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Allison Karpyn, associate director of UD’s Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, in UD’s School of Education, recorded an interview on  WVUD.  Listen to program or read about the conversation.

Staci Perlman, assistant professor of human development and family studies, was among a group of experts featured in a WHYY radio program discussing child homelessness on Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane on Dec. 2.

Perlman’s work promoting the development and well-being of children and youth experiencing homelessness was also featured in a Dec. 9 UDaily article along with information on her winter session 2015 seminar “Homelessness: Is it Just a Housing Issue?” during which students will have the opportunity to “meet with professionals in the field of family/youth homelessness – but, more importantly, will have the opportunity to speak directly with youths about their own experiences of homelessness.” This course is open to any student.

Beth Mineo, director of the Center for Disabilities Studies, talked about housing choices for people with disabilities in a News Journal article, “Two sides of disability housing debate” published on Nov. 30.

Roberta Golinkoff, H. Rodney Sharp chair and professor of education, discuses hands-on play in the News Journal article and video in “Skip fancy toys, classes. Kids just need to play” published on Nov. 17.

Dr. Golinkoff also is featured with colleague Kathy Hirsh-Pasek of Temple University in a WHYY interview “How babies acquire language” with Marty Moss-Coane on Nov. 19.

Bahira Sherif Trask, associate chair of human development and family studies, offers tips to help you survive family gatherings, which appeared in The News Journal on Nov. 24.

TOP 10 TIPS FOR FAMILIES SURVIVING HOLIDAYS
Dreading the holiday? Forced to spend time with tipsy in-laws? University of Delaware Professor Bahira Trask, professor and associate chair human development and family studies, offers these tips to help you survive your family gathering.

1. Do not raise complex discussions. If they come up, change the conversation. This is not just a celebration but a time for everyone to decompress and relax.

2. Focus on the positive side of getting together.

3. Do not stress so much about the preparations and details – take the advice of Chef Julia Child – if some of the food does not turn out perfectly, do not point it out. No one will ever know the difference.

4. Celebrate the fact that you are not alone on the holidays.

5. Be interested in hearing each family member’s stories – everyone needs and wants to feel valued. This goes a long way to establishing a respectful relationship.

6. Have a separate play area for the children – allow the adults to talk and not be interrupted all the time. If there are teenagers helping out, let them have turns with both the kids and the adults.

7. Do not constantly check your phone for messages; focus on who you are with and enjoy your time with them.

8. Plan some “fun” group time – charades, a group game, having each family member tell a special anecdote from that year; then build that into a permanent family tradition.

9. If someone is still being very argumentative and someone “bites” – take that person aside and help them calm down.

10. Remember the spirit of why you are all together and remind everyone of the purpose of the holiday – they could all be at work after all.