March Calendar

Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Virtual)

Tuesday, 3/3/2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Participants will identify requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applicable to childcare settings; demonstrate understanding of inclusionar practices and accommodations based on research based on best practices and national standards for childcare settings; identify appropriate accommodations based on children's individual needs; demonstrate awareness of appropriate resources.

3 SN| Rochetta Gordon| $5 register here

Understanding Autism Today (Virtual)

Thursday, 3/5/2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Childcare providers are key players in creating awareness of Autism and can offer support and guidance to families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Participants will hear about recent developments in Autism research, learn to identify early warning signs of Autism and find local support resources as well as learning effective teaching and documentation strategies for supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

3 SN| Hayley Anthony| $5 register here

Pancakes, Pancakes! Early Language Learning with Eric Carle's Book (Virtual)

Monday, 3/9/2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Everyday experiences, like cooking, playing, and even household routines, offer natural, meaningful opportunities for children to develop essential literacy skills. By embedding literacy into real-life activities, children gain exposure to language, vocabulary, and storytelling in ways that feel authentic and enjoyable.

1 CD, 2 CUR| Janera Beavers| $5 register here

This workshop aligns with Literacy in the Early Years: Growing a Reader parent workshop. This alignment between educator professional development with parent learning opportunities creates coordinated approaches across the classroom and home. Children benefit from shared language and consistent expectations, and parents gain practical tools and strategies they can use at home. Encourage your familes to

register here

Basic Health & Safety Training with Supporting Breastfeeding in Child Care (Virtual)

Tuesday, 3/10/2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

This training will satisfy the CCDF Health and Safety requirements as well as the requirement for the Breastfeeding Workshop. This training is meant to be highly interactive and is based on the research-based concept of "learning disfluency" which challenges the learner to 1. Think about what they know; 2. Through discussion and research confirm or expand their knowledge base; and 3. Share their experience with others.

3 HSN| Rochetta Gordon| $5 register here

Introduction to the Pyramid Model (Virtual)

Wedesday, 3/11/2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

The Pyramid Model is a comprehensive framework designed to promote young children's social-emotional development and prevent challenging behaviors. It provides early childhood educators with evidence-based practices that support nurturing relationships, create supportive environments, and teach essential social and emotional skills.

3 CD| Nicole Pontoriero| $5 register here

Forced Separation: The Effects of Incarceration and Deportation on Young Children (Virtual )

Thursday, 3/12/2026, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This training was designed to provide childcare providers with information regarding trauma experienced due to parental incarceration and deportation. This training is needed as the United States has the largest prison population in the world and this adversely effects children. Current federal and local legislations changes are causing a strong enforcement of immigration laws, causing numerous children to be separated from their parents. This information is beneficial to participants because it will help them to recognize and even possibly prevent some of the possible outcomes of the trauma that is associated with these two extreme separations. It will also provide adequate resources to help children and their families.

1 CD,1 HSN| Georgia Ferentinos| $5 register here

Raindrops on Noses and Toes in the Dirt: Infants and Toddlers in the Outdoor Classroom (In-Person)

Wednesday, 3/18/2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Creating an outdoor classroom that enables infants and toddlers to explore and experience the outdoors enables them to increase their cognitive skills through a cariety of sensory experiences. This workshop takes alook at how to develop and create an outdoor classroom across all the domains of learning for infants and toddlers in your care.

3 CUR| Abena Njeeri| $5 register here

Professional Presence: Communication in All Roles (In-person)

Wednesday, 3/25/2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Through engaging discussions, hands-on activities, and thoughtful self-reflection, participants will explore developmentally appropriate best practices regarding Circle Time. How can you shift your focus to social-emotional development? Do children have to sit crisscross applesauce to learn? Do you have to do weather and calendar during Circle Time? Find out these answers and more!

2 CUR, 1 SN| Janera Beavers| $5 register here

Creating Positive Learning Environments (Virtual)

Thursday, 3/26/2026, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Positive child guidance and discipline support a child's well-being in preparation for learning and life. This workshop will explore strategies and best practices for supporting the emotional development of all chil

3 CD| Teresa Smith| $5 register here

Join us for engaging Make and Take group session designed for early childhood providers! These hands-on group sessions will guide educators in creating practical, developmentally appropriate materials to be used in programs immediately. Each session will feature step by step instructions onhow to make and use tools that promote social-emotional and problem-solving skills development, support self-regulation, and help with positive behavior mangement. Come connect with fellow providers, explore new strategies, and walk away with ready-to-use resources that strengthen children's learning and emotional growth. All materials are provided.

Routines and Transitions Group Session

Participants will create practical tools that support predictable routines, smooth transitions, and meaningful choices throughout the day. Ready to use classroom tools include visual supports for daily schedules and transitions, choice boards, and first/then boards.


Wednesday, March 18, 2026 (In-Person)

6:30 -8:00 p.m.

Georgia Ferentinos

register here

These hands-on group sessions will guide parents in creating practical, developmentally appropriate materials they can use at home right away. Each session provides step-by-step instructions for using tools that promote children's social-emotional growth, build problem-solving skills, support self-regulation, and encourage positive behavior at home. Connect with families, learn new strategies, and leave with ready-to-use resources that strengthen your child's learning, confidence, and emotional development. All materials are provided. Topics include daily routines, social problem-solving skills, and the solution suitcase. Contact Georgia Ferentinos, gferentinos@howardcountymd.gov to schedule.

Through hands-on make-and-take tools, both providers and parents leave equipped with practical strategies they can immediately use to support children’s growth.

We're thrilled to offer a new professional learning opportunity for child care programs: an on-site Community of Practice (COP) focused on children's social emotional development. Explore new and practical strategies for creating "cozy corners," designed to promote self-regulation and feelings exploration. The CCRC/IECMH team will host this engaging, hands-on, 1- hour session right in your classroom, integrated into your daily schedule on a day that works best for you. Our team will work side by side with your teaching staff and the children, modeling and enhancing Cozy Corner practices. This innovative approach blends coaching with real-time classroom support, giving educators and children a chance to learn and grow. Be the first to join the Cozy Corner Community of Practice, schedule a COP today, contact Georgia Ferentinos, gferentinos@howardcountymd.gov.

Each year, Howard County Office of Children and Families participates in the annual Children's Mental Health Matters Campaign, which is sponsored by Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD), with support from the Maryland Department of Health-Behavioral Health Administration, Maryland Family Network, and other partners. The campaign aims to spread awareness about issues surrounding children's mental health. Information about the state-wide campaign can be found here https://www.childrensmentalhealthmatters.org/

As a part of the 2026 Children's Mental Health Matters Campaign, our office will be hosting a week-long series of virtual workshops designed to support educators of children from birth to age five. Each evening session will focus on social-emotional development, mental health resources, and practical activities educators can use right away. Workshops will be held virtually during the evenings of May 4-7 so save the dates and stay tuned for series topics and speakers. Topics Include

• Creating a Social Emotional Environment for Infants and Toddlers, explore how to use the classroom
• Creating a Social Emotional Environment for Preschoolers, incorporating Cozy Corner Materials
• Anxiety and Young Children
• Mental Health resources available in Howard County

Don’t let challenging behaviors become unmanageable, the IECMH team is here to help! 

To better serve the educator community and offer more comprehensive support services for early childhood educators and children, the CCRC and IECMH teams work together to provide Tiered support service to address challenging behaviors. Our IECMH behavior consultants work directly with teachers and individual children to support programs in managing and reducing challenging behavior, as well as supporting children's social emotional development. The behavior consultants offer developmental and classroom screenings; on-site behavior observations; goal setting and practice-based coaching, and resource and referral information for both infant/toddler and preschool classrooms. For more information, please contact Lisa Hendricks, lhendricks@howardcountymd.gov or call the Care Line, 410-313-CARE.

MD EXCELS, and Maryland Accreditation individualized support services are available. Work with the CCRC to enhance and improve program quality and increase educator professional qualifications. Contact the Office of Children and Families Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), 410-313-1940 or email Abena Njeeri, anjeeri@howardcountymd.gov or Janera Beavers, jbeavers@howardcountymd.gov

 Ready to Start or Renew Your CDA? We're Here to Help! Whether you're applying for your first CDA or renewing your credential, we offer personalized support with the application process, portfolio preparation, training hours/professional development plan, and review of documentation for renewal. Funding support for new applications ($525) and renewals ($250) available. Contact Janera Beavers, jbeavers@howardcountymd.gov for assistance.

The Resource Room features a Lending Library to enhance your reading centers, lesson plan ideas and materials, new die cuts, laminating services, and a computer lab (internet access and printing available). Children’s books are organized by theme (5 to 6 books per theme) and can be checked out for a 2-week period. Find lesson plan ideas and books for your library!

Resource Room Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

• Entrance will not be permitted after 4:30 p.m.
• All educator patrons must be escorted into the Resource Room
• Educator patrons may not remain in the Resource Room after 5 p.m.

For new and approved, expanded workshop offerings that meet Maryland child care requirements, coaching and support on all aspects of owning and operating a child care in Maryland,visit -

www.prosolutionstraining.com/md (English portal) and https://www.prosolutionstraining.com/md-espanol (Spanish portal). Courses are available through the MCCRN, a program of Maryland Family Network. Do note, any previous eLearning content purchased through Smart Horizons will still be accessible; training must be completed by June 30, 2022.  Please contact Maryland Family Network with any questions, MCCRNinfo@marylandfamilynetwork.org.

For additional Early Childhood Education& Provider news and updates in and around the State of Maryland, checkout Tuesday Tidbits

Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund

OCF Workshops and News

Support your families’ success—share our monthly newsletter featuring workshops on brain building, challenging behaviors and biting. View and share the Parent Pages and OCF Programming Flier

Parent’s Guide to Challenging Behaviors

Discover a proven, research-based approach to better understand your child’s behavior and what influences it. Learn practical tools to prevent challenging behaviors—and handle them calmly when they do occur. Ask questions, gain ready-to-use strategies and leave feeling more confident in your parenting. For parents of children ages 2–8. 
Monday, March 2, 1 p.m. Free virtual workshop, register here

Parent’s Guide: Practical Next Steps Build on what you learned in Parent’s Guide to Challenging Behaviors with an interactive session focused on putting those strategies into practice. Get support applying the tools at home, explore additional resources and leave with an actionable plan you can start using right away. Monday, March 9, 7 p.m. Free virtual workshop, register here 

Meeting Milestones Through Play Learn simple strategies to maximize your child’s development using toys and materials you already have. This interactive workshop is designed for parents and caregivers with toddlers aged 18 - 36 months. Explore how common toys and everyday objects can be transformed to target language growth and strengthen fine motor skills. Learn specific language and fine motor strategies that support development and gain fresh ideas for play-based learning that you can implement with your child. Monday, March 23, 7 p.m. Free virtual workshop, register here 

Literacy in the Early Years: Growing a Reader Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher—and the early years are full of simple, joyful opportunities to build strong reading skills at home. Explore the natural stages of reading development and discover fun, practical ways to nurture your child’s growing love of books and language. You’ll leave with easy strategies you can start using right away to support confidence, connection and a lifelong love of reading. Wednesday, March 25, 7 p.m. Free virtual workshop, register here

Finding Employment in the New Normal Learn how to use up-to-date strategies and proven job search techniques to gain a competitive edge in today’s evolving job market. This virtual and interactive session hosted by Workforce Development will help you navigate new employment trends and position yourself for success.

Thursday, March 19, 7 p.m. Free virtual workshop, register here &

Thursday, March 26, 7 p.m. Free virtual workshop, register here

It’s Time to Register for Kindergarten

Registration for new students or students entering public school kindergarten in fall 2026 begins the week of March 2 in all Howard County public elementary schools. Kindergarten is mandatory in Maryland. State law requires that children entering kindergarten in the fall of 2025 must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2026. Visit the enroll page www.hcpss.org/enroll/ to confirm the school which your child is districted to attend, understand the required documentation and begin the online registration process. Questions, call the Public Information Office at 410-313-6600. Share the HCPSS registration fliers with your families.

Share with families and view the Road to Kindergarten 2026 information session which explains readiness and the process to register for HCPSS.

Kindergarten Readiness Newsletter - March edition

Readiness Newsletters provides tips on how to help children be ready for their first day! Share March’s edition with your families today. Digital newsletter is for digitally sharing. Print newsletter has a QR code to access the file with live links to more information.

If you are not receiving important email communications from MSDE, sign up HERE. If you were forwarded this newsletter and would like to sign up to receive it yourself, click HERE