News

March 2, 2021

Study Opportunity: Parents Promoting Early Learning

Are you interested in participating in a fun, compensated research study? Sign up for the University of Pittsburgh’s Parents Promoting Early Learning study!

About

Parents Promoting Early Learning studies how parents and their two-year-old children (up to 38 months) interact and how such interactions help prepare the child for school. Due to COVID-19, this study will be conducted online. Laptops and WiFi are available by request.

Requirements

Study participants will be compensated and must complete:

    • two to three online video calls where the parent and child complete games and assessments,
    • questionnaires and interviews about the child’s development and activities, and
    • a one-year follow-up visit for more games and assessments.

Enrollment

If you are interested in enrolling, complete the study contact form.

More Information

For questions, please contact ppel@pitt.edu or 412.204.6845.

Share this flyer with your network.

News

December 28, 2020

New Study on Racial Socialization and Young Children

Point Park University Doctoral Candidate Sherlyn Harrison recently launched a new research study to learn how parents’ racial socialization practices can be integrated into early childhood classrooms.

About

Like adults, young African American children experience racism. To protect and prepare their children for the harsh reality of living in a racist society, African American parents have historically conveyed racial socialization practices. Racial socialization practices build resilience and promote positive racial identity development among young African American children.

To explore how parents’ racial socialization practices can be integrated into early childhood classroom settings, Point Park University Doctoral Candidate Sherlyn Harrison launched a new research study entitled, “Racial Socialization and Young Children.”

If you are interested in participating in the study, complete this online survey.

Survey Expectations

Survey participants will be asked six questions, including a list of demographic items that best describe you. By completing the survey and clicking submit, survey respondents consent to participate in the study. The study should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.

Following the survey, participants will be invited to talk with the researcher further about the topic. To be invited, survey participants must provide their contact information in the space provided in the survey. Within a week, the researcher will contact you to schedule an interview on Zoom. The interview will consist of open-ended questions to gain more information about how the survey respondent communicates and engages with young African American children regarding race.

More Information

Participation in this study and all personal information provided will be kept confidential at all times. Participants’ names will never appear on any survey or research instruments. If you have any questions, please contact 412.583.3658 or semichi@pointpark.edu.

News

December 23, 2020

Understanding the Behavior of Grieving Children

Join the Highmark Caring Place on January 13 for their webinar “The Curious Observer: Understanding the Behavior of Grieving Children” to learn how behaviors can serve as a manifestation of children’s grief.

About

We often misunderstand grief in children, or mistakenly believe that children do not experience grief at all. Yet, anyone old enough to love is old enough to grieve. Because young children and infants experience and respond to grief in unique ways, their grief is not always clear to adults and caregivers. Children’s grief can even be masked for adults because children communicate via their behaviors, such as play.

Since it can be difficult for children to verbally express their complicated and confusing feelings about the death of their loved one, especially during times of grief and loss, it’s important that we understand behaviors such as play as ways of communication. This webinar will discuss how behaviors can serve as a manifestation of children’s grief. As a caring adult, you will learn activities and interactions that can support the children in your life through their grief work.

Featured Topics

During the webinar, participants will:

    • learn how behavior (such as play) is a form of communication for children from birth into adulthood,
    • recognize how behaviors can serve as an expression of a child’s grief, and
    • identify activities and interactions that support children in their grief work.

Registration

To register for this event, visit the online registration page.

Share this flyer with your network.

News

December 9, 2020

COVID-19: Resources for Parents and Caregivers

If you are a parent, caregiver, or family member living in Pennsylvania, it’s important to remain calm, prepare, and take precautionary measures to maintain the health and wellbeing of yourself, your family, and the community. Continue reading below for a brief overview of COVID-19 and a list of family and caregiver resources.

 


PA 2.1.1 Southwest

If you require assistance and would like to access an extensive list of family and caregiver resources, please call 2.1.1 or text your zip code to 898.211 to receive text alerts. For more information or to receive support, visit the 2.1.1 website.

PA 2.1.1 Southwest seeks to provide an easy-to-remember phone number and web resource for finding health and human services for everyday needs and in crisis situations, serving the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland.


 

An Overview of COVID-19

COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus not previously seen in humans. Because the virus impacts the respiratory system, common symptoms of infection include fever, dry cough, tiredness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. However, WHO states that some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and diarrhea. After being infected with COVID-19, individuals generally display mild symptoms that begin gradually, but some people who become infected may not develop any symptoms at all and may feel healthy.

To learn more about COVID-19 and the steps you can take to reduce your family’s risk of infection, read our recent news post. This post also includes information about what to do after infection, information on how it spreads, and links to several other organizations and entities that can provide more information.

Guidance for Pennsylvanians

As of May 31, COVID mitigation orders are lifted in Pennsylvania. The order requiring universal face coverings was lifted statewide on June 28, 2021. The Pennsylvania Department of Health still urges Pennsylvanians to follow CDC guidance on wearing masks where required by law, rules, and regulations, including healthcare, local businesses, and workplace guidance.

Search for Child Care

If your family is in need of child care, visit the Allegheny Child Care website to search for programs in Allegheny County or visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website to search for programs throughout Pennsylvania.

Meals for Children

The Summer Food Service Program distributes free Grab ‘n Go Meals to children at 13 CitiPark and 34 partner locations in Pittsburgh. Meals are available to children up to the age of 18, and to individuals with disabilities up to 21 years old. This program runs from June 11 through August 13, 2021 (dates vary by location). To learn more, visit the program webpage or call 412.571.3291.

 

 


 

Resources

Information about COVID-19

Talking with Children

Prevention

After Infection

Impacts on Child Care, School, and Work

At-Home Activities

Fact Sheets and Guides

Informational Flyers

Recorded Webinars

Mental Health

Receiving Support

Multilingual Resources

Curated Lists

Contacts and Information

More Information

For more information about COVID-19, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or World Health Organization (WHO) websites.

News

November 24, 2020

Stay and Play!

Early learning programs: Are you interested in participating in music, movement, wellness, science, and creative expression activities with your children? Join Trying Together and the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative for the eight-week virtual “Stay and Play!” series.

Stay and Play!

Many providers face the challenge of juggling virtual learning for school-age children while keeping younger children engaged. To help support this work, Trying Together and the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative reimagined the Come Play! experience.

As part of the eight-week “Stay and Play!” series, we invite early learning programs to participate in a weekly virtual playdate. Join in music, movement, wellness, science, and creative expression activities that make play a joyful part of the day.

Available Sessions

More Information

Registration preferred 24 hours in advance. Contact Sarah Byrne-Houser at sarah@tryingtogether.org to register at any time.

Please share this flyer with your networks.

News

November 23, 2020

2018-2020 Community Report Now Available

In 2018 Trying Together rebranded and embarked on its Strategic Roadmap. Now two-years in, Trying Together pauses to reflect on what has been accomplished, what still needs to be done, and what has changed in the midst of these turbulent times in the 2018 – 2020 Trying Together Community Report. Moving forward, Trying Together will provide an updated version of this report biennially to share continued progress and future plans.

More Information

Caregivers of young children today are facing unprecedented challenges. From extensive changes in the early learning field to the current COVID-19 pandemic and more, adults and children are being asked to try together to grow and learn in ways like never before. In response, Trying Together has strived to continue supporting parents and educators so they know how much they and their efforts are appreciated.

The newest Community Report provides an overview of the work that Trying Together has accomplished in the last two fiscal years, with the following outcomes in mind.

By 2022, Trying Together will be:

  • A national leader offering its expertise in coordinating and connecting systems at the neighborhood, local, and regional levels to support early childhood development and early learning.
  • The premier provider of in-person and online professional growth opportunities for home, center, and school-based professionals to ensure that every child has access to high-quality early childhood and early learning experiences.
  • A ‘go to source’ for families to aid them in making well-informed decisions regarding their child’s early experiences.
  • An expert policy resource in western Pennsylvania and a leading advocate for high-quality early care and education in the state, mobilizing its network to take action on issues important to young children and their families.

About Trying Together

Trying Together supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them. Trying Together works regionally (in Southwestern Pennsylvania) and takes its expertise and models to statewide and national audiences.

News

November 17, 2020

Child Care Programs: Submit Your Experience

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is conducting a survey to gather information from the early childhood field to inform federal and state actions on child care. This survey is intended for early learning professionals.

About

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NAEYC has been collecting survey responses from early learning professionals to convey the challenges child care programs are facing across states and settings. Data collected through this survey will be shared with policymakers to build a deeper understanding of the ongoing urgency of the challenges programs are facing.

Early childhood educators can answer the questions regardless of whether their child care program is open, closed, or somewhere in between, and regardless of what kind of child care program they work in, or what role they have there.

Take The Survey

To submit your experience, complete the online survey by November 22, 2020. NAEYC will select 10 respondents at random to receive a $50 gift card. Winners will be notified on December 18, 2020.

More Information

For more information, contact advocacy@naeyc.org.

News

November 16, 2020

2020 SOC Symposium | Father Family Involvement

Are you interested in learning how Pennsylvania can build better futures for children through greater father family involvement? Join the National Association of Social Workers on December 1, 8, and 15 for the 2020 SOC Symposium. This event is virtual.

About

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Includes a brief presentation of Pennsylvania’s Journey to ensure child wellbeing, safety, and permanency for every child within the Commonwealth, as well as personal interviews with two Distinguished Pennsylvania System Change Leaders for Greater Father Family Involvement: “From Whence They Come.”

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Addresses the consequences of Father Absence and or Father Non-Involvement, and the need to move forward, a diverse group of expert panelists will help participants to unravel the question, “Are Fathers intentionally included, or not, in Pennsylvania’s child and family services and programming that are designed to enhance well-being outcomes for both?”

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

A Call to Action, as the Symposium comes to a close, with Media Q&A. Drs. Myers, Goode, Horn will emphasize why this mission is so crucial and will illuminate the strategy for moving Pennsylvania forward now!

Registration

To register for the Symposium, visit the event webpage. Online registration will be available until December 1, 2020. CEU credits available.

More Information

For registration questions, please contact Asagen.naswpa@socialworkers.org.

Share this flyer with your network.

News

November 12, 2020

Make the Most of Learning at Home With PBS KIDS

Are you interested in learning how to develop a learning routine for your family and increase your child’s motivation to learn? Join PBS Kids on November 18 for their online event, “Make the Most of Learning at Home With PBS KIDS.”

About

With children across the country learning at home, parents and caregivers are facing new challenges. PBS KIDS invites parents and caregivers of children ages five to eight to come together for a discussion with educators, a child psychologist, and fellow parents. Get ideas on how to use PBS KIDS resources to encourage everyday playful learning. Presenters will answer questions and share tips on how you can maintain a strong connection with your child’s school, help your child stay motivated to learn, and develop a learning routine for your family.

Registration

To register for this event, visit the PBS Kids website.

News

November 10, 2020

Supporting the Voices of Grieving Children

Join the Highmark Caring Place on November 19 for their webinar “Can You Hear Us Now? Supporting the Voices of Grieving Children” to learn about unique grief responses seen in children, ways to practice self-care, and opportunities to elevate the voices of grieving children.

About

Children’s Grief Awareness Day provides an opportunity for all to raise awareness of the painful impact that the death of a loved one has in the life of a child, and an opportunity to make sure that these children receive the support they need. It’s a day on which often-unnoticed kids can become heard for a change. A day when all of us can take the time to realize how much it can help grieving children for them to get support.

In this webinar, presenters will work to educate the community about children who are grieving, equip peers and adults to become companions for grieving children, and honor the children and their loved ones who have died.

Featured Topics

During the webinar, participants will:

    • learn about the background and vision of Children’s Grief Awareness Day;
    • gain knowledge of the unique grief responses seen in children;
    • understand the ways that encountering grief and offering support can be challenging, and explore ways of practicing self-care; and
    • identify one to two ways they can elevate the voices of grieving children by raising awareness in their own school, community, or place of work throughout the year.

Registration

To register for this event, visit the event webpage.

Share this flyer with your network.