Nebraska Early Childhood Research News

Nebraska Academy for Early Childhood Research

March 10, 2025

Abbie Raikes, professor, Department of Health Promotion at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC photo)

Kidsights project explores early child development

How infants and children develop from birth to age 5 has significant, lifelong effects on their well-being.

Thanks to a recent pilot project led by Abbie Raikes, professor in the Department of Health Promotion at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, more data is now available that provide a better understanding of how infants and children are developing within defined geographic areas — and to better inform decision-making at the state and community levels.

Raikes, a NAECR researcher and director of UNMC's Center for Global Health and Development, recently completed a pilot project for Kidsights Data, a UNMC-based initiative designed to build demand for the adoption and use of a population-based early childhood measurement tool for children from birth to age 5.

Raikes and her team used the Kidsights Measurement Tool to collect data on child development that can track development in children from birth to age 5 in the United States, offering a unique view into how American children are developing in the crucial early childhood years.

Using a sample of about 2,500 Nebraska families with young children, researchers examined normative child development, as well as families and children’s home learning environments, the activities and materials kids have at home, how parents are engaging with their kids, and how parents feel about their communities.

Researchers found that many of the state's parents are providing stimulating, supportive home environments for their children, which help ensure healthy child development.

They also found that about half of Nebraska families with young children are facing economic strain and food insecurity — disparities, Raikes said, that are associated with lower child development test scores.

"Disparities in child development emerge early in life, and we were able to detect differences in children’s development based on socio-economic status by 18 months of age," she said. "We were also happy to learn how many families are investing in their children’s development through home learning activities."

Data will be used to provide early childhood educators and policymakers with the information they need to develop and implement support at the state and community levels.

"Our goal is raise awareness of the issues facing Nebraska families with young children, so they can receive the support they need to raise healthy, happy children," Raikes said. "It is exciting to see the findings used by policy advocates and other stakeholders in communicating the importance of investing in young children."

Additional Kidsights data will be collected this spring in communities across Nebraska. Researchers who are interested in the data or learning more about Kidsights can contact Dr. Raikes at abbie.raikes@unmc.edu.

Update your NAECR Measures Exchange materials

All NAECR researchers recently received an email with a survey to update online materials and resources on the Measures Exchange website.

The Exchange provides a library of early childhood assessment tools that target child progress and development. It includes early childhood researchers from across the University of Nebraska system who have expertise in assessments of child skill, and indicates whether the tool is available for review or use by colleagues.

NAECR researchers who currently have measures listed on the exchange can make edits to those entries, or add new assessments, by completing this survey.

NAECR researchers who do not currently have any measures listed on the exchange can complete this survey.

Call for Reviews: WAIMH 19th World Congress 2026

The World Association for Infant Mental Health (WAIMH) is seeking reviewers for posters, symposia, case presentations, and workshop proposals under consideration for inclusion at the 19th Biennial Congress of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, Oct. 2-6, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.

Reviewers play a critical role in ensuring the quality of the Congress program. The Congress bridges the worlds of infant and early childhood mental health research, practice and policy, and draws scholars and practitioners from across disciplines who share a focus on relational perspectives in early caregiving and relationship development and children’s developmental outcomes.

Application due date: This Friday, March 14, 2025

Apply now

Explore legislation with First Five Nebraska

Join the First Five Nebraska Policy team for an in-depth exploration of early childhood legislation during the 2025 session of the Nebraska Unicameral.

Elizabeth Everett, First Five Nebraska’s Deputy Director and Public Policy Manager, will lead a comprehensive overview of the early childhood issues on the radar of state legislation. This is an excellent opportunity to stay informed, ask questions and stay engaged with Nebraska’s early childhood policy.

The sessions take place every two weeks at 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Central Time. The next available session is this Tuesday, March 11.

Following your registration, you will receive a link to join the Zoom meeting.

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