January 22, 2024 Introduction to Young Thinkers: Encouraging Imagination and Innovation First Up and The PA Keys invites early childhood educators to this virtual Introduction to Young Thinkers professional development opportunity. First Up’s training for January and February will bring high-quality, live training for staff members on relevant topics with practical ideas that can go from the screen directly to your classrooms. Event Details When: February 1 | 1 – 3 p.m. Where: Virtual Cost: $20 Registration: Register today! About Course In the 21st century, creativity is viewed as a crucial and valuable skill in the workplace. However, opportunities for creativity have been overshadowed by academics and/or removed from schools altogether. We aim to get creativity back in the classroom and encourage children to use and treasure their imagination. Other 21st-century skills include innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. This course offers participants the opportunity to examine the importance of these skills and how to effectively and appropriately encourage them in the early childhood classroom, using developmentally appropriate practice. Through self-reflection, discussion, brainstorming, and other collaborative opportunities, participants will create a plan for encouraging these skills in their classroom. Additional Information If you have a special situation such as registering your entire staff for training or wanting a staff member to attend several of the trainings, please reach out to nancy.nicewonger@firstup.org directly. You can find the listings on the PD Registry training calendar. Please keep this in mind as a way to meet your needs for new staff, training for STARS, or if you want to supplement training for a few staff members.
May 3, 2023 Begin with Books: Reading Aloud & Teaching a Love of Books in Childcare If you work in a child care center or Head Start program, you are an important educator early in a child’s life! Join the Carnegie Library of Homestead for this workshop on becoming a successful early childhood educator. Attendees will learn how to read aloud, pick developmentally appropriate, inclusive books, and engage kids of all ages from expert storyteller Cynthia Battle. Certified PQAS instructor Beth Smeiles will teach you how to take those literacy skills and incorporate them into everyday activities beyond books. Event Details Saturday, May 6 | 1 – 3 p.m. Carnegie Library of Homestead 510 East 10th Avenue Munhall, PA 15120 Register Learn More This event is part of Remake Learning Days and co-sponsored by Reading Ready Pittsburgh, Cynthia Battle, and Steel Valley Family Center. It will include light refreshments and a gift for all attendees. To learn more, visit the Remake Learning Days website.
May 1, 2023 EITA Offering Professional Development Opportunity on the Growing Brain Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) is offering early childhood professionals a professional development opportunity to learn about brain growth in children from birth to five years of age. Aptly named, “The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old,” this virtual series details child brain development and shares ways to encourage healthy growth in young children. About “The Growing Brain” Decades of research indicate that the early years of life are a period of exponential brain development, characterized by great opportunity and vulnerability dependent on child relationships and environment. In this series, participants will develop skills and strategies to: understand the architecture and neurobiology of brain development support language, cognition, prosocial behavior, and social-emotional development and reduce toxic stress that can negatively influence brain development in very young children Session Details “The Growing Brain” is offered in several, progressive sessions. Each session is offered twice, and interested individuals can register and attend as many or as few sessions as they like. One PQAS credit is available for each session. Sessions include: Factors Affecting Brain Growth & Development In this session, participants will identify factors that negatively impact brain development, understand the impact of stress on the developing brain, and learn about strategies for supporting healthy brain growth and development. Offered: Thursday April 27 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday April 28 | 8 – 9 a.m. Communication & Language Development In this session, participants will understand communication milestones, learn strategies for supporting early communication skills, and understand multi-language learning. Offered: Thursday May 4 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, May 5 | 8 – 9 a.m. Cognition & Executive Function In this session, participants will review and summarize key cognitive milestones in brain development, as well as explore the layers of executive function and its importance in child development. Offered: Thursday, May 18 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, May 19 | 8 – 9 a.m. Social-Emotional Development In this session, participants will review key social emotional development milestones in children, as well as connect which areas of the brain are involved in social interactions and examine the role that relationships and attachment play in social-emotional development. Offered: Thursday, May 25 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, May 26 | 8 – 9 a.m. Understanding Behavior In this module, session leaders will discuss approaches for identifying the root cause of young children’s behavior and demonstrate effective strategies to address challenging behaviors in very young children. Offered: Thursday, June 1 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, June 2 | 8 – 9 a.m. Everyday Play In this session, participants will learn to understand the stages and types of play that unfold in early childhood, the role of the brain in this process, and how to maximize children’s learning through play. Offered: Thursday, June 8 | 12 – 1 p.m. Friday, June 9 | 8 – 9 a.m. Register for any or all sessions on the PD Registry. Learn More This series is presented by EITA Consultants certified in “The Growing Brain” curriculum, which was developed by Zero to Three Professional Development and Workforce Innovations (PDWI). PDWI aims to elevate the knowledge skills and abilities of early childhood professionals. For additional information on this offering, view the flyer. For additional information on “The Growing Brain,” visit www.zerotothree.org/growingbrain or the PD Registry.
April 26, 2023 Supporting Children’s Social-Emotional Wellbeing: A Closer Look at Temperament and Goodness of Fit Theory Do you ever wonder how two children with the same parents can be so different? About why some children are so easy going and others are more challenging? One major factor at play is temperament. Temperament is an important feature of children’s social emotional well-being, and describes the way in which they approach the world. In “Supporting Children’s Social-Emotional Wellbeing: A Closer Look at Temperament and Goodness of Fit Theory,” participants will explore different temperament traits and learn how goodness of fit theory supports children’s social and emotional wellbeing. Hosted by Trying Together and ELRC Region 5, this course, while available for all STAR programs, meets the STAR 3/4 PD topic requirements in PSCECE Area 4. Session Details Thursday, May 18 | 6 – 9 p.m. Virtual via Zoom Cost: $15 Instructors: Katie Streiff and Jillian Miller Standards: PSCECE Area 4: Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices (3 hours) Register Learn More For questions about the course or credit, contact Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
February 10, 2022 Advocacy 101 The Advocacy 101 workshop gives an overview of the origin and need for advocacy in our region. Participants will receive an overview of the ELPA campaigns, how ECE programs are impacted by the budget process, and ways professionals and families can use their experience and knowledge to advocate. Participants should leave with foundational knowledge of the ELPA campaigns, and various advocacy actions they participate in or lead. This session will be virtual via Zoom. Register online to obtain the Zoom link. Objectives Gain knowledge of the what advocacy is defined of in regards to early childhood efforts. Discover what the early childhood landscape consists of in the state of Pennsylvania. Begin to learn about advocacy strategies and messaging to elevate the early childhood profession. This course is available for 1.5 hours of PQAS credit (K6.5.C1). Learn More Learn more about the Early Learning Pennsylvania campaigns and sign up for public policy alerts on the training together website.
February 9, 2022 Sensory Strategies for Early Learners Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for the upcoming virtual professional development session, “Sensory Strategies for Early Learners.” This session introduces participants to the most common developmental delays in children, aged birth through five years. It will also share strategies for supporting children with developmental delays. Presenters will identify activities, strategies, and Library resources that can generate positive sensory experiences for all young children. Registration for this event is available on the Carnegie Library website. For additional information, please contact info@carnegielibrary.org or call 412.622.3114
Every Child Ready to Read, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh for the virtual professional development event, “Every Child Ready to Read,” on March 1. Early childhood educators, community partners, mentors and informal educators will gain information about the life-long impact of developing early literacy skills. The workshop presents an overview of Every Child Ready to Read and enables participants to easily integrate early learning strategies and supports into their existing work with children. Registration for this event is available on the Carnegie Library website. For additional information, please contact info@carnegielibrary.org or call 412.622.3114
Observing Young Children Observation is the window into the child’s thinking processes, interests, skills and abilities. Join The Learning Lamp for an upcoming professional development session, “Observing Young Children” on February 16. Participants will use video clips to practice observation skills and explore how recording our observations of young children can inform program decisions, assessments, and more. Registration for this event is available on The Learning Lamp website. This session is open to PennAEYC or PennAEYC Shared Services members. Space is limited and registration is required.
January 5, 2022 ECE Professionalism: A Closer Look at Your Responsibilities Join The Learning Lamp for an upcoming session, “ECE Professionalism: A Closer Look at Your Responsibilities.” This webinar will explore six professional responsibsilities, discuss ways to support professional growth and development, and explore the skills and mindset of the early childhood professional. This session is open to PennAEYC or PennAEYC Shared Services members. Space is limited and registration is required.
December 22, 2021 PNC Financial Management Course Trying Together is partnering with PNC Bank for a one hour professional development session on financial management. There will be a separate session offered for center-based programs and home-based programs (family, group, relative providers). The session content will include tools and tips on budgeting, bookkeeping, cash flow, and profit/loss. Space is limited; if you are interested, please use the link below to register. If you have any questions you can reach out to Allison Hritz, allison@tryingtogether.org. Registration PNC Financial Management for Home-Based Providers January 11, 2021 | 6:30- 7:30 p.m. PNC Financial Management for Center-Based Providers January 18, 2022 | 6:30 – 7: 30 p.m.
