Trying Together

10/10/2026

Did you know? 📚 Reading with a young child is not only an opportunity to help build their language and literacy skills, but also a time for caregivers to bond with their child.

Sesame Workshop recently shared some tips for shared reading with children from birth to age 3, with suggestions ranging from creating a reading ritual and building good reading habits in children to letting children lead the way during reading time.

Visit our website to find an in-depth list of tips for shared reading: https://tryingtogether.org/sesame-workshop-shares-tips-for-reading-to-children-that-build-language-and-promote-bonding/

10/09/2026

You're invited! Join us on Tuesday, November 10 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. as we celebrate Trying Together’s 2026 Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellows and their year of learning, advocacy, and action.

Attendees can explore fellows’ displays, hear about the issues fellows care about, discover ways to get involved and take action, and connect with families, educators, program leaders, community partners, and supporters. All are welcome to join us at the Sherwood Event Center (Hosanna House Rental Venues).

Visit our website to learn more and RSVP: https://tryingtogether.org/event/trying-togethers-2026-early-childhood-education-advocacy-fair/

10/09/2026

For more than 60 years, Head Start has helped children and families thrive. Earlier this week, the public comments for the proposed changes were due. Trying Together submitted comments alongside 40,000 others. Thank you to every parent, early childhood educator, and community member who shared their story and stepped up for Head Start. We are committed to ensuring every child gets the safe, quality, nurturing start they deserve. Read our public comments to see how your stories shaped our recommendations, and learn more about why standing up for Head Start matters.

More details: https://tryingtogether.org/more-than-40000-speak-up-for-head-start/

Senator Dave McCormick
U.S. Senator John Fetterman
Rep. Summer Lee
Congressman Chris Deluzio
Congressman Guy Reschenthaler

10/08/2026

We have good news: there is still time to apply for Trying Together's fall Child Development Associate (CDA) program! All students will attend biweekly virtual meetings, as well as biweekly or monthly in-person sessions. The cohort will be a total of 135 hours.

Coursework will include portfolio and application assistance, study materials, and exam preparation. If you're interested in learning more, please fill out Trying Together’s CDA Interest Form. Additionally, all students will be required to complete a PASSHE PDO Funding application to cover tuition, books, and fees.

Find the application links and more details on our website: https://tryingtogether.org/registration-open-for-trying-togethers-fall-cda-cohort/

10/08/2026

Interested in opening a home-based child care business? Trying Together will soon launch a new session of our Home-Based Child Care course, which offers information about best business practices, opening a small business, child care licensing, Keystone STARS, and developmentally appropriate practices.

The next session will begin January 2027 and will meet weekly from 6:30–8:30 p.m. in a hybrid format (specific dates are yet to be determined). Participants will receive start-up mini-grants, peer mentoring from local child care business owners, and support to become state licensed and participate in Keystone STARS.

Visit our website to learn more and apply: https://tryingtogether.org/application-process-open-for-trying-togethers-2027-home-based-child-care-course/

10/07/2026

Beaver, Butler, and Lawrence County early care and education professionals: next month, we're coming to you! Join us for "Everyday Interactions Matter," a professional development course that reviews how to observe and reflect upon moments of growing, sharing, learning, and belonging in the ordinary, everyday interactions you share with young children.

🗓️ Wednesday, November 4
⏰ 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
📍 Slippery Rock University (Robert M. Smith Student Center, Room 321)

Reserve your spot today: https://tryingtogether.org/event/everyday-interactions-matter-butler/

10/06/2026

Early childhood advocates: this is your last chance to use your voice to speak up for Head Start! The deadline for public comment on the proposed changes to Head Start is today, October 6, at midnight.

Trying Together has created a public comment guide to help you submit a comment explaining your concerns about the proposed changes:https://tryingtogether.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Head-Start_Public_Comment_Guide.pdf

Once you're ready to share your comment, here's how to submit it:
● Go to Regulations.gov
● Type Head Start in the search box.
● Click “ACF_Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs_RIN-0970-AD30”
● Click the blue “comment” button.

10/05/2026

Thank you to Liz Caples at the Gettysburg Times for her coverage of the proposed federal changes that would significantly rewrite Head Start Program Performance Standards, which govern class size, staffing, health and mental health services, workforce qualifications, transportation, and other critical components of Head Start and Early Head Start.

Tomorrow is the deadline for public comment at Regulations.gov. Use your voice today to help PA's most vulnerable children.

Read the article to learn more about experts' concerns regarding the proposed changes: https://www.gettysburgtimes.com/news/basket/federal-head-start-rewrite-draws-pa-concern-as-comment-deadline-nears/article_eb39023e-f7e1-44ca-9498-f2238f069600.html

10/02/2026

Last week, a few members of Trying Together's team visited the new Rutledge Institute at PennWest California. This brand-new, state-of-the-art child care and early learning center is operated by The Village and its teachers, assisted by Rutledge Institute scholars who are studying early childhood education at PennWest California.

Our staff enjoyed touring the new space and getting to know some of the staff and students who worked so hard to bring the program to life!

10/01/2026

We're extremely proud to have introduced Ultimate Play Day, a celebration of play hosted by Trying Together and the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative. This event brought families, educators, and community groups together for free play activities across Pittsburgh’s parks and public spaces, raising awareness of play as essential for learning, health, and human connection throughout life, not just in early childhood.

Ultimate Play Day helped communities to experience the benefits of play directly, rather than discussing them abstractly. To learn more, check out Remake Learning's report, The 57, which also features Trying Together's Message from Me initiative.

(For more details about both programs, visit our website: https://tryingtogether.org/remake-learning-includes-2-trying-together-initiatives-on-list-of-projects-that-influenced-pittsburgh-education/)

What if cities treated play as essential infrastructure?

That idea inspired Trying Together to create Ultimate Play Day, an annual celebration that transforms parks and public spaces into giant, intergenerational playgrounds.

Families, educators, artists, and community groups come together for hands-on activities that make the benefits of play something everyone can share.

🎈 Discover Ultimate Play Day in , and follow along as we share more inspiration from across the collection.