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A publication of the Howard County Office of Children and Families
Family Institute
February 2022
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Parenting with Empathy
Empathy is the ability to recognize and understand the feelings of others. Explore empathy and discuss ways to spark empathy in your child through everyday interactions. This is geared for caregivers of children birth to five.
Tuesday, February 15 / 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. / Free Virtual Workshop / Register here
Friendship Skills for School and Life Success
Social skills are at the top of the list of important skills for school success. Parents can have a strong impact on their children’s social/emotional development which can help them learn positive interpersonal skills to develop friendships and strengthen academic skills. Explore how COVID has affected social development, and gain an understanding of how your child can make friends, maintain friendships and solve conflicts. Become aware of tools and resources to help your child and learn how to help them practice friendship skills, navigate peer pressure and build self-esteem. This is targeted for parents of children from pre-school through elementary school.
Thursday, February 17 / 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. / Free Virtual Workshop
Brain Builders: Optimize Your Toddler’s Early Brain Development from Birth to 18 months
Babies start learning from the day they are born and there is much to learn about this critical time in their development. In this workshop, parents and caregivers will gain an understanding of their infant’s developing brain and how simple daily interactions and activities can be learning moments to support those brain connections. Learn how forming a secure attachment with your baby can create effective learning pathways. Explore resources in the community that support families on this developmental journey to help ensure that your baby starts off with a healthy and strong beginning.
Tuesday, February 22 / 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. / Free Virtual Workshop
Selecting High Quality Child Care
Selecting child care can be an overwhelming process. Every parent wants to find quality care that meets their needs, is affordable, offers a convenient location & hours, and provides a healthy & safe environment that a child is happy to attend. Learn how to choose a child care program that works for your family.
Wednesday, February 23 / 7:00 p.m. / Free Virtual Workshop / Register here
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Howard County 2022 Child Care Fair
The Howard County Office of Children and Families’ annual Child Care Fair is coming to the North Laurel Community Center on Saturday, February 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This free event provides parents, guardians, grandparents and child care personnel the opportunity to learn about child care, preschools, school-age and summer programs. OCF staff will hold informational sessions on “How to Choose an Early Childhood Program” and representatives from community service organizations that offer programs and services for young children will be onsite. For more information, click here.
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2022 Parent’s Guide to Howard County
The 2022 edition of the Parent’s Guide is coming soon. A publication of the Office of Children and Families, the guide provides parents and caregivers valuable information and resources to support their children. It also provides a comprehensive listing of child care and early education programs. View the digital edition of the Parent's Guide online.
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Diaper Drive
The Howard County Library System is collecting diapers throughout February. Drop off donations at any library branch in the county - diapers sizes 4 and up, including pull-ups, are needed most.
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The Basics
As parents, we want to make the most of our children’s early years and provide positive experiences. The Basics Howard County offers five fun, simple and powerful ways to boost brain development and learning for children up to age three. Based on your child’s birth date, evidence-based strategies are sent by text to support learning. To receive information specifically for your child’s developmental stage, sign up for free text messaging here, a vailable in English or Spanish. For more information about the Basics, email children@howardcountymd.gov.
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Celebrate Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on the past and discover something new. Howard County is a great place to explore and learn about African American history and culture, with many museums, landmarks and parks to visit. Here are just a few suggestions:
For additional offerings, contact the Howard County Welcome Center or visit the Howard County Library System for classes that support Black History Month:
Little Learners: Illustrators on Parade-Kadir Nelson
Tuesday, February 22 / 2:00 to 2:45 p.m.
Central Branch, Warfield Room
Ages 2 to 5 with adult
Celebrate Black History Month with stories by award-winning author/illustrator Kadir Nelson. Enjoy story, songs, and activities for preschoolers that spark curiosity and support learning. To register, click here.
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Love Notes for Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to express our love to others, especially our children. We can use this holiday to show our children love and encourage positive behaviors. A fun way to do this is to leave your child love notes every day leading up to February 14. Focus on your child’s positive efforts, experiences and behaviors (such as: I love what a kind sister you are, and I love playing games with you; you are such as good sport!) These notes will make your child feel special and loved, and will reinforce positive behaviors. But don’t stop after Valentine’s Day! Giving your child recognition and praising positive behaviors is beneficial every day of the year. Here is a free template you can use for your love notes: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Love-Note-Template-FREEBIE-861243
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Free Tax Preparation Assistance Available
MakingChange offers free tax preparation assistance to qualifying families. If you’re unsure how to do your taxes, have questions or want to make sure you’re completing the forms correctly, MakingChange can guide you. Howard County residents earning $58,000 or less annually are eligible to meet with an Internal Revenue Service certified volunteer who will prepare your taxes - even if you haven’t filed taxes in a while or owe back taxes. The MakingChange Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site at the MultiService Center in Laurel is open and accepts new clients, by appointment only.
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Watch out for Tax Scams!
Tax season may have just begun, but tax scammers are already hard at work. The Howard County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) helps to protect residents from becoming the victim of tax-related scams, including:
- Tax ID theft - use of your social security number to file taxes and claim a refund
- Ghost preparers - people who say they will file your taxes, but don’t sign returns they prepare
- IRS impersonation phone scams - caller claims to be an IRS employee, using fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers
OCP offers the following tips to keep yourself safe:
- File your taxes early in the season before a thief can file taxes in your name
- Only use licensed tax preparers
- Remember that the IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media to request personal or financial information
For more information on tax scams and other services offered by the Office of Consumer Protection, click here.
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Nursery Rhymes Offer Valuable Lessons!
Infants and toddlers rely on parents to help them learn and acquire skills necessary for growth and development. Providing opportunities to sing songs together, including nursery rhymes, builds language development skills and introduces sequencing and rhyming patterns which supports school readiness skills. Nursery rhymes can be implemented into daily routines and repeated over and over with little ones, promoting bonding and enhancing learning. For more information on the benefits of nursery rhymes and to find nursery rhymes that parents can try with their little ones, check out:
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On the Road to Kindergarten: Mobile Library
The Howard County Library System has added a new community site for their On the Road to Kindergarten mobile library visits. Families with children 0 to 5 years can:
- borrow books, activity kits and toys
- attend a children's class
- learn about community resources
- use free wi-fi
For more information, click here.
Events Calendar
Magformers Mania
Tuesday, February 2 / 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
Central Branch, Warfield Meeting Room
Ages 6 to 11
Boost your engineering skills by building with Magformers.
Kindness Rocks
Thursday, February 10 / 2:00 to 2:45 p.m.
Central Branch, Warfield Meeting Room
Ages 6 to 11
Spread a little kindness this winter with Kindness Rocks! Come and decorate your own rock with bright colors, inspiring pictures, and positive thoughts.
Code Breakers
Wednesday, February 16 / 2:00 to 2:45 p.m.
Elkridge Branch, Seahorse Children’s Classroom
Ages 8 to 10
Have you ever wanted to become a spy? Discover how to read and “break” different codes, ciphers and other puzzles. You may even find an unexpected treasure!
Author Visit at the Library
Arielle Skinner: I Am a Sunflower, the Sunflower is Me
Saturday, February 26 / 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Elkridge Branch, Belmont Room
All Ages
Join the author as she discusses her debut book. The book highlights qualities of a sunflower and its needs, while giving readers the opportunity to reflect on their own unique qualities and grow to be the best version of themselves. Click here for more information.
To register for classes, click here.
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Tips to Handle Peer Pressure
We’ve certainly taught our children to say no, but that’s not always easy with friends and classmates. Howard County DrugFree lists five tips from Just Think Twice to support your child in saying no to constant and repeated pressure to use drugs and alcohol.
Here are a few ideas:
- Stick with your bestie - if you’re both on the same page about drug and alcohol use, then you always have someone who has your back
- Avoid any place where you think someone might pressure you
- Be the sober one - if you find others drinking or using drugs, be the sober one who makes sure everyone gets home safely
- Ask a million questions - if someone is frequently asking you to use drugs, ask questions like “Aren’t you afraid of getting caught with that?” There really aren’t many good reasons for teens to use drugs and their answers may reaffirm your choice to be drug-free
- Stick to your script – it's a great idea to have a few responses memorized like “No I can’t. My parents would kill me” or “No, I’m not really into that.”
Dealing with constant peer pressure can be hard, but encouraging your child to be confident in their decision to be drug-free is important. For more ways to help your child navigate the pressures and challenges of adolescence, consider enrolling them in HC DrugFree Life Skills Classes for grades six to nine or register yourself for free parenting classes for parents/guardians of children aged 9 to 14.
Talk to Your Kids About Not Sharing Pills
Many parents recognize the importance of talking with their children about avoiding drugs or alcohol but may not realize the need to talk with their children about prescription and over the counter (OTC) medication. Teaching children that the proper use of prescription and OTC medication can be helpful, but is harmful if abused. Talking to kids about prescription drug abuse is a resource that helps parents begin the conversation and provide developmentally-appropriate information.
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Every Friendship Begins with a Conversation
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects social interactions and communication. For many people on the spectrum, dating, friendships and other relationships can be challenging. Conversation is key to building friendships and Pathfinders for Autism can help navigate the process successfully. Here are a few strategies to practice:
- Seek out someone you would like to talk with
- Look for eye contact - a nod, smile or other non-verbal cues
- Decide what you would like to say before approaching the person
- Initiate a conversation with a greeting
For more strategies, click here.
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Family Support and Resource Center
Bonding Activities: Effective, Practical Relationship Building Ideas for Families of Students with ADHD
Thursday, February 10 / 1:00 p.m.
Free Virtual Event
Does your relationship with your child or teen revolve around their ADHD and not who they are as a person? ADHD can sometimes obscure your child’s true self and prevent joyful connections. Learn how to identify when the three core symptoms of ADHD are affecting the parent-child relationship and how to overcome those challenges with relationship-building strategies. Register here. Sponsored by ADDitude.
Guiding the Journey: Preparing for Life After High School for Students with Disabilities
Saturday, February 26, March 5, 12, 26 / 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Free Virtual Event
This training will help parents of youth ages 14 and older plan for the transition from school to adulthood. The training includes Charting the LifeCourse Tools to help you navigate the transition process. During this training parents will:
- Gain an understanding of their changing role
- Complete homework individualized to their youth
- Develop a customized Vision and Action Plan
Important Dates:
- February 4, application due
- February 8, applicants will be notified of acceptance
- February 15, mandatory orientation 12:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m.
Participants must commit to attending all mandatory sessions plus an orientation session. To apply, click here. Sponsored by Parents’ Place of Maryland.
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Child Mind Institute
It’s common to be hard on yourself as parent. “I don’t make enough time for my kids.” “I can’t believe I lost my temper, again.” Or, “A good parent would never have forgotten about that field trip.” If you are dealing with your own anxiety, it can be even harder to cut yourself slack, but taking care of your own mental health is an important part of caring for your children. Child Mind Institute offers these resources to help parents under stress:.
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