Torri Ann is a research scientist in the HELLO (Hearing Experience Language Learning Outcomes) Lab. The biggest project in the lab is our Parent Infant Eye-tracking (PIE; Protocol #H23-0448). In this study, they have parents of children who are D/deaf or hard of hearing complete a videotaped 10-minute play session. The parents wear eye-tracking units (like glasses), and the lab assesses how the eye gaze of parents and children relates to spoken word learning! Torri Ann also has other studies that are a continuation of her dissertation looking at parent education around early intervention.  

Being a Connecticut native, Torri Ann started her educational journey at UConn, earning a BA in Psychology and Speech, Language, and Hearing Science with minors in Cognitive Science and Neuroscience. For her Master’s, Torri Ann moved to DC and attended Gallaudet University, the only University in the world that runs in American Sign Language. Once back from DC, she earned her PhD in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at UConn. Her interest in research comes from wanting to be the best support possible for families and children who are D/deaf and hard of hearing.  

Torri Ann loves to spend her time with her dog, Marah Jade (a deaf retired service dog), family, and baby daughter. They love to go hiking, watch Bluey, and visit Old Sturbridge Village!

Torri Ann hopes to see you in her Lab!

The holidays are an exciting time for many families, but for others, they may cause a “grief spike.” Grief spikes are periods when grief surges. However, there are tips to help parents and children navigate these holiday grief spikes by helping to keep lost loved ones present.

Providing children with space to talk is of utmost importance. This space can help children continue to feel connected to someone they lost. Storytelling is a great way to continue to talk about and feel connected to those we’ve lost. Additionally, support from those around you can make the holiday season more manageable after a loss. The extra support can alleviate some stress for both you and your child.

Read the full article here.

Emma Dineen

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

Na Zhang, Ph.D., is the Director of the Family Resilience And Mindfulness Empowerment (FRAME) lab and Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at UConn. Dr. Zhang has completed a National Institute of Health T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship at Arizona State University’s REACH Institute. Additionally, Dr. Zhang earned her Ph.D. in Family Social Science with a Prevention Science Minor from the University of Minnesota.

The FRAME lab studies mindfulness in divorcing/separating families, a project funded by the National Institute of Health. The ultimate goal is to develop a mindfulness app that can be added to an existing digital evidence-based parenting intervention for divorced/separated parents as a self-help tool. Dr. Zhang expects the project to have real-world impacts on reducing mental health problems and stress in divorced parents as well as improving the well-being of their children. The FRAME lab is inviting divorcing or recently divorced mothers or fathers to participate in their study. Please reach out if you are interested. Email the lab at frame.lab@uconn.edu or call/text them at 203-561-7045.

Learn more about the FRAME lab here!

As a family scholar and prevention scientist, Dr. Zhang mainly studies the intrapersonal and interpersonal pathways involved in the development of psychopathology and resilience among youth and adults who were exposed to stressful or traumatic experiences. A major focus of her research is on the development and evaluation of behavioral parent training programs that consider parents as the agents of change. Dr. Zhang has investigated how effective parenting may lead to resilience outcomes in children from at-risk families and the applications of mindfulness training as an intervention strategy to strengthen and optimize parenting programs.

Dr. Zhang’s favorite activities include playing at home with her four-year-old son! Together, they play puzzles, Legos, and pretend games!

The holidays are full of family gatherings. For some parents and children, this may prompt anxiety and stress. Parents may feel others might judge them for their parenting styles or put them under pressure to act a certain way. These feelings can contribute to unnecessary added stress. 

It’s important to set boundaries and decide what is important to you as a parent. Having input from other parents can be helpful but isn’t necessary. Parents should communicate ahead of time on issues that might be critical or controversial. Most importantly, it’s crucial to remember that babies and young children are unpredictable. Planning for new situations can help alleviate some stress during the holiday season.

Read the full article here.

Emma Dineen

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

Some of our best memories as children originate from playing. However, as time goes on, children could be playing less, which could be negatively impacting their mental health. Current researchers are claiming that increases in children’s mental health issues could be at least partially due to a decrease in independent playtime.

While there are other factors that could be contributing to the increase in poor mental health in children, playtime allows children to use their imagination and express themselves. Children with less independent playtime have less time to explore different aspects of the world and who they are.

Read the full article here.

Emma Dineen

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

A fear of needles is incredibly common in children. Many children associate having a vaccine as a painful and scary experience due to the involvement of needles. Showing fear is normal for young children, but sometimes, these fears become so severe they can be considered phobias and lead to the avoidance of medical procedures.

Fears and phobias can range from mild to severe and debilitating. Some ways to help children navigate these fears include informing them about the procedure so they know what to expect. It’s important to understand the details of the procedure. Knowing where the procedure will be, who will be there, and what will happen can all help reduce fears. 

Most importantly, it’s crucial to be supportive of the individual. A trusted person who understands the fear and provides comfort can help soothe the fearful individual. It’s important to know that fear is not a choice but something we can learn to manage.

Read the full article here.

Emma Dineen

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

Today’s Friday Feature is Mouhamadou Cisse!

Mouhamadou is currently a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences at Barry University in Miami, Florida. He is a research assistant currently involved in the Caring Study, led by Dr. Eileen Condon, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, a professor at the UConn Nursing Department. This research aims to explore the relationship between toxic stress, sleep patterns, and the health of both children and parents. Mouhamadou’s primary responsibility involves enrolling participants in the study, primarily within the CCMC Emergency Department. On occasion, when he gets lucky, he is able to participate in UConn KIDS events.

Learn more about the Caring Study here.

Mouhamadou graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2021 and currently resides in Windsor, CT. Though he was born and shortly lived in Dakar, Senegal. His career aspiration is to become a physician, and he is actively working towards getting admitted into medical school within the next two years. Mouhamadou’s enduring passion for science stems from childhood, and he’s proud to contribute to research that seeks to enhance people’s lives. The research he undertakes has the potential to assist mothers who struggle with sleep, identify modifiable factors, and influence how future mothers manage stress and sleep. Ultimately, it plays a significant role in a child’s health and development into adulthood.

Mouhamadou enjoys indulging in video games during his leisure time and currently owns a PlayStation 5 and a Nintendo Switch. Recently, he’s been immersed in Spiderman 2. In addition to gaming, he has a deep love for physical activities, having a background in soccer and track. Mouhamadou maintains a regular workout routine and focuses on cardio. Whenever the opportunity arises, he’s an enthusiastic traveler, and one of his favorite photos is from a trip to Morocco.

Not only is cooking with preschoolers a fun way to bond, but it can also help further their development. Cooking can help young children learn basic math skills by counting items, following step-by-step directions, or using measuring cups. Reading the recipe with your child can also promote literacy by introducing new words to their vocabulary. On top of this, it encourages children to have an adventurous palate. Kids may be more likely to try food if they play a role in preparing it. 

A boost in self-confidence is a big part of cooking with children. It allows them to showcase new skills they’ve learned, giving them a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s stirring pancake batter, assembling a pizza, tearing lettuce, or simply adding ingredients, praise children and let them know that their help is important.

Read the full article here.

Emma Dineen

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

We all know that there’s no single way to parent a child. Different parenting styles cater to different kids. Many parents worry that their kids will not be successful if they don’t closely monitor their every move. Julie Lythcott-Haims, an academic author, believes that hovering too closely over children can lead them to live a “checklist childhood.” These childhoods cross off all the basics: ensuring children are in the right schools, getting good grades, helping them win awards, and involving them in extracurricular activities. Many parents believe that raising kids this way will help them achieve perfection. However, if every child is raised this way, how can we expect our children to thrive and stand out? 

Lythcott-Haims emphasizes the importance of teaching children to build self-efficacy. Teaching self-efficacy helps kids see that their actions can also have meaningful outcomes, not their parents’ actions but their own. It’s essential to broaden the idea of success that we teach children. Being successful is more than getting good grades. Being successful comes from happiness, love, confidence, and passion. Living with this definition of success can help children become the exceptional individuals they truly are.

Watch the full Ted Talk here.

Emma Dineen

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS

Children develop rapidly in their first few years of life. So much growth and new skills happen every day. Helping your child develop and strengthen their communication skills can seem daunting. Sign Language can be a great tool to help caregivers both develop and support early communication skills.

Teaching children sign language can help them communicate their wants and needs, making it easier for them to communicate and for you to understand them. Regardless of whether your child is hearing or hard of hearing, sign language or gestures can be a great way for them to build social skills. These skills even play a positive role in the bond between a caregiver and child, as effective sign gestures can make caregivers more responsive to their children.

Due to infants’ dexterity and cognitive development, teaching sign language can begin around 6 to 9 months. Promoting communication between babies and caregivers allows young children to express their needs and thoughts effectively. 

Sign language can be a lifelong beneficial skill taught from an early age. Developing communication skills as early as possible can help advance children’s social skills in numerous ways. On top of this, teaching more children sign language can bridge the communication gap between the hard of hearing and hearing.

Read the full article here

Emma Dineen

Research Assistant, UConn KIDS