Author Archives: letstalkadmin

  1. Early Literacy Parent Workshop Series, Fall 2019

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    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!

    dad and kid reading

    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

  2. Nurturing Fathers Series

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    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.

  3. Summer 2019 StoryWalk Series

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    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.

  4. Cambridge Book Bike 2019

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    Let’s Move, Let’s Eat, Let’s Read!

    Cambridge Book Bike is ready for it’s sixth year! The Book Bike will be at 5 parks from July 8 to August 9th, 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.  Cambridge children of all ages can pick a free book, do a craft, get a free lunch and hear stories read aloud.

    • Mondays: Greene-Rose Heritage Park (Harvard St.)
    • Tuesdays: Fresh Pond Apartments playground (Rindge Ave)
    • Wednesdays: Hoyt Field (Gilmore St.)
    • Thursdays: Danehy Park (Sherman St.)
    • Fridays: Gold Star Mothers Park (Gore St.)
    Book Bike Flyer 2019Download

    To stay up-to-date on schedule changes or rainouts, call 617-349-4038 or follow us on Facebook, or Twitter.

    The Book Bike supports healthy bodies and healthy minds by visiting many of the Cambridge parks that participate in the Summer Food Program, which provides free lunches to children under 18.  

    summer food 2019Download

    The goal of the Book Bike is to give all children access to books to build their home library for enjoyment and learning in the summer to help prevent “summer slide”. Meeting families in the park for stories and activities, the Book Bike models that reading is fun! The program provide a wide variety of titles, topics and languages so children can find a book they want to read.  Research has shown that children read more when they select the book.  For more information:

    Why we should let kids choose their own summer reading books

    Book Bike partners include: Liz Phipps-Soeiro, Elementary School Librarian, Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Center for Families, and Cambridge Public Library. For more information check out the Book Bike website or contact Becky Smick, rsmick@challiance.org, 617-665-3827.

  5. Kickoff to Summer Literacy Night 2019

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    • Thursday, May 23
    • 5:00-7:00 p.m.
    • Fletcher Maynard Academy, 225 Windsor Street

    Come make an ice cream sundae and then participate in hands-on activities that you can have fun repeating at home over the summer! Many everyday activities promote conversation, connect with math and science and help to develop critical thinking skills!

    This fun event is for all families with children Pre K to Grade 5 in the Cambridge Public Schools. To register call 617-349-6492 or email dbonilla@cpsd.us. Sponsored by the Title 1 Program.

    Kickoff to Summer Literacy Flyer 2019Download

  6. 2019 StoryWalk at Donnelly Field

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    It’s a math and reading adventure at Donnelly Field!  Walk around the field to read all of the pages in “Turtle Splash”and “Over in the Forest”!

    Join us on Friday, May 17 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. for the first StoryWalk of the season, at Donnelly Field (between Cambridge, Willow and Berkshire Streets).  Free books, activities, pizza, & entertainment by Knucklebones! For families with children 2 to 8 years old.

    Event held weather permitting. For more information, call 617-665-3827. Sponsored by Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Center for Families, Cambridge Public Library and MathTalk.

    StoryWalk Donnelly 2019Download

  7. Managing Screen-Time Workshops, Spring 2019

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    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.

    Tuesdays, May 21 and May 28, 2019

    6:30-8:15 pm, Center for Families, 70 Rindge Ave, Rear

    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 Flyer Spring 2019 Download

  8. Cambridge Dads March-April Events

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    Cambridge Dads is offering a variety of activities for dads, as well as for dads and their children in March and April.

    March-April Flyer

    Stay connected to Cambridge Dads:

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

  9. Community Playgroups Spring 2019

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    Registration is now open for the spring session of Cambridge Community Playgroups.  Playgroups meet weekly for 6-8 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 22, 2019.

    Community Playgroup Form Spring 2019Download

    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 the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative (119 Windsor St., ground floor). You will hear from us by March 29 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.

  10. Children’s Dental Health Month 2019

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    Here are some tips from the Cambridge Public Health Department’s Healthy Smiles program for keeping children’s teeth healthy. Click for downloadable tips in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. 

    Oral Health Resources

    TIPS

    A tooth needs to be cleaned as soon as it is in the mouth.

    Brush your child’s teeth twice a day, for two minutes.

    Use a small soft toothbrush or finger brush.

    Brushing:

    Use a pea size amount of toothpaste on your brush

    Use a soft toothbrush

    Brush in circles

    Brush your gums and your teeth

    Open your mouth and brush top and bottom separately

    Brush all surfaces of all your teeth

    Don’t forget to brush your tongue

    Rinse out thoroughly with water

    Remember to replace your child’s toothbrush every three months or after your child has been sick.

    First visit to the dentist – at one-year-old bring your child to the dentist for an exam.

    Tooth decay is caused by bacteria – which can be transferred from the parent. Don’t share cups or utensils.

    Only sue bottles and sippy cups for formula, milk or water.

    Once teeth are present – only give your child water at night if they are thirsty.

    Limit sugary drinks and snack, including juice-they increase the incidence of tooth decay.

    Rinse with water after eating when a brush is not available, it washes away food and mouth germs.

    Cambridge water has fluoride which prevents cavities by making your tooth stronger.