ENGLISH: On a computer/laptop click "Translate" in the black box. On a mobile phone/tablet click the Accessibility Icon at the bottom of your phone screen and then click 'translate'.

ESPAÑOL: Desde una computadora o portátil, haga clic en "Translate" (Traducir) en el cuadro negro. Desde un teléfono celular o tableta, haga clic en el icono de Accesibilidad en la parte inferior de la pantalla y después haga clic en "Translate" (Traducir).

PORTUGUÊS: No computador/laptop clique em "Translate" (Traduzir) na caixa preta. No celular/tablete clique no ícone Accessibilidade na parte inferior da tela e clique em 'Translate' (Traduzir).

December 31, 2022

First and foremost, we wish good health to all! Remember to vaccinate and remain diligient about safety protocols as we enter a New Year. We want to be mindful about protecting our family, friends, and neighbors who may be vulnerable to COVID and the variants. Let's all do our part to beat this virus. We know when we join together we can do anything!

Main Menu

We will resume our weekly Play, Learn, and Grow Together group schedule on January 9th and start a new area of learning: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, otherwise known as STEM. STEM is all around us and for the next few months we will act as scientists exploring and experimenting a variety of concepts from float and sink, recycling, measurement, shadow play, and much more. Sign up here. Early registratants receive a children's book.

Special Programs Coming in 2023

"Bilingual Play, Learn, and Grow Together" (Spanish) with Lucia: This group will highlight nature based activities and more.

"Me You We"with Jane: This new playgroup program will focus on practicing social emotional skills through play based learning!

"Yoga+: Movement, Music, Story, and More" with Eve: Enjoy learning basic yoga poses, simple self regulation tips, and more. Designed for you and your young child.

"Read & Rise" is a new offering that reinforces the important role that families play in their children’s literacy development through the use of targeted and frequent literacy activities that emphasize family strengths, culture, language, and traditions. This course will be bilingual in Spanish/English. We hope to offer this course in person.

More details fto follow. We appreciate you expressing your interest early so we can plan accordingly. We always want to gain your input as to best days and times for your family to attend groups (weekday mornings, mid-day, late afternoon, early evening, weekends. Let us know as we welcome your feedback as these programs are designed with you in mind!

This group is play-based learning that has something for every young learner. We will imagine, create, sing, and read with the intent of enhancing the 5 domains of child development -- communication, gross and fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills. All ages welcome! Time subject to change.

This group is geared toward the family with a 3-5 year old who wants to learn school readiness skills prior to entering a formal early childhood education program such as child care or Kindergarten. We will explore early literacy skills, science, technology, engineering, art, math (STEAM), and social emotional learning. Time subject to change.

Zero to 3 Infographic

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

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.

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, Rejane delights us with music and stories 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”

Music and Stories with Rejane Musis

• STEM - All About Music!
• Music and Story - Mouse Mess
• Music and Story - The Kissing Hand

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"

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!

Stay up-to-date

Easy access to Framingham Public Schools information.

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

The ECAF 2020 updated The ECAF Resource Guide For Early Childhood has been updated 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. In addition, 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.

• 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)
• Food Security Resources - location and resources to access free food. Updated weekly.
• EEC Child Care Subsidy Information for Administrators
• EEC COVID UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND INFORMATION - The latest guidelines are provided to families and early educators to keep our early education community safe as they reenter a program.
  

• 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