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February 2021
A publication of the Howard County Office of Children and Families
Family Institute
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Family Institute Online Workshops, New this month!
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A Parent’s Guide to Challenging Behaviors
Wed., Feb. 10, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Free Online Workshop, register here
Don't allow tantrums, power struggles or misbehavior make daily life difficult in your household. Learn how you can help decrease the incidence of negative behaviors and what to do when they occur. Ask questions and learn skills and resources that you can use immediately to help you feel more confident in your parenting. For parents of children ages two to eight.
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Sibling Rivalry
Tues., Feb. 16, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Free Online Workshop, register here
Many families are home together all day, every day. With less time to separate, sibling rivalry can increase. This workshop is for parents experiencing challenges between their children such as arguing, name calling and fighting. We will cover why sibling rivalry occurs and practical ways you can prevent and bring an end to these challenges.
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The Basics Howard County provides a roadmap to early learning. The fifth principle, Read and Discuss Stories, offers a simple way to build on language and thinking skills. Make reading a way to bond with you child from the beginning. Infants like hearing the sound of your voice, so read with excitement as you point at pictures, respond to their sounds and words. Toddlers enjoy being a part of the story, so ask questions as you read to them, such as “What do you think will happen next?” Make reading a part of daily activities, sleeping, reading, and play. For more information, watch the Read and Discuss Stories video. (Spanish Video)
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To receive more information specifically for your child's developmental stage up to the age of three, sign up for the free Basics Insights text messaging here. (Available in English and Spanish) To learn more about The Basics Howard County, visit here or email children@howardcountymd.gov.
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Why Use a Visual Timer?
Visual timers have many uses and benefits. They can help children understand the concept of time without knowing how to tell time. When using a visual timer, children can see the time remaining without having to figure out the hands on a clock.
For children who have difficulty moving from one activity to another, use of a timer can help them anticipate and be ready for the change. If children know that an activity is almost over, they can begin to prepare to switch to a new activity.
Visual timers are helpful when a child needs to transition from one activity to another such as: when leaving the house, playtime, meal time, bed time, etc.
Monthly Challenge: Think of a challenging transition and begin to use a visual timer to better support your child.
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National Children’s
Dental Health Month
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the United States. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections. Issues with eating, speaking, playing, and learning are associated with untreated cavities. For more information on oral health, click here. For other program dental health resources, visit: Colgate Oral Health Education, click here , Chase Brexton Dental Care Services, click here and University of Maryland Dental Clinic, click here
To find activities to promote brushing and flossing for children, click here.
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What Do You Say? Talking with Kids to Build StressTolerance, Motivation and a Happy Home
Free Workshop offered through Parent Encouragement Program.
Tues., February 2, 8:00 to 9:30 p.m./ Register here
Authors Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson will offer a preview of their new book featuring techniques on communicating with children to support their autonomy and self-drive that are important for healthy development. Parents will learn practical communication strategies for building a strong emotional connection with kids, communicating healthy (versus toxic) expectations, fostering intrinsic motivation, and helping kids find their own reasons to change when they’re struggling.
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Early Learning Week
February 1- 5
Families, young learners and educators can join for five days of FREE live-streamed, arts-integrated programs led by Wolf Trap Early Learning Teaching Artists. The programs are geared for children under age six and offer Baby Artsplay, Performing Arts Assemblies, Family Workshops, and Pre-K & Kindergarten Residencies. To learn more, visit here.
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Prepare Your Child for a COVID Test
Many children have fears over doctor appointments and worry over the unexpected. This is a typical reaction and getting tested for COVID is no exception. Children may have questions about what will happen to them so you want to prepare them as best you can. Before having the test spend time to let your child know what to expect. You can share this video from BC Children's Hospital to help them understand what will happen and to ease their worries.
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Celebrating Valentine’s Day
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your baby then reading a book about love and family. “Reading to babies and young children is so important,” says pediatrician Sarah Klein, MD. “It provides the building blocks for language, and it gives them the tools for forming lifelong social and emotional skills.”
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It’s never too early to begin celebrating and teaching your child about Black leaders and PBS has many articles to help teach and lead discussions with your child. They offer suggestions on videos, books and art for young learners to explore the Black scientists, politicians, activists, artists, and more, who have left their mark on U.S. history.
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Getting Ready for Kindergarten
Kindergarten registration for fall begins March 8
For information to help your child in their journey to kindergarten readiness, Howard County Public School Sysytem (HCPSS) has provided many resources.
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Surviving Pandemic Parenting
Workshops from Hand In Hand Parenting
More Connection? But We’re Together ALL THE TIME!
Tues., February 2, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
I Can’t Stop Nagging My Child—They Can’t Stand It, But If I Don’t Correct Them, No One Will!
Tues., February 9, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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I Can Be Patient
Parents, are your children impatient? Do they ask “Are we there yet,” over and over? Everyone experiences impatience at times, but for children, those moments feel like hours. Children don’t have an understanding of time the way adults do, but you can help them learn and practice patience with a few playful strategies. Watch this Sesame Street video and try some of the suggested ideas to make waiting a little easier.
Building Confidence Bundle from Sesame Street
Children build self-confidence by mastering new skills and believing in themselves. As they practice and achieve skills, children will find it easier to believe in their abilities to succeed. It takes time to master new skills and sometimes it can be challenging. As a parent, you can help your child build self-confidence by recognizing and celebrating their achievements, giving them tools to handle frustration, re-focus on the task, and suggest easy activity ideas to encourage them to keep trying until they reach success. To read, watch and practice strategies to build confidence, visit here for Sesame Street's Building Confidence Bundle (also in Spanish).
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My Child Has Lost All Motivation with
Distance Learning
Distance learning has been challenging for some children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during this pandemic. Boredom, excessive worry and executive dysfunction are all diminishing motivation for remote learning. There are children who thrive in the distance learning environment, but most children with ADHD and learning challenges have stagnated; the online school setting can be tedious and
unmotivating. Ongoing stress, anxiety and frustration can also be barriers to learning. To help children get through these challenges and improve self-motivation, click here to find tips from ADDitude.
Other tips from Child Mind Institute
Helping kids get essential school supports
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Howard County Library System
HCLS has created many online winter classes and events to keep your children engaged.
Wed., February 3, 11:00 to 11:30 a.m./ Ages 0-4
Develop school readiness skills through language, literacy, songs, fingerplays, and rhymes
Thurs., February 4, 4:30 to 5:15 p.m./ Ages 5-10
Do you love to build with LEGO or other blocks and building materials? Meet up virtually with other builders to spend some time exploring what you can create and sharing your ideas together. If you don’t have LEGO, build with whatever is handy!
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New Early Childhood Program for Family Peer Support
Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) serves families who care for someone with behavioral health needs. MCF has expanded its services to include family peer support to families with children infancy through age five. Children who have developmental or behavioral issues can be served by the new Early Childhood program which links to Family Peer Support Specialists who have experienced their own challenges as parents of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Specialists are knowledgeable about community resources and help families access resources for diagnosis, treatment and support. They also provide emotional support for families parenting young children. For more information about the Early Childhood program click here.
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A Guide for Navigating the Disability World:
Putting It All Together from Diagnosis to Adulthood
Wed., February 10, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m./ Free Virtual Event, Register here
A special needs advisor will provide a complete timeline overview of what families and the professionals they work with can expect from the original diagnosis through adulthood. Information shared:
- Specific planning items such as completing an estate plan, getting life insurance, or applying for SSI should be completed
- Potentially lesser-known resources such as Low Intensity Support Services and
Pre-Employment Transition Services
- Life insurance, ABLE accounts and Special Needs Trusts
- Planning before your child's last year of school to prepare for their transition
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Howard County Recreation and Parks
2020 Summer Camp Guide
registration for Howard County residents begins Wednesday, February 3 at 6:00 p.m. Additional methods (phone and mail) for county residents begin the next day. For non-Howard County residents, online registration begins February 10 at 6:00 p.m. and all other methods the following day.
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Virtual Summer Camps and Activities Fair
February 26 to 28; Baltimore’s Child Facebook page and website, register here
Summer camps for children of all ages: day camps, overnight camps, specialty summer programs and more will be introduced.
- Meet area camp experts who will share their summer camp plans.
- Receive a virtual tote bag featuring camp information and fun children’s activities to download.
- Discover ideas to help your child have the best camp experience.
For more information, visit the article:
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