May 25, 2023 Webinar: Navigating Conversations with Families about Childhood Vaccines The topic of childhood vaccines is on parents’ minds more than ever but also has become more sensitive for educators to discuss with families than many other concerns. Penn State Extension Better Kid Care will host a webinar for teachers and caregivers of young children about how to discuss childhood vaccines with families on Wednesday, May 31 at 1 p.m. The webinar will dive into why these conversations are uncomfortable at times and how professionals can approach them in ways that stay true to fact-based information while also preserving their relationships with families. Register Certificates will not be issued for attending the webinar. Attendees will receive a confirmation email as proof of their participation. They must attend from their own device in order to receive the confirmation email.
May 23, 2023 Reducing Lead Exposures in Early Learning Centers Join Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) on Tuesday, May 30 for a free webinar focusing on deep cleaning information and resources for early learning centers. During this session, attendees will learn more about the WHE lending library for cleaning equipment. Early learning providers in southwest PA are encouraged to attend. When: Tuesday, 5/30 | 6 – 7:30 p.m. Register Check out the webinar flyer for more information.
May 11, 2023 PA’s Promise For Children Recognizes Teachers, Requests Nominations for Teacher Appreciation Week In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children is sharing the stories of inspiring educators and encouraging families to nominate teachers for recognition. About Teacher Appreciation Week Teacher Appreciation Week is the first full week in May. The week got its start as National Teacher Appreciation Day in 1953, when Eleanor Roosevelt asked Congress to set aside a day to recognize educators. The day gained official recognition as a March holiday in 1980, after the National Education Association (NEA) successfully lobbied Congress. In 1984, the National Parent Teacher Association expanded the designation to its current week, and moved the celebration to May. Teacher Appreciation Week recognizes the role teachers play in children’s lives and provides time for students, parents, and caregivers to celebrate the work of educators. Read Teacher Stories To read about teachers who have made a significant impact on the lives of children, visit the PA’s Promise for Children website. Nominate a Teacher for Recognition It’s not too late to nominate teachers for recognition! To nominate a teacher, email the following to Mary at marhal@pakeys.org: the teacher’s name and early learning program or school a brief story about the teacher that explains their impact and what makes them special a picture of your student with the teacher Learn More The above information on the history of Teacher Appreciation Week was compiled from USA Today, NEA, and Hallmark. To learn more, visit the PA’s Promise for Children website.
May 10, 2023 Storytelling Spectacular Summer Camp – Afternoon Session Summer doesn’t have to mean their learning is over! Budding artists can learn something new or explore their favorite art forms during Trust Arts Education Camps for Creatives. For early learners (ages three-to-five), there will be two half day sessions focused on storytelling and early literacy. Storytelling Spectacular Summer Camp is created for the youngest audiences in mind. This camp will engage learners three- to five-years-old in the world of storytelling. Storytelling occurs in many different ways–teaching artists will lead the students in visual art, creative play, movement, and music. When: Monday, July 24 | Afternoon session begins at 1 p.m. Where: Trust Arts Education Center, 807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222 Afternoon Session Details: Critters of all shapes and sizes will guide the storytelling for the afternoon sessions. Campers will experience stories about different animals and engage with the stories through all mediums of art; move your body like jungle critters, create a visual representation of sea critters, make sounds like farm critters–the possibilities are endless! We ensure a seamless and quick drop off and pick up process for all summer camps. Students will be ready to go when you arrive between 3:30 – 4 p.m. Students should plan to pack a lunch, water, and snacks. Campers must be FULLY potty-trained prior to the beginning of camp. If the cost of these camps is a hindrance to your participation, please email george@trustarts.org. To learn more and grab your tickets, visit Storytelling Spectacular Afternoon Session event page.
Storytelling Spectacular Summer Camp – Morning Session Summer doesn’t have to mean their learning is over! Budding artists can learn something new or explore their favorite art forms during Trust Arts Education Camps for Creatives. For early learners (ages three-to-five), there will be two half day sessions focused on storytelling and early literacy. Storytelling Spectacular Summer Camp is created for the youngest audiences in mind. This camp will engage learners three- to five-years-old in the world of storytelling. Storytelling occurs in many different ways–teaching artists will lead the students in visual art, creative play, movement, and music. When: Monday, July 24 | Morning session begins at 9 a.m. Where: Trust Arts Education Center, 807 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222 Morning Session Details: Dragons, princesses and princes, kings and queens, and fairy tales guide the storytelling for the morning session. Campers will experience what it means to immerse themselves in fantasy stories through all mediums of art. We ensure a seamless and quick drop off and pick up process for all summer camps. Students will be ready to go when you arrive between 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Students should plan to pack a lunch, water, and snacks. Campers must be FULLY potty-trained prior to the beginning of camp. If the cost of these camps is a hindrance to your participation, please email george@trustarts.org. To learn more and grab your tickets, visit Storytelling Spectacular Morning Session event page.
April 20, 2023 ELRC Region 5 Shares Resources and Information on Facebook Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5 makes resources and information available on social media. With an active presence on Facebook, ELRC Region 5 provides families, early learning service providers, and communities support for their child care needs in real time. Learn More Social media managers post to the ELRC Region 5 Facebook page at least once a day, providing the most up-to-date early childhood news, professional development opportunities, family events, ELRC Region 5 office hours, Child Care Works (CCW) information, family assistance opportunities, and more. Facebook users interested in receiving daily information from ELRC Region 5 should like or follow the ELRC Region 5 page. For additional resources and information from ELRC Region 5, subscribe to the monthly ELRC Region 5 Family Newsletter, or weekly ELRC Region 5 Providers Newsletter.
Strategies to Foster Risk Taking During Outdoor Play Outdoor play is part of developmentally appropriate practice, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children spend 60 minutes daily working their large muscles. To support children in their outdoor play, early childhood educators can reframe their views of risk taking by acknowledging the developmental benefits of taking risks and working to remove barriers and boundaries that limit open, free play. The National Association for the Education of Young Child (NAEYC) has provided the following five strategies to help early childhood educators foster risk taking in play: Examine Existing Beliefs Educators’ personal experiences and perceptions inform their actions and reactions to a child engaged in risky play. Educators can reflect on their own beliefs by asking certain questions to gauge how they champion or avoid risking taking. Taking time to self reflect in this way can help educators to determine how to foster risk and gauge the limitations they may place on risk taking and play. Those introspective questions can include: Am I a risk taker? What worries me about taking risks? What excites me about taking risks? What childhood memories do I have of taking a risk? Get to Know the Child and Environment Teachers and children are familiar with their programs’ outdoor play spaces. Thanks to this familiarity, educators can evaluate the terrain and the safety of each structure and piece of equipment, including asking essential questions like: How might each child navigate the space? What hurdles may they face? What kind of support may I need to offer? When should I offer it? Become an Observer Outdoor spaces are designed to foster running, jumping, swinging, climbing, and moving over uneven terrain. As children move, early childhood educators should pay attention to their fine and large motor abilities, taking note when a child hesitates or pauses while engaged in a task or with others. Through observation, teachers will develop an understanding of a child’s ability to appraise and respond to risk. Model and Encourage Children grow in their ability to appraise risk by observing others’ play and movement. Educators can support risk taking by engaging in it themselves and expressing their thoughts verbally. This models the internal dialogue that occurs when assessing risks and challenges. Such modeling can help children learn self-regulation as they examine their thoughts and feelings and determine their next steps. When to Intervene While acknowledging that risk taking is developmentally appropriate and a healthy part of early childhood, educators often find themselves in a paradox: they want to foster risky play and urge children to step out of their comfort zones, but they also must ensure safety. Educators should insert themselves in a risky play scenario if: the level of risk could lead to serious injury; a child demonstrates emotional distress or fear; or the structure or environment is hazardous (ice on play surfaces, broken glass, construction). Learn More To learn more about developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood development and education, be sure to visit the Trying Together Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series.
May 16 Primary Election Information and Key Dates On Tuesday, May 16, voters across the United States will vote in the primary elections. What does your primary election voting plan look like? Be sure to dedicate time today to check your voter registration status, review what options you have to cast your vote, and create your personal voting timeline ahead of the 2023 Primary Elections. Key Primary Election Dates Mark your calendar for these key dates: May 1, 2023 – Last day to register to vote before the May 16 election. May 2, 2023 – Attend the Nonpartisan Countywide Candidate Forum to submit your questions and hear statements from Allegheny County candidates. May 9, 2023 – Last day to apply for Absentee or Mail in Ballot. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. The Mail-In Ballot Application is also available in Spanish. May 16, 2023 – Last day to return Mail In or Absentee Ballots. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Register to Vote The deadline to register to vote is May 1, 2023. If you are not registered, register now by completing the Voter Registration Application. If you are uncertain of your registration status, check it using the Pennsylvania Department of State Voter Registration Status Tool. Voter Registration Applications are also available in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Online voter registration is open until 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2023. Find Your Polling Place Not sure where to vote? Use the Pennsylvania Department of State Polling Place Search Tool to locate your polling place for election day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any person in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote. Poll Workers The Elections Division is currently seeking and assigning poll workers. Demonstrate your civic participation by serving on Election Day as a Judge, Inspector or Clerk of Election. Poll workers, also referred to as election officers, earn from $150 to $175 for the day. New poll workers also receive paid training. Learn more about the Poll Worker Application process if you are interested participating in the May 16 primary election as a poll worker. First Time Voter Information First-time voters, including individuals that are voting for the first-time at the polling place, will be asked to show an approved form of identification. Approved forms of photo ID (Remember, the ID must be valid and not expired.) PA driver’s license or ID card issued by PennDOT ID issued by any other Commonwealth agency ID issued by the U.S. Government U.S. Passport U.S. Armed Forces ID Student ID Employee ID Approved forms of non-photo ID (The ID must include the name and address of the elector) Voter’s identification card issued by the voter registration commission Non-photo ID issued by the Commonwealth Non-photo ID issued by the U.S. Government Firearm permit Current utility bill Current bank statement Current paycheck Government check Visit the Pennsylvania Voter Services website for all of your voting information questions. Learn More If have questions about your registration status, polling place, or the May 16 election, visit the Allegheny County Elections website or contact the county election office at 412.350.4500. Address Allegheny County Elections Division 542 Forbes Ave., Suite 312 Pittsburgh, PA 15219-2953 Hours Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
April 11, 2023 Dancing Our Way Through STEM Providing children with opportunities to explore creative movement can spark so many natural connections to STEM concepts. During this interactive workshop provided through the Trust Arts Education Center, early childhood and K-12 educators will participate in a variety of dance focused strategies that will deepen understanding in science math, ingenuity, and other fundamental STEM concepts. Participants will have the opportunity to demonstrate their own creative movement techniques that can support student’s STEM learning. Breakfast will be included. PQAS and ACT 48 Credit available. To learn more and register, visit the Trust Arts Education Center event page.
April 5, 2023 Applications Open for Educators’ Neighborhood 2023-24 Cohort The application for the 2023-24 cohort of the Fred Rogers Institute Educators’ Neighborhood is now open. Educators’ Neighborhood is a community of educators who learn together through the life and work of Fred Rogers by studying artifacts from the Fred Rogers Archive and connecting ideas to daily practice. All applications must be submitted by May 26 at 5 p.m. About Educators’ Neighborhood This year-long opportunity brings together a cohort of educators from across the world who learn together, primarily through virtual meetings, and consider how to deepen their application of Fred Rogers’ work and theory to their work with children. The Fred Rogers Institute defines “educators” as any adult who directly serves children, youth, families, and/or other educators. Members of the 2023-24 cohort will have opportunities to participate in community discussion, present to other educators and leaders in the community, and attend: monthly whole community meetings to connect with educators across different contexts monthly small group meetings with other educators from similar contexts an opening and closing community convening to prepare for and reflect on learning from the year a mid-year community convening featuring presentations from educators within the community Application Process Before completing the application, applicants may want to consider and prepare responses to the open-response questions. Those questions include: Why do you want to be part of the Educators’ Neighborhood community? (50-100 words) What questions and topics would you like to explore with others in the community? (25-50 words) “There’s a world of difference between insisting on someone’s doing something and establishing an atmosphere in which that person can grow into wanting to do it.” What comes to mind as you reflect on this quote in the context of your work? (50-100 words) To apply, visit the Fred Rogers Institute website and complete the online application. Learn More To learn more, visit the Fred Rodgers Institute website or sign up for the Educators’ Neighborhood newsletter.
