Southern Minnesota

Educators need a free Think Small Institute account to register for all Think Small/Child Care Aware of Minnesota in-person and online training events.

Virtual Instructor-Led Trainings

Click the training title to register.

Haga clic en el título de la capacitación para registrarse.

Tuesday, September 15


How Stress Affects Child Behavior


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF II.C

Wednesday, September 16


Early Childhood Assessment: The Basics


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF IV.A

Saturday, September 26


Behavior Guidance Basics: Foundations of Social and Emotional Support


9:00 am to 11:00 am

$10.00, KCF II.C

Ongoing Online Training Series with Trainer Barb Wagner


This Relationship-Based Care for Infants and Toddlers series will occur once per month beginning September 23rd. Joing us for training focused on infants and toddlers!


It's not necessary to take all of the trainings - join us for the training events that fit your schedule!

Wednesday, September 23, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, $15.00 Relationship-Based Care for Infants and Toddlers, Session 1: Foundations of Relationship-Based Care

Wednesday, October 28, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, $10.00

Relationship-Based Care for Infants and Toddlers, Session 2: Primary Caregiving

Monday, September 28


Building Relationships with Families in Early Childhood Programs


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF III

Tuesday, September 29


When Families Don't Follow Policies: Communication Strategies That Work


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF III

Thursday, October 1


Make Your Next Move Your Best Move: Teacher Behavior Moves That Change Behavior


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF II.C

Tuesday, October 6


Cultivating Optimistic Thinking in Young Children


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF II.A

Monday, October 19


Outdoor Play: Creating Engaging Environments


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF II.B

The 2 trainings below are for Child Care Center staff only.

Tuesday, October 20


For Child Care Center staff

Health and Safety In-Service I - Child Care Centers


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

FREE, KCF VII.A

Tuesday, October 27


For Child Care Center staff

Health and Safety In-Service II - Child Care Centers


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

FREE, KCF VII.B

In-Person Trainings: Southern Minnesota

Click the training title to register.

Haga clic en el título de la capacitación para registrarse.

DCYF participant guides are available for select state-owned titles.

Click above to see which titles include a guide.

Monday, September 14


Why Do Children Act the Way They Do? Understanding How A Child is "Wired"


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF II.C


New Ulm Middle School

Tuesday, September 15


Guiding Children's Behavior


6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

$10.00, KCF II.C


Eyota Kids Korner

Wednesday, September 16


How Do We Give Children A Strong Start? Know the Key Emotional Milestones


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF II.C


Le Sueur Government Center, Le Center

Thursday, September 17


SUID/AHT Sudden Unexpected Infant Death/ Reducing the Risk of Abusive Head Trauma


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

FREE, KCF VII.B


Saint Peter Community Center

Saturday, September 19


For Family Child Care

Developmentally Appropriate Behavior Guidance


8:30 am to 12:30 pm

$20.00, KCF I and KCF II.C


Lincoln Community Center, Mankato

Saturday, September 29


Building Self-Awareness Through Playful Interaction


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF II.C


Faribault Community Center

Ongoing In-Person Training Series in Rochester

with Trainers Stacy Boysen and Jennifer Augustine

at 125 LIVE (125 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester, 55901)


Join us for this 6 month series of trainings in KCF IX: Trauma Informed Care. Register for the entire series or join us for individual sessions that fit your schedule!

Trauma-Responsive Care for Infants and Toddlers - Session 1: An Overview of Trauma and Trauma-Responsive Care

Trauma-Responsive Care for Infants and Toddlers - Session 2: Supporting Babies and Toddlers on Their Path to Resilience

All training will occur at 125 Live in Rochester.

  • Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
  • Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
  • Tuesday, Nov. 30, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
  • Tuesday, Dec. 7, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
  • Tuesday, Jan. 26, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
  • Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6:00 - 9:00 pm



18 hours of KCF IX: Trauma Informed Care training.

Interested in registering for the entire series? Register with the button below!

That's a $30.00 savings!

Saturday, September 29


Let's Explore: Encouraging Curiosity in Young Children


5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

$10.00, KCF II.B


Central Lutheran Child Care Center, Winona

Saturday, September 29


Music for Management: How Great Teachers Tame Toddlers Through Song


6:00 pm to 8:00pm

$10.00, KCF II.A


The Children's Center, Albert Lea

Thursday, October 8


Making and Keeping Friends: The Importance of Friendship Skill


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

$10.00, KCF II.C


Le Sueur Government Center, Le Center

Saturday, October 10


Relationship-Based Care for Infants and Toddlers - Session 1: Foundations of Relationship-Based Care


9:30 am to 12:30 pm

$15.00, KCF I


Prairie Winds Middle School, Mankato

Tuesday, October 13


For Family Child Care

Health and Safety I - Family Child Care (In-Service)


6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

FREE, KCF VII.A


Faribault Community Center


Think Small PD Support is here for you.



Whether you need assistance finding a training or have a general question.



Please contact us at PDsupport@thinksmall.org or call us at 651-641-3549.

Need registration assistance in Spanish, Somali, or Hmong?

Contact our Language Access Services:

  • ¿Necesita ayuda en español con la inscripción a una clase? Llame al 1-888-291-9811, presione la opcion 1.
  •  Koj puas xav tau neeg txhais lus Hmoob pab koj cuv npe? Thov hu rau 1-888-291-9811, nias tus lej 2.
  • Cawimaad ma u baahantahay xaga is qoridda? Fadlan soo wac 1-888-291-9811 oo dooro doorashada 3.

Important Policies and Details


  • Registration for all training events closes 5 days before the training event. No late registrations will be accepted.


  • Participants who miss 15 minutes or more of an in-person or live online training will not receive credit.


  • An interpreter can be provided at no cost/for free in any language at any Think Small in-person training with advanced notice. If you would like Think Small to arrange for an interpreter to attend with you, please call 651-641-3549.


  • Un interprete se le puede proveer gratuitamente/sin costo alguno. Si usted quiere un interprete para esta clase, por favor llame al 1-888-291-9811, presione la opción 1.


  • Peb nhriav neeg tuaj txhais lus dawb/tsis yuav nqi rau koj. Yog koj xav kom Think Small nrhiav ib tug neeg tuaj txhais lus nrog koj kawm hoob no, thov hu rau 1-888-291-9811 nias tus lej 2.


  • Turjumaan bilaash/lacag la’aan ah baa laguu heli karaa. Haddii aad rabto Think Small inay kuu diyaariso turjumaan kula soo xaadiro korsadaan, fadlan wac: 1-888-291-9811 oo dooro doorashada 3.

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Funded in part by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families in partnership with Families First and Child Care Aware of Minnesota.