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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
A Volunteer Program that’s Making a Difference
Pictured: Melody, a Wooddale Church volunteer, mentors Anna (left) and Dalylah (center) as they learn about research and making a prediction by testing an object’s buoyancy. For three years, Way to Grow has collaborated with volunteers from Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie on a tutoring initiative that’s enhancing children’s learning experience. Two evenings per week, […]