News

February 17, 2026

Eligible Residents Can Get Free Tax Prep, Resources with VITA Program

Eligible Pennsylvania residents can now schedule appointments with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for free tax preparation.

VITA Program

The VITA program is an IRS-sponsored initiative designed to provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families who struggle with the complexities of filing taxes independently. The program typically serves low- to moderate-income earners, those with disabilities, the elderly, and individuals with limited English proficiency.

Tax preparation is offered in person at designated VITA sites, with services provided by IRS-certified volunteers who are trained to assist with accurately filing federal, state, and local taxes.

VITA volunteers can help eligible taxpayers claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Child Tax Credit (CTC), and any other credits or deductions that might increase their funds. The VITA program helps households to save money and avoid the pitfalls of using costly or predatory tax services.

VITA services are available to those who meet the following criteria:

Households earning approximately $60,000 or less annually (the exact figure is subject to change from organization to organization)

Individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and those needing language support in filing tax return

To find a VITA site, dial 211, visit the PA 211 website, or use the IRS’s VITA locator tool online. Be sure to make appointments in advance as many sites operate on a seasonal basis and appointments can fill up quickly.

Filing Independently

For those who prefer to file taxes independently, but still want access to free resources, MyFreeTaxes.com is an option sponsored by United Way and powered by TaxSlayer. It allows individuals to file federal and state tax returns online for free. The platform is user friendly and designed for households with an annual income of $89,000 or less.

Filers can easily navigate the tax preparation process at their own pace. The software guides users step by step, helping to ensure they claim all eligible credits and deductions, such as the EITC, CTC, and education-related credits. The platform also features live support from IRS-certified specialists.

News

PA Promise for Children Releases List of February Books for Kindergarteners

PA Promise for Children has released its list of February books for kindergarteners in its Kindergarten Here I Come newsletter.

Learn More

The list is broken down into three categories – Scientific Thinking and Technology, Mathematical Thinking and Expression, and Social-Emotional Development.

The eight books on the list include:

Science Thinking and Technology

How a Seed Grows (Helene J. Jordan)
Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth (Jane Yolen)
Penguins! (Gail Gibbons)
If You Were a Penguin (Wendell and Florence Minor)

Mathematical Thinking and Expression

One Mitten (Kristine O’Connell George)
Two of Everything (Lily Toy Hong)

Social-Emotional Development

Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook (Barbara Park)
The Doorbell Rang (Pat Hutchins)

News

February 16, 2026

Genius of Play Lists Outdoor and Indoor Winter Activities for Children

Playing outside in the snow is a fun rite of passage for children, assuming that temperatures don’t drop to unsafe levels. And even if the weather outside isn’t conducive to outdoor play, there are still plenty of ways that children can be creative and remain active inside on winter days.

The Genius of Play has put together several lists of activities to ensure that children remain active during the winter months, whether it’s outdoors or indoors.

Outdoor Play

Caregivers should first check to make sure that temperatures are safe for children to play outdoors and, if so, ensure that children bundle up before they head out into the snow.

While snowball fights and building forts are common activities during the winter, the Genius of Play has provided some tips on other fun activities. Some of these include:

Grab a large plastic garbage bag or pieces of cardboard for a Slip and Slide
Bottle bowling
Freeze Tag
Modify Simon Says to include weather-themed prompts
Snow painting
Create a winter edition of Marco Polo

Indoor Play

Just because children are stuck in the house doesn’t mean they can’t use their imaginations and have fun. Some of the Genius of Play’s tips on indoor activities include:

Fort building
Charades
Turn housework into a dance party
Indoor baseball with a cardboard tube and a balloon
Marshmallow sculpture
Let children raid the closet or a costume chest and transform a room into a runway for a fashion show
Use paint, crayons, or markers to create a self portrait
Play Two Truths and a Lie

News

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Keeping Children Motivated in School

It’s not unusual for children to go through periods when they feel unmotivated in schools, especially during the cold winter months or when the next long break feels like a long time away.

The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of resources for helping children to remain motivated in school.

Learn More

There are a variety of factors that could prevent children from being motivated in school – including everything from ADHD to anxiety or a learning disability. However, children without a diagnosis can also struggle to remain consistent.

The Child Mind Institute’s resources cover what might be behind a child’s behavior, from boredom and frustration to social issues, and how to offer the right support.

Struggling with a particular skill can be especially hard for children who are gifted in other areas. If a child appears to be losing steam in one area, acknowledge their efforts in a different area to help boost their confidence.

Below is the list of the Child Mind Institute’s resources.

News

February 13, 2026

Request MOYC Materials for Your Early Learning Program

Trying Together is offering child care programs the opportunity to receive Month of the Young Child (MOYC) materials.

Learn More

Programs may request a mailed box of materials related to MOYC – which is observed in April – including:

Posters to display at their program location or to give to local businesses to promote the importance of child care in the community
Buttons for staff and families to wear during the month of April
Printed materials and resources from Trying Together and ERLC Region 5
An activity
Fun surprises

Materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, and boxes are limited to one per program. Those interested in receiving a box should fill out the request form. Programs can expect to receive their boxes before the beginning of April.

MOYC boxes are reserved for programs in the following Southwestern Pennsylvania counties – Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland.

News

February 11, 2026

Thriving Kids Episode Covers How to Help Children Manage Stress

Children face a number of situations that can be stressful, from school pressure and social dynamics to the big emotions they might have difficulty controlling.

It’s natural that caregivers would want to help children to make their stress go away. However, it’s important for caregivers to teach children how to manage, rather than avoid, stress.

Learn More

In the latest episode of the Thriving Kids podcast, Dave Anderson, the Child Mind Institute’s senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education, joins Dylan Gee, PhD, a professor of psychology at Yale University, to discuss why learning to manage stres is an important emotional skill for children.

The conversation also touches on why avoiding stress can make it worse over time and how children can learn to tolerate discomfort and recover from difficult moments. They also talk about what caregivers can do to support the process as well as how their staying calm and regulated can help a child feel safer, more supported, and better able to cope.

Additionally, the Thriving Kids podcast provided some tips on how to support a child when they’re feeling stressed:

Validate their emotions and let them know it’s normal to feel overwhelmed sometimes; using words like “frustrated,” “worried,” or “scared” can help them to identify and express their feelings.
Show genuine interest in how the child is feeling and make sure you’re actively engaged in the conversation. Listen without judging or rushing to offer solutions.
Your own emotional state can influence your child’s, so take time for self care and learn how to manage your own stress effectively.
Help the child learn that stressful situations can have many interpretations, and challenge negative thoughts by gently guiding them towards more balanced perspectives.
Help the child to learn to tolerate stress instead of trying to eliminate it by teaching them such coping strategies as deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or creative expression.

For more information, listen to the latest Thriving Kids episode.

News

February 10, 2026

Pennsylvania Key Provides Strategies for Navigating Children’s Behavioral Challenges

Building a strong partnership with caregivers is important to addressing and resolving behavioral challenges in children, a new Pennsylvania Key article says.

Learn More

Addressing behavioral challenges in students can be one of the most difficult parts of an educator’s role. When behavioral challenges arise, it’s important to approach the situation collaboratively by working with caregivers.

In a new article, the Pennsylvania Key makes some suggestions on how to navigate discussions with caregivers with empathy and clarity to ensure positive outcomes for students.

Tips for educators include:

Approach with empathy and understanding – Understand that caregivers may be anxious, defensive, or frustrated about their child’s behavior. Acknowledge their feelings and validate their concerns. Start the conversation by expressing genuine concern for the child’s well-being.
Provide specific examples – When discussing behavioral challenges, be specific about the behaviors you’ve observed and provide concrete examples and evidence, rather than generalizing.
Focus on the impact – Explain how the behavior is affecting the child’s learning environment and social interactions. By illustrating this, caregivers can see the broader implications of the behavior and the need for a collaborative solution.
Collaborate on solutions – Involve caregivers in developing a plan to address the behavior. This fosters a sense of shared responsibility and ensures that solutions are realistic and effective.
Set clear goals and expectations – Establish clear, achievable goals and expectations. Ensure that both you and the caregivers agree on the goals and understand the steps needed to achieve them.
Communicate regularly – Maintain ongoing communication with caregivers to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments. Regular updates on the child’s behavior and feedback and what is working or needs improvement help to keep everyone informed and engaged.
Offer support and resources – Provide caregivers with resources – such as access to educational materials or referrals to counseling or behavioral specialists – and support to help them address behavioral challenges at home.
Celebrate successes – Acknowledge and celebrate any improvements or successes, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement encourages continued progress and reinforces the value of collaboration.
Be patient and persistent – Addressing behavioral challenges takes time and persistence. Be patient with the process and recognize that progress may be gradual.

To learn more, read the Pennsylvania Key’s article.

News

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Children with Multiple Diagnoses

It can be challenging for caregivers during the process of seeking a diagnosis for a child, but even more so if they learn the child is struggling with two – or more – mental health or learning disorders.

Learn More

The Child Mind Institute has put together a series of resources on what experts call co-occurring disorders. Having multiple disorders is not unusual: One study found that 40 percent of adolescents diagnosed with a mental health disorder met the criteria for another.

Some of the most common combinations include autism and ADHD, anxiety and depression, ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and learning disorders together with anxiety or depression. Additionally, children with Tourette’s often have OCD or ADHD.

The institute’s resources include a piece on co-occurring disorders that examines why they happen frequently and how they affect treatment. In some cases, two disorders are diagnosed together, but one is often identified later when treatment for the first doesn’t resolve some symptoms.

Sometimes, a second disorder is developed as a result of a child’s struggles with the first – especially depression, anxiety, or substance abuse. In any of these cases, the conditions must be treated carefully for the child to thrive, as treatment for one could complicate the other, particularly if multiple medications are being used.

Below is the list of the Child Mind Institute’s resources on co-occurring disorders.

News

February 9, 2026

Thriving Kids Episode Focuses on Teaching Children How to Handle Disappointment

In a culture that emphasizes achievement – and considers mistakes something to avoid at all costs – it is important for caregivers and educators to teach children how to tolerate disappointment.

Learn More

Failing at something is a core life skill and not a weakness. When failure feels unacceptable, children can become anxious, overly self-critical, or afraid to try new things and, in the process, become more vulnerable to burnout or emotional distress.

Dave Anderson, the Child Mind Institute’s senior psychologist and vice president of public engagement and education, joins journalist Jennifer Wallace, author of “Never Enough” and “Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose,” in the latest episode of Thriving Kids to discuss this topic.

They talk about how toxic achievement culture affects caregivers and children alike, and what it means to raise a child who feels like they matter for who they are – and not what they accomplish.

The discussion covers:

Why fear of failure fuels anxiety and burnout
How caregivers can instill counter-culture messages about self-worth
What children need from adults when they fall short

Some tips provided by Thriving Kids on how to help children learn to fail and recover from setbacks include:

Start with empathy; when children fail, resist the urge to immediately reassure them or fix the problem. Instead, acknowledge their feelings and recognize that they are in distress.
Model how to handle mistakes; help the child understand that failure is a normal part of life and happens to everyone.
Turn failure into a teachable moment. A setback can be an opportunity to build acceptance and problem-solving skills.
Step back and allow failure. It can be painful to watch children struggle, but hovering or rescuing can prevent them from developing resilience.
Know when extra support may help. If a child’s fear of failure is so intense that it interferes with their daily life, professional support from a therapist can help them practice tolerating disappointment in a structured way.

News

Remake Learning Days Accepting Submissions for Events

Remake Learning Days is preparing for its 2026 edition – and participants have until late February to submit any events they plan to host.

Learn More

Remake Learning Days (RLD) celebrates 10 years in 2026. The innovative, national learning festival for youth and families includes thousands of hands-on learning events for children of all ages at libraries, schools, tech centers, parks, museums, play spaces, community centers, and more. It will be held between May 1 and 23.

Those who wish to submit a family-friendly event for RLD should do so by Monday, February 23. Additional resources, opportunities, and announcements from the event will follow afterward.

Apply for an Event Host Awarded

Participants can apply for an event host award of $150, $250, $350 or $500 to help offset costs. Awards will be prioritized for learners in poverty, learners of color, learners in rural areas, girls in STEM, and learners with disabilities.

To be considered for an award:

Events must first be submitted to the RLD website.
Events must be hosted during RLD across the Pennsylvania festival dates of May 1 to 23.
Persons holding events must have permission from their organization to apply for funds that, if awarded, will be mailed to the name and mailing address listed on the organization’s W-9 form.

For more information on RLD, visit its website or drop by Remake Learning Days’ virtual hours to brainstorm event ideas, ask questions, and make connections with RLD’s team.