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Hello Families!
Happy Spring! We have lots of fun and exciting programming this month for your whole family! We hope you can come and join us.
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, infant support, 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 centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov.
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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 choose one location).
North Cambridge Series: Mondays 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Center for Families Infant Room Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave
*Dates listed on flyer
East Cambridge Series: Tuesdays, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Frisoli Youth Center, 61 Willow St.
*Dates listed on flyer
When the weather warms, groups may be held outside. Families must register for one group location.
To register, email Christine at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-3003.
*Once you have registered, you don't need to attend all of the sessions*
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Register for Nurturing Touch/Baby Massage Series
Massaging your baby helps develop strong relationships between you and your child, helps your baby relax, decreases gas and constipation, increases body awareness and maturation, and regulates sleep.
Join this 6-part series for Cambridge families with a baby 5 weeks old through pre-crawling.
Dates: Wednesdays, 4/24, 5/1, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, and 6/5 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. outside at Sennott Park (305 Broadway)
If raining, group will be held inside Moses Youth Center (243 Harvard St)
This is a hybrid group. Parents can join virtually on Zoom or in person. Registration required.
To register, email Christine at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-3003.
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Postpartum Support Series: Exercises and Stretches for Mothers in their Postpartum Year
A workshop for birthing parents with babies birth-15 months old.
Learn from physical therapist Sybille Bosslet, who specializes in postpartum, how to take care of your body after birth. This workshop will give you tools to strengthen your whole body safely, especially the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. Sybille will also share tips for preventing injuries.
Thursdays May 16 and 23 & June 6 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m at 362 Rindge Ave., Community Room.
Registration required. To register, contact Christine at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-3003.
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Parent/Child Activities and Events
for Cambridge Families
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Center for Families & Agenda for Children's Spring Playgroups!
Meet other families with young children, learn games and activities to support your child’s development, and have fun!
Playgroups are for Cambridge families with children 15 months to 4 years old.
See flyers for locations and dates.
To register for the playgroup lottery, reach out to Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-6385.
Please enter the lottery by April 5. You must live in Cambridge to join a playgroup.
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Center for Families & Agenda for Children's Messy Marvels Playgroup!
Join us outside on Saturday mornings to play on the playground, blow bubbles, and use our senses by getting messy!
Playgroup is designed for children ages 15 months-4 years old and their families. No registration required for Cambridge families!
See flyers for locations and dates.
Questions? Please email or call Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-6385.
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Join us in a series of evenings filled with science, activities, and fun!
This STEAM playgroup is for families with children 3-5 years old. Siblings welcome. Light dinner provided.
See flyer for location and dates.
Registration required. Each registered family will be provided with all tools and supplies needed for this playgroup!
To register, email Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Drop-in Spring Park Playgroup!
Join us in the park to meet other families, learn songs and activities to support your child's development, and have fun! This is an outdoor group so please come ready for messy activities! Light snack provided. See flyer for dates and location.
For Cambridge families with children 15 months-4 years old. No need to register, just come by!
For more information, contact Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Providers Drop-In Gym Playgroup
For Cambridge childcare providers, nannies, and the children they care for only.
Meet other childcare providers in the Cambridge community and engage in fun activities and games with the children you care for! This playgroup is located in a gym (no craft activities). Playgroups are facilitated by CFF staff.
Where: Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St)
When: Thursdays, 4/11, 4/25, 5/2, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, and 6/13
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
For more information, call Cynthia at
617-349-6385.
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Pajama Story Time!
CFF 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.
Where: O'Neill Library (70 Rindge Ave.)
When: Tuesdays, 4/30, 5/28, and 6/25
Time: 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.
No registration needed; just come if you can!
Contact Marianna at 617-349-6385 or email mperks@cambridgema.gov for more information.
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Family Craft and Literacy Night
Crafts, Stories, and Books, Oh My!
Join us for an evening of crafts, stories, and activities. We will have free books and a light dinner too!
Friday, April 12, 6:15 - 7:45 p.m. at the King Open School (850 Cambridge St).
This event is for Cambridge families with children aged birth - 8 years old.
No need to register, just come by! For more information, contact Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6327.
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Moms' Discussion and Craft Activity Group
Friday, April 26th from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at the Center for Families (Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave).
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 at ktran@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-7252.
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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 for fun, games, and activities with your child! All dads, uncles, male caregivers, grandfathers, step-dads, godfathers, etc. who have at least one child aged birth to 8 are welcome. Light breakfast provided!
Series runs on Saturdays, April 6, and May 11, at Gately Youth Center (70 Rindge Ave. behind Peabody School), 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Registration required. To register, email cambdads@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Register for the upcoming Dads Basketball Spring Series!
Join other Cambridge dads, male caregivers, uncles, step-dads, grandfathers, etc., for a weekly evening of basketball!
Series runs Tuesdays, April 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, 28, and June 11, at Fletcher Maynard Academy (225 Windsor St., enter through Harvard St. entrance), 6 - 8 p.m.
Registration required. To register, contact Matt at mdottin@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Dads & Kids Game Night!
Hey Cambridge Dads! Join us for a night of games and fun at our Dads & Kids Game Night!
We will have different board games, puzzles, and movement games facilitated by Knucklebones!
This program is for all Cambridge dads, uncles, male-caregivers, grandfathers, step-dads, godfathers, and the children they care for.
Event will take place at the on Wednesday, April 10 at Cambridge Community Center (5 Callender St), 6 - 8:00 p.m.
Have questions or want more information? Contact Matt at mdottin@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Cambridge Dads Survey!
Hey Dads! Cambridge Dads wants to hear from you - fathers who live, work, play or pray in Cambridge to help guide programming that meets dads’ needs!
Please take a minute to complete our survey today. Link: bit.ly/CambDadsSurvey2024
Feel free to share this with your friends!
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Ages and Stages Questionnaire | |
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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Center for Families Help In A Bag! | |
Are you looking for 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 617-349-7252 or email ktran@cambridgema.gov.
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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. | | | | |
