Blog

Welcome to the Way to Grow blog! Here you’ll find parenting tips, early childhood resources, and stories from home visits across the Twin Cities. We believe parents are their child’s first and most important teacher, and our home visiting model is built around that: bringing tools, activities, and encouragement right into the home. Browse for book recommendations, everyday learning ideas, program updates, and family stories from across our community.

2019 Legislative Session: Minnesota Should Double Down on Early Education Now 1250 625 Chelsea DeLong

2019 Legislative Session: Minnesota Should Double Down on Early Education Now

By Art Rolnick, Ph.D., in partnership with Way to Grow. {Directed at low-income kids, at as early an age as possible, this could help close achievement gaps and give a huge return on investment.} When it comes to education and economic development, what policy is best for Minnesota’s future? If we focus on that question,…

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Tips on How to Handle Snowstorms and Extreme Cold 960 638 Chelsea DeLong

Tips on How to Handle Snowstorms and Extreme Cold

Snowstorms and Extreme Cold Winter storms and extreme cold can be difficult to prepare for, especially if you and your family have never experienced one. These adverse conditions create increased risks of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisoning in homes and cars. Winter storms and blizzards bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice,…

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Adopt-A-Family: A Great End to 2018 2560 1920 Chelsea DeLong

Adopt-A-Family: A Great End to 2018

Every December, Way to Grow is able to reach even more families and provide basic needs, special treats, and a great start to the new year through our Adopt-A-Family program. Started through a partnership with Allina Health, Adopt-A-Family allows churches, companies, and individuals to sponsor a Way to Grow family during what many of us…

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Investing Time and Energy 2560 2154 Chelsea DeLong

Investing Time and Energy

Barry Lee always thought his calling was to be a teacher, but life has a way of working in surprising ways. It wasn’t until after a successful 40-year career in the private sector that he finally found himself sitting in a tiny chair, surrounded by children in a classroom. For the past 10 years since…

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Creating Lasting Bonds 1449 948 Chelsea DeLong

Creating Lasting Bonds

On his first day of preschool, Daniel could barely speak a word. A nervous child and unsure of his surroundings, Daniel didn’t play or interact with any of the other children. His only method of communication was guiding his teacher to what he needed, and often he would burst with frustration. “Imagine being in a…

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Thank you, Shine Supporters! 1251 834 Chelsea DeLong

Thank you, Shine Supporters!

This past Saturday night, something magical happened. Our supporters, sponsors, table hosts, staff, and board of directors all helped make our 2018 Shine Celebration such a memorable experience.  Whether it was singing, testimonies, or our new Way to Grow videos we debuted – it all came together in the name of early education and the…

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People to Look Up To 2560 1708 Chelsea DeLong

People to Look Up To

Many a day for the past nine years, a little white bus has rumbled through the streets of Minneapolis carrying precious cargo to and from preschool. Billowing with energy and enthusiasm, the man behind the wheel is more than a bus driver—he is a caretaker, a friend, and a role model to each and every…

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Immigration, Loss, & Trauma 2500 834 Way to Grow

Immigration, Loss, & Trauma

by Lori A. Harris, LSW, MSW in partnership with Way to Grow and Mom Enough Perhaps your family immigration experience was a relatively easy journey, one supported by ample resources and an established, welcoming community. Life in your family’s country of origin may have presented minor challenges or you have immigrated for opportunity, education, or…

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Inspiring Opportunity and Building Legacy 2560 1700 Chelsea DeLong

Inspiring Opportunity and Building Legacy

Always driven and confident in her abilities, Mina graduated high school in 2010, ready to continue her schooling. However, a year later she found it difficult to balance her new motherhood with her education, so she put school on hold to raise her young son, Itachi. Early on, Mina discovered that Itachi was struggling with…

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Building Confidence 1449 948 Chelsea DeLong

Building Confidence

“I couldn’t sit and do nothing,” explains Deborah as her daughter Patty plays around her. Patty, a rambunctious eight year-old, was born with a genetic abnormality that affects her ability to communicate and concentrate. “She struggles with learning, but she has such a high level of empathy,” says Collette, their Way to Grow Family Educator.…

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Empowerment, Independence 1449 948 Chelsea DeLong

Empowerment, Independence

With a desire for a better life, Siham* moved her family to America. But life didn’t get better, it got worse, at least at first. Siham became aware of the developmental difficulties of her three-year-old identical twin daughters, Aliyah and Samiirah, when she brought them to their yearly checkup. The doctor noticed that the girls…

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Access to Resources, Connection to Culture 2560 1700 Chelsea DeLong

Access to Resources, Connection to Culture

Shared culture creates a bond that transcends everyday interactions, as culture resides in the heart and soul. This kind of deep connection can be found between Sydney and her family, and their Family Educator, Alison. Native American tradition and identity have always been important to Sydney and her husband. In fact, it’s what brought them…

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