January 4, 2024 Resources for January 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 January observances: Month-Long Observances International Creativity Month Art Activities that Encourage Social-Emotional Development, Trying Together Supporting Social-Emotional Development Through Play: A Guide for Families, Trying Together How Bluey Showcases Play, Creativity, and Emotional Learning for Children…and Adults, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Relationship Between Learning through Play and Holistic Skills, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative “Sound” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh National Mentoring Month Impact of Mentoring on Youth: Why Every Kid Needs a Mentor, Boys & Girls Club of America Professional Development: Coaching & Mentoring, Trying Together Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Trying Together National Hobby Month 5 Reasons Why You Should Revisit Your Childhood Hobby As An Adult, Fortune Well 5 Advantages That Hobbies Bring To A Child’s Development, City Magazine Ways to Play During Winter, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Transformative Power of Games, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Self-Love Month Register for UnConference: Mental Health in Early Childhood Education, Trying Together Self-Care Resources for Parents and Caregivers, Trying Together Navigating Difficult Emotions as Caregivers: A Guide for Families, Trying Together 50 Resources to Support the Mental Health of Teachers and School Staff, Teach.com, Trying Together Week-Long Observances National Storytelling Week Supporting Early Literacy Development, Buzzword Pittsburgh Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together Story Time At The Hub! Trying Together Day Observances January 2 is Motivation and Inspiration Day “Brave” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh Encouraging Positive Racial Identity in Young Children, Trying Together Growing Self-Esteem: Positive Affirmations for Children, Bright Horizons The Cheer, Lindsey Gurk January 3 is International Mind-Body Wellness Day Mindfulness for Children, Trying Together Big Body and Physical Play: Benefits and Activities for all Ages, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Social-Emotional Learning and Play Intersecting, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Relationship Between Learning through Play and Holistic Skills, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative January 15 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together Anti-Racism Tools, Trying Together Taking Personal and Professional Responsibility for Anti-Racism Work, Trying Together Martin Luther King Jr. Day for Preschoolers, Kids Care Club January 17 is Kid Inventors’ Day The Impact of Importance of STEM Education: Preparing Future Innovators, Bricks 4 Kidz “Plan” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh “Geometric” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 21 is National Hugging Day The Importance Of Hugging Your Child & 7 Amazing Benefits, Parenting For Brain Respecting Your Child’s Boundaries, Trying Together January 24 is International Day of Education Supporting The Work of Early Childhood, Trying Together Early Learning PA, Trying Together A Roadmap to Understanding Child Development, Trying Together Supporting Early Literacy Development, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 24 is National Compliment Day 6 Essential Tips for Raising Complimentary Children, Baby Steps “Thankful” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh “Welcome” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 26 is International Environmental Education Day Community and Family Programs, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy “Metamorphosis” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh “Migrate” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh “Bloom” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 28 is National Lego Day 10 Incredible Benefits of Playing with Lego®, Children’s Wellness Centre Let’s Talk Loose Parts Play, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative “Plan” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh January 29 is National Puzzle Day 5 ways Puzzles Benefit Your Child’s Cognitive Development, Infinity Math Creations 10 Puzzle Activities For Toddlers, Preschoolers, And Babies That Promote Learning, Speak.Play.Love Indoor Play and Why It’s Fun for Everyone, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative The Transformative Power of Games, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative January 31 is Inspire Your Heart with Art Day Art Activities that Encourage Social-Emotional Development, Trying Together “Sound” Activities, Buzzword Pittsburgh Benefits of Art & Art History for Early Childhood Learning, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
November 29, 2023 Resources for December 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 December observances: Month-Long Observances Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month November Recalls on Children’s Products, Trying Together Safe Toys and Gifts Month, American Public Health Association Choosing Safe Toys, KidsHealth 7 Tips For Buying Safe Toys For Children, Health Park Pediatrics Universal Human Rights Month Family Guide to Discussing Race and Equity with Young Children, Trying Together National Human Rights Month: Teaching Children About Human Rights, Connections Academy Explaining Human Rights to Kids on International Human Rights Day, KidsKonnect Learn a Foreign Language Month 6 Reasons Why Language Learning Is Important For Children, EF 11 Reasons Why Your Child Should Learn a Foreign Language, VIP Kid 10 Language Games for Kids That’ll Keep Them Engaged and Learning, Fluentu Worldwide Food Service Safety Month 2023 Food Resources, Trying Together New Food Safety Fact Sheets Available, Trying Together Healthy Eating Guides: At the Grocery Store, Trying Together Week-Long Observances December 4-8 is National Influenza Vaccination Week Find Flu Vaccines, Vaccine.gov Flu Shot: Your Best Bet For Avoiding Influenza, Mayo Clinic Your Child’s Immunizations: Influenza Vaccine, KidsHealth Days of Recognition December 2 is Special Education Day Early Intervention FAQ, Trying Together When Should a Parent Consider Early Intervention for Their Child? Trying Together Family Guide for Early Intervention and Inclusion in Allegheny County, Trying Together Family Guide for Navigating Early Intervention Services, Trying Together December 3 is National Roof Over Your Head Day Housing Resources Available for Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Families, Trying Together Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Application Period Opens November 1, Trying Together Allegheny County Family Resource Map, ELRC Region 5 Housing Resources, United Way PA 211 December 3 is International Day of People with Disabilities Early Childhood Inclusion, Trying Together Talking with Young Children about Disabilities, Trying Together The Differences Among Mental, Developmental, and Behavioral Conditions, Trying Together December 5 is National Communicate With Your Kids Day How To Address War and Traumatic Experiences With Children, Trying Together Talking with Young Children about Disabilities, Trying Together December 10 is Human Rights Day Family Guide to Discussing Race and Equity with Young Children, Trying Together National Human Rights Month: Teaching Children About Human Rights, Connections Academy Explaining Human Rights to Kids on International Human Rights Day, KidsKonnect December 21 is National Short Story Day Buzzword Pittsburgh, Buzzword Pittsburgh Reading Ready Pittsburgh Offers Resources For Families and Caregivers, Trying Together
July 27, 2023 Resources for August 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 August observances: Month-Long Observances Summer Sun Safety Month CDC Shares Sun Safety Tips for Schools, Trying Together Allegheny County Shares Summer Safety Guidance, Trying Together Summer Safety Brochure, Allegheny County Health Department, Trying Together Sun Safety, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Be Safe in the Sun, American Cancer Society Sun Protection, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Sun Protection Tips for Those with Black and Brown Skin, Boston University Sun Safety and Prevention, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) August is National Immunization Awareness Month, Trying Together National Immunization Awareness Month, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommended Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Parent-Friendly Version, Birth through 6 Years, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Vaccines for Your Children By Age, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Spanish / Español Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month National Center Releases Guide on Children’s Eye Health, Trying Together An Eye Health Information Tool Kit for Parents and Caregivers, National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health Eye Health and Safety for Kids, National Eye Institute (NEI) Get Free or Low-Cost Eye Care For Children, National Eye Institute (NEI) Eye Conditions and Diseases, National Eye Institute (NEI) Spanish / Español 6 Ways to Be Proactive About Your Child’s Eye Health, John Hopkins Medicine Keep an Eye on Your Child’s Vision, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources for Parents of Blind and Low-Vision Children, Library of Congress: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Parenting Without Sight: What Attorneys and Social Workers Should Know About Blindness, National Federation of the Blind How to Get Free Audio Books for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Braille Institute 25+ Children’s Books Featuring Visually Impaired Characters, WonderBaby Back to School Month Allegheny Child Care What is Allegheny Child Care? 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Information, Trying Together Top 10 Skills for Children Entering Kindergarten, Trying Together Your Child is Going to Kindergarten: Family Guide (ECLKC), Trying Together Kindergarten Transition: A Guide for Families, Trying Together National Breastfeeding Month Breastfeeding Resources, Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh, Trying Together Breastfeeding Classes August is National Breastfeeding Month: This is Our Why, U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) Lactation Support, Healthy Start Center for Urban Breastfeeding (HSCUB) Breastfeeding, Kids Plus Pediatrics Pittsburgh Black Breastfeeding Circle (PBBC) Breast Feeding Resources, Birth Doulas of Pittsburgh Weeks of Recognition August 6 – 12 is Exercise with Your Child Week Childhood Physical Health: Resources, Trying Together Play and Physical Activity Guide for Educators & Families, Trying Together Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families: The Importance of Exercise, Trying Together Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health, Trying Together Air Quality Tips and Training Available for Families and Educators, Trying Together Physical Education Vocabulary for Kids, Trying Together Resources for Supporting Physical Activity, Nutrition, Play and More, Action for Healthy Kids Promoting the Physical Health of Boys (and Girls), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Days of Recognition August 1 is National Night Out (NNO) National Night Out Returns to Pittsburgh, Trying Together City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety About National Night Out National Night Out Resources August 9 is National Book Lovers 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 2023 Virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, 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 Restaurants Add Books to the Menu with Summer Reading Programs, Trying Together August 15 is National Back To School Prep Day 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Information, Trying Together 101 Back-to-School Tips for Parents and Kids, Care.com Back-to-School Tips, HealthyChildren.org 10 Considerations Before Going Back to School as a Parent, Parents Magazine August 26 is Women’s Equality Day Family Guide: Gender and Gender Identity, Trying Together Women’s Equality Day, The National Women’s History Alliance Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) The Pittsburgh Women’s Alliance Women’s Issues Support Groups in Pittsburgh, Psychology Today The Women and Girls Foundation
June 1, 2023 Resources for June 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 June observances: Month-Long Observances Caribbean American Heritage Month Caribbean American History and Culture, U.S. Department of the Interior Global Diasporas: Contemporary African and Caribbean Migration – Organizations & Resources in Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Library System On the Town: Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage, PBS Top 10 Caribbean American Heritage Month Activities, Twinkl 19 Books to Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage, Scholastic Caribbean American Heritage Month Lesson Plans, Share My Lesson Anti-Racism Tools, Trying Together Inclusive Language Guidelines, American Psychological Association (APA) National Men’s Health Month 5-Minute Guide to Men’s Mental Health, Mental Health America Man 2.0: Normalizing Self-Care for Men, Healthline Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health: Recommendations for A Healthier You, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Trans Men Health Screening Recommendations, AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) Resources for Supporting Physical Activity, Nutrition, Play and More, Action for Healthy Kids Promoting the Physical Health of Boys (and Girls), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National PTSD Awareness Month Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) When a Child’s Parent has PTSD, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs It’s Not Just Exhaustion: When Parenting Causes PTSD, Healthline Allegheny County Crisis Response Resources, Allegheny County Department of Human Services Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After a Recent Shooting, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Pride Month Pittsburgh Pride 2023, Pittsburgh Pride Revolution 6 Things LGBTQ Youth Want Allies To Do This Pride, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLESEN) Sharing Pride Month with Kids: 9 Ways to Celebrate Pride Month, Boys & Girls Clubs of America LGBTQ Activism and Contributions, Library of Congress The LGBTQ+ Experience, PBS Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Gender, Gender Identity, and LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Trying Together Physical and Mental Health Services Related to the LGBTQ Community, Allegheny County Department of Human Services LGBTQ+ Youth Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) LGBTQ Resource List, GLAAD Here’s How to be an Ally to the LGBTQ Community, USA Today Pronoun Guide, Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLESEN) LGBTQ Glossary, John Hopkins University: Diversity and Inclusion Resources Child Vision Awareness Month 6 Ways to Be Proactive About Your Child’s Eye Health, John Hopkins Medicine Keep an Eye on Your Child’s Vision, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources for Parents of Blind and Low-Vision Children, Library of Congress: National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Early Childhood Inclusion, Trying Together Parenting with a Visual Impairment, BBC Parenting Without Sight: What Attorneys and Social Workers Should Know About Blindness, National Federation of the Blind Accessing Audio Books, Teaching Students with Visual Impairments How to Get Free Audio Books for the Blind and Visually Impaired, The Braille Institute 25+ Children’s Books Featuring Visually Impaired Characters, WonderBaby Weeks of Recognition June 1 – 7 is CPR & AED Awareness Week CPR Facts & Statistics, American Heart Association How to Perform Child and Baby CPR, American Red Cross Trying Together and ELRC Region 5 Partnering to Offer First Aid & CPR Training, ELRC Region 5 June 12 – 18 is National Men’s Health Week 5 Ways to Celebrate Men’s Health Week, National Foundation for Cancer Research How To Support Men For National Men’s Health Week, Better Health The Masculinity Project, John Hopkins University A Father’s Guide to Raising Good Men, CNN See additional resources under “National Men’s Health Month.” Days of Recognition June 18 is Father’s Day 53 Best Father’s Day Activities That’ll Be Fun for the Whole Family, Good Housekeeping The 8 Best Things Dads Can Do for Themselves in Honor of Father’s Day, Everyday Health Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together What Father’s Day Means to a Transgender Parent, NPR Column: Fatherhood Takes Many Forms, Traditional and Not, These Days, Los Angeles Times Father’s Day When Father Isn’t There, L.A. Parent June 19 is Juneteenth Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday, The New York Times Pittsburgh Celebrates Juneteenth Freedom Day, Visit Pittsburgh 5 Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth With Your Family, PBS Kids for Parents 20 Educational Resources and Activities for Teaching Juneteenth, Teaching Expertise NMAAHC Kids: Understanding & Celebrating Juneteenth, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Children’s Books to Honor Juneteenth and Black History, Harper Collins Publishers Top 10 Children’s Books on Freedom, Bookroo Juneteenth Resources, The Smithsonian Institution How Do You Explain Slavery to Kids?, National Geographic Talking to Kids About Racism and Violence, The Child Mind Institute Anti-Racism Resources for Families, Trying Together June 27 is National PTSD Awareness Day What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?, National Institute of Mental Health Resources on Trauma for Caregivers and Families, Child Welfare Information Gateway Multilingual Trauma Resources, The Child Mind Institute Children’s Books for Coping with Abuse and Trauma, Creating a Family See additional resources under, “National PTSD Awareness Month.”
April 27, 2023 Resources for May 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 May observances: Month-Long Observances May is National Foster Care Month Foster and Adoptive Families, Trying Together What to Know About Becoming a Foster Parent in PA, Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption & Permanency Network (SWAN) Top 10 Tips for New Foster Families, Fostering Families Today Parenting Resources for Foster Parents, Child Welfare Information Gateway Ways to Help Foster Children, Adopt US Kids National Foster Care Month 2023 Virtual Event: Foster Care and Mental Health, Children’s Bureau 5 Things Foster Youth Want All Teachers to Know, We Are Teachers May is Mental Health Awareness Month Where to Find Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents in Pittsburgh, The University of Pittsburgh: Youth and Family Research Program Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Childhood Mental Health, Trying Together Preventing Parent Burnout: Meeting the Emotional Challenges of Caring for Children with Mental Health Issues, The Child Mind Institute Parenting with a Mental Health Condition, Mental Health America 44 Children’s Books About Mental Health, The Child Mind Institute Creating an Inclusive Classroom for Neurodivergent Learners, Edutopia May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month Recognizing the Influence, History, and Achievements of Pittsburgh’s AAPI Residents, Visit Pittsburgh DEI Resources: Supporting AAPI Communities, National Head Start Association A Guide for Parents on Talking to Kids about Asian American Identity & Racism, Immigrant History Initiative AAPI Books for Kids of All Ages, Chicago Parent 85 Brilliant Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) Children’s Books, Imagination Soup 18 Student Activities for AAPI Heritage Month, We Are Teachers Weeks of Recognition May 1 – 7 is Children’s Book Week Children’s Book Week Poster and Activity Pages, Every Child a Reader Creative Ways to Celebrate Children’s Book Week, BookTrust 125 Books We Love for Kids, New York Public Library May 8 – 12 is National Teacher Appreciation Week 10 Ways Families Can Celebrate Teachers, National PTA Teacher Appreciation Week: How Caregivers Can Celebrate and Show Gratitude, Harper Collins Publishers How Can Parents Best Support Teachers? We Asked, Education Week Why Teacher Self-Care Matters and How to Practice Self-Care in Your School, Waterford Days of Recognition May 7 is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage?, National Institute of Mental Health A Teacher’s Guide to Anxiety, The Child Mind Institute Parenting Guides on Child Mental Health Disorders, The Child Mind Institute Find additional resources under “Mental Health Awareness Month” above. May 12 is National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day Self-Care for Child Care Professionals, HiMama Remember to Take Care of Yourself: Six Ideas for Family Child Care Providers, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 101 Thoughtful Ways to Express Gratitude for Your Childcare Staff, Brightwheel Raise Child Care, Start Strong PA Advocate: Take Action, Trying Together Find additional resources under, “National Teacher Appreciation Week” above. May 14 is Mother’s Day Celebrate Mother’s Day in Pittsburgh, Visit Pittsburgh 10 Mother’s Day Craft Ideas for Kids, Artful Parent 33 Preschool Activities to Honor Mom in the Classroom, Teaching Expertise Developmentally Appropriate Parenting Series: Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together Find Child Care, ELRC Region 5 Moms’ Mental Health Matters, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-943-5746 (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS) Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resources to Share with Expectant Families, Office of Head Start May 28 is World Hunger Day Hunger & Poverty in America, Food Research and Action Center Child Hunger in America, Feeding America Food Resources for Pennsylvanians, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Food Resources in Pittsburgh, City of Pittsburgh Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Walk-In Food Distribution at The Hub, Trying Together
