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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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Early Childhood Suspension & Expulsion: Understanding the Policy and Its Impact

What is early childhood suspension and expulsion? Suspension or expulsion happens when a child is removed from their early childhood classroom. In practice, this can look a few different ways. The ...

achievement gap, brain development, Head Start, Marie Huey, prek, racial equity, trauma

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

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

Guest Post: Candidates for Governor Speak Out About Early Education Issues

By Ericca Maas, Close Gaps by 5 My organization is focused on closing Minnesota’s worst-in-the-nation achievement gaps, which means closing the early education opportunity gaps facing the 35,000 low-income Minnesota ...

achievement gap, Child Care, early care and education, Early education, Early Learning Scholarships, Equity in Minnesota, Minnesota Governor, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Policies in Play

Join us on the playground as we explore Policies in Play! Think Small believes that placing a priority on children and their families through access to high quality early childhood ...

#policiesinplay, achievement gap, Child Care, Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, Early Learning Scholarships, Equity in Minnesota, Greater Minnesota, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, Parent Aware

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 ...

achievement gap, donations, giveMN

Closing Opportunity Gaps to Shrink Achievement Gaps

By: Maya Fanjul-Debnam The opportunity gap is one of the biggest obstacles our education system faces today. As highlighted in a Minnpost op-ed written by Think Small President, Barbara Yates: ...

achievement gap, early childhood education, Early education, Kindergarten Readiness, MCAs, minnesota achievement gap, minnesota early education, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, National Opportunity to Learn Campaign, opportunity gap