Professional Development Programs

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 are looking for customized training for your program or have any other questions, please contact Katie – katie.krause@unl.edu.

Available Classes and Training

Professional Development Dates

Date

Time

Topic

Type

Cost

Hours

Registration

01/14, 01/21, 01/28, 02/04, 02/11, 02/18, 03/04, 03/11

1:00 - 2:00 pm Central Time

Winter 2025 Lunch and Learn – Focusing on Challenging Behaviors 

We know handling Challenging Behaviors is one of the most stressful parts of working with young children. Join us for this new approach to PD! Each week, we will focus on an aspect of early care and education that directly impacts children’s behaviors in your program. Before each session, we will also ask participants to share some of their current challenges and we will troubleshoot those together during the class.

1-hour certificate awarded after each session, attendance at all 3 sessions is NOT required. Classes will be recorded.

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu

Online

No Cost

1.0 / each class

Register Here

02/20

1:00 - 2:00 pm or 7:00 - 8:00 pm Central Time

Look Who’s Hatching

Learn how to participate in our very popular Look Who’s Hatching program! This class is required to participate in Look Who’s Hatching, and those that attend the class LIVE via Zoom will have first access to sign up for hatches in 2025 (in Omaha and Lincoln).  During this class you will learn everything you need to know to care for the eggs in the incubator and the chicks/ducks once they hatch! Our program focuses on using an emergent curriculum approach – where we don’t tell children what kind of animals are in the eggs, so they spend the weeks the eggs are incubating exploring whatever types of animals they think will hatch!

Will be recorded

****Note – when you register, the link will say 7pm.  You can attend either 7pm or 1pm time slots!!!!

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu

Online

No Cost

1.0

Register Here

03/13, 03/20, 03/27

1:00 - 2:00 pm Central Time

March Lunch and Learn – Caring for Infants and Toddlers

  • March 13 – What is respectful caregiving? – Role of the caregiver

  • March 20 – Supporting Infant and Toddler’s Physical Development

  • March 27 – Supporting Infant and Toddler’s Social/Emotional Development

1-hour certificate awarded after each session, attendance at all 3 sessions is NOT required. Classes will be recorded.

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu

Online

No Cost

1.0

Register Here

04/08, 04/15, 04/22, 04/29

1:00 - 2:00 pm Central Time

April Lunch and Learn Series – Family Child Care 

Join us in April for a series of Lunch and Learns focused on caring for children within Family Child Care Settings!  

Will be recorded

1-hour certificate awarded after each session, attendance at all sessions is NOT required. Classes will be recorded.

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu

Online

No Cost

1.0

Register Here

04/16, 04/23

1:00 - 2:00 pm Central Time

April Lunch and Learn – What does ‘School Readiness’ really look like? 

1-hour certificate awarded after each session, attendance at all sessions is NOT required. Classes will be recorded.

Contact – katie.krause@unl.edu

Online

No Cost

1.0

Register Here

 

 

Customized Training

Customized training is available for staff development days, evening programs, family events, conferences or any other type of large or small group seeking to learn more about quality care and education for young children. The training can be held at the Douglas County Extension office or at another location of your choice. Training is also available in all of the Nebraska Department of Education Early Learning Guidelines Domains.

Training Examples

Examples of some of the training topics you can chose from, or request to have modified to fit the specific needs of your group, is listed below.

  • The Cure for Cabin Fever: Indoor and Outdoor Activities for Young Children in the Winter

  • Gardening with Young Children

  • Handling Difficult Behaviors

  • Look Who’s Hatching: Exploring Oviparous (egg laying) Animals with Young Children

  • Week of the Young Child Celebration

  • STEM in Early Childhood

  • Documenting Children’s Learning: Creating Meaningful Portfolios with Limited Time

  • Real Colors®, for the Early Childhood Educator

  • Follow the Leader: Rethinking Children’s Role in the Classroom

  • Extreme Makeover: Classroom Edition!

  • Explore the Outdoors Through Your 5 Senses

Program fees vary depending on the topic and supply needs, but typically range between $50 and $75 per hour.  Mileage is included for any programs within Douglas, Sarpy and Cass counties.

Please feel free to contact Katie Krause with any additional questions or if you are interested in more information.