January 30, 2025 Pittsburgh Offers Black History Month Activities for Children While activities for adults to celebrate Black History Month can include everything from commemorative to cultural events, there are also a wide variety of activities for children that incorporate play, arts, and learning. Events The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will offer its second annual Black History Month Art Crawl from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 1. Contemporary artists will be stationed throughout the museum’s first floor who will create live portraits and artworks honoring Pittsburgh’s Black heroes. This year’s featured subjects will include Pittsburgh’s Freedom Corner, Kuntu Repertory Theater Founder Dr. Vernell Lillie, baseball player Josh Gibson (of the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords), civil rights activist and performer Lena Horne, and many others. The Carnegie Science Center will host several Black History Month-themed events, including a Story Time Under the Stars during which children can learn about Black STEM professionals while listening to science-themed stories under a starry sky. Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures will host “Words & Pictures” featuring author Kelly Starling Lyons. Her latest book celebrates the 120th anniversary of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black National Anthem, and how it inspired five generations of a family. The talk will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 30 at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Main branch in Oakland. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Knoxville branch will host Kids Club: Taking Flight – African Americans in Aviation for children in kindergarten through fifth grade on Wednesday, February 5. The event will focus on three history makers: Bessie Coleman, David E. Harris, and Guion Bluford, all three of whom played a significant role in aviation and aerospace history. The Carnegie Library has also put together a list of Teen Books for Black History Month 2025. The list includes everything from nonfiction to novels that fit in with the Black History Month theme. The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, located on Main Street in Greensburg, will host a Black History Month Celebration on Sunday, February 9. The event will include art-making activities and performances honoring the month’s theme.
January 29, 2025 PA Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award Application Deadline Extended The deadline for the 2025 Pennsylvania Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award has been extended to Friday, January 31. Learn More The award brings awareness to and highlights the equity work within Pennsylvania’s early childhood education settings, including child care, as well as evidence-based home visiting, and early intervention programs. This year’s awardees will be invited to attend the annual celebration at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg during April’s Month of the Young Child. Invitations to elected legislators to attend the ceremony are encouraged. Awardees will also receive a certificate and commemorative poster to display in their programs and access to website, newsletter, and social media promotional support. They will also receive an opportunity to participate in a state library tour at the Forum Building in Harrisburg and a tour of the state capitol. Applicants must demonstrate how the individual, early childhood, or afterschool program has supported children and their families through embracing diversity and full inclusion as strengths, upholding fundamental principles of fairness and justice, and/or working to eliminate structural inequities that limit equitable learning opportunities. The application must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 31. For more information or to apply, visit The Pennsylvania Key website.
Resources for February Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize several observances each months. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for February observances: Month-Long Observances BLACK HISTORY MONTH Let’s Celebrate Black History Song!, Sesame Street I Am the Dream, Mr. Pete’s Playhouse Race and Social Justice Books for Kids, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Anti-Racism Tools, Trying Together February is Black History Month, BlackHistory.gov PBS Unveils Black History Month Lineup Highlighting Legacy and Heritage, PBS 2025 Theme: African Americans and Labor, Association for the Study of African American Life and History 13 Meaningful Black History Month Activities for Kids to Add to Your Lesson Plans, TeachStarter LIBRARY LOVERS MONTH Buzzwords & Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh Locations, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Supporting Families to Foster a Love of Reading, Reading Ready Pittsburgh NATIONAL CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH The Tooth Brushing Song, Queensland Health February is National Children’s Dental Health Month: Posters & Planning Guides, American Dental Association How to Look After Your Baby’s Teeth: Info & Tips, NHS Week-Long Observances FEBRUARY 14-20 IS RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS WEEK Try a Little Kindness, Tori Kelly & Sesame Street Kindness is a Muscle, Peacock Jr. 8 Ideas for Teaching Kindness in Your Classroom, Brooke’s Blog Make Kindness the Norm, Random Acts of Kindness Foundation Day Observances FEBRUARY 1 IS TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE LIBRARY DAY Locations, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Take Your Child to the Library Day, Take Your Child to the Library Day Take Your Child to the Library Day, Upstart Promotions Pinterest Board FEBRUARY 2 IS GROUNDHOG DAY Happy Groundhog Day!, Sesame Street Groundhog Day, Curious George Free Groundhog Day Activities, Teachers Pay Teachers FEBRUARY 5 IS NATIONAL GIRLS AND WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY S is for Sports with Chloe Kim and Big Bird, Sesame Street National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Women’s Sports Foundation Why More Girls Should Play Sports, Play Like a Girl 7 Reasons to Get Your Daughter Involved in Sports, According to Science, Penn State PRO Wellness FEBRUARY 11 IS NATIONAL MAKE A FRIEND DAY Billy Porter Sings About Making Friends, Sesame Street This is the Way We Make Friends, Super Simple Kids Songs SHARE Activity Book, Buzzword Pittsburgh FEBRUARY 20 IS WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE World Day of Social Justice, United Nations What is Social Justice? Kids’ Garden Video, Aspen Foundation HUMAN Activity Book, Buzzword Pittsburgh Race and Social Justice Books for Kids, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Public Policy Agenda, Trying Together Early Childhood Funding Map, Trying Together FEBRUARY 21 IS LANGUAGE DAY Buzz Word Explains Why Language is Important, Sesame Street Spanish Me, English Me Song, Sesame Street Hello Around the World, JunyTony How to Support Language Development in Bilingual Children, Lorilet M, Bilingual Speech Language Pathologist 5 Simple Language Play Ideas for Language Development, Hands On As We Grow
January 28, 2025 DHS Western Regional Office Has Moved Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Western Region – Bureau of Certification Services has moved. Learn More The following address should be used when reaching out to the Western Regional Office: DHS – Office of Child Development and Early Learning Western Region – Bureau of Certification Services 301 Fifth Avenue Suite 370 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Up-to-date Regional Office contact information can be found at the Regional Child Development Offices website.
PA Partnerships for Children Releases 2025-26 Roadmap Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PPC) has released its roadmap for the next two years, outlining priorities in five policy areas. Learn More The PPC Board of Directors has unveiled its 2025-26 Policy Roadmap that reflects the organization’s mission to improve the health, education, and well-being of children in the state as well as advance racial equity and support families affected by poverty. The board of directors listed five priorities in policy areas: Child welfare: Ensuring each child in Pennsylvania has the opportunity to grow up in a home where they are safe and protected from abuse and neglect Early care and education: Ensuring each child has the opportunity to participate in affordable and accessible high-quality early care and education, including infant and toddler child care and pre-kindergarten education Home visiting: Ensuring each child has the opportunity to grow up in a stable and healthy home environment K-12 education: Ensuring each child has the opportunity for an adequate and equitable high-quality public education Perinatal and child health: Ensuring each parent and child can access affordable, quality health care To view the 2025-26 Roadmap, visit the PPC Board of Directors’ website.
January 27, 2025 Child Mind Institute Shares Resources on Teen Depression The Child Mind Institute recently shared a variety of resources on how to combat teenage depression, which it noted has been on the rise. Learn More According to the institute, prolonged sadness or irritability has become more prevalent among teenagers. Its resources tackle antidepressant medication, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and behavioral activation, which uses activity to combat depression. The Child Mind Institute also explores the recent increased use of ketamine to alleviate depression symptoms when used in a controlled setting. It also writes about the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation, a noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic impulses to stimulate a brain region that is underactive with those suffering from depression. The full list of resources includes: What to Do If You Think Your Teenager is Depressed Depression and Anger Medication for Kids with Depression Acceptance and Commitment Therapy What is Behavioral Activation? Ketamine Treatment for Depression TMS Treatment for Depression
Fred Rogers Institute Guide Provides Guidance on Children Dealing with Difficult Situations The Pennsylvania Key has shared a guide from the Fred Rogers Institute about how to support children during difficult moments in life. Learn More “When Difficult Things Happen” is a PDF that shares kind words that adults can say to children who are experiencing loss. It also lists various things for adults to do to support children during this process. Among the items listed on how to support children facing a loss include: Being there for them without judgment while the child experiences whatever feelings come up Helping them to know that their feelings are valid and accepted Sharing some of your own feelings Aiming to keep routines and expectations consistent, or letting them know what has to change and why Letting them know that difficult feelings don’t last forever Making space for play For more information or to read other methods to help children cope with difficult situations – such as loss – read the Fred Rogers Institute guide.
January 21, 2025 Crayola to Host ‘Imagination in Action’ in Late January Crayola will host “Imagination in Action,” one of its biggest celebrations of the year, from late January through early February. Learn More The weeklong virtual event is designed to inspire and engage through: Celebrity appearances Hands-on activity videos Downloadable creative resources Daily giveaways An online gallery to showcase student artwork Sessions The event will hold one session per day for all seven days. The sessions include: Life Lessons (with actor Matthew McConaughey and illustrator Renee Kurilla): Monday, January 27 Change & Collaboration (with actor Henry Winkler, author Lin Oliver, and illustrator Dan Santat): Tuesday, January 28 Abstract Thinking (with children’s author, illustrator, and artist Mo Willems): Wednesday, January 29 Confidence Soars (with author and actor Phillipa Soo, author Maris Pasquale Doran, and illustrator Qin Leng): Thursday, January 30 Flows Like Water (with author and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon, illustrator Peter Sis and NASA scientists): Friday, January 31 Bee-Lieve in Your Future (with author and entrepreneur Mikaila Ulmer): Saturday, February 1 Conquer Fears (with author and actor Max Greenfield and illustrator James Serafino) Registration for the event is now open.
January 20, 2025 OCDEL: There’s Still Time to Complete Early Childhood Education Survey Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is reminding early child care facility workers that they still have time to complete a survey for early childhood professionals. Learn More The deadline to fill out the survey for Pennsylvania early childhood professionals is Friday, January 31. Those who can take the survey include any childhood education professional at a state child care facility, including Head Start and Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts. The survey is being conducted on behalf of OCDEL, The Pennsylvania Key, and the Institute of State and Regional Affairs (ISRA) at Penn State Harrisburg. The aim is to learn about and identify solutions related to staffing, retention, and professional development resources throughout the state. The survey is open to teachers, assistant teachers, classroom aids, directors, owner-operators, administrative staff, and other staff at all state child care facilities. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. Those who take it can enter a drawing for the chance to win one of 50 Amazon e-gift cards for $50. The survey is offered in English and Spanish. It is now available on Penn State Harrisburg’s site.
6×6 Assemble Show Seeks Art Submissions with ‘Play’ Theme The 6×6 Assemble is seeking submissions from artists for its third annual show. This year’s theme is PLAY. Learn More Artists is called upon to think of how they play and create something. Creating a piece itself could be an act of play. Or, it could be a sport, video game reference, board game, pictorial hide and seek, or something you play with and touch. Play is how humans learn about their environments as children and is a critical element for confidence building, problem solving, imagination, stress management, and socialization. Those interested in participating should fill out a form that should be dropped off to Assemble – located at 4824 Penn Avenue – by Friday, January 24. Each piece in the show will be sold for $25. All ages are welcome to participate. All funds raised will go to support Assemble’s free STEAM programs, although pieces that don’t sell will be returned to the artists. Pieces in the show should be no larger than 6”x”6×1’. Artists will be invited to a VIP reception on Thursday, February 6. Those interested should RSVP now. The public Unblurred Gallery Opening is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, February 7.
