January 31, 2023 Buzz, Buzz, Buzz at The Hub! – SHARE BUZZ Box Series Join Buzzword for a series of family fun events at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center in March! The focus of these events is to give children from birth to age five, and their caregivers, the opportunity to explore elements of our newest BUZZ Box, featuring our latest Buzzword: SHARE. Together, we will SHARE stories of our friends, families, communities, and cultures through art, dance, singing, science, and reading. 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. Register: March 15, 2023 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! Buzzword is made possible by PNC Grow Up Great® and The Allegheny County Department of Human Services.
December 5, 2022 Buzzword In-Person Event at The Kingsley Association Center Join Buzzword for an in-Person family event on Saturday, December 10, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at The Kingsley Association where there will be snacks, activities, music, dancing, and crafts for children, as well as a reading of “The Nutcracker”, followed by a special Nutcracker dance instruction from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Lunch will be served from 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. From 2 – 2:30 p.m., Pittsburgh Ballet Theater will lead a singing of “The Buzzword Song” and then a reading of “The Nutcracker” Next from 2:30 – 3 p.m., Pittsburgh Ballet Theater will hold a Nutcracker dance instruction. Children will learn 2 new dances. Get ready to move your body and join the dance party! Finally, children will get the chance to get crafty with a few Activity Stations hosted by Buzzword collaborative members: Pittsburgh Ballet Theater The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center East Liberty Family Center Trying Together Those that attend will also get an opportunity to learn more about the Buzzword program and our signature “BUZZ Box”, a family engagement kit complete with a high-quality children’s book and enriching activities that support early literacy skills and development. Don’t worry adults, you’ll be able to join in on the fun as we raffle off a gift basket! For more information or questions, contact Katie at katiek@tryingtogether.org. Check out the event flyer for more details, or check-in for the event on the Buzzword Facebook page.
October 5, 2022 October is Dyslexia Awareness Month Dyslexia Awareness Month in October aims to support those with this learning difficulty. Dyslexia is not a disorder of any kind; but it is a learning impairment that causes problems with writing, reading, and spelling. About The intelligence of dyslexic people is unaffected. This misunderstanding of the condition leads to stigmas, which Dyslexia Awareness Month aims to eradicate. The International Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as the following: “Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede growth of vocabulary and background knowledge.” Resources In support of Dyslexia Awareness Month, Trying Together, as well as our Buzzword program, have provided resources on dyslexia, and other learning impairments: “Dyslexia” Isn’t a Dirty Word: Let’s End the Stigma and Get Students the Training They Need (Pittsburgh Business Journals) How to Teach Kids With Dyslexia to Read (Child Mind Institute) Understanding Dyslexia (Child Mind Institute) International Dyslexia Association Fact Sheets (International Dyslexia Association) Free Early Literacy Materials for PA Early Learning Programs (Trying Together) Buzzword List of children’s books surrounding dyslexia: Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty Brilliant Bea by Shaina Rudolph A Walk in the Words by Hudson Talbott Back to Front and Upside Down! by Claire Alexander Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomayor You can also check out the latest video from Buzzword regarding a great, amazing read for children called “Aaron Slater, Illustrator” by Andrea Beaty.
July 8, 2022 Diapers and Baby Book Distribution Event Set for Families Families with babies ages birth through 18 months are invited to receive diapers, as well as a Best Books for Babies 2022 book bundle, during a free event taking place on Saturday, 7/23. About The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in partnership with the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank will be holding the diaper and book distribution in the Central Baptist Church’s lower parking lot, located next to CLP – Hill District. Families may choose either a drive-thru option or walk-up option to receive a two-week supply of diapers (sizes 0-3) and their baby book bundle. Event Details: Drive-Thru Distribution: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Families may drive up to receive a book bundle and a two week supply of diapers (sizes 0-3) while supplies last. Each family may select up to two sizes of diapers, but organizers ask that each car represent only one family. Walk-Up Distribution: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m Families may walk up to receive a book bundle and a two week supply of diapers (sizes 0-3) while supplies last. Each family may select up to two sizes of diapers. For more information about this event, email events@carnegielibrary.org or call 412.622.3114.
February 9, 2022 Every Child Ready to Read, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for the virtual professional development event, “Every Child Ready to Read,” on March 1. Early childhood educators, community partners, mentors and informal educators will gain information about the life-long impact of developing early literacy skills. The workshop presents an overview of Every Child Ready to Read and enables participants to easily integrate early learning strategies and supports into their existing work with children. Registration for this event is available on the Carnegie Library website. For additional information, please contact info@carnegielibrary.org or call 412.622.3114
December 15, 2020 Virtual Conference: Early Literacy, Libraries, and You Are you interested in learning how to raise lifelong readers? Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh from February 15 – 25, 2021 for their virtual conference, “Early Literacy, Libraries, and You.” About Educators and caregivers play a critical role in developing children’s reading readiness. In order to be ready to read when they enter school, young children need rich early literacy activities and interactions. Through this virtual conference, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will discuss activities, resources, and research that will enable participants to raise lifelong readers through expanded early literacy practices. Formal and informal educators and caregivers are invited to attend. Attendees are welcome to register for one or more sessions. For individuals seeking continuing education hours, the number of hours received will correspond with the number of sessions attended. All sessions will be hosted on Zoom. Event links being sent out via email. Featured Sessions Every Child Ready to Read Monday, February 15 | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Transformation Big & Small: The Pittsburgh Ready Story Monday, February 15 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Using Digital Media Resources with Early Learners Wednesday, February 17 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Library 101 Wednesday, February 24 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Race, Reading, and Young Children Thursday, February 25 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. More Information This Virtual Conference is presented in partnership between Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Trying Together as part of the Pittsburgh Ready project, with support from PNC Grow Up Great. To learn more, visit the Carnegie Libary of Pittsburgh website.
