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.
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.
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.
• Per current CDC Guidelines (as of August 2022), if a participant tests positive for
COVID-19, the participant should not attend training for the first 5 days after testing
positive. If after 5 days the participant is fever-free for 24 hours without use of
medication, participant should wear a high-quality mask for the second 5 days at a
training event.
• All people ages 12 years and older are encouraged to get vaccinated for COVID-19
before attending training to protect themselves and others who cannot get
vaccinated.
• Masks are optional for all participants and trainers for the duration of the
training.
• Disposable masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes will be available for use.
• Please notify Think Small immediately if you develop symptoms or test positive
for COVID-19 after attending an in-person training.
Our policies reflect CDC’s best practice recommendations and guidance.
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.
