Featured Post from University of Delaware

Empowering young minds: Digital platform providing educational resources for children impacted by Russo-Ukrainian War

University of Delaware expert Roberta Golinkoff created "Stories with Clever Hedgehog" to provide reading resources to Ukrainian children impacted by war.

Mar 5, 2025

1 min

Roberta Golinkoff

Digital platforms have emerged as powerful tools for people impacted by the Russo-Ukrainian War. One professor at the University of Delaware has, for over two years, provided reading resources specifically for the children whose lives have been forever changed by this conflict. 


Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, the Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Chair and Professor at UD's College of Education and Human Development, has developed a website with free interactive e-books, games and other resources to Ukrainian children.


A nationally known expert in childhood literacy, Golinkoff worked together with developers to stock the site, Stories with Clever Hedgehog, with materials in both Ukrainian and English. The multilingual platforms allows displaced families all over the world to engage in shared reading with their children, facilitate early literacy development and promote well-being during a time of stress.


CaptionResizeWrap TextRemove


In addition to enhancing learning experiences, digital platforms provide an essential sense of community and connectivity for students isolated by conflict.


Golinkoff, who has appeared in numerous national outlets including NPR, ABC News and The Conversation, is available for interviews on the site as well as literacy in general. Just click her profile to get in touch.


Connect with:
Roberta Golinkoff

Roberta Golinkoff

Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Chair and Professor

Prof. Golinkoff studies language development, playful learning, effects of media on children, spatial development, and applying her science.

Early Childhood Education Early Spatial DevelopmentPlayful LearningBenefits of PlayEffects of Media on Children

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from University of Delaware

1 min

Pets and the Texas floods: Owners faced difficult decisions and loss during and after disaster

One of the more overlooked aspects of any disaster is the loss of pets. Many of them become separated from their owners, are badly injured or perish as the result of a hurricane, flood, earthquake or other major event. This was the case in the recent flooding of the Guadalupe River in central Texas, said Sarah DeYoung, core faculty with the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center. DeYoung can talk about the following aspects related to the tragedy: • The decisions that people have to make during evacuation, particularly for those with companion animals. • The amount of horses along the Guadalupe River, which could be found at the camps and recreation areas. • Pets that go missing after a flash flood, and the role that key organizations play in response and tracking and managing logistics. • The psychological impact on people whose pets were injured or died, who are mourning and making memorials. DeYoung can also discuss maternal and child health in crisis and disaster settings with a focus on infant feeding in emergencies. To set up an interview with DeYoung, visit her profile page and click on the contact button; or send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

1 min

What X chief executive's sudden exit means for the future of the social media giant

A sudden CEO departure almost always causes shockwaves. But the unexpected July 9 exit of X chief executive Linda Yaccarino after just two years – especially without a meaningful explanation – suggests instability or deeper dysfunction, says Lawrence Cunningham, director of the University of Delaware's Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance. Cunningham said the immediate questions are what was the succession plan, and is it now being executed? "Or was there no plan, which itself is a governance failure? Boards have a duty to prepare for transitions, especially in volatile environments. If succession planning was absent or inadequate, more departures may follow," he said. Cunningham can discuss the following topics in regards to Yaccarino's departure: • What a short CEO tenure signals about board oversight and strategic misalignment. • The role of succession planning – and what it means if none was in place. • Why reputational risk and cultural tone at the top matter in retaining leadership. • How boards should respond to external controversies affecting company values. To connect with Cunningham directly and arrange an interview, visit his profile and click on the "contact" button," or send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

1 min

Study forecasted deadly flash flooding in Texas years ago

The catastrophic flooding of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, took place at lightning speed, catching everyone off guard. But the University of Delaware's Jennifer Horney says the risk of flash flooding in the area has been increasing for more than two decades. Horney, an epidemiologist and disaster researcher at the University of Delaware, studied flash flooding in that specific area while at Texas A&M University. She can discuss the following: • This area of Central Texas was designated as “Flash Flood Alley” in 2005 by the Flood Safety Education Program. It has long had high risk from flash flooding, which have been predicted to increase in intensity. • Flash Flood Alley is the area along the Balcones Escarpment, with river valleys and steep limestone cliffs. Extreme rainfall events – the heaviest 1% of all events – have increased in frequency and magnitude by 30% since 1960. • Urbanization and population growth in this area put more people at risk and the annual number of flood fatalities in Texas typically exceeds that of all other states. Several gaps in public risk perception persist even as risks increase with few understanding the life-threatening risks of these events. To arrange an interview with Horney, visit her profile and click on the "contact" button; or contact UD media relations.

View all posts
Powered by