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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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Policy Hour - Coronavirus Early Childhood Update

By Cisa Keller, Senior Vice President of Early Childhood Quality Development The April Policy Hour focused on Coronavirus Early Childhood Updates. Children’s Cabinet Update Stephanie Hogenson, Policy Director for the ...

Child Care in Minnesota, Coronavirus, covid-19, early childhood education, Early education, emergency grants, Policy Hour

Policy Hour - Budget Forecast and Census

March’s Policy Hour provided an update on the state budget forecast, and the importance of participating in the upcoming census. State Budget Forecast Betsy Hammer, from the MN Budget Project, ...

2020 census, minnesota early education, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Policy Hour

Policy Hour - 2020 Legislative Session Preview

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Every year, we gaze into the crystal ball to predict what might be ahead for the legislative session. Nobody ever gets it ...

Child Care, early childhood education minnesota, Early Learning Scholarships, Minnesota legislative preview, Minnesota politics, Policy Hour

Policy Hour: Trauma in Early Childhood

By Marie Huey, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Katy Smith, Licensed Parent Educator and 2011 MN Teacher of the Year, and Dr. Monica Potter, Supervisor of Early Childhood and Family Education ...

Adversechildhoodexperiences, earlychildhood, Parents, Policy Hour, trauma, trauma-informed care

Policy Hour: Child Care

By Marie Huey, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Staff from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) joined us for February’s Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour to provide updates on child care. ...

Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, Child Care in Minnesota, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Children's Cabinet, Minnesota Department of Human Services, Minnesota Legislature, Policy Hour, preschool

Policy Hour - Early Childhood Data

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator January Policy Hour started with a special announcement: the event is now named the Ann Kaner-Roth Policy Hour. Ann served as the ...

Child Care, Early education, Early Education Policies, early learning in Minnesota, Family Child Care, high quality child care, Kindergarten Readiness, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Legislature, Policy Hour, Quality Child Care

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

Policy Hour: Reports Propose Solutions for Early Learning in Minnesota

Legislative Task Force on Child Care Access and Affordability Senator Melissa Wiklund, DFL-Bloomington, was one of the presenters at the February Policy Hour organized by Minnesota’s Future and hosted by ...

CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program), CCDBG (Child Care & Development Block Grant), Child Care Legislation, Policy Hour

Minnesota Early Learning Organizations Present Policy Agendas at January Policy Hour

The 2017 Minnesota Legislative Session is underway! January Policy Hour brought us up to speed on the policy priorities of the organizations in the Minnesota’s Future coalition and the Voices and Choices ...

Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care in Minnesota, Early Education Policies, Early Learning Policy, Equity, Equity in Minnesota, Head Start, Home Visiting, Minnesota, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota's future, Policy Hour, Quality Child Care

Policy Hour Highlights New Federal Rules in Head Start and Child Care

New federal policy changes will affect the Minnesota early learning field. November Policy Hour featured staff from the state departments of Education and Human Services sharing updates about the changes.

CCAP, CCDBG, Child Care, Child Care Assistance Program, Child Care Development Block Grant, Head Start, Minnesota child care, Minnesota Early Learning, Minnesota's future, Policy Hour