2022 Professional Development Dates
Nebraska Extension’s Early Childhood Team is pleased to be able to offer a variety of on-line classes to meet the needs of the Early Childhood Workforce. If you have any questions, please contact tlc@unl.edu.
Thanks!
| Date | Time | Topic | Description | Cost | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Emergent Curriculum in Outdoors |
Emergent curriculums and nature-based learning go hand-in-hand. During this class, we will briefly define emergent curriculum and nature-based learning. Participants will explore ways to engage young children in nature through an emergent curriculum, learning in, with and though nature.
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
|
Read for Resilience: Oceans of Possibilities |
Read for Resilience was designed to support adults in promoting young children’s resilience and coping after experiencing a difficult or stressful event. Attendees will be introduced to engaging storybooks with themes of coping, ideas for prompts and activities, and ways to bring Read for Resilience to their communities.
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
|
Sustainable Steps for Little Learners: Teaching Sustainability through Outdoor Nature Play - Growing Up WILD activities: The benefits of nature play |
Sustainable Steps for Little Learners: Teaching Sustainability through Outdoor Nature Play A 3-Part Professional Development Series on June 1st, 8th, and 15th!
|
NO COST | 2.0 in-service hours per session |
|
Mindfulness in Nature |
The outdoors is often thought of as a place for physical play, but it is also a place for relaxation, reflection and mindfulness for both adults and children. During this class, we will briefly overview what mindfulness is and spend most of the time sharing and discussing ideas to engage young children in mindful breathing mindful listening, and mindful movement. Ideas for ways to make simple, affordable spaces for mindfulness activities within your outdoor environment will also be shared.
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
|
Prepare to Celebrate International Mud Day! |
International Mud Day is a world-wide celebration of nature play and all the fun that can be had with MUD! This class will feature educators from Hamilton Heights Child Development Center. Hamilton Heights has been celebrating Mud Day for many years and will share ideas and inspirations for holding your own Mud Day celebration. Mud Day is celebrated internationally on June 29, but you can celebrate this any day that works for you.
|
NO COST | 1.0 in-service hours |
|
Sustainable Steps for Little Learners: Teaching Sustainability through Outdoor Nature Play - Project Learning Tree Early Experiences: Incorporating nature play into daily/weekly routines |
Sustainable Steps for Little Learners: Teaching Sustainability through Outdoor Nature Play A 3-Part Professional Development Series on June 1st, 8th, and 15th!
|
NO COST | 2.0 in-service hours per session |
|
Oceans of Possibilities: STEM Imagination Guides |
Join us to learn more about the 2022 STEM Imagination Guides which focus on oceans. Discover how to use the guides in your setting to help children uncover the excitement of ocean life. Visit our website to learn more about the STEM Reading Connections program: go.unl.edu/storybookguides.
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
|
Designing and Activating Your Outdoor Space for Nature Play and Learning |
Educators often spend hours ensuring the indoor classroom is engaging and enriching for young children. However, what about outdoor spaces at child care facilities? Often overlooked, outdoor learning environments can offer various learning and activity settings that have positive outcomes for children. In this 1.5-hour webinar, participants will learn about best practices in outdoor learning environments, why “nature is good,” and identify one way they can begin to re-imagine their outdoor spaces.
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
|
Sustainable Steps for Little Learners: Teaching Sustainability through Outdoor Nature Play - Getting Little Feet Wet: Tips and tricks for continuing nature play in all seasons |
Sustainable Steps for Little Learners: Teaching Sustainability through Outdoor Nature Play A 3-Part Professional Development Series on June 1st, 8th, and 15th!
|
NO COST | 2.0 in-service hours per session |
|
Learning through the Wonders of Nature |
Being outdoors is not only beneficial to children, but also to adults. Find out how you can use nature to inspire and engage your children in curious learning.
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
|
Creative Play Settings for Outdoor Learning on a Budget |
Creating a high-quality outdoor learning environment doesn’t have to break the bank. Learn ways to activate and improve your outdoor space through low-cost, high-impact changes. Participants will gain inspiration and ideas that they can implement in their own spaces by creatively using affordable materials to support children’s play.
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
|
STEM Imagination Guides |
Discover how to use the guides in your setting to help children uncover the excitement of ocean life!
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
|
Documenting and Sharing Your Story |
Documenting Children's Learning when engaging in nature-based play and learning experiences has many benefits. Being able to share the stories of how children and teacher learning are also crucial to helping families, administrators and the community understand the many benefeits of nature-based learning. During this class we will explore how documentation can be used specifically to support nature-based programs in the area of curriculum development, child assessment, reflective practice and family and community engagement.
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
|
Family Engagement in Outdoor Play and Learning |
Partnering with families is a critical component of success in early childhood education. But how do you truly create equal and effective partnerships that support child development and school success? What does it look like to engage families both the indoor classroom and the outdoor learning environment? In this 1.5 hour webinar, we will talk about how to engage families in the creation of your outdoor space, and how to incorporate family engagement in outdoor curriculum.
|
NO COST | 1.5 in-service hours |
| Upcoming classes in 2022! |
March 21st – Read for Resilience A wide variety of Nature-based learning classes are in the works! Complete this quick interest form and we will email you when registration is available – https://unl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMtdu6urzwtEtw9zr2Std2QlWzrY-6F2G4y |