July 8, 2024 Book Babies Story Time The Book Babies Storytime mobile will drop by Homewood’s Hub & Family Center every Wednesday until the fall. Learn More Sponsored by Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh, Book Babies provides dedicated story time for children. It also encourages play, nurturing and activities such as crafts. Caregivers share tips and resources along with companionship. Book Babies highlights books by Black authors and others from various cultures to ensure that young readers can start to develop a positive racial identity through reading. The bookmobile will be stationed outside the Homewood Family Center, located at 7219 Kelly St., at 11 a.m. every Wednesday until the fall.
Book Babies Story Time The Book Babies Storytime mobile will drop by Homewood’s Hub & Family Center every Wednesday until the fall. Learn More Sponsored by Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh, Book Babies provides dedicated story time for children. It also encourages play, nurturing and activities such as crafts. Caregivers share tips and resources along with companionship. Book Babies highlights books by Black authors and others from various cultures to ensure that young readers can start to develop a positive racial identity through reading. The bookmobile will be stationed outside the Homewood Family Center, located at 7219 Kelly St., at 11 a.m. every Wednesday until the fall.
Book Babies Story Time The Book Babies Storytime mobile will drop by Homewood’s Hub & Family Center every Wednesday until the fall. Learn More Sponsored by Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh, Book Babies provides dedicated story time for children. It also encourages play, nurturing and activities such as crafts. Caregivers share tips and resources along with companionship. Book Babies highlights books by Black authors and others from various cultures to ensure that young readers can start to develop a positive racial identity through reading. The bookmobile will be stationed outside the Homewood Family Center, located at 7219 Kelly St., at 11 a.m. every Wednesday until the fall.
June 10, 2024 Reading Ready Pittsburgh Seeks Input About Early Literacy in Survey Reading Ready Pittsburgh is seeking input from area families about early literacy through a short survey. Learn More Reading Ready Pittsburgh is hoping the survey will garner at least 300 to 500 responses before Sept. 15. Areas from which they are especially interested in obtaining responses include: Braddock Homestead Munhall Swissvale Duquesne Rankin Turtle Creek McKeesport West Mifflin Clairton Questions in the survey cover where parents access books for their children in the community, how often their child is exposed to books, and how Reading Ready Pittsburgh can help to support reading in the home. Those interested in participating can take the survey now.
June 4, 2024 The Buzzword is EXPERIMENT As part of Buzzword’s programming, we distribute our 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 is EXPERIMENT, which means the test of an idea or method. Our EXPERIMENT 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 “Charlotte the Scientist Finds a Cure” by Camille Andros with their child. Then, they should go through the different activities and experiments in the EXPERIMENT Activity Book. Time should be spent explaining the meaning of the book’s words and connecting them to their child’s life experiences. We have also provided an EXPERIMENT book list of recommendations from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for further reading. View the EXPERIMENT Activity Book and book recommendations. More Information Buzzword will hold a family-friendly event from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on June 5. It will feature early literacy, science, art, and music activities. For more information, visit the event’s registration page. Want to learn more on how to get involved with Buzzword? Ask your local Allegheny County Family Center about the program, or email us at buzzword@tryingtogether.org.
May 10, 2024 Buzzword: EXPERIMENT Extravaganza Buzzword will explain its latest buzzword, EXPERIMENT, during a family-friendly event in June that will feature science experiments, hypotheses, and exploration. Learn More During the event, children from birth to age five and their caregivers will engage with each other to create meaningful moments through interactive activities. The activities are provided by Buzzword’s partners: ACH Clear Pathways, Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. Buzzword will also collaborate with the Hill District Family Center and the Northside Family Center on the event. More Details Each family will take a BUZZ Box home with them and dinner will be provided. Registration is required to attend. The event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5 at ACH Clear Pathways in the Kaufman Center, located at 1825 Centre Ave. in Pittsburgh.
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)
