Resources for September 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 September observances:
Month-Long Observances
Attendance Awareness Month
Attendance Awareness Campaign 2023, Attendance Works
Key Research: Why Attendance Matters for Achievement and How Interventions Can Help, Attendance Works
Baby Safety Month (BSM)
Organizations Publish New Child Safety and Development Resources for Families and Educators, Trying Together
Safety and Emergencies: Family Resources, Trying Together
Directory for Emergency and Safety Services, Trying Together
Recalls on Children’s Products, Trying Together
Baby Safety Month Safety Tips, Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
5 Tips for New Parents During Baby Safety Month, SafeKids.org
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
What is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month?, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Free Resources from the American Childhood Cancer Organization, American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO)
Are There Disparities in Childhood Cancer?, New York State Department of Health
Childhood Cancers, NIH National Cancer Institute
Facts About Childhood Cancer, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Participate in a 2023 September Childhood Cancer Awareness Event, Children’s Cancer Cause
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Supporting Childhood Physical Health: A Guide for Families: The Importance of Exercise, Trying Together
Parents and Caregivers Can Help Prevent Obesity and Support Healthy Growth, U.S. Department of Agriculture
TOOLKIT: National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Preventing Childhood Obesity: 4 Things Families Can Do, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Help Your Child Stay at a Healthy Weight, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Newborn Screening Awareness Month
Newborn Screening Portal, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
What is Newborn Screening?, Baby’s First Test
Newborn Screening Tests for Your Baby, March of Dimes (MoD)
About Newborn Screening, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Weeks of Recognition
September 17 – 23 is Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week
Car Seat Safety for Children, Trying Together
Car Seats and Booster Seats Overview, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Safe Kids Worldwide Car Seat Guide Videos, Safe Kids Worldwide
Boost Your Child Passenger Safety Knowledge and Skills Trainings, National Child Passenger Safety Board
All Children are Pedestrians! Prevention Tips and Recent Statistics, Children’s Safety Network at Education Development Center
Days of Recognition
September 6 is National Read a Book Day
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Releases 2023 Best Books for Babies List, Trying Together
Toolkit: Families and Schools Partnering for Children’s Literacy Success, Trying Together
Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together
Books to Celebrate Gender Expression, Inclusion, and Pride, Trying Together
Children’s Books About Transitions, Trying Together
Children’s Books About Mental Health, Trying Together
September 26 is National Family Day
Family Engagement Toolkit, Trying Together
Family Guide: Family Dynamics, Trying Together
Strategies to Support Social-Emotional Development: A Guide for Families, Trying Together
Family Transitions and Routines: Resources, Trying Together
Trying Together Releases Family Resources in Spanish, Trying Together
Grandfamily Tip Sheets Provide Information on Self-Care and Youth Mental Health, Trying Together
Navigating Sibling Relationships, Psychology Today
Foster and Adoptive Families: Supportive Strategies, PennState Better Kid Care
Blended Family and Step-Parenting Tips, HelpGuide.org
Keeping in Touch With Family Can Help Keep You Healthy, WebMD.com
Healthy Communication in Stepfamilies, National Stepfamily Resource Center (NRSC)
Get to Know Your Stepkids, National Stepfamily Resource Center (NRSC)