March is here! Spring is coming!

Maryland Department of Education sent this bulletin at 03/01/2022 11:35 PM EST

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Delivering Support to Families with Young Learners

Incorporate Self-Care at Work

Here are five simple self-care tricks you can incorporate into your daily work life:

Take A Five-Minute Break
Go Outside
Take The Stairs, Walk Around, Simply Move Your Body
Acknowledge Your Accomplishments
Create A “Shutdown” Routine

Learn more about these tricks on self-care at work.

Parenting Support

Parenting is not all fun and games. Let’s face it – sometimes parents need answers and support in helping a child with their emotions or behavior. Do you ever struggle with knowing your child wants, why they won’t listen or how to respond to a temper tantrum? You are not alone. Parenting can be challenging.

Support is available 24/7/365 for essential resources and mental health support. Dial 2-1-1. Press 1 for immediate support with thoughts of suicide, depression or substance misuse.

You can also call The Family Tree 24-hour Parenting HelpLine at 1-800-243-7337 for free and confidential support, advice and community resources.

Maryland 2-1-1

Celebrate spring’s arrival with singing, dancing, gardening, and reading!

March is full of opportunities to have creative early learning experiences together, including National Music and Nutrition month, and Read Across America Day is March 2. Engage children in these national observances with MFE's fun-filled activities.

Download Fun Ideas for Family Engagement: March.
Get into the groove with these Five Tips for Making the Most of Music at Home.
Read Fun Children's Books about Healthy Food.
Take the Family Seed Challenge!

For National Nutrition Month and the spring planting season, teach children the value of growing their food by planting a school, program, or family veggie garden.! Display your children's green thumbs by sharing photos with @MDEngageEarly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the Hashtag #HealthyGreenFamilies.

Are you looking for child care? Have you found child care programs that you like?

If so, this short video is for you!

Now that you have a list of possible Maryland EXCELS child care providers, it’s time to narrow it by taking the next step in the process: calling the providers and interviewing them over the phone. This will give you a better sense of who the providers are as people and what their programs offer.

Find your best options for high quality child care and early education programs at MarylandEXCELS.org and search the Find a Program directory.