Parenting
Opportunities & Challenges
Being a parent is exciting and full of joyful opportunities. It can also be challenging! And, of course, children don’t come with instructions. While we do not have all the answers, we can assist you and help make the challenging times a little easier.
As your child’s needs change with age, use this website and information in the resources to help you care for your child.
Parenting
Healthy Beginnings
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Division of Early Childhood (DEC) supports the healthy growth and development of children in Maryland throughout their early years, from the prenatal period through age 8.
The Healthy Beginnings calendar is full of helpful information and resources for new parents, including information about developmental milestones, as well as programs and services that support both parents and their young children.
Parenting Articles
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Paying for Child Care
Child care is one of the biggest costs for families in the United States. It’s important to know what resources are available to help with child care costs in Maryland. High-quality child care programs may cost more than other options. But when children are in a quality child care program…
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Your child’s education begins at birth!
STORYTIME Read a book or tell a story to your baby every day beginning at birth. It doesn’t matter how young your child is; even newborn babies are learning when their parents read with them. PEEK Look right into your baby’s eyes! Infants recognize faces early on – and…
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Recognizing and Identifying Emotions
According to the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning, understanding feelings and emotions is critical to children’s overall development. As adults, it is our job to teach children to understand and deal with their emotions in healthy and positive ways. Helping to recognize and identify emotions…
Resources
- MarylandFamiliesEngage.org – A MSDE site packed with activities and resources for parents and child care providers.
- Money4ChildCare.com – The Child Care Scholarship (CCS) (formerly known as Child Care Subsidy) Program provides financial assistance with child care costs to eligible working families in Maryland.
- Fatherhood.gov – A site for fathers looking for tips, hints, and even deals for dads and kids.
- ChildWelfare.gov – promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children, youth, and families by connecting child welfare, adoption, and related professionals as well as the public to information, resources, and tools covering topics on child welfare, child abuse and neglect, out-of-home care, adoption, and more.
- CDC.gov – the nation’s health protection agency, working 24/7 to protect America from health and safety threats, both foreign and domestic. CDC increases the health security of our nation.
