A publication of the Howard County Office of Children and Families
Family Institute


June 2022
Get Ready for Baby: Ready to Hatch 
Mother Goose on the Loose Hatchlings is an interactive early literacy program for expectant parents. Learn more about your baby-to-be through songs and fun activities. Learn how babies exposed to books and reading grow up to become children who perform better in school; how reading and singing supports infant brain and language development; and how hearing nursery rhymes and songs helps babies get ready to learn to read. Attendees will receive a FREE book, calendar and song sheet. Tuesday, June 7, 6:30 p.m. / 9830 Patuxent Woods Dr., Columbia / Free Workshop / Register 

Nothing I Do Works: A Parent’s Guide to Challenging Behaviors 
The Pyramid Model is a comprehensive, research-based approach that considers all the factors that impact a child, a family and a child's behavior. Learn how to help decrease negative behaviors from happening, and what to do when they do occur. Ask questions and leave with 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).
Monday, June 13 / 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. / Free Virtual Workshop / Register 

Potty Training Basics 
Join the Office of Children and Families for an engaging discussion about potty training basics for little ones. Gain insight from caregivers as they share what their potty-training journey has been like. Discover ways to make the transition to the potty fun and hassle- free, while avoiding some of the pitfalls that can arise when trying to potty train little ones.  Tuesday, June 21 / 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. / Free Virtual Workshop / Register 

Are We There Yet? Travel Activities for Children 
Traveling by plane, train, or automobile this summer? Join us to learn about hands-on travel activities to keep your children engaged, learning and having fun, while getting from “here to there.” Get tips on entertainment ideas, survival strategies and practical advice to help make your upcoming trip a success! Tuesday, June 28 / 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. / Free Virtual Workshop / Register 
Summer is almost here! 
With summer approaching, families are engaging in more outdoor activities. Perhaps you are going to your local playground, a community pool, or just having fun outside your home. Here are a few important reminders to play it safe in the sun: 
  • Stay hydrated - drink lots of water 
  • Apply sunscreen every two hours 
  • Make sure you and your children take frequent breaks from the heat 
  • Check playground equipment to make sure it is not hot to the touch 
  • Wear appropriate footwear for outdoor play 
  • Never leave small children unattended on playground equipment or at a pool 

To cool down from summer heat, try a refreshing snack. Here is a healthy option that is easy to make that provides a cool end to an already great day! 
Quick Icebox Sandwiches - Ingredients you will need: 
  • 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding 
  • 2 cups cold 2% milk 
  • 2 cups whipped topping 
  • 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips 
  • 24 whole graham crackers, halved 
Directions: 
  • Mix pudding and milk according to package directions 
  • Refrigerate until set 
  • Fold in whipped topping and chocolate chips 
  • Place 24 graham cracker halves on a baking sheet 
  • Top each cracker with 3 tablespoons of the filling 
  • Place another cracker on top  
  • Wrap individually in plastic 
  • Freeze until firm (about 1 hour) 
Sun Safety 
As summer begins, many of us are making plans to enjoy local parks, beaches, cookouts, and other outdoor activities. We look forward to warmer temperatures and spending time in the sun. While we may love spending time outdoors, we need to be aware of the dangers of exposure to high temperatures and the sun which, along with other hidden dangers, can lead to skin damage. Let’s protect ourselves with a few simple tips: 
  • Wear sunscreen - remember to apply daily and reapply every two hours for full protection 
  • Seek the shade – have a picnic under a tree or use an umbrella while lounging at the pool 
  • Cover up – although it sounds hot, wearing a flowy long sleeve tunic or jeans blocks the sun's rays and keeps your skin cool 
  • Put on a hat – wearing a wide-brimmed hat adds an extra barrier against the sun 
  • Wear sunglasses – throw on a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes 
Now that we know how to better protect ourselves against sun damage, let’s go out and enjoy the sun safely.
Children and Heatstroke Prevention 
Every year we hear reports of deaths of children after being left in a hot car. We sometimes say to ourselves, it’ll only take a minute to run into the store because we don’t want to disturb a sleeping baby, or we may mistakenly forget a child in the backseat. Leaving a child alone in a car can lead to serious injury or death from heatstroke, even in cooler temperatures. Here is some helpful information and tips for parents about heatstroke prevention for children. 
  • On average, every 10 days a child dies from heatstroke in a car; in over half of these deaths, a caregiver forgot the child was in the car. 
  • A car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes; cracking a window doesn’t help. 
  • Young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults. 
Reduce the number of deaths from heatstroke by remembering to ACT. 
  1. Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving a child alone in a car and remember to lock the vehicle when you’re not inside. 
  2. Create reminders. Keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat when it’s empty and move it to the front seat when your child is in the backseat as a visual reminder. You may also leave your purse or briefcase in the backseat when traveling with your child. 
  3. Take action. When you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel are trained to respond to these situations. 
For more information on how to prevent heatstroke, click here. 
Child Care Scholarship 
Parents, have you heard about the Child Care Scholarship Program? Formerly known as the Child Care Subsidy, the program provides financial assistance with child care costs for eligible working families in Maryland. Effective May 23, 2022, the annual income eligibility limits for the child care scholarship have increased from $71, 525 to $90,033 for a family of four. What does this mean for families and children? The increase allows more families to become eligible, enabling more children to have access to quality child care and educational programs. Families who are working, attending school or in an approved job training program may apply. For more information, contact Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Central 2 at 1-877-227-0125 or call the CARE Line at 410-313-CARE (2273). The CCS application and income guidelines are also available online.
Celebrate Father’s Day  
Father’s Day is June 19, a time to celebrate the dads, granddads and other caregivers in our lives. We often celebrate with gifts, dinner or other activities that bring us together on this special day. Whether you have a father in the traditional sense or will be honoring another family member this Father's Day, take the time to think about and acknowledge what that person means to you. Fathers play an important role in our lives and there are many ways to recognize them. 
  • Make cards – this is an opportunity for children to be creative with construction paper, crayons, stickers and anything to make the cards colorful and fun 
  • Read books – picking up a Father’s Day book or one about fatherhood is a great way to spend time together 
  • Create a collage – use photos of your dad/caregiver or family and phrases from magazines to describe him and his interests 
  • Write a note, poem or essay – think about your favorite memory with your dad or the lessons he taught you 
Fathers can also show their children how much they mean to them by: 
  • Spending one-on-one time together 
  • Scheduling a family game night 
  • Making something together and encourage creativity 
  • Staying involved 
If you are interested in connecting with other fathers in Howard County to share ideas and advice, check out https://howardcountydads.com/. 

Reading and discussing stories is one of the five pillars of the Basics movement, which supports families efforts to help their children achieve their full potential. Introducing your child to reading at an early age provides the strong foundation they need to be successful readers and writers in the future. Reading with your children as early as infancy can have a lasting and positive impact, and shows them that the pictures correlate with the words on the page. Reading the words on the pages isn't even necessary; children can learn a lot simply from describing what’s happening in the pictures. Tips on reading and discussing stories with your children include, but are not limited to: 
  • Changing your voice for different characters 
  • Showing your interest in the story 
  • Involving your children by allowing them to turn the page or hold the book 
  • Describing the pictures 
To learn more about reading and discussing stories with your children and the other pillars of the Basics movement, click here. The Basics is designed for children 0 to 3 years. To receive more information specifically for your child’s developmental stage, sign up for free text messaging here. Available in English or Spanish. 
Howard County Library Programs
Summer READers Program
The summer reading program kicks off June 1 and runs through August 31. Readers of all ages can participate, tracking any combination of 10 activities and books. Participants may read books including e-books, audiobooks, graphic novels and more. Activities can be repeated, and participants can win prizes. Track your progress on paper by picking up a copy of the reading summer program at any branch, or download a copy by registering online at hcls.readsquared.com to track your reading, find suggestions for challenges and activities. Visit hclibrary.org/summer for prize details by age group, book lists, and more.  

Cuentos en Pijamas 
Mondays, 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. 
All ages/todas las edades 
East Columbia Branch  
Bilingual stories and music just before bedtime. Pajamas, teddy bears, and blankets welcome. Tickets available 15 minutes before class. 
Cuentos bilingües y música antes de ir a dormir. Pijamas, ositos de peluche y cobijas son bienvenidos. Los boletos estarán disponibles 15 minutos antes de la clase.  
   
Tangram Fun 
Tuesday, June 7 / 2:00 p.m. 
Ages 0 to 5 (with parent) and 6 to 11 
Glenwood Branch 
Do you like shapes? Tangrams are ancient Chinese puzzles made up of seven geometric shapes: five triangles, one square, and one parallelogram. Each piece is called a tan and together can create thousands of pictures and designs. Enjoy a story about tangrams and then create a variety of ocean creatures. Tickets available 15 minutes before class. 
 
I'm Going to Be a Big Brother or Sister! 
Saturday, June 11 / 2:00 p.m. 
Families 
Glenwood Branch 
Prepare for the arrival of a baby in this class for new siblings. Enjoy stories, activities, and bring a favorite doll or stuffed animal to practice holding a baby. Resources for parents, too. Tickets available 15 minutes before class. 
 
Little Learners STEM Sensory Playtime    
Monday, June 13 / 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. 
Ages 2 to 5 with adult 
East Columbia Branch 
Explore sensory stations with different activities that stimulate and encourage children to explore and investigate. Tickets available 15 minutes before class. 
 
Little Learners: Under the Sea 
Wednesdays, June 21 to July 5 / 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. 
Ages 3 to 5 with adult 
Central Branch 
Stories and activities about sea creatures. Tickets available 15 minutes before class. 
 
The Write Stuff: Writer's Workshop 
Wednesday, June 22 / 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. 
Ages 10 to 12 
Central Branch 
Get together with other writers for fun creative writing activities and the opportunity to share your work with others. Register  
The Summer Slide: Tips to Engage Children  
Summer is a time for relaxed schedules, warmer weather and lots of outdoor activities. Yes, children need a break from the classroom and homework, but a summer without learning can lead to the summer slide, a time when students can lose some of the academic skills they’ve learned during the school year. Learning doesn’t have to stop when school is out; here are a few quick, easy and fun ways to keep children engaged: 
  • Visit the library – participate in reading challenges or select books your child is most interested in 
  • At the beach – bury “treasure” in the sand and count how many objects your children can find 
  • Cook together – introduce early math concepts such as measurements while preparing meals and snacks 
  • Water play – use different objects and discover which items sink or float 
  • Games and Puzzles – a great way to brush up on basics including vocabulary 
As you enjoy the summer months, keep the kids learning, growing and engaged. 
Free Summer Meal Service  
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is providing free summer meals to meet the needs of students and families in the county and close the nutritional gap over the summer months. On weekdays, June 27 to August 12, HCPSS students, and any children aged 18 and under, can receive meals at no cost at the sites listed below. No applications or enrollment are required. Students participating in HCPSS summer programs will also be included in the summer meals service. Meals will be served Mondays through Fridays, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at the following locations: 
  • Laurel Woods Elementary School 
  • Oakland Mills Middle School 
  • Thomas Viaduct Middle School 
  • Howard High School 
  • Howard County Library System East Columbia Branch 
There will be no meal service when schools are closed Monday, July 4 and Tuesday, July 19. For more information on this service and its guidelines, click here. 
Plan for Your Child’s Safety 
Every year parents ask the question, "at what age is it safe to leave my children alone?" Leaving a child alone and unattended is dependent upon the law and whether a child is capable of being by themselves. Maryland law states a child under the age of 8 years may not be left unattended at home, at school or in a car. If a parent or guardian needs to leave a child who is younger than 8 years old, the parent or guardian must ensure that a reliable person, who is at least 13 years old, will stay to protect the child. If your child is at the appropriate age and you’re considering leaving your child home alone, here are a few things to consider: 
  • Is your child emotionally mature? 
  • Is your child responsible? 
  • Does your child have special needs? 
  • Does your child feel comfortable being left alone? 
  • Has your child practiced the safety plan? 
Other considerations include how long your child will be left alone and whether they are aware of what to do in an emergency. For more information on leaving a child unattended and making a safety plan, click here.
New Digital Newsletter
The Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) has launched a new digital newsletter to complement its monthly print publication, the 50+ Connection. The digital newsletter provides links to the current 50+ Connection, Virtual Program Guide, and 50+ Center quarterly newsletters. It also offers information about upcoming OAI and Department of Community Resources and Services events. To subscribe to the newsletter, click here. 
Family Support and Resources
When Dyslexia and ADHD Overlap: Symptoms, Misconceptions, and Interventions 
Wednesday, June 1 / 1:00 p.m. 
Free Virtual Event / Presented by Cheryl Chase, Ph.D.
It is estimated that about half of people with Attention Deficit- Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) also have a learning disorder, the most common form of which is dyslexia. This language-based learning disability is characterized by difficulties with word recognition, spelling, and reading/decoding. ADHD and dyslexia share some common traits, but are distinctly different, so proper assessment and treatment are critical. Attendees of this webinar will learn about: 
  • Key signs and traits of ADHD and dyslexia 
  • Differences between ADHD and dyslexia 
  • How children with both conditions differ from those with just one 
  • Effective interventions for children with co-occurring ADHD and dyslexia 
To register, click here. Sponsored by ADDitude 
 
Navigating the IEP/504 Process for Students with ADHD/LD 
Tuesday, June 7 / 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. 
Free Virtual Event / Presented by Ellen Kaplan and Joanna Salzman
Are you unsure about whether your child’s educational plan is being adhered to? Are you frustrated or confused with the process? Join this free informational session to learn more about the process, and address any of your concerns or questions. To RSVP, email linda.s.ellis@outlook.com, be sure to mention ‘CHADD June’ in the subject line. Sponsored by CHADD. 
 
For Dads With or Without ADHD: How to Understand & Support Your Kids 
Wednesday, June 15 / 1:00 p.m. 
Free Webinar / Register
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is largely genetic. A child with ADHD often has at least one parent with ADHD – and all the challenges that go with it. This double dose of ADHD can complicate a parent-child relationship, and these complications typically manifest differently with mothers vs. fathers. This is true even when a parent doesn’t have the condition. In this webinar, fathers with and without ADHD will: 
  • Discover ways to manage your own stress to set a calmer tone at home 
  • Explore approaches to improve your relationship with your child 
  • Learn strategies to help your child understand things 
  • Distinguish between a reason and an excuse when looking at how ADHD affects your child 
  • Learn to determine when to accommodate your child’s struggles, and when to encourage them to push through on their own 
New Moms’ Support Group 
Tuesdays, June 14 to August 2 / 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  
Free Virtual via Zoom 
Share experiences with other new moms and babies up to 5 months old. This group offers support, referrals, discussion of parenting topics and the opportunity to connect with other new mothers. Topics are most appropriate for first time moms, but new moms with other children are also welcome to attend. Attending every class is encouraged but not necessary. Register here or email jstanto6@jhmi.edu 
 
Infant and Toddler Safety, Childproofing and CPR 
Monday, June 20 / 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 
Virtual via Zoom / $45 per couple 
Learn about car and sleep safety, childproofing/injury prevention, consumer-product safety, and emergency preparedness. Discover useful community resources for parents. View a demonstration of infant CPR and choking response techniques. Recommended for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of babies and children up to 4 years old. This course is taught at an adult-level and is not a certification course. Register here. 
 
Mental Health First Aid for Adults 
Friday, June 24 or September 23 / 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Virtual via Zoom
Free to community members ($25 per person to businesses)  
Learn to assist an adult who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. Complete an online course before attending an instructor-led virtual class held via Zoom. Course includes an electronic manual. Register here or email jstanto6@jhmi.edu 
“Would You Rather” Questions for Kids with ADHD (and Inspired Conversation Starters) 
“How was your day?” Nothing inspires shrugs and grunts better than an uninspired question. When starting conversations with your child, try asking “would you rather” questions. This sparks a response and fosters connection with your child. Conversation starters might include: 
  • "Would you rather swim in Jell-O or chocolate sauce?” 
  • “What do you think will be the most challenging thing about life after high school?” 
Sometimes a question may be silly, or it can provoke deep thought. Most importantly, it opens the door to meaningful connections. The right kind of question, asked at the right time and with good intentions, can make children feel understood and valued. ADDitude has provided pointers and ideas to help parents start conversations with their children. Whether a child is in elementary school or a teen, asking questions helps parents learn more about their child, their values and what they are thinking about. Learn to reflect, validate, encourage more conversation, and thank your child for sharing their thoughts. It’s not always easy for children and teens to have open and honest conversations with parents, but expressing gratitude will mean a lot to them. 
Howard County Health Department
The Howard County Health Department recently presented several health and safety workshops that are now available to families as recorded sessions. Learn about a child’s immunization schedule, and how the health department can help keep you on track. Also, get the latest information on safe sleep practices recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and learn the do's and don’ts of car seat safety.   
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