April 23, 2021 Supporting Social-Emotional Development Through Play: A Guide for Families Why does it matter? As the caregiver of a young child, you may have heard of physical skills such as crawling and running; cognitive skills such as long-term memory and pattern recognition; and academic skills such as reading and subtraction. However, have you heard of social-emotional skills? Social-emotional skills act as the backbone for conversations, relationships, and a person’s ability to work through emotions in a healthy, productive way. To succeed in school, the workplace, and their personal lives, children need to develop social-emotional skills. Without them, children are more likely to experience difficulties maintaining relationships, self-regulating their emotions, and demonstrating self-control throughout their lifetimes. Children’s early experiences with their loved ones have a big influence on what skills they develop. Because of this, caregivers must consider what social-emotional skills or patterns they are modeling or practicing themselves. Children develop skills and patterns based on what they were taught or exposed to in early childhood. While these patterns can change over time (in childhood and adulthood), the earlier a child practices these skills, the better. Trying Together created this family guide to define social-emotional skills and highlight at-home activities caregivers can use to support their child’s development. Social-Emotional Skills Examples of social-emotional skills include, but are not limited to, the following: building positive relationships with other children and adults; being able to recognize non-verbal cues and maintain eye contact; displaying confidence in themselves and others; displaying respect for other people’s feelings, ideas, and opinions; displaying self-control and patience; listens and pays attention to others; recognizing their own and other people’s emotions; sharing toys or materials with other children; and working together with other children or adults. By practicing these skills, young children will develop a toolkit of social-emotional skills that will help them navigate interpersonal (with others) and intrapersonal (with self) situations. For information about social-emotional developmental milestones by age, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. At-Home Activities A simple game of peekaboo provides a chance for children to make eye contact and exchange facial expressions with their caregiver. Try out different facial expressions each time you reappear to see how your baby responds. Read at least one picture book per day with your child. While reading, bring characters (and their emotions) to life by changing your voice pitch, tone, speed, or volume and facial expressions. If your child can read, ask them to read out the character’s lines themselves. If they cannot, ask them to mimic the emotion or repeat a line. While reading, pause before you flip the page and ask your child what they noticed about the characters, what they think about what is happening, how they would feel, what they would do, or what they think is going to happen next. Make up your own questions as you go! Let your child express themselves through art. Give them a piece of paper, a canvas, or any type of artistic material and let their imagination run free. When they are done creating, ask them what it is, what inspired them to create it, and how they felt during the process. If you have multiple children, have them work on a piece of art together. If your child is experiencing big emotions, show them yoga poses they can do to practice their breathing and move their bodies. Try activities like this printable Emotional Sorting Game or have them make Plastic Egg Faces to help your child learn about different emotion and feeling words. Puppets can be used as a tool for children to explore or express their emotions. Schedule a playdate at your house to help your child practice sharing, teamwork, creativity, and independence. If multiple children live in your household, that works too. Gather items like clothes, child-safe dishes, books, and more and let the children determine how they will use them. Card and board games can be used as well. Create a safe space in your home where your child can go to relax alone. Ask your child what items, colors, smells, tastes, or materials make them feel better. Walk around the house, help them collect the things they mentioned, and spend time together creating their new safe space. Take time each month to ask these questions and redesign. Children should never be forced to go to their safe space. Resources If you are interested in learning more about social-emotional development and other early childhood topics, consider utilizing the resources listed below. Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series Developmentally Appropriate Parenting is a family resource content series developed by Trying Together as an effort to empower caregivers to create high-quality experiences at the earliest stages of their child’s life. NAEYC The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age eight, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. Their website includes resources on building social-emotional skills at home, working through challenging behaviors, and more. Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative is a group of organizations dedicated to advancing the importance of play in the lives of children, families, and communities in the Pittsburgh region. Read their blog to learn about playful activities for children of all ages. Fred Rogers Center The Fred Rogers Center works to extend the legacy of Fred Rogers to today’s generation of children and the adults who love and care for them. Visit their website to access resources on simple interactions, child wellness, and digital learning. Print This Resource Download this resource as a printable PDF document (English)(Español).
December 21, 2020 Physical Education Vocabulary for Kids About In addition to teaching exercises, physical education teaches children vocabulary words such as muscle, pulse, and endurance to help them better understand their bodies. To help your child better understand healthy activities, check out this resource from PlaygroundEquipment.com! For extra fun, try making and decorating vocabulary flashcards to practice at home! View This Resource To view the list, visit PlaygroundEquipment.com.
December 14, 2020 Child Care Emergency Plan, Child Care Aware of America About Child Care Aware of America reported that 38 percent of parents were unsure of their child care provider’s emergency plan, with another 7 percent stating that their program doesn’t have one. To ensure your child’s safety, Child Care Aware recommends that caregivers be proactive by asking their child care provider these 10 questions. Recommended Questions Do you have an emergency preparedness plan for disasters that are likely to occur in our area? How will you safely evacuate my child to a safe, predetermined location? How and when will I be notified if a disaster occurs when my child is in child care? If I can’t get to my child during or after a disaster, how will you continue to care for my child? Have you and your staff received training on how to respond to my child’s physical and emotional needs during and after a disaster; for example, are all staff first aid and CPR-certified? Will you teach my older child what to do in an emergency? Do you have a disaster/supply kit with enough items to meet my child’s needs for at least 72 hours? Do the state and local emergency management agencies and responders know about your child care program and where it is located? How may I help you during and after a disaster? After a disaster occurs, how will I be notified about your plan to reopen? More Information This information was provided by Child Care Aware of America. Visit their website for more information about emergency preparedness!
What Types of Child Care Are Available? About Did you know that there are several types of early childhood education and care programs that you can enroll your child into? To find a program type that works best for your family, review the options listed below. Available Program Types Child Care Center At a child care center that is state-certified by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), care and education services are provided to more than seven children. Family Child Care Home In a family child care home that is state-certified by OCDEL, one caregiver provides care and education services for three to six children who are not related to them in a home setting. Group Child Care Home In a group child care home that is state-certified by OCDEL, care and education services are provided for up to 12 children in a home or commercial setting. Relative Care Through relative care, one caregiver provides care and education services for no more than three related children in a home setting who may be eligible for subsidy reimbursement. Public School A public school provides pre-kindergarten programming. These schools may be publicly or privately funded. Private School A private school provides pre-kindergarten programming. These schools are funded by the individual family or school. Other Things to Consider Child Care Works Through Child Care Works, federal and state-supported child care subsidies are provided to income-eligible families who either work or attend school or training programs and pay a co-pay. Subsidies are paid directly to a provider in a home, child care center, or community-based setting. To see if you are eligible or to receive assistance in finding child care, contact your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). Head Start Head Start is a federally-funded comprehensive early childhood education program supplemented by state investment. Through the program, infant, toddler, and pre-kindergarten opportunities are provided at no cost to income-eligible families (100% of poverty). Children with developmental delays or disabilities, as well as children who are learning English as a second language, may also qualify. Programs are found in homes, child care centers, schools, and community-based settings. To see if you are eligible or to receive assistance in finding child care, contact your local ELRC. Pre-K Counts Pre-K Counts provides state-supported high-quality pre-kindergarten opportunities at no cost to income-eligible families (300% of poverty). Children with developmental delays or disabilities, as well as children who are learning English as a second language, may also qualify. Pre-K Counts classrooms are found in child care centers and schools. To see if you are eligible or to receive assistance in finding child care, contact your local ELRC. School Districts School districts allocate funds from their general fund to support their pre-kindergarten programs. Privately Funded Birth to Kindergarten Privately Funded Birth to Kindergarten is user-funded programming that is often provided by a nonprofit, for-profit, religious organization, or university. Child and Adult Care Food Program The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides aid for the provision of nutritious foods for children birth through school age. To learn more about this program, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. Quality Assurance Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs. NAEYC, NAFCC, and NECPA accreditation are voluntary private-pay national initiatives. Each ELRC offers access to information, services, and resources to promote high-quality early childhood education. Quality Coaches provide support and technical assistance to programs working to build quality. Home Visiting Programs and Support Services Home visiting services give parents and others raising children the support necessary to improve their health, safety, literacy, and economic self-sufficiency. Trained professionals visit women, families, and children to provide parent education and support in order to promote child well-being and development. The six evidence-based home visiting models in Pennsylvania include Early Head Start, Family Check-Up, Healthy Families America, Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, and SafeCare Augmented. Early Intervention Early Intervention is a system of publicly-funded services for children birth to age five with developmental delays or disabilities. Early Intervention supports and services are embedded in typical routines and activities within the family, community, and/or early care and education settings. Parents who have questions about their child’s development can call the CONNECT Helpline at 1.800.692.7288. Print This Resource This resource is available as a printable PDF. For additional assistance in finding an early learning program that meets your needs, check out our family guide, “How to Find, Choose, and Pay for High-Quality Child Care.”
The Brain Architects Podcast, Center on the Developing Child About Launched in January 2020 by the Center on Child Development at Harvard University, The Brain Architects Podcast explores common questions that parents and caregivers have during the early periods of their child’s life. The podcast brings together experts and practitioners from pediatrics, social services, education, and other fields of study to help guide caregivers in improving the lives of their young children. Featured Topics The podcast explores a variety of early childhood topics, including, but not limited to self-care, toxic stress, serve and return, brain architecture, mental health during COVID-19, and more. Learn More To start listening, visit the podcast webpage.
Walk It Like An Animal Activity, Early Childhood TLC About Are you looking for a fun physical activity to do with your young child? Watch this video from Early Childhood TLC to jump like a kangaroo, swing like a monkey, walk like a bear, and climb like a sloth! For more music videos, visit the Early Childhood TLC YouTube page. Watch the Video
How Racism Can Affect Child Development, Harvard Center About To explain the effect of racism on child development, the Harvard Center on the Developing Child created a digital infographic entitled, “How Racism Can Affect Child Development.” The infographic explains how racism in particular gets “under the skin” and affects learning, behavior, and lifelong health. To learn more, view the infographic. Download This Resource This resource is also available as a downloadable PDF.
Child Development and Lifelong Health, Harvard Center About In their Working Paper entitled “Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined,” the Harvard Center on the Developing Child “examines how developing biological systems in the body interact with each other and adapt to the contexts in which a child is developing—for better or for worse—with lifelong consequences for physical and mental health.” Featured Topics The Working Paper examines the following topics: What 21st-Century Science is Teaching Us How Early Adversity Affects Developing Biological Systems Common Illnesses in Adults Have Roots in Early Childhood Adversity Facts About Health That Are Often Misunderstood Future Directions for Policy and Practice Final Reflections in a COVID-19 World More Information For more information, read the full Working Paper. This resource is available as a downloadable PDF.
Anti-Racism Resources for Families About As parents and caregivers, we have a responsibility to ensure that every child and family is safe from racism and discrimination and has equitable opportunities to thrive. In order to do this, we must begin with ourselves. Set aside time in your day to do a personal inventory. What thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have you contributed to upholding systems of racism? What assumptions are you making? What actions or inactions have you taken that contribute to systems of oppression? Next, consider your family and your friends—what behaviors, statements, or jokes have gone unchecked? What actions or inactions have you taken within your interpersonal relationships that have contributed to an unsafe community for our black and brown children, neighbors, and colleagues? How might you begin to lead by example within your own family or community? Anti-racism work is something that has to be attended to in an ongoing way. In order to support you in this work, Trying Together compiled the following resources. This list is not exhaustive. Resources for Adults Video: ‘I Can’t Breathe: From Agony to Activism’, Pitt Diversity Implicit Bias Test, Harvard Anti-Racism Resources, Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein Black History Month Library African American History: From Emancipation to the Present, Yale 5 Ways White People Can Take Action in Response to White and State-Sanctioned Violence, Medium The critical role white parents play in shaping racism — and eradicating it, PBS How Not to be an Ally: Common missteps and advice for effective allyship, Psychology Today An Anti-Racist Reading List, The New York Times Mental Health Support and Education, Steel Smiling Center for Race & Gender Equality, YWCA Greater Pittsburgh Race Research Online Directory, University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work How to raise anti-racist kids: 20 resources for parents, Motherly Podcast: Notice the Rage, Notice the Silence, On Being with Krista Tippett Talking About Race, National Museum of African American History & Culture Want to support Black Lives Matter? Here’s where to start in Pittsburgh., Kidsburgh Why Raising Kids to ‘Not See Color’ Doesn’t Help Fight Racism, HuffPost Video: What I am learning from my white grandchildren – truths about race, TEDx Talks Video: Juneteenth Round Table with Rep. Chris Rabb & Rep. Ed Gainey, For Our Future Pennsylvania Race and Equity Resource List, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Antiracism Meditation Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others, Pepperdine University In My Skin Podcast, University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community, Sunshine Behavioral Health Our Family’s Commitment to Being Anti-Racist, PBS Kids Black Lives Matter, Substance Abuse, and Addiction Recovery in the United States, Addicted.org Citizen Journalism and Political Protests, Syracuse University Black Boys Matter: Cultivating Their Identity, Agency, and Voice, NAEYC Things to Know If You Love a Multiracial Child, Embrace Race COVID-in-Color: Race-conscious Resources For Children & Families, Embrace Race Exploring & Understanding Structural Racism, Embrace Race “Love is not enough”: Supports for Transracial Adoptive Families, Embrace Race Nurturing Resistance & Joy in Black Children, Embrace Race Raising Muslim American Children Who Thrive, Embrace Race Anti-Hate Safety Resources, Asian American Federation Asian Americans Advancing Justice BIPOC Addiction and Mental Health Resources, Addictions.com Discussing Racism and Violence with Children Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News, Child Mind Institute Video: A Clinical Perspective on Talking to Kids About Racism, Child Mind Institute Transcript: A Clinical Perspective on Talking to Kids About Racism, Child Mind Institute Talking to Children About Race, Policing and Violence, The New York Times Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom: A Resource for Educators, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resources for Talking about Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids, Center for Racial Justice in Education Anti-Racism for Kids: An Age-by-Age Guide to Fighting Hate, Parents.com ‘Raising White Kids’ Author On How White Parents Can Talk About Race, NPR George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. What do we tell our children?, USA Today They’re not too young to talk about race!, The Children’s Community School Talking to Children About Racial Bias, HealthyChildren Video: “How do I make sure I’m not raising the next Amy Cooper?” with Jennifer Harvey, Embrace Race Talking Race with Young Children, NPR How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism, Parent Toolkit 10 tips for teaching and talking to kids about race, Embrace Race How to Talk with Kids About Racism and Racial Violence, Common Sense Media Resources for Talking About Race, Racism and Racialized Violence with Kids, Center for Racial Justice in Education How to Talk to Your Children About the Protests, The Wall Street Journal Talking about Race with Kids and Teens, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Talking with Children About Racism, Police Brutality and Protests, Aha! Parenting How To Talk To Your Kids About Race, Racism And Police Violence, WBUR How to talk to kids about racism, explained by a psychologist, Vox 21 Anti-Racism Videos to Share With Kids, We are Teachers Experts answer your kids’ tough questions about race and racism, The Hechinger Report Talking to Children Authentically about Race and Racism, PBS Kids How To Talk About Race And Protests With Your Kids, Explained By A Child Psychologist, WBUR The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special, Sesame Workshop Video – PBS KIDS Talk About: Race & Racism, PBS Kids Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism: A Discussion Guide, PDB Kids Raising Kids Who Embrace Race, National PTA Talking to Kids About Anti-Asian Racism, Time for Kids Asian Americans K-12 Education Curriculum, Asian Americans Advancing Justice So You Want to Raise a Young White Ally?, Embrace Race Supporting Children’s Leadership & Activism, Embrace Race Supporting Healthy Racial Learning in Early Childhood, Embrace Race Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence, Child Mind Institute Parenting in Racially and Culturally Diverse Adoptive Families, Child Welfare Information Gateway Raising Socially-Conscious Kids: Talking About Skin Color, First Up Children’s Books I Too Am America, by Langston Hughes, ages 5+ Baby Blessings: A Prayer For The Day You Were Born, by Deloris Jordan, ages 0-6 Lullaby, A Poem, by Langston Hughes, ages 0-6 Welcome, Precious, by Nikki Grimes, ages 0-5 Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grow Up to Become Malcolm X, by IIyasha Shabazz, ages 6+ CROWN: An Ode To A Fresh Cut, by Derrick Barnes, ages 3-10 Turning 15 On The Road To Freedom: My Story of 1965 Selma Voting Right March, by Lynda Blackmon, ages 12+ A Child’s Introduction To AA History, by Jabari Asim, ages 5+ 10 Children’s Books About Racism And Activism To Help Parents Educate Their Kids, HuffPost 31 Children’s books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance, Embrace Race These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids, The New York Times Books About Racism and Social Justice, Common Sense Media Books on race and racism, by age, recommended by Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Kidsburgh Reading Race in Picture Books with Children, Embrace Race Jill and Christine: Books to Teach Kids About Diversity and Anti-Racism, First Up Resources for Social-Emotional Development Helping Children Cope With Frightening News, Child Mind Institute How to Foster Resilience in Kids, Child Mind Institute What to Do (and Not Do) When Children Are Anxious, Child Mind Institute NASP: Managing Strong Emotional Reactions to Trauma, National Association of School Psychologists Supporting Young Children after Crisis Events, NAEYC Coping with Grief After Community Violence, SAMHSA The Brown Mama Blueprint Podcast, Pittsburgh Brown Mamas Resources to Support Children’s Emotional Well-Being Amid Anti-Black Racism, Racial Violence, and Trauma, Child Trends
Remote Learning Resources About Trying Together compiled a list of remote learning resources to support parents and students as they navigate remote learning. Resources for Families 13 Activities to Make the Most Out of Video Chats With Kids, PBS Kids Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide, Office of Educational Technology The Distance Learning Toolbox Families Wish They Had, NAEYC Tools to Turn Your Kid into a Math and Science Pro, Common Sense Media Dr. G: How to support your kid’s mental health during back-to-school transition, Kidsburgh How Parents Can Help Kids Learn at Home, Common Sense Media How to Set Priorities This School Year, Child Mind Institute Back to School Guide for Families, Wide Open Schools Preparing for Back-to-School Success, Child Mind Institute How to Get Kids Ready to Video-Chat for Online Classes, Common Sense Media Tips for Partnering With Teachers in the New School Year, Child Mind Institute 30+ Preschool Themes with Free Printables, HiMama Back-to-School Anxiety During COVID, Child Mind Institute Resources on Face Masks for Children, OCDEL Strategies for Supporting Learning at Home, Child Mind Institute Parent Tips and Tricks for Distance Learning, Common Sense Media Back-to-School Tips for Kids Who Are Struggling, Child Mind Institute Kitchen Math: How Mealtime Can Support Kids’ Number Sense, PBS Kids How to Help Kids Who Are Too Hard on Themselves, Child Mind Institute Anxious Stomach Aches and Headaches, Child Mind Institute 6 Tips for Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning, Common Sense Media Managing Your Own Anxiety During School Reopening, Child Mind Institute COVID-19 Resources For Childcare Centers, Preschools & Parents, HiMama Family Centers of Allegheny County Video: Parenting During A Pandemic Top 5 FAQs, A+ Schools Free Distance Learning Plans for K–2 Students and Their Families, Common Sense Media Keystone Scholars Resource Materials Pennsylvania issues health and safety guidelines for pandemic learning pods, The Morning Call 7 lessons from Pittsburgh moms with experience in online learning, Kidsburgh Learning at Home: 5 Steps to Plan Your Day, PBS Kids Beyond Reopening Schools: How to grow connections between families and schools, Kidsburgh How to protect your kids’ eyes during remote learning, Kidsburgh Common Sense Media: Tips and tricks to manage your kid’s school-issued computer, Kidsburgh Video: Restorative Parenting During a Pandemic, A+ Schools How to help kids learn — and feel loved — during this challenging school year, Kidsburgh Remote learning has been a disaster for many students. But some kids have thrived, The Hechinger Report Virtual Learning Anxiety: How to Help Your Kids, Cleveland Clinic Resources for Students Free Educational Apps, Games, and Websites, Common Sense Media Homework Help Websites, Common Sense Media Academic Support Initiative, Gwen’s Girls 50 Social Distancing Activities for Kids, HiMama Child Care and Education Planning Tools Allegheny Child Care In partnership with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School-Time (APOST), Trying Together developed Allegheny Child Care. By using this online tool, parents and caregivers of young children can search for available child care spots at early learning, after-school, out-of-school, summer camp, and virtual programs in Allegheny County. To use the tool, visit the Allegheny Child Care website. For additional support in finding child care and/or funding your child care needs, visit the ELRC Region 5 website or call 412.350.3577. Family Care and Education Forum Trying Together launched the Family Care & Education Forum. This new resource connects parents and caregivers across Southwestern Pennsylvania and provides a space to ask questions, network, and support one another. Upon signing up, users will be able to post questions, respond to comments, and learn more about care and education opportunities in their area. To discuss your care and education plans for this fall with other families, visit the new Family Care and Education Forum. Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) provide a single point-of-contact for families, early learning service providers, and communities to gain information and access services that support high-quality child care and early learning programs. To request support and learn more, visit the ELRC Region 5 website or call 412.350.3577.
