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.
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. Kids with Multiple Diagnoses Learning Disabilities and Depression What are the Different Kinds of Anxiety? ADHD and Substance Abuse Do Kids with Tourette’s Usually Have Other Disorders Too? What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)? Kids and Multiple Medications
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.
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.
February 4, 2026 OCDEL Offering Free Little Library for State-Certified Early Learning Providers Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering state-certified early learning providers the opportunity to request a Little Library at no cost for their program and community. Learn More The opportunity is voluntary and open to all Pennsylvania-certified providers, including child care centers, family child care homes, state Pre-K Counts, Head Start, and Early Head Start programs. Quantities are limited to one library per physical location. Little Libraries are small, free book-sharing boxes that allow community members to “take a book, share a book.” Their aim is to increase access to reading materials, encourage family engagement, and promote a love of reading. For early learning programs, a Little Library can be an additional way to support early literacy while reinforcing the program’s role as a trusted community leader and resource. While placement of the Little Library is up to each recipient, OCDEL encourages locations that allow for public access to maximize community impact. This could include placement near a program entrance, along a sidewalk, or in another visible, welcoming space. Programs that receive a Little Library will be responsible for maintaining and restocking books over time. To help each program, OCDEL will provide the first nine books. In addition, the first 500 programs to submit a request will also receive a copy of the previous PA One Book selection. Those interested in adding a Little Library to their program can do so online. To prepare to set up a Little Library, visit the Pennsylvania Key’s website for tips and additional resources.
Saint Vincent College to Host Professional Development Event Centered Around Fred Rogers The Fred Rogers Institute at Saint Vincent College will host frED Camp, an event that attempts to put Rogers’ ideas into action, on Saturday, March 21. Learn More One of Rogers’ – who is best known as Mister Rogers – principals was that learning rooted in relationships, curiosity, and care helps children thrive. The frED Camp will explore what it will look like to bring Rogers’ beliefs into classrooms, libraries, early learning spaces, and homes. The free professional development event is intended for educators of all kinds. Attendees will have exclusive access to the Fred Rogers Archives, which is home to more than 22,000 artifacts from Rogers’ personal and professional life. In addition to a self-guided archive experience, all participants will take part in an opening workshop led by Emma Lee, director of the Fred Rogers Institute, and other workshops by local organizations. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the college in Latrobe. Those interested in attending can register online.
February 3, 2026 Shapiro Announces Additional $10M for Child Care Workforce in Proposed 2026-27 Budget Governor Josh Shapiro announced on Tuesday during a speech before the General Assembly in Harrisburg that he is seeking an additional $10 million in his 2026-27 budget for the child care workforce. The principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania – a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting children from birth to age 5 – praised Shapiro’s budget proposal for its focus on children and early education workforce investments, while highlighting the need for additional support in areas such as infant and toddler Early Intervention and home visiting. Learn More Shapiro said the additional $10 million would bring the total investment to $35 million for the recurring Child Recruitment and Retention Program. The governor said the investment aims to stabilize and grow the child care workforce amid an ongoing teacher shortage. “We need more early childhood educators and pre-k teachers – kind, gentle souls who want to get our kids started on the right path, but who have been paid too little for too long,” Shapiro said. “This budget delivers for them.” Trying Together’s Executive Director Cara Ciminillo lauded this increased investment, saying, “I am pleased to see Governor Shapiro continue to prioritize the child care workforce in his proposed budget. This additional funding demonstrates to educators that their work is vital, valued, and worth investing in.” The proposed budget also includes an additional $7.5 million for Pre-K Counts and $2 million for Head Start State Supplemental to help providers raise wages and retain staff. Shapiro said he is also calling for an additional $2.5 million for teacher professional development to ensure that educators have the training and tools needed to support students. In a statement, Start Strong PA praised Shapiro’s budget proposal. “Child care is an economic development strategy, workforce participation strategy, and education success strategy,” the statement read. “These investments will encourage teachers to remain in the field, allowing more parents to work, prepare more Pennsylvania children for school, and build a stronger and more prosperous commonwealth.” However, Start Strong PA noted that the reduction in funding of $5.2 million for the infant and toddler Early Intervention program in the Department of Human Services’ budget failed to recognize needed investments in those areas. “Early Intervention is a critical and federally-required component of the early care and education continuum, as all children from birth through age 5 with developmental delays, regardless of family income level, must be identified, referred to, and provided necessary services to help them and their families reach their fullest potential,” Start Strong PA’s statement read. “The cut to infant and toddler Early Intervention in the Department of Human Services’ budget is deeply concerning. The reduction of funding will negatively impact the ability to adequately deliver services to more children in Pennsylvania.” Start Strong PA also noted that stagnant funding reduces home visiting services for pregnant women and families with young children. To read the governor’s full budget address, visit the governor’s office pressroom website. Take Action – Thank Governor Shapiro for Prioritizing the ECE Workforce! Start Strong PA has issued a new action alert encouraging people to send a message to Governor Shapiro thanking him for prioritizing the ECE workforce. See action alert.
Southwestern Pennsylvania to Host Black History Month Events in February Black History Month kicks off on February 1, and there are a number of events taking place in the Pittsburgh region to celebrate the month. Learn More Brazelton Touchpoints Center will host a free, four-part virtual conversation series titled Parenting While Black that will focus on Raising Black Children in the Digital Age: Culture, Technology, and Liberation. Through a lens that centers on Black children’s experiences and futures, the series will look at how parents, educators, and communities navigate the challenges and opportunities of our increasingly digital world while affirming Black children’s humanity, agency, and cultural heritage. The conversations, which run an hour each, will be held on the following Mondays – February 2, 9, and 23, and March 2 at 3 p.m. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is hosting numerous events to celebrate the month, including a genealogy workshop hosted by Finding Deep Roots on Saturday, February 7 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Also on February 7, the library will host a preparation workshop inspired by Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower” at 3 p.m. that will involve preparing a comprehensive emergency kit. The Culture and Community Department at Carnegie Museums will present its first Black History Month celebration on February 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the event, Sankofa Village will perform dance and drumming and offer a hands-on members-only session, while longtime docent Millicent Smith will lead a special tour on Black artists and their Pittsburgh connections. Charlene Foggie-Barnett, the Charles “Teenie” Harris community archivist at the museum, will hold a talk that will involve history and storytelling, and the winners of the 3rd Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh art exhibition. Local organizations will set up tables and activities during the event. Stop the Violence will hold its 4th Annual High School Student Black History Summit at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, located at 4141 5th Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 16. The event will continue an essay competition, awards, Pittsburgh’s Black founding fathers and entrepreneurs, Madam C.J. Walker’s story, and information about Tulsa’s Black Wall Street. It will include a free lunch and entertainment. In Butler County, Slippery Rock University will hold a series of events starting at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 19 in the Smith Student Center Theater. It will include a keynote address by inclusive leadership expert Brandon Wiley titled “Culturally Conscious Freedom: Reflections on Identity, Power, and Progress.” Other Resources Numerous organizations that serve southwestern Pennsylvania are also providing resources for caregivers or educators regarding Black History Month. The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has put together Black History Month booklists that include new and recent titles exploring African Americans’ impact on U.S. history, powerful Black women, and African-American culinary traditions. The library has also compiled a list of African-American booklists for children and teenagers. These lists present stories that illustrate African-American history, biography, and culture, and feature racially-diverse leading characters. The Brightwheel blog has put together a list of Black History Month activities for preschoolers that include crafts, books, and songs to celebrate the month in a child care program. The blog discusses how to explain the importance of Black History Month to young children and provides tips for age-appropriate conversations. PBS Kids for Parents’ Black History Month resources include articles on how Black art can spark conversations with children, teaching children about Black history, and children’s books that celebrate Black culture. PA Promise for Children has released a list of nine books for children that could be used to celebrate Black History Month. And the City of Pittsburgh’s Black History Month page includes information on events taking place in February to honor the month.
Remake Learning Report Provides Forecast of Southwestern PA Education in 10 Years Remake Learning has released a forecast for what education might look like in the Pittsburgh region over the next decade. Learn More Nurturing What’s Next: Imagining the Future of Education in Southwestern Pennsylvania lists a variety of trends and patterns that could affect education in the region. These include: Unstable education staffing – schools and programs are experiencing persistent staffing shortages as fewer people enter the education workforce. Influx of opportunities – southwestern Pennsylvania is experiencing a surge of new programs, partnerships, and initiatives. Shifting demographics – the region’s population is aging, decreasing in size, and becoming increasingly diverse. Disruptions small and large – learning environments across the region are facing a host of large- and small-scale disruptions from unreliable technology to weather. Delicate trust – nationally, public confidence in and satisfaction with education and other civic institutions are becoming more brittle, influenced by economic pressures and political polarization. Digital reliance – digital technologies, especially AI, are reshaping how young people learn and connect. The six drivers of change were determined by research, discussions, and interviews with parents, caregivers, school leaders, and out-of-school-time educators. Six Drivers of Change The report expands upon the six drivers of change and how they are affecting schools in the Pittsburgh region. The unstable education staffing section discusses how staffing shortages are affecting everything from instruction and transportation to school cafeterias and increased turnover among principals and superintendents. The digital reliance section focuses on how technology has helped to personalize learning and improve efficiency, while at the same time raising concerns about learners’ ability to think independently or connecting with friends and peers. Another portion of the report “presents a variety of provocations that explore the many ways in which learning in southwestern Pennsylvania might change over the next decade.” These include: How spaces and systems are designed to support learning experiences How learning is woven into and co-created by the region’s community How people productively partner with AI to enhance learning Remake Learning notes that the region is renowned for its approaches to learning, and that its culture of collaboration has led to groundbreaking innovations. The report is intended to provide a 10-year forecast of what the future of learning in the region might look like. “It is an invitation to imagine – just as Pittsburgh’s own Fred Rogers, affectionately known as Mister Rogers, encouraged generations of children to do,” the report says. “He believed in the power of imagination to shape not only individual lives, but entire communities. In his words, ‘You can grow ideas in the garden of your mind.’ Today, that garden beckons us to use our imaginations to seed the future of learning.” Remake Learning’s report can be read in its entirety online.
Celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day by Getting a Library Card This coming Saturday, February 7, is Take Your Child to the Library Day, and there’s no better way to celebrate than to get a library card at your local library. Learn More Take Your Child to the Library Day is celebrated by thousands of libraries around the world. The concept for the day is for caregivers to bring children to the library to take part in free activities and to help them develop a love of reading. Those visiting a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch should visit the library’s website to see about activities taking place that day. Getting a Carnegie Library Card A library card for the Carnegie Library provides access to materials from 43 libraries around the county as well as allows cardholders to use library computers, and download and stream digital content from a phone or eReader. Those interested in getting a card can do so by registering in person or online. Those who register in person should bring an acceptable form of photo ID. If your ID does not include your address or contact information, you should be ready to provide that information at that time. The following are acceptable forms of ID: A driver’s license Pennsylvania identification card Other U.S. state’s driver’s license Expired PA driver’s license, if accompanied by local address verification Passport State ID Work ID Military ID Student ID Work visa Green card Allegheny County residents, ages 18 and above, can register for a card online and receive full borrowing privileges for print and electronic materials. Children ages 13 and above can use the same form and receive a card allowing access to the library’s eResources. Once you validate information through the online system, you will receive a card number, which can be converted into a scannable barcode using an app like Stocard. For more information on how to obtain a Carnegie Library card, visit the library’s website. Other Counties For those seeking a library card in a county outside of Pittsburgh, below are the pages including information by county on how to obtain a card. Armstrong County Beaver County Butler County Fayette County Greene County Indiana County Lawrence County Washington County Westmoreland County
