April 15, 2024 The Buzzword Is: EMERGE As part of its programming, Buzzword distributes its signature “BUZZ Boxes” to local families to help excite children from birth to age five as well as their caregivers about new words that are all around them. These family engagement kits come complete with a high-quality children’s book and enriching activities that support early literacy skills and development. This Month’s Buzzword This month’s Buzzword is EMERGE, which means to come out into view. The EMERGE Activity Book will give children – ages birth to five – and their caregivers the opportunity to connect through science, art, music, and early literacy activities. Caregivers are encouraged to read through “Bloom Boom!” by April Pulley Sayre with their child. Then, they should take part in the different activities and experiments in the EMERGE Activity Book. Time should be spent explaining the meaning of the words in the book and connecting them to their child’s life experiences. Buzzword has also provided an EMERGE book list of recommendations from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for further reading. View the EMERGE Activity Book and book recommendations. More Information Buzzword is a free literacy resource for families. BUZZ Boxes are available at local Allegheny County Family Center locations for children up to age five. Each box contains a children’s book, activity guide, and materials for completing the activities. Want to learn more on how to get involved with Buzzword? Ask your local family center about the program. You can also visit the Buzzword website or email buzzword@tryingtogether.org for more information about Buzzword.
March 1, 2024 How To Celebrate Read Across America Week March 2 – 6 is known as National Read Across America Week. This week is the nation’s largest celebration of reading. The National Education Association (NEA) established this week of celebration to educate on the importance of reading and its benefits, especially for young children and adults. The Read Across America campaign is not only emphasized in March but all year long. Read Across of America has a calendar where each month a theme is highlighted with a book of the month. This month’s theme is celebrating diversity. Alongside the inspiring calendar, Read Across America has an article on how to celebrate this special week. Some of the ideas listed in this article are: Holding a “Book Tasting” Hosting Guest Readers Having Multicultural Festival Organizing Nature Connections Introducing Music to Readers Pittsburgh Early Literacy Resources Reading does not always need to be a national celebration, but it can be a local one as well. Here is a list of local Pittsburgh Early Literacy resources: Reading Is Fundamental Pittsburgh Reading Is Fundamental Pittsburgh StoryMobile Schedule Ready4K Reading Ready Pittsburgh Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Free Book Program Hill District Early Literacy Initiative (HDELI) Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania Free Reading Tutoring Saturdays | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. For students living in the Hill District. Dance the Story at Home!, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Carlow’s Dyslexia Learning Lab, Carlow University PGH Reads Literacy Program for Beginner Readers, PGH Reads Smash Word! 412 Rhymes On Ramp to Reading Literacy Pittsburgh Classes and Tutoring, Literacy Pittsburgh Homewood Short Story Reading Group, Pitt Community Engagement Center (CEC) CLP Early Learning Courses, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
October 6, 2023 Buzzword PLAN Family Fun Night Join Buzzword as they visit the SHIM South Hills Family Center to explore their latest buzzword, PLAN, through an evening of family fun and activities featuring science, art, music and early literacy! During this event, children ages birth to five and their caregivers will engage with each other to create meaningful moments through interactive activities from their friends at the Carnegie Science Center and Pittsburgh Festival Opera. Each family will also get to take a BUZZ Box home with them! When: Thursday, November 2, 2023 | 6 – 7:30 p.m. Where: South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) South Hills Family Center, 41 Macek Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15227 Dinner will be provided. Registration prior to the event is strongly encouraged. Due to reaching maximum capacity, registration is currently CLOSED. For more information or questions on the event, contact Buzzword directly at buzzword@tryingtogether.org. Buzzword is made possible by PNC Grow Up Great® and The Allegheny County Department of Human Services.
August 28, 2023 Resources for September Observances Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them. Here is a list of resources for September observances: Month-Long Observances Attendance Awareness Month Attendance Awareness Campaign 2023, Attendance Works Key Research: Why Attendance Matters for Achievement and How Interventions Can Help, Attendance Works Baby Safety Month (BSM) Organizations Publish New Child Safety and Development Resources for Families and Educators, Trying Together Safety and Emergencies: Family Resources, Trying Together Directory for Emergency and Safety Services, Trying Together Recalls on Children’s Products, Trying Together Baby Safety Month Safety Tips, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) 5 Tips for New Parents During Baby Safety Month, SafeKids.org Childhood Cancer Awareness Month What is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Free Resources from the American Childhood Cancer Organization, American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO) Are There Disparities in Childhood Cancer?, New York State Department of Health Childhood Cancers, NIH National Cancer Institute Facts About Childhood Cancer, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Participate in a 2023 September Childhood Cancer Awareness Event, Children’s Cancer Cause National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families: The Importance of Exercise, Trying Together Parents and Caregivers Can Help Prevent Obesity and Support Healthy Growth, U.S. Department of Agriculture TOOLKIT: National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Preventing Childhood Obesity: 4 Things Families Can Do, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Help Your Child Stay at a Healthy Weight, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Newborn Screening Awareness Month Newborn Screening Portal, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) What is Newborn Screening?, Baby’s First Test Newborn Screening Tests for Your Baby, March of Dimes (MoD) About Newborn Screening, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Weeks of Recognition September 17 – 23 was Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week Car Seat Safety for Children, Trying Together Car Seats and Booster Seats Overview, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safe Kids Worldwide Car Seat Guide Videos, Safe Kids Worldwide Boost Your Child Passenger Safety Knowledge and Skills Trainings, National Child Passenger Safety Board All Children are Pedestrians! Prevention Tips and Recent Statistics, Children’s Safety Network at Education Development Center Days of Recognition September 6 was National Read a Book Day Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List, Trying Together Toolkit: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success, Trying Together Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together Books to Celebrate Gender Expression, Inclusion, and Pride, Trying Together Children’s Books About Transitions, Trying Together Children’s Books About Mental Health, Trying Together September 26 was National Family Day Family Engagement Toolkit, Trying Together Family Guide: Family Dynamics, Trying Together Strategies to Support Social-Emotional Development: A Guide for Families, Trying Together Family Transitions and Routines: Resources, Trying Together Trying Together Releases Family Resources in Spanish, Trying Together Grandfamily Tip Sheets Provide Information on Self-Care and Youth Mental Health, Trying Together Navigating Sibling Relationships, Psychology Today Foster and Adoptive Families: Supportive Strategies, PennState Better Kid Care Blended Family and Step-Parenting Tips, HelpGuide.org Keeping in Touch With Family Can Help Keep You Healthy, WebMD.com Healthy Communication in Stepfamilies, National Stepfamily Resource Center (NRSC) Get to Know Your Stepkids, National Stepfamily Resource Center (NRSC)
July 17, 2023 Story Time with the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative and Macedonia FACE Join Macedonia FACE and the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative (HDELI) for “Story Time,” featuring Guest Storyteller and author Dr. Tammi LeNez Hunt. Dr. LeNez will read her book “Sunni Rae’s World: What Are Your Super Powers?” A children’s craft/activity will precede the reading, and pizza, popsicles, and snacks will be provided. When: Wednesday, 8/16 | 5 – 6 p.m. Where: Hill House Association, Conference Room (second floor), 1835 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 To register for this event, email HDELI@macedoniaface.org or call 412-281-2573. Share this flyer with your networks.
July 14, 2023 HDELI Wild Family Literacy Night Get ready for a “roaring” good time! Join Macedonia FACE and the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative (HDELI) for a jungle-themed Wild Family Literacy Night event for families! 🦁📚 The event will be filled with family-fun activities, snacks, crafts, games, and literacy learning opportunities. When: Tuesday, 7/25 | 5 – 7 p.m. Where: Center for Family Excellence, 409 Dinwiddle Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15219 Registration required Register by email at HDELI@macedoniaface.org, or by phone at 412.281.2573. For questions, use the contact information above or visit the Macedonia FACE website.
July 5, 2023 2023 Summer Reading Programs for Young Readers Summer reading season is here! This is a great time for young readers to explore new words and books with their parent, caregiver, and other loved ones in different settings. Summer reading for early learners can look like acting out scenes from a picture book in the park with your child, or visiting a local library or family center for a story time. There are plenty of local and national summer reading programs, resources, and activities to allow early readers the opportunity to expand their vocabulary with their parent or caregiver. Find Your Voice! Summer Reading 2023, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh For the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP), summer reading is all about the celebration of self expression. Sign-up for Find Your Voice! summer reading through August 6 at any CLP branch or in the library app. On Sunday, August 13, CLP – Main in Oakland will host its end-of-summer Extravaganza!, a family-friendly outdoor festival features music, crafts, games, prizes, storytelling, and food trucks. Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, PA’s Promise for Children Join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) on their virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and early childhood education professionals can follow along with OCDEL as they travel to various Pennsylvania libraries and state parks while providing fun resources, activities, and book recommendations to support early literacy and language. All activities align with the PA Early Learning Standards and can be done anywhere. Summer Reading Field Trips, Reading is Fundamental Reading is Fundamental (RIF) has provided various reading logs, coloring sheets, and summer-themed book recommendations to keep learning fun and fresh. Parents and caregivers that take the RIF summer reading pledge will receive a copy of the book, A Sofia Special, one of the books featured in RIF’s summer collection. Summer Reading Camp, Half-Priced Books Young readers can join Summer Reading Camp by visiting a local Half Price Books through July 31 to pick up interactive reading logs, sticker sheets and more, while supplies last. Families that register for the camp will have access to reading recommendations, crafts, and other literacy activities. Scholastic Summer Reading Program, Scholastic The Scholastic Summer Reading program offers children an exciting, free, and safe summer reading experience, while helping to provide books to kids with limited or no access over the summer. Through Thursday, September 7, children can visit the summer zone in Scholastic Home Base, a completely free digital destination which offers stories, characters, games, and a community of readers. Home Base is moderated for safety 24/7. Bookworm Wednesdays, Showcase Cinemas Bookworm Wednesdays entitles children to free admission to a select children’s film when they present a book report at a participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase, or Multiplex Cinemas box office. Accompanying parents or caregivers and children younger than age six receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report. More Programs Check out other summer reading programs from Mille’s Ice Cream and Pizza Hut. Alternatively, parents and caregivers can also visit their local library, family center, or community resource space to learn more about local summer reading programs.
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.
Buzzword Five SENSES Family Night Join Buzzword as we visit the Greater Hazelwood Family Center for an evening of family fun and activities featuring science, art, music and early literacy! During this event, children ages birth to five and their caregivers will have the opportunity to come together and explore elements of our newest BUZZ Box, featuring our latest Buzzword: SENSES. Together, we will explore our five SENSES through interactive activity stations, each focusing on one of the SENSES: sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch. Each family will also get to take a BUZZ Box home with them! Dinner will be provided. Registration prior to the event is strongly encouraged. When: Wednesday, June 14 | 5 – 6:30 p.m. Where: Greater Hazelwood Family Center (inside), 5006 Second Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15207 Register Here For more information or questions on the event, contact Buzzword directly at buzzword@tryingtogether.org. Come check out what all the BUZZ is about, and explore new words with us! Share the flyer with your networks. Buzzword is made possible by PNC Grow Up Great® and The Allegheny County Department of Human Services.
