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.

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.

All Blogs Debra Fish Library Recommends Early Childhood Policy Early Childhood Resources Educator Stories Events How to Advocate News Research Think Small Todd Otis Public Policy Internship

When Is It Happening: Early Learning Scholarships

Early Learning Scholarships will see significant changes in the months and years ahead. Early Learning Scholarships give low-income families financial support to help pay for quality early care and ...

Child Care, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, infants and toddlers, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

2023 Early Care and Education Legislation

There’s now a clearer picture of what will become law in 2023. When it comes to early care and education, there is a lot! We’re still digesting, but here’s ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature

What’s in the Budget: Early Learning Scholarships

House File 2292, the early education omnibus bill, passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Walz. This bill contains new investments and policy ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

Early Care and Education Efforts in Progress

The 2023 State Legislative Session is officially underway. Legislators are meeting with constituents, bills are being drafted and introduced, and committees are holding hearings! Legislative leaders and Governor Walz ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

November Highlights and Free Activities and Ideas from Think Small Institute

November has arrived and with it encouragement to celebrate Native American heritage, voting, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving, and more. Here at Think Small Institute, ...

Curriculum resources, Early education, Early Learning, Professional Development, Quality Child Care

Attend a Precinct Caucus and Submit a Resolution to Support Early Learning

By Marie Huey, Public Policy & Advocacy Coordinator On Tuesday, February 25 at 7:00 pm, Minnesota will hold precinct caucuses around the state. They are the beginning of a process that ...

Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, mn caucus, mnleg

Guest Post: Scottish Intern Reflects on What She's Learned in Minnesota

By Katie Burke, Public Policy Intern Hello there! You may remember me from the blog post introducing me earlier this year. My name is Katie Burke and I am in ...

early childhood education, Early Learning, Minnesota, mnleg, public policy, public policy intern, Todd Otis

Know Your Numbers...

What are your numbers?6, 43A, 2, 7?5, 12B, 4, 1? By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Several elected officials represent you at different levels, and their districts often ...

Advocacy resources minnesota, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, mnleg

Five Helpful Resources for Advocating for High-Quality Child Care in 2019

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Are you motivated to advocate for children this year? If you’re looking to support high-quality child care in Minnesota, below are some ...

Advocacy Resources in Minnesota, Child Care, Child Care in Minnesota, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, mnleg, quality early education

Early Learning Scholarships Change Lives

“This opportunity wasn’t just good for her, and amazing for her, but it was also amazing for me. And if it’s amazing for me, it’s amazing for our little family.” ...

early childhood education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Nonprofit

An Encouraging Find: Another Potential Benefit of Parent Aware

“The survey results show that Parent Aware-rated programs across all parts of Minnesota were twice as likely to have stayed in business than non-rated programs.” High-quality early learning, as defined ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Family Child Care, high quality child care, infants and toddlers, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Nonprofit, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Guest Post: The Equity Summit

By May Esperanza Losloso, Senior Organizer, Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota From April 11-13, 2018, eight members of the Voices and Choices for Children Steering Committee attended the PolicyLink 2018 Equity Summit ...

cultural relevance, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, Equity in Minnesota, equity summit, family, Nonprofit

Be an Advocate: What to Do When Candidates Come Knocking

“Knock knock. Who’s there? Candidates. Candidates who? Candidates for Governor, Senator, Attorney General, State House of Representatives….” Campaign season is in full swing, and candidates around the state are knocking on doors in ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Economic Development, high quality child care, Minnesota Education, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota politics, Minnesota's future, Nonprofit, Quality Child Care

Policy Hour: Legislative Wrap-Up

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator The 2018 legislative session ended on May 22. To explain the implications for the early care and education field, two experts joined ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, Governor Mark Dayton, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota's future

Policy Hour: St. Paul's Citywide 3K Proposal

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Saint Paul is planning for a citywide 3K program, and Council Member Rebecca Noecker joined May’s Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour to explain ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness

Early Learning Scholarships Help Children & Families

“Please continue funding programs such as early childhood scholarships. It definitely makes a difference. It allows kids to get that extra boost in the beginning so they stay on track ...

early childhood education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, early learning minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislature, Parent Aware

Picturing Brighter Futures

By Kristie Thorson At Think Small, we picture a brighter future for Minnesota’s kids. We picture a day when ALL young children have access to high-quality early care and education ...

early childhood education minnesota, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Family Child Care, high quality child care

Policy Hour: National Update

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator The Minnesota State Legislature was off for Easter/Passover Break this week, so Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour turned its focus to national issues. ...

Child Care, Child Care Development Block Grant, early childhood education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, Family Child Care, Greater Minnesota, high quality child care, Quality Child Care

Policy Hour: Early Learning Coordination and Collaboration

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator March Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour focused on coordination and collaboration projects in the early learning field. Early Learning Council Dianne Haulcy, Senior ...

Child Care, Children's Cabinet, Early Learning, Early Learning Council, Help Me Grow, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Children's Cabinet, Minnesota's future

Guest Post: Creating Equitable Early Learning Policies

Many organizations and individuals are seeking equitable policies and solutions to address persistent inequality. We can no longer support systems that created inequity and maintain inequity. By Voices and Choices ...

early childhood education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, early learning minnesota, Equity in Minnesota, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature

Early Education Spotlight: Big Red House

Early Education Spotlight is an ongoing series that showcases great work happening in high-quality child care and preschool settings across Minnesota. From innovative early learning programs to parent perspectives on ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Spotlight, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Attend a Precinct Caucus and Submit a Resolution to Support Early Learning

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator On Tuesday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m., Minnesota will hold precinct caucuses around the state. They are the beginning of a process that ...

Early Education Policies, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics, Quality Child Care

Policy Hour - Improving the Early Childhood Workforce

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator December Policy Hour presenters shared information about state and national initiatives that are working to enhance and improve the early childhood workforce. ...

early childhood education, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota's future, Quality Child Care

Early Education Spotlight: The Teddy Bear House

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, Early Learning Scholarships, Family Child Care, Greater Minnesota, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Think Small Offers Free Information Sessions for Parent Aware Participation

By Susan Schaffhausen In 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 ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, high quality child care, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

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 Specialist Text Me: Turning ...

brain development, early childhood education, Early Learning, infants and toddlers, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, school readiness, Think Small ParentPowered Texts, Think Small Texts

Families First: Connecting Southern MN Children with Early Learning Scholarships

The Policies in Play series takes a closer look at the recently passed state legislative policies that affect early care and education. We work with partners to find out what ...

early childhood education, Early Learning, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Parent Aware

Early Education Spotlight: Stepping Stones Childcare Learning Center, Inc

By: Marie Huey Early Education Spotlight is an ongoing series that showcases great work happening in high-quality child care and preschool settings across Minnesota. From innovative early learning programs to ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early Learning, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Policy Hour: Parent Aware Changes & Legislative Update

The final Policy Hour of the season was a double dose of early education information! We heard about changes to Parent Aware and received an end of legislative session update. ...

Child Care, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning

Legislative Wrap-Up: How did Early Learning Fare?

Minnesota legislators wrapped up the special session last week, and the Governor signed budget bills into law. Read about the new policies and programs that affect early learning throughout the ...

Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning, Early Learning Scholarships, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session

Policy Hour: Power to the Profession Initiative

Early education is in the spotlight now. That was the message from Kathleen O’Donnnell, Executive Director, and Sara Benzkofer, Director of Policy and Communications, of MnAEYC-MnSACA. The April Policy Hour ...

Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, high quality child care, Policy Hour, Quality Child Care

Early Education Spotlight: Little Learners

By: Marie Huey Early Education Spotlight is an ongoing series that showcases great work happening in child care and preschool settings across Minnesota. From innovative early learning programs to parent ...

Ada, Child Care, Early education, Early Learning, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, high-quality, Little Learners, Minnesota, Parent Aware

Minnesota PreK-3 Design Team Releases Statewide Recommendations

A new group of early education experts released recommendations for how Minnesota can best improve the early care and education landscape across our state, a key area of focus to ...

early education minnesota, Early Learning, early learning minnesota, higher education, Kindergarten Readiness, minnesota prek3 design team, policy, The McKinght foundation, West Central Initiative

Policy Hour Provides Updates on New Early Learning Legislation

The first Minnesota’s Future Policy Hour of the season focused on legislation passed this spring. The presenters provided updates on implementation of projects.

Child Care, Early Learning, Greater Minnesota, Minnesota, policy, Voluntary Pre-K, VPK

Leaders in Early Learning Bring Concerns to MN House Committee on Child Care

The Minnesota House Select Committee on Affordable Child Care held a hearing on July 19 at the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board office to hear from the community on child ...

Early Learning, Minnesota child care, Minnesota House Committee on Affordable Child Care

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

White Earth's Story: Building an Early Learning Landscape for Kids and Families

Fifteen years ago, families in White Earth, Minnesota didn’t have access to early learning programs. Families were lucky to get a spot in a Head Start program, one of the ...

Early education, Early Learning, Minnesota, White Earth

Macy's Story: Early Education at Age 2 Makes the Difference

Macy started her child care program at age two, with no previous early learning experience. Since then, she’s blossomed. She is now the star student of her program and completely ...

Early Learning, Early Learning Scholarships, Minnesota child care

The Wisest Choices Minnesota Can Make for Early Learning

By: Barbara Yates, President and CEO of Think Small We’ve heard it before. If everything is your priority, then nothing is your priority. Show me your budget, and I’ll tell ...

Barbara Yates, Early education, Early Learning, Early Learning Scholarships, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics, Parent Aware

Make a Difference During Week of the Young Child 2016

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and ...

#woyc2016, Early Learning, Meet with my legislator, Minnesota Legislature, Week of the Young Child

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

ESSA Signed into Law, Focuses on Early Learning

A new education law came out of Washington D.C. recently with strong bipartisan support. The new law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, eliminates No Child Left Behind and brings back ...

Early Learning, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota Education

Blog, News & Events

Insights, Ideas, and Resources for Early Learning

When Is It Happening: Early Learning Scholarships

2023 Early Care and Education Legislation

What’s in the Budget: Early Learning Scholarships

Early Care and Education Efforts in Progress

November Highlights and Free Activities and Ideas from Think Small Institute

Attend a Precinct Caucus and Submit a Resolution to Support Early Learning

Guest Post: Scottish Intern Reflects on What She's Learned in Minnesota

Know Your Numbers...

Five Helpful Resources for Advocating for High-Quality Child Care in 2019

Early Learning Scholarships Change Lives

An Encouraging Find: Another Potential Benefit of Parent Aware

Guest Post: The Equity Summit

Be an Advocate: What to Do When Candidates Come Knocking

Policy Hour: Legislative Wrap-Up

Policy Hour: St. Paul's Citywide 3K Proposal

Early Learning Scholarships Help Children & Families

Picturing Brighter Futures

Policy Hour: National Update

Policy Hour: Early Learning Coordination and Collaboration

Guest Post: Creating Equitable Early Learning Policies

Early Education Spotlight: Big Red House

Attend a Precinct Caucus and Submit a Resolution to Support Early Learning

Policy Hour - Improving the Early Childhood Workforce

Early Education Spotlight: The Teddy Bear House

Think Small Offers Free Information Sessions for Parent Aware Participation

Small Talks - Text Me: Turning Everyday Moments into Early Learning Experiences

Families First: Connecting Southern MN Children with Early Learning Scholarships

Early Education Spotlight: Stepping Stones Childcare Learning Center, Inc

Policy Hour: Parent Aware Changes & Legislative Update

Legislative Wrap-Up: How did Early Learning Fare?

Policy Hour: Power to the Profession Initiative

Early Education Spotlight: Little Learners

Minnesota PreK-3 Design Team Releases Statewide Recommendations

Policy Hour Provides Updates on New Early Learning Legislation

Leaders in Early Learning Bring Concerns to MN House Committee on Child Care

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

White Earth's Story: Building an Early Learning Landscape for Kids and Families

Macy's Story: Early Education at Age 2 Makes the Difference

The Wisest Choices Minnesota Can Make for Early Learning

Make a Difference During Week of the Young Child 2016

Partnership Brings Reading Corps into Child Care Settings

ESSA Signed into Law, Focuses on Early Learning

No Results