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Hello Families!
Spring is almost here! The weather is getting warmer and many of us are looking for fun things to do as a 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, connections to resources 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
Join other parents and their babies for discussion, activities, and songs! Playgroup will be held outside starting in May. In the case of rain, group will move to the inside location. These groups are for Cambridge residents with babies birth to 15 months.
Families must register for one group location. To register, contact Kaleena Thompson at 617-349-3003 or kthompson@cambridgema.gov.
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We are offering Baby Time Playgroups in two locations:
Mondays in North Cambridge: 4/7, 4/14, 4/28 (inside location at Fresh Pond Apartments Community Room, 362 Rindge Ave.) and 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 6/2, 6/9 (outside location at Fresh Pond Apartments playground, 362 Rindge Ave.)
Tuesdays in East Cambridge: 4/8, 4/15, 4/29 (inside location at Moses Youth Center, 243 Harvard St.) and 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, 6/10 (outside location at Sennott Park, 305 Broadway St., behind the Moses Youth Center).
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Baby Massage and
Child Development Series
Each session will introduce a child development topic. Baby Massage helps develop a strong relationship between you and your baby.
Thursdays, 4/10, 4/17, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, and 5/22 at Fresh Pond Apartments from 12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Families must register! To register, contact Kaleena Thompson at 617-349-3003 or kthompson@cambridgema.gov.
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Baby Sign Language Series
Come learn the basics of baby sign language, and ways to communicate with your child. For Cambridge families with babies birth-15 months old.
Fridays, 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/30 on the front lawn of the main library at 449 Broadway St. from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Group will meet on Zoom if raining.
Families must register! To register, contact Kaleena Thompson at 617-349-3003 or kthompson@cambridgema.gov.
| | Parent / Child Activities for Cambridge Families | | |
Spring Playgroup!
Mondays at the Moses Youth Center starting 4/7.
Meet other families with young children, learn new activities to support your child’s development, and have fun! Playgroups are for Cambridge families with children 15 months to 4 years old.
All families must register for the playgroup lottery. To register, contact Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-7252. Please enter the lottery by 4/2.
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Drop-In Spring Playgroup!
Tuesdays at Fresh Pond Apartments starting 4/8. Moves outside to Russell Field Playground starting 5/6.
Join us to meet other families, learn songs and activities to support your child's development, and have fun! For Cambridge families with children 15 months-4 years old.
No need to register, just come! Questions? Contact Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-7252.
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Open Gym Playgroup!
Wednesdays at the Gately Youth Center starting 4/9.
Come play with the Center for Families during Open Gym! Your child can run and jump, play games, and have fun! This is a good time to meet other parents while playing with your child. For Cambridge families with children 15 months - 4 years old
Drop-in! No registration required.
Questions? Email Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-1723.
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Saturday Messy Playgroups!
Saturdays outside at Newtowne Court Playground starting 4/26.
Join us on Saturday mornings to play on the playground, blow bubbles, and use our senses by getting messy! Playgroup is for Cambridge families with children 15 months - 4 years
Siblings welcome. No playgroup if raining.
No registration required. Just come play!
Questions? Email Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-1723.
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Providers Drop-In Playgroup!
Thursdays at the Moore Youth Center starting 4/10.
Come meet other childcare providers in Cambridge, and engage in fun movement games and activities with the children you care for! Playgroups are facilitated by CFF staff.
This group is for Cambridge childcare providers, nannies and the children they care for only.
No need to register, just come! For more information, contact Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6327.
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Rainbow Dance Series!
Wednesdays at Fresh Pond Apartments starting 4/30.
Children and their caregivers will learn skills for self-regulation, building self-esteem, and managing big feelings and challenging behavior through skills, songs, and rhymes!
This group is for Cambridge parents with children ages 2-4 years old.
Families must register for the series. To register, contact Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6327.
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Pajama Story Time!
We invite Cambridge children birth through 8 and their grownups to join us in-person for songs, stories, and rhymes to wind down the day. No need to register, just come if you can!
Where: O'Neill Library (70 Rindge Ave.)
When: Tuesdays 4/29, 5/27, and 6/17
Time: 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.
Questions? Email Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-1723.
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Crafts, Stories, and Books, Oh My!
A Family Literacy Event
Join us for a fun evening full of crafts, stories, and activities! We will have free pizza and each child gets a free book! For Cambridge Families with children aged
2-8 years old. Siblings welcome.
Friday, April 11 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the King Open School Cafeteria (850 Cambridge St.).
No need to register, just come!
Questions? Contact Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-7252.
| | | Parenting Workshops and Support | |
Raising Children with Black Joy
A 4-part series for black and brown parents who live, work, play, or pray in Cambridge.
Each session will include a welcoming space, opportunity to connect with other parents, and meaningful discussions.
Light dinner to be served and childcare will be provided during in-person sessions.
Registration is required. To sign up, contact Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6327.
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Parent Café
An evening for Cambridge parents with at least one child 8 years old or younger.
Join the Center for Families and other Cambridge parents for a night of conversation! Parent Café is an opportunity to come together and talk about parenting.
Dinner is provided and childcare is available upon request!
Registration is required. To sign-up, contact Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6327.
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Moms' Groups!
Join The Center for Families and other moms as we talk about parenting and our experiences while doing a craft together! Light breakfast and activity kits are provided. Limited childcare is available upon request.
Choose one of two locations:
North Cambridge: Peabody School (70 Rindge Ave.)
OR
Central Square: Moses Youth Center (243 Harvard St.)
Fridays from 10 - 11:30 a.m. on 4/4, 5/9, 6/13
Group is for Cambridge mothers with at least one child 8 years old or younger.
Moms must register each month for one location. To register, contact Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-7252.
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Early Literacy Series: Dads and Moms Make a Difference!
Join other Cambridge parents to get easy and fun ideas for talking, reading, and playing during your daily activities. Light dinner and childcare is provided for in-person events.
Sign up is still available for our session on Tuesday, April 8!
To register for one or more Early Literacy Series workshops, contact Cynthia Woodward at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6327.
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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
* One-on-one supports
* 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! Receive 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 and Kids at the Gym!
Come have a fun time playing with your children ages birth to 8 years old. Fun activities for everyone, even for babies! Light snacks provided.
Saturdays, 4/12 and 5/10 at Gately Youth Center from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Registration required each month. Email Matt at cambdads@cambridgema.gov or call 617-453-8725.
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Dads Health and Wellness Series
Cambridge Dads is hosting our first Dads Health and Wellness Series!
This in-person series will cover a variety of topics, such as nutrition, health, stress, and activity/exercise. Dinner and childcare provided.
Registration is required. Reach out to Matt Dottin, Cambridge Dads Coordinator at cambdads@cambridgema.gov or call 617-453-8725 to register.
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Cambridge Dads Basketball!
Lace-up with other Cambridge fathers for some full-court, pick-up basketball action.
Participation is free. All dads, uncles, male-caregivers, grandfathers, step-dads, godfathers, etc. are welcome.
Reach out to Matt Dottin, Cambridge Dads Coordinator at cambdads@cambridgema.gov or call 617-453-8725 for more information.
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New Dads Group
Are you a new dad of a newborn to 18-month-old? Come and chat with other dads about the joys and challenges of being a new dad.
Thursday, May 1 from 7:45 - 9 p.m. on Zoom.
Registration is required. Reach out to Matt Dottin, Cambridge Dads Coordinator at cambdads@cambridgema.gov or call 617-453-8725 to register.
| | | | Resources and Supports for Cambridge Families | |
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!
If you need help access the ASQ or have questions, contact the Center for Families at centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-6385.
| | 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 Center for Families at centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
| | Child Care Information and Resources | | |
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Looking for child care information and resources in Cambridge?
Yadling Richemond is the Child Care Information Specialist at the Office of Early Childhood here in Cambridge!
Yadling is available to support Cambridge families with all things child care related!
Yadling can be reached by email at yrichemond@cpsd.us, or you can call 617-349-6885 or 857-270-4384.
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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.
| | 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. | | | | |
