S.M.A.R.T. Steps

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We are excited to introduce S.M.A.R.T. Steps - a pilot project designed to bring the S.M.A.R.T. program to Family Child Care providers. This new program will provide children ages 0-5 years with fun, play-like activities that promote natural, healthy brain development, making them ready to succeed in school. The activities are designed to be low-cost and easy to implement in any setting.

Selected providers from partnering counties will:

• receive free quality training in brain development
  • outside of business hours​
• assist in the development of provider training as the pilot progresses
• give valuable feedback to be used in the creation of the program
• help adjust the S.M.A.R.T. activities to make them useful in family child care settings
• receive free mentoring visits from S.M.A.R.T. Steps professionals

First S.M.A.R.T. Steps providers from Brown County, Minnesota.

What do our providers have to say about SMART Steps?
​“Something that I would tell other Family Care providers? You are already doing so much of this! Knowing the WHY behind it makes it powerful and more meaningful.” - S.M.A.R.T. Steps Provider

The activities are low-cost and easy to implement. In fact, Family Child Care Providers might have some of the materials already. Cardboard and stickers can be used to promote “Tummy Time”, an activity that increases the core muscle strength needed to stay seated in a chair. Soup cans or empty coffee containers can be used for Rolling Bowling, an activity that helps develop balance and coordination. Or pillows can be used to make a Creeping course, an activity that helps develop the eye movements needed for reading.

"I’ve learned that all kids need to crawl. I didn’t know that crawling affects all of your other systems.” - S.M.A.R.T. Steps Provider

Generous funding from Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation and the Otto Bremer Trust has allowed the necessary planning for this new program. We are currently working with Family Child Care providers from Blue Earth, Brown, and Dodge Counties in Minnesota, and plan to offer additional opportunities in the coming months for new providers to experience the S.M.A.R.T. Steps program - stay tuned!
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S.M.A.R.T. Steps is offered in partnership with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), New Ulm ECFE, LCWM Little Knights Preschool and ECFE, and Kasson-Mantorville Community Education.