Strengthening Families Newsletter
Highlights from the Early Childhood Alliance of Framingham
ATTENTION: LOCATION CHANGE FOR THE MAY 16TH SEEDS OF SPRING FAMILY ACTIVITY EVENT
THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE HELD AT THE MAIN LIBRARY 49 LEXINGTON STREET OUTSIDE IN THE LEARNING YARD.
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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).
ENGLISH: Need translation? 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'.
JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL OUTDOOR ACTIVITY
This is the time of year where we witness the "SEEDS OF SPRING". The Early Childhood Alliance Family Action Team has designed activities just for you and your children where together we will learn about growing a garden through reading a story, singing songs, and creating a nature-based activity to take home along with a children's book about growing a garden.
You and your children are guaranteed to share in a great early learning experience!
When: Monday, May 16th from 4:00PM to 5:00PM
Where: Framingham Public Library, Outside in the LEARNING YARD, 49 LEXINGTON STREET
For more information contact us at 508-782-6932 or email jdehaven@framingham.k12.ma.us
For planning purposes, sign up is always appreciated!
Pre K Opportunity with Partnerships for Early Learners (PEL)
May 16th Deadline fast approaching! Click here to learn more: https://www.smore.com/5gu0q
Framingham Public Schools and its partners; the MetroWest YMCA and Framingham State University - Centers for Early Childhood Education will begin accepting applications for Partnerships for Early Learners (PEL). This PreK expansion program is for Framingham-based families whose four year old children are not currently enrolled in an early childhood program due to lack of access, resources, finances or opportunity and will begin Kindergarten in September 2023.
AGES & STAGES: The Building Blocks of Child Development
The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is a family friendly questionnaire that helps you learn more about your child’s development from 1 month to 5 ½ years of age. It looks at the five domains of development: 1) fine motor (the small muscles in the hands), 2) gross motor (the large body muscles), 3) communication (the expression and understanding of language), 4) cognition (early problem solving and relationship skills), and 5) social emotional development (social interaction and behaviors). Understanding your child's development can help you think about how to enhance their skills and anticipate what to watch for next.
This month we explore the building block of Social Emotional Learning. Social emotional development includes your child’s social interactions, regulation of emotions, sharing, turn taking, and so much more...
You may not realize it, but social emotional skills start early in infancy. Infants use different cries to communicate their needs, and learn to calm themselves with different supports like be spoken to or held. They become increasingly interested in looking at your face and other babies. They will respond differently to strangers and can express more emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, discomfort. Turn taking in infancy begins with taking turns with sounds and and imitating movements such as facial expressions, waving, and giving kisses.
Toddlers work on these skills in many different ways. They start to learn to calm themselves with adult support when they are upset. They are beginning to learn imitation, language, and movements to teach sharing and turn taking skills when playing with other children. They will also begin to engage in more pretend play such as pretending to talk on the phone or cook.
By preschool age, many children have mastered the early social emotional skills. They spend longer periods of time playing not only alongside peers (parallel play), but with them (reciprocal play). They can wait more patiently for a turn and begin to use their imagination to create stories during play. They express more emotions, can label them, and have more self control.
From these examples, you can see the building blocks of early social emotional learning. Do you want to learn about your child’s development? Are you looking for ideas to support a specific area of development? Click here to send your questions to us. Below you can increase your understanding of your child's development by completing the ASQ Questionnaire online.
"BRAIN BUILDING IN PROGRESS" AT ECAF GROUPS
CURIOUS TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT?
Play, Learn, and Grow Together Program Schedule
Sign Up Today!
Early Literacy Survey
Ages & Stages Parent Quesionnaire (ASQ)
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!
PLAY, LEARN, AND GROW TOGETHER WITH GRACIE - NEW AFTERNOON TIME TUESDAYS 11:00 AM and 1PM
LET'S GO TO KINDERGARTEN WITH JEANETTE - WEDNESDAYS AT 12:00
PJ FAMILY STORYTIME - 2ND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, 6:00 PM ON ZOOM
DADS & DISCOVERIES 1ST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH AT 10:00 AM
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
More Comprehensive Resources.from Outdoor RX and the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Resource Guide For Early Childhood 2020 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)
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. Each week we will focus on a theme and create a Play, Learn, and Grow Together experience over the course of 2 - 3 videos. In addition, we will share other familiar programs that will include: PJ Family Story Hour. Let's Go to Kindergarten, Baby Talk, and more. 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: 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