Author Archives: letstalkadmin

1. Tax Prep from CEOC

   February 21, 2020 6:36 pm Comments Off on Tax Prep from CEOC

   Don’t Pay To Have Your Taxes Prepared!

   CEOC provide FREE tax preparation.

   Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC) provides help with basic tax returns, particularly for taxpayers with limited income.

   CEOC can file your taxes electronically, you get your refund back quickly and you keep all of your money!

   They speak Spanish, Haitian Kreyol, Amharic and Portuguese.

   Call 617-868-2900 for an appointment.

   CEOC tax flyerDownload

   CEOC also provides assistance on: SNAP (food stamps), health insurance, housing services, financial coaching and FAFSA completion.

   • Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, Inc. (CEOC)
   • 11 Inman Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
   • 617-868-2900

2. Community Playgroups Spring 2020

   February 20, 2020 3:21 pm Comments Off on Community Playgroups Spring 2020

   

   Registration is now open for the spring session of Cambridge Community Playgroups.  Playgroups meet weekly for 7-8 weeks starting in April.   Children and their moms, dads or caregivers attend and get to play and learn together through songs, books, and fun activities.

   Playgroups are held in different locations around the city.  There are three groups for children 2-5 years and two Tiny Tots groups for children 15-23 months. Details about the times and locations of groups are on the registration form.

   To sign up, fill out the registration form below and return it by Friday, March 20, 2020.

   Community Playgroup Forms Spring 2020Download

   By mail: Center for Families, c/o DHSP, 51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA, 02139  In person: Give it to anyone at the Center for Families (70 Rindge Ave. or 51 Inman Street) or the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative (119 Windsor St., ground floor). You will hear from us by March 25th to know if you are in a group or on the waitlist.

   Questions?  Contact Natalia at 617-665-3825 or nmartinez@challiance.org.

   Playgroups are sponsored by the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families.

3. Children’s Dental Health Month 2020

   February 7, 2020 1:30 pm Comments Off on Children’s Dental Health Month 2020

   

   February is Children’s Dental Health month! Here are some tips from the Cambridge Public Health Department’s Healthy Smiles program for keeping children’s teeth healthy. Check out the downloadable tip sheets at the bottom of the list.

   Dental Health Tips for Parents of Young Children

   • A tooth needs to be cleaned as soon as it can be seen in the mouth.
   • Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes.
   • For infant care, use a washcloth, small soft toothbrush, or finger brush.
   • Brushing:
     • Use a pea size amount of toothpaste on the brush.
     • Use a soft small toothbrush.
     • Brush in circles.
     • Brush your gums and teeth.
     • Open your mouth and brush top and bottom separately.
     • Brush all surfaces of all teeth.
     • Don’t forget to brush the tongue.
     • Rinse out thoroughly with water.
   • Replace your child’s toothbrush every three months or after your child has been sick.
   • It is recommended that parents help children with brushing until they are 7 years old.

   • Bring your child to the dentist for their first visit at age one.
   • Tooth decay is caused by bacteria, which can be transferred from family members. Don’t share toothbrushes, cups, or utensils.
   • To prevent tooth decay, only give young children formula, milk, or water to drink.
   • Once teeth are present, only give your child water during the night.
   • Limit drinks that contain high amounts of sugar (like juice) and snacks that stick to the teeth (like crackers and gummies). They increase the likelihood of tooth decay. 
   • Rinse with water after eating when you do not have a brush. This washes away food and mouth germs.
   • Cambridge water contains fluoride, which prevents decay by making your teeth stronger.

   Downloadable Tip Sheets:

   Dental Health Tips for ParentsDownload

   Oral Health Resources Download

   Tips for Cold SeasonDownload

   Tips for Oral Health in School Download

4. Managing Screen-Time Series, Winter 2020

   January 10, 2020 3:59 pm Comments Off on Managing Screen-Time Series, Winter 2020

   Join us for Managing Screen-Time with Young Children: A 2-part Series for Cambridge Dads and Moms with Children Birth to 5 Years

   We live in a world filled with screens that is constantly changing. How do we help our children navigate it in a positive way? Learn concrete strategies and resources to help.

   Share your successes and challenges with other Cambridge Dads and Moms.

   • Thursdays, January 30 and February 6, 2020 (Snow date: 2/13)
   • 6:30-8:15 pm
   • Citywide Senior Center, 806 Mass Ave, Cambridge

   Limited child care available upon request. Light snacks served.

   To register contact Christine at 617-349-3003 or cdoucet@cambridgema.gov.

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

   Screen-Time Series 2020Download

5. Dads and Kids Reading Challenge 2020!

   January 7, 2020 10:50 pm Comments Off on Dads and Kids Reading Challenge 2020!

   

   How to participate:

   • Read books with your child!
   • Submit a post letting us know the title of the book and something you and your child enjoyed about it. Photos welcome! Choose how to submit your post:
     • Facebook – @CambridgeDads
       • Submit on our Facebook page by writing a post.
     • Twitter – @CambDads
       • Mention us in your tweet using @CambDads.
     • Text Cambridge Dads
       • Text your response to 857-209-4964.
       • (standard text messaging rates apply)
     • Participating in the Reading Challenge gives Cambridge Dads permission to post and share responses on social media including responses sent via text message.
   • Have a chance to win a prize! A submission enters you in a weekly raffle for a chance to win a Cambridge Dads coffee mug and a pack of five books for your child. Extra posts welcomed! Max 1 entry per week counts in raffle.
   • Have fun reading!

   Dates:

   • Week One: January 13-January 19 – Winner announced on January 21
   • Week Two: January 20-January 26 – Winner announced on January 27
   • Week One: January 27-February 2 -Winner announced on February 3

   Dads and Kids Reading Challenge FlyerDownload

   If you have questions, reach out to John by email at cambdads@cambridgema.gov or call/text 857-209-4964.

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

6. Community Playgroups Winter 2020

   November 20, 2019 2:12 pm Comments Off on Community Playgroups Winter 2020

   

   Registration is now open for the winter session of Cambridge Community Playgroups.  Playgroups meet weekly for 7-8 weeks starting in January.   Children and their moms, dads or caregivers attend and get to play and learn together through songs, books, and fun activities.

   Playgroups are held in different locations around the city.  There are three groups for children 2-5 years and two Tiny Tots groups for children 15-23 months. Details about the times and locations of groups are on the registration form.

   To sign up, fill out the registration form below and return it by Friday, December 13, 2019.

   Registration Form Winter 2020Download

   By mail: Center for Families, c/o DHSP, 51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA, 02139  In person: Give it to anyone at the Center for Families (70 Rindge Ave. or 51 Inman Street) or the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative (119 Windsor St., ground floor). You will hear from us by December 18 to know if you are in a group or on the waitlist.

   Questions?  Contact Natalia at 617-665-3825 or nmartinez@challiance.org.

   Playgroups are sponsored by the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families.

7. Family Literacy Fun Day 2019

   October 7, 2019 2:00 pm Comments Off on Family Literacy Fun Day 2019

   

   Join us on Saturday, November 2nd for the 23rd Annual Cambridge Family Literacy Fun Day, which kicks off National Family Literacy Month (November)!   

   This free event will take place at Cambridge City Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and is open to all Cambridge families with children birth through grade 3.

   2019 FlyerDownload

   

   The event includes children’s activities, free books, storytelling performance by Annawon Weeden (shows at 1:00 or 2:00 p.m., limited admission, free tickets at registration), sing-a-long, face painting, and more! For more information, call 617-349-6492.

   This event is sponsored by the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Public Schools – Title 1 Program,  Center for Families, and City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs.

   

8. Early Literacy Parent Workshop Series, Fall 2019

   August 8, 2019 3:14 pm Comments Off on Early Literacy Parent Workshop Series, Fall 2019

   Join us for a six-part series –  Early Literacy Development:  Dads and Moms Make a Difference!

   Learn concrete strategies to support your child’s language and literacy development (birth to four years).

   Share your successes and challenges with other Cambridge Dads and Moms.

   Topics include talking, reading, managing screen time, early math, science and storytelling. Free books and giveaways!

   

   Tuesdays, October 15-November 19, 2019

   6:30-8:15 pm, Windsor Street Preschool, 119 Windsor Street

   Facilitated by Jen Baily, Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative.

   Limited child care available upon request. Light snacks served.

   To register contact Christine at 617-349-3003 or cdoucet@cambridgema.gov.

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

   Info: Early Literacy Development Series fall 2019Download

9. Nurturing Fathers Series

   August 1, 2019 8:46 pm Comments Off on Nurturing Fathers Series

   Sponsored by Cambridge Dads, the Nurturing Fathers Program is a free 12-week series for Cambridge fathers with children ages birth to 10 years old. The series creates a space for fathers to discuss, reflect and gain tools to help with understanding how to be a nurturing and supportive father, while maintaining their authority and providing consistent guidance and structure.

   Topics include:
   – Balancing work and fathering
   – Discipline and fun games for fathers and their children
   – Teamwork with spouse/partner

   • Wednesdays, September 11 to December 11, 2019
   • 6:15-8:15 p.m.
   • Cambridge Community Center, 5 Callender Street, Cambridge
   • Child care and dinner provided

   LIMITED SPACE! To sign up contact John Arias at 857-209-4964 or email cambdads@cambridgema.gov.

   2019 FlyerDownload

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

10. Summer 2019 StoryWalk Series

    July 11, 2019 2:54 pm Comments Off on Summer 2019 StoryWalk Series

    

    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 13 to August 11, 2019 in the following parks:

    Bergin Park, Haskell St & Pemberton St
    If the Dinosaurs Came Back

    Clement Morgan Park, 60 Columbia St
    One Hot Summer Day

    Hurley Park, Hurley St
    Forest Bright, Forest Night

    Joan Lorentz Park, Broadway, in front of the Library
    Wild About Books

    Kingsley Park, Fresh Pond
    Over in the Forest

    Old Morse Park (David Nunes Park), Putnam Ave
    Turtle Splash

    Russell Field, Rindge Ave
    Children Around the World

    Sennott Park, 305 Broadway
    Do You Have a Hat?

    Summer StoryWalks Flyer 2019

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

    Cosponsored by Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and Center for Families. Questions? 617-665-3827.