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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.

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National Native American Heritage Month

In celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, we’re featuring several winners of the 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Awards and 3 newly published titles and 1 classic for adults ...

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Children's Books All About Families

Today’s list of book recommendations highlights ten great children’s titles that celebrate families and many of the different people and roles they might include!Pro-tip: Track the books you & your ...

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Books to Celebrate Disability Pride Month

The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed on July 26, 1990, and that same year, Boston became the first city to host a Disability Pride Day honoring Americans with disabilities. ...

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Children's Books to Spark Conversations about Democracy and Voting

Young children aren’t old enough to vote, but they are old enough to learn about democracy and voting! Principles like fairness, listening, and cooperation are key to strong communities in ...

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Juneteenth 2024

Learn more about the history of Juneteenth with these new titles for children from preschool to the early elementary years, and celebrate with your community at one of the many ...

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Reflect. Empower. Unite. Books for Pride Month 2024

Ready to celebrate Pride Month 2024? There’s something for everyone from babies to grownup in this booklist from the Debra Fish Library.Pro-tip: Track the books you & your children are ...

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Children's Books to Celebrate Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is here and so is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Below, you’ll find 10 fresh titles to explore all month long and for years to come.May ...

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A World of Opportunities: Books for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is an annual campaign that raises awareness of the inclusion and contributions of people with developmental disabilities (DD) in all aspects of community life. It highlights ...

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Women's History Month Books: Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We’re celebrating women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion all month long. Check out the reads below! Children’s titles Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight: Patsy Takemoto Mink ...

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Picture Books Featuring Women Inventors, Scientists, and Athletes

Women’s History Month is coming up in March, but before we get there, check out these picture book titles that honor women during National Women Inventor’s Month (February), National Girls ...

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Collage of book covers

Black History Month Books: African Americans and the Arts

Black History Month 2024 is just around the corner, and one way to celebrate is diving into newly published titles and returning to old favorites. Check out the list of ...

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Books for Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day honors the great Civil Rights leader and has the distinction of being the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. On this ...

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November Highlights and Free Activities and Ideas from Think Small Institute

  November has arrived and with it encouragement to celebrate Native American heritage, voting, All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Veterans? Day, Thanksgiving, and more. Here at Think Small Institute, ...

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Resources for Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Chokma! Chickasha saya.?? Hello! I am Chickasaw. I am one of just over 5 million Native Americans living in the United States. That?s just over 1% of the entire country?s ...

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Resources to Help Celebrate Filipino American History Month

  Add some of these wonderful titles by and about Filipinos & Filipino Americans to your celebration of Filipino American History Month! October 18, 1587, marks the first known arrival ...

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October TSI Featured Pic

October Think Small Institute Highlights 

Fall is in the air, and apples and pumpkins are everywhere. In October, we encourage you to intentionally support children?s mental health and wellbeing and encourage fantasy play.

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Resources to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

The Hispanic Heritage Month celebration is turning 54 years old!? California Congressman George E. Brown first introduced this tremendous festival in June 1968.? The soul of this celebration is to ...

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Resources for Disability Pride 2022

"Just like all other types of diversity, disabilities offer us the opportunity to appreciate others for their uniqueness and celebrate the things that make us different."

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Celebrating Juneteenth 2022

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Although the proclamation outlawed slavery in all Confederate states and had been signed nearly three years earlier, the news was kept from Black Texans until occupying Union forces arrived in Galveston at the end of the Civil War. [Note: Black Americans were still enslaved in Union states up until the 13th amendment was ratified on December 6, 1865.]?

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Beyond the Binary: Helpful Resources for Children and Providers

Building wellness and respect for children in their gender identify from an early age can lead to a more healthy and robust child. In celebration of Pride Month, the Debra S. Fish librarian, Jennie Walker Knoot, has compiled a list of helpful resources to help facilitate dialog that can help conversation go 'Beyond the Binary.'

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May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month ? a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. At Think Small, we recognize and celebrate AAPI month.

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Father in military uniform with American flag holding his little

April is Month of the Military Child

April is Month of the Military Child which honors the experiences of the 1.6 million American children with family members serving in the armed forces. Check out the titles and ...

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Brand New Children’s Books for Black History Month

Dive into these 10 brand-new children?s titles to celebrate the history, present, and future of the Black Diaspora and discover notable Black activists, musicians, inventors, athletes, and poets.

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Learning to Say Goodbye, a Skill for Life

Guest Blog by Ang?le Sancho Passe In the book?Mama?s Gloves,?by Mike Huber, (Redleaf Press, 2014), four-year-old Esteban learns that mama ?always comes back with two kisses and hug.? This routine ...

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Celebrating Pride Past June

Three Ways Early Educators Can Support Rainbow and Same-Sex Families Beyond Pride Month

Pride occurs year-round; here are three ways early educators can support community members beyond the calendar month.

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All Different Now Book for Juneteenth Education

Continuing the Juneteenth Dialog: Engaging Young Children and Families After the Federal Holiday

On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday in the United States. The Juneteenth holiday celebrates when the last enslaved African Americans were notified of their freedom on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas...

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Brain Development in Infants and Toddlers

90% of brain development occurs by age 5.80% of the brain is developed by age 3.These eye-catching statements sound impressive but can be confusing and misleading. Learning certainly continues after ...

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