HOWARD COUNTY OFFICE OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES, 3300 North Ridge Rd. #380, Ellicott City, MD 21043, will sponsor August 2008 Workshops for child care/early childhood professionals and parents. Infant/Child and Adult CPR Certification, Sat. Aug. 2, 9 a.m.-1 pm. $45, Ellicott City. Price is $85 when taken with CPR. This class is acceptable for certification for your child care license, is certified by the American Heart Association, and is good for two years. You will receive your certification card the day of the class. Take CPR and First Aid on the same date and First Aid Certification, Sat., Aug. 2, 1-5 p.m. This class is acceptable for certification for your child care license, is certified by the National Safety Council, and is good for three years. You will receive your certification card the day of the class. Take CPR and First Aid on the same date and receive a $10 discount (9 am-5 pm, $85)! Take It Outside!, Wed., Aug.6, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $20. Outdoor activities give preschool children an opportunity to sing a little louder and move in a larger space. We will learn and review ideas to capitalize on the extra “classroom” and have fun taking it outside. Be sure to wear your play clothes! MMSR Implementation for Staff, Wed., Aug. 6, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $20. Now that you’ve taken MMSR, how do you implement all of the components of the training? Get a jump start on the school year with tips for getting started and staying organized. We will discuss timelines, observation and documentation, lesson planning, portfolios, and parent communication. From Baby to Bigger Steps: What Makes a Child Grow? Thurs., Aug. 7 & 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $20. This workshop covers basic child development concepts including stages of growth and development, leading child theorists, and an overview of learning theories. Your ADHD Toolkit for School-Age Children, Tues., Aug. 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $20. Stock a toolkit of strategies that will help you focus on the gifts that come along with ADHD/ADD-gifts like thinking outside the box, willingness to take risks, and creative expression. Learn how the ADHD mind works and how to circumvent challenges. This workshop will arm adults with lots of practical kid-empowerment strategies. If You Want It, Teach It: Social Emotional Skills, Thurs., Aug. 21, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $20. Add to the foundation for a child’s social emotional growth. Learn how to help children solve problems, communicate emotions appropriately, and build friendships. Explore effective ways to identify teachable moments, foster friendship skills, and encourage problem solving. Help young children learn to recognize and express their emotions. Planning for Success! Creating Opportunities to Grow and Learn, Sat., Aug. 23, 8-12 noon. $20. Participants in this workshop will gain a better understanding of the components of a family child care curriculum, how to create a developmentally appropriate curriculum, and how to plan and design a family child care home. Making It Work for All: Exploring Special Needs, Sat., Aug. 23, 1-5 p.m. $20. This course introduces basic concepts of inclusive care for family child care providers. Topics include the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it applies in a child care setting, initial exploration of inclusive care, and health, behavioral, and developmental issues that must be addressed in order to provide services to all children regardless of ability. Literacy to Support Diversity and Inclusion, Wed., Aug. 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Learn strategies to help children express, share, and celebrate their uniqueness, plus ways to support diversity with literacy experiences. Learn how to include families, too! Keeping It Real: Professional Practices for a Successful Program, Thurs., Aug. 28 & Wed., Sept. 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $20. Explore and understand specific concepts and practices that will lay the foundation for a successful program, including supervision, abuse/neglect, appropriate guidance, record keeping, marketing, contracts, and policies and procedures. The MSDE Office of Child Care approves workshops sponsored by the Howard County Office of Children’s Services for continued education credits. For more details on classes, registrations, and location of workshops, please call the Office of Children’s Services at 410-313-1940.

ELLICOTT CITY MOMS CLUB, meets on Aug. 5th, at 9:30 a.m. It will be held at the Glen Mar Church in Ellicott City a.m. The church is located on Route 104.

LA LECHE LEAGUE OF ELDERSBURG, celebrates World Breastfeeding Week, Sun., Aug. 3, 11-2 p.m. at the Sykesville Fire Department, 680 Sykesville Road, Sykesville. Includes live music, a silent auction, carseat inspection, food and fun. For more information, call 410-864-8070, jenster15@comcast.net or 410-905-5208, jolene@blueliner.org.

MOMS CLUB OF CLARKSVILLE/COLUMBIA WEST, a social and support group for stay-at-home moms of Clarksville, Columbia-west, Highland, Fulton, Dayton, and Glenelg, offers activities and playgroups. For more information, e-mail clarksvillecolumbiamoms@yahoo.com.

MOMS CLUB OF COLUMBIA-EAST, a social and support group for stay-at-home moms of Columbia, East of Route 29, which offers activities and playgroups, will meet on Wed. Aug. 13, at 9:30 a.m. at New Hope Lutheran Church, 8575 Guilford Road, Columbia, MD 21045 For more info. visit www.momsclubofcolumbiaeast.com or e-mail momsclubofcolumbiaeast@yahoo.com.

THE MOMS CLUB OF OWINGS MILLS/PIKESVILLE, a social group for at-home mothers and their children, will meet Fri., Aug. 18, at 10:30 a.m. We plan play dates, park outings and more. New members welcome! Call 410-902-6244 for details or email momsclubomp@yahoo.com.