Buzzword PLAN Family Fun Night

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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.

Resources for September Observances

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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

Baby Safety Month (BSM)

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

Newborn Screening Awareness Month

Weeks of Recognition

September 17 – 23 was Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week

Days of Recognition

September 6 was National Read a Book Day

September 26 was National Family Day

Story Time with the Hill District Early Literacy Initiative and Macedonia FACE

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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.

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HDELI Wild Family Literacy Night

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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.

2023 Summer Reading Programs for Young Readers

News

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.

Storytelling Spectacular Summer Camp – Afternoon Session

News

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

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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

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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!

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Buzzword is made possible by PNC Grow Up Great® and The Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List

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May 2, 2023

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) recently released its 2023 Best Books for Babies list.

About the CLP Best Books for Babies List

Created by a panel of local librarians and child development experts, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s annual Best Books for Babies list serves as a nationally recognized guide assisting parents, teachers, and caregivers in selecting quality materials to share with their babies.

The list is meant to encourage parents and other caregivers to read to babies and to recognize the authors, illustrators, and publishers who create exemplary books for babies ages birth to 18 months.

Typically a list of 10 books, the 2023 list features 16 titles, with several book sets included. Boasting books on babies, animals, nature, relationships, language, and sleep, the list offers topics for every early learner.

Access the CLP Best Books for Babies List

To access the list, visit the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh website.

Best Books for Babies Diaper Distribution-CLP Hill District

News

March 20, 2023

Best Books for Babies Diaper Distribution-CLP Hill District

Families with babies ages birth-18 months can attend and receive a two-week supply of diapers (sizes newborn – 4 available), as well as a Best Books for Babies book bundle at this event. While supplies last. No registration required.

When: Saturday, April 29 | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: CLP-Hill District, 2177 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15219

Drive-Thru Distribution

Enter distribution line at intersection of Wylie Avenue and Kirkpatrick Street and stay in line to reach the distribution site in the lower parking lot of Central Baptist Church – located across Kirkpatrick Street from CLP – Hill District.

Walk-Up Distribution

Enter walk-up distribution line through CLP – Hill District’s main entrance on Centre Avenue and stay in line to reach the distribution site in the August Wilson room. Please reserve the Walk-Up Distribution for those without cars.

To learn more, visit the Facebook event page.