|
|
A publication of the Howard County Office of Children and Families
Family Institute
September 2022
|
|
Visit the Family Institute web page to view full descriptions of all workshops and register to attend!
Nothing I Do Works: A Parent’s Guide to Challenging Behaviors
Monday, September 12, 7:00 p.m. Register here for the virtual workshop.
Developing your Child’s Emotional Intelligence
Successful practice in developing emotional intelligence can be seen in children who develop good listening skills, accept criticism and responsibility, solve problems, move on after making a mistake, and have empathy for others. This workshop will provide you with practical strategies and the tools you need to support your child’s social-emotional development in the early years.
Thursday, September 15 , 7:00 p.m. Register here for the virtual workshop.
Grow with Baby! Hatchlings: In the Nest
Designed for parents of babies six months of age and younger. Join this informative and fun early literacy program, complete with songs and engaging activities. Participants are encouraged to attend each session of this four-week program and will receive a gift each week to take home.
Thursdays: September 21, October 6, 13 and 20 / 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia 21046/ Free Workshop, Register here
|
|
Positive Solutions for Families
You can have less stressful and more enjoyable family interactions by strengthening your parenting approaches!
This six-week, evidenced-based, virtual parent training helps to increase parents and caregiver’s knowledge and understanding of how to promote children’s social and emotional skills, address challenging behaviors, and use positive approaches to help children manage big emotions. Parents will learn skills to support the lifelong social-emotional and mental health needs of children, and will:
• understand why a child behaves the way they do and how to respond to it
• meet with other parents to share successes and struggles
• learn new ideas and receive FREE resources and access to the OCF Resource Room
These sessions provide information on key strategies that may be used with all children. Each session introduces new ideas and skills, so attendees are encouraged to attend all six sessions.
Wednesdays: September 21, 28, October 12, 26, November 2, 16
7:00 p.m.to 8:30 p.m. / Free Workshop, Register here
|
|
Transition to Child Care
As summer winds down and the new school year begins, you may be dropping off your toddler at their new preschool for the first time. While this is an exciting milestone, it can bring up big feelings for the entire family. Remember, it is normal for a toddler to exhibit separation anxiety when having to say goodbye to their caregiver, and it isn’t unusual for this behavior to continue until age four. Being prepared and exploring ways to cope with these feelings when they arise, especially when it is time to say goodbye during morning drop off, can help ease the transition.
- Ask how the program helps make children feel comfortable as they start and how you can share information about your family and routines with your child’s primary caregiver.
- Establish a predictable goodbye routine to help your child know what comes next.
- Give your child tools to use when they are missing home; a special lovey to snuggle or a family photo can help your child cope.
-
Share a few words of your home language with your child’s teacher - a list of words or phrases that your family or your child uses for eating, diapering, sleeping and family members can help form a bridge between school and home.
-
Talk about feelings. It’s ok to cry and feel sad or angry. Teach your child how to express their feelings and let them know these emotions are safe with you.
|
|
FREE Homework Help at HCLS
Howard County Library System (HCLS) in partnership with Howard County School System’s (HCPSS) media centers, provides homework and research assistance. HCLS Instructor & Research Specialists stand ready to work with students.
In addition to receiving guidance from HCLS staff, students (K-12) and college-age adults needing to receive assistance can use their library card to connect to free tutors for assistance with math, reading, science, social studies, English/language arts, and writing. Both English and Spanish speaking tutors are available online seven days a week from 2 pm until 11:55 pm.
Also available: Specialized Online Research Tools, Math Assistance and a Testing & Education Reference Center.
|
|
Community News and Information
|
|
County Council Newsletters
|
|
Howard County Public School System Newsletter
Students, community members or any non-HCPSS parent may sign up to receive email and/or text messages from the district and/or specific schools. To receive messages, visit sign-up page.
|
|
|
Howard County Government
Stay informed about the latest updates from Howard County government and subscribe to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball's newsletter,
|
|
Parents/guardians of HCPSS students do not need to sign up for HCPSS News account. Parent and guardians information from the Emergency Card process automatically sets them to receive messages from the district and their child’s school.
|
|
|
How to Help your Child Cope with
Back-to-School Anxiety
Going back to school can be a stressful time for kids and families, especially if the new year will bring big changes like switching to a new school or having more than one teacher. Read strategies from Understood here.
Also available are tips for helping kids get back into school routines in this podcast.
|
|
Explore Through Movement and Play
Exploring through movement and play is one of the 5 pillars of the Basics movement, meant to help every family help their children achieve their full potential. Going outside and allowing your child to explore and be active can be just as stimulating to your mind as teaching them how to read or count. Touching, reaching, and using their senses is one of the many ways children learn about their surroundings and the world around them. Children learn best when they are given the opportunity to try things out on their own. While building coordination and problem solving skills, allowing your child to be active and play teaches them from an early age that a healthy lifestyle like this can be fun. Some daily tips:
● Let children them move around
● Help with experiments
● Play peek-a-boo
● Use all five of their senses
|
|
To learn more about exploring through movement and play with your children and the other pillars of The Basics movement, click here. The Basics is a program for children from birth to 3 years. To receive information specifically for your child’s developmental stage, sign up for FREE text messages here. Available in English or Spanish.
|
|
Fall Activity Guide
Registration is open for Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks' 2022 Fall Activity Guide. Whether you are looking for a program for when school’s out or a new class for someone in the family, there’s something for everyone. To view the guide online or for details on how to register for a program, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap.
County residents who have not received a hardcopy of the Fall Activity Guide in the mail and would like one, are invited to stop by Recreation & Parks headquarters at
|
|
National Mental Health Crisis Helpline: 988
The new national mental health crisis helpline is now live. Whenever you call this number, whether in Howard County or anywhere else in the nation, you are guaranteed quality and safe care for mental health and substance use emergencies. No need to look up a national or local emergency number. Call or text 988 and you will get free, immediate, and confidential help from a trained counselor.
|
|
Howard County
Youth Behavioral Health
Road Map
Learn where your child is on the road to health and well-being and what resources are available in Howard County for you and your child. Visit the Youth Behavioral Health Road Map.
|
|
Back to School Safety Tips
- Help your child memorize your address and phone number
- When posting first day pictures on your social media, don’t share information that is too personal, like school’s name, teacher’s name, house address, etc.
-
Establish a “safe word.” If you don’t want your child getting in the car with a stranger establish a “safe word” that only your family and close friends know. If a stranger tries to approach your child, they can ask that person for the “safe word” before trusting them.
- Get to know the other children and parents in your neighborhood and make sure your kids use the “buddy system” when walking to and from school.
-
Choose a backpack with wide, padded straps and padded back to increased comfort.
-
Teach your children not to keep secrets from you.
-
Teach your children not to play in the street at the Bus Stop.
-
Demonstrate proper handwashing techniques and encourage your children to wash their hands several times a day.
|
|
Back to School Tips
from Child Mind Institute
Tips on navigating the transition, especially for anxious kids.
Being strategic about taking breaks can help kids who are struggling.
Building organizational skills can be a game changer.
Planning ahead and setting smart expectations can be a big help.
|
|
Truck or Treat
Tickets are now on sale for the annual Howard County Recreation & Parks Truck or Treat. A “wheely fun” way to celebrate fall and community, come dressed in your favorite costume to trick-or-treat at all of the trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles and more, while meeting some of your hometown heroes. Tickets are $5 per child age two and older (under two are free). Limited number of tickets are available for each 75-minute time slot. To register for this Spooktacular event, click here.
|
|
Enhancing Parent Teacher Partnerships
When you think of parent teacher partnerships, conferences and report cards might come to mind, but what if family engagement was more fun? Colleen Ryan shares her innovative approach to building partnerships with families. She offers advice for parents and teachers on how to work together to help kids get what they need to thrive. Listen to: Notes from the Backpack, a PTA Podcast here.
|
|
Guiding Good Choices© Parenting Class Series
FREE Virtual Workshop Series, hosted by HC DrugFree/ Register here
September 21, 28 & October 12, 19, 26: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
How do you raise confident kids who stand up for what's right? How do you build a relationship of trust between you and your children? How do you set kids up for a successful future? HC DrugFree will cover these topics and more in this evidence-based parenting class designed for parents, grandparents, and guardians of children ages 9 to 14. For more information, visit the HC DrugFree website.
|
|
Homemade Playdough Fun
Supporting motor, sensory and creative play skills is essential for the development of young children. Introducing your little one to playdough can be a fun way to promote learning and sensory development as well as improve hand and eye coordination. For a fun and safe way to support your child’s development, consider homemade playdough. Homemade playdough is non- toxic, inexpensive to make and edible. Visit Easy Homemade Playdough and Oatmeal Playdough to learn how to make playdough using common household food items.
|
|
Ways to Engage Families in Nature
Hunting butterflies, picking strawberries or flying kites: what adventures will you seek with your little ones before summer ends? Share photos/videos of your outdoor adventures with @MDEngageEarly on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #SeekOutdoorAdventures.
|
|
|
|
If you were forwarded this email and would like to receive the latest Parent Pages news and updates directly, sign up today! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
