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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.

Discover practical tips, evidence-based strategies, and the latest research findings to support children aged 0-5 on their journey to kindergarten readiness. From fostering social-emotional development to promoting cognitive skills, our blog covers a wide range of topics, ensuring you stay informed and equipped to make a positive impact on young lives.

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In home child care provider teaching amids preschoolers standing in a circle

Family Child Care Program Set to Expand to Meet Child Care Needs in Minneapolis

“I fell in love with teaching children,” shares Sally Boyd, director of Personality Childcare Learning Center in North Minneapolis. Boyd has served more than 600 children in the 20 years ...

covid-19, Family Child Care

Red apple on stack of study books sitting on a table next to colored pencils

Think Small Institute Achieves IACET Accreditation for High-Quality Training for Early Childhood Professionals

Think Small is proud to announce that the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has accredited Think Small Institute’s professional development in early childhood care and education. This ...

early childhood education, high quality child care

Cisa Keller Named New CEO at Think Small

CISA KELLER NAMED NEW CEO AT THINK SMALL Respected Early Childhood Leader and Expert Chosen to Succeed Retiring CEO Barb Yates St. Paul, MN – Today, the Board of Directors ...

Ramsey County Early Childhood Academy

It’s no secret that Minnesota is in the midst of a child care crisis. Quality child care in Minnesota has become hard to find, hard to secure, and even harder ...

Have You Applied to Receive the Child Tax Credit?

As a parent, you are likely eligible to receive the Child Tax Credit. If you are not yet receiving this credit, you may be missing an opportunity to receive up to $300 per child if you qualify...

Coronavirus: Information for Child Care Providers

You are no doubt aware of reports concerning a new respiratory virus that health officials have termed novel coronavirus (COVID-19). You can find the most up-to-date information about what is ...

Child Care in Minnesota, child care providers, Coronavirus, covid-19, early childhood education, Family Child Care Providers, Minnesota child care, Minnesota health

The 2020 Census: Why It Matters.

By Barbara Yates, Think Small President & CEO In the coming months you’ll see more from Think Small about the 2020 Census. We will share Census facts and resources on ...

2020 census, census, Child Care, count all kids, early edu

Early Care & Education Crisis Work Group Convening

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Two interconnected crises continue in Minnesota: worst-in-the-nation achievement gaps and a severe child care shortage in many parts of the state Last ...

child care crisis, Child Care in Minnesota, early childhood education, Early Learning Scholarships

Think Small Statement Regarding Family Separations

By Barbara Yates, President and CEO of Think Small As another school year begins, we have another opportunity to reflect on children’s readiness for the learning ahead. Think Small’s strategic ...

Child Care in Minnesota, family separations, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Strategic Plan, think small

Think Small Applauds Relaunching the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet

By Barbara Yates, President and CEO of Think Small Today marks the re-launch of the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet, and I am excited about the possibilities it presents for our youngest ...

achievement gap, birth to eight, Children's Cabinet, early care and education, Early education, Equity, Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Children's Cabinet, opportunity gap, prenatal to three, results-based accountability

Guest Post: What Do We Know About Minnesota's Early Childhood Workforce?

By Christa Anders, Coordinator, B8 Early Childhood Workforce Team Minnesota’s early childhood educators are “the workforce behind the workforce.” These women, and a few men, who care for young children so ...

child care deserts, daycare, Early CHildhood, early childhood education, early childhood workforce, Early education, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care

Small Talks: True Costs to Families and Early Child Care Educators

Small Talks features leaders who share key insights on early childhood education and discuss innovative solutions to early learning issues in Minnesota. Inadequate investment, scholarship caps, complicated funding streams, and ...

achievement gap, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning Scholarships, Economic Development, Family Child Care, Kindergarten Readiness, minnesota achievement gap, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Think Small's Letter to the Department of Homeland Security

We ask the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to stop family separations at the border. Dear Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen, On behalf of Think Small, I ask you ...

Say Thanks to a Child Care Provider!

Happy Child Care Provider Appreciation Day! Today, we recognize the millions of child care providers across the nation who give their time, experience, concern, and skills to our littlest learners ...

brain development, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Spotlight, high quality child care, infants and toddlers, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Quality Child Care

Minneapolis Launches "Talking is Teaching" Campaign to Close Word Gap

By Maya Fanjul-Debnam By age four, children from low-income families hear 30 million fewer words than their more well-off peers, setting them on very different trajectories for early literacy. The ...

early childhood education, early childhood literacy, Mayor Hodges, Minneapolis, Talking is Teaching, word gap

2016 Legislative Session Overview: Early Care and Education Key Priority in Minnesota

Governor Dayton signed the supplemental budget bill today, allocating $182 million in funding this year and $300 million of funding over the next two years. He is still reviewing the ...

2016 Legislative Session, Early Learning, Governor Mark Dayton

Quality Child Care Impacts Karen Community in Minnesota

This is the first in a series of videos showing the impact high-quality early learning has on children, families and child care providers across Minnesota. Check back here for a new ...

Family Child Care

Partnership Brings Reading Corps into Child Care Settings

We are very proud to partner with Minnesota Reading Corps to bring early learning experts into family child care settings to work directly with children and child care providers on ...

Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Education, Minnesota Reading Corps