Sending Love to You and Your Family This February

Maryland Department of Education sent this bulletin at 02/04/2025 11:20 AM EST

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Delivering Support to Families with Young Learners

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

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The American Dental Association (ADA) celebrates National Children’s Dental Health Month every February to raise awareness about the importance of oral health in children. Developing good oral hygiene habits will protect the look and feel of your child’s smile.

Did you know that as soon as your child grows their first tooth, they will need dental care? Even though baby teeth will fall out eventually, it is important to keep them clean and healthy to prevent long-term problems with your child’s smile. Make sure your child brushes their teeth at least twice a day, flosses between teeth daily, and visits their dentist for routine cleanings and check-ups.

Find more tips for keeping your child’s teeth healthy at the ADA website: ada.org.

Improving Parent-Child Communication Skills

You and your child can form a positive relationship when you communicate well with each other. Building the parent-child relationship begins early in a child’s life. Improving the way you react and speak to your child will make it easier to talk with them as they grow up.

You can find tips for communicating with your child during everyday situations with parenting resources from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Check out these videos to boost your communication skills and bond with your child.

Watch the videos

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5 Facts Parents Should Know About Licensed Child Care

  1. A child care provider’s license must be clearly posted.
  2. Parents may visit a child care center without prior notice any time their children are present.
  3. A qualified teacher must be assigned to each group of children in a child care center.
  4. Parents must be informed right away if children are injured in care.
  5. Parents can review a child care provider’s license status, complaints, inspection results, and more using the resource Check Child Care Maryland at CheckCCMD.org.
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Practice Self-Love This February

Did you know that showing love to yourself is an important part of self-care and good mental health? The more you are kind to yourself, the more likely you are to create a habit of showing yourself compassion.

As you spread love during holidays like Valentine’s Day, make sure you love yourself too. Self-care can boost your mood and protect your mental wellness. So reap these benefits by setting aside time to practice self-compassion with actions like:

  • Reminding yourself of your value with positive affirmations
  • Giving yourself a break
  • Taking care of your body
  • Focusing on hopeful and positive news
  • Seeking support when needed
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