Season's Greetings! Here we are in the month of December, the school year is more than 1/3 of the way through. Holiday decorations are sprouting up everywhere as families in our area begin their thinking about holiday shopping, vacation plans, and dinner menus. Many of our evenings and weekends will be spent getting ready for holiday celebrations. This is a wonderful time of year, but also very busy and so can be stressful. As the adult’s scurry around preparing for the excitement of the holidays, children can also feel the stress and exhaustion brought on by the hustle and bustle.

The most important things in life are family and friends, so this holiday season make an effort to spend quality time with both with the gift of time.

· Relax at a park for a day and have a picnic.
· Take a nature walk at a local preserve.
· Visit the local library.
· Enjoy a meal together as a family.
· Have a night in with the family and play a favorite board game.

As parents, you are extremely important to your children. This month, make it a goal to spend an evening, day or weekend with them. Remember, bigger is not necessarily better. The time you spend does not have to be at a theme park or fancy resort!! It can be reading a book together, playing catch, decorating cookies, or telling stories together. This is the time to provide your child with the memories he/she will never forget.

The holiday season is all about giving, and the quality time you spend together can be better than anything wrapped up in a bow under the tree!

Register Now...….We're So Excited to Meet You!!!!

Multiple Playgroups Weekly …Join Us!!!

Playgroups are open to all and can be attended multiple times weekly.

**Children learn by repetition**

Playgroups are scheduled and offered according to need and interests of all participants. Currently playgroups are offered:

• Tuesday and Thursday from 10-11:30am.
• Afternoon sessions are available from 1-2:30pm with desired interest

• Wednesday scheduling is reserved for Providers (i.e. private child care providers, daycares, and Early Head Start).
• Evening playgroups will be available monthly from 5:30-6:30pm (with registration required).

Please register here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdpfCKfQi6T8MOhBgJKvOQ-AlSzUKZXiqwad-NsGSUSWB9s3g/viewform?usp=sf_link

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/100087158001512/

The Judith P. Hoyer Center Early Learning Hubs, also known as “Judy Centers,” benefit everyone in Maryland by improving the quality of life for families. Through a dedicated staff of early learning professionals, they help prepare children age birth through kindergarten for school readiness. Located at Title I schools in every Maryland county, Judy Centers play an important role in the communities they serve. Judy Centers provide services or connect families with local service providers for some of the following options:

• Adult Education
• Case Management
• Developmental and Health Screenings
• Family Engagement Activities
• Parenting Classes
• Playgroups
• Early Intervention Identification

Each Judy Center is unique in meeting the needs of its communities, but if there is a service you are in need of please let us know!

Judy Center programming is developed with funds form the Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) does not discriminate based on age, ancestry, color, creed, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religious affiliation, belief or opinion, sex, or sexual orientation in matters affecting employment or in providing access to its programs and activities.