Early Childhood Education Professional Development Programs

2023 Professional Development Dates

Nebraska Extension’s Early Childhood Team is pleased to be able to offer a variety of online and in person classes to meet the needs of the Early Childhood Workforce. If you have any questions, please contact tlc@unl.edu.


Date Time Topic Type Cost Hours Registration
September 28th 6:30 - 8:30 pm Central Time Block Party - Learning and Playing with Blocks
Katie Krause, class facilitator - Offered in partnership with ELC Omaha Region
Registration is not up yet, but keep an eye on the ELC Omaha Region website!
https://elcomaharegion.esu3.org/home

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu
Location - Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 W Center Road, Omaha, NE 68124
In-Person No Cost 2.0
October 5th 1:00 - 2:30 pm & 7:00 - 8:30 pm Central Time Loose Parts: Engaging and Affordable Classroom Materials
Whether you have heard of the term 'Loose Parts' or not, you very likely have some in your classroom right now! Loose parts are wonderful additions to programs serving children of ALL ages - yes...even infants! During this class we will briefly discuss what Loose Parts are, but more importantly, we will share tons of photos and ideas for ways to incorporate Loose Parts into your program. Best of all - many of these can be sourced for very low cost or even free.

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu
Online No Cost 1.5 Register Here
October 18th 7:00 - 8:30 pm Central Time Making Learning Visible - Pedagogical Documentation
In the final class in our series, we will explore how Reggio and Reggio inspired programs utilize documentation to make learning visible and share the stories of children's development and experiences in the program. The teacher's role as observer, researcher and storyteller will be explored.

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu
Online No Cost 1.5 Register Here
October 23rd 6:30 - 8:30 pm Central Time Bats, Spiders, and Leaves, Oh My!
Celebrate #NationalBatWeek with your littles! Join us for an engaging, hands-on workshop where we explore easy to lead activities focused on bats, spiders, and fall leaves. Research shows that nature-based activities improve children’s behavior, cognitive reasoning, social-emotional skills, health, and physical development. So take the kids outside and enjoy what fall has to offer! This workshop will focus on fall-themed activities from the nationally recognized environmental science programs, "Growing Up Wild” and “Project Learning Tree” and help you integrate nature play into your daily and weekly routines. At this workshop, participants will receive: 2 in-service hours, a curriculum guide full of additional lessons and activities, tips and tricks for incorporating nature play into everyday practices at your early childhood program.

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu
Location - Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 W Center Road, Omaha, NE 68124
In-Person No Cost 2.0 Register Here
February 20th, 2024 1:00 - 2:00 pm & 7:00 - 8:00 pm Central Time Looks Who’s Hatching
Each year we offer the LWH class online via Zoom. In this one hour class, we go over all the details for hatching eggs, caring for the chicks/ducks when they hatch and briefly share the activity guide. If you participated in LWH in the last 2 years, you are not required to take the class. However, those that register will have priority access to select which hatch they would like to participate in. Typically, all of our spring hatches fill from class participatnts. You can join us live at either 1pm or 7pm. The class will also be recorded.

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu
Online No Cost 1.0 Register Here


Class Registration and Information Request Form
REQUEST FOR: Required