First Five Years | Maryland Family Network

History Happens Now

It’s been one year since the first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in Maryland. Despite the risks, child care providers have remained open and caring for children as long as their government, their health, and their bank accounts would allow it. Some child care providers in Maryland have died from COVID in service to our children. Others got sick or risked illness to make sure parents could go to work. Most risked their livelihoods at great personal expense because they believed the maxim “we are all in this together.” Now they need help.

Resources

Caring in Time of Pandemic: Will Maryland's Child Care Survive? (MFN)

2021 Caring in a Time of Pandemic

Child care provider taking a child's temperature.

Child Care Provider Support Act

What if the child care that your family relies on was suddenly gone? It could happen if help doesn't arrive soon. The Child Care Provider Support Act could help save child care in Maryland from the financial destruction caused by COVID-19.

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The Child Care Provider Support Act bill text (Maryland Legislature)

Maryland Needs Time to Care

We all need time to care—for new babies, for aging parents, for loved ones with health needs, or for healing ourselves. But are legislators listening?

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Time to Care

Almost There

2020 is finally almost over. We can make 2021 the year put in place better supports for parents, children, and child care providers so the next time disaster strikes they will have the help needed to thrive.

Healthy Providers, Healthy Kids

Has your child care provider told you her plans for staying safe from COVID-19 over the holidays? Have you told her yours? Sharing your plans are essential to keeping your kids healthy.

Resources

Tips and Questions to Keep Child Care Providers and Families Healthy (Child Care Aware of America)

Early Childhood Educators Need the COVID Vaccination

On New Year’s Eve Crystal Hardy-Flowers died of complications from COVID-19. Crystal operated the Sandtown-Winchester based Little Flowers Early Childhood and Development Center for over a decade. We owe it to Crystal’s life lived in service to others that we don’t lose any more child care providers to this virus.

Resources

Hogan announces changes to COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan (WBAL TV)

State Superintendent Requests Prioritization of COVID-19 Vaccines for Teachers, School Staff, Child Care Workers (MSDE)

Crystal Hardy-Flowers, social worker and child care provider in Sandtown-Winchester, dies of COVID-19 complications (Baltimore Sun)

Tell Us About Telomeres

Being a parent can feel like it ages us 10 years in just 10 minutes. But the stress a parent experiences before getting pregnant can take it its toll on both mother and baby.

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Mothers’ stress may lead to preterm births, faster aging in children (UCLA)

The Respectful Approach to Parenting

Helicopter parents take note: Sitting back and watching your child explore their world is good for your mental health and good for your child’s development.

Resources

Helicopter parents should step back and watch, study recommends (Science Daily)

A Quasi-Experimental Study of the Respectful Approach on Early Parenting Competence and Stress (Springer.com)

Too Many Tantrums

Tantrums are a normal part of a toddler's development. But you can help your child learn skills now that will help them cope well with all the disappointment and frustration that will come their way.