Resources for October Observances
Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them.
Here is a list of resources for October observances.
Month-Long Observances
HEAD START AWARENESS MONTH
Head Start Awareness Month October 2024, National Today
October is Head Start Awareness Month, Trying Together
Head Start Awareness Month, National Head Start Association
DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, International Dyslexia Association
Understanding Dyslexia, Nemours KidsHealth
Understanding Dyslexia, Child Mind Institute
NATIONAL BOOK MONTH
Why Is It Important to Read to Your Child?, Child Mind Institute
Kids & Teens Booklists, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Supporting Early Literacy Development, Buzzword
PA Promise Releases Book List for Families and Friends, Buzzword
Days of Recognition
OCTOBER 2 IS NATIONAL CHILD HEALTH DAY
Childhood Physical Health, Trying Together
Childhood Physical Health: Resources, Trying Together
Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families, Trying Together
Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health, Trying Together
OCTOBER 4 IS NATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY
National Walk & Bike to School Day - October 2, 2024, National Today
Celebrate Walk to School Day, Action for Healthy Kids
OCTOBER 7 IS NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY
Using Play to Support Children’s Physical Health, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative
Outdoor Play Trends, Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative
The Benefits of Outdoor Play: Why It Matters, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
OCTOBER 9 IS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY
11 Ways to Observe Indigenous People’s Day with Children, Rebekah Gienapp
What is Indigenous People’s Day? Here’s a Look at Its History, Associated Press
OCTOBER 10 IS WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
Childhood Mental Health, Trying Together
Caring for the Caregiver, Trying Together
Mental Health Resources for Child Care Providers in Allegheny County, Early Learning Resource Center
Grandfamily Tip Sheets Provide Information on Self-Care and Youth Mental Health, Trying Together
Parental Mental Health Impacts on Children, Trying Together
OCTOBER 11 IS NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
Gender, Gender Identity, and LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Trying Together
Family Guide: Gender and Gender Identity, Trying Together
Non-Gendered Play in Early Childhood, Trying Together
How Are Sex, Gender, and Gender Identity Defined?, Trying Together
Resource List: Books to Celebrate Gender Expression, Inclusion, and Pride, Trying Together