Finding Joy through Playful Learning aims to bring together educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who have a variety of experiences related to education, play, and learning. The conference will take place via Zoom over the course of several days covering six topics related to playful learning. The goal is to generate dialogue among different stakeholders and share best practices to support children and families in learning through play.
About
Join Playful Learning Landscapes Action Network, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, and Trying Together in February for a virtual conference bringing together educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss and share best practices to support children and families in learning through play.
Act 48 and PQAS credits are available. PPID and PD Registry numbers will be collected during the sessions. The following discount code is available for early educators who wish to participate in individual sessions or the entire series:
Available Sessions
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Rethinking Education During and Post COVID-19
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | 3 – 5 p.m.
Join featured speakers Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Dr. Scott Miller, and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for discussions of how playful learning can change education during and after COVID-19. Featured Speakers: Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek (Temple University, Brookings Institution), Scott Miller (Avonworth Primary Center), and Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.
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How Play Can Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing
Thursday, February 4, 2021 | 9 – 11 a.m.
Hear from Sarah Grubb, Cindy Eggleton, and Sheba Gittens about play’s role in mental health and wellbeing. Featured Speakers: Cindy Eggleton (Brilliant Detroit), Sarah Grubb (ELRC Region 5), and Sheba Gittens (University of Pittsburgh).
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Addressing Equity Issues Through Playful Learning
Thursday, February 4, 2021 | 3 – 5 p.m.
Dr. Nikole Hollins-Sims and Dr. Mandy McGuire will present their work on using play and playful learning to address inequity. Featured Speakers: Dr. Nikole Hollins-Sims (PaTTAN) and Dr. Mandy McGuire (University of Texas at Dallas).
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Activating Communities Around Playful Learning
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 | 3 – 5 p.m.
Ariana Brazier, Justin Forzano, Shari Hersh, Gamar Markarian, and Sarah Siplak, will discuss what it means to activate communities and how their communities inform the work they do. Featured Speakers: Ariana Brazier (ATL Parent Like a Boss), Justin Forzano (Open Field), Shari Hersh (Mural Arts), Gamar Markarian (New School), and Sarah Siplak (Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative).
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Using Technology to Strengthen the Way We Learn and Play
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Learn about technologies and applications from Katie Gullone, Megan Rooney, Javier Maisonet, and Project Rangeet. Featured Speakers: Elias Blinkoff (Temple Infant & Child Lab), Katie Gullone (Trying Together), Javier Maisonet (Math Talk), Simran Mulchandani (Project Rangeet), and Megan Rooney (La Escuelita Arcoiris).
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Replicable and Low-Cost Ideas for Playful Learning
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 | 3 – 5 p.m.
Explore low-cost and replicable ways to encourage playful learning from Shannon Merenstein, Amy Kronenberg, Rebecca Fabiano, and Aishwarya Narayana. Featured Speakers: Rebecca Fabiano (Fab Youth Philly), Amy Kronenberg (Learn to Earn Dayton), Shannon Merenstein (HATCH Art Studio), and Aishwarya Narayana (HUME).
Registration
To register, visit the online registration page. General Admission tickets cost $55 and include admission to all sessions. Single session registration is also available for $10 per session. Attendees will receive the Zoom link for each day’s session prior to the start of the event.
More Information
For questions, contact admin@playfullearninglandscapes.fun or 267.468.8610.
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.
Are you interested in learning about the latest early childhood research and connecting with thousands of fellow educators from around the world? Join ZERO TO THREE from October 5-9 for their Virtual Annual Conference!
About
This year’s virtual conference will give participants the added flexibility to be connected safely to thousands of colleagues from around the world; be inspired through an immersive experience into the latest research and education; and be prepared to move their practice forward in our changing and challenging world.
The conference package includes five days of exceptional programming and 30 days of exclusive, on-demand access to recorded sessions. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are included. Pre-Conference Forums will be available as well from September 22 to October 1 for an additional fee. Each Forum package includes a single two-day Forum event and 30-day access to the recorded session. CEUs are included.
Featured Sessions
The conference features many presentations and breakout sessions, including, but not limited to the following:
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- Bringing Self-Compassion and Care Home: Learning by Nurturing
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- Supporting Healthy Development Through Meaningful Relationships With Mother Nature, a Growing Global Movement
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- Operation HealthySteps: Promoting Safe Childcare Practices Across a Large Medical System
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- Where Trauma and Grief Collide: CPP With Child Traumatic Grief
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- How to Incorporate Mindfulness Techniques Into Family-Based Practices With Infants and Toddlers
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- Interrogating Whiteness in Early Intervention
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- Equity and Inclusion in Family Engagement Programs
See the full schedule.
Registration
To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. Member and group discounts are available. If you require any assistance with your registration, contact the Customer Support team at 855.868.1192
Are you a single mom or caregiver in need of self-care? Women’s Rap provides a safe place for communication, encouragement, and reflection. Join us for a group discussion to build your confidence, gratitude, and supportive relationships with other women.
Event Details
Second Friday of Every Month
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Location
The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center
7219 Kelly Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Learn More
For more information, contact Toni Beasley at 412.540.5732 or toni@tryingtogether.org. Learn more about the Homewood Early Learning Hub and Family Center on the Trying Together website.
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Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins are interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. Participants will engage in virtual discussions via Zoom with child development experts while interacting with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about the highlighted topic.
After registering, participants will receive a Zoom Meeting link via email from the session instructor. Each session will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered for these sessions.
Available Sessions
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- Trauma and the Effects on Brain Development
Wednesday, 6/17 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Alison Babusci | Click here to register.
The COVID-19 crisis has brought many new stressors into our lives. Participants will join Professional Growth and Advancement Strategist Alison Babusci to review how stress affects healthy brain development in children, learn about the brain’s response to stress, and talk about how early learning professionals can help our young children to cope.
Session Rules and Guidelines
These virtual discussions are designed to provide educators the opportunity to grow professionally and share knowledge on early childhood topics. During the meeting, participants should follow the guidelines below to ensure a successful virtual meeting for all participants.
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- Please allow all participants a chance to speak. Listen respectfully and actively.
- Commit to learning about each other, not to debating the topic.
- Embrace differences of opinion as healthy and support each person’s authentic self-expression.
- Participants will be muted for the beginning portion of the session.
- Participants may use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to request an opportunity to comment or ask a question. Individuals will be temporarily unmuted by the moderator.
- Participants may type a comment or question in the Chat or may send comments or questions directly to the moderator for them to share.
- To receive PQAS credit, you must complete an evaluation at the end of the session and include your PD Registry number.
- Have fun, make connections, and engage in the conversations!
More Information
For questions or more information, please contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.
Connections and Conversations: Virtual Check-Ins are interactive sessions that highlight topics of interest to the field of early childhood education. Participants will engage in virtual discussions via Zoom with child development experts while interacting with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about the highlighted topic.
After registering, participants will receive a Zoom Meeting link via email from the session instructor. Each session will offer one hour of PQAS credit. Act 48 credit will not be offered for these sessions.
Available Sessions
-
- Trauma and the Effects on Brain Development
Wednesday, 6/17 | 3 – 4 p.m. | Instructor: Alison Babusci | Click here to register.
The COVID-19 crisis has brought many new stressors into our lives. Participants will join Professional Growth and Advancement Strategist Alison Babusci to review how stress affects healthy brain development in children, learn about the brain’s response to stress, and talk about how early learning professionals can help our young children to cope.
Session Rules and Guidelines
These virtual discussions are designed to provide educators the opportunity to grow professionally and share knowledge on early childhood topics. During the meeting, participants should follow the guidelines below to ensure a successful virtual meeting for all participants.
-
- Please allow all participants a chance to speak. Listen respectfully and actively.
- Commit to learning about each other, not to debating the topic.
- Embrace differences of opinion as healthy and support each person’s authentic self-expression.
- Participants will be muted for the beginning portion of the session.
- Participants may use the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom to request an opportunity to comment or ask a question. Individuals will be temporarily unmuted by the moderator.
- Participants may type a comment or question in the Chat or may send comments or questions directly to the moderator for them to share.
- To receive PQAS credit, you must complete an evaluation at the end of the session and include your PD Registry number.
- Have fun, make connections, and engage in the conversations!
More Information
For questions or more information, please contact Jasmine Davis at 412.567.3933 or jasmine@tryingtogether.org.
Are you a superintendent or school leader who is interested in learning how schools might prepare for a post-COVID-19 educational environment? Attend “Transform for Tomorrow,” a virtual series for school leaders that explores how educational organizations can make plans for what comes next, no matter what tomorrow may bring.
About
As abruptly as COVID-19 has struck, educational leaders had no prior training on managing after this dramatic change. The purpose of the Transform for Tomorrow virtual series is to share and learn from one another during this unprecedented time and examine 11 topics that can help in managing this major paradigm shift in education. To view session topics, view the series flyer. Participants must attend all sessions.
To register, visit the event webpage. Sessions will continue from May through June, and will prepare participants for the still evolving environmental changes of the 2020 shift into 2021 school years. Come learn with us and share your experience.
More Information
For more information, contact Dr. Bart Rocco at rocco187@comcast.net or Dr. Billie Rondinelli at billejeanrondinelli@gmail.com. This virtual series is presented to you in Collaboration with Remake Learning, The Grable Foundation, and The Allegheny Intermediate Unit.
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Join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) this winter to discuss hot topics around early language and literacy development. From January through March 2020, 3o-minute chat sessions will be hosted on the second and fourth Friday at 8:30 a.m and repeated at 1:30 p.m. Participants will gain access to resources to share with families and use in their classrooms and centers. PQAS credit hours and infant/toddler hours available.
Available Dates
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- January 10, 2020: Those First Words
- January 24, 2020: Conversations with Kids
- February 7, 2020: Books, Books, Books!
- February 21, 2020: Print is Everywhere
- March 6, 2020: Sounds All Around!
- March 20, 2020: Celebrating Dual Language Learners
More Information
For more information, visit the event Padlet page.
*Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
The PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) are hosting chat sessions during the winter months to discuss early language and literacy development topics.
Join these 30-minute online chat sessions, offered at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., to discover resources to share with families and implement in your classroom or center. These sessions will take place on the second and fourth Friday of every month from January through March 2019.
Chat Sessions
- Disconnecting to Connect | January 11, 2019
- Building Vocabulary | January 25, 2019
- Storybook Reading | February 8, 2019
- Print in the Environment | February 22, 2019
- Playing with Sounds | March 8, 2019
- Supporting Dual Language Learners | March 22, 2019
More Information
Visit their event website to learn more about the topics, credits, and registration.
PQAS credit hours and Infant/Toddler hours available.
Sharpen and your skates and get ready to enjoy another action-packed season of ice skating at the Schenley Park Skating Rink. The City of Pittsburgh’s outdoor rink is now open and offers a variety of skating sessions, lessons, and special events.
Special Sessions
The rink operates seven days a week and offers a variety of public sessions and lessons, including:
- Family Skate:
Thursdays from 6:30 – 9 p.m. One child free with each paying adult (adult admission $5). All children must be accompanied by paying adults.
- College ID Sessions:
Tuesdays from 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.; Wednesdays from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.; and Sundays from 7 – 9 p.m. Present a valid college ID and save one dollar on admission (college student admission $4 during these sessions).
- Adults Only Sessions (18+):
Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 – 11:30 p.m.
Special Events
Over the winter, the rink will host several special events including:
- Skate with Santa
Sunday, December 16 (1:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
- Mascot Skate
Saturday, January 12 (1:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
- Disco Night
Saturday, February 2 (9:30 – 11:30 p.m.) – adults only
- Valentines On Ice
Thursday, February 14, (7 – 10 p.m.) – adults only
Admission Costs
Admission to the Schenley Park Skating Rink is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $4 for veterans, and $3 for children 17 years old or younger. Skate rental is $3 and skate sharpening is $5. Schenley Skating Rink accepts credit cards, Google Pay and Apple Pay.
For more information, call 412-422-6523 or visit www.pittsburghpa.gov/schenley/rink.
*Information provided by The City of Pittsburgh*
