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Strengthening Families Newsletter
Highlights from the Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham
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ANOTHER IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM EXCHANGE EVERYDAY
There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.
– Mandy Hale, author
CLOSED SCHOOL VACATION WEEK APRIL 15-19
School Vacation Week: April 15-April 19 - No groups or visits! Play, Learn, and Grow Together groups and ParentChild+ visits resumes April 22nd. Groups will focus on school readiness and Spring Awakenings! Lots of activities at the library during school vacation week. Check schedule out here.
Upcoming Events:
Rejane De Musis returns with her Bilingual Portuguese Music and Storytime program Saturday, April 27th, 3:30 pm Framingham Public Library. Sign Up Appreciated
Yoga+ with Always Be Dancing, Eve Costarelli, April 25th, April 29th, May 7th!
Save the Date: Saturday, May 4th 11:00 -12:30 Framingham Family Fair Downtown at City Hall
All programs are free and inclusive!
Did you know about TryTransit? Click here to learn more about this free transportation opportunity.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL TRAIT OF THE MONTH: DETERMINATION
Determination in young children means never giving up, no matter how difficult something is, and overcoming obstacles to meet a goal. The message of "I think I can, I think I can" from the story the Little Red Engine is one book where children can learn about this trait in an age appropriate way.
To help your child develop early determination skills, try some of these ideas!
Model and teach children it's ok to fail, and sometimes it takes a lot of practice to be successful.
Talk about challenges and how to overcome them to help develop a growth mindset.
Embrace challenges and learn from mistakes.
Give your child opportunities to try activities that are out of their comfort zone and may be difficult.
It's ok to let them get frustrated and fail.
Encourage them to persist and praise their efforts, regardless of their success.
Give them help along the way. As they get better at the task, decrease the amount of support you give them.
With parent and friend support, we can.....
BILINGUAL PORTUGUESE MUSIC & STORY SATURDAY AT 3;30!
Sign Up Today!
Click here to register for a Parent and Child group!
Take the Early Literacy Survey!
Ages & Stages Parent Quesionnaire (ASQ)
FAMILY EDUCATION
SIGNATURE "PLAY, LEARN, AND GROW TOGETHER"
LET'S GO TO KINDERGARTEN
PJ FAMILY STORYTIME
BABY TALK
Looking for a special individual with a background in parenthood, strong understanding of early childhood development, family education and support to join our team. Bilingual in Spanish and/or Portuguese a plus. Click here to learn more about the Early Learning Specialist position.
The ParentChild+ Program Understands the Parent is the Child's 1st Teacher!
LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE IN THE PARENTCHILD+ PROGRAM! CONTACT US TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION!
Did you know Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham (ECAF) is the home for your local ParentChild+ program? Our program offers virtual 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 jcohen@framingham.k12.ma.us for more information.
To learn more about the internationally recognized home visitation program, CLICK HERE!
AND THERE IS MORE....
THE ECAF PARENTING JOURNEY SERIES: A PRERECORDED FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM
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
BILINGUAL STORY TIME AND ACTIVITIES
Raising Emerging Bilinguals Thank you Mae, Maya, and Mateo for sharing stories and important conversations with the ECAF family!
- 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"
FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS & MORE
DROP INTO ART AT THE DANFORTH
Every second Sunday of the month from 1-4 PM. Reat for the whole family and all ages are welcome! To learn more go to danforth.framingham.edu The Danforth is located at 14 Vernon Street on the Framingham Centre Common.
WGBH FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES & MORE
WGBH Family Fun Activities and More
FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (FCSN)
OUTDOOR RX
Virtual Program 1: Bark Rubbing
Virtual Program 2: Nature Bracelets
More Comprehensive Resources.from Outdoor RX and the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Resource Guide For Early Childhood 2023 Edition
RESOURCES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS INCLUDING FOOD SECURITY AND OTHER EMERGENCY RESOURCES
- 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)
- MetroWest Food Collaborative and Food Calendars Great resources for securing food for your family
- HomeBASE A program to help families who are eligible for Emergency Assistance to quickly find stabe housing.
WHAT FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHILD CARE REOPENING Guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
Spanish - Portuguese - ChineseAn 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
ABOUT THE VIRTUAL HOME
The Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham (ECAF) has created virtual Play, Learn, and Grow Together programs for you to enjoy at home. We hope these videos will provide your family with ways to come together through literacy.
We will also share other links to programs, resources, and tips to help you navigate your daily routine. You can access the videos and resources in the following places:
- ECAF Email Communications
- ECAF Strengthening Families E-Newsletter
- ECAF Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham Facebook Page
- ECAF Live with The Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham Facebook Group
- ECAF website
- ECAF Twitter
Contact Us
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
Program Coordinator, Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham