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Hello Families!
Happy Spring! We have lots of fun and exciting programming this month for your whole family! We hope you can come and join us.
The Center for Families offers programming for Cambridge families and their children ages birth to 8 years old. We offer parent/child activities, playgroups, parenting workshops, infant support, family fun events, programs just for dads, and more!
If you have not subscribed to this newsletter and would like to receive it, please email centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov.
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Infant Programming
For Cambridge Parents and Caregivers with Babies from Birth - 15 months
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Infant Support Group/Baby Time Playgroups
We are offering two playgroups in two locations (please choose one location).
North Cambridge Series: Mondays 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Center for Families Infant Room Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave
*Dates listed on flyer
East Cambridge Series: Tuesdays, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Frisoli Youth Center, 61 Willow St.
*Dates listed on flyer
When the weather warms, groups may be held outside. Families must register for one group location.
To register, email Christine at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-3003.
*Once you have registered, you don't need to attend all of the sessions*
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Register for Nurturing Touch/Baby Massage Series
Massaging your baby helps develop strong relationships between you and your child, helps your baby relax, decreases gas and constipation, increases body awareness and maturation, and regulates sleep.
Join this 6-part series for Cambridge families with a baby 5 weeks old through pre-crawling.
Dates: Wednesdays, 4/24, 5/1, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, and 6/5 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. outside at Sennott Park (305 Broadway)
If raining, group will be held inside Moses Youth Center (243 Harvard St)
This is a hybrid group. Parents can join virtually on Zoom or in person. Registration required.
To register, email Christine at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-3003.
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Postpartum Support Series: Exercises and Stretches for Mothers in their Postpartum Year
A workshop for birthing parents with babies birth-15 months old.
Learn from physical therapist Sybille Bosslet, who specializes in postpartum, how to take care of your body after birth. This workshop will give you tools to strengthen your whole body safely, especially the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. Sybille will also share tips for preventing injuries.
Thursdays May 16 and 23 & June 6 from 10 - 11:30 a.m at 362 Rindge Ave., Community Room.
Registration required. To register, contact Christine at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-3003.
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Parent/Child Activities and Events
for Cambridge Families
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Messy Marvels Playgroup with Center for Families & Agenda for Children
Join us outside on Saturday mornings to play on the playground, blow bubbles, and use our senses by getting messy!
Playgroup is designed for children ages 15 months-4 years old and their families. No registration required for Cambridge families!
See flyer for locations and dates.
Questions? Please email or call Marianna at mperks@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-6385.
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Drop-in Spring Park Playgroup!
Join us in the park to meet other families, learn songs and activities to support your child's development, and have fun! This is an outdoor group so please come ready for messy activities! Light snack provided. See flyer for dates and location.
For Cambridge families with children 15 months-4 years old. No need to register, just come by!
For more information, contact Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Providers Drop-In Gym Playgroup
For Cambridge childcare providers, nannies, and the children they care for only.
Meet other childcare providers in the Cambridge community and engage in fun activities and games with the children you care for! This playgroup is located in a gym (no craft activities). Playgroups are facilitated by CFF staff.
Where: Moore Youth Center (12 Gilmore St)
When: Thursdays, 5/2, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6, and 6/13
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
For more information, call Cynthia at
617-349-6385.
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Pajama Story Time!
CFF and the Cambridge Public Library invite Cambridge children from birth through age 8, and their grownups, to join us in person for songs, stories, and rhymes to wind down the day.
Where: O'Neill Library (70 Rindge Ave.)
When: Tuesdays, 5/28, and 6/25
Time: 6:45 - 7:30 p.m.
No registration needed; just come if you can!
Contact Marianna at 617-349-6385 or email mperks@cambridgema.gov for more information.
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StoryWalk Cambridge
Thursday, May 16 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Donnelly Field (York and Berkshire Streets)
It's a reading adventure at Donnelly Field! Walk along the field to read all the pages in "Ada Twist, Scientist" and "Over in the Meadow".
Come for free English and bilingual books, crafts, pizza, & Knucklebones! All Cambridge families are welcome! Activities designed for children ages 2-8.
Questions? Call or text Iris at (617) 475-0616
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Save the date: Family Fun Day is Saturday, June 22!
We hope you can join us for our annual Family Fun Day! We will have lots of activities, games, and fun for Cambridge families with children birth-8 years old. See flyer for more information.
No registration required. Questions? Call Cynthia at 617-349-6385 or email cwoodward@cambridgema.gov
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Stress Reduction and Exercise Series
Join Center for Families for our Stress Reduction and Exercise Series! This series is designed for Cambridge parents to meet
other parents and to help reduce stress through fun and energetic exercise.
Registration required. Limited childcare available. Register today with Lucy by emailing lhernandez@cambridgema.gov or calling 617-349-6385.
Check flyer for dates and information! Hope you can join us!
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Moms' Discussion and Craft Activity Group
Friday, May 10 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at the Center for Families (Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave).
Join the Center for Families and other moms as we talk about parenting and share our experiences while doing a craft activity together. Limited childcare available for children who are walking. Activity kits and snacks will be provided.
All mothers must register. To register, email Kim at ktran@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-7252.
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Raising Children with Black Joy
A 4-part series for Black and Brown parents who live, work, play or pray in Cambridge!
Starting on May 8, this series will hold sessions 1 and 4 in-person and sessions 2 and 3 virtually. Check flyer for more details.
To sign up, contact Jen at 617-349-9169 or jcabezas@cambridgema.gov
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Cambridge Dads is a partnership between the Center for Families and the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative. Cambridge Dads connects with fathers and father figures and provides information on how a dad can get involved with Cambridge Dads.
Our programs include:
* Events for Dads and kids
* Events and workshops for Dads only
* Connection one-on-one
* Information on community resources
* Information on child development
Connect with Cambridge Dads!
Call or text us at 857-209-4964
Follow us on Facebook (@CambridgeDads), Twitter (@CambDads), and Instagram (@CambridgeDads)
Join our Fatherhood Text Campaign!
A great way to stay connected and informed! Recevie a text once a week about fatherhood, events, and activities to do with your kids in Cambridge
To sign up: Text the word "father" to 877-936-3237
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Dads & Kids At The Gym!
Join us for fun, games, and activities with your child! All dads, uncles, male caregivers, grandfathers, step-dads, godfathers, etc. who have at least one child aged birth to 8 are welcome. Light breakfast provided!
Saturday May 11, at Gately Youth Center (70 Rindge Ave. behind Peabody School), 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Registration required. To register, email cambdads@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Register for the upcoming Dads Basketball Spring Series!
Join other Cambridge dads, male caregivers, uncles, step-dads, grandfathers, etc., for a weekly evening of basketball!
Series runs Tuesdays, May 7, 14, 21, 28, and June 11, at Fletcher Maynard Academy (225 Windsor St., enter through Harvard St. entrance), 6 - 8 p.m.
Registration required. To register, contact Matt at mdottin@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6385.
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Cambridge Dads Survey!
Hey Dads! Cambridge Dads wants to hear from you - fathers who live, work, play or pray in Cambridge to help guide programming that meets dads’ needs!
Please take a minute to complete our survey today. Link: bit.ly/CambDadsSurvey2024
Feel free to share this with your friends!
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Ages and Stages Questionnaire | |
Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) with The Center for Families
The ASQ online tool helps you to better understand all your child's different stages of development from one month up to 5 years old with activities you can do at home. It only takes about 10 - 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire!
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Center for Families Help In A Bag! | |
Are you looking for some ideas on how to support your little one? The Center for Families offers free resource bags families can borrow on the following topics:
- First Time Dads
- Getting Ready to Share
- Biting Hitting
- Fun with Language
- Starting Childcare or School
- A New Baby in the Family
- Death of a Loved One
- Potty Training
- More topics coming soon!
Each bag is filled with engaging books for toddlers and preschoolers as well as articles and resource lists, including websites for parents.
If you are interested in borrowing any of the resource bags or have any questions, please contact Kim Tran at 617-349-7252 or email ktran@cambridgema.gov.
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More Resources and Supports for Families
Center for Families staff can connect you to local agencies in Cambridge and surrounding communities for assistance ranging from education, food, housing, and much more.
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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. | | | | |
