Early Childhood Education Commons^™

Early Childhood Educators' Perception Of Burnout: Impact On Educator Self-Efficacy, Teacher-Child Relationships, And Children's Emotional Regulation, Isaac M.D. Bowman

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Early childhood educators (ECE) play a critical role in the academic advancement and nurturing care provided to children in their care, a distinct difference in role and responsibilities compared to traditional K-12 schooling. Published by the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, a report pertaining to ECE turnover revealed a nearly 40% annual turnover rate. Factors ECEs previously attributed to their exit of the early childhood education field involve low wage, low self-efficacy, and dealing with challenging behaviors. While not an exhaustive list, in a field relying predominantly on routine and consistency, ECE turnover rate highlights a necessity in exploring potential indirect …

Nebline, November/December 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Contents

Nebraska Extension celebrates 25 years of nutrition school enrichment kits

Recipe of the month: Fruit & yogurt parfait

Celebrating the season with American persimmon by Rachel Anderson

Love gardening? Become a master gardener by Mary Jane Frogge

Extension master gardener volunteer spotlight: Carol Rustad

Garden guide: Things to do this month by Mary Jane Frogge

Choosing child care: What parents should know by Jaci Foged

Commercial/noncommercial pesticide license

Little black bugs, big bite by Kait Chapman [about pirate bugs]

What you need to know about having a well drilled by Becky Schuerman

2026 nebraska custom rates survey by Glennis …

Nebline, October 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Contents

4-H super fair helps youth become beyond ready

What's popping? by Natalie Sehi

Recipes of the month, by Kayla Colgrove: Fish bait snack mix, kicked up popcorn, and cinnamon crunch snack mix

Are your trees for the next storm? by Rachel Anderson

Garden guide: Things to do this month by Mary Jane Frogge

GRO Big Red virtual learning series

Composting demonstration

Promoting language development in young children by Hayley Jackson

Tip sheet for harvest 2025 by John Nelson

Rogers Memorial Day farm field day, September 2025

Heart of 4-H volunteer award: Rachel Wells

Join 4-H to become beyond ready …

Nebline, August/September 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Contents

Summertime’s Natural Light Show: Fireflies by Kait Chapman

Insect Science with Kids: Bug Collecting as a Tool to Learn

The Perfect Partnership: EFNEP and SNAP-Ed Join Forces for Lifelong Nutrition and Health by Emily Gratopp

Recipe of the month by Emily Gratopp: Fruit salsa & cinnamon chips

Southeast nebraska Pasture & Acreage Expo

Southeast Nebraska Alfalfa & Wheat Expo

Landlord/Tenant Cash Rent workshop

Vegetable Gardening in the Fall by Mary Jane Frogge

GRO Big Red virtual learning series

2025 perennial plant of the year: Blue mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

Garden guide: Things to do this month by …

Science Communication Through Cool Critters: An Informal Learning Experience For Youth, Jamila L. Bajelan, Mary J. Harner

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

There are numerous ways to communicate science and assess the effectiveness of that communication. One approach focuses on increasing awareness, enjoyment, interest, opinion, and/or understanding of science. For this study, we created an informal learning experience for youth to communicate the science of animals in Nebraska. We developed Cool Critters, a weeklong summer camp for elementary school-aged students, to increase participants' enjoyment, interest, and opinion of Nebraska animals. In 2023, Cool Critters was led in three educational settings in central Nebraska and reached sixty-six participants. Surveys were used to determine the camp's success in effective science communication and whether …

Nebline, June/July 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

4-H embryology will crack 50 years of chicks hatching in local classrooms, Vicki Jedlicka

Simple ways to eat more fruits and veggies every day, Alyssa Havlovic

Recipe of the month: Crunchy veggie wraps

Annual flowers for sunny locations, Mary Jane Frogge

Garden guide: Things to do this month, Mary Jane Frogge

2025 Gro Big Red

It’s time for private well maintenance, Becky Schuerman

Monitoring pastures for improving management and productivity, John Nelson

Why play is your child's most important work, Hayley Jackson Perez

Keep an eye out for some common caterpillars, Kait Chapman

Lancaster County Super Fair

Upcoming babysitting trainings …

Nebline, May 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

NEBLINE, May 2025

Tips on Staying Cool During the Heat of a Temper Tantrum

What’s Your BBQ IQ?

May Recipe of the Month — Air Fryer Teriyaki Beef Kabobs

Insect and Disease Control for Organic Vegetable Gardeners

May Garden Guide

Cash Rent Survey

No Matter Where You Live, Submit a Request Before You Dig!

Battling Scales in the Landscape

Three Lancaster County 4-H’ers Modeled Their Sewn Garments at Omaha Fashion Week

Ignite by 4-H 2025 National Conference

May Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award — Dayle Williamson

2024 National Index Study of 4-H Youth

Clover College, June 10–13; Registration Opens in …

Equipping Teachers To Support Comic Literacy: An Analysis Of The Educational Potential Of Toon Book, Kayla Whitlock, Jewel Yoder Kuhns, Sara Kersten-Parrish Dr.

SANE journal: Sequential Art Narrative in Education

Teachers frequently reach for leveled readers to help facilitate their guided reading groups; however, there can be limits in using these leveled readers. One such limit relates to enjoyment and engagement. An answer to this is using TOON books during guided reading time. TOON books are graphic novel leveled readers and were created in response to a need for high quality books for readers of all levels. However, in reading these books teachers need to be aware of the comics form and how those features impact the reading process. In this article, we outline the features common in graphic novels …

Nebline, March/April 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Be Groundwater Aware in Your Day-to-Day Life! Becky Schuerman

National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 9-15, 2025

National Nutrition Month: Food Connects Us, Alyssa Havlovic

Recipe of the Month: Wild Vegetable Salad, Alyssa Havlovic

Prepare Your Landscape’s Spring Game Plan, Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month, Mary Jane Frogge

2025 GROBigRed

Embracing the Puddle: The Joy of Rainy Day Outdoor Play, Hayley Jackson Perez

Agronomic Practices to Reduce Nitrate Losses to Groundwater, John Nelson

Ethan & Morgan Gabel Attend National 4-H Congress

4-H Horse Teams at Nationals

Teen Council 4-H’ers Team Up to Lead Overnight Lock-in

Heart of …

Nebline, January/February 2025

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

2024 Extension Highlights

4-H Engaged 34,177 Youth

Nebraska Extension’s Strategic Direction

Reflflection, Growth and Whole-Person Wellness for 2025. Emily Gratopp

Recipe of the Month: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup, Emily Gratopp

Extension’s 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Begins Soon

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Upcoming Green Industry Conferences

ProHort Lawn and Landscape Update

2025 Pesticide Applicator Trainings

Crop Production Clinics

Leaving a Lasting Legacy for Midwestern Farm Women

At Ag Literacy Festival, Students Learn How Agriculture Impacts Their Daily Lives

Managing Hard Water, Becky Schuerman

Don’t Let Fungus Gnats Bug You and Your Plants, Kait Chapman

2025 Lincoln …

Transitive Pedagogy In Creative Teaching: The Lived Experiences Of K–6 Teachers Who Intentionally Adapt For Creativity, Rebekah Marie Andersen

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Theses and Other Student Research

Creative pedagogy in the K–6 classroom is being increasingly recognized as an essential tool for increasing student engagement, practicing critical thinking, and fostering higher-order learning. However, research gaps in creative pedagogy are contextualized accounts of teacher thinking, planning, and enactment of strategies for student creativity. This study explored the lived experiences of teachers as they constructed and enacted creative lesson adaptations and how they identified and supported creative behaviors in students. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed, involving semi-structured think-aloud and stimulated recall interviews with five K–6 teachers who consistently adapt instruction to promote student creativity. Findings revealed that; (a) …

Coaching Strategies For Instructional Improvement: Social Emotional Learning In The Preschool Classrooms, Maria Eleanor Yniguez Del Rosario

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This participatory action research (PAR) study explored how Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) preschool instructional coaches develop coaching strategies that support teachers in fostering social-emotional learning (SEL) among young children. Grounded in the collaborative principles of PAR, the study positioned instructional coaches as co-researchers.

The research was conducted within the LPS Department of Early Childhood Education, involving four preschool instructional coaches. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews, coaches’ classroom observations, informal teacher-coach conversations, researcher’s observations of coaching sessions, and a group reflection session. Using an iterative analytical approach (Tracy, 2020), the study examined how coaching strategies evolve and the conditions that …

Local Rural Knowledge And Early Childhood Informal Science Education In Rural Nebraska, Sarah Michelle Paulos

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This study aims to discover the existing experiences that lead to local rural knowledge (LRK) of specific rural Northeast Nebraska communities. This information will assist in understanding the impact that LRK has on young children’s science knowledge in rural communities. By engaging in hands-on experiences and interactions, science learning goals for children may be achieved and developed through science outreach programs. During Phase 1 of this study, adults in the selected rural communities participated in an online survey indicating their knowledge of various common rural phrases with the option to share personal stories of experiences and family history. This information …

Investigating The Impact Of An Elaborative Conversation Strategies (Ecs) Intervention On Parent-Child Interactions And Preschool Children's Science Learning Using A Single-Case Experimental Design, Yao Yao

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the elaborative conversation strategies (ECS) intervention in improving the quality of parents' science talk during everyday home learning interactions using a single-case experimental design. Specifically, the study explored whether training parents in ECS could increase their use of these high-quality conversation strategies and enhance the quality of their science talk when engaging their children in science activities. The study also investigated how the ECS intervention impacted children's science knowledge, skills, and interest, as well as parents' attitudes toward supporting their children's science learning.

Participants included five typically developing …

Nebline, November/December 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Positive Insights Shared Regarding CHIME: Head Start University Partnership Project, Jaci Fogel

Diabetes Awareness: Small Changes, Big Impact, Kayla Colgrove

Recipe of the Month: Turkey Cranberry Meatballs, Kayla Colgrove

Commercial/ Noncommercial Pesticide License

Love Gardening? Become a Master Gardener!

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Upcoming Green Industry Conferences

Managing the Demands of Water & Wastewater Systems Can Make Gatherings More Enjoyable, Becky Schauerman

It’s Time to Plant Fall Cover Crops, John Nelson

A Quick Guide to Fleas, Kait Chapman

Heart of 4-H Award: Shane Cuttlers and Dena Noe

4-H Specialty Clubs Invite New Members

Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer …

Nebline, October 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Super Fair Showcases 4-H’ers Learning Experiences

10 Money-$aving Grocery $hopping Hacks You Need to Try, Alyssa Havlovic

Recipe of the Month: Air Fryer Pork and Apple Burgers, Alyssa Havlovic

Growing Woody Floral Plants in the Home Garden, Sarah Browning

Garden Guie: Things to Do This Month, Mary Jane Frogge

Highboy Cover Crop Interseeding Project, John Nelson

Car Seat Safety for Your Family, Hayley Jackson-Perez

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Lorene Bartos

Join 4-H

4-H Livestock Scholarship Recipients

State 4-H Horse Expo Top Results

Lancaster County Volunteers Receive Statewide 4-H Awards

4-H Announcements

Super Fair 4-H/FFA Top Results

State Fair 4-H …

Nebline, August/September 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Preserving the Harvest: Canning, Freezing and Drying Tips, Kayla Colgrove

How Savvy are YOU with Home Canning?

Recipe of the Month: Freezing Onions, Kayla Colgrove

Deep, Infrequent Irrigation Makes Lawns and Trees Healthier, Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month, Mary Jane Frogge

Get the Jump on Jumping Worms, Kait Jumpman

Preparing Water for Use in an Emergency, Becky Schuerman

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Nicole Miller and Cole Meador

4-H Teen Council Invites New Members

4-H Announcements

Lancaster County Super Fair, August 1-10, 2024

4-H Premiere Communication Event Top Results

4-H Clover College: 55 Hands-on Workshops

4-H …

Teacher-Child Interaction Quality In Free Choice And Associations With Child Peer-Related Social Competence, Yuenjung Joo

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Children’s peer-related social skills in early childhood set the stage for school readiness, social competence, and lifelong well-being. Preschoolers spend most of their classroom time in free choice, offering substantial opportunities for learning experiences that facilitate peer interactions that support social development. Yet, little is known about how early childhood teachers can best optimize children’s social learning without disrupting the benefits of play during this time. The purpose of this study is to investigate how preschool teachers’ social support behaviors during free choice align with children’s social needs (i.e., fit of teacher-child social interaction) and the association between the fit …

Nebline, June/July 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Facts Related to Drinking Water by Becky Schuerman

Tar Spot is an Emerging Corn Disease in Eastern Nebraska by John Nelson

Nutrition Education for Refugee and Immigrant Families in Lincoln by Emily Gratopp

Recipe of the Month: Biryani by Emily Gratopp

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Sudden Wilt and Death in Tomatoes by Sarah Browning

Sun's Out, Fun's Out: Keeping Your Little One Safe This Summer by Hayley Perez

Protect Yourself from Bed Bugs by Kait Chapman

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Netsy Barent and Jessica Marsh

Nebraska 4-H Foundation Scholarship Winners

Learn …

Nebline, May 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Weed Control in Pastures and Hayfields by John Nelson

Navigating Nutrition Information: Separating Fact from Fiction by Alyssa Havlovic

Recipe of the Month: Pepper Steak Sandwich by Alyssa Havlovic

Care for New Bedding Plants by Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Cash Rent Survey

No Matter Where You Live, Submit a Request Before You Dig! by Becky Schuerman

4-H Achievement Celebration

8 Lancaster County 4-H’ers Modeled Their Sewn Garments at Omaha Fashion Week

4-H Events Open to All Youth

Support 4-H by Eating Out, May 1 & 2

Support 4-H During “Give to Lincoln Day,” May 30 …

Program Curricula For Preparing Medical Professionals On Early Childhood Mental Health, Socio-Emotional Development, And Adverse Childhood Experiences In Primary Care Settings: A Phenomenological Study, Jesutomilola O. Olayemi

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Primary care settings serve as the frontline for addressing the holistic well-being of individuals and particularly for children, they play a pivotal role in shaping early childhood experiences. Pediatric primary care physicians are pivotal in addressing the scarcity of mental health resources for children aged zero to five. There is limited knowledge regarding the competence of pediatric primary care providers in providing developmentally appropriate mental health care in early childhood. Therefore, this phenomenological study examined how early childhood mental health, social-emotional development, and adverse childhood experiences and their related screening practices were integrated into the curricula for preparing prospective pediatric …

The Standards And Expectations Of The Speech-Language Pathology Field, Abbie Summers

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

The goal of this project was to provide individuals interested in the field of speech-language pathology with relevant information from professionals in various positions in the field. These sources were to include speech-language pathologists in education, research, academia, and medicine. Interviews were conducted with these professionals covering various questions about their experiences, salary, education, professional development, interprofessional work, and on-the-job skills. From these interviews, data collection occurred based on responses to find commonalities to include in the write-up. The article provides information on personal experiences in the field, professional certification, professional growth and development, salary expectations according to work settings, …

Nebline, March/April 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Seven Garden Gaffes to Avoid This Year by Sarah Browning

Youth Advance Health Equity with Community-Based Research by Emily Gratopp

Recipe of the Month: Crunchy Kohlrabi Salad by Emily Gratopp

GROBigRed Virtual Learning Series

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

2024 Lincoln Early Childhood Conference

2024 Chemigation Training

Corn Yield Challenge for 4-H and FFA Members

Lancaster County Ag VIP Awards

4-H Teens Work Together to Lead the Lock-In

4-H Horse/Livestock Judging Teams at Nationals

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Sheridan Swotek and Kim Bowen

4-H Club Gives Youth With Disabilities Opportunity to Show Lambs

4-H Rabbit Show, March …

Nebline, January/February 2024

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

2023 Extension Highlights

4-H Programs Engaged 39,421 Youth

Nebraska Extension’s Strategic Direction

Enjoy a Comforting Bowl of Soup in January & Beyond by Kayla Colgrove

Recipe of the Month: Multi-Cooker Tuscan Soup by Kayla Colgrove

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Extension’s 2024 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Begins Soon

Upcoming Green Industry Conferences

ProHort Lawn & Landscape Update

2024 Pesticide Applicator Trainings

Crop Production Clinics

Extension Workshop Planned on Managing Farmland and Transition Planning

Water Quality: Nebraska On-Farm Research by John Nelson

House Centipedes by Kait Chapman

Early Childhood Prep Academy: Leaders Today, Learners Tomorrow by Hayley Jackson

Heart …

Amultidimensional Examination Of Children’S Endorsement Of Gender Stereotypes, Cindy Faith Miller, Lorey A. Wheeler, Bobbi Woods

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

The present research applied a multidimensional framework to the study of gender stereotypes by investigating whether elementary school children display different levels of endorsement when considering distinct gender stereotype constructs (ability, category, and interest) and feminine versus masculine stereotypes. Study 1 (N = 403) compared children’s ability and category beliefs using a set of gender-neutral skill items. Study 2 (N = 539) extended this research by examining whether children showed different patterns of ability and category decisions for feminine versus masculine occupational items. Study 3 (N = 974) furthered our understanding of the construct dimension by comparing …

Nebline, October 2023

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Super Fair Showcases 4-H’ers Learning Experiences

4-H Youth Use Videovoice to Address Health Equity

Recipe of the Month: Jajic Middle-Eastern Cucumber Salad by Emily Gratopp

American Bittersweet Brightens Up Fall by Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Helping Children Calm Down by Hayley Jackson

Adding Wheat to Your Corn-Soybean Rotation Has Many Benefifits by John Nelson

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: Kari Schepers

Be Part of Something Big! Join 4-H!

State 4-H Horse Expo Top Results

13-Year-Old Tenley Bauman Embraces 4-H Learning Experience at Fairs

4-H Announcements for 4-H'ers and Volunteers

Super Fair 4-H/FFA Top Results

State …

How Teachers Use Data: Description And Differences Across Prek Through Third Grade, Amanda Witte, Lisa Knoche, Susan Sheridan, Natalie A. Koziol

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

The use of data to inform instruction has been linked to improved student outcomes, early identification of intervention needs, and teacher decision-making and efficacy. Additionally, data are used as a means of accountability within educational settings. However, little is known about data use practices among early grades teachers. The purpose of the current study is to describe the data use of PreK to third grade teachers and to investigate differences in data use and support across grade levels. Participants were 307 early childhood teachers in PreK and early elementary school. Analysis of survey data revealed, overall, most teachers across grade …

Social Networks And Violence Victimization And Perpetration Among Youth: A Longitudinal Analysis, Natira Mullet, Emily A. Waterman, Katie M. Edwards, Victoria Banyard, Thomas W. Valente

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

Interpersonal violence (IV) is a serious concern for adolescents in the United States that has devastating impacts for individuals and communities. Given the increased importance placed on friendships during adolescence, the purpose of the current study was to examine the extent to which IV experiences cluster within youths' friendship networks. Participants were students (N = 1303) in grades 7th to 10th who completed surveys at the beginning and end of an academic year. Results showed that friends' average perpetration (i.e., the percentage of the friends they nominated who perpetrated IV) was strongly associated with likelihood of individual perpetration at …

Nebline, August/September 2023

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Understanding the “WHY” of Challenging Behavior in Young Children Can Help With Strategies by Hayley Jackson

5 Reasons to Support Your Farmers Market by Tara Dunker

Recipes of the Month: Chocolate Zucchini Muffins and Fresh Salsa by Kayla Colgrove

Time for Fall Lawn Seeding by Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Using Water Resources More Efficiently by Becky Schuerman

Parasitoids: Nature’s Biocontrol by Kait Chapman

Lancaster County Super Fair, Aug. 3-12, 2023

Webinars Addressing Biting Pests in Early Childhood and School Settings

Ag Landlord/Tenant Workshop

4-H Announcements for 4-H'ers or 4-H Volunteers

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: …

Addressing Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout, Resilience And Turnover In The Child Welfare Workforce: Results From A 6-Month, Cluster-Randomized Control Trial Of Resilience Alliance, Rebecca Orsi-Hunt, Courtney L. Harrison, Kayla E. Rockwell, Anita P. Barbee

QIC-WD Journal Articles

Introduction: US child welfare agencies have historically struggled with workforce retention and turnover. As part of the Quality Improvement Center for Workforce Development in Child Welfare, we tested an adaptation of the Resilience Alliance (RA) model in a large, Midwestern state to address workplace stress, burnout and actual workforce turnover. RA is a 24-week, facilitated program designed to mitigate the impact of secondary traumatic stress among child welfare professionals, and to therefore increase job satisfaction, resilience and optimism and to decrease turnover, stress reactivity and burnout.

Methods: Supervisory units of caseworkers and supervisors were randomized to the RA treatment …