
Meet Our Scholar: Salma
Age: 5Grade: KindergartenFavorite Book: I Want My Hat Back Though small in stature, Salma brings a huge personality everywhere she goes. “Whenever Salma walked into class, she always exuded the most confidence I had ever seen in a four year old,” says Jack, her former teacher at Way to Grow’s P.A.L.S. preschool. Despite excelling academically, […]

Early Childhood Education Prepares the Way for Future Success
“Becoming a strong reader begins at birth. The cornerstones of reading success – language, knowledge, and curiosity – should be cultivated from infancy, and in every setting.” — Nonie K. Lesaux, PH.D.,Turing the Page From the moment a child is born, every day matters to ensure they develop the literacy and learning skills required for […]

2019 Spring Luncheon a Success!
On Wednesday, May 8, more than 200 people joined us for our Annual Spring Luncheon at the Walker Art Center. Funds raised at the event support Way to Grow’s Spring mission of ensuring that every child is born healthy, stays healthy, and is prepared to succeed in school and life. We were honored to welcome […]

2019 Advocacy Day for Children
Advocacy for Children Day celebrates early learning and gives parents, teachers, early care and education professionals, and communities from across the state an opportunity to come together and be a voice for Minnesota’s children. As part of Way to Grow’s My Voice Matters initiative, led by the MinneMinds Coalition, our staff and members of families […]

Living Generously
April brings longer days, more sunshine, and the promise that shirt-sleeve weather is near! We yearn for blue skies, fresh spring air and recreation in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. April also brings tax season, when we pull together financial records, review earnings and expenses, get a better sense of how we are doing financially, […]

It’s time to Howl!
Marquee Night at the Minnesota Timberwolves On Monday, April 1, 200 of our kids and parents descended on Target Center as the Timberwolves took on the Portland Trailblazers. A special shout-out to the Wolves’ all-star point guard Jeff Teague, who selected Way to Grow to be the featured nonprofit for its Marquee Night program—and to […]

Meet our Scholar: Wicahpi
Age: 7Grade: 1stFavorite Book: Uncover A Shark While culture resides in the souls and hearts of its people, when it is infused into one’s education it can create beautiful experiences and brighter futures. Wicahpi (Woe – Chah – Pi), otherwise known as Choppy, is a great example that at a young age one can demonstrate […]

Join Us at Play to Grow!
“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson Playtime is one of the most important ways to promote healthy child development. Children learn, flex their creative ability and curiosity, interact with others, grow, and most of all have fun! Both children and adults benefit from playtime, especially in an […]

The Value of Social Skills
Starting early developing social skills in children prepares them for healthier interactions in all aspects of their lives. Having social skills is an integral value in all functioning societies. Communicating properly with others, demonstrating good manners, expressing personal needs, and being considerate of feelings are all important components of solid social skills. Play to Grow […]

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, […]