Strengthening Families Newsletter
Highlights from the Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham
TIME TO GET READY FOR A NEW PROGRAM YEAR WITH THE EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE OF FRAMINGHAM
Welcome Fall!
The October Activity Schedule is now available and registration is live! Read below for more information about the programs, location, and sign up. Special thanks to all those families that responded to our Fall Program Survey of Interest. Your input helped us in planning the October schedule. This is what we call TEAMWORK! The survey remains open as we welcome your feedback. We especially want to know the best days and times for you to attend groups. A bilingual Spanish Play, Learn, and Grow Together group is coming soon. Baby Talk too!
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TIME TO GET BACK IN ACTION: SIGN UP FOR OCTOBER PROGRAMS BEGIN NOW!
The ECAF team is getting ready for a new program year where we will "Play. Learn, and Grow Together" 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 com away inspired as well as meet new friends! Brief program descriptions are provided below.Sign up by completing the Registration Form . In addition to the ECAF October schedule, there are more activities offered to children and families at the library. See the children's calendar by clicking this link.
Yoga + Movement, Song & Story: This group is a time for the parent and child to relax and experience mindfulness techniques to help regulate our emotions and reset.
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.
CURIOUS TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT?
A GLIMPSE AT THE PARENTCHILD+ HOME VISITING PROGRAM: GETTING SCHOOL READY
INTERESTED IN THE PARENTCHILD+ PROGRAM? CONTACT US TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION!
OPENINGS AVAILABLE STARTING IN SEPTEMBER!
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 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!
Resource Guide For Early Childhood 2022 Edition
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
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
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)
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
Contact Us
Email: jdehaven@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