The Panhandle Early Learning Connection is a resource for those in early childcare and education to find quality, up to date and professional training. The goal is to build a strong, effective and cohesive workforce in early childhood for the panhandle. The Panhandle Early Learning Connection is partnered with the Nebraska Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services and is funded in part by a federal grant. The group collaborates to deliver quality training in the panhandle to all who work with all children from birth-8 years.

Nora Robinson

nrobinson@esu13.org

308-254-4677

Quotes from Magna Gerba

1. "Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write and count. It is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace that is right for each individual child. Earlier is not better."

Why, oh why, do we push so hard for the little ones to learn to read, write and count? Why do we expect every 5 year old, every 6 year old, every 10 year old to be at the same learning trajectory? We know we physically develop at different rates...we even know that our brains develop at different rates-but, we are tied to the dogma of 'you are behind if ....'

2. "We not only respect babies, we demonstrate our respect every time we interact with them. Respecting a child means treating even the youngest infant as a unique human being, not as an object."

Babies are amazing...growing and learning at a tremendous rate! Our interactions with babies helps them to figure out their world, themselves and the joy of learning. Each child needs time to serve-and-receive: that is, to interact with an adult one-on-one and to be seen, heard and respected-LOVED!

3. "Do less; observe more; enjoy most.

This is harder and harder to do in our world. We live in an instantaneous, fast-paced and very busy world. Imagine the joy of doing less and learning to enjoy the moment. Front porches, long walks, less technology and more time...

4. "Predictability brings about security."

Tying in with #3 above...routines and consistency gives a child security. To know what is going to happen, to know who is going to be there, to know that one will be taken care of opens the door for growth and learning. A child who has a different practice everyday or every other day, a child who eats at a different time each day, who does homework at different times of the day, who lives with uncertainty is unable to learn, unable to let down their guard and is in a state of 'freeze, fight, flee or fawn.' A child-any person-in this state is in survival mode and is incapable of learning.

5. "Sadness, discomfort, frustration - they are all valid human emotions. Why would we want to suppress them?"

As adults we spend a lot of time telling children to 'not be afraid', 'don't be sad', or 'you're okay'...but, children need to learn that these feelings of sadness, fear or being scared are valid feelings. Children need to learn how to handle these feelings, what to do to help get through the feelings and the proper way to respond to feelings.

"The best way to see Christmas is through the eyes of a child." Unknown

Here is the link for the NECPRS website: https://necprs.ne.gov/

Please go to the website and check your account for any new/changed information!

Some of you have 2 (or more!) accounts: if you do, please email Dena Johnson to get consolidated to one account! dena.johnson@nebraska.gov

Many of you have email addresses that are not current, or a work email address rather than your own address! Please go in and edit to make sure you are up to date!

Also, check for spelling of your name-the only person who can edit your account is you!

With a NECPRS account you can...

Build your professional record.

Organize credentials and certificates.

Discover relevant local trainings.

Manage your program and employees.

Join Step Up to Quality.

**There is online training available on the NECPRS calendar.**

“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand." Dr. Suess

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

The Introduction to Nebraska’s Core Competencies course is now available on Canvas!

https://www.education.ne.gov/oec/online-training-opportunities/

Use the link above to sign up and take a 1-hour introduction to the Core Competencies!

The Nebraska Core Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals has been revised and is available at: https://cdn.education.ne.gov//oec/core-competencies/

The purpose of the core competencies are:

-to define what adults who work with birth-5 years need to know in order to provide quality care and education

-provide part of the foundation for the state's development system

-define the levels of competencies for the development system for birth to 5 years

-provide those who work with birth to five to evaluate their progress through the levels with training, education and self-assessment

“May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve." Simple Well Balanced

The Early Learning Guidelines are part of Nebraska's licensing requirements for childcare providers. The ELG's cover 7 domains: Social Emotional, Health & Physical, Approaches to Learning, Mathematics, Language & Literacy, Science and Creative Arts. Each training provides 6 professional development hours.

Please note: ELG trainings are offered both in-person and online. Please look carefully when you are registering so you know which format you are registering for.

To register for an Early Learning Guideline training, go to:

https://forms.gle/jpmrSe3iUrmwE7qr9

Please Note: Pay attention when registering! Some trainings are virtual, and some are in-person! All are in Mountain Standard Time!!

Please see attached flyer for trainings!

"A hug is the perfect Christmas gift, one size fits all and it's easily returned. Merry Christmas." Unknown

Safe With You is another license required training for childcare providers in Nebraska. This training needs to be done every 5 years-so, check your documentation to be sure you are current!

Safe With You will be offered monthly, with some sessions in-person and some online. Please be aware of the format when you are registering for sessions!

To register for a Safe With You training, go to:

https://forms.gle/Y7WLSU5xNR2SePLa6

Please Note: Pay attention when registering! Some trainings are virtual, and some are in-person! All are in Mountain Standard Time!!

Please see attached flyer for trainings!

"Christmas is forever, not for just one day. For loving, sharing, giving are not to put away."

Norman Wesley Brooks

The NeMTSS Panhandle team, the Professional Development Department of ESU 13 and the Panhandle Early Learning Connections Coordinator/NDE are working together to provide the Pyramid Model Training for early childhood educators in the Panhandle.

Based on modules produced by the Center on the Social Emotional Foundation for Early Learning(CSEFEL), this training was developed by Dr. Jen Gerdes with support from Rooted in Relationships at Nebraska Children and Families Foundation and the Nebraska Department of Education-Offices of Early Childhood and Special Education, in partnership with the Nebraska Pyramid Leadership Team. The Pyramid Model has proven to reduce the number of challenging behaviors in the classroom and promote a learning community committed to responsible, respectful and safe expectations. The Panhandle partners of NeMTSS, ESU 13 Professional Development, and Panhandle Early Learning Connections are working together to bring quality social emotional and behavior training to those who teach preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade.

Cohort 4 of Pyramid Training will begin in January 2024. The first 3 modules will be done over second semester, with the last 3 the following year. To register go to ESU 13 website, and look under 'Upcoming Events'. You will register 1 time for all 6 trainings.

Training dates are as follows:

Friday, February 2, 2024

Friday, March 1, 2024

Friday, April 5, 2024

Friday, October 4, 2024

Friday, November 1, 2024

Friday, December 6, 2024

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is signing loud for all to hear." Buddy the Elf

Nebraska Extension:

Early Learning Guidelines Deep Dive

Take your skills to the next level!

Check out the flier for upcoming opportunities!

"Christmas isn't just a season; it's a feeling." Edna Ferver

https://www.nechildcarereferral.org/

This website can help working parents find child care...your child care! Parents can look for providers using criteria that range from the type of child care, ages of children, geographical information, subsidy and much more.

The site is also a great resource for providers to keep up with state changes or to get information from the state of Nebraska. Links to resources are available, as well as an FAQ section.

Go to the link above and join the network to update the information on your site.

"Seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing." The Santa Clause

The Nebraska Early Learning Library houses thousands of books, DVDs, CDs, scientific journals, assessments, and curriculum materials that address subjects such as early childhood care and education, child development, parents and families, children with special needs, arts and curriculum support and more. The library is open to the public, including child care providers, early childhood educators, child care directors, elementary school teachers, trainers, parents, early childhood administrators, early childhood experts, and anyone else who impacts the lives of children and their families

Visit:

http://bit.ly/NELLibrary

"It's not what's under the tree that matters; it's who's gathered around it." Unknown

Early Childhood Professional Development

Nebraska Extension has a mountain of training available! Visit the site below to find all of it!

Click Here:

https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/early-childhood-education-professional-development-programs/?fbclid=IwAR1VajLkpw-77VqW0JgSJ8dihFrCk086nrMQqAtq1hoiBx2q1bTcvH7RVWc

"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression." Haim Ginott

Excellence in Early Childhood Conference

Featuring: Cari Ebert

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Chadron State College - 1000 Main St

Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist in private practice in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Cari is a therapist, consultant, author, product developer, and nationally recognized speaker who gets paid to do what she loves most—TALK! She has an energetic personality, and this translates to a high-energy speaking style. Join Cari as she explores important issues for enhancing the development of young children.

Wired Kids: How Screen Time Affects Early Child Development

Come join Cari as she examines the impact of screen time on early child development to guide child care providers, early childhood educators, and pediatric therapists as we live and work in the digital age. In our media-manic world, young children are spending more and more tme in front of a screen and less time playing and interacting with others. For early childhood professionals, it's not just a matter of being "pro technology" or "anti-technology", but rather what is appropriate and necessary for young children with developing brains and bodies. Participants will gain powerful evidence-based information on how screen time is affecting the development of play, language, social, and motor skills. Guidelines on how to share information with parents regarding establishing healthy screen time habits at home will also be addressed.

REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SOON! Watch your email for the flier!

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly Merry Christmas." Peg Bracken

Please note attached flyers:

Excellence in Early Childhood Conference - EECC

Science Deep Dive

Child Care Wages

T.E.A.C.H.

CHIME - Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Education

Early Learning Guidelines - ELG

Safe With You - SWY

Storytelling with Molly of Denali

NDE Online Training

Executive Function Series

Business Training Series - BTS

PBS Self Paced Professional Learning

Healthy Routines

Special Care Training

Whole Body Training

FCCERS-3

ITERS-3

ECERS-3

DHHS Fingerprinting

This publication was made possible by Grant Number 93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.