Strengthening Families Newsletter

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November 15, 2022

Click here for detailed information! Now Accepting Applications for PreK Learning Opportunities

Come sample a class if you have not tried one of the "Play. Learn, and Grow Together" groups in the Early Learning Zone located at the Framingham Public Library's Children's Department, 49 Lexington Street. We welcome all families with young children to experience the love of learning right from the start where you will discover new ideas and come away inspired as well as meet new friends! All programs are FREE! See the brief program descriptions below. Sign up by completing the Registration Form . In addition to the ECAF schedule there are more activities offered to children and families at the library. See the children's calendar by clicking this link.

Baby Talk: Part of our "Play, Learn, and Grow Together" series for parents of infants birth to 8 months. This group is a time to learn more about your infant's development. Join in discussions about common topics along your parenting journey. We will also sing songs and introduce you to simple sensory activities. We will take time to complete the Ages & Stages: A Parent Questionairre all about your baby's development and provide more play ideas for you to enjoy together.

Play, Learn, and Grow Together: This multi-age group is play-based learning that has something for every young learner and their parent/caretaker. We will imagine, create, sing, and read as we explore the different brain building zones. After all, learning is not only fun, but is the gift that keeps on giving!

Let’s Go to Kindergarten: This group is a geared toward the family with a 3-5 year old who wants to learn school readiness skills in a play-based way. After all, learning is fun!

PJ Family Storytime (evening program): This parent and child group is all about bedtime routines and learning to end our day in a fun and relaxing age appropriate manner. Wear your pajamas, bring a toothbrush, washcloth, favorite stuffed animal, and reading blanket.

Ages & Stages: Learn more about your child's development by complete the questionnaire online or by appointment. Afterwards a team member will discuss with you what you discovered and provide additional resources to enhance your child's growth as well as a free children's book. If completed online, please notify us with finished.

ParentChild+: This home-based literacy program that provides families with weekly home visits by a trained home visitor who brings educational books and toys as gifts to the family. ParentChild+ is open to eligible families with children 18-36 months. Interested in learning more about this program, contact us @ 508-782-06932 or jcohen@framingham.k12.ma.us.

You are invited to complete the AGES & STAGES PARENT QUESTIONNAIRE to learn more about your child's development. A great time to observe and reflect what your child is doing at different ages and learn about each stage. After you complete the questionnaire, we will review the information about your child's development with you, share handouts to further enhance their growth, and provide you with a copy of the completed questionnaire.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE!

Did you know Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham (ECAF) is the home for your local ParentChild+ program? Our program offers home visits for families with young children age 16 months to 36 months right here in Framingham for two years! The ParentChild+ Program will help your family in your role as your child's first and most important teacher. Our Early Learning Specialists share fun ways to help your child learn at home with free books and toys! We envision a world where every child enters school ready to succeed because every parent has the knowledge, skills, and resources to build school readiness where it starts: the home!

Throughout the 23 week school year, an Early Learning Specialist brings each week a gift of a high quality educational toy and book for your child to keep. Visits are 30 minutes long twice a week and can be scheduled at your convenience, day or early evening. You'll learn creative ways to read and play with your child and become actively involved in your child's education. We work together to ensure language isn't a barrier. There is NO COST!

So if you are a family who lives in Framingham with a child 16-36 months or know someone who you think may be interested, contact us at 508-782-6932 or email jdehaven@framingham.k12.ma.us for more information.

NEW! We now offer the ParentChild+ Family Child Care Educator Model for caregivers who take care of children in their home. Click here to complete the Family Child Care Interest Form. To learn more about the ParentChild+ Family Child Care Model, click here.

To learn more about the internationally recognized home visitation program, CLICK HERE!

The ECAF updated the ECAF Resource Guide For Early Childhood has a new look and is now available. This guide is comprehensive and filled with information on understanding how to find the type of early childhood program that is a good match for your family and provides a listing of Framingham area programs. It even has a family roadmap! Included in the booklet is a map of the Framingham Public Schools, a listing of school contact information, and helpful tips for getting ready for school. There is a listing of parks, and an extensive list of helpful community resources. A quick click here will take you to this useful guide that comes in three languages and is conveniently located on the ECAF website. For even more helpful resources beyond the early childhood world, click here.

We will try to offer a road map stopping and exploring common grounds, celebrating developmental milestones, sharing inevitable pitfalls, and refueling with the energy that keeps us moving. These sources or tools advance our knowledge and provide us with more information allowing us to anticipate what may be ahead and plan our travels into Parenthood and Early Education accordingly. Let’s call it a guidebook that leads us through the parenting journey , not alone, but together as the journey can sometimes be lonely and it is always more fun when we have others join us, and, it’s easier to reach our destination safely. No matter how many stops or bumps along the way, we aim to ensure future opportunities for successful excursions.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR 1ST STOP ON OUR ROADTRIP: DIALOGIC READING

PEER & CROWD TIP SHEETS

Join us for prerecorded programs with Mae, Maya, and Mateo from Raising Emerging Bilinguals where not only is there a storytime in Spanish, but important conversations shared in Mae's blog. Additionally, Vera delights us with stories read in Portuguese. So much culture shared in these short storytimes. Our friends who provide bilingual opportunities enrich the joy of reading for all young children. If you would like to share a story or activity in your home language, send us a link.

Raising Emerging Bilinguals Thank you Mae, Maya, and Mateo for sharing stories and important conversations with the ECAF family!

• Storytime Bilingüe featuring “Besitos y abrazos” y "Numeros Numbers"

• Storytime Bilingüe featuring “Baby Teeth/Dientes de bebe”
• Storytime Bilingüe featuring “This Bug Needs a Boat/Esta oruga necesita un barco”
• Storytime Bilingüe featuring “Los bebes aman/ Babies Love”

Storytime with Vera

• STORY TIME IN PORTUGUESE - "Vamos à caça de um Urso" (We're Going On a Bear Hunt)
• STORY TIME IN PORTUGUESE - "O Sapo Vai ao Médico"

Visit Framingham Public Library's website and learn more about children and adult offerings.

WGBH has an array of learning resources for the 3-8 year old. Click below to enjoy these educational programs.
WGBH Family Fun Activities and More

A great resource for families who have questions and need help and assistance navigating transitions, rights, special education placements, Individual Educational Plans, and more. Click here for additional information

Outdoor RX offers families programs that involve nature and education using your natural environment. Click the picture and see more information about their programs.

Virtual Program 1: Bark Rubbing

Virtual Program 2: Nature Bracelets

• A more inclusive list of community resources at your fingertips
• City of Framingham Resources - click the link to access the City of Framingham website. There is helpful information and resources for residents as well as the latest updates on the CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

• WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHILD CARE REOPENING Guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
  Spanish - Portuguese - Chinese

• An important creative and family friendly educational message about wearing masks

• Massachusetts Home Visiting Initiative Comprehensive list of resources
  
• MASS 211 need help call the multilingual hotline 24/7 to access resources at: 1-877-211-6277
• Social Story What Nathan and His Friends Can Do English Spanish Portuguese
  
• Hello I Am A Virus! A kid-friendly booklet about COVID-19. Author: Manuela Molina Cruz
  English - Spanish - Portuguese - Arabic
• Free From Audible Books - Children's Stories

Email: jcohen@framingham.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/domain/72
Location: 19 Flagg Drive or 49 Lexington St Framingham
Phone: (508)782-6932
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earlychildhoodallianceofframingham/
Twitter: @strongstart16