Initiative for Early Childhood Education
Concordia University, Nebraska's Initiative for Early Childhood Education exists to support and strengthen Lutheran and Christian early childhood programs by equipping educators with Gospel-centered training that’s practical, innovative and deeply rooted in child development best practices. At every level, faith formation is at the core of what we teach and how we teach it.
Meeting the Need, Growing the Future
Early childhood programs serve as the entry point to Lutheran education from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 and often creates a door for entire families to know the Gospel of Jesus and go on to join the church. However, challenges like low compensation, high turnover and under-resourced classrooms have resulted in the hiring of early childhood staff who are not adequately trained and who are often unchurched or may have little knowledge of the saving Gospel of Jesus.
Concordia Nebraska’s Initiative for Early Childhood Education is responding to this need by delivering professional development opportunities that focus on high quality teaching practice and faith formation so that staff will know and can share the gospel of Christ with families and the children in their care.
Professional Development
A three-step approach guides all our professional development opportunities:
- Acquire: Learn through reading, listening, peer discussions and expert-led training
- Apply: Practice new strategies through hands-on experiences
- Advance: Reflect on growth and plan for continued improvements
Grow as a professional through a broad spectrum of opportunities that are led by early childhood experts and ranges from in-service training hours to academic graduate certificates and degrees.
Whether you're a new or veteran teacher, seasoned director or a pastor overseeing a preschool ministry, our training equips you to grow and lead with confidence.
Professional Development Topics
- Faith formation for staff, students and families
- Play-based learning
- Authentic assessment aligned with state early learning guidelines
- Classroom environments and learning centers
- Outdoor learning spaces
- Working with families
- Including children with special needs
- Child development and appropriate expectations
- Assistance with starting new programs
- Discipline and guidance
- Working with governing boards
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Train-the-Trainer
Play-Based Learning in the Early Childhood Classroom
Enter a training in which you step back and reignite your joy of play! Engage in a time of creativity and wonder as you also learn important strategies for creating and sustaining play-based learning environments critical for young learners. The following descriptions highlight the underlying goals of play and meaningful connections. The training will include an abundance of resources to take home and share with your early childhood team.
- Directors receive 4 clock hours (.4 CEUs) of in-service training. When Directors deliver the training to their staff, each staff person can receive 10 clock hours (1 CEU) of in-service training.
Pacific Southwest District Early Childhood Directors - Fall 2025
Kansas District Early Childhood Directors - Fall 2025
Nebraska District Early Childhood Directors - Fall 2025
Tinkering with STEAM, and Assessment
As early childhood professionals, teachers of children ages three through five are uniquely positioned to be leaders in demonstrating how play-filled experiences for their students are essential to learning. As “tinkerers,” participants will explore a variety of loose parts materials as they discover how to engage children in solving a problem related to a children book using science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills. Participants will reflect on Early Learning Standards to assess how children’s knowledge and skills are demonstrated throughout the experience.
- Directors receive 4 clock hours (.4 CEUs) of in-service training. When Directors deliver the training to their staff, each staff person can receive 10 clock hours (1 CEU) of in-service training.
Indiana District Early Childhood Directors - September 13, 2025
Interactive Learning Series
October 6, 2025: Talking with Parents about Play Based Learning with Lauren Sommerer
October 13, 2025: Creating a Shared Understanding of Age-Specific Behavioral Expectations with Parents with Cathy Gruenwald
October 20, 2025: Partnering with Parents through Personal Faith-Stories with Tracie Douglas
Training Formats
- Conference and pre-conference events
- Workshops
- On-site training
- Train-the-Trainer
- Virtual Interactive Learning Series
- Coaching and mentoring
- Parent and teacher tips
- Undergraduate and graduate certificates
- Undergraduate and graduate degrees
For information about how to host, join, or register for professional development, please contact Dr. Annette Anschutz.
Professor of Education, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Inclusive B-3rd and Early Childhood Special Education Program Director