Author Archives: letstalkadmin

  1. Talking about Race with Young Children

    Comments Off on Talking about Race with Young Children

    A virtual series for white parents raising white children

    Thursdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2022, 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 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/3Lim7xu

    • 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? Contact Jen Baily, 617-800-9154, jbaily@challiance.org
    Talking about Race FlyerDownload

  2. February Family Fun!

    Comments Off on February Family Fun!

    Looking for something fun to do as a family over February vacation week? Join us for a week of fun and free virtual activities! All events will run on Zoom.

    To register for each activity, please contact Maeve at 617-349-6385 or mlinnane@cambridgema.gov.

    February-Family-Fun-Week-2022Download

    Sponsored by Center for Families and Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative.

  3. At-Home Activity Calendar

    Comments Off on At-Home Activity Calendar

    February 2022

    Winter can feel long so get new ideas daily to do with your children birth to 4 years old in the February 2022 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 2022 Activity CalendarDownload

    Brought to you by Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and Center for Families.

    Questions: Call or text 617-800-9154 or email jbaily@challiance.org.

  4. Early Literacy Series 2022

    Comments Off on Early Literacy Series 2022

    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: Tuesdays January 25, February 1, 8, 15 from 8:00-9:15 pm on Zoom

    Free books!

    Register here: bit.ly/EarlyLit2022

    Have questions or need help registering? Contact Cynthia at cwoodward@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-6385.

    Early-Literacy-Series-Winter-2022Download

    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.

  5. Reading Challenge 2022

    Comments Off on Reading Challenge 2022

    Cambridge moms, dads and kids – Join us for a virtual reading challenge starting January 10, 2022! It’s easy & fun!

    How to participate:

    1. Read books with your child(ren)!

    2. Submit a post

    Let 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- @LetsTalkCambMA                                                                                                               
    • Instagram– @LetsTalkCambMA
    • Twitter- @LetsTalkCambMA                                                                                                                   
    • Text Let’s Talk at 617-800-9154

    Participating in the Reading Challenge gives us permission to post and share responses on social media including responses sent via text message.

    3. Have a chance to win a prize!

    A submission enters you in a weekly raffle for a chance to win a swag pack and a pack of five books for your child (to be delivered after schools open). Extra posts welcomed! Max 1 entry per week counts in raffle.

    4. Have fun reading!

    Reading Challenge Flyer Jan 2022Download

    Dates (January 10-January 30):  

    • Week 1: 1/10-1/16-Winner announced 1/17
    • Week 2: 1/17-1/23-Winner announced 1/24
    • Week 3 : 1/24-1/30-Winner announced 1/31

    Questions? Email jbaily@challiance.org or text 617-800-9154.

    Sponsored by: Cambridge Dads, Center for Families and Let’s Talk!/Agenda for Children Literacy

    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.

  6. Winter 2022 Playgroups

    Comments Off on Winter 2022 Playgroups

    This winter there are 2 options for participation:

    1. Indoor Winter Playgroup Series

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

    Playgroup Series Dates and Locations:

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

    • Tuesdays at Moses Youth Center (243 Harvard St.)
      • 1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8
    • Wednesdays at Fresh Pond Apartments (362 Rindge Ave.)
      • 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9
    • Thursdays at Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St.) -(gross-motor gym group)  
      • 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3, 2/10

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

    Winter Playgroups 2022Download

    2. Weekly Virtual Story Time and Sing-Along 5-Week Series

    For Cambridge families with children birth-4 years old.

    Join us for 20-25 minutes of interactive songs, stories, and fun!


    Mondays at 10:30am

    Dates: 1/10, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14


    A Zoom link will be sent to anyone who registers for the group. You only need to register once to be added to our weekly reminder email with Zoom link for the group. You can come as little or as often as you
    want.

    To receive the link, please email Maeve Linnane at mlinnane@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.

    Virtual-Winter-Circle-Time-2022Download

    Sponsored by Center for Families and Let’s Talk/Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative

    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. Celebrate Family Literacy Month!

    Comments Off on Celebrate Family Literacy Month!

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

    Family Literacy Month 2021Download

    Bilingual Book Event: Free books in over 20 different languages for Cambridge children birth – 5 years old! 

    Date: Saturday, Nov 6 

    Time: 12-2 pm 

    Where: Joan Lorentz Park 

    in front of the Main Library 

    449 Broadway 

    Rain date: Sunday, Nov. 7 from 12-2 pm 

    Questions? Call (617) 299-6705 

    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. Digital copies available:

    Birth to 4 years old-Bingo Board: bit.ly/3pwbM8O

    Five to 8 years old-Bingo Board: bit.ly/3CgG0Qv

    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 Program and Center for Families 

    Questions? Call (617)-299-6705 

  9. Family Literacy Bingo 2021

    Comments Off on Family Literacy Bingo 2021

    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 4 years or one for 5-8 years ) or pick one up at the locations listed below.

    Birth to 4 Years Bingo BoardDownload
    5-8 Years Old Bingo BoardDownload

    Pick Up Locations:

    • Cambridge Public Library:
      • Central Square Library, 45 Pearl Street
      • Main Library, 449 Broadway
      • O’Connell Branch Library, 48 Sixth Street
      • O’Neill Branch Library, 70 Rindge Avenue
      • Valente Branch Library, 826 Cambridge Street
    • Center for Families, 51 Inman 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 2nd children’s book

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

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

    Questions? Call (617)-299-6705

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

  10. Fall Park Playgroups 2021

    Comments Off on Fall Park Playgroups 2021

    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 10:30am-11:30am.

    Locations and Dates:

    *Mondays at Danehy Park – 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4

    *Tuesdays at Greene-Rose Heritage Park – 9/14, 9/21,
    9/28, 10/5, 10/12

    *Wednesdays at Dana Park – 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13

    Families must register for playgroups.

    Please register for one location. Space is limited.

    To register, contact Kim Tran at ktran@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.

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

    CFF. AFC Fall Park Playgroups 2021Download