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October 2021
A publication of the Howard County Office of Children and Families
Family Institute
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The Power of Play!
Ever wonder what your child is really doing while playing? What does it mean when they say, children learn through play? In the words of Albert Einstein, “play is the highest form of research.” Take a dive into the mind of the young child in this engaging workshop that will provide insight into why children must play, how play impacts child development, and learn what play should look like. Thursday, October 7 / 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop, Register here
Brain Builders: Optimizing Your Toddler’s Early Brain Development
Through this workshop, parents and caregivers will explore the ingredients to build a strong foundation of social and emotional skills during their child’s first three years. Learn about the exponential brain growth that occurs during this time period; look at the serve-and-return interactions that happen through play; and gain tips on how to stay positive when your toddler exerts their growing sense of independence. Also, learn about a variety of community resources that will help you support young children during this stage. Wednesday, October 13 / 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop, Register here
Survival Guide for the Elementary Years
Changes occur with your child as they grow and develop in the elementary years. Children fluctuate between independence and dependence, which lead to a wide range of behavior issues as well as parental frustration. Learn to understand and how to help your 5 to 12 year old by:
- Setting the stage to create positive situations for empowerment and pride
- Developing consequences that work
- Learning how to handle oppositional behaviors
- Taking steps to encourage better homework habits
Tuesday, October 19 / 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Free Virtual Workshop, Register here
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Launch Into Learning
Do you have a child under the age of six and want to learn ideas to help with parenting? The Launch Into Learning Facebook page posts daily information to educate and expose families to activities that promote positive development and support school readiness while highlighting local events. Follow the page today: https://www.facebook.com/HoCo.road.to.kindergarten
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Walktober 2021
Join the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC) and local partners for Walktober 2021, a month of walk/move events which promote walking for improved health for residents of all ages and abilities. Find more information about the HCLHIC here. For a list of Walktober events, click here.
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), a local partner, is celebrating Walktober with webinars spotlighting pedestrian safety, health, and commuting options in current walk programs. MDOT is providing resources and a free series of webinars that are open to all. The series will be held on Thursdays in October: October 7, 14, 21, 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To learn more click here.
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Mental Illness Awareness Week October 3-9
Each year, millions of people face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) raises awareness about mental illness and the supports available to individuals and families. The theme for this year’s awareness week - “Together for Mental Illness” - focuses on the importance of advocating for better care for people with serious mental illness. NAMI of Howard County offers a variety of support programs for Veterans, Families, Transition Age and more. These free and confidential support groups enable everyone to be heard and helped. NAMI also offers classes that teach the basics of mental health conditions, strategies to improve coping skills and empower participants to become advocates for themselves and others. For more on NAMI’s support and education programs click here.
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Mental Health Film Festival
The Horizon Foundation, in partnership with the Columbia Festival of the Arts and other community organizations, is hosting a Mental Health Film Festival from October 17-22. The festival features seven films depicting a variety of mental health issues and ways to support mental health in our community. Each screening will be followed by community discussion with filmmakers, panelists and more. This free, virtual event requires registration. For more information about the films to be presented and to register online, click here.
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Family Support and Resource Center
Parent Empowerment Conference
Free Virtual Event
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, October 12-14
Session 1 - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Session 2 - 7:45 to 8:45 p.m.
Session 3 (in Spanish) - 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The HCPSS Department of Special Education invites parents, guardians and caregivers to participate in a virtual Parent Empowerment Conference. HCPSS Special Education staff and community partner organizations will discuss topics related to supporting your child’s learning and participating in the IEP/IFSP process. Both seasoned parents/guardians and those new to special education will learn how to advocate for their children and be active and informed members of the IEP team. To register click here.
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Donate Cold Weather Items for Those in Need
The Howard County MultiService Center is collecting new and gently used coats, gloves, mittens, and scarves for a distribution in October. All sizes are needed, Infant to Adult. Drop off donations by October 7 at the MultiService Center, 9900 Washington Boulevard, Suite I, in Laurel 20723. The cold weather gear distribution will be held Saturday, October 16 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the North Laurel Community Center. For more information, call 410-313-0220.
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Fall in Love with Reading
Fall is here! The days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning color, and the pumpkin spice lattes are flowing - just in time for the Fall Reading Challenge, courtesy of the Howard County Library System. Pick your own books or use the list of intriguing, thought provoking reading challenges provided by the library to inspire your fall reading. Young children can read and play fun educational mini-games and find missions full of activities. Teens and adults can also get in on the fun. The reading challenge ends November 30. Click here for more information.
5-Star Showcase
Free Outdoor Event
Saturday, October 2 / 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. / East Columbia Branch
HCLS is a Five Star Library, ranked by Library Journal for excellence, because of its services, initiatives, and most importantly – you! Come celebrate with fun activities and interactive experiences, including family-friendly crafts, an adult spelling bee, a photo booth, carnival games, and more. Don’t forget to stop by the onsite food truck. Click here to register.
Community Circles: A Longest Table Event
Start your fun early at the Community Circles, a catered box lunch and discussion featuring Trent Day Hall, from the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity, to celebrate five years at the Longest Table. Click here for ticket cost and registration.
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Student Peer Leaders Wanted
The Howard County Health Department Youth Suicide Prevention Plan is seeking Student Peer Leaders for the Sources of Strength Program. Howard County students in grades 9-12 during the 2021-2022 school year are needed for participation in the program. The goals of the program are to create positive change through an interactive peer leadership program, use your voice and social influence to prevent suicide through creative campaigns and connect with peers and adults. Students from public, private and home schools are encouraged to apply. The recruitment period ends October 8, 2021. Visit the TeenHealthMatters website for detailed information.
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Use Nature to Connect
Autumn is a beautiful time of year that brings cooler weather and colorful fall foliage. Not only can we enjoy the beauty of the season, we can also use it to connect with our children. Nature provides a perfect place to spend quality time together as a family. Below are some simple ways to connect with your children in nature this fall.
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Walk and talk. Go on a walk around the neighborhood and leave the technology at home. Use the time to connect and talk about your day. Use “high, low, buffalo” to get the conversation started (high-the best part of your day, low-the hardest part of your day, buffalo- anything else you want to share). With younger children, talk about what you see on your walk, to build both connection and vocabulary.
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Explore new places. Go on an adventure by exploring a new nature trail in the area. See the link below for a list of Howard County trails.
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Have a scavenger hunt. Use the free printable below or make your own list of items to find on an outdoor scavenger hunt. Use a clip board and marker so your child can check off the items that they find.
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Go on a mindfulness walk. As you walk, encourage your child to notice what is around them. A fun way to do this is to find five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and imagine how one thing might taste.
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Create a nature box. Let your child decorate a cardboard box to create their own nature box. Have your child collect one special item. Talk about the item they chose and ask why they picked it.
Monthly Challenge:
Choose one of the ideas above to connect as a family in nature this fall.
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Smelly Pumpkin - A Decomposition Experiment
● Carve a pumpkin with your child's help, maybe give it a face and a name.
● Put your pumpkin outside, place it on a patch of dirt, in a gardening box, or in a pot full of soil.
● Make a notebook with your child and around the same time every day go outside and look at the pumpkin. Have your child draw what it looks like and write about how it feels and smells.
● Repeat the journaling every day until the pumpkin has rotted and flattened (in a couple of weeks).
● Explain to your child what decomposition is by pointing out any mold and fruit flies or other bugs. Talk about how these things work together to break down a pumpkin, using it as a food source and allowing bacteria to grow.
● Leave the pumpkin in the dirt to fully decompose & become a part of the soil!
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Fall Events and Activities
Oakland Mills Fall Festival
Saturday, October 2 / 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Other Barn
5851 Robert Oliver Place
Columbia, MD 21045
Live music, festival food, children’s crafts and more.
Halloween Tricks, Treats and Trees
Saturday, October 23 / 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Robinson Nature Center
Nature’s tricks are revealed at delightful stations among the trees. Make a potion, participate in crafts and enjoy the Halloween-inspired puppet show. All participants must call 410-313-0400 to register.
Truck or Treat
Saturday, October 30 / 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Gary J. Arthur Community Center
Truck or Treat
Dress in your favorite costume to trick-or-treat at all of the trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles and more. Click here for tickets.
Clark’s Elioak Farm
Come pick a child-sized pumpkin while enjoying the petting farm, pony ride and hayride. The pumpkin patch is open until October 31. Click here for more information.
Larriland Farm
Pick your own fruits and vegetables. Enjoy hayrides around the farm and select a pumpkin to take home. Click here for additional activities.
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Department of Community Resources and Services Events: |
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Virtual Landlord-Tenant Forum
“Navigating the Landlord /Tenant Relationship” is an online event presented by the Consumer Protection Advisory Board to educate and inform those who own or rent properties in Howard County. A panel of experts from Howard County Government and community partners will discuss landlord/tenant laws, eviction prevention, discriminatory practices, housing voucher programs, and the responsibilities of both tenants and landlords. Free, via Webex. Register at https://hocolandlordtenant.eventbrite.com
Office on Aging & Independence Virtual Programs
Did you know that the Office on Aging & Independence (OAI) offers a wide range of online classes via Webex, focusing on fitness and exercise, health and wellness, crafts and history? Check out OAI's October Virtual Program Guide or call 410-313-5400 for details.
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Preparing for School Closings
Parents and caregivers, have you thought about what to do for school closings this year? There are holidays, professional work days and snow days ahead. Begin now by viewing the Howard County Public School System Calendar and looking at your options.
Contact the CARE Line of the Howard County Office of Children & Families. The CARE Line (Child and Adolescent Resources and Education) is a free information and referral service to help families find child care and other community resources.
If your child is currently enrolled in a school age program, before and/or after school care or a family child care home, talk with your provider. Family child care providers are typically open year round. Optional full day care may be available on some days when schools are closed. Ask about pre-registration, fees, locations and other program requirements.
Your child’s sports program is another resource. In addition to after school sports and homework assistance, they may be open during scheduled school closings as well.
Don’t forget to check with family members and neighbors who may stay at home. Share the school calendar with them and lock in dates that work for everyone. Preparing for school closings can be overwhelming, but starting now will minimize the stress and worry.
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Healthy Beginnings Calendar for Parents and Families
Your child’s needs will change with age. You aren’t expected to know it all. The Healthy Beginnings Calendar is full of helpful tips and resources for parents, including information about developmental milestones and screenings, as well as programs and services that support both parents and their young children.
Use this calendar to get answers to common questions or get information to help you make choices during the early years of your child’s life. It’s an easy way to access all things related to child care in Maryland!
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Yoga for Kids
Cosmic Kids Yoga incorporates stories, role-play and silliness to introduce the benefits of yoga and mindfulness to children. Children will move and stretch their bodies as they explore breathing, relaxation and visualization techniques, all while having fun! Click here for thirty days of free yoga and mindfulness activities for kids.
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21 Budget Friendly Dinners Kids Will Love
Parents, are you having trouble finding meals that are healthy and affordable? Will your kids actually eat what’s prepared? Eating Well has pulled together twenty-one dinner ideas that even the pickiest of eaters will love. Try classics like mac and cheese or sloppy joes. With these recipes you can make substitutions using lean turkey instead of ground beef, learn new ways to prepare “fried" chicken breasts or sneak in veggies that the kids will happily eat. You’ll find these dinners are not only healthy, but cost effective as well.
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