Strengthening Families Newsletter
Highlights from the Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham
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UPCOMING SPECIAL PROGRAMS- SAVE THE DATE!
MARCH 13 AT 4 PM - Pathways for Parents: Special Education Edition - Do you have questions or concerns about your child's development and services to support their growth? Come meet the team from the Federation for Children wih Special Needs to learn about the systems and programs available to families. This program is located at the Framingham Public Library, J Room 49 Lexington Street. The program panel are English, Spanish and Portuguese presenters. A representative from the Autism Alliance will also be part of the panel. Next door a sensory friendly playroom will be open if you decide to bring your child supervised by a ECAF team member. Sign Up Appreciated! See flyers below for more details.
Do you have a child turning 5 by August 31st? Remember to register for Kindergarten. Registration information here! Contact the Welcome Center with any questions.
Rejane De Musis returns with her Bilingual Portuguese Music and Storytime program every Saturday in March 3:30 pm Framingham Public Library. Sign Up Appreciated
Play, Learn, and Grow Together groups and ParentChild+ visits resume February 26th.
Sign up is always appreciated! Click here to register
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.
MARCH CODE OF CHARACTER IS CONFIDENCE!
Confidence is when you try your best and feel proud about what you can do. Here are some fun and easy ways you can help your child build confidence during everyday activities.
Join in their play! When doing any kind of play activity, give your child your undivided attention and be an active participant. Praise them, talk to them, give physical affection.
When asking them to do a task, be specific rather than general. This will help them succeed in completing the activity. For example, instead of saying “clean up your toys”, say specifically what you want them to clean up, etc.) “Please put the trains away”.
Encourage them to try new things and help them master it.
Praise all efforts with activities, not only when they are successful.
Focus on your child’s strengths and encourage them.
Use strength based language, for example, change “You Can’t” with “Yes, you Can”. Replace “Dont” with “Do”.
As always, model actions and words that are strength based and look for opportunities to demonstrate you building your own confidence!
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)
IT'S ALL ABOUT STREAM! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
As we begin 2024, our learning will focus on Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math (STREAM), and yes it is very real and very important to understand that the learning of these concepts start early. Children are mesmerized by the cause and effect of simple experiments and creations made from everyday experiences. We will test basic concepts of snow melting, what objects float or sink, and fulfilling our imagination with a box. After all,, anything is possible!
What is STREAM?
STREAM Education is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. In layman’s terms, children are encouraged to use their hands to explore, ask questions, and to think and talk about what they are doing. We will use recycled materials, household items, and tools. We add an "R" for reading together, a primary focus that is integrated into our routine with stories, songs, movement, and more! Finally, family education information will be provided to describe activities that we plan to complete in groups, as well as suggested activities that you can try at home. Hope you will join us! Register here!
STREAM learning is so natural as we can see from these pictures. Questions and inquiry are part of the scientific process and are basic skills to promote higher learning. Winter is a perfect time of year to explore, experiment, adventure, as that is what we do when we "Play, Learn, and Grow Together". To take it further during our winter season, we can talk to our young learner about Groundhog Day coming up in February. We may ask more inquiry questions such as; "What does hibernation mean? What animals hibernate? Can you see your shadow? What is a shadow and how do we make one?" Activities are easy to create as they are all in our natural setting. Think about a flashlight, a stick, snow, shoes.... The STREAM learning is endless and fun!
We love when parents take the lead! If you would like to share a favorite story or activity, email us at: jcohen@framingham.k12.ma.us
Visit the All About STEM page for more tips and activities for introducing STEM education to the early learner. If you want even more ideas and activities, visit the Early Childhood Alliance virtual library located on the ECAF website. Click here for quick, easy, and direct access!
SIGNATURE "PLAY, LEARN, AND GROW TOGETHER"
LET'S GO TO KINDERGARTEN
PJ FAMILY STORYTIME
BABY TALK
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!
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.
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
FAMILY EDUCATION
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