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Hello families, and happy November! We are excited to share with you what's coming up in November!
The Center for Families offers programming for Cambridge families and their children ages birth to 8 years old. We offer parent/child activities, playgroups, parenting workshops, family fun events, programs just for dads, and more!
If you have not subscribed to this newsletter and would like to receive it, please email [email protected].
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Drop-in Playgroups this Month!
For parents with children ages 2 to 4 years old.
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Join the Center for Families and Agenda for Children Let's Talk Program to meet other families with young children, learn songs and activities to support child development, and have fun! Drop-in playgroups are offered on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00am - 11:30am. Click the "View Playgroup Schedule" for information about dates and locations!
No need to register, just come by! Questions? Contact Kim at [email protected] or call 617-349-7252.
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Tiny Tots Outdoor Movement Playgroup
For parents with children ages 15 months to 23 months.
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This Fall, join CFF and AFC at our drop-in Tiny Tots outdoor playgroup to meet other families with young children, learn skills and games to develop your child's gross-motor/movement skills, and have fun!
Playgroup runs from 10:00am - 11:30am at Bergin Park! For dates and more information, click the schedule button below!
Questions? Contact Kim at 617-349-7252 or email [email protected]
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Providers Drop-In Playgroups
For Cambridge Childcare Providers, Nannies, and the children they care for only.
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This Fall, come meet other childcare providers in the Cambridge community, and engage in fun activities and games with the children you care for! Playgroups are facilitated by CFF staff.
Where: Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St) When: Thursdays 11/9, 11/16, 11/30 and 12/7
Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
For more information, call Cynthia at 617-349-6327.
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Moms Group with Discussion & Activity
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Friday, November 17th, from 10:00am - 11:30am, outside at Rindge Field (behind Peabody School, on Haskell St).
Group will be inside at the Peabody School if raining (70 Rindge Ave).
Next Moms' Group will be December 15th!
Join the Center for Families, and other moms, as we talk about parenting and share our experiences while doing a craft activity together. Limited childcare available for children who are walking. Activity kits and snacks will be provided.
All mothers must register. To register, email Kim Tran at [email protected] or call 617-349-7252.
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Pajama Story Time
Tuesdays, November 14th
and December 12th
O'Neill Library (70 Rindge Ave)
6:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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The Center for Families and the Cambridge Public Library invite Cambridge children from birth through age 8, and their grownups, to join us in person for songs, stories, and rhymes to wind down the day.
No registration needed; just come if you can!
Contact Maeve at 617-349-6385 or email [email protected] for more information.
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Infant Programming
For Cambridge parents and caregivers with babies from birth - 15 months
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Infant Support Group/Baby Time Playgroups
We are offering two playgroups in two locations (please, chose one location). These groups are for Cambridge parents/caregivers with babies from birth - 15 months.
North Cambridge Series: Mondays, 11/6, 11/13, 11/27, 12/4 and 12/11 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Group will meet outside in The Center for Families Infant/Toddler Room located in the Peabody School (70 Rindge Ave., rear door #10).
East Cambridge Series: Tuesdays, 11/14, 11/28, 12/5, 12/12 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Group will meet indoors in the Frisoli Youth Center.
To register, email Christine Doucet, Infant Program Coordinator, at [email protected].
*Once you have registered, you don't need to come to all of the sessions*
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Register for Nurturing Touch/Baby Massage Series
The next 6-part series will be on Wednesdays, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/28, 3/6 and 3/20 from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm.
This is a hybrid group. Parents can join virtually on Zoom or in person at Center for Families Infant Room in the Peabody School, 70 Rindge Avenue.
This series is for Cambridge Families with a baby 5 weeks old through pre-crawling. Massaging your baby helps in developing strong relationships between you and your child, helps your baby relax, decreases gas and constipation, increases body awareness and maturation, and regulates sleep.
All families must register. To register, email Christine at [email protected] or call 617-349-3003.
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November Workshops and Events! | |
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Stress Reduction & Exercise Series!
Join the Center for Families for this fun series, designed for Cambridge parents to meet other parents and to help reduce stress through fun and energetic exercise.
Limited childcare available!
This is a 5 part series. We encourage participants to attend all 5 sessions! Sessions will be held on Thursdays, from 6:30pm - 7:30pm, in the gym of the Peabody School (70 Rindge Ave) on the following dates:
November 9th, 16th, 30th, and December 7th and 14th
Registration required. To register, contact Lucy at lhernandez@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Toddler Sleep Workshop
Thursday, November 2nd
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Do you have questions about toddler sleep? Join us for an open discussion with a pediatric sleep consultant! Workshop will be led by Kathryn Gouveia, a CEIS & FSI certified pediatric sleep consultant.
This workshop is for Cambridge parents of children 15 months - 3 years old.
Lights refreshments to be served, and limited childcare available!
Workshop will be held at the City Wide Senior Center (803 Mass Ave), on Thursday, 11/2 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm.
Registration required. To register, contact Jen at [email protected] or call 617-349-9169.
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Center for Families Art & Literacy Night!
Friday, November 17th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Peabody School Cafeteria (70 Rindge Ave, door #11)
For Cambridge Families with children aged 2-8 years old. Join us for an evening all about the human body! We will have stories, crafts and arts all about our amazing bodies. Free books and pizza, too!
No need to register, just come! For more information, contact Cynthia at [email protected] or call 617-349-6385.
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Family Literacy Fun Day!
Saturday, November 4th, 10:30am - 1:00pm
Cambridge City Hall (795 Mass Ave)
November is National Family Literacy Month! Come celebrate talking, reading, playing, singing, and telling stories with us. This event is for Cambridge families with kids ages birth to 3rd grade. There will be a light lunch to go, books, activities and more!
Questions? Call or text 617-475-0616
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Baby University is coming to North Cambridge
in January 2024!
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Baby U will be starting our upcoming session in January 2024, and will run parenting workshops on Saturday mornings for 14 weeks. We’ll be leading parenting workshops on different topics each week. At the end of each workshop, we’ll join in family play activities. Our focus is on creating a space where parents can connect with each other, learn new information on a variety of topics, including brain development, reading, discipline and stress management. The program works to support and strengthen parent-child relationships and share community resources.
If you live in the North Cambridge, West Cambridge, and Porter Square neighborhoods and have a child 3 years old or younger, you are eligible to be a part of this session of Baby U. This series will run in-person. For more information and to register, contact Angela at 617-349-6204 or [email protected].
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Cambridge Dads is a partnership between the Center for Families and the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative. Cambridge Dads connects with fathers and father figures and provides information on how a dad can get involved with Cambridge Dads.
Our programs include:
* Events for Dads and kids
* Events and workshops for Dads only
* Connection one-on-one
* Information on community resources
* Information on child development
Connect with Cambridge Dads!
Call or text us at 857-209-4964
Follow us on Facebook (@CambridgeDads), Twitter (@CambDads), and Instagram (@CambridgeDads)
Join our Fatherhood Text Campaign!
A great way to stay connected and informed! Recevie a text once a week about fatherhood, events, and activities to do with your kids in Cambridge
To sign up: Text the word "father" to 877-936-3237
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Dads & Kids At The Gym!
Join us at the Gately Youth Center (behind Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave), for fun, games, and activities with your child! All dads, uncles, male caregivers, grandfathers, step-dads, godfathers, etc. welcome with at least one child aged birth to 8. Light breakfast provided!
This series runs from 10:00am - 11:30am on Saturdays on the following dates: November 18th, and December 9th.
Registration required. To register, email [email protected] or call 617-349-6385.
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Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) with The Center for Families
The ASQ online tool helps you to better understand all your child's different stages of development from one month up to 5 years old with activities you can do at home. It only takes about 10 - 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire!
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Free Preschool for all Cambridge 4-Year-Olds!
Beginning December 1, Cambridge families with 4-year-olds can apply to the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP), which will provide free school-day, school-year preschool for the 2024-2025 school year.
You can apply to CPP from December 1 - January 15, 2023.
Information sessions for community members who speak languages other than English will be held in November. If you have questions about these information sessions, please contact Megan Postal at [email protected].
Highlights of CPP:
- Families can choose from many preschool programs, including Cambridge Public Schools, City of Cambridge DHSP, and select community-based preschools and family childcare providers.
- Families will apply to preschool programs through a single online application (paper applications will also be available).
- Extended day and year-round preschool programs available (may be additional cost for families).
- All programs will have high-quality state-approved curriculum
A child is eligible to apply if they live in Cambridge and are:
- 4 years old by August 31, 2024 for 4-year-old programs; or
- 3 years old by August 31, 2024 for 3-year-old programs.
Please note: there will be limited seats for 3-year-olds and there may be additional eligibility requirements.
Learn more about the Cambridge Preschool Program on the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood's website.
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Center for Families Help In A Bag! | |
Are you looking for some some ideas on how to support your little one? The Center for Families offers free resource bags families can borrow on the following topics:
- First Time Dads
- Getting Ready to Share
- Biting Hitting
- Fun with Language
- Starting Childcare or School
- A New Baby in the Family
- Death of a Loved One
- Potty Training
- More topics coming soon!
Each bag is filled with engaging books for toddlers and preschoolers as well as articles and resource lists, including websites for parents.
If you are interested in borrowing any of the resource bags or have any questions, please contact Kim Tran at 617-349-6385 or email [email protected].
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More Resources and Supports for Families
Center for Families staff can connect you to local agencies in Cambridge and surrounding communities for assistance ranging from education, food, housing, and much more.
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The Center for Families is funded by the City of Cambridge, the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC), Children’s Trust, Cambridge Public Schools, and the Cambridge Health Alliance. | | | | |
