Resources For Birth-5 Years

To promote student success and achievement, the HCPSS has provided a wealth of grade-specific resources to help support your child's learning at home. To view the types of resources available for Birth-5 Years, please review the different sections below:

• School System
• Local Community
• Other External - Online

School System

Publications

• School Readiness
  • Off to Kindergarten: 2012-13 Guide for Parents

Online

• School Readiness
  • Early Childhood Programs Information - The kindergarten page on the HCPSS website offers many resources for incoming kindergarten parents, including information about registration.
  • School Library Media Center - Online Databases and Curriculum Links.

Local Community

Programs/Classes

• Learning Activities
  • Howard County Library - Free enrichment classes in reading, science and many other subjects. Offers free resources for families. Libraries offer storytimes for children of all ages, from birth on up, accompanied by games, crafts, music, and tips for parents on ways to share stories and language with their preschooler. Pick up a copy of Source, a quarterly calendar of events, at your local branch.
  • Kids on Campus at Howard Community College - Classes and camps for many interests.
  • Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks - Enrichment sessions and summer camps.

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Other External - Online

Publications

• School Readiness
  • Tips for Working Parents - Being a working parent has its own special challenges and rewards. The 2004 "Tips" includes sections on infant development and toddler development, along with practical solutions to the everyday problems of balancing work and family.
  • Your Child Goes to Kindergarten - Provides information about the characteristics of a 5-year-old and suggests activities to promote learning.
    
    
• Parent Helper... The Series - MSDE publication series covering a variety of skill development areas.
  • Book 1 - Parent Helper: Overview
  • Book 2 - Parent Helper: Communication
  • Book 3 - Parent Helper: Cognition
  • Book 4 - Parent Helper: Motor Development
  • Book 5 - Parent Helper: Socialization

Online

• Growth and Development
  • Healthy Beginnings - A resource to help parents nurture the potential for learning and growth in every child. Specifically designed for caregivers of infants and toddlers from birth through age 3. Provides, knowledge, support, development activities, and fun ways to build skills and promote learning.
    
    
• School Readiness
  • Parent page from the U.S. Dept. of Education - Includes resources in English and Spanish.
  • READY! for Kindergarten: Nurturing Every Child's Potential
  • School Readiness - Information on kindergarten assessment (the Work Sampling System) and activity ideas to help young children build the skills they will need to succeed in school.
  • Choosing Child Care; How to Find the Right Care for Your Child - Child care can be a wonderful and enriching experience for your child. A child care provider who is warm and supportive will help your child learn by providing activities that are right for your child at each age and stage of development.
  • Ready at Five - activities cards.
  • Maryland Model for School Readiness The Five MMSR Components in Action - This site provides an overview of MSDE's implementation of the state's program to enhance school readiness for all children in Maryland. Information includes an overview of MMSR and sections on classroom instruction, assessment, communication with families, coordination with early learning programs and initiatives, and integrated staff development activities.
  • Early Years are Learning Years - This is an extensive series of short articles on topics such as helping toddlers become problem solvers, learning through water play, math through play, emotional literacy and many more.
    
    
• Learning Activities
  • Helping Your Child Series - U.S. Dept. of Education.
  • Ready at Five - Activities page.

General

• Parent page from the U.S. Dept. of Education - Includes resources in English and Spanish.
• Helping Your Child Series - U.S. Dept. of Education.