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.
Small Talks - Don't Expel Me: Social Emotional Strategies for a More Inclusive Child Care Program
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 SpecialistThe third Small Talks ...
Early Education Spotlight: People Serving People
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 ...
The Triple Bottom Line of Child Care
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 ...
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 ...
Public Safety Advocates and Retired Military Generals Push for Prioritizing High-Quality Early Education in Minnesota
Members of two national organizations say high-quality early education is a proactive solution to public safety concerns, and they?ve detailed their support of the issue in recent letters to Minnesota ...
Using LENA to Help Close the Word Gap
By: Gerri FisherThis 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 ...
Closing Opportunity Gaps to Shrink Achievement Gaps
By: Maya Fanjul-DebnamThe 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: “Our achievement ...
Word Pedometers Brought to Minneapolis to Help Close Word Gap
By: Maya Fanjul-DebnamMinnesota 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 their ...
Think Small Bringing Cutting Edge Program for Child Care to Clinton Global Initiative America Meeting
Think Small is thrilled to share new, cutting edge approaches to reducing opportunity and achievement gaps at the 2016 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America meeting in Atlanta this month.It?s an ...
Minnesota's $900 Million Surplus is Opportunity to Invest in Kids who Need Help the Most
Minnesota Management and Budget released Minnesota’s economic forecast this morning, and the state’s surplus has decreased slightly to $900 million for the next budget cycle.The November economic forecast expected a ...