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The Power of Positive Relationships

News

December 16, 2020

The Power of Positive Relationships

Are you interested in learning about the importance of positive relationships? Join Trying Together on January 6 for our free virtual workshop, “Connections and Conversations: The Power of Positive Relationships.”

About

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 with child development experts while interacting with early learning practitioners to share questions, experiences, and expertise about how positive relationships create a work environment that people want to be a part of.

Session Details

    • Session Date: Wednesday, January 6  |  6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
    • Instructors: Allison Robinson
    • Core Knowledge Area: Communication
    • CDA Content Area: Social and Emotional Development
    • Registration Deadline: Monday, January 4, 2021

Registration

To register, visit the course PD Registry page. Space is limited. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. PQAS credit will be available.

If you do not have a PD Registry account, please complete this online form to create one. If you are unable to create an account, please contact pdregistry@pakeys.org for more information.

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, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

Virtual Conference: Early Literacy, Libraries, and You

News

December 15, 2020

Virtual Conference: Early Literacy, Libraries, and You

Are you interested in learning how to raise lifelong readers? Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh from February 15 – 25, 2021 for their virtual conference, “Early Literacy, Libraries, and You.”

About

Educators and caregivers play a critical role in developing children’s reading readiness. In order to be ready to read when they enter school, young children need rich early literacy activities and interactions. Through this virtual conference, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will discuss activities, resources, and research that will enable participants to raise lifelong readers through expanded early literacy practices.

Formal and informal educators and caregivers are invited to attend. Attendees are welcome to register for one or more sessions. For individuals seeking continuing education hours, the number of hours received will correspond with the number of sessions attended. All sessions will be hosted on Zoom. Event links being sent out via email.

Featured Sessions

More Information

This Virtual Conference is presented in partnership between Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Trying Together as part of the Pittsburgh Ready project, with support from PNC Grow Up Great. To learn more, visit the Carnegie Libary of Pittsburgh website.

Fishing for a Positive Work Environment

News

December 1, 2020

Fishing for a Positive Work Environment

Are you interested in learning how to create a positive work environment? Join Trying Together on Wednesday, December 16 for our online course, “FISH philosophy: Fishing for a positive work environment!”

About

During this course, Leadership Development Strategist Allison Robinson will discuss the four principles of the FISH philosophy and assist participants in considering how each principle can become daily practice. These four concepts will help participants create and maintain a working environment that is energizing, fun, and that allows each member of the team to feel important.

Session Details

    • Session Date: Wednesday, December 16  |  1 – 3 p.m.
    • Instructor: Allison Robinson
    • CKC: Professional and Leadership
    • CDA Subject Area: Maintaining Professionalism
    • Registration Deadline: Monday, December 14, 2020

Registration

To register, visit the PD Registry page. Space is limited. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. PQAS credit is available.

If you do not have a PD Registry account, please complete this online form to create one. If you are unable to create an account, please contact pdregistry@pakeys.org for more information.

More Information

For questions or more information, please contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

Stay and Play!

News

November 24, 2020

Stay and Play!

Early learning programs: Are you interested in participating in music, movement, wellness, science, and creative expression activities with your children? Join Trying Together and the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative for the eight-week virtual “Stay and Play!” series.

Stay and Play!

Many providers face the challenge of juggling virtual learning for school-age children while keeping younger children engaged. To help support this work, Trying Together and the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative reimagined the Come Play! experience.

As part of the eight-week “Stay and Play!” series, we invite early learning programs to participate in a weekly virtual playdate. Join in music, movement, wellness, science, and creative expression activities that make play a joyful part of the day.

Available Sessions

More Information

Registration preferred 24 hours in advance. Contact Sarah Byrne-Houser at sarah@tryingtogether.org to register at any time.

Please share this flyer with your networks.

2018-2020 Community Report Now Available

News

November 23, 2020

2018-2020 Community Report Now Available

In 2018 Trying Together rebranded and embarked on its Strategic Roadmap. Now two-years in, Trying Together pauses to reflect on what has been accomplished, what still needs to be done, and what has changed in the midst of these turbulent times in the 2018 – 2020 Trying Together Community Report. Moving forward, Trying Together will provide an updated version of this report biennially to share continued progress and future plans.

More Information

Caregivers of young children today are facing unprecedented challenges. From extensive changes in the early learning field to the current COVID-19 pandemic and more, adults and children are being asked to try together to grow and learn in ways like never before. In response, Trying Together has strived to continue supporting parents and educators so they know how much they and their efforts are appreciated.

The newest Community Report provides an overview of the work that Trying Together has accomplished in the last two fiscal years, with the following outcomes in mind.

By 2022, Trying Together will be:

  • A national leader offering its expertise in coordinating and connecting systems at the neighborhood, local, and regional levels to support early childhood development and early learning.
  • The premier provider of in-person and online professional growth opportunities for home, center, and school-based professionals to ensure that every child has access to high-quality early childhood and early learning experiences.
  • A ‘go to source’ for families to aid them in making well-informed decisions regarding their child’s early experiences.
  • An expert policy resource in western Pennsylvania and a leading advocate for high-quality early care and education in the state, mobilizing its network to take action on issues important to young children and their families.

About Trying Together

Trying Together supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them. Trying Together works regionally (in Southwestern Pennsylvania) and takes its expertise and models to statewide and national audiences.

Apply for New Early Childhood League

News

November 12, 2020

Apply for New Early Childhood League

Trying Together invites parents, caregivers of children, and community organizations to apply to its new Early Childhood League to advocate for positive changes in early learning policies. Online applications are being accepted through December 14, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.

About

Through the generosity of The Grable Foundation and a Remake Learning TOMORROW grant, Trying Together is launching the Early Childhood League in the Pittsburgh Region.

The League will empower marginalized families to work with local organizations and other community partners to advocate for positive changes in early learning policies that affect them and their children. Improvements in local early learning environments will be achieved by members of the League who will receive training from and be supported by Trying Together staff and other experts.

Details

The Early Childhood League will be composed of:

  • a minimum of 25 selected parents and other caregivers of young children;
  • a minimum of five community organizations; and
  • one large institution.

From January through September 2021, members of the League will meet once a month to discuss learning topics such as:

  • communications techniques;
  • community organizing strategies;
  • early childhood education principles; and
  • public policy processes.

With ongoing programmatic support from Trying Together and the TOMORROW grant, the League will acquire the agency to not only develop, but implement their own advocacy plan to further advance the efforts of existing statewide early childhood policy campaigns including: child care (Start Strong PA); pre-k (Pre-K for PA); and home visiting (Childhood Begins At Home).

Individuals interested in joining the League must submit an application and a resume. To apply, complete the application and upload your resume via the online form by December 14, 2020.

Organizations interested in participating should upload their latest annual report and a document including contact information and a brief statement summarizing why they would like to engage in advocacy for early learning.

Chosen participants will receive a stipend for their time.

Share this flyer with your networks.

More Information

For more information about public policy efforts at Trying Together, contact Cristina Codario by email at cristina@tryingtogether.org or by calling 412.567.3673.

Remote Learning Resources Available

News

October 27, 2020

Remote Learning Resources Available

With recent changes to schooling due to COVID-19, Trying Together has compiled a list of remote learning resources to support teachers, parents, and students as they transition to and navigate remote learning. The Remote Learning Resources list is available on the Trying Together website.

 

Additional COVID-19 Resources

 

To best support community members and the young children in their lives, Trying Together has created two resource lists, featuring helpful resources that families and educators can use to maneuver this difficult time.

About Trying Together

 

Trying Together supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them. Trying Together works regionally (in Southwestern Pennsylvania) and takes its expertise and models to statewide and national audiences. Learn more on the Trying Together website.

Reducing Suspensions and Expulsions in ECE Programs

News

October 26, 2020

Reducing Suspensions and Expulsions in ECE Programs

A child’s first five years are the most critical for neurological development.

This is why responding to young children’s behaviors by suspending or expelling them from early childhood education (ECE) programs threatens their well-being during a critical period of learning.

To highlight ways in which ECE professionals should work to focus on preventative and responsive strategies for healthy child development, Trying Together has released a white paper entitled, “A Pathway to Reduce and Eliminate Early Childhood Suspensions and Expulsions.” This white paper is meant to provide guidance for stakeholders at all levels – teachers in the classroom, directors of programs, early interventionists, quality coaches, mental and behavioral health specialists, advocates, families, and policymakers.

Trying Together maintains that the elimination of suspensions and expulsions in early childhood settings must simultaneously occur with policies that increase resources and support for educators. 

The white paper provides researched recommendations including:

  • Establishing developmentally appropriate policies
  • Addressing implicit bias
  • Strengthening family engagement
  • Utilizing developmental screening tools
  • Promoting professional growth opportunities

The new white paper is a continuation of Trying Together’s efforts to encourage ECE programs and professionals to set developmentally appropriate expectations and establish preventative solutions. Other resources include Trying Together’s white paper entitled, “End Early Childhood Suspensions and Expulsions: Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Policies For Addressing Behaviors in The Early Elementary School Grades” and a supplemental document entitled, “Addressing Suspensions and Expulsions: A Guide for Families,” which provides helpful tips family caregivers can employ to address their suspension and expulsion concerns.

For more information, read the new, complete white paper.

Using Ages and Stages Questionnaires® as a Screening Tool

News

October 19, 2020

Using Ages and Stages Questionnaires® as a Screening Tool

This event is full. Additional Ages and Stages courses will be offered in January 2021. 

Are you interested in learning how to use Ages and Stages Questionnaires® as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years? Join Trying Together on November 7 for our virtual course, “Using Ages and Stages Questionnaires® as a Screening Tool.”

About

During this course, participants will learn how to use the ASQ® and ASQ:SE® as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session will provide information on how to administer and score the screener and share results of the screener with families. Information about additional resources for making referrals to services will be included if needed.

Session Details

    • Session Date: Saturday, November 7, 2020  |  9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
    • Instructor: Pamela Zimmerman
    • Core Knowledge Area: Assessment
    • CDA Content Area: Observing & Recording Behavior
    • Registration Deadline: Thursday, November 5, 2020

Registration

To register, visit the course PD Registry page. Space is limited. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. PQAS and Act 48 credit available.

If you do not have a PD Registry account, please complete this online form to create one. If you are unable to create an account, please contact pdregistry@pakeys.org for more information.

More Information

For questions or more information, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org.

Using Ages and Stages Questionnaires® as a Screening Tool

News

Using Ages and Stages Questionnaires® as a Screening Tool

This event is full. Additional Ages and Stages courses will be offered in January 2021. 

Are you interested in learning how to use Ages and Stages Questionnaires® as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years? Join Trying Together on November 14 for our virtual course, “Using Ages and Stages Questionnaires® as a Screening Tool.”

About

During this course, participants will learn how to use the ASQ® and ASQ:SE® as a screening tool for children ages three months to five years. The session will provide information on how to administer and score the screener and share results of the screener with families. Information about additional resources for making referrals to services will be included if needed.

Session Details

    • Session Date: Saturday, November 14, 2020  |  9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
    • Instructor: Pamela Zimmerman
    • Core Knowledge Area: Assessment
    • CDA Content Area: Observing & Recording Behavior
    • Registration Deadline: Thursday, November 12, 2020

Registration

To register, visit the course PD Registry page. Space is limited. Participants will receive the course Zoom link via email within 24 hours before the start date for the course. PQAS and Act 48 credit available.

If you do not have a PD Registry account, please complete this online form to create one. If you are unable to create an account, please contact pdregistry@pakeys.org for more information.

More Information

For questions or more information, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org.