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Intergenerational Focus: Grand Connection Series
Saturdays, February 1 - March 22 (no program February 15), 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Elkridge 50+ Center, 6540 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge 21075
Make the most of your time with your grandchild! Join OCF's free seven-week Grand Connection Series to connect with other grandparents, share tips and explore the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Explore the first three topics this month:
Grandparents: The cornerstone of early child care | February 1 | Register
Discover how grandparents can shape a child’s early years. Explore caregiving strategies which strengthen intergenerational bonds to support growth and development.
Sharing the care with adult children and other caregivers | February 8 | Register
Get practical tips to collaborate with adult children and caregivers to create a cohesive and supportive care plan which ensures everyone’s needs are met.
Good Night, Sleep Tight Sleep | February 22 | Register
Explore practical tips and proven techniques to improve sleep quality, manage sleep disruptions, and create a soothing bedtime routine for you and those in your care.
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Here's what families are saying about the Family Support Center:
“We have been attending events at the Family Support Center for about a year now and are beyond grateful for all the resources this office provides. The cooking and science classes are engaging and my kids had so much fun.” - Noemy L.
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The Family Support Center (FSC) offers comprehensive, family centered, community-based preventive programs for parents, caregivers and their children ages birth to five. See what's coming up at the FSC in February, below. View the full schedule or email Ashton Sullivan for more information about FSC programs and drop-in play groups. .
Toddler Sleep Caregiver Class | February 5, 5:30 - 7 p.m. | Register
Learn how to help your child (age 15 months+) sleep better! Child care & dinner provided.
It’s Ok Not to be Ok: Mental Health Workshop | February 6, 6 - 7:30 p.m. | Register
Get support to manage the stress and challenges of parenting. Dinner provided.
Intergenerational Family Game Night | February 19, 5 - 7 p.m. | Register
Bring your family to the Elkridge 50+ Center to play a variety of games. Pizza provided.
Black History Month Heroes Storytime | February 24, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Register
Hear stories about inspiring African American heroes, and enjoy an art project and music from legendary African American artists.
The Power of a Father’s Words | February 26, 5:30 - 7 p.m. | Register
Fathers of young children (ages 0-5) can discover meaningful ways to use their voices to nurture, encourage and inspire their children’s growth.
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The Basics Howard County
The Basics Howard County offers fun, simple and powerful ways to boost early brain development and learning for children from birth to age five. To learn more about the science behind the five Basics Principles, explore the parent toolkit. To receive free weekly Basics Insights text messages based on your child’s developmental stage, available in English and Spanish, sign up now.
"The Basics has helped me help my children reach their full potential. We enjoy getting a weekly activity from The Basics, where I can sit with my son and practice new skills that he will use later in school. The activities are super easy and so much fun!" - Stephanie
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HCPSS Learn Together Series: Let’s Communicate
February 4, noon | Virtual | Register
Part of the Howard County Public School Systems' (HCPSS) Parent Empowerment Series, this workshop focuses on the four skills children need to communicate - attention skills, back and forth interaction, receptive language skills, and imitation skills. Examine one activity that supports each of those skills and learn how caregivers can incorporate that activity in their everyday routines. Geared toward families of children from birth to age five with a developmental delay or disability (who have an IEP or IFSP). Contact FSRC@hcpss.org or EISFamily@hcpss.org with questions.
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Be part of NAMI Maryland Advocacy Day
February 6, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Virtual via Zoom | Register
Don't miss the opportunity to join NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) advocates in Maryland to meet virtually with Maryland state legislators and advocate for policies that improve the lives of those with mental illness. When you register for Advocacy Day with your home address, you will be grouped in meetings according to your legislator. Want to learn more about advocacy? NAMI Howard County is also providing a free "Smarts for Advocacy" training on Saturday, February 1, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Open to the public. Register now.
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Every child is born with his own individual way of approaching the world—a temperament
Child development specialists share that there are three general temperament types for infants and young children: Shy-Cautious, Flexible-Easygoing and Feisty-High Intensity. Some children exhibit traits of all three. No matter what temperament type describes your little one, understanding their temperament and supporting them is what’s most important. There is no “right” or “better” temperament. Your child's temperament is simply who they are and is unique to them. For more information on the types of temperament in infants and young children, visit Tips on Temperament from Zero to Three and Understanding your Child's Temperament: Why it's Important from Healthy Children’s ages and stages.
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Register for Howard County Recreation and Parks (HCRP) summer camps!
It may feel like winter outside, but it's almost time to register for one or more fun-filled summer camps! Check out the HCRP 2025 Summer Camp Guide for lots of activities to keep kids active and engaged all summer long. Online registration begins February 5, 6 p.m., and in-person on February 6, 8 a.m.
Spring/Summer Activity Guide
With hundreds of programs, activities and events to choose from, HCRP's 2025 Spring-Summer Activity Guide has something for everyone. Online registration opens March 5, 6 p.m. County residents should have received a print copy in the mail; additional copies are available at HCRP headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia, at Howard County community centers or HCLS library branches.
What to do when schools are closed?
Not sure what to do when your child is home because schools are closed? HCRP offers a variety of activities on school holidays, including science, sports, art, music, drama and chess programs. Find the perfect program for your child and register now to attend on February 7 or February 17. When schools are closed due to inclement weather, check out Snow Day Survival: Fun Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained Indoors for lots of indoor activities and crafts to help keep your family busy and engaged.
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Take Maryland's Maternal and Child Health Survey
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is asking parents, caregivers and community members to share their opinions about community needs, concerns and strengths. This feedback will help MDH to better understand what is happening in your community and survey responses will help determine priorities for the next five years to improve the health and safety of women, infants, children, teens, and families. You are your community’s health and safety experts; your answers will remain confidential but can help improve Maryland for you, your family and others statewide.Take the Maternal & Child Health Survey.
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Stay connected to Howard County Libraries
Whether your kids are home on a snow day, sick day or a school holiday, take advantage of the digital options offered by the Howard County Library System (HCLS). Free digital offerings include:
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eContent for Kids: eBooks for kids combine educational games, videos and interactive books for engaging experiences for children from pre-K through high school.
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OverDrive / Libby: Download eBooks, eAudiobooks or eMagazines to your computer, tablet, Kindle, or smartphone.
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YourCloudLibrary: Browse, check out, download, and read eBooks or listen to eAudiobooks.
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Hoopla: Stream and temporarily dfilm studios, record companies and publishers.
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Project Gutenberg: Access a free digital library of 50,000+ eBooks, including titles in epub and Kindle formats. Download eBooks to a device or read them online.
HCLS branches offer one-on-one instruction on how to use the Library’s econtent resources. To schedule a session, call your local branch or fill out our online form. To learn more, visit hclibrary.org.
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Lunar New Year Festival
February 1, 1 - 4 p.m. | East Columbia Library Branch | Register
Experience the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year with live performances, engaging activities for all ages, and educational presentations about the holiday's cultural significance. Savor traditional snacks and drinks while connecting with friends and neighbors. Bring your family and friends to welcome the Year of the Snake in a festive atmosphere!
Little Learners Celebrates Heroines of History: Black Women Who Change(d) the World
February 24, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. | East Columbia Library Branch
Children ages 2 - 5 with an adult can explore the lives of amazing women in Black history. Dance, sing and create as you discover how these heroes shaped the world and how you can be a hero, too! Tickets are required and are available 15 minutes before class. View the full schedule of HCLS' Black History Month events.
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Podcasts: Opportunities to Listen & Learn
The Department of Community Resources & Services (DCRS) is 50!
As part of DCRS' golden anniversary celebration, the February HoCo Community Chat podcast takes a stroll down memory lane with our current director and host, Jackie Scott, and former directors, Susan Rosenbaum and Lois Mikkila. Listen now!
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