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Video Game Resources
Resources for families on making video games a positive and educational experience for children and teens, provided by the Baltimore County Public Library.
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Children and Reading
Focus on the First Years
It's never too early to start smart! As a child's first teachers, you as parents and/or caregivers are instrumental in promoting reading readiness in children ages birth to four. BCPL's programs and services for babies, toddlers and preschoolers can help you fulfill this important role. Includes information on Baby Booster Kits and My First Library Card and Storytimers.
Baltimore County Public Library Services
The library is a great place to visit. Your child will enjoy the regularly scheduled Story Times at your neighborhood library. Children will also love our Kid's Pages.
Does Reading Aloud Really Make a Difference?
Provided by Children's Literacy Initiative.
Tips are given on how to make reading aloud effective. Suggests books to read aloud to pre-kindergarten to third graders.
Helping Your Child Become a Reader
Provided by the United States Department of Education.
Learning to read needs to be in place long before children enter school. Find learning activities and typical language accomplishments for children from infancy through age 6. Most are based in the
everyday routines of you and your children.
Launching Young Readers Parent Tips
Provided by Reading Rockets.
The important steps in learning to read are introduced with tips for parents of children, pre-kindergarten to grade 3.
Resources and Materials for Parents
Reading tips and booklists for parents, provided by the National Education Association.
Partners in Literacy Support
A listing of services offered by Baltimore County Public Schools, The Community College of Baltimore County and the Baltimore County Public Library that support family literacy and success in reading. From this site, you can search for Baltimore County Public Library materials to help your child learn to read, to work on phonics, or to help adults master English as a foreign language.
PBS Parents Guide to Reading and Language
How do children from birth to grade 3 learn to read? Activities to encourage reading and writing are offered. Provided by the Public Broadcasting System.
Reading Rockets
A project of WETA providing useful articles, expert advice and tips on helping children learn to read or helping the struggling reader.
Ready*Set*Read for Families
A project of the Corporation for National Service, the United States Department of Education, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services
Language activities for children birth to age five are offered.
Stories to Enjoy
from Baltimore County Public Library's Kid's Pages.
Looking for suggestions? We have booklists for specific age groups or specific grades; some lists have award winning books. There are also stories to read or listen to online.
Summer Reading Tips for Parents
Provided by LD OnLine.
School may be out but children who continue to read gain reading skills. You can make reading fun!
Take 15 for the Family
A Maryland State Department of Education statewide family literacy program.
Families are encouraged to take at least 15 minutes each day doing everyday activities, like eating dinner together, and turning those moments into learning opportunities. Site includes activities, website links, and parent tips.
Tips for Reading Aloud [PDF]
Why should you read to your child? Tips on reading aloud provided.
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Choosing Quality Child Care
After-School Programs
The Maryland Committee for Children provides a search the database for after-school programs in your area.
Basic Child Care/ Babysitting
Ask NOAH provides advice on selecting and hiring a sitter, child care provider or nanny.
Child Care Inspection Results
Online database of inspection results for licensed child care providers, created by the Maryland State Department of Education's Office of Child Care. Search by company name, jurisdiction, and type of provider. Results go back two years.
Child Care Links: Child Care Resource and Referral Center for Baltimore County
Counselors are available to discuss child care needs and to refer parents to licensed/registered child care providers/programs in Baltimore County through the free Locate: Child Care service.
Child Care Resources Handbook
Provided by the United States Office of Personnel Management.
Excellent guide for determining the quality of child care centers. Includes questions to ask during the initial telephone screening and a checklist of things to observe when visiting child care centers or homes. Lists child care referral agencies and federally sponsored child care centers around the nation.
Childcare for Your Baby
Provided by BabyCenter LLC.
All types of childcare options exist. Practical advice given about each option. Good parenting information is also available.
Choosing Child Care: A Guide to Help You Make the Right Choice
Provided by Child Care Links Locate counselors.
Useful for choosing appropriate child care arrangements for your family.
Choosing Your Child's Care and Schooling
Provided by Baltimore's Child, Inc.
Tips for choosing child care or a preschool for your child.
Finding the Right Child Care/Caregiver
Provided by Maryland State Department of Education. Division of Early Childhood Development. Office of Child Care.
The Division is responsible for all child care licensing and regulation in Maryland. Find out why regulated child care is important. What about a friend or relative providing care? What is a licensed child care center or registered family child care home? Search licensing inspection records of child care providers.
Is Your Child Ready to Stay Home Alone?
Questions to ask yourself when making your decision provided by the National Network for Child Care (NNCC).
Locate: Child Care across Maryland
Provided by the Maryland Committee for Children.
Access a resource and referral database of all regulated child care centers in Maryland. Parents can obtain referrals in their neighborhoods or near their workplaces.
Maryland Committee for Children
Advice on many topics including finding child care for children with special needs or disabilities, addressing concerns with a current child care situation, or learning about the Purchase of Care (POC) child care subsidy program.
Maryland's Regulations for Child Care Facilities
Provided by the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care.
Documents from the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) that concern health and safety requirements in Maryland child care facilities are linked to from this site.
Nanny for Your Family
Provided by International Nanny Association.
Answers to questions about in-home child care and about the hiring process. The work may be full-time or part-time, and the nanny may or may not live with the family.
Purchase of Care Subsidy Program (POC)
Provided by Maryland Department of Human Resources.
Find out about financial assistance for eligible working families with child care costs. Information given on the Purchase of Care Program in Baltimore County that assists eligible families living in Baltimore County with childcare costs while parents work, attend school, or training.
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Great Parenting Sites!
Abilities Network, Inc
A local provider of family-centered services to children, adults and families of all ages, with a variety of disabilities and challenges.
Baltimore's Child
Both a print and online newspaper for families. Has a calendar of events, a parent to parent message board, feature articles and directories of preschools, party performers, summer camps, child care, resources for families of children with special needs, etc.
Boot Camp for New Dads (BCND)
Experienced fathers provide advice to first time dads.
Brand New Dad
An online community and resource center for new and expectant fathers featuring news articles, advice, forums and product reviews.
Connections: Children, Youth and Family Resources
A project of Baltimore County Children and Youth Council and Baltimore County Public Library.
Do you need to make a decision about child care, counseling, or legal rights? Are you going through a difficult time? Find local community organizations that can help you get to the information or assistance you need.
CYFERNet - Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network
Quality articles on assessing the quality of child care and on parenting from early childhood through the teen years.
Daily Parent
Provided by Child Care Aware.
Find the latest information on child development issues, tips for finding child care and numerous resources for busy parents and child care professionals.
FamilyEducation
Provided by Family Education Network.
Valuable information for parents of pre-kindergarten through high school children. Topics include health and safety, homework help, learning disabilities and activities for children.
Healthy Families - Baltimore County
Provided by Abilities Network, Inc.
Program providing hands-on, one-to-one parenting skills training to families of new babies, continuing until the newborn is up to five years old. The program strives to insure that each child has a healthy start and arrives at their first day of school ready to learn, while simultaneously preventing child abuse and neglect by instilling strong parenting skills in its participants.
Parent Previews
Providing families with the tools they need to make informed media decisions. Includes detailed reviews with content warnings indicating amount of language, drugs, sexual themes and violence for DVDs and movies currently in theaters.
Parenting A-Z
Provided by Zero to Three.
A Washington District of Columbia child-advocacy group gives a wealth of information on topics that impact the physical, cognitive and social development of infants and toddlers.
Parenting, Children and Adolescent Resources in Baltimore County
by Baltimore County Department of Social Services
Links are available to the services found in the County.
Parents' Place of Maryland: A Center for Families of Children with Disabilities
This is an excellent resource for parents. It includes an explanation of the jargon related to special education, resources on assistive technology and disabilities.
PBS Parents
Online resource for parents, providing information on parenting issues, child development, strategies for building literacy and math skills, book recommendations, links to local PBS Kids TV programming, and related activities and games.
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Health and Safety Watch
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Find a pediatric dentist near you, answers parents' frequently asked questions and gives information on quieting an anxious child, dental care for a special child.
American Academy of Pediatrics
A parenting corner covers many health topics such as finding a pediatrician, immunization information and more.
Attendance at Child Care: Should My Child Be in Care with This Illness?
Provided by Maryland Committee for Children.
Guidelines offered for parents in determining whether to send a sick child to day care or not. These are useful until you can contact your doctor for advice.
AutismConnect
Information about autism research, educational resources, and advocacy organizations available to families in Maryland.
Baltimore County Department of Health
Services and screening programs are available to children, adolescents and adults through several bureaus.
Baltimore County's Car Seat Program
Information on choosing the right car seat, how to install child passenger safety seats and the laws and best practices governing child passenger safety.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Health and safety topics covered that include birth defects, child development, diseases and conditions. The CDC provides this great website on health topics, designed just for kids at BAM! Body and Mind.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Covers mental disorders, treatment, children and violence, depression, eating disorders and more from the National Institute of Mental Health.
Child Nutrition and Health
General information, associations/organizations, food and nutrition fun and resource lists available from the Food and Nutrition Information Center.
Children's Health
Provided by MedlinePlus.
Information on most childhood health topics, specific diseases and conditions, from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted medical sources. Useful directories for finding pediatricians and low-cost or no-cost health insurance programs for children by state.
Children's Health
Provided by NOAH, New York Online Access to Health.
Find information on childhood illnesses, growth and development charts, exercise and more.
Facts for Families
Provided by American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Practical advice is available for parents on coping with a child's or teen's feelings, behaviors, and emotions.
Family Tree
A 24/7 family crisis hotline, called Family Stressline, at 800-243-7337 is provided to parents who need help on discipline and handling an angry child. The Family Tree's purpose is to prevent child abuse and neglect in families. Parental tips are available on handling stress and discipline.
Health InfoCenter
Provided by Baltimore County Public Library.
Links to local hospitals and other health services. Locate a local doctor and find out information on many health topics.
Injury Prevention
Provided by Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Designed for kids and parents on how to be safe while playing and in the home. Information on treating common injuries is given.
KidsHealth
Expert information on parent, kid and teen health as well as specialized material for each age group from the Nemours Foundation.
Maryland Center for Maternal and Child Health
Provided by Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Family Health Administration. Programs and activities for mothers and children in Maryland.
Parenting Health Center
Provided by Yahoo Health.
Covers all ages of children and all aspects of parenting, including dealing with emotions and behavior, drug use and discipline.
Pregnancy
Provided byNOAH, New York Online Access to Health.
For mothers to be! An all inclusive site that covers pre-natal and post-natal care.
Simple Steps to Better Dental Health
Provided by Aetna Inc.
Parent's guide to infant and children's dental health, preparing for the first dental visit and repairing children's teeth.
You Care So Be Aware: Child Safety Resources
Prepared by experts within various Baltimore County agencies dealing with children and child welfare.
This resource covers many topics such as bullying, stranger danger and child abuse. Designed to answer your questions and tell you about the services Baltimore County offers.
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Internet Safety
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
iKeepSafe.org
Faux Paw the Techno Cat teaches children about internet safety.
GetNetWise
Practical information for parents on Internet safety and online risks for different age-levels. This site tells you how to identify and report online trouble. Tools for Families has information on filters and other technology for protecting your child.
SafeKids.com
Tips and advice to make your family's online experience fun and productive!
WiredSafety
Provides information and education for all ages on how to safely surf the Internet. Includes mobile device safety and tips for parents on how to keep their children safe online.
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Social Networking Safety
ConnectSafely: Smart Socializing Starts Here
Tips on the Social Web for teens and for parents, cell phone safety, video-sharing, stopping cyber bullying and preventing sexting. Safety Tips En Español
Cyberbullying and Internet Harassment
by Internet Solutions for Kids, Inc.
Cyberbullying can be rumors or threats sent or published online, negative comments sent by email, text or IM, private photos spread online that were not intended for others to see, creating a fake profile of another person. Site offers resources and opportunities for discussion and sharing for youth - and their parents.
Parent Resource Center
by Internet Keep Safe Coalition
Check out the excellent video "What You Need to Know". This free tutorial covers social networking (i.e. MySpace,) cyberbullying, online harassment and more. Learn the essentials of protecting your teens and "tweens" online.
Signs that Your Child May Be at Risk Online
from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Social Networking Sites
by OnGuard Online
Tips to help your kids use social networking sites safely.
Why Teens Make Unsafe Choices
by Nancy E. Willard, M.S., J.D., a former educator and attorney who has focused on youth online risk issues for more than a decade. She is director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use. Important for every parent of teens to read!
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Resources for Child Care Providers
Afterschool.gov
One-stop resource for federal information on running a program, current news and legislation, etc.
Baltimore County Family Child Care Association
A membership organization that is a source of current information on issues involving child care and education for family child care providers.
Child Care Bureau
Information on funding available to serve low-income children, to serve nutritious meals in your center, or to start a program and more. Provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
Child Care Links: Child Care Resource and Referral Center for Baltimore County
Support services and training opportunities provided to potential and current child care providers. Check out or visit the Resource Room to create your own learning tools and visual aids or browse their collection of resources.
Child Care Nutrition Resource System
Recipes, resources and information on food safety in the child care setting. Provided by the National Agricultural Library's Food and Nutrition Information Center
CYFERNet - Children, Youth and Families Education and Research Network
Quality information is included for the child care professional on business management, educational materials, child care program development, dealing with challenging behaviors and discipline, and much more. Parenting materials and learning activities from early childhood through the teen years available.
Daycare Provider's Curriculum Pages
Curriculum ideas, craft and activity suggestions.
Daycare Provider's Information
Everything you need to know about starting a Daycare form the US Department of Health & Human Services, National Child Care Information Center.
Maryland Child Care Resource Network (MCCRN)
Information on starting and operating a child care center or a family child care home. Includes a searchable database of training available for providers.
Maryland Committee for Children (MCC)
Links to regulations, information on Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP) and Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR). Search for licensed child care and out-of-school activities. The Committee is a major advocate for quality child care, early education, and family support in Maryland.
Maryland State Department Education. Division of Early Childhood Development. Office of Child Care
This Department is responsible for all child care licensing, including the licensing or re-licensing of new or existing child care facilities. Oversees child care regulations, investigates complaints of improper or illegal child care, enforces regulations, and helps caregivers comply with regulations.
National Child Care Information Center
From the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Child Care Bureau.
Source for research on the young child, federal initiatives, conferences, organizations, and state demographics relating to child care.
National Network for Child Care
Resources related to child care and child development.
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care
Good site to find federal performance standards for child care and state licensing regulations. Also includes health and safety hot links.
Read Rover
Offers library services to licensed day care centers and home providers in Baltimore County. Children enjoy a story time with both stories and an activity; teachers or providers may select material to keep in their centers until the next visit. A service of Baltimore County Public Library's Mobile Library Services.
Teacher Loan Card
A special library card from the Baltimore County Public Library is available to media specialists and teachers at Baltimore County public and private schools, day care centers, child care providers, home school teachers working with Baltimore County schools, and employees and volunteers of Baltimore County agencies or non-profit groups.
Teaching Our Youngest: A Guide for Preschool Teachers and Child Care and Family Providers
What you can do to help children develop their language abilities, recognize numbers and learn to count, learn letters and sounds and encourage learning. Provided by the United States Department of Education.
Transition to Kindergarten
Information and tips about how parents can help children transition to kindergarten. Provided by Child Care Aware.
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Your Child's Education
Back to School Tips
Checklist for first day at school, tips on starting at a new school, handling school avoidance, setting study habits from the American Academy of Pediatricians.
Baltimore County Public Schools
Information for Parents
This source includes information of interest to parents. The Student Handbook, homework
guidelines, and other policies are available online. Information on school boundaries, the magnet
program, alternative education programs, school registration and parent-teacher communication
are covered.
OnLINE Librarians' Network for the Essential Curriculum
created by Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Library Information Services.
Access given to resources for students, parents and teachers. The Essential Curriculum K-12
gives links that will support courses at each grade level listed under the Elementary, Middle and
High School Level Links. The Parent Summaries link give parents an outline of what students are
expected to learn and be able to do in all subject areas for each grade.
Parent Support Services 
A resource program to assist families, schools, and community organizations in promoting student achievement.
Creating an Atmosphere for Learning at Home
Provided by the Vermont-National Education Association.
Guide to the Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Provided by the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
Assists parents in understanding the requirements of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regarding Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for children with disabilities, including preschool-aged children.
Homeschool Resources
by Baltimore County Public Library Education and Homework InfoCenter.
Information and resources for parents and caregivers of home-schooled children.
Education and Homework InfoCenter
by Baltimore County Public Library.
Links to local public schools information and school boundaries as well as local private schools, tutors, after school programs, and learning disabilities. Homework resources as well.
Individualized Education Plans (IEP)
Provided by KidsHealth.org
Basic information about what it is, who needs it, the process and developing the plan.
Learning Disabilities
Provided by the National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Fact sheets and introductions to all types of Learning disabilities.
Maryland Business Roundtable for Education - Parents Count
Created to provide support and information to parents on how they can help their children succeed in school.
Maryland Committee for Children: Countdown to Kindergarten
Links for parents to help get children ready for school.
Maryland State Department of Education
Information on Maryland’s preK-12 public education, public libraries, and rehabilitation services. Oversees Maryland legal requirements that apply to nonpublic schools enrolling students in Nursery School (ages 3 and 4) through Grades 12 and nonpublic schools providing special education.
NAEYC, National Association for the Education of Young Children
Promoting Excellence in Early Childhood Education, NAEYC is the nation's largest organization of early childhood professionals.
Questions Parents Ask About Schools
Provided by the United States Department of Education.
How to get children ready for school, helping with homework, working with teachers.
Ready at Five Partnership
Parent tips to help children learn through building of skills.
Special Education Resources
Provided by the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.
Collaborates with families, local early intervention systems, and local school systems to ensure that all children and youth with disabilities have access to appropriate services and educational opportunities to which they are entitled under federal and state laws.
Tips for Parents
Provided by ReadyWeb.
Information and tips on helping your child get ready for school.
Tools for Student Success
Provided by the United States Department of Education.
Excellent tips for parents on helping your child become a reader, helping your child with homework, helping your preschool child develop skills for success in school, helping your child through early adolescence, helping your child learn math or science and more.
Your Child Goes to Kindergarten [PDF]
by the Maryland State Department of Education, Early Learning Office.
What are the skills needed and what you as a parent can do to help your child get the skills.
Your Child Goes to Pre-kindergarten [PDF]
Provided by the Maryland State Department of Education, Early Learning Office.
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General Resources
Child Care Aware
Great parenting and child care information including how to decide if you should stay home or go back to work and how to budget for child care expenses. Sponsored by the National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Child and Family WebGuide
An online directory of websites with website evaluation for parents with children of all ages, child-care professionals and students. Sites are evaluated by graduate students at Tufts University who are closely supervised by faculty members.
KidsClick
A project of Ramapo Catskill Library System. Web searching for kids and those who work with them.
Parenting
Directory and specific resources on parenting issues from the Librarians' Internet Index.
Resources for Families
Provided by American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Provides information and links to a variety of resources including a glossary of terms on children's mental health, list of symptoms of mental illness, the impact of pop culture on children and the latest information on psychiatric medication and it's effects on children and young adults.
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indicates local interest.
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