August 6, 2020 Brown Mamas Teach, Brown Mamas Earn Are you or your child interested in exploring topics such as photography, urban agriculture, mentoring, African American history, and more? Join Brown Mamas during the 2020-21 school year for their new program, Brown Mamas Teach, Brown Mamas Earn. About The mission of Brown Mamas’ family-centered learning project is to empower parents to confidently teach, support, and advocate for their children by utilizing the collective knowledge of Pittsburgh’s Black parenting community. This knowledge will guide participants in being effective and supportive members of their child’s learning team. This learning cooperative is intended for children ages five to 18 years old. Black parents and Black young people are encouraged to apply. Brown Mamas hopes to begin guided learning experiences in September 2020. Registration If you or your child is interested in participating, visit the Brown Mamas website to complete the online signup form. The form is available at the bottom of the page, below the Session Guide Recruitment Form. Become a Session Guide Brown Mamas is looking for parents, caregivers, young people, educators, and other Black community members to act as session guides in providing enrichment activities. If you are interested in becoming a session guide, visit the Brown Mamas website to complete the online signup form. More Information This information was provided by Brown Mamas. For more information, visit the Brown Mamas website.
July 22, 2020 Examining the Complexity of Multiracial Identity Did you know that roughly one in seven infants in the United States is multiracial or multiethnic? Join EmbraceRace on July 23 for “Raising Multiracial Children, Part 1: Examining the Complexity of Multiracial Identity” as they explore what it means to be multiracial and how caregivers can support the positive development of their child’s multiracial identity. About During this first webinar of a two-part series on raising multiracial kids, presenters will break down some of the complexities of identifying with more than one race, including the pivotal role caregivers and families play in shaping how multiracial children come to understand themselves and the world around them. Speakers will describe the challenges and strengths of identifying with more than one racial group, highlighting examples from recent research and drawing from their own personal experiences as multiracial individuals and parents of multiracial children. Comments and questions are welcome. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
June 17, 2020 Parenting in Support of Black Lives | Webinar Are you interested in hearing practical, how-to advice for talking about race and inspiring kids to fight for racial equity? Join Common Sense and the Inforum of the Commonwealth Club on June 18 for their webinar, “Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future for Kids (and How Media Can Help).” About Through 400 years of systemic oppression and racism, our nation has failed to protect and value Black children and families. How do we support a future where all children are valued? And when we’re parenting amid crisis and trauma, how can we find support for ourselves and our kids? This conversation will center on these important questions and provide practical, how-to advice for talking about race and inspiring kids to fight for racial equity. The event will feature Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, leading scholar on race in America, in conversation with child psychologist Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith, moderated by Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times bestselling author and activist. Registration To register and learn more, visit Common Sense Media’s website. This event will be recorded and will be available on the Conversations with Common Sense YouTube page.
June 2, 2020 Parenting in a Pandemic: Help in a Time of Need Are you interested in learning how children will be impacted by the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic? Join First Up this June and July for their virtual series, “Parenting in a Pandemic: Help in a Time of Need.” About Join First Up for Parenting in a Pandemic: Help in a Time of Need, a three-part series of one-hour informative webinars, where they will answer common questions parents and caregivers have about their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each session, presented by professionals with early childhood expertise and certificates in trauma-informed practices, will: introduce the concepts of how brains develop and the impact that current events; might have on children from birth through age eight; introduce new ways to think about self-care; and offer strategies for supporting children’s mental well-being. Participants will be entered in a drawing for special giveaways! Session Dates Part 1 Wednesday, June 10 | 5 p.m. | Register Here Thursday, June 11 | 12 p.m. | Register Here Friday, June 12 | 1 p.m. | Register Here Monday, June 29 | 1 p.m. | Register Here Part 2 Tuesday, June 16 | 2 p.m. | Register Here Thursday, June 17 | 5 p.m. | Register Here Friday, June 18 | 1 p.m. | Register Here Tuesday, June 30 | 1 p.m. | Register Here Part 3 Monday, June 22 | 12 p.m. | Register Here Wednesday, June 24 | 5 p.m. | Register Here Friday, June 26 | 2 p.m. | Register Here Thursday, July 2 | 1 p.m. | Register Here More Infomation For questions, please contact Jillian Best Adler at jillian.adler@firstup.org. Share this flyer with your network.
May 27, 2020 Growing Together: Lunch & Learn Series Join the Women & Girls Foundation, Pathways PA, and MomsRising on Fridays at noon for a “lunch and learn” series to discuss how families are adapting, how communities can come together to support each other during this time, and what resources are available to help families thrive. About Every week presenters will discuss a hot topic for working people and families, including paid leave, eldercare, parenting young kids, and more. Stop by to connect to resources, ask questions, meet others, and share what you’re experiencing. Supporting Our Elders During COVID-19 | June 5, 2020 | Special Guest: AARP Parenting Young Kids During COVID-19 | June 19, 2020 | Special Guests: Trying Together and PennAEYC Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.
February 3, 2020 Learning to Listen: Conversations for Change Join Brazelton Touchpoints Center for the Learning to Listen webinar series as they celebrate Dr. Brazelton’s enduring legacy by learning from other masterful communicators about what children and parents have taught them through the power of listening. Available Times & Topics The series includes three webinars: Trauma and Recovery: Children in Warzones, Raising Children to Make Peace | March 4, 2020 at 3 p.m. Learning with Parents: Children on the Autism Spectrum and the Arts | April 15, 2020 at 3 p.m. Marriage Equality and Same-Sex Parenting from the Frontlines | June 3, 2020 at 3 p.m. Visit the event page to register and learn more. About T. Berry Brazelton, MD T. Berry Brazelton, MD (1918 – 2018) foresaw the many new challenges facing families today, including the interference of social media and digital technology with family relationships and child development, and their polarizing effects on public debate. Brazelton was a master of the kind of observation and listening so desperately needed today, and helped generations of parents and professionals around the world to learn to listen to babies, children, and to each other.
July 22, 2019 Family Check-Up Helps Families Build & Grow Together The day-to-day challenges of raising children aren’t easy, but families don’t have to do it alone. At the Homewood-Brushton Family Support Center, Family Check-Up offers an opportunity for all families to take a seat, talk about their challenges, and move forward with strategies to solve them. About Family Check-Up In family support centers across the nation, the Family Check-Up (FCU) model aims to promote child and family well-being by providing parents and caregivers with new skills and tools to strengthen family relationships. The program starts off with an initial interview and an assessment of the family’s strengths and needs, followed by creating tailored goals to meet the unique needs of each family. A final feedback session provides an opportunity to continue building parenting skills through the “Everyday Parenting Curriculum” and information on possible follow-up services. All services are free and confidential. Benefits of Participation For more than 20 years, research has shown that participating in FCU: increases parent and caregiver confidence, reduces family stress and conflict, and reduces challenging behaviors displayed by preschoolers, school-aged children, and teens. Schedule an Appointment Interested in signing up? Schedule an appointment by contacting Family Coach, Adriana Chung, at 412.727.6649. See our interview with Adriana to learn more.
July 3, 2019 Paid Opportunity: Baby Brain Emotion Study Are you the mother/caregiver of an infant age 0-3 months? If so, you and your baby may be able to participate in a Pitt+Me research study to help learn more about the ways in which infants’ emotions are connected to areas of the brain and how parenting behaviors might affect these connections. About The purpose of this study is to help researchers learn more about the ways in which infants’ emotions are connected to areas of the brain and how parenting behaviors might affect these connections. Researchers hope their findings will lead to a better understanding of emotional challenges in children in the future. Compensation provided. Study Eligibility Infant aged 0-3 months old Infant was born full-term (at least 37 weeks) Infant’s birth weight was more than 5.5 pounds Infant has not been in the hospital for any physical health issues, including neurological Infant does not have any metal in their body Mother/Caregiver did not use illicit substances during pregnancy and is not using them now Mother/Caregiver spends at least 2 hours per day caring for the infant Learn More For more information and to participate, visit the study webpage. *Information provided by Pitt+Me
March 11, 2019 New Study on Maternity Leave Unveiled Study A new study in the International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy finds a direct link between length of maternity leave and quality of mother-child interactions. The study: The Role of Length of Maternity Leave in Supporting Mother-Child Interactions and Attachment Security Among American Mothers and Their Infants suggests these results have implications for the development of family policies that support the needs of infants and mothers during the first months of life. Policy The implementation of comprehensive and universal maternity leave policy can complement child care policies. Both quality child care and maternity leave policies constitute solutions to similar needs. The results of this study support the need for parents to have the opportunity to choose to take maternity before infants enter child care. While quality child care can result in positive developmental outcomes for the infants, maternity leave can ensure that mothers have time off from work. This way, maternity leave can give mothers the opportunity to spend time with their infants, engage in positive and stress-free interactions, and learn to read a child’s cues before they negotiate the stress of balancing parenting and work. Ultimately, a combination of comprehensive maternity leave and child care policies will give each family the opportunity to have some choice in timing and combination of work, leave, and child care. Read the complete study here.
June 11, 2018 Digital Media Literacy & Technology Tools for Early Learning This two-hour, online professional development course from Trying Together will focus on how to communicate and build relationships with families using technology tools and digital media and is open July 30 – August 13, 2018. Participants will be asked to consider implications and benefits of using digital communication to bring families into the early education environment. Participants will also be encouraged to reflect on current practices and policies regarding technology in the early education classroom. The pre-requisite foundation for this course is, “Digital Media Literacy & Technology Tools for Early Learning: What Educators Need to Know.” Registration closes at Noon on Friday, July 27, is $20, and may be made below or for credit at pakeys.org.