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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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Child Care at the Door in 2024

Campaign season is in full swing, and candidates at the local, state, and national level will be knocking on doors in hopes of winning your vote. You can use this ...

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Advocate for Early Childhood at the Minnesota State Fair

After you zip down the giant slide and in between your fair food checklist, take a moment to engage with policymakers about early childhood. The Minnesota State Fair is a ...

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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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Update: Child Care Licensing Modernization Project

Last year we shared a blog post and timeline for early care and education projects underway in Minnesota. In this post we?re checking in on the Child Care Regulation Modernization ...

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How to Advocate: Tips and Resources to Get Started

Are you intrigued by advocacy but not sure how to start? This guide is for you!? As an early childhood professional and/or parent, you have invaluable first-hand experience and knowledge ...

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How to Host a Child Care Program Tour for Elected Officials

Inviting elected officials to tour your child care program is one of the most advocacy effective strategies. It?s an opportunity to both build a relationship with your elected official and ...

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Getting to 7%: A Parent’s Guide to MN’s Movement for Child Care Affordability

If you?ve learned about efforts to make quality child care available and affordable for Minnesota parents and are wondering what it would take to make the results you see on ...

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Advocate for Early Childhood at the Minnesota State Fair

Advocate for Early Childhood at the Minnesota State Fair 

The Minnesota State Fair is a unique opportunity to connect with elected officials because so many of them have a presence on the fairgrounds.??Here's how you can connect with them!

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Keys to a Successful Meeting with an Elected Official

There?s the saying, ?it?s all about who you know.?? When it comes to gaining support for your issue, meeting in person with your legislator is one of the most effective ...

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How to Write or Email Your Elected Officials

Writing a message to your legislator on paper or via email is a good tool to have in your advocacy toolbox. A written message allows you to craft your words ...

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How to Advocate...Virtually

Parts of our pandemic life are becoming familiar. Video calls, online ordering, different health and safety protocols. We adapt and create as we go. Elected officials have had to adapt ...

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How to Use Social Media for Early Education Advocacy

Are you familiar with the world of likes, shares, and retweets? Want to use your social media savvy to make a difference in the early childhood education field? Whether you?re ...

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How to Call Your Elected Officials

Calling elected officials is a great way to communicate with them. Effective, yet time-efficient, a phone call allows you to connect for any number of reasons. If you already know ...

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How to Write a Letter to the Editor

Are you feeling passionate? Frustrated? Angry? Inspired? Consider channeling that energy toward advocacy. A letter to the editor is a great way to share your thoughts. Here are some situations ...

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How to Connect with Your Minnesota Legislators

By Marie Huey, Public Policy & Advocacy Coordinator and Kieu My Phi, Public Policy Intern Talking to your legislators is great way to advocate for young children. Whether your goal ...

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Attend a Precinct Caucus and Submit a Resolution to Support Early Learning

By Marie Huey, Public Policy & Advocacy Coordinator On Tuesday, February 25 at 7:00 pm, Minnesota will holdprecinct caucuses around the state. They are the beginning of a process thatMinnesota?s major ...

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Advocate for Early Learning at the Great MN Get-Together!

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator The Minnesota State Fair is a great time to put your advocacy skills to work! With so many organizations and resources, you don?t have ...

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Know Your Numbers...

What are your numbers?6, 43A, 2, 7?5, 12B, 4, 1? By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Several elected officials represent you at different levels, and their districts often ...

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Five Helpful Resources for Advocating for High-Quality Child Care in 2019

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator Are you motivated to advocate for children this year? If you?re looking to support high-quality child care in Minnesota, below are some ...

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Use Your Advocacy Skills at the Great Minnesota Get-Together!

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy CoordinatorThe Minnesota State Fair is a great time to put your advocacy skills to work!With so many organizations and resources, you don?t have ...

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Be an Advocate: What to Do When Candidates Come Knocking

“Knock knock.?Who?s there??Candidates.Candidates who??Candidates for Governor, Senator, Attorney General, State House of Representatives?.” Campaign season is in full swing, and candidates around the state are knocking on doors in hopes ...

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Attend a Precinct Caucus and Submit a Resolution to Support Early Learning

By Marie Huey, Public Policy and Advocacy CoordinatorOn?Tuesday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m., Minnesota will hold precinct caucuses around the state. They are the beginning of a process that Minnesota?s ...

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Make a Difference During Week of the Young Child 2016

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and ...

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Attend a Precinct Caucus and Submit a Resolution to Support Early Learning

On Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at 7:00 pm, Minnesota will hold precinct caucuses around the state. They are the beginning of a process that Minnesota?s major political parties use for ...

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