Inhale. Exhale. Rejuvenate.

Maryland Department of Education sent this bulletin at 10/01/2021 05:30 PM EDT

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Delivering Support to Families with Young Learners

Breathing to Better

To have the energy to care for your child, you need to make sure that you’re also taking care of yourself! Self-care is about using pockets of time throughout your day and week to look after your needs.

If you only have 2 minutes, take a few whiffs of parenting oxygen now and then, and it will help to rejuvenate you. Take a series of deep, calming breaths. Breathe in for the count of 3, hold it for the count of 3 and then breathe out for 3. Repeat.

Did you know that extending your exhales a little longer than your inhales can help you relax? Check out this 1-minute breathing exercise.

Taking a Day Off

If your child is enrolled in child care or school and you have a day off, it is okay to still send them. Take that day to do things for yourself—don’t clean the house or catch up on your chores. Nap, take a long bath, read, watch a movie, go for a walk. Use this time to rejuvenate, you will feel fresher by the time you pick up your child.

Pick the Perfect Tune: 6 Sing-Along Favorites for Lifelong Book Lovers

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, or shall I say, little car! Young children have always loved reading classic sing-along books. However, modern sing-alongs have also become popular among parents and families who seek to inspire today’s children to, well, sing their way to a lifelong love of reading. With a wide variety of classic sing-along books and the newer versions available, how do you pick the perfect tune for your little one? Check out this list of six sing-along books that feature the classics and remakes: https://bit.ly/3mdqRsF.

Share your perfect tune or a photo reading a sing-along aloud with your little one on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @MDEngageEarly!

The Numbers Count in Child Care

The number of adults who are present to teach and care for your child and the other children who are in a group is known as the child-to-adult ratio.

Low child-to-adult ratios and small group sizes help ensure that your child gets enough one-on-one attention from an adult who is available to take care of each child’s unique needs.

In general, lower child-to-adult ratios are one indicator of a higher-quality program because a child care provider can be more sensitive and responsive to children’s needs if he/she is responsible for a smaller group of children.

Learn more about quality child at marylandexcel.org.