Picking a good apple
(10/22/2008) Scientists at the Horticultural Research Center are constantly out in the U's apple orchards and taste testing dozens of apples to find the next Honeycrisp or Haralson. Here, David Bedford offers some tips on picking the great from the so-so.

Giving voice to voters
(10/8/2008) The "My Voice, My Vote" program, created by the U's Institute on Community Integration, has launched a new Web site to help motivate and teach young adults with disabilities about voting and ways to participate in the political process.

Mining the census data
(9/3/2008) This year, four people have been elevated to Regents Professor, the highest faculty rank at the University. They include historian Steven Ruggles, whose most important contributions have focused on the transformation of the American family over the past 150 years.

Discovering by doing
(8/20/2008) The University of Minnesota Extension's 4-H offers out-of-school educational programs that encourage learning and community engagement. Last year 113,000 youth took part in 4-H.

Freedom School students visit Twin Cities campus
(7/23/2008) For a second year, the University of Minnesota's Konopka Institute for Best Practices in Adolescent Health has partnered with Kwanzaa Church and the Nia Imani Youth Development Center in north Minneapolis to bring students from the Kwanzaa Freedom School to the University of Minnesota campus.

McClaurin helps U forge new partnerships
(7/22/2008) The U hired Irma McClaurin to develop and run its first Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center. An associate vice president, she brings commitment, enthusiasm, and expertise to the project.

Educational benefits of social networking sites
(7/9/2008) When you hear about children and Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace, you might think of forums for risky behavior and wasting time. But University of Minnesota researcher Christine Greenhow has discovered that there are concrete intellectual benefits of social networking on the World Wide Web.

Home alone
(5/28/2008) Parents eventually have to face the decision of when to leave their child home alone for the first time. University of Minnesota Extension has some tips to help children develop skills for staying home alone.

Help for struggling readers
(5/28/2008) The percentage of struggling readers has scarcely decreased over the last decade despite extensive research and interventions undertaken to help them. University professor Paul W. van den Broek and his colleagues set out to reverse this trend.

Smaller schools and shared facilities
(5/28/2008) Smaller schools produce higher graduation rates and test scores, as well as fewer discipline problems, according to University of Minnesota researchers.

A failing grade for exit exams
(5/16/2008) In 23 states, including Minnesota, high school students must pass a special exam to graduate. But the U's Rob Warren has found the exams don¿t boost student achievement--just the dropout rate.

Going to the vet?
(5/14/2008) If your dog or cat freaks out whenever you take it to the veterinarian, there are several ways that you can help it calm down. U professor Jane Armstrong suggests offering "positive rewards" and "rescue remedy," or even trying acupuncture.

Growing Concerns 2008-05-13
(5/13/2008) My mom visits us every few weeks and loves to spend time with our young children. However, lately she's been undermining our efforts to discipline our 4-year-old and I'm not sure how to handle it. Our son has a volatile temper and my husband and I are trying to be very consistent in setting limits on his aggressive outbursts and putting him in time out. But my mom intervenes, picks him up, and says, "Oh, that's OK honey." How can I get her to stop?

Growing Concerns 2008-05-01
(5/6/2008) My wife and I are at odds in determining the amount of candy to give our 4 year old. I am concerned that he will develop poor eating habits and she is concerned that if she does not supply him with a daily amount of candy he will over-indulge himself once he is on his own. Our society does not reinforce proper eating habits and I think fruits can satisfy most of those sweet cravings and still supply some vitamins and minerals. Your thoughts?

Growing Concerns 2008-04-24
(4/30/2008) We've recently purchased a new home in a nearby suburb and will move a few weeks before school begins in the fall. Our kids (ages 6, 8 and 10) seem very worried - and even angry - about moving. Are there any special steps we should take to make it easier for them?

When physics is a social science
(4/18/2008) A University-sponsored program helps families discover the joy of science together. Through PACES (Parents And Children Experiencing Science), parents model scientific curiosity for their kids.

Growing Concerns 2008-04-10
(4/18/2008) Since my kids were born I feel like I've lost myself. I've always been taught that parents need to sacrifice their needs for their kids, so I feel guilty if I do something just for me. But I'm afraid I'll burn out and make life worse for my kids in the long run.

Growing Concerns 2008-04-03
(4/18/2008) When I tell our kids to do anything like clean up their room, help with the dishes or stop playing and get ready for bed, they grumble and fuss - or outright refuse to do what I ask. I feel like I'm spending every evening in a battle trying to get the kids to cooperate. How can I break this cycle?

Growing Concerns 2008-03-27
(4/18/2008) We were visiting my cousin's family in another city over the weekend and when we got home we discovered that our five-year-old son had brought home a toy that belongs to their child. Their child has more toys than any kid I've ever seen, so he probably won't even miss it. But should we discipline our son anyway and, if so, how?

Make eating more appealing
(4/16/2008) Many people are trying to adopt a healthier approach to eating. Is it any wonder? Research shows that 6 out of every 10 Americans are overweight and nearly one in three is obese. University Extension has some tips on how to make eating more appealing.

Putting back the wild in the child
(4/4/2008) Too many children are losing their connection to nature, a situation that bodes ill for both. A University-sponsored conference aims to reset the balance.

Growing Concerns 2008-03-28
(4/1/2008) Our next-door neighbor's child behaves very badly and seems to be unsupervised much of the time. We worry about his safety and about the bad influence he might have on our children, but we're not sure what to do since it's not really our place to discipline someone else's child. Do you have any suggestions?

Growing Concerns 2008-03-06
(4/1/2008) Our second-grader is talking about having sleepovers, but we're not sure she's old enough. We're especially uneasy about the idea of slumber parties, and yet that seems to be a big thing with our friends' kids. At what age is it OK and what can parents do to make sleepovers manageable?

Growing Concerns 2008-02-28
(4/1/2008) My wife and I are going to begin a trial separation while we decide whether or not we can get past some serious difficulties in our marriage. We have two children, ages 6 and 8, and we're not sure what to tell them about why we're going to live apart. How much can they understand and what do they need to know?

Growing Concerns 2008-02-21
(4/1/2008) We recently moved to a small town where our 7-year-old son entered second grade. Initially he seemed excited about the new friends he made and even invited some boys over after school. However, now he refuses to have anyone over because he's embarrassed about his 4-year-old brother, who has Down syndrome. Apparently the other kids teased him about his brother after they came over, and now we're not sure if we should push the issue or just let it go.

Calming the storm
(3/5/2008) Three University of Minnesota top talents are launching a new era in epilepsy research and care: Aviva Abosch, Thomas Henry, and Steven Rothman. All are collaborating on translational research that ranges from enhancing the effectiveness of conventional drug therapies to venturing deep within the brain in novel ways.

Champions of breakfast
(3/4/2008) Teens who want to lose weight may be tempted to skip breakfast. It's a temptation they may do well to resist, though, says a new study.

Street wisdom
(2/20/2008) U alum Matthew Ayres conducted a survey on panhandlers in Minneapolis last year, and he found that the local panhandling ordinance doesn't effectively help the homeless population.

Rates of uninsured Minnesotans stabilize
(2/20/2008) A survey from the U's School of Public Health and Minnesota Department of Health shows that after rising between 2001 and 2004, the percentage of Minnesotans without health insurance was stable between 2004 and 2007.

Summer fun for youth
(2/19/2008) The University of Minnesota offers and hosts one of the most comprehensive line-ups of summer camps for youth in Minnesota.

Growing Concerns 2008-02-14
(2/15/2008) My husband and I both grew up in homes where no one ever talked about sex. We want to do things differently with our children, but we need some guidance about when and how to take on this touchy subject.

Growing Concerns 2008-02-07
(2/15/2008) My wife and daughter always have been very close, but over the past few months our daughter (now 14) has become rude and irritable toward her mother. It seems like my wife can't say or do anything right. I don't want to interfere, but the bickering is driving me nuts. Should I intervene? And, if so, how?

Growing Concerns 2008-01-31
(2/15/2008) We might move in with my in-laws for about a year to save some money. They have a three-bedroom house which means that my kids (a 2-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl) would have to share a room -- and possibly a bed. Is there any reason why either sharing a room or sharing a bed would be detrimental to the kids?

Growing Concerns 2008-01-24
(2/15/2008) Our 7-year-old daughter comes home every week announcing that she's "in love" with some boy. Since when do 7-year-olds fall in love? And how should we parents respond so that she doesn't end up being too boy-crazy?

Respect for the voice of children
(2/6/2008) "Children know best what comforts them when they're sick," says Linda Lindeke. The University of Minnesota associate professor is capturing the child's voice for quality improvements at hospitals and clinics nationwide.

Destined to lie, cheat, or steal?
(2/6/2008) New research from the University of Minnesota finds that believing in free will can keep us honest.

Pastry chefs, born and bread
(2/1/2008) In their new book, Zoë François and U adjunct professor Jeff Hertzberg show us how to bring such things as boules, rye bread, brioche, bagels, and apricot pastries into our daily lives in less time than the average American spends taking a shower.

Take food allergies seriously
(1/23/2008) Eating is an enjoyable experience for most of us, but it can be frightening and even life threatening for people with food allergies. University of Minnesota Extension has some tips on how to avoid a harmful reaction for those with food allergies or food intolerance.

Autism up close
(1/15/2008) Scott Selleck is one of a group of researchers in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development working to unravel the cause of autism.

A sporting chance
(1/11/2008) How do young athletes want parents to behave? Jens Omli, a research associate at the U's Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport, posed that question to a group. A common reply: quiet attentiveness. In other words, don't coach from the sidelines or yell at the referee.

The sound of silence
(1/11/2008) For U professor Peggy Nelson, the sound of silence is the sound of children learning. Nelson has spent her career studying the effects of noise on classroom learning.

Bridging languages, bridging cultures
(1/9/2008) Pui-Fong Kan, a University of Minnesota Ph.D. candidate, is studying the relationship between language acquisition and culture, especially in bilingual children.

Family meals quell eating disorders in teenage girls
(1/9/2008) U researchers surveyed teenage girls and boys over a five-year span and found that regular family meals can decrease eating disorders among girls.

Growing Concerns 2008-01-03
(1/7/2008) Our daughter is clamoring to be allowed to go shopping at the mall with friends (without an adult along) when she turns 12 in a few weeks. We're hearing the familiar line, "All the other parents let their kids," but we're not sure she's old enough for that kind of independence. What do you think?

Growing Concerns 2007-12-20
(12/26/2007) Our 5-year-old son, who started kindergarten this year, is outgoing and confident during the day, but at night he still likes to take his old "blankie" to bed with him. My husband teases him about it, saying, "Look at the big baby!" Should we push him to give up the blanket? And, if not, how can I get my husband to quit the teasing?

Growing Concerns 2007-12-13
(12/26/2007) Last winter our teenage son died and now we're sadly facing the first Christmas without him. We have two other children and we're grappling with how to help them find some pleasure in this holiday season without denying the fact that it's going to be very hard. We welcome your suggestions of things we can do -- and things to look out for.

Growing Concerns 2007-12-06
(12/26/2007) This holiday season is a wonderful time of giving -- to family, friends, and hopefully even to others in need. Certainly it is in the holiday spirit to focus on the needs and desires of others and to give with love, joy and enthusiasm. But the spirit of the season is also reflected in the way we receive gifts.

Growing Concerns 2007-11-29
(12/26/2007) I've recently started doing child care in my home for several young children and I've observed some sexual curiosity that I'm not quite sure what to make of. Can you provide some guidelines about what is normal for young children and any problem signs that I ought to be aware of?

Growing Concerns 2007-11-15
(12/26/2007) Perhaps more than any other holiday, Thanksgiving gets me thinking about the value of family rituals. There's nothing like the smell of turkey, a nice fluffy mound of mashed potatoes, and a big slab of pumpkin pie to bring a family together. And each time those familiar Thanksgiving routines are repeated, the sights and sounds and smells conjure up images of all of the holidays that went before.

Growing Concerns 2007-11-08
(12/26/2007) My mother-in-law is very upset that my four-month-old uses a pacifier. She worries that we're making a sissy out of him and she says that it will give him crooked teeth. Should we be concerned?