Children & Families

OSU Authors: New book from Ecampus researcher explores the psychology of imaginary friends

By Molly Rosbach on Jan. 30, 2025

If you’ve ever had an imaginary friend or engaged in personal banter with an AI chatbot, Oregon State University researcher and author Naomi Aguiar is here to reassure you: You are not weird.

Her book, “Imaginary Friends and the People Who Create Them,” was co-written with University of Oregon professor emerita Marjorie Taylor and recently published by Oxford University Press.

New special education master’s degree aims to fill workforce gaps, increase inclusive teaching practices

By Molly Rosbach on Jan. 28, 2025

Amid a rising number of students with disabilities and an ongoing shortage of credentialed special education teachers, Oregon State University’s College of Education is hoping a new master’s program will help bridge some gaps in the workforce. 

OSU 2Play Lab provides physical activity outlet for kids from Jackson Street Youth Services

By Molly Rosbach on Jan. 10, 2025

In this photo from an unrelated past project, Will Massey plays with elementary-age kids on the playground. 

Every week for the past seven years, teens and tweens from Jackson Street Youth Services have been coming to Langton Hall at Oregon State University to take a break from the shelter and do what kids do best: play.