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Delivering Support to Families with Young Learners
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A child’s foundation for learning and development begins before they are born. This means your child’s education starts at home with family. Even when your child begins to attend child care or school, learning continues at home with you.
To ensure your child is primed for success, you can play an active role in their education. Check out these tips to help your child get ready to learn:
- Talk to your child about their day and their surroundings.
- Communicate with your child care provider to collaborate on learning.
- Offer praise to your child and encourage them to try new things.
- Provide a safe environment for your child to learn.
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Talk to Your Children About Gratitude
With Thanksgiving happening this month, your family may be thinking a lot about what they are thankful for. Young children may have trouble identifying and processing emotions, including gratitude. It can be helpful to talk to your child about what being thankful means. Explore these ideas to encourage your child to be thankful:
- Ask your child how they feel when someone says “thank you” to them, as well as how they feel when someone does not. This conversation can help them explore their emotions.
- Invite your child to think of people who help them: a grandparent, a teacher, or a neighbor. Help them brainstorm fun ways to show they appreciate them.
- Point out examples to your child of people being generous. You can also set a good example for your child by saying “thank you” to helpful people around you.
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Enrollment Available in Maryland Pre-K Programs
Do you have a child who turned 3 or 4 years old by September 1st?
State-funded prekindergarten (Pre-K) programs are available for children who are 3 or 4 years old as of September 1, 2025!
Several programs across Maryland take part in publicly funded Pre-K and have open Pre-K seats. There is no tuition for income eligible families and for families whose child has a disability or is a multilingual learner meeting certain income requirements.
If your child is on the Child Care Scholarship Program (CCS) waitlist, this can be a way to secure care and have your child partake in high-quality Pre-K now while you wait for CCS funding to become available.
Please review the list of Pre-K programs linked below that may still have openings. Reach out to the programs directly to ask about enrollment. Spaces can fill quickly, so we encourage you to contact programs soon.
What to ask when you email a Pre-K program:
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Do you have open seats for 3- or 4-year-olds?
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Is this a state-funded Pre-K (no tuition to families)?
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What documents do I need (child’s birth certificate, proof of residency, immunizations, and income verification)?
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What are the hours? Is before/after care available? Are there any fees for extended-day services?
Please note: Enrollment in a Pre-K program now will not change your status on the CCS waitlist. If you enroll your child in a publicly funded Pre-K seat, you will remain on the CCS waitlist unless you submit a request to be removed.
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Lower Your Stress: Pause, Reflect, and Find Joy
As the holiday season approaches, you might feel overwhelmed with your growing to-do list. To reduce stress, try this self-care approach that can help you feel happier and more relaxed.
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Pause: Your schedule is busy, but if you do not take a break, you might find yourself burning out. Find a moment to quiet down, unplug from electronics, and breathe. Even a few minutes of unwinding can improve your mental health.
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Reflect: When you feel overwhelmed, you might focus on the stress factors in your life. But you have more going on than those aggravations! Take some time to reflect each day on the positives in your life. Remembering that you have a lot to be grateful for can brighten your entire day.
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Find joy: What makes you smile? The act of smiling can boost your mood, so focus on what brings you joy, even if it is something small, like listening to a favorite song. The little things can make a big difference!
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