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.
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 Event Join us for the third and final event in our Small Talks early literacy series. This entire in-person, hour-long event ...
Guest Post: What is the READ Act?
In Minnesota and around the country, many children are not on track to read proficiently. The latest Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) results show just 48% of 3rd graders met or ...
Small Talks A Think Small Speaker Series
Recording Small Talks Slides White Paper About the Event Only 30% of Minnesota 8th graders were deemed proficient in reading in a recent national assessment (NCES 2022). Addressing this ...
Small Talks A Think Small Speaker Series
About the Event Only 30% of Minnesota 8th graders were deemed proficient in reading in a recent national assessment (NCES 2022). Addressing this troubling statistic begins with babies. ...
Literacy Starts at Birth
Children’s brains in the first five years of life are rapidly forming new connections and building the foundation for future learning. Caregivers in a child’s life play a crucial role ...
Celebrating the Debra S. Fish Early Childhood Library!
Did you know Minnesota’s best resources for early childhood professionals are available FREE to you? April 9 – 15 is National Library Week! What a great opportunity to explore a ...
Using LENA to Help Close the Word Gap
By: Gerri Fisher This month marks one year since the start of the Think Small blog. To celebrate, we’re using January to highlight information and initiatives from Think Small and ...
Word Pedometers Brought to Minneapolis to Help Close Word Gap
By: Maya Fanjul-Debnam Minnesota is heralding in an innovative program to help close the word gap. The word gap–a 30 million word deficit between children from low income families and ...