For Early Childhood Professionals
Training and Education
Classroom Training
Well-trained early childhood professionals are able to give children the best possible guidance and care. How do you respond to an angry child? What do you need to know to help a choking infant? What methods can you use to observe and track child progress? Over 1,000 trainings a year at Think Small will give you the training you need to answer questions like these. Trainings are held at Think Small as well as locations around the 7-county Metro Area. Trainings are available in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish.
In-Person Trainings are now available
Think Small is proud to announce that in-person training has resumed on September 8, 2021 at the St. Paul and Minneapolis office, and then at offsite venues beginning October 2, 2021. We continue to encourage educators to take their trainings online through Eager-to-Learn, and Develop. For help finding training that meets your needs or help answering your questions, please email us at pdsupport@thinksmall.org or call 651-641-3549.
- Register for In-Person training online at www.developtoolmn.org
- Call 651-641-3549 for technical assistance with registering online.
- Need further assistance using Develop? Click here to request an in-person appointment.
Think Small/Child Care Aware of Minnesota Training Policies.
Think Small/Child Care Aware of Minnesota policies have changed in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
These protocols are intended to keep the early childhood workforce safe, including trainers, educators, and Think Small/Child Care Aware of Minnesota staff. As such, compliance with health and safety protocols is a requirement for receiving credit. Participants who do not adhere to these policies may be asked to leave.
Participants who are exhibiting signs or symptoms of any communicable illness (including COVID-19) should not attend training. Refunds and/or assistance transferring to an alternative training will be given when Think Small is notified of illness prior to training. Contact pdsupport@thinksmall.org or call (651)-641-3549.
- Trainings that occur at Think Small offices or at venues where masks ARE required:
- Masks are required for all participants and trainers for the duration of the training and while on the venue premises, regardless of vaccination status. Face shields are not considered masks. If you do not have a mask, a disposable mask will be provided for free.
- Trainings that occur at venues where masks are NOT required:
- Masks are strongly recommended for all participants and trainers for the duration of the training and while on the venue premises, regardless of vaccination status. If you do not have a mask and would like one, a disposable mask can be provided for free.
- Social distancing will be observed in training spaces. Enrollment capacity will be limited in order to maintain six feet of physical distance between attendees.
- Disposable masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes will be available for use.
- Eating is not allowed in the classroom. Please limit drinking while in the classroom to minimize removal of masks.
- For longer trainings that require a 30-minute lunch break, a designated indoor eating space will not be provided. Please plan to eat in your vehicle or outside if weather is nice.
- Please notify Think Small immediately if you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 after attending an in-person training.
Our policies reflect CDCs best practice recommendations for implementing a layered prevention strategies and MDH’s Best Practice Recommendations for COVID-19 Prevention in Schools for the 2021-22 School Year.
Online Virtual Trainings
Quality Early Learning Starts Here
Training and Tools to Elevate the Early Childhood Experience
Think Small offers online training available through The Think Small Institute. Visit the training calendar here. Online training options are also available at Develop and Eager-to-Learn. For help finding trainings that meet your needs or answering your questions, please email us at support@thinksmallinstitute.org or call 651-641-233-2263. Thank you!Tailoring Your Training
Are you interested in customized, on-site training? Whether you are a center director looking for in-service staff training or the leader of a family child care provider group, we can help. Think Small’s experienced, MN Center for Professional Development approved trainers, will present trainings at your site on a wide variety of topics.
For more information about Tailored Training, click here.
Online Training
Eager-to-Learn offers Achieve MNCPD-approved online trainings, both self-paced and instructor-led, covering a wide range of topics which focus on children from birth to age 12. See upcoming classes or register at Eager-to-Learn or DevelopToolMN.org.
