Trying Together

Winter Wellness & Family Connections Event
2026-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Jeremiah’s Place, the Church of the Holy Cross Episcopal, and Trying Together will host a Winter Wellness and Family Connections Event on Wednesday, February 18.
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The event is a welcoming gathering for families with young children that combines practical winter supports, family-friendly activities, and space for connection and listening.
It will include light snacks, children’s activities, winter wellness, comfort giveaways, and opportunities to support families in tangible ways and to listen to parents’ hopes, needs, and concerns.
The event will run from noon to 1 p.m. – during drop-in play hours – on February 18 at the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, located at 7219 Kelly Street in Pittsburgh.

Educator Night with Reading Ready Pittsburgh
2026-02-18 16:00 - 18:00
Reading Ready Pittsburgh will host a special night for educators at B is for Books on Wednesday, February 18.
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The event, which runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., will include a light dinner and desserts, raffles, teacher resources, and books.

Rebecca Chrystal, of Raising a Reader National, will deliver a presentation titled “Stories that Spark! Engaging Families through Diverse Books.”

Those interested in attending should RSVP by using the QR code on the flyer. Attendees can invite any educators of young children, and the event’s focus will be nursery school through second grade.

Growing Together | Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships with Caregivers
2026-02-18 18:30 - 19:30
Join Trying Together virtually every third Wednesday of the month for professional development focused on frequently requested topics relevant to early childhood educators. The topic for February is Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships with Caregivers

Participants can choose to attend any or all of the mini-sessions and registration is highly recommended. However, participants can access any session using the Zoom link.
Click here to register

Professional development sessions in the series include:

March 18, 2026: Utilizing Your ELRC Quality Coach: What is Their Role and How Can They Support You?
April 15, 2026 Aligning Curriculum With Daily Practice
May 20, 2026: The ELPES (Early Learning Program Engagement Specialists) Team: Who Are They and How Can They Support Providers?
June 17, 2026 Child Development: Expectations vs. Reality
July 15, 2026 Navigating Public Policy and Systems

Each session runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.

Carved In Ice
2026-02-20 17:00 - 20:00
The annual Carved In Ice event will take place in Diamond Park and Main Street in Butler on Friday, February 20.
Learn More
During the event, which is free to the public, DiMartino Ice will carve ice creations for spectators. Local businesses will sponsor the sculpture designs.
The event will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Introduction to ASQ-3
2026-02-23 09:00 - 12:00
Participants will learn how to use the ASQ-3 as a screening tool for children ages 3 months to 5 years.
The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed.
More information:

Location: Trying Together Training Room, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: $30
Register

Parenting While Black: A Family-to-Family Real Talk Series
2026-02-23 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-02 15:00 - 16:00
Brazelton Touchpoints Center will celebrate Black History Month with a free, four-part virtual conversation series by, for, and among Black parents.
This year, the focus will be on Raising Black Children in the Digital Age: Culture, Technology, and Liberation.
Learn More
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 each run an hour, will be held on the following Mondays – February 2, 9, and 23, and March 2 at 3 p.m. ET.
The series is designed to create an authentic and welcoming space for Black parents to share experiences and insights and build community. The webinars are moderated by Kimya Barden, PhD, a parenting scholar, co-creator of The Speaker Shop, and professor of Urban Community Studies at Northeastern Illinois University-Chicago
Each webinar includes live Spanish-language translation and captioning. Those interested in attending the webinars can sign up online.

Story Time at the Hub
2026-02-24 10:30 - 11:15, 2026-03-03 10:30 - 11:15, 2026-03-10 10:30 - 11:15, 2026-03-17 10:30 - 11:15, 2026-03-24 10:30 - 11:15
Story time at the Hub! is an interactive story time geared toward children birth to five years of age and their families!
Story time runs from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Tuesdays.

American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training
2026-02-24 17:00 - 20:00
Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide in person and hybrid First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) trainings to early childhood professionals.
About the Course
This PQAS-certified in-person course provides life-saving skills in alliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs.
Certification will be issued upon successful completion of the course. This certification is valid for two years.
The cost is $70.
PLEASE NOTE: Successful course completion requires full participation in classroom and skill sessions, as well as successful performance in skill and knowledge evaluations.
Participants will be conducting strenuous activities, such as performing CPR on the floor. If you have a medical condition or disability that will prevent you from taking part in the skills practice sessions, please let your instructor know so that accommodations can be made for the practice portion. The CPR and AED evaluations must be completed with the manikin on the ground.
Information for Hybrid Sessions
The online coursework for hybrid sessions must be completed prior to the in-person class. Access to the online coursework will be provided via email upon completion of registration. Allow yourself 3-4 hours to complete. We advise completing the online coursework at least 48 hours prior to your in-person course. You will need to provide proof of completion by providing a copy of your completion email either printed or on your mobile device of class in order to participate in the in-person class portion of the training.
Session Details

Tuesday, Feb. 24 | Hybrid | 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Elizabeth Seton Center (Brookline), 1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh
Register
Cost: $70

Saturday, March 14 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Trying Together, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh
Register
Cost: $70

Saturday, May 16 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Elizabeth Seton Center (Brookline), 1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh
Register
Cost: $70

Monday, June 1 | Hybrid | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pitt CEC-Homewood, 622 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh
Register
Cost: $70

Questions?
For questions about the sessions, contact Amanda Murphy at amanda@tryingtogether.org.

Tummy Time
2026-02-25 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-03-04 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-03-11 10:00 - 10:45, 2026-03-18 10:00 - 10:45
Tummy Time provides caregivers and pre-walking infants an opportunity to socialize in a safe and welcoming setting.
Tummy Time runs from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center.

Drop-In Playtime
2026-02-25 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-04 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-11 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-18 11:00 - 13:00
Drop-in play hours offer a fun and safe space for children to grow, learn, and play while building social skills. Caregivers must stay with their children. The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center staff are available for support.
Drop-in Playtime runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Let’s Chat About Early Language and Literacy Webinars
2026-02-25 13:00 - 14:00
Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) will co-host a series of four webinars on language and literacy development.
Learn More
The webinars will provide resources to share with families and use in classrooms and centers. The free webinars will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

January 14: Communication and the Growing Brain
January 28: The Vocabulary of Emotions
February 11: Embedding Language and Literacy Throughout the Day – registration coming soon
February 25: Getting Creative with Writing Development – registration coming soon

Attendees will be able to earn PQAS credit hours, Infant Toddler hours, and ACT48 hours.

Let’s Chat About Early Language and Literacy Webinars
2026-02-25 13:00 - 14:00
Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) will co-host a series of four webinars on language and literacy development.
Learn More
The webinars will provide resources to share with families and use in classrooms and centers. The free webinars will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:

January 14: Communication and the Growing Brain

January 28: The Vocabulary of Emotions

February 11: Embedding Language and Literacy Throughout the Day

February 25: Getting Creative with Writing Development

Attendees will be able to earn PQAS credit hours, Infant Toddler hours, and ACT48 hours.

Introduction to ASQ:SE-2
2026-02-27 13:00 - 15:00
*Attendees should have already taken ASQ-3 PD prior to this ASQ-SE2 training.
Participants will learn how to use the ASQ-SE-2® as a social-emotional developmental screening tool for children ages 3 months to 5 years.
Learn More
The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and resources to support making referrals to additional services as needed.
Upcoming sessions include:
Friday, Feb. 27 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: ZOOM
Cost: $20
Register

Wednesday, May 27 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Location: ZOOM
Cost: $20
Register

Introduction to ASQ-3
2026-03-09 18:00 - 21:00
Participants will learn how to use the ASQ-3 as a screening tool for children ages 3 months to 5 years. The session provides information on why a developmental screening tool is administered in early childhood programs, how to administer and score the screener, strategies for sharing results with families of diverse backgrounds, and supporting resources for making referrals to additional services if needed.
Monday, March 9 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Location: ZOOM

Cost: $30

Register

Friday, May 15 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Location: ZOOM

Cost: $30

Register

Questions?
For questions about the course or credit, contact Amanda Murphy at amanda@tryingtogether.org.

American Red Cross First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED Training
2026-03-14 09:00 - 15:00
Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 are partnering to provide in person and hybrid First Aid, Pediatric First Aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and automated external defibrillator (AED) trainings to early childhood professionals.
About the Course
This PQAS-certified in-person course provides life-saving skills in alliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs.
Certification will be issued upon successful completion of the course. This certification is valid for two years.
The cost is $70.
PLEASE NOTE: Successful course completion requires full participation in classroom and skill sessions, as well as successful performance in skill and knowledge evaluations.
Participants will be conducting strenuous activities, such as performing CPR on the floor. If you have a medical condition or disability that will prevent you from taking part in the skills practice sessions, please let your instructor know so that accommodations can be made for the practice portion. The CPR and AED evaluations must be completed with the manikin on the ground.
Information for Hybrid Sessions
The online coursework for hybrid sessions must be completed prior to the in-person class. Access to the online coursework will be provided via email upon completion of registration. Allow yourself 3-4 hours to complete. We advise completing the online coursework at least 48 hours prior to your in-person course. You will need to provide proof of completion by providing a copy of your completion email either printed or on your mobile device of class in order to participate in the in-person class portion of the training.
Session Details

Saturday, March 14 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Trying Together, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh
Register
Cost: $70

Saturday, May 16 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Elizabeth Seton Center (Brookline), 1900 Pioneer Ave., Pittsburgh
Register
Cost: $70

Monday, June 1 | Hybrid | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pitt CEC-Homewood, 622 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh
Register
Cost: $70

Questions?
For questions about the sessions, contact Amanda Murphy at amanda@tryingtogether.org.

Sensory Friendly Hours at Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
2026-03-15 10:00 - 13:00
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum will offer sensory friendly hours for children on days in February, March, and April.
Learn More
The museum, located at 1 Electric Way in Washington, will offer the sensory friendly hours for young visitors on February 8, March 15, April 2, and April 26 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The cost of admission is $20 for adults, $19 for seniors, $15 for children between the ages of 3 and 18, and free for visitors under 2 years of age.
Visitors will be able to explore the museum in a sensory-modified setting with quieter streetcars, lowered exhibit sounds, and soft lighting.

Kids Carnival at the River Valley Community Resource Center
2026-03-15 10:00 - 17:00
The River Valley Community Resource Center will host a Kids Carnival on Saturday, March 28.
Learn More
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the River Valley Complex in Pulaski. It will include games, vendors, bounce houses, face painting, crafts, and food and drinks.
There is free admission to the event, but any proceeds from activities will go toward Pulaski’s community library.
The library, which is intended to open in the fall, will include books, Mommy & Me sessions, youth and teen activities, educational workshops, events, computer and printer , copiers, internet, social spaces, and study rooms.
Those who intend to take part in the kids carnival should register online.

Growing Together | Utilizing Your ELRC Quality Coach: What is Their Role and How Can They Support You?
2026-03-18 18:30 - 19:30
Join Trying Together virtually every third Wednesday of the month for professional development focused on frequently requested topics relevant to early childhood educators. The topic for March is Utilizing Your ELRC Quality Coach: What is Their Role and How Can They Support You?

Participants can choose to attend any or all of the mini-sessions and registration is highly recommended. However, participants can access any session using the Zoom link.
Click here to register

Upcoming sessions in the series include:

April 15, 2026 Aligning Curriculum With Daily Practice
May 20, 2026: The ELPES (Early Learning Program Engagement Specialists) Team: Who Are They and How Can They Support Providers?
June 17, 2026 Child Development: Expectations vs. Reality
July 15, 2026 Navigating Public Policy and Systems

Each session runs from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.

Capturing Moments: Planning for and Conducting Classroom Observations
2026-03-23 18:00 - 20:00
This session will introduce early education professionals to the importance and value of purposeful observation.
Through discussions and activities, instructors will describe and strategize ways to incorporate systematic and intentional observation into daily classroom experiences. Participants will also discuss how observation can be used to support individual children and improve the overall quality of the learning environment.

When: Monday, March 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $20
Location: ZOOM
Register
