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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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Early Childhood Suspension & Expulsion: Understanding the Policy and Its Impact

What is early childhood suspension and expulsion?  Suspension or expulsion happens when a child is removed from their early childhood classroom. In practice, this can look a few different ways. The ...

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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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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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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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eLearning announcement from Think Small Institute

New: eLearning Courses from Think Small Institute

Early childhood educators spoke and we listened. We started Think Small Institute to provide high-quality, affordable, mobile-first professional development putting the tools you need to spark new ideas in your ...

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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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Celebrating the Debra S. Fish Early Childhood Library!

?Did you know Minnesota’s best resources for early childhood professionals are available FREE to you?? April 9 – 15 is National Library Week! ?What a great opportunity to explore a ...

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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 ...

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Minnesota PreK-3 Design Team Releases Statewide Recommendations

A new group of early education experts released recommendations for how Minnesota can best improve the early care and education landscape across our state, a key area of focus to ...

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Policy Hour Provides Updates on New Early Learning Legislation

The first Minnesota?s Future Policy Hour of the season focused on legislation passed this spring. The presenters provided updates on implementation of projects.

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Leaders in Early Learning Bring Concerns to MN House Committee on Child Care

The Minnesota House Select Committee on Affordable Child Care held a hearing on July 19 at the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board office to hear from the community on child ...

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