349 Fountain Street, Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078, United States
Parent Resource Page
Building Positive Relationships with Your Child
- Engage in Positive Attention Activities: Spend quality time with your child, focusing on their interests and activities. Positive attention fosters emotional security and self-esteem. Use the "Positive Attention Data Sheet" from Vanderbilt University's CSEFEL to track and encourage positive interactions at home.
- Practice the "Hot Button Activity": Identify behaviors that challenge you as a parent and reflect on your reactions. Understanding your own triggers can help you respond more calmly and effectively to your child's needs.
- Reframing Negative Behaviors: Use the reframing technique to view your child's behaviors from a positive perspective. This approach encourages empathy and patience, promoting a deeper understanding of your child's actions.
Social-Emotional Development Strategies
- Teach Emotional Regulation: Utilize the "Turtle Technique" for helping your child manage emotions, especially anger and disappointment. Guide them through the steps of recognizing feelings, thinking "stop," taking deep breaths, and thinking of solutions.
- Create Friendship Opportunities: Encourage your child to engage in behaviors that promote friendships, such as organizing play, sharing, assisting others, and giving compliments. Foster these skills through playdates and cooperative games.
- Use Books to Support Emotional Development: Stories are powerful tools for discussing feelings and teaching empathy. "On Monday When It Rained" is an excellent book for exploring a range of emotions with your child.
Cognitive and Language Development
- Embedding Learning in Daily Routines: Integrate learning opportunities into everyday activities. For instance, cooking together can teach math skills, while grocery shopping can enhance language development and decision-making abilities.
- Interactive Reading: Choose books that interest your child and involve them in the storytelling process. Ask questions, make predictions, and connect the story to your child's experiences.
- Playful Learning Activities: Engage in activities that promote cognitive skills, such as puzzles, sorting games, and imaginative play. Encourage creativity and problem-solving by providing a variety of materials and toys for exploration.
Maryland Infants and Toddler Program
The Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP) offers early intervention services for young children with developmental delays and disabilities, focusing on family-centered support. It aids families by providing information, support, and coordinated services in community settings. The program is designed to enhance children's potential for growth and development before school age, offering services like audiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more. For referrals or more information, visit the MITP online referral site.
Harford County Department of Community Services - Office of Children, Youth & Families
Provides targeted support to non-profit agencies serving high-risk youth and works on improvements to the early childhood service delivery system. They focus on overcoming gaps in school readiness for children with high needs. The office is dedicated to preparing young adults for independence through education, vocational, and life skill building. Contact details and more information about their services can be found on their webpage (Office of Children, Youth & Families).
Maryland Department of Education - Office of Childcare Region 11 (Cecil & Harford Counties)
Provides contact information and services for those interested in starting a childcare business in a home or center. They offer online orientation training and other necessary resources for obtaining a child care center license or family child care registration. For provider training and more details, contact them at 410-569-2879 or check their webpage (Maryland Department of Education - Office of Child Care).
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