Blog, News & Events
Insights, Ideas, and Resources for Early Learning
Welcome to the Think Small Blog, your go-to destination for valuable insights, innovative ideas, and inspiring stories in the field of early learning. Dive into a treasure trove of articles crafted by our team of experts, dedicated to empowering child care providers, educators, and families.
Small Talks: From Awareness to Action: How Trauma-Informed Care Builds Supportive Environments for Children
Small Talks: A Think Small Speaker Series is Back! Come to learn about and discuss: Key findings on the impact of trauma and stress on child development Specific care efforts ...
Early Literacy Efforts Pushed to 2025
As the 2024 legislative session winds down, the pile of ideas on the cutting room floor is growing and, unfortunately, it includes early literacy.?It was a bumper biennium with nearly ...
Small Talks A Think Small Speaker Series
Small Talks Slides White Paper About the EventJoin us for the third and final event in our Small Talks early literacy series. This entire in-person, hour-long event will be ...
Small Talks A Think Small Speaker Series
Recording Small Talks Slides White PaperAbout the EventOnly 30% of Minnesota 8th graders were deemed proficient in reading in a recent national assessment (NCES 2022).Addressing this troubling statistic begins with ...
Small Talks A Think Small Speaker Series
About the EventOnly 30% of Minnesota 8th graders were deemed proficient in reading in a recent national assessment (NCES 2022). Addressing this troubling statistic begins with babies. There is much ...
Summer Spark at Saint Paul Public Library
Summer Spark is the Saint Paul Public Library's summer reading and learning program, open to kids ages 0-18. Families and individuals are welcome to join, and we also love working with groups - summer school classes, family child care programs, care centers, and camps! Our goal is to get kids reading for fun and feeling excited about stories and books.
Think Small Institute to Host Annual Family Child Care Week
For over 25 years, Think Small has offered an annual Family Child Care Business Seminar in the fall focused on increasing providers? knowledge and skills on topics to support their business. In 2020 the Think Small Institute (a ...
Small Talks - Elevating the Early Childhood Profession
Small Talks features leaders who share key insights on early childhood education and discuss innovative solutions to early learning issues in Minnesota. By Kristie Thorson?If this is going to be ...
Small Talks - Don't Expel Me: Social Emotional Strategies for a More Inclusive Child Care Program
Small Talks features leaders who share key insights on early childhood education and discuss innovative solutions to early learning issues in Minnesota. By Kristie Thorson, Communications SpecialistThe third Small Talks ...
Early Childhood Advocates Partner to Provide Parent Trainings
By Megan McLaughlin, Way to Grow Several organizations that serve children and families recently worked together to provide trainings for Minneapolis parents. As part of a grant from Minnesota Comeback, ...
Think Small Offers Free Information Sessions for Parent Aware Participation
By Susan SchaffhausenIn 2017, Think Small undertook new efforts to increase the number of child care providers who devote their care to ensuring children?s health, safety, and best practices for ...
Small Talks - Text Me: Turning Everyday Moments into Early Learning Experiences
Small Talks features leaders who share key insights on early childhood education and discuss innovative solutions to early learning issues in Minnesota. By Kristie Thorson, Communications SpecialistText Me: Turning Everyday ...
Small Talks - Talk to Me: How Early Conversations Impact a Child's Life
Small Talks features leaders who will share key insights on early childhood education and discuss innovative solutions to early learning issues in Minnesota. By Kristie ThorsonTalk to Me: How Early ...
Make a Difference for Give to the Max Day
Think Small is participating in Give to the Max Day on Nov. 17. The annual event, sponsored by GiveMN, encourages Minnesotans to donate to their favorite nonprofits and charities on ...
Come on In, the Water is Fine! Welcoming New Child Care Staff with a Purpose
Think Small is hosting an event to help child care directors welcome their newest staff members.During this two-hour, interactive session, participants will explore new employee orientation processes and systems that ...
Celebrate Think Small Day with us!
Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed today Think Small Day?in Minnesota in honor of our 45th Anniversary. Now that’s something to celebrate!? It all started with a bus. As more women ...
Think Small Resource Fair: Connecting for Children
Join families, child care providers, and child care centers to discuss what you think about parent engagement. Tell us what changes you’d make, or what you want to remain the ...
Register for a free child care providers training on healthy food choices
Think Small, Adults? & Children?s Alliance, and the Cargill Foundation have partnered to provide free training for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) participants.
Celebrate Think Small's 45th Anniversary at Open House
Think Small is celebrating its 45th Anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 13 with a community open house. The event will be hosted in our new office space in the lower level ...
Register for Think Small's 23rd Annual Family Child Care Business Seminar
Think Small’s 23rd Annual Family Child Care Business Seminar is coming up! It will be held November 5th at the Ramada Plaza Minneapolis. Use this opportunity to review 2016 tax ...
#TourDeNice and A Journey for Early Learning
By: Marie HueyAs a passionate advocate for the importance of early learning, I?m always interested in ways to support the cause. When I heard about an opportunity combining fitness, fun, ...
Think Small to Compete in First #TourDeNice
By: Maya Fanjul-DebnamCyclists will hit the streets of downtown Minneapolis for a good cause on Saturday July 9. Nice Ride and The Minneapolis Foundation have teamed up with several local ...
Think Small Bringing Cutting Edge Program for Child Care to Clinton Global Initiative America Meeting
Think Small is thrilled to share new, cutting edge approaches to reducing opportunity and achievement gaps at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America meeting in Atlanta this month.It?s an ...
Granite City Donating 10% of all Bills to Think Small June 1
Celebrate International Children’s Day and support Think Small by dining at any metro Granite City location on Wednesday, June 1st. Ten percent of all bills that day will be donated ...
Happy Child Care Provider Appreciation Day!
Today is National Child Care Provider Day. Intentionally celebrated on the Friday before Mother?s Day, it is a time to show gratitude for those who take care of children.Child care ...
CCAP, Early Learning Scholarships Key to Equity Conversation at #CYIB16
The 2016 Children and Youth Issues Briefing this week featured an important and inspiring conversation about the future of early learning in Minnesota.
Register for Free Healthy Eating Training for Child Care Providers
Healthy eating habits are important, especially for young children in the U.S. Unfortunately; childhood obesity has skyrocketed in recent years, setting many children on an unhealthy path. That?s just one ...