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.
May 3, 2023 Storybook STEAM Join the Allegheny Intermediate Unit for Storybook STEAM, an introduction of the dual approach to early learning that combines storytelling with hands-on learning in the fields of STEAM. Attendees will learn to engage children’s natural curiosity and creativity, while also helping them develop important problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Event Details Thursday, May 11 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Allegheny Intermediate Unit 475 East Waterfront Drive Homestead, PA 15120 Registration not required. About Storybook STEAM Lessons In a Storybook STEAM lesson, a teacher or educator begins by reading a storybook that relates to a particular STEM or STEAM concept. The storybook serves as a starting point for the lesson, providing context and engaging students’ imaginations. After the story, students are given a hands-on activity or project that relates to the STEM or STEAM concept introduced in the story. For example, after reading a story about the water cycle, students might conduct an experiment to observe the different stages of the water cycle. The goal of Storybook STEAM is to make STEM and STEAM concepts more accessible and engaging for children. By using storytelling as a starting point, children are more likely to be motivated and interested in learning about these subjects. Additionally, by incorporating arts and creativity into STEM learning, Storybook STEAM helps children develop a well-rounded set of skills that will serve them well in the future. Overall, Storybook STEAM is a creative and effective approach to teaching STEM and STEAM concepts to young children. It encourages children to think critically and creatively, and it helps make these important subjects more accessible and engaging. Learn More This event is part of Remake Learning Days. To learn more, visit the Remake Learning Days website.
2023 Book Access Programs in Allegheny County (This article was updated on May 3, 2023 to reflect the latest book access events through May 2023). Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that mails free books to young children, announced that the program ended in the City of Pittsburgh due to a lack of funds. The free program would send one book per month in the mail to enrolled children ages five and under. Pittsburgh families and children received their last book in April 2023. Available Allegheny County Book Access Resources Although the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program will no longer be available to City of Pittsburgh families and caregivers, there are plenty of local resources to make books accessible to young children: Sign up for a Library Card Signing up for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh or Allegheny County Library Association cards work all throughout the county. Bookworm Global Programs can work with Bookworm Global to host books drives and/or receive books. Reading Ready Pittsburgh Birthday Book Gifting program allows participating sites to gift each child in their childcare program an age appropriate book on their birthday. Reading Ready Pittsburgh builds, fills, and maintains 11 little giveaway libraries in the Mon Valley. All families are invited to take books from the little giveaway libraries to add to their home collection and read with their children regularly. Reading Is Fundamental Pittsburgh The Books for Keeps program features fun, educational Reading Celebrations that combine story times, motivational literacy activities, and the opportunity to select a book to take home and keep. Little Free Library Map Get free books at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. Find other Little Free Libraries located near other Family Centers in the Allegheny County Family Center Network. Free Store Wilkinsburg / 15104 Free Store Visit either Free Store for your opportunity to search through donated books in stock. 2023 Best Books for Babies List, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh CLP has released their latest Best Books for Babies List. This list is meant to encourage parents and other caregivers to read to babies right from the start—because learning begins at birth. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading Program: Sunday, 6/11 through Sunday 8/06 Children, teens and adults can track their reading to earn chances to win prizes. Children and teens can visit any Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location and select a free book to keep, while supplies last. Visit carnegielibrary.org/summer for more information. National Book Access Resources National Education Association (NEA) Need help finding books to put into the hands of readers? Check out these resources and book distribution programs that bring print and online books to qualifying schools and students. Book Access Events in May Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA. 15206 Saturday, 5/13 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is a free event in East Liberty that celebrates the city’s rich literary community and love of reading. Alongside numerous other community organizations and programs, Buzzword will be present and providing free books to early readers (ages 0-5). Braddock Literacy Day Clara Davis Friendship Plaza, 451 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA. 15104 (across the street from 15104 Free Store) Saturday, 5/20 | 1 -3 p.m. Enjoy crafts, popcorn, raffles, and free books during this Reading Ready Pittsburgh event.
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.
March 1, 2023 March is National Reading Month March is National Reading Month. The month kicks off with National Read Across America Day on March 2, where children, teachers, parents/caregivers, and community members around the nation come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading. Reading Month Activity Ideas Review the NEA’s recommended book titles on the 2023 Read Across America calendar. Have an young child that enjoys picture books? Find their next favorite from this NEA picture book list. Choose from ideas for sharing books and all kinds of ways to celebrate with stories in classrooms. Join Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) on Thursday, March 2 starting at 1 p.m. (and available on demand until March 31, 2023) for their celebration webcast “Read Together!” A downloadable viewing kit includes an activity for each of the three read-aloud books that will be featured during the event. You can also play RIF’s Book Bingo! View the Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success toolkit from National Department of Education’s National Center on Improving Literacy to support children’s literacy success in and out of school. Find a new book for your pre-k or kindergarten-aged early reader from the Million Book March Collection. Check out these resources from NEA and bring print and online books to qualifying schools and students. Attend one of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s events throughout the region for children and adults. Visit their events page for details. Donate a book to the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s 2023 Book Drive for Diversity. You can help put exciting and diverse books into the hands of young readers and promote literacy in our region. This year’s books have been hand-selected to focus on social diversity, including but not limited to various ethnicities, classes, genders, physical abilities/qualities, race, and work statuses. Fill out this form to register and receive the list of books they are accepting. Explore new words and early literacy activities on the Buzzword website with the early readers in your life, or attend an upcoming Buzzword event in March. About National Reading Month National Reading Month is celebrated not just to promote the love for reading but also to develop communication and learning. The National Education Association (NEA) has been leading the Read Across America initiative since 1998. Read Across America Day calls upon everyone to read and engage with children to make reading a more fun and interactive experience. Libraries, schools, book clubs, and communities organize events to celebrate and promote reading.
February 10, 2023 Buzzword Day at the Theatre! The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has a special opportunity for children and their families who engage with Buzzword to get free tickets to “Buzzword Day at the Theatre!” This unique event features a “Big Bubble Bonanza” showing at the Byham Theater. Pre-registration is required. The Cultural Trust has 100 free tickets (4 tickets per family) available for this event, which include a free snack and transportation (from The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center OR The Kingsley Association to the Byham Theatre). Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. When: Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. (transportation departs at 1 p.m.) Caregivers and parents can register for this special event online*, by attending a Buzzword programming event on March 1 (this event has passed and registration is closed), or by calling (412) 456-2695. *UPDATE: The registration form for this event has been deactivated and is closed to any further submissions. If you would like to be added to the waitlist please email Julissa at bermea@trustarts.org. Please mention how many tickets you will need and how many adults and children are in your party. For more information or questions on the event, contact Buzzword directly at buzzword@tryingtogether.org.
January 31, 2023 Story time at The Hub! Come join us at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center for an interactive story time geared toward children birth to five years of age and their families! Where: The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 When: Tuesdays from 10–10:45 a.m. For more information, contact Nicole Banner at nicole@tryingtogether.org. Share our flyer with your networks.
Story time at The Hub! Come join us at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center for an interactive story time geared toward children birth to five years of age and their families! Where: The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center 7219 Kelly Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 When: Tuesdays from 10–10:45 a.m. For more information, contact Nicole Banner at nicole@tryingtogether.org. Share our flyer with your networks.
