Author Archives: letstalkadmin

  1. Fatherhood Buzz 2023

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    Hey dads! Stop by our Fatherhood Buzz with your child to get a free haircut, books, and engage in arts and crafts. This event is for all Cambridge dads, uncles, male-caregivers, grandfathers, stepdads, godfathers, and their children!

    WHEN: Monday, June 5th, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
    WHERE: Moses Youth Center (In the Studio), 243 Harvard Street, Cambridge MA
    Light refreshments will be served!

    Fatherhood-Buzz-Flyer-2023Download

    LIMITED SPACE, MUST R.S.V.P contact: Jen Cabezas, jcabezas@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-9169.

    Cambridge Dads is a program of the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families.

  2. 2023 StoryWalk at Donnelly Field

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    It’s a reading adventure at Donnelly Field!  Walk around the field to read all of the pages in “Do You Have a Hat?”and “If Dinosaurs Came Back”!

    Join us on Thursday, June 1 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. for the first StoryWalk of the season, at Donnelly Field (York and Berkshire Streets).  Free books, activities, pizza, & entertainment by Knucklebones! For families with children 2 to 8 years old.

    Rain date is Friday, June 2. For more information, call 617-475-0616.

    Sponsored by Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Center for Families, and Cambridge Public Library.

    Donnelly-StoryWalk-Event-2023-1Download

  3. Raising Children with Black Joy

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    A 5-PART SERIES FOR BLACK AND BROWN PARENTS WHO LIVE, WORK, PLAY OR PRAY IN CAMBRIDGE.

    • Tuesday Evenings, April 25-May 23, 2023
    • 6-8 pm
    • Fletcher Maynard Academy, 225 Windsor Street, Cambridge


    FACILITATED BY TANEYRI DEJESUS & SHAWN PROCTOR

    Raising-Children-Black-Joy-finalDownload

    Sponsored by Center for Families and Let’s Talk!

  4. Talking About Race with Young Children

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    A virtual series for white parents raising white children

    Thursdays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2023, 8:00-9:30 pm on Zoom

    For families who live or work in Cambridge with children birth to 8 years old

    Want to talk to your kids about race?  Have questions?

    • Join other parents in a 5-part virtual series, with a presentation and time for discussion each week.
    • Each session will include an activity to practice between sessions.
    • Facilitated by Melody Brazo. Sponsored by Center for Families and Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children.

    To sign up: bit.ly/40ooxlV

    Flyer: Talking-about-race-winter-2023-finalDownload
    • Limited spaces available. We will send a confirmation that you have a spot in the group. 
    • Have questions or need help registering? Contact Jen Cabezas, 617-349-9169, jcabezas@cambrigema.gov

    The Center for Families is funded by the City of Cambridge, the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC), Children’s Trust, Cambridge Public Schools, and the Cambridge Health Alliance. Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative is funded by Cambridge Public Health Department and City of Cambridge.

  5. February At-Home Activity Calendar

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    Winter can feel long so get new ideas daily to do with your children birth to 4 years old in the February 2023 At-Home Activity Calendar! Designed for children birth to 4 years old but all are welcome to try the activities. The goal is to have fun! Parents – you can change the ideas to match your child’s age and interest.

    February-2023-Activity-CalendarDownload

    Brought to you by Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and Center for Families. Questions: Call or text (617) 475-0616‬ or email ilewis@challiance.org.

  6. Family Reading Challenge

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    Cambridge moms, dads, and kids: join us for a virtual family reading challenge starting January 16!

    How to Participate:

    • Read books with your child!
    • Submit a post or photo telling us the title of the book and something you liked about it. You can share on Facebook or Instagram @LetsTalkCambMA, or you can text us at 617- 475-0616.
    • Win a children’s book!

    Program dates: January 16 to January 30. Submit your post any time between these dates to win a book.

    Participating in the Reading Challenge gives us permission to post and share responses on social media including responses sent via text message. Two entries are accepted per child.

    Questions? Call or text 617-475-0616

    Winter-Reading-Challenge-2023Download

    Sponsored by Center for Families & Let’s Talk!

    The Center for Families is funded by the City of Cambridge, the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Children’s Trust, Cambridge Public Schools, and the Cambridge Health Alliance. Let’s Talk! is funded by the Cambridge Public Health Department and the CIty of Cambridge.

  7. Early Literacy Series 2023

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    Have a child birth to 4 years? Need new ideas to do at home?

    Join other Cambridge dads and moms to get fun ideas for talking, reading, playing and telling stories during your everyday activities to support your child’s literacy development!

    dad and kid reading

     Early Literacy at Home Series:  Dads and Moms Make a Difference!

    A 4-part virtual series: Thursdays January 26, February 2, 9, 16 from 8:00-9:15 pm on Zoom

    Free books!

    Register here: bit.ly/EarlyLit2023

    Have questions or need help registering? Contact Jen Cabezas – jcabezas@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-9169.

    Early Literacy Series Winter 2023Download

    Co-sponsored by Let’s Talk! and Center for Families.

    The Center for Families is funded by the City of Cambridge, the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC), Children’s Trust, Cambridge Public Schools, and the Cambridge Health Alliance. Let’s Talk/AFC is funded by the Cambridge Public Health Department and the CIty of Cambridge.

  8. Indoor Winter Playgroups

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    For Cambridge families with children 15 months-4 years old. Join us to meet other families, learn songs and activities to support your child’s development, and have fun!

    All playgroups run 10:00 am-11:30 am.

    Locations and Dates:

    *Tuesdays at Moses Youth Center (243 Harvard St)- 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14

    *Wednesdays at Peabody School (70 Rindge Ave) – 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 3/1, 3/8

    *Thursdays at Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St) – 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16

    Families must register for playgroups. Please register for one location. Space is limited. To register, contact Maeve at mlinnane@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.

    Flyer: Winter-2023-Playgroups

    Sponsored by the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families.

    The Center for Families is funded by the City of Cambridge, the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant from the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC), Children’s Trust, Cambridge Public Schools, and the Cambridge Health Alliance. Let’s Talk/AFC is funded by the Cambridge Public Health Department and the City of Cambridge.

  9. Celebrate Family Literacy Month 2022!

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    2022-Family Literacy Month eventsDownload

    November is Family Literacy Month! Talk, read, play, sing, and tell stories together! Cambridge Families: Here are some ways to celebrate! 

    Book Events on Saturday November 5 at 2 locations: Free books for Cambridge children birth to 17 years old! Free books in over 20 different languages for Cambridge children birth – 5 years old.

    FLFD-2022-Book-eventsDownload

         

    Family Literacy Bingo: play the bingo board together to have fun and win a book! Designed for families with children birth-8 years old. 

    You can pick up an age-appropriate bingo board all month long at any Library branch or the Center for Families office at 51 Inman Street or print out below.

    2022-Younger-Bingo-BoardDownload
    2022-Older-Bingo-BoardDownload

    Postcard Palooza: Write or decorate a postcard and send it to yourself, a family member or a friend! Send one to us and we’ll include it in a display at the libraries! 

    You can get your postcard and stamp all month long at any Cambridge Public Library location or the Center for Families Office at 51 Inman Street.

    Social Media: check out our accounts all month long for family literacy tips, activity ideas and resources! 

    Center for Families- Facebook: @cambridgecenterforfamilies Twitter: @cntrforfamilies 

    Let’s Talk- Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @LetsTalkCambMA 

    Brought to you by: Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Public Schools/Title 1 & Home-Based Program and Center for Families 

    Questions? Call 617-475-0616  

  10. Family Literacy Bingo 2022

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    Cambridge families with children birth to 8 years – celebrate National Family Literacy Month this November by playing Family Literacy Bingo with your child. Talk, read, play, sing, tell stories and have fun together! Win a children’s book for getting 5 in a row!

    Print out an age-appropriate bingo board (one for birth to 3 years or one for 4 to 8 years ) or pick one up at the locations listed below.

     
     

    Both boards:

    2022-Both Bingo-BoardsDownload

    Birth to 3 years old:

    2022-Younger-Bingo-BoardDownload

    4 to 8 years old:

    2022-Older-Bingo-BoardDownload

    Pick Up Locations:

    • Center for Families, 51 Inman Street
    • Cambridge Public Library:
      • Boudreau Branch Library, 245 Concord Ave
      • Central Square Branch Library, 45 Pearl Street
      • Collins Branch Library, 64 Aberdeen Ave
      • Main Library-Children’s Room, 449 Broadway
      • O’Connell Branch Library, 48 Sixth Street
      • O’Neill Branch Library, 70 Rindge Avenue
      • Valente Branch Library, 826 Cambridge Street

    How To Play:

    Together with your child, pick a square, and do the activity.

    Mark the box with an “X” when finished.

    Mark 5 boxes in a row (top to bottom, left to right, or diagonally) to get Bingo!

    Take a photo of the board and send it in by text, email, or social media by November 30, 2021 to win a children’s book.

    Want to do more? Complete the whole board to win a second children’s book.

    To win a prize, send in a photo of your board by November 30 in any of the following ways:

    Text: 617-475-0616 Email: ilewis@challiance.org FB, Instagram or Twitter: @LetsTalkCambMA

    Questions? Call 617-475-0616

    Brought to you by: Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Public Schools/Title 1 & Home-Based Program, and Center for Families