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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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Learning from a Distance: Reflections from 2021 Todd Otis Public Policy Interns

By: Helen Sabrowsky and Jacqueline Zhang, Todd Otis Public Policy Interns Hello from the 2021 Todd Otis Public Policy Interns, Helen and Jacqueline! It’s hard to believe that the 2021 legislative session is almost over, and with that, our time ...

early childhood education, Early Childhood Policy, early ed policy, internship, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, policy, Todd Otis

How to Connect with Your Minnesota Legislators

By Marie Huey, Public Policy & Advocacy Coordinator and Kieu My Phi, Public Policy Intern Talking to your legislators is great way to advocate for young children. Whether your goal ...

early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics

Policy Hour: State Budget Forecast & Governor's Budget Proposal

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator The March edition of Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour covered the state budget forecast and the Governor’s budget proposal. February Budget Forecast Betsy ...

Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature

Guest Post: A Lens into Our Democratic Process

By Ambar Cristina Hanson, M.P.A., Chief External Relations Officer at Hiawatha Academies and a Steering Committee member of the Voices and Choices for Children Coalition. Over the past several years, ...

Equity, Equity in Minnesota, Legislative session, Minnesota Legislative Session, voices and choices

How Do 2018 Candidates Interact with Early Education?

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Every eligible Minnesota voter will have the opportunity to make their choice for statewide and federal offices this November. What authority do ...

early childhood education, early ed minnesota, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Children's Cabinet, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics, Minnesota's future

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

Six Lessons from the Todd Otis Public Policy Internship

By: Emma Klingler Greetings! You may remember me from the blog post introducing me back in March. My tenure as the Todd Otis Public Policy Intern for Think Small is nearly ...

early childhood education, early childhood education minnesota, Early education, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Nonprofit, Quality Child Care

Meet the First Todd Otis Public Policy Intern: Emma Klingler

Think Small’s first Todd Otis Public Policy Internship is underway. The internship is a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about Minnesota’s early learning policy and advocacy landscape. Todd Otis’ lifelong ...

high quality child care, internship, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota politics, Nonprofit, public policy, Todd Otis

Policy Hour: Previewing the 2018 Legislative Session

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Facts and speculation both made appearances at February’s Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour at Think Small in Minneapolis, and Sara(h)s abounded. Sarah Orange, ...

Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, early childhood education, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature

Policies in Play: Child Care Assistance Program Changes

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 ...

Child Care, Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, early childhood education, Early education, Early Education Policies, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Quality Child Care

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

Policy Hour: Early Education Policy and Funding Changes

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) presented at the first Policy Hour of the season. June Reineke and Amanda Varley ...

Child Care, Early education, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Education, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota's future, Quality Child Care

Early Learning Investment - Turn Up the Volume!

By Todd Otis The early childhood movement has come a long way in the past twenty years, and has a long way to go. The public now understands the importance ...

early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, high quality child care, infants and toddlers, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Opportunity Gap

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

A Legislative Update: Early Learning a Policy Priority for State

It is great that early learning is a policy priority for the state, and it’s encouraging to hear it continue to be discussed. In a year of $1.6 billion surplus, ...

early childhood education minnesota, Early education, Early Education Policies, Early Learning Scholarships, Governor Mark Dayton, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, mnleg

Prenatal to Three Policy Forums: Working Together for A Great Start

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 our partners about ...

0 to 3, brain development, Dave Pinto, high quality child care, Infants, infants and toddlers, Minnesota, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Opportunity Gap, St. Paul, Toddlers

April Policy Hour Focuses on Compliance with Federal Requirements

The April edition of Minnesota’s Future Policy Hour featured leaders from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) discussing Minnesota’s response to the federal reauthorization of the Child Care and ...

Child Care Development Block Grant, early learning in Minnesota, Minesota Department of Human Services, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislative Session

Parent Aware is the Backbone of Early Learning in Minnesota

Minnesota is grappling with a tough question: How do we best improve the early learning landscape in our state? It’s important to note that this question presumes an acceptance of ...

Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislative Session, Parent Aware, Quality Child Care

Think Small Announces 2016 Legislative Agenda

Think Small is dedicated to continue improving the early learning landscape across Minnesota, impacting the lives of children and the future of our state and starting with the children who ...

early learning in Minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Minnesota Legislative Session, Minnesota Legislature