What is it about eating that brings us closer? 960 640 Ken Story

What is it about eating that brings us closer?

These past two months, our preschools and our families have been talking about food. The children’s interest in food started when they read Bunny Cakes, The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza, and then a conversation about how they all ate rice but in different ways. They were perplexed, they were hooked, and we loved…

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My Voice Matters: Minneapolis Board of Education 2560 1920 Ken Story

My Voice Matters: Minneapolis Board of Education

Recent research shows that boards of education have a significant impact on student achievement in their districts and that across the nation there is a low percentage of parents – especially  in vulnerable communities – that are not engaged with their local boards of education. Through Way to Grow’s “My Voice Matters” initiative, this past…

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Raising Healthy Kids in a Digital World 2560 1700 Maren Nelson

Raising Healthy Kids in a Digital World

With smart phones, tablets, e-books, TV, apps, digital games, and videos being a part of everyday life, creating screen-free time for children is more important than ever. It can be intimidating to try and cut down screen time, especially since technology is such a vital part of your family’s day-to-day activities, but you’re not alone.…

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Eating Well to Learn Well 600 400 Ken Story

Eating Well to Learn Well

While Way to Grow has spent the past month celebrating National Nutrition Month, our commitment to weaving education, wellness, and nutrition throughout all our programming continues every day of the year through our Growing Strong program. Research demonstrates strategies that target young children are more effective when parents are involved in learning about and preparing…

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A Visit from Allina Health’s Nurse Marisol 2200 1650 Susan Cossette

A Visit from Allina Health’s Nurse Marisol

Good morning, everyone!  Are we ready to talk to Ms. Marisol? Mr. Eka, head teacher at Way to Grow’s Preschool Pals center-based school greets his class and introduces a special visitor to the classroom.  While March is National Nutrition Month, the teachers in our two preschools incorporate nutrition education into the curriculum each and every…

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A Mom’s Transformation from Client to Champion: Meet Deborah 427 336 Ken Story

A Mom’s Transformation from Client to Champion: Meet Deborah

Our newest employee at Way to Grow, Ken, recently attended a number of education events at the State Capitol. Still learning all of his new coworkers, he assumed Deborah was on staff and just doing her job as she participated like a veteran advocate: Listening to speakers, talking to legislators, engaging with other attendees—she was…

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A Healthy Mind Needs Fuel – National Nutrition Month! 2560 1920 Ken Story

A Healthy Mind Needs Fuel – National Nutrition Month!

Way to Grow is happy to celebrate National Nutrition Month through our Cooking Matters classes for our children and parents! National Nutrition Month is an annual nutrition education and awareness campaign held in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In a partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension Services, Way to Grow offers…

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My Voice Matters: Voices and Choices for Children 2560 1707 Ken Story

My Voice Matters: Voices and Choices for Children

A cavalcade of parents and children clad in yellow descended on the Minnesota State Capitol last Monday – otherwise known as a Way to Grow contingency! Way to Grow joined elected officials, Think Small, the Children’s Defense Fund, the Voices and Choices Coalition, and advocates for Minnesota children at the 2nd Annual Voices and Choices…

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So, What Exactly is an IGDI? 2560 1707 Susan Cossette

So, What Exactly is an IGDI?

IGDI [ig – dee]   IGDIs, or Individual Growth and Development Indicators, are frequently discussed here at Way to Grow. “The IGDIs are next week.” “Don’t eat those snacks in the fridge; they’re for the IGDIs!” “When do the IGDI results come in?” More than an third of America’s young children lack the skills crucial…

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Fun and Learning: It’s in the Bag! 2560 1707 Susan Cossette

Fun and Learning: It’s in the Bag!

“Welcome to today’s class!  Is everyone ready to get started?”  Head Teacher Eka Nagoya is ready to start a Parent-Child class at Way to Grow’s Preschool Pals center in North Minneapolis, and his enthusiasm is contagious. In addition to its home visiting program that served nearly 1,500 children and 761 families last year, Way to…

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Different, but the Same 2100 1575 Ivy Marsnik

Different, but the Same

While February may be Black History Month, Way to Grow’s early learners in our Preschool Pals and P.A.L.S. (Parent-Child Activities Lead to School-Readiness) preschools celebrate diversity all year long as part of their day-to-day curriculum. At the start of the school year, we talk about ourselves as being “different, but the same.” We may have different skin…

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Shamsa’s 20 Years and Counting 2560 1707 Maren Nelson

Shamsa’s 20 Years and Counting

From a corner of the Way to Grow office, boisterous laughter rises above the quiet workday chatter. No one has to ask—everyone knows that voice, and smiles spread around the office. Shamsa Idle, a Way to Grow Family Educator, throws her hands in the air, smiling as she recalls a story from her most recent home visit to…

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