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 2026, National Today

• October is Head Start Awareness Month, Sunrise Children’s Foundation

• 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 

• PBS Kids for Parents Releases List of Books for Children About Friendship, Buzzword

Week-Long Observances

NATIONAL FRIENDS OF LIBRARIES WEEK IS OCTOBER 18 - 24

• Help to Promote Reading Among Children During September’s National Literacy Month, Buzzword

• Sesame Workshop Shares Tips for Reading to Children That Build Language and Promote Bonding, Buzzword

• Reading Ready Pittsburgh Working to Expand Regional Participation on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Buzzword

Days of Recognition

OCTOBER 5 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 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 12 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 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