25, 2018

Keynote Speaker: Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.
Dr. Hirsh-Pasek has a strong interest in bridging the research-to-practice gap. Her research interests are in early language development and infant cognition. 

The summit will include a keynote address, break-out sessions, a poster session and reception. 

Sponsors: Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, First Five Nebraska and UNL's College of Education and Human Sciences 


FFN Director Becky Veak spoke to early childhood partners this month about building relationships and public-private partnerships to support early childhood. She also talked with early childhood students at Concordia University who will begin teaching soon and will receive EC Inclusive endorsements.