November 18, 2025 Messy Play Helps Children with Creativity and Facing Challenges Children stomping into the house covered in mud or dirt stains may not be ideal for caregivers – but an article by The Genius of Play argues that messy play is beneficial for young people. Learn More In the article “Why Kids Need Messy Play,” the Genius of Play describes how such activities help to promote fine motor, communication, problem-solving, and sensory regulation skills. These experiences are important for a child’s developing brain and help to prepare them for school and life. Messy play engages all of a child’s senses, which then helps them to explore and learn about their environment as well as what their bodies can do in relation to the world around them, the article notes.. While outdoors, children can run, jump, roll, and climb as well as create a world of their own with their own rules. Additionally, it gives them time away from adults, and they cna learn to work and negotiate with their peers. Some of the benefits of messy, outdoor play include: It inspires creativity and imagination. It creates the optimal and perfect setting for balanced sensory experiences. It allows children to appropriately evaluate risks and face challenges head on. The article lists a variety of fun activities in which children can take part outdoors, including water play, sensory bins, shaving cream art, ice painting, finger painting, and more. To learn more about the importance of messy play for children, read The Genius of Play’s article.
OCDEL Announces Scholarships for Infant Mental Health Professional Development Course Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will again offer the opportunity for early childhood education professionals in the state to participate in the University of Pittsburgh’s Infant Mental Health professional development certificate for free. Learn More OCDEL will enable licensed child care providers, Head Start/Early Head Start and PA Pre-K Counts programs to take part in the certificate with no-cost scholarships to professionals serving children and families in prenatal, infant, toddler, and preschool programs. Traditionally, the certificate has been provided to infant/toddler early intervention, OCDEL-funded home visitors, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health, and Rapid Response team members. The extension of the course to providers is a result of ongoing discussions and evaluation of requests for professional development from the field. In an announcement, OCDEL said it recognized the challenges faced by state providers in supporting the mental health and well-being of children and families in their early years. The organization believes that the early childhood system is most effective when collaborative work is relationship-based, culturally sensitive, grounded in an understanding of developmental theory, research, and supported by reflective practice. The extension of the course to providers aims to continue building the capacity of early learning professionals to partner with others and better support families in Pennsylvania. Those interested in taking the course should apply for sponsorship through The Pennsylvania Key. The application for the 2026 Infant Mental Health (IMH) Certificate and Learning Circle Scholarship will be open through Tuesday, November 25. Criteria and Other Considerations Criteria for applicants includes: Demonstrate, at minimum, one year of experience working with young children and their families. Have the ability to complete the IMH Foundations course within the timeframe of January through December 2026. Participate in virtual Learning Circles; applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the Introduction to IMH Course Webinar on January 21 and attend a minimum of two additional Learning Circles, which occur monthly for 1.5 hours at two different times with a cohort of fellow professionals to discuss course content. During the candidate approval and evaluation process, these other considerations will be taken into account: Provider type and area of service Number of children served by the provider Number of children with IFSPs and IEPs served by the provider Number of children who are dual-language learners served by the provider The applicant’s experience, education, and role The applicant’s ability to provide services in a culturally and linguistically responsive manner Supervisor approval and support for completion of the course For more information, visit The Pennsylvania Key’s website.
November 17, 2025 Child Mind Institute Resources Focus on Behavioral Issues for Children on Autism Spectrum Some children on the autism spectrum struggle with behavioral issues that caregivers can find challenging to manage. The Child Mind Institute has compiled a list of resources on how to address behavioral issues for children with autism. Learn More Behaviors described by the institute include young children wandering away from adult supervision or older youths going to extremes to avoid simple everyday tasks if they consider them to be demands. Some behavioral problems can put children in unsafe situations as well as disrupt their ability to function at school or connect with their families. Caregivers face their own challenges by trying to find ways to ensure that children remain safe, happy, and supported. The Child Mind Institute has put together a list of resources that focus on behavioral issues that are common in children with autism. Some focus on pathological demand avoidance (PDA) or setting up a behavior intervention plan, while others discuss ways to help children learn to communicate more effectively, rather than acting out. The institute’s list includes: Autism and Wandering Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) in Kids What is a Behavior Intervention Plan? Helping Kids with Autism Build Communication Skills Do Autism Behaviors Have Medical Causes? Autism and Medication Increasing Cooperation in Kids with Autism
OCDEL Confluence Podcast Focuses on Transfers Between Child Care Facilities and Schools Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released a new Confluence podcast that covers policies for transferring between child care facilities and school. Learn More During the podcast, host Ruby Martin – director of OCDEL’s Bureau of Certification Services – discusses the most recent announcement regarding the transfers with Chris Loos, the bureau’s division chief. In August, OCDEL announced updates to certified child care providers on rules regarding care and supervision when children are picked up and dropped off from school. Under state law, children on facility premises are to be supervised by a staff person at all times. Supervision during pick-up and drop-off times for children must be clearly defined to ensure the safety and accountability of children and child care providers. Recent updates on transfers from child care to school and school to child care include: Child care to school: Unless otherwise stated in a written agreement signed by a caregiver, care and supervision are the responsibility of the child care facility until the child gets on a school bus or enters the school building. The transfer of child care processes or policy must be documented in the child care agreement or handbook. School to child care: Supervision by the child care facility begins when the child exits the school bus, once the child enters the child care bus or van, or when a staff member arrives to walk the child to the child care facility. The latest Confluence podcast, Episode 8: Announcement C-25-03: Policy for Transferring Care Between Child Care Facility and School, is available on The Pennsylvania Key’s website.
November 14, 2025 PA Dept. of Health Announces Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Formula The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued a health alert network announcement regarding an infant botulism outbreak that is linked to infant formula. Learn More On November 11, ByHeart, Inc. recalled all lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ongoing investigation into a recent outbreak of infant botulism. According to the company’s website, the formula was sold through its website, ByHeart.com, as well as through retail stores nationwide, including Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, Sam’s Club, and others. Infant botulism is a rare but potentially fatal paralytic illness that affects babies less than 1 year old. Symptoms can include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, a weak cry, and progressive muscle weakness. Treatment with botulism immune globulin, BabyBIG®, obtained from the California Department of Health, is recommended for all suspected cases of the illness. Infant botulism is a reportable disease in Pennsylvania. All suspected cases must be reported to the state’s Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or to a local health department. For more information, read the health alert network announcement on The Pennsylvania Key website.
November 12, 2025 PA State Budget Includes ECE Investments Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a $50.1 billion budget on Wednesday that includes continued and new investments focused on children and the early education workforce. Emily Neff, director of public policy for Trying Together, emphasized that this is a huge win for the early care and education workforce. “During a tough budget year that is four months past the deadline, policymakers prioritized child care teachers in the budget through the establishment of a new line item for early childhood education,” she said. “It’s been nearly 20 years since we’ve had a new line item, and it’s significant that a bipartisan group of legislators and the governor’s office prioritized this new investment. This demonstrates that policymakers heard our stories and are taking steps to solve the child care crisis and invest in the workforce.” Early Learning PA Applauds Investments Early Learning PA (ELPA), of which Trying Together is a principal partner, released a statement following the budget’s passage that praised investments that will stabilize and reverse the exodus of early educators and directly benefit tens of thousands of teachers and other professional staff as well as help provider businesses stay open. Recruitment and Retention In the statement, the Start Strong PA campaign “celebrates the Shapiro administration and General Assembly for the establishment of a new child care teacher recruitment and retention program that will help keep teachers in the classroom, so that working families have access to the care they need.” Start Strong PA noted that a $25 million recurring investment in the budget would benefit the teachers and other paraprofessionals who are directly responsible for the care of children in licensed child care programs throughout the state that are participating in the child care subsidy program. A September 2024 survey of 1,140 child care providers showed that 92% of child care programs reported challenges in recruiting staff with 85% struggling with teacher shortages, leaving more than 3,000 unfilled positions statewide. This resulted in eliminating child care for more than 25,000 Pennsylvania children. Additionally, recent estimates show that gaps in the state’s child care system cost working families, employers, and taxpayers a total of $6.65 billion annually in lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue. These new investments are aimed at helping to reverse the billions of dollars in lost productivity and earnings suffered by working families and employers when families don’t have the care they need. Pre-K Counts Additionally, Pre-K for PA shared that $9.5 million in new state funding in the budget for Pre-K Counts will help stabilize early learning providers by increasing per-child rates, a measure that would counter costs and staffing challenges driven by low wages. “In recent years, opportunities for higher salaries in k-12 education and other sectors have made it increasingly difficult for Pre-K Counts providers to retain qualified teachers, forcing some programs to reduce enrollment or close classrooms,” the campaign said. “This new investment represents a critical step in ensuring that state-funded kindergarten programs remain strong, sustainable, and accessible for Pennsylvania’s youngest learners.” However, they also expressed disappointment that the final budget failed to offer support for the state’s Head Start Supplemental programs that are also facing staffing challenges. Other Investments The budget also includes an increase of $41.7 million for early intervention services, of which $13.2 million is allocated for the Part C (infants and toddlers) program in the state Department of Human Services budget. A total of $10 million of those funds will be directed to increase provider rates to address key challenges, including workforce shortages. See the full statement from ELPA. 2025-2026 PA State Budget Includes: $25 million in additional funding for child care ($25 million in the new Child Care Recruitment and Retention line with level funding in the Child Care Services and Child Care Assistance line items) $9.5 million in additional funding for the state’s Pre-K Counts program Level funding for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program $13.2 million increase for the Early Intervention Part C (infant and toddler) program through DHS, with $10 million of these funds allocated for a rate increase for providers $28.5 million increase for the Early Intervention Part B (age three to five) program through PDE Level funding for evidence-based home visiting in the Community-Based Family Center line item and a small reduction in the Nurse-Family Partnership line due to a change in federal matching rates
Toy Drives Ramp Up in Southwestern PA for Holiday Season As the holiday season nears, toy drives in southwestern Pennsylvania are ramping up to provide families in need of help with toys and gift cards. Play It Forward Pittsburgh Play It Forward Pittsburgh collects gently used toys and is providing them free to families who are in need or having a tough time. Celebrating its 15th year, the initiative will enable families to shop in person or to receive a prepackaged holiday box. The free box pick-up event will be held on Friday, December 12 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, located at 100 Ft. Duquesne Boulevard in Pittsburgh. Those interested in shopping for free will be able to do so at the same site from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 13. Families who wish to participate must sign-up on the Play It Forward Pittsburgh page. The link to register opens Monday, November 17. Toys for Tots Toys for Tots will operate toy drives this holiday season in various locations. The request for toys for Beaver County & Northwestern Allegheny County is already closed, but families are encouraged to check back to see if the application is reopened. Washington County: Families can register to participate in person at the Washington Crown Center Mall every Saturday in November. See details. Greene County will distribute toys on Saturday, December 20. See details. Fayette County‘s Toys for Tots registration will take place on Thursday, November 13 from noon to 7 p.m. and on Friday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Uniontown Mall in the BINGO space next to the old Sears. Salvation Army Centers of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County The Salvation Army operate toy drives such as the Angel Tree program, which helps families get free holiday toys for children or gift cards for parents. For information on The Salvation Army Angel Tree program, contact the Angel Tree coordinator, Leah Cross, at (412) 446-1534 or via email at leah.cross@use.salvationarmy.org. For other assistance, contact your local center. The Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania will host upcoming collection dates for the Salvation Army toy drives from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 4 and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, December 5. This year’s goal is to meet or exceed last year’s donation of more than 700 toys. Those interested in participating can deliver toys to CAWP, located at 800 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 110, in Cranberry Township on the two days in December. Donate Charlie Batch Annual Holiday Toy Drive The Batch A Toys drive is organized by the Best of Batch Foundation, a nonprofit founded by former Steelers Quarterback Charlie Batch. The foundation will adopt 400 families, which will provide more than 1,000 children with holiday gifts. The foundation is still accepting donations, but there is currently no information on how families can participate. Learn more. Indiana County’s Tourist Bureau The bureau will host its Toonz for Tots event on Saturday, November 22 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event will include donations of new toys, raffle baskets, monetary contributions, and three hours of music from local bands donating their time and talent to raise money.
Pennsylvania One Book Initiative Makes Its 2026 Selection The Pennsylvania One Book initiative has announced that its 2026 PA One Book selection is “The Great Cookie Kerfuffle.” Learn More The Pennsylvania One Book initiative is a program that highlights the importance of early literacy development in preschoolers and the significance of reading early and often to children. It also stresses the importance of engaging them in conversation and other activities around books. This year’s selection, “The Great Cookie Kerfuffle,” was written by Jessica Shaw and illustrated by Pauline Gregory. In the book, a farm breaks into chaos as increasing numbers of farm animals fight over a dropped cookie until they realize they have bigger troubles overhead. Uniting against a common enemy, the animals learn that friendship and taking care of each other is more important than winning a fight. Activities to accompany the book will be released in the near future. Representatives from numerous organizations make up the PA One Book Committee – including the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key, and others. Each year, the committee chooses a children’s picture book to be highlighted. For more information on this year’s selection, visit the PA One Book website.
November 11, 2025 PA Promise for Children Releases November Booklist for Children PA Promise for Children has released a list of eight books for children in November in its Kindergarten Here I Come newsletter. Learn More The booklist provides eight recommendations in four categories – including Language and Literacy Skills, Social and Emotional Development, Science Thinking and Technology, and Mathematical Thinking and Expression. The books on the list include: Language and Literacy Skills The Relatives Came (Cynthia Rylant) Neighborhood Mother Goose (Nina Crews) Social and Emotional Development Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz) The Pout-Pout Fish (Deborah Diesen and Dan Hanna) Science Thinking and Technology Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake (Michael Kaplan) Bread and Jam for Frances (Russell Hoban) Mathematical Thinking and Expression Stripes of All Types (Susan Stockdale) Elmer (David McKee)
ECE Professionals Must Submit T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application for Spring by Nov. 14 Early childhood education professionals interested in attending college for the upcoming spring semester should apply for the TEACH scholarship by the November deadline. Learn More Applications for the TEACH Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship must be completed and submitted with all required documentation and information by Friday, November 14 to be considered for the spring semester. For more information on eligibility or to download an application, visit the PACCA website. For questions, contact a TEACH counselor at teachinfo@pacca.org. About TEACH The TEACH (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program offers early learning professionals a debt-free higher education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages. By building a more educated and fairly compensated workforce, TEACH raises the quality of care and education that Pennsylvania’s youngest children receive, setting them on a path to future learning and success.
