PIERCE, Neb. - One community in Northeast Nebraska is taking big steps in providing for the next generation while they are still crawling.

17 early childhood care providers, along with those looking to become one, gathered at the Pierce Public Library on Wednesday night to learn effective ways to care for young children.

Brandy Price organized the event and says opportunities like this are not offered very often for providers.

“After Covid, a lot of our early childhood classes went to online, and so people aren’t really able to get together, and providers they really like being able to get together and talk and discuss things going on in Pierce,” said Price.

From Crock-Pot meals to emergency situations, providers learned about a variety of topics related to caring for children.

4-H Youth Extension educator Julie Schultz taught a session on STEM, explaining that it is simpler than many people think.

“ Tonight we’re bringing coding down to the unplugged version, where coding is simply a set of instructions,” said Schultz. ”And when you can relate those things, a set of instructions to what their teacher asks them to do everyday in school, you can just watch those light bulb moments happen.”

Early Learning Connection coordinator for the Northeast Region Erika Fink says the most critical period for a child’s development begins immediately after birth.

“It’s the most important job right,” said Fink. “Birth to three is the ages where children have the most brain development, so we want our best people working with our young children.”

Organizers say this was the first meeting of its kind and are hoping to continue more if them in the future.