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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.
Tell Your Early Learning Story: Why It's Important
By Kristie Thorson, Communications Specialist Whether you?re a family child care provider who wants to share a program success or a parent who is struggling to find high-quality care, your ...
A Middle-Class Mom Looking for Help
By Viktoria Bjerke from Belle Plaine, MinnesotaMy name is Viktoria Bjerke. I am 24 years old, married, and I have two children, ages one and two. We are a working ...
Parents Detail Kindergarten Transition Experiences
By Kristie Thorson, Communications Specialist The first of its kind in Minnesota, a new study examines how families transition their children from an early childhood education provider to kindergarten. The ...
Child Care Assistance Makes a Difference: Oliver's Story
By Kristie Thorson, Communications Specialist St. Paul mother Stephanie Henderson knows her son Oliver has benefited from high-quality early care and education. ?It was just so great for him,? said ...
Child Care Assistance Makes a Difference: Aaron's Story
Minnesota’s?Child Care Assistance Program?(CCAP) helps make?child care?affordable for income-eligible families.? This can often be life-changing for children and parents, as it was for the Santamaria Mendez family.Four-year-old Aaron Santamaria Mendez ...
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 Scholarship Helps Prepare Child for Kindergarten
Meet Lisa Wilson. She is a single mother to a rambunctious 4 year-old. They try hard to make ends meet every month, but sometimes it just didn?t work out. Child ...
New Evaluation Highlights Positive Impact of Early Learning Scholarships
The Minnesota Department of Education delivered an evaluation of Early Learning Scholarships to the Minnesota Legislature this week, which found that children who receive Early Learning Scholarships are making significant ...
Pheng's Story: Spreading the Impact of Parent Empowerment
This is the third in a series of?videos showing the impact high-quality early learning has on children, families and child care providers across Minnesota. Check back here for a new ...
Early Learning Scholarship Changes Bobbi's Family Forever
This is the second in a series of?videos showing the impact high-quality early learning has on children, families and child care providers across Minnesota. Check back here for a new ...