Author Archives: letstalkadmin

  1. Multi-lingual Parent Talk Groups

    Comments Off on Multi-lingual Parent Talk Groups

    Join us for a conversation on Zoom for Cambridge parents with young children!

    It has been a challenging period for parents of young children. Many of us have been feeling very isolated. Please join us for a conversation on Zoom with other parents!

    • This is a space for parents to talk, connect and share challenges as well as ideas for taking care of ourselves.
    • Groups will be facilitated by staff from the Community Engagement Team and Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children.

    Parent Talks will be offered in different languages for various
    communities in Cambridge in November/December:

    • Haitian Creole |November 20| 5pm
    • Contact Danie Pelissier: dpelissier@cambridgema.gov or 857-247-4177
    • Bangla |November 21| 5pm
    • Contact Rabeya Akther: rakther@cambridgema.gov or 617-475-0787
    • Arabic |November 29 | 1pm
    • Contact Aida Shtaiwi: aidashtaiwi@gmail.com or 617-899-3158
    • Spanish | December 4 | 4pm
    • Contact Maria Chavez: mchavez@cambridgema.gov or 857-242-6025
    • Amharic | December 6 | 4pm
    • Contact Tizita Awlachew: tawlachew@cambridgema.gov or 857-919-2561
    • Nepali | December 6 | 4pm
    • Contact Shova Thapa: snthapa@challiance.org or 857-753-6322
    Parent Talk Flyer Nov DecDownload

  2. Early Literacy Bingo!

    Comments Off on Early Literacy Bingo!

    Cambridge families with children birth to 4 years – celebrate National Family Literacy Month this November by playing Early 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 a board or pick one up at the locations listed below.

    Early Literacy Bingo BoardDownload
    • Cambridge Public Library:
      • Central Square Library, 45 Pearl St., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Thursday 1-7:30 p.m.
      • Main Library, 449 Broadway, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 1-7:30 p.m., Friday, Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
      • O’Nell Branch Library, 70 Rindge Ave., Wednesday 1-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
      • Valente Branch Library, 826 Cambridge St., Monday, Tuesday, Friday 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
    • Center for Families, 51 Inman Street, Monday-Thursday, 9-1:00, email centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov to arrange pick up.
    • Fresh Pond Apartments, 362 Rindge Ave, Resident Services Coordinator’s office

    How To Play:

    • With your child, pick a square, and do the activity together
    • 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
    • Send it in by text, email, or social media (see below) to win a children’s book by November 30, 2020.

    Want to do more? Complete the whole board, send in a photo, and win a 2nd children’s book and entry into a raffle for a $50 gift card.

    To win a prize, send a photo of your Bingo by November 30:

    • text: 617-800-9154 or email: jbaily@challiance.org
    • FB: LetsTalkCambMA or Twitter: @LetsTalkCambMA

    Sponsored by Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Center for Families, and Cambridge Public Library

  3. Parent Talk Groups

    Comments Off on Parent Talk Groups

    Join us for a conversation on Zoom for Cambridge parents with young children!

    It has been a challenging period for parents of young children. Many of us have been feeling very isolated. Please join us for a conversation on Zoom with other parents!

    • This is a space for parents to talk, connect and share challenges as well as ideas for taking care of ourselves.
    • Groups will be facilitated by staff from the Community Engagement Team and Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children.

    Parent Talks will be offered in different languages for various
    communities in Cambridge in October:

    • Haitian Creole |October 14| 5:45pm
      Contact Danie Pelissier: dpelissier@cambridgema.gov or 857-247-4177
    • Bangla | October 17 | 5pm
      Contact Rabeya Akther: rakther@cambridgema.gov or 617-475-0787
    • Spanish | October 23 | 4pm
      Contact Maria Chavez: mchavez@cambridgema.gov or 857-242-6025
    • Arabic | October 25 | 1pm
      Contact Aida Shtaiwi: aidashtaiwi@gmail.com or 617-899-3158
    • Amharic | October 25 | 4pm
      Contact Tizita Awlachew: tawlachew@cambridgema.gov
      or 857-919-2561
    Parent Talk Flyer October 2020Download

  6. Dads and Kids Craft Night

    Comments Off on Dads and Kids Craft Night

    Let’s create a virtual sculpture garden together!

    Join us for a fun night creating sculptures with your kids and connecting with other dads and their kids.

    WHO: Cambridge Dads with children between 4 and 8 years-old
    WHEN: Thursday, August 20, 6:30pm – 7:45pm

    This event will be held on Zoom. Zoom link will be sent to participants
    after registering.

    No craft experience needed!
    Supplies provided!
    *We will coordinate supply pick up during registration*

    Registration required, contact John by:

    • Email:cambdads@cambridgema.gov
    • Call/Text: 857-209-4964
    Craft Night FlyerDownload

    Facilitated by: The Beautiful Stuff Project

    Sponsored by: Cambridge Dads, a program of Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and Center for Families

  7. Talking About Race with Young Children: a series for white parents/caregivers

    Comments Off on Talking About Race with Young Children: a series for white parents/caregivers

    Thursdays, July 16, 23, 30, August 6, 2020, 8:00-9:30 p.m.

    For Cambridge families with children birth to 8 years old

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

    • Come join other parents in a 4-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/2BlIpzi

    • Limited spaces available. We will send a confirmation that you have a spot in the group.  Link for Zoom will be sent to you once you are confirmed.
    • Questions? Call or text: 617-800-9154, email jbaily@challiance.org

    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.  Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative is funded by Cambridge Public Health Department and the City of Cambridge.

  8. Summer StoryWalk Series 2020

    Comments Off on Summer StoryWalk Series 2020

    A StoryWalk is a children’s book hung page by page around a park in Cambridge where families can read, walk, and talk together.

    StoryWalks will be up from July 1st to July 31, 2020 in the following parks:

    • Bergin Park, Haskell St & Pemberton St, One Hot Summer Day
    • Clement Morgan Park, 60 Columbia St, Sometimes We Do
    • Hurley Park, Hurley St, Wild About Books
    • Joan Lorentz Park, Broadway, in front of the Library, Whoever You Are
    • Kingsley Park, Fresh Pond, Turtle Splash
    • Old Morse Park (David Nunes Park), Putnam Ave, Do You Have a Hat?
    • Russell Field, Rindge Ave, Nuestro Autobus/The Bus for Us
    • Sennott Park, 305 Broadway, Feast for 10
    StoryWalk-Flyer-2020-FinalDownload

    Did you find one? Check it out and then take a photo and share it on Facebook and Twitter with #StoryWalkCamb.

    Questions? 617-800-9154.

    Cosponsored by Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and Center for Families; programs of Cambridge Public Health Department and Department of Human Service Programs

  9. Summer 2020 Playgroups @ Home

    Comments Off on Summer 2020 Playgroups @ Home

    Since we can’t gather in person right now, the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families are offering Playgroups at Home! We started this in the spring and are doing a new session for the summer.

    Every Monday morning for 5 weeks starting July 6th, we will send an email with:

    • a literacy tip
    • child development information
    • a story time video
    • two activity ideas for you and your child to do together!

    If you wish to receive our Playgroups at Home emails, please email Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov.

    We will also be hosting two live Zoom Circle Time Sessions during the 5-week series, including stories and songs! More information about these two sessions coming soon!

    There are lots of ways to stay connected with Center for Families and Agenda for Children:

    • Email: centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov or jbaily@challiance.org.
    • FaceBook and Twitter: we share lots of resources, supports, information, and activity ideas.
    • Google Group: Center for Families sends out information, resources and supports two times per week and activity ideas weekly on Fridays (email CFF to be added to the list)
    • Texts: Agenda for Children sends out weekly Let’s Talk texts with tips, information, and supports (text letstalk to 313131 to join)

    Center for Families Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cambridgecenterforfamilies/

    Center for Families Website: https://www.cambridgema.gov/DHSP/CFF

    Let’s Talk FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/LetsTalkCambMA/

    Let’s Talk Twitter: https://twitter.com/LetsTalkCambMA

    Stay well!

    Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and Center for Families