News

June 3, 2026

Trying Together’s Lending Library Offers Materials to Providers to Inspire Love of Learning

Early learning providers can find a variety of materials to borrow from Trying Together’s ECE Lending Library that support and recognize learning abilities, promote cultural diversity, and cover everything from health to safety.

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The library, which is located at Trying Together’s offices at 5604 Solway Street, was created to be a community space for child care providers in Allegheny County to borrow learning materials as well as teacher and curriculum resources.

“The benefit for teachers is that they are able to rotate materials in their programs without having to worry about storage or extra added costs,” said Allison Robinson, a leadership development strategist for ELRC Region 5. “It gives them the opportunity to try new things – a new material they might like to try before purchasing it.”

Teachers can borrow materials for 30 days on the first Saturday of the month or on Tuesdays or Thursdays.

“We want teachers to see it as a beneficial place where they can come monthly to change out the learning materials for their classrooms,” Robinson said.

What the Library Offers

Robinson said the library’s most popular items are its theme boxes – such as boxes focusing on farm animals or other topics – as well as its infant-toddler boxes and book bundles.

The materials in the library can help children learn about a variety of topics, Robinson said.

“We’ve got a number of STEAM and STEM materials, so these can give them a start in science, technology, and engineering, which is important because that’s where so many of the jobs these days are focused. We have materials for math and basic reading skills and a wealth of new social-emotional materials.”

Robinson said that Trying Together is currently undergoing an equity audit for the library, and that it intends to stock additional diverse materials.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to get more representation in place,” she said.

Robinson said that the intention of the library is to help get children more interested in what they are learning.

“We talk about behavior issues in the classroom, but it’s often that children are uninterested in what’s going on in the classroom,” she said. “By coming to the lending library monthly, teachers can get them more interested. It’s not a magic wand, but it helps them to develop a love for learning.”

More Details

The library’s materials include:

  • Books for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
  • Infant social-emotional support kits
  • Toddler dress up trunks
  • Puppet sets
  • STEM and coding kits
  • Active play kits
  • Storytelling kits
  • Sensory items and kits
  • Musical instruments
  • Leadership resources
  • Resources related to early childhood education and interactions with children
  • Die cut machines
  • Inspire Interactive Panels

The library is located in Room 204 of Trying Together’s office on Solway Street. It is open on the first Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For details about how to access the library, how to check out items, and to view a full list of available items, visit the ECE Lending Library website.

News

June 2, 2026

Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Medicating Children with Tics or Tourette’s

Tics can upset children and disorders such as Tourette’s, ADHD, or OCD can interfere with their lives. 

Medication can be a helpful part of treatment for such disorders, but clinicians who are prescribing should take into consideration that many children with one condition often have another, the Child Mind Institute notes.

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Clinicians will want to prioritize treating what is causing the child the most difficulty, the Child Mind Institute writes in a new set of resources – which is often not the tics, but the disorder.

The institute’s resources examine the two main types of medication that are effective in reducing tics as well as the pros and cons of each and the steps leading to an effective treatment plan.

The first recommended step in treatment is a specialized therapy known as comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT), rather than medication, which may be prescribed if therapy alone doesn’t alleviate tics.

If a child also has ADHD, it is important to ensure that their ADHD medication isn’t making the tics worse. Occasionally, when a second disorder causes a child a lot of stress, treating that can alleviate tics as well. 

Below are the Child Mind Institute’s resources on how to treat tics and disorders such as Tourette’s in children.

News

Trying Together Announces 2026-27 Schedule for Growing Together PD Series

Trying Together has released a schedule for 2026 and 2027 offerings available through its upcoming Growing Together professional development series.

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Every third Wednesday of the month, Trying Together hosts a virtual professional development session that is focused on requested topics that are relevant to early childhood educators.

Participants can choose to attend any or all of the mini-sessions. Registration for the sessions is highly recommended, but participants can access any session using the series’ Zoom link.

Trying Together’s Growing Together schedule includes:

  • Navigating Public Policy and Systems – 6:30-7:30 on July 15
  • Trauma Informed Care – 6:30-7:30 on August 19
  • The Cycle of Inquiry: Meaningful Experiences from Infancy to Pre-K – 6:30-7:30 on September 16 
  • Intro to Neurodivergence – 6:30-7:30 on October 21
  • Let’s Get Creative: Incorporating Creative Art in the Early Childhood Classroom – 6:30-7:30 on November 18
  • Sensory Activities Through STEAM – 6:30-7:30 on December 16
  • Separation Anxiety – 6:30-7:30 on January 20 
  • Calm, Reset, Respond – 6:30-7:30 on February 17
  • ELRC Resources – 6:30-7:30 on March 17
  • Behavior is Communication – 6:30-7:30 on April 21
  • De-Escalation – 6:30-7:30 on May 18
  • Infant and Toddler Circle Time – 6:30-7:30 on June 16, 2027

Those interested in attending the sessions can register online.

News

June 1, 2026

Trying Together Calls for Proposals for October UnConference

Trying Together invites those interested in presenting at its October 12 UnConference, “Ordinary Moments, Meaningful Connections,” to submit proposals relating to that topic by Monday, June 29.

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Trying Together’s UnConference is an innovative, hands-on professional development training format where a deeper experience is provided around a particular theme related to early childhood education. Speakers are invited to present and participants are encouraged to engage hands-on in the workshops.

Trying Together will host its October UnConference at the Hosanna House, located at 807 Wallace Avenue, on Monday, October 12.

Ordinary Moments, Meaningful Connections

The foundation of quality in early learning settings begins with the everyday interactions that we share with one another. These simple and ordinary moments that take place during daily routines form the foundation of learning and connection for young children and adults alike.

Focusing on the belief that meaningful learning happens within everyday moments, this UnConference highlights how connection, reciprocity, inclusion, and opportunities for growth emerge through adult-child interactions. Participants will experience interactive presentations that offer practical strategies for fostering inclusive environments, strengthening relationships, and creating opportunities for mutual growth.

The UnConference is designed to support educators in cultivating classrooms where every child and adult feel seen, heard, and valued.

Proposal topics can address – but are not limited to – the following topics:

  • Connection and attunement
  • Reciprocity in practice
  • Inclusion and belonging
  • Opportunities for growth

Trying Together will offer an honorarium of $250 to any organization or individual not affiliated with an organization whose proposal is chosen to be presented. Additionally, those who are engaging the audience through interactive workshops and learning experiences are invited to participate in the rest of the day at no cost.

Those interested in leading a workshop at the UnConference should submit a proposal by June 29.

News

Meaningful Play Seeking Reviewers to Shape This Year’s Program

Meaningful Play 2026 is searching for reviewers for everything from long-form academic work to games to help shape this year’s program.

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Participants would help to champion ideas, support emerging voices, and shape conversations that will define this year’s conference.

Reviewers would provide feedback on:

  • Full papers: Long-form academic work; these are ideal for senior community members and late-stage graduate students.
  • Posters: Short academic pieces; these are intended for early-career and junior reviewers. 
  • Games and prototypes: Video demos and playable builds; these are meant for professionals and early-career reviewers with the capacity to playtest.

Assignments will be sent out on Monday, June 1. Reviews will be due by Wednesday, July 8.

Those interested in participating should fill out a form online.

News

May Recalls on Children’s Products

Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related products recalls.

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Below is a list of April recalls collected from the following federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Natural Pigments has recalled its Rublev Colours Gum Turpentine and Mineral Spirits bottles because they contain turpentine and low-viscosity hydrocarbons, but are not in child-resistant packaging as required by law. If swallowed by young children, the contents pose a serious injury or death from poisoning.

Rainbow Wall Toys, which are sold in Amazon by Justforjoyful, were recalled because the toys’ drumstick that is attached to the xylophone component has a spherical end that can pose a choking hazard.

ZMC Group has recalled multiple light up toys because they contain button cell batteries that can easily be accessed by children. If button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns and death.

Allura Imports has recalled its youth sweatshirts with a Bobcat logo and drawstrings, which can get caught on objects and cause death or serious injury to children from strangulation. 

EEMB USA has recalled its battery pouches because they violate federal statutes for child-resistant packaging. The lithium coin batteries are in pouches that are not child resistant as required by law. If a child swallows button cell or coin batteries, they can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns and death.

Missry Associates has recalled its Misco Sports Badminton Toy Sets because the shuttlecocks contain button cell batteries that can be easily accessed by children. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns and death.

Tiyol has recalled its pull string teething toys because the silicone strings are smaller and longer than permitted. The strings can reach the back of the throat and become lodged, posing a respiratory distress and becoming a deadly choking hazard.

Guidecraft has recalled its children’s standing towers because the tower can loosen over time, causing it to become unstable or detach and, ultimately, posing a fall hazard to young children.

Cosyland has recalled its children’s tower stools because they can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child’s torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a serious risk of serious injury and death due to tip over, fall, and entrapment hazards.

Lithium coin batteries sold on Amazon by LiCB were recalled because they are not in child-resistant packaging and do not bear the warning labels required by law. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns and death.

Orb Funkee recalled its squeeze toys because they may contain fibrous tremolite (asbestos) in the sand, which can cause adverse health issues if inhaled.

ABC Trading recalled its children’s toys because they contain button cell batteries and the compartments that hold the batteries can be easily accessed by children, posing a deadly ingestion hazard. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns and death.

PandaEar recalled its portable hook-on chairs because the crotch restraints can be removed without the use of a tool and infants can fall through an opening, posing a deadly fall hazard.

Lil Pick Up recalled its youth all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) because they failed to meet mechanical suspension requirements, and the reverse indicator light failed to illuminate, posing a crash hazard. The parking brakes fail to hold, posing a collision hazard, and the surfaces near the footwell can reach high temperatures, posing a severe burn risk.

ABC Trading has recalled its WSDZ light-up glasses because they contain button cell batteries that can be easily accessed by children, posing an ingestion hazard. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, they can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns and death.

News

May 28, 2026

Trying Together Names SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center Owner as Advocate of the Month

Trying Together has selected Donna Shriver, owner of SmartKids Child Care & Learning Center in Washington, as its May advocate of the month.

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Shriver, a long-time advocate for early childhood education, celebrated 30 years of providing high-quality child care in April. This past year, she partnered with Early Learning PA and state Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46th) for an event at SmartKids and worked with Washington County commissioners on the Washington County Proclamation on Child Care. 

“I didn’t become an advocate for children by accident,” she said. “I became one because I saw what was at stake. Early on, I realized that child care isn’t just about supervision – it’s about shaping lives. It is where confidence begins, where curiosity is nurtured, and where a child feels safe, valued, and cared for.”

But she said she also witnessed the struggles that families have in finding child care, how educators work tirelessly but do not get the recognition they deserve, and that children need more support than they receive.

“When we invest early on in a child’s life, we change their future,” she said. “Advocacy, for me, is a responsibility – a way for me to speak up for people who can’t speak up for themselves. It’s a way to push for better standards, better support for educators, and better access for every family.”

News

DOH Asks Providers to Fill Out Child Care Immunization Survey by End of August

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has sent out the Annual Child Care Immunization Reporting Survey to all licensed child care providers to meet immunization reporting requirements.

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The department asks that all licensed child care providers complete and submit the survey online by Monday, August 31.

The DOH has provided resource materials to help with reviewing immunization records and completing the survey:

 Completing the tracking worksheets first will help providers in completing the survey. Only the survey needs to be submitted to the DOH, whereas the tracking worksheets are only a tool to help providers organize information needed to complete the survey.

Additionally, DOH as well as county and municipal department staff – most of whom are registered nurses – will visit randomly selected providers to offer education, resource materials, and other activities about the importance of vaccines. 

The Annual Child Care Immunizations Survey 2026 is available online.

News

May 27, 2026

Resources for June Observances

Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them.

Here is a list of resources for June observances:

Month-Long Observances 

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month

June is National Men’s Health Month

June is National PTSD Awareness Month

June is Pride Month

June is Child Vision Awareness Month

Weeks of Recognition 

June 1 – 7 is CPR & AED Awareness Week

June 15 – 21 is National Men’s Health Week

Days of Recognition 

June 5 is World Environment Day

June 19 is Juneteenth

June 21 is Father’s Day

June 27 is National PTSD Awareness Day

News

May 26, 2026

Pittsburgh’s Cinema in the Park Series Kicks Off in Early June

The Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park series will kick off for the summer in early June in 13 parks in Pittsburgh.

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A number of family-friendly movies will screen this summer – including Pixar’s “Cars,” the 1978 musical adaptation “The Wiz,” “Wicked for Good,” “The Bad Guys 2,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Hoppers,” the filmed version of “Hamilton,” and “A Minecraft Movie.”

The Sunday, July 26 movie at Schenley Plaza – “Film Pittsburgh Presents: ReelAbilities Summer Shorts” – will screen a number of short films that were selected by representatives of Pittsburgh’s disabled community. The special screening will serve as a preview of the upcoming ReelAbilities Film Festival. Audio descriptive services will be available on site.

To view the complete movie schedule for all participating parks, consult the list below:

All movies begin at dusk. For more information, visit the Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park website.