Carnegie Library: Extravaganza
2025-07-11 08:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Main (Oakland) branch will host its outdoor Summer Reading Extravaganza in August that will include storytelling, music, crafts, food trucks, and more.
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The event will include an interactive presentation by award-winning author Antwan Eady on his book “Nigel and the Moon.” Free copies of the book will be distributed to attendees and a Q&A will follow the presentation.
A National Aviary expert will present “Amazing Adaptations,” during which children will be able to discover a bird’s unique characteristics and explore bio facts, such as feet, feathers, and beaks.
Puppets for Pittsburgh will present “Aesop’s Fables,” a puppet show made entirely from things discarded by libraries.
SQUONK will create an outdoor spectacle by fusing fantastical visual design, playful staging, and original music. SQUONK’s “Brouhaha” performance brings audiences together for a celebration of humankind and our peculiar world.
Other activities and attendees include Animal Friends, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Mad Science, Moonshot Museum, Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library, Reading Ready Pittsburgh, and various other organizations, food trucks, and businesses.
The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10.
For more information, visit the Extravaganza website.

Story Time at the Hub
2025-07-15 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-07-22 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-07-29 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-08-05 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-08-12 10:30 - 11:15, 2025-08-19 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.

Tummy Time
2025-07-16 10:00 - 10:45, 2025-07-23 10:00 - 10:45, 2025-07-30 10:00 - 10:45, 2025-08-06 10:00 - 10:45, 2025-08-13 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
2025-07-16 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-23 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-30 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-06 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-08-13 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.

Growing Together | Preparing the Classroom Environment to Support Social-Emotional Regulation
2025-07-16 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 July 16 session is focused on Preparing the Classroom Environment to Support Social-Emotional Regulation
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

The other sessions in the series include:

August 20: Resilience in the Classroom: What to Do When Things Fall Apart
September 17: Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Families
October 15: From Conflict to Connection: Better Collaboration with Collages
November 19, 2025: Career Pathways in Early Childhood
December 17, 2025: Introducing the Early Intervention Toolkit
January 21, 2026: Reframing Children’s “Challenging” Behaviors
February 18, 2026: Building and Maintaining Positive Relationships with Parents
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.

Community of Practice for Home-Based Educators
2025-07-22 18:30 - 20:00
ELRC Region 5 is hosting Communities of Practice for home-based early learning educators to discuss topics of interest, ask questions, and offer insight and inspiration to one another.
Learn More
Meetings occur virtually every other Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The sessions include:

March 25: Certification and Announcements
April 8: Handbooks and Policies
April 22: Health and Safety/Emergency Plans/Fire and Emergency Drills
May 13: Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
May 27: Lesson Plans and Daily Schedules
June 10: Outdoor Spaces
June 24: Professional Development Training and Resources
July 8: Keystone STARS – Star 2 Designation
July 22: Keystone STARS – Star 3 and Star 4 Designations/National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation

Each of the sessions will be held on Zoom. For more information, contact Kathy Wolfe by email at Kathy.elrc@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-224-0416.

Head Start Community of Practice: Fiscal Friends
2025-07-23 13:00 - 14:30
The Pennsylvania Head Start Association will host Community of Practice: Fiscal Friends on Wednesday, July 23.
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The Community of Practice event is designed for fiscal staff to connect, share experiences, and work together on challenges unique to their roles. The virtual space provides an opportunity for open dialogue, problem-solving, and collaboration in a supportive and welcoming environment.
Discussion during the event will include:

Collaborative networking
Actionable insights
Continuous reflection and growth

The virtual event will run from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on July 23. Registration is open.

Webinar: Parents' Day & Evidence on the Role of Partnership
2025-07-28 15:00 - 16:00
To celebrate Parents’ Day, Heckman Digest is hosting a webinar that features research regarding the vital role that parents play in family health and economic potential.
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Professor Tamara McGavock, of Grinnell College and the University of Chicago, will present the impact of sharing household labor between parents and its influence on mental health.
Dr. Richard Reeves, of the American Institute for Boys and Men, will discuss how fatherhood impact boys and men facing challenges in school, work, and family life.
The webinar is aimed at those who are investigating gender equality and household labor, supporting parents from divorce background, or advocating for early intervention and family outcomes.
The webinar runs from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET on Monday, July 28.
Registration is now open.

Quality Foundations for Early Learning Virtual Conference
2025-07-29 - 2025-07-30
Quality Foundations for Early Learning will hold a virtual conference in July that focuses on preparing for the upcoming school year.
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This virtual event is intended for fellow education managers, disability services managers, and coaches. Its aim is to plan for pre-service training and extending learning.
The event will have a music-inspired theme and will include practical strategies for transforming one’s work.
The conference’s key topics will include:

Strengthening leadership skills to create impactful learning environments
Promoting effective practices for all children and families
Coaching education staff to implement effective practices
Building your capacity to support infant and toddler development

The conference will run from July 29 to 30. Register now.

National Night Out
2025-08-05 16:30 - 19:00
Frick Park’s National Night Out, an event that promotes police-community partnerships, on Tuesday, Aug. 5 will include a variety of crafts and games for attendees.
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The event will run from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Riverview Trail in Frick Park. It will include crafts, games, scavenger hunts, vehicle tours, and more.
For more information, check out the event’s flier.

Introduction to ASQ-3
2025-08-05 18:00 - 21:00
FREE PD for Allegheny County Providers ONLY
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.
Tuesday, Aug. 5 | 6:00 – 09:00 p.m.

Location: 5604 Solway St, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Register

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

Supervision 101
2025-08-07 18:30 - 19:30
The ELRC Region 5 is offering the following professional development opportunity for your team of early learning educators.
Supervision 101
This live webinar will give a foundational overview of supervision in licensed early childhood programs. This course will focus on the supervision aspects of the DHS Certification Regulations for child care in PA. The participants will be able to define supervision per the regulations. This session will also focus on ratio, scenarios, and the vital importance of supervision in child care.
This is an excellent course for new early childhood professionals or for those who might need a refresher.
This session is eligible for 1 hour of PQAS and Act 48 credit.
Session Details

Thursday, Aug.7 | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom
Cost: $10
Register

Standards: Health and Safety
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
2025-08-11 10:00 - 13:00
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

Friday, Sept. 19 | Full Class | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Trying Together, 5604 Solway St., Pittsburgh
Register
Cost: $70

Tuesday, Oct. 14 | Full Class | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd., Monroeville
Register
Cost: $70

Wednesday, Nov. 12| Hybrid | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Pitt CEC-Homewood, 622 N. Homewood Ave., Pittsburgh
Register
Cost: $70

Thursday, Jan. 15 | Hybrid | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
HeartPrints, 850 Cranberry Woods Drive #1227, Room 2219, Cranberry Township
Register
Cost: $70

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.

Introduction to ASQ:SE-2
2025-08-12 18:30 - 20:30
*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:
November 3 | 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Location: ZOOM
Cost: $20
Register

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

Brazelton Touchpoints Center: Navigating Challenging Conversations
2025-08-14 15:00 - 16:30
Brazelton Touchpoints Center will offer a workshop in August that explores what causes people to experience conversations as challenging.
Learn More
Navigating Challenging Conversations is a three-part, live interactive webinar series that is aimed at professionals who work with families of young children, including child care educators, family child care providers, home visitors, pediatricians, early intervention educators, and more.
The series will explore how individual contexts and preconceived notions may affect when and how we experience conversations as challenging. Participants will practice applying a strengths-based approach to effectively engage in challenging conversations.
The webinar will run from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET on the following Thursdays:

Aug. 14: The Why of Challenging Conversations
Aug. 21: The What of Challenging Conversations
Aug. 28: The How of Challenging Conversations

After the series, a 4.5 clock hour certificate will be provided to apply to continuing education credits for physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists.
For more information, visit the series’ website.

Kindergarten Here I Come at Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
2025-08-16 09:00 - 12:00
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh sets aside a day each year to celebrate the start of a young child’s formal educational journey – kindergarten – with a variety of activities and resources to prepare children and caregivers for the milestone.
Learn More
The museum will celebrate the class of 2038 on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Activities will include:

A school bus ride that includes meeting a crossing guard
Readiness skills activities such as shoelace tying
Back-to-school giveaways
Resources for parents on topics such as vaccinations, library assets, and healthy lunches
A chance to explore the museum

The event is free for rising kindergartners, children under age 2, and one caregiver. Admission is $8 for additional guests and $2 for those who qualify for the Museums for All discount.

Black Transformative Arts Network: Creative Black Futures
2025-08-17 14:00 - 18:00
The Black Transformative Arts Network will host an afternoon of art, music, and movement at Creative Black Futures 2025 on Sunday, Aug. 17.
Learn More
The event will feature an art exhibition and showcase that uplifts the visions and voices of Black youth from around Allegheny County. The event is hosted by Ahmed Tacumba, of The Future is Black, and Nate the Barber will provide a DJ set.
The event runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 17 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater in Pittsburgh. Admission is free.
The day’s schedule includes:

Art exhibition (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
Music and dance showcase (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Post-show reception (5 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
