First Connections CFCE and ParentChild+

First Connections CFCE and ParentChild+ First Connections is funded by CFCE and PC+ grants from MA EEC awarded to JRI To view our direct services and programs, please go to: www.firstconnections.org

We provide free support, early childhood and parent education, and resources to all families with children under age 9 living in Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, Westford and Hanscom AFB.

06/10/2026

Why we don’t do more structured or group activities in playgroups:

🔴 Children learn best through play, especially unstructured (not unsupervised) play, where they can figure things out on their own. At this age, they are learning *how* to learn, which happens when they explore, ask questions, and experiment on their own. They often discover things I never guessed they would learn from the materials I bring! So cool!

🔴 Logistics: we only have one hour a week, and the kids need time to explore the space before we ask them to sit and attend. And some of the spaces we use make it harder for children to concentrate.

🔴 Our groups have multiple goals, including supporting caregivers and giving you time to connect. But the most important goal is that everyone (or almost everyone 😉) has a positive experience and learns to love learning, reading, and being in a group setting.

(Way too long video on why we don’t do “crafts” to come. Someday. 😅)

📣 Intro to Infant Massage with Mary Beilman NEXT Monday! Free and open to all!Appropriate for any/all caregivers with a ...
06/09/2026

📣 Intro to Infant Massage with Mary Beilman NEXT Monday! Free and open to all!

Appropriate for any/all caregivers with a pre-crawling baby. Taught by a certified Educator of Infant Massage. Held at the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough.

Regsiter by emailing Linda at [email protected]

Have you heard about Infant Massage, but you're not sure what it is or how to do it? If you'd like a free introduction t...
06/02/2026

Have you heard about Infant Massage, but you're not sure what it is or how to do it? If you'd like a free introduction to Infant Massage to see if it might help soothe your baby or strengthen your bond, join Mary Beilman, Certified Educator of Infant Massage, on Monday June 15th from 10:30-11:30 at the Sargent Memorial Library in Boxborough.

Free and open to all caregivers and their babies 0-6 months (pre-crawling). Register by emailing Linda at [email protected].

We have had a couple of wonderful events recently--a graduation celebration for our ParentChild+ families and a visit to...
05/26/2026

We have had a couple of wonderful events recently--a graduation celebration for our ParentChild+ families and a visit to the Discovery Museum with our Hanscom playgroup!

At the graduation celebration, caregivers, children, home visitors, and staff came together to celebrate the children’s growth, learning, and accomplishments throughout the program year. We are so proud of all of our graduating families and grateful for the connections built along the way! 🎓🎉

Hanscom playgroup families had the opportunity to visit the Discovery Museum and help Mr. Paul in their garden. We planted potatoes and watered them, as well as just doing some general digging. 😅 Families also explored the rest of the museum--the water room was an especially big hit! Thank you to the Discovery Museum for having us!

Happy Spring friends! 🌱

Coming up next Tuesday! Make sure to regsiter so you get the link ahead of time!Curious about when and how to introduce ...
05/21/2026

Coming up next Tuesday! Make sure to regsiter so you get the link ahead of time!

Curious about when and how to introduce solid foods to your baby? Join us for a reassuring and informative session where you will learn:
✅ Signs your baby is ready for solids
✅ Simple, safe first food ideas
✅ Important feeding safety tips
✅ How to make mealtimes positive

Taught by Julia Hurd, an SLP from Emerson Health

Free and open to any caregivers of infants. Register by emailing Linda: [email protected]

🤰Our postpartum planning class with Emerson Health is happening this coming Monday, May 11 at 310 Baker Ave in Concord f...
05/07/2026

🤰Our postpartum planning class with Emerson Health is happening this coming Monday, May 11 at 310 Baker Ave in Concord from 6:30-8:00pm.

This workshop is FREE and open to the birthing person and a support person. The workshop is led by a mental health clinician and a certified lactation counselor, and you will have the chance to explore the physical, emotional, and relational challenges that accompany the first three months after birth.

Regsiter here: https://emersonhealth.jotform.com/253204506617048

Please spread the word to any expectant parents you know! And if you are due later in the year, we will have additional workshops on Aug 3 and Oct 5.

In addition to May being , today, May 6, is , a day to raise awareness of the prevalence of perinatal mood and anxiety...
05/06/2026

In addition to May being , today, May 6, is , a day to raise awareness of the prevalence of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and of the support that is available to those who are struggling.

Depression is not the only symptom that new parents experience. Parents--moms/birthing parents AND dads/non-birthing parents--also experience anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis. And even in Massachusetts, where we have some of the best hospitals in the world, up to 75% of those presenting with symptoms do not get adequate care or support, and mothers are taking an average of 6 years to fully recover.

So, if you are struggling with your mental health after welcoming a baby to your family, you are not alone! And there is help available. You can reach out to us, and we can connect you with support. You can join our free drop-in First Year of Life support group led by a mental health clinician, whether you have symptoms and/or a diagnosis, or not.

In a crisis, you can call or text 988 or the Postpartum Support International Helpline.

05/06/2026

May's newsletter will go out later this week! If you have a child entering kindergarten in 2026, sign up for Ms. Ellie's monthly newsletter with tips on how to prepare you and your child for this transition.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/3xadWuvpha

May is , and we at First Connections are dedicated to raising awareness of perinatal mental health challenges and to su...
05/01/2026

May is , and we at First Connections are dedicated to raising awareness of perinatal mental health challenges and to supporting those who experience them.

As many as 1 in 5 mothers/birthing parents and 1 in 9 fathers/non-birthing parents experience a mental health challenge during pregnancy or in the first year postpartum. And even in Massachusetts, where we have excellent health care, up to 75% of those experiencing symptoms do not get adequate care or support.

It's not just Postpartum Depression! Mental health challenges can happen during pregnancy, and they include anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and psychosis. It is normal to have new worries or concerns when you welcome a new baby to your family, but if your fears or upsetting thoughts are impeding your ability to function, or if you just feel like something isn't right, you might have a Perinatal Mental Health Disorder (PMAD).

You are NOT alone, and help is available! We offer a free weekly drop-in group for anyone in the first year after welcoming a new baby to their family, and you can attend whether you are experiencing mental health symptoms or not. Email Emily [email protected] for the Zoom link and more information.

Postpartum Support International has a helpline, multiple support groups, and an app, and in a crisis, you can call or text 988.

You know those cute Pinterest projects where you can make toys for your kids out of cardboard boxes? Well, they're not a...
04/30/2026

You know those cute Pinterest projects where you can make toys for your kids out of cardboard boxes? Well, they're not as easy or as quick as you think! 😆

But after many hours, a few hot glue burns, and a few mistakes, I think these came out pretty well! And they (mostly) survived two playgroups!

Address

179 Great Road, Ste 104A
Acton, MA
01720

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm

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