Long Island Parent - June/July 2021 by NYMetroParents

LongIsland Parent

june/july 2021

nymetroParents.com Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

A Summer of

fun! 5O

boredom buSterS

toddlers Water safety for al and safe Keeping kids soci near you Top water parks

Is summer school right for your child?

A Healthy Body Image How parents can help tweens and teens

21st Century Learning: Enroll Now! Here, STEAM brings the world into every classroom. Children explore Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math in hands-on, interactive classrooms. • Flexible programs for infants to school-age students • CDC guidance ensures a healthy, safe environment • Live streaming video and family communication app Keep the fun of learning going all summer long.

SIGN UP FOR A TOUR! 740 Rte. 347 • Smithtown, NY NOW ENROLLING ACROSS SOUTHEAST 866.222.0269 • EverbrookAcademy.com These institutions are equal opportunity providers. ©2021 Learning Care Group (US) No. 2 Inc. HLCG102.

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inside

June/July 2021

16 Is This the Summer for School?

Five things to consider when deciding whether summer school is right for your child

18 Preventing Brain Drain

Eight fun, education ways to stop the summer slide before it starts

28 A Safe & Social Summer

We talked to experts about how to be appropriately cautious when preparing for summer fun.

34 Practicing Mindfulness

These activities can help kids feel present, relax, and build resilience.

36 A Positive Body Image

Teens often have negative body images—how can parents help?

38 Talking to Kids About Gender & Sexual Identity

Eight expert tips to help you have these important conversations with your children

columns 6 9 12 14 42

Editor’s Note News: What’s happening in the community Advice: Ask Dad and Buried Baby & Toddler: Water Safety for Little Ones Last Word: What is your ideal picnic experience?

things to do

22 Summer Boredom Busters 30 Top Water Parks for Families 32 Go Berry Picking!

resources 17 Education Directory 20 Camp Directory 41 Advertisers’ Index

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editor’s note JUNE/JULy 2021

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

Sweet Summertime

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling FEATURES EDITOR: Shana Liebman EvEnTS MAnAgER: Shara Levine

DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Tank

h, summer… it’s the season our kids look forward to most. And after the past year, we’re all looking forward to getting back to “normal,” having fun, and finally traveling again this summer. your kids are likely going to camp (turn to p. 20 for camps with last-minute registrations available!), you’ve probably booked a family trip, and you’re planning to spend a few days at a museum, water park, and beach. With all that fun on the horizon, you’d think your kids would be maxed out on summer activities. But, inevitably, you’ll hear the dreaded “I’m bored!” When that happens, check out our “Summer Boredom Busters” (p. 22). We list 50 things to do with your kids—from catching fireflies and playing flashlight tag to tie-dye and berry picking—all so you can spend your time doing what’s most important: having fun with your children. And did you know that while you’re having fun with your kids, it’s the perfect opportunity for them to learn, too? Whether you’re cooking, reading, or playing games, you can stop the summer slide before it starts. Turn to p. 18 to learn how. Finally, though things are opening up and restrictions are relaxing, it’s still a good idea to ensure your kids are safe—especially the younger ones. Read expert tips for how to have a safe and social summer on p. 28. Here’s to a relaxing, healthy summer full of fun camp days for your kids and spending time together as a family!

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PRODUCTION

Find 100+ Things to Do this Summer! Discover great family activities all season long in the Summer Family Fun Guide! It’s full of fairs and festivals, travel advice, and fun activities for your family—think: local attractions, day trips, amusement parks, and more.

DIRECTOR | PUBLISHIng MAnAgEMEnT: Jiyon Son Summer 2021

FINANCE CREDIT MAnAgER: Rosa Meinhofer

Family Fun GuiDE Great Summer activitieS for Your familY

CEO: David L. Miller CFO: David Friedman 1501 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10036 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239

Read or download it today!

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news

Explore the City Under the Sea

New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium will celebrate its grand opening June 15.

SEA LIFE, the world’s largest network of aquariums, touched down in East Rutherford, NJ—at American Dream to be exact. The 25,000-square-foot New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium has been dubbed City Under the Sea, in a nod to the bustling New York City that lies just across the Hudson River. The aquarium will officially celebrate its grand opening Tuesday, June 15. “It offers a new wave of underwater adventures,” said Julie Estrada, head of public relations of North America for Merlin Entertainments, which owns and operates SEA LIFE as well as many other location-based family entertainment experiences. “What’s amazing about [New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium] is, it’s really designed to be a child’s first experience with an aquarium. It’s the first time they’re seeing these creatures up close and personal and learning about them.” The aquarium features more than 3,000 different creatures in a variety of exhibits inspired by NYC’s most memorable moments and experiences, including nods to rush hour, Broadway, the urban jungle, Studio 54, and Fifth Avenue. New Jersey SEA LIFE Aquarium is located at American Dream in East Rutherford, NJ. For more information, visit visitsealife.com/new-jersey.

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news

Becoming America’s Doctor D

r. Fauci: How a Boy from Brooklyn Became America’s Doctor is a sweetly illustrated book (written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Alexandra Bye) that chronicles Anthony Fauci, M.D.’s life—from his Italian childhood home in Brooklyn to his career as a scientist, working to solve AIDS and COVID-19. Readers also get a primer on how vaccines work and some tips from Dr. Fauci about how to become a scientist like him. Finally, there is a suggested reading list for kids who want to learn more. We spoke to Messner about writing this book.

We’re Celebrating…

This June, as the country re-opens, there are more ways to recognize Pride month and teach your kids about Pride, both in-person and virtually. Whether you read a book at home or attend a family-friendly Pride event, you can use this opportunity to teach your kids about some of the dedicated activists who have made the world a more welcoming place, one where diversity is not only tolerated, but embraced. Visit nymetroparents.com/pride for ideas!

We’re Reading… The Motherhood Complex, by BBC science journalist, Melissa Hogenboom, which explores what it means to become a mother—including how the brain changes during pregnancy and how modern technology has defined motherhood. Interweaving her own personal experience as a working mother of two, the sciencefocused book also reveals how the biological changes during pregnancy and motherhood influence a woman’s sense of self.

We’re Watching… Ebony and Denise—a two-mom-threekid family—started the YouTube channel Team2Moms to inspire family-hopeful LGBTQ+ fans. Their conversations, which can hop from serious to silly, often cover tough subjects like race, bisexual parenting, and the confusion of having two moms. For example, they might relate a complicated conversation they had with their oldest about sperm donors or discuss their son’s autism diagnosis. Their message, however, is always about self-acceptance, and their desire for their fans “to be authentically who they are.” 10

What inspired you to create this book? Like everyone else, I was seeing Dr. Fauci on the news each night at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. When I learned a bit about Dr. Fauci’s background, I realized how much his story might serve as an inspiration for tomorrow’s scientists.

What do you hope kids will take away from it? I hope my readers will understand that being a scientist is absolutely within their reach. So often, kids see well-known researchers and public health experts on the news and think of them as important people doing serious work in the world without understanding that those researchers and experts were once curious kids, just like them.

Did anything surprise you when learning about Dr. Fauci’s life? I think the thing that fascinated me the most was the way Dr. Fauci’s Brooklyn upbringing really shaped the career that he would have later on. When I interviewed Dr. Fauci, he told me stories about how his dad would help him and his sister with homework, pushing them to keep trying, even when something felt impossible, because every problem has a solution. It was also interesting to hear how Dr. Fauci really came of age in two different worlds, studying classics and philosophy with the scholars at his rigorous high school and then hitting the streets to play stickball with the guys in his neighborhood. He got along with everyone and was known as the guy who could ex-plain things in a way that made them easy to understand, even back then.

Connect with Kate Messner

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facebook.com/KateMessner

@katemessner

@KateMessner

New Places, New Programs Nike Sports Camps Come to Buckley This summer, Us sports Camps is partnering with Buckley Country Day School to offer Nike Sports Camps, including basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, and flag football. Running JuneAugust, the camps are geared toward ages 6-14 (kindergarten through rising ninth graders), and previous experience in the sport is not necessary. “We aim to make each athletic experience very fun. Kids come to camp to meet friends, learn the sport, enjoy their time with others, and be inspired by their coaches,” says Paul Merrion, senior vice president for US Sports Camps. The camp fee includes 4 days of camp (either half or full days), a T-shirt and prizes, snacks and lunch, and access to the school’s pool. 2 I.U. Willets Road, Roslyn; ussportscamps.com.

Fun, Interactive Podcasts for Kids This last year saw a surge of interactive kid-podcasts—as desperate parents tried to entertain their home-bound kids with something other than screens. Here are a few of our favorites:

The Past & The Curious ReCommended ages: All Stories from history with catchy music and a quiz segment.

emotion motion ReCommended ages: 3-8, with their grown-ups Each episode invites listeners and their families to get up, move, play, sing, and interact with stories that help children practice their emotional vocabulary, reflect on their feelings, and learn emotional management strategies to support their well-being.

Book Club for Kids

Zip Line into the Sunset After a successful season last year, WildPlay Jones Beach has extended its hours for its first full season of zip line and aerial course fun—and it now offers a Sunset Zipline package. Available through Oct. 31, guests can zip, side by side, along the beach as the sun sets over the ocean. Bonus: Zip after 4pm and receive a 20-percent discount with the code SUNSETZIP. WildPlay’s other aerial adventures are also available later in the day, including the Classic Course, Extreme Course, Kids Course (ideal for ages 5-12), and the What’s to Fear Jump. WildPlay Jones Beach is open Monday-Friday, 10am-8pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 9am-8pm. 2600 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh; 855-595-2251; wildplay.com/jones-beach.

ReCommended ages: Tweens and teens Encourage kids to read by connecting them to this podcast, where they can hear middle schoolers discuss popular YA books

The Unexplained disappearance of mars Patel ReCommended ages: Tweens A Peabody Award-winning scripted mystery, featuring a voice cast of middle schoolers, that includes an interactive tie-in.

LongIslandParent 11

advice

Ask DadandBuried “My son just turned 7, and he loves to swim. The only problem is he’s scared of putting his head under the water, and it really limits how much fun he can have. How do I get him to take the plunge?” — Robert, Rye

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irst of all, I don’t appreciate the pun. But I’ll forgive you for it, because a few years ago, I was in the exact same boat. (Two can play that game!) My now-10-year-old was struggling with this very issue. Actually, I was the one struggling, because I was so desperate for him to overcome his fears and finally dunk his head. His grandparents have a pool, and we are lucky to have access to it during the summer. My kid loves nothing more than to spend the day frolicking in the water, but the idea of getting fully submerged freaked him out. Playing with him in the pool was like playing with my wife in the pool right after she’d gotten her hair done. Dunking your head opens up a whole new pool experience—one that includes jumping into the pool, riding water slides, getting thrown around by Dad, and more. And I knew my son would love it. I was begging him to just dunk his head, so he would realize it was no big thing. Then the real fun could begin. Of course, the more I begged, the more he resisted, and the more he resisted, the more frustrated I got. What should have been a fun milestone had turned into a vendetta, and suddenly our visits to Grandma and Pop-pop’s house were fraught with stress. Eventually, I realized he needed to work at his own pace. I loosened my grip as best I could, stopped chirping at him every time he got in the pool, and tried to pretend I didn’t care. When he finally did it, I showered him (there I go again!) with praise. He realized I had been right all along, that it wasn’t a big deal, and it was a lot more fun that way. It was a great moment for both of us, and he’s never looked back. One of the hardest things to do as a parent is convince your kids to try something new. Getting them to try a new food, a new bedtime story, even a new movie can often be like pulling teeth. Even if you know they’re gonna love it once they get their feet wet (I can’t stop!), convincing them can be just about impossible. Sometimes letting go is the best thing you can do. That’s also really hard to do, but if you can manage, it will probably pay off. And then you get to do the absolute hardest thing in parenting: not screaming “I TOLD YOU SO!” in your kid’s face. Our advice column features the wise and humorous commentary of Mike Julianelle (aka @DadandBuried), a 40-something influencer with a popular podcast who lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two kids.

Have a question for DaDanDburieD? Send it to editor@nymetroparents.com with the subject “DadandBuried’s Advice.”

baby & toddler

Water Safety for Little Ones

How to keep your young child safe while enjoying the water By Marie Holmes

oung children delight in the water. Some people even believe that babies have a special aquatic connection because they recently emerged from their own personal womb-pool. Yet, in a matter of seconds, water can cause grave harm to a child. “Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four,” says Mary O’Donoghue, senior aquatics director of the YMCA of Greater New York. This year, it’s more important than ever to be aware of these risks. Bobby Hazen, district manager of Saf-T-Swim on Long Island, notes that during the pandemic there was a spike in the number of backyard pools installed across the country. At the same time, social distancing has kept children out of water-safety and swimming classes—potentially creating a perfect storm for water-related accidents. Now is a good time to review water safety guidelines. Here’s what you need to know to keep your little one happy and safe in the water.

Keep children within arm’s reach. Children who don’t know how to swim, and all children ages 4 and younger, should be within arm’s reach of a caregiver at all times when in or around the water. “A lot of drownings take place within five to ten feet of safety,” O’Donoghue says.

don’t rely on floaties. Floating devices filled with air or made from foam can be great for water-play but should never be relied on as drowning prevention. “Anything that’s inflatable can always deflate, so it gives a false sense of security,” O’Donoghue explains.

Know what drowning looKs liKe. Many of us imagine a drowning person frantically thrashing around in the water, but the reality is quite different—and easy to miss. Drowning “doesn’t look anything like you think it’s going to,” Hazen says. A child’s arms may come in and out of the water before they go under, but once they’re under, you won’t see much more than the top of their head beneath the surface, and you won’t hear a thing.

designate a “water-watcher.” Ensure that at least one adult has eyes on the water at all times by taking turns being a designated water-watcher at the pool, beach, or lake. The water-watcher should refrain from drinking alcohol

before or during their shift, and steer clear of other distractions, like a phone, as well.

put protections in place around your pool. There is no replacement for constant supervision, but the following safeguards should still be put into place. Pools should be properly fenced in, easily viewable from the outside, and covered when not in use. You can also get an alarm for your house door or one that floats in or sits below the water. Purchase drain covers, install vacuum release systems, or employ multiple drains to prevent kids’ hair or clothing from getting sucked in. Remove toys from the pool after use so kids won’t be tempted to jump in and get them.

watch out for household hazards. Anything that holds liquid can be dangerous—bathtubs, buckets, toilets. Children can drown in mere inches of water, so make sure to empty kiddie pools after use and watch out for rainwater collecting in buckets or other outdoor containers. Drain the tub after a bath, use locks for toilet lids, and keep the bathroom door closed.

enroll your child in swim lessons. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all children enroll in swimming lessons by age 4 and says children can learn to swim as young as 1. Parent-and-child swim lessons for infants are widely available. The YMCA of Greater New York has classes for children as young as 6 months, and Saf-T-Swim takes students at just 2 months old. These classes usually focus on getting children comfortable in the water and teaching water safety. Remember: Swimming lessons do not make your child drownproof. Even if your child knows how to swim, they may not be able to save themselves in the event of an emergency.

teach your children never to enter the water without an adult. Both O’Donoghue and Hazen stress that one of the most important things you can teach your child is to never get in the water—pool, ocean, or bathtub—without an adult present. Just as we teach children to hold a grown-up’s hand when crossing the street and wear a seatbelt in a car, we want them to grow accustomed to waiting for an adult before entering the water.

Since 2006, expecting moms to moms of toddlers visit Mommybites for advice on all things parenting. The Nanny Boards are NY’s only resource for finding exclusively employer-recommended caregivers. Visit Mommybites.com. 14

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

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Huntington Patchogue

education

Is This the Summer for School? How to decide if summer school is right for your child By Marie Holmes

he words “summer school” can invoke a draconian misery— and are often uttered as a threat from a teacher or parent. But after more than a year of pandemic shut-down, summer school, like many things, looks very different through COVIDcolored glasses.

What has the school year been like? If your child thrives with in-person learning, summer offers an opportunity for more. On the other hand, if they are anxious about the return to normal, summer school could be a low-stakes way to ease back into the rhythms of the school day. “For the greater part of the year, children, and teachers, have been behind screens,” says Amelia Clune, who teaches third grade in the Bronx. The Summer Rising program, NYC’s free summer plan for kids in kindergarten to 12th grade, she believes, “will provide children with an opportunity to develop not only academic, but also social-emotional skills which, after an isolating year, many of our students need.”

is this a transition year for your chilD?

There are many reasons summer school makes sense this year. For one, parents are worried about learning gaps. Whether their kids have been remote, hybrid, or in school, parents are eager for them to catch up—both academically and socially. They want their children to reacclimate to the classroom—and to spend the day away from home and among peers again. And many local educators agree that far from being punitive, this year’s summer school offerings can and should provide opportunities for students to delight in the in-person company of their classmates and teachers. If you’re thinking about summer school for your child, here are a few things to consider:

Does your chilD have learning gaps that neeD to be aDDresseD? If your child is struggling with assignments, it’s a good indicator they could use extra academic help. Check in with your child’s teacher to see what they recommend. Some summer programs are tailored for kids with specific challenges. For example, the Windward School, which has campuses in Manhattan and Westchester, serves students with language-based learning disabilities. This summer, it will offer its academic summer camp program, running July 6-30. “If students have lost any ground, this is an opportunity for them to make that up,” says program co-director Tanya Ehrlich. Optional afternoon enrichment classes include sports, arts, and drama. “Most kids who come to our program end up feeling like it’s not a punishment for them,” says program co-director Ashley Di Salvo.

Your kindergartener may never have experienced a typical school day with a classroom full of children. An incoming sixth-grader might be anxious about entering a new building and meeting new classmates. While you can reassure them that they won’t be the only one who feels this way, having some familiar places and faces is always helpful. Regardless of the program you choose, summer school can help soothe anxieties about returning in September.

hoW much can you afforD to spenD? If your child’s public school district doesn’t have a summer school program in place, you can consider one of many private school programs or even an academic-focused summer camp. While not free, they can offer the advantages of specially trained teachers (Windward School’s teachers, for example, have degrees in special education) and very small class sizes.

hoW Will you balance summer activities? Kids who need academic intervention have the same needs for play and unstructured time as everyone else. It’s important that kids have some downtime and are forced to find creative ways to entertain themselves. So, figuring out the right balance of play time and school will be up to each family—they’ll have to factor in vacations, summer camp sessions, playdates, and family time. The 2021-2022 academic year, a much longed-for return to normalcy, has a lot riding on it. In addition to getting back up to speed academically, our children have to reacclimate to the idea of school as a destination and learning as a communal activity. While summer school might be something you’d try to avoid at another time, this summer offers everyone a chance to reimagine what school can be, and to carry those lessons with us into September.

Marie Holmes has written for Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, the Washington Post, and other publications. She lives in Upper Manhattan with her wife and their two children.

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

Education Directory Buckley Country Day School

2 I.U. Willets Road, Roslyn 516-627-1910 • buckleycountryday.com Buckley Country Day School is an independent, coeducational day school providing a superior elementary education to an intellectually capable and diverse student body. Buckley provides the foundation that enables our students to achieve their full potential and excel as educated, ethical, and self-confident individuals. Our graduates are well prepared for secondary schools and beyond.

Countryside Montessori School

354 Lakeville Road, Lower Level, Great Neck 516-466-8422 • cmsgn.com • info@cmsgn.com Countryside Montessori School offers children ages 18 months to 6 years a well-balanced and enriched curriculum, which includes traditional subjects, art, and music. It’s located on an estate-like setting with an outdoor playground and nature walks. Classrooms are fully equipped and spacious. Zoom classes are offered for toddler and nursery children.

East Woods School

31 Yellow Cote Road, Oyster Bay 516-922-4400 • eastwoods.org East Woods School is a private school for students in pre-nursery through eighth grade. We provide a supportive learning environment that is as nurturing as it is rigorous. Our students are happy, kind, and respectful leaders, and they are prepared for their next journey after East Woods.

Everbrook Academy of Glen Head

209 Glen Head Road, Glen Head • 866-222-0269 Everbrook Academy of Smithtown 740 Route 347, Smithtown everbrookacademy.com Everbrook Academy is a 21st-century preschool, with a STEAM curriculum. We offer integrated, hands-on learning experiences. Our programs—for infants, toddlers, preschool, and pre-K students—ensure that children are ready for school, and ready for life. Schedule an appointment at everbrookacademy.com to meet with our principal and enroll today.

The Hagedorn Little Village School, Jack Joel Center for Special Children

750 Hicksville Road, Seaford 516-520-6000 • littlevillage.org jon.feingold@littlevillage.org The Hagedorn Little Village School is a not-for-profit school highly regarded for providing outstanding educational and therapeutic services for children with a wide range of developmental disabilities. HLVS provides year-round programs and services that include diagnostic evaluations and treatment, early intervention, a preschool, an elementary school, SEIT, and related services.

Huntington Learning Centers

Baldwin, Bay Shore, Carle Place, East Northport, Flushing, Lynbrook, Manhasset, Massapequa, Miller Place, Patchogue, Plainview, Smithtown

THE FUN SCIENCE DAY CAMP FOR CURIOUS KIDS 5-11!

huntingtonhelps.com Huntington is the premier tutoring and test prep provider, including SAT/ACT and state tests, for kindergarten to 12th grades. The company prides itself on personalized attention and proven results. Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible. Tutoring is available in center and online.

Little Sponges Child Learning Center

1000 Shames Drive, Westbury 516-595-7900 • littlesponges.net At Little Sponges, we use a variety of age-appropriate activities and school district curricula to help each individual child reach their potential. The program meets the changing needs of individual children by providing a safe and appropriate environment that is both challenging and stimulating.

Winston Preparatory School

Seven schools located in New York City, Long Island, NY, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, in addition to a fully online school accessible anywhere in the U.S. 631-779-2400 • winstonprep.edu liadmissions@winstonprep.edu Winston Preparatory School is a network of six campuses offering students with learning differences a highly individualized and responsive education. Our unique model serves students through grade 12. Winston Online now allows students to learn from anywhere in the country. Visit winstonprep.edu/apply-now to sign up for a virtual open house.

Hurry, Spaces are Limited!

2021 IN PERSON CAMPS ∞ Megabot & Movie Makers Camp ∞ Millennium Starship Explorers Camp ∞ Crank Coaster & STEAM Creators Camp

Great NYLI Locations Babylon, Commack, Garden City, Huntington Station, Plainview, Setauket, Wantagh

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education

Preventing Brain Drain 8 ways to stop the summer slide before it starts By Jessica Allen

ummer slide, brain drain, skill slippage. No matter what you call it, learning loss during school vacation is real—and so are its damaging effects. Studies cited by the National Summer Learning Association estimate that more than 50 percent of U.S. students experience summer learning loss. Spread across five years, some students can lose, on average, approximately 40 percent of academic advances. But learning loss can be prevented, with some effort and engagement on the part of grown-ups. Amita Gupta, Ed.D., professor of early childhood education at CUNY, recommends families use a schedule. “The planned experiences for children should serve to support their growth in four developmental domains (cognitive, social, emotional, and physical), and also address some academic content learning in literacy, social studies, math, and science. This may sound daunting to parents, but the good news is that several of these targets can be reached with a single activity or experience.”

Cook REad Reading “just four to six books during the summer has the potential to prevent a decline in reading achievement scores from the spring to the fall,” according to the Colorado Department of Education. The New York Public Library is offering tons of summer reading activities, and your local library likely has events and reading lists divided by age. Heighten the fun by having your kid start a virtual book club with a far-flung relative or friend. And remember the value of modeling. Kids tend to do as we do, not necessarily as we say. If you want to raise a reader, don’t forget to make time to read yourself.

Cooking your own meals doesn’t just help your wallet— it helps your child’s brain. Use cooking as an opportunity to talk and learn about: • Math: How much do you need of each ingredient? How many people are drinking soda? How many people are drinking milk? • Chemistry: What happens when you mix one ingredient with another? What happens when you add heat? • Human anatomy: Why does food taste the way it does? How do we convert food into energy? What happens to the calories or food we don’t need? • Environmental sustainability: Where was this food grown? How, and by whom? How did it get from there to your table? • Culture: Why does your family eat what it eats? What kinds of foods did you grow up eating? How does food reinforce culture? What kinds of foods are common across cultures? Dial the conversation up or down, depending on your kid’s age and interest. Remember: It doesn’t have to be cooking. “Whatever the household chore—gardening, grocery shopping, laundry, cleaning and organizing, taking a walk—can all be turned into experiences in sorting, classifying, sequencing, observing, predicting, sharing, helping, team building, and problem solving,” Dr. Gupta notes.

do SoME MatH Incorporating learning into your everyday life will help your child become a lifelong learner. It also reminds kids why fundamentals and facts are so important. At the grocery store, talk about what you could buy for $5 or $500. Discuss budgeting. Have a chat about wants versus needs. Point out different shapes to little kids. Teach tweens how credit cards work. And teenagers can learn about the magic of compound interest. Avoid falling into the all-too-common parent trap of saying “I’m terrible at math” by showing how much we all use math every single day.

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June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

Play gaMeS The boom in tabletop gaming means there’s a game for every skill you wish to cultivate in your child. But your kids will be having too much fun to realize they’re actually learning. In Scotland Yard (suitable for kids 8 and older), for example, players use logic and critical thinking to find a criminal’s London location. Weird But True—based on the beloved book series by National Geographic—requires players (ages 8 and older) to consider whether a wacky factoid is true or false. The uber-popular Wingspan teaches players (ages 14 and older) about birds, ecology, and biology.

4 5

CheCk the Mail

Subscription boxes give you the chance to experience the world without leaving your house. The day our Universal Yums subscription snack box arrives is one of the happiest in my household. My son and I make predictions about that month’s country, then we enjoy reading about the fun facts (and ranking the snacks) in the colorful, fun booklet that accompanies the treats. Sometimes we draw maps. Sometimes we talk about history or politics. No matter what, we eat all the candy.

go to living rooM SuMMer SChool Is your kid a budding coder? Mixed media artist? Cat lover? Regardless of your child’s interest, there’s a class for that. The pandemic has seen a boom in online learning, with options ranging from a short, one-off class to a multiweek deep-dive. Outschool has tons of video-based classes for kids age 3-18, including math practice, geography, and chess, and social clubs, too.

Join, or extend, a learning Pod When COVID shut down in-person learning, many parents formed learning pods—small groups led by a teacher or tutor. If you already have one from the academic year, consider extending it through the summer, perhaps with some extra sports or crafts thrown in. If not, consider finding a few like-minded families to form a learning pod. Establish your expectations (frequency of meeting, topics discussed, amount of work to be done, masks on or off). The pod’s facilitator could be a recent high school or college graduate, or perhaps a teacher on summer break. How much to pay this person depends on several factors, but you should be realistic about what you’re asking the person and the kids to do.

Set goalS and Celebrate

Set actionable, realistic goals, then celebrate them. Maybe you want your soon-to-be third-grader to read five books over the summer. Set up a chart, add some stickers, and break the big goal (five books) into smaller goals (one chapter every week). Every two chapters gets an ice cream. The right incentive can help motivate.

Above all, make it fun. It is summer, after all. Jessica Allen writes about food, culture, travel, and New York City, where she lives.

What kidS have to Say… I asked my son’s first-grade classmates for suggestions about ways to grow their brains during the summer. Here’s what they said: • Write for fun • Do workbooks • Keep a journal or diary of all the fun things you do • Cool your brain by going swimming • Eat a lot of good stuff • Go to summer camp • Have a sleepover on the Intrepid

LongIslandParent 19

Camp Directory Camps ‘R’ Us

Locations in Baldwin, Bellmore, Deer Park, East Rockaway, Farmingdale, Hicksville, Melville, St. James, Syosset, Valley Stream, and Williston Park 516-935-CAMP (2267) campsrus.org info@campsrus.org We advocate for children to have a meaningful, positive, and safe summer at camp. Following the unprecedented circumstances of current events, it is our mission to deliver a safe summer camp experience that will nurture the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social well-being of our campers.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center

Cold Spring Harbor and Brooklyn 516-367-5170 summercamps.dnalc.org The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center offers weeklong biology-focused summer camps for students entering sixth to 12th grades. Join us at the flagship in Cold Spring Harbor, our new center in Brooklyn, or virtually. Campers use sophisticated laboratory and computer equipment to perform experiments grade levels above their peers.

Countryside Montessori School

354 Lakeville Road, Lower Level, Great Neck 516-466-8422 cmsgn.com info@cmsgn.com Countryside Montessori School is offering in-person camp for children ages 18 months to 6 years old. There are morning academics for the older children and playtime for all children. Zoom sessions are also being offered in the morning with a different topic each day.

Destination Science - The fun science day camp for curious kids 5 to 11!

Multiple locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties Nassau: Garden City, Manhasset, Plainview, Wantagh Suffolk: Babylon, Commack, Huntington Station, Setauket 888-909-2822 destinationscience.org info@destinationscience.org Destination Science - the Fun Science Day Camp for Curious Kids 5-11! Explore STEM based projects and build great life skills. Safe, friendly, educators. Experience three hands-on science stations each day, outside action, and lots of camper connections. In-person or online camps. Early savings ends soon!

Everbrook Academy of Glen Head

209 Glen Head Road, Glen Head 866-222-0269 Everbrook Academy of Smithtown 740 Route 347, Smithtown everbrookacademy.com It’s full STEAM ahead to fun and excitement at Camp Everbrook in Glen Head. Enjoy weekly themed experiences (exploring subjects including science, art, animals, history,

and games), engaging activities, fun field trips, and healthy meals and snacks. Experience a 21st-century summer at Everbrook Academy®. Visit everbrookacademy.com/summer and learn more.

Kenwal Day Camp

100 Drexel Ave., Melville 631-694-3399 kenwaldaycamp.com kenwaloffice@kenwaldaycamp.com We opened and operated last summer without a single case of COVID! Kenwal is the camp where children can start at age 3, and still thrive at 16. Campers are nurtured and challenged in a fun, safe environment designed for success! Building self-esteem and being “unplugged” are achieved regularly.

Little Sponges Child Learning Center

1000 Shames Drive, Westbury 516-595-7900 littlesponges.net Little Sponges Summer Camp is an interactive experience and youth program for children ages 4-12. We have successfully run our summer camp through the COVID pandemic. We offer STEM, dance, arts and crafts, academic enrichment, water play/slides, obstacle courses, and hours of fun! Come plan your summer with us.

Little Sponges Child Learning Center - LSPA

1000 Shames Drive, Westbury 516-595-7900 littlesponges.net LSPA is a dance camp that offers beginners and intermediate dancers an opportunity to grow in the art of dance and performing arts. Dancers will have the opportunity to work on technique as well as explore new disciplines and genres. Teachers help build confidence, strength, rhythm, flexibility, technique, and tempo.

Long Island Musical Theatre Festival

Garden City 631-982-9455 limtf.org vanessa.limtf@gmail.com The Long Island Musical Theatre festival is the premier pre-professional musical theater organization on LI. Our programs encourage and nurture while providing opportunities for young artists to flourish and grow. We provide the opportunity for students to perform fully staged productions with a live orchestra, alongside a staff of industry professionals.

Music Institute of Long Island

90 Plandome Road, Manhasset 516-627-7052 milimusic.com miligirls@gmail.com Voted No. 1 Best Music School on Long Island and North Shore. Programs include violin, viola, cello, guitar, piano, voice, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba. Instructions in Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods for ages 3-99, beginner to advanced. MILI offers Chamber Music, Theory, Sight Reading, NYSSMA, and college preparation.

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

Nike Sports Camp

Locations across Long Island 800-645-3226 ussportscamps.com kfaunce@ussportscamps.com Nike Sports Camps is offering camps this summer across Long Island in basketball, baseball, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and more! 2021 summer dates and prices are now available, and spots are filling up fast! Check out our Find A Camp feature today to find a camp near you.

Oasis Day Camp at LIU Post

Brookville 646-519-5066 Steve Miller, camp director oasischildren.com liupost@oasischildren.com Located in beautiful Brookville Long Island, there is never a dull moment at Oasis Day Camp at LIU Post! We pride ourselves on our age-appropriate programming for ages 3-16. We encourage trying new things, establishing lifelong friends, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

Soccer Shots West

171 Eileen Way, Syosset 516-558-2266 soccershots.org/longislandwest liwest@soccershots.org Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. Our caring team positively impacts children’s lives on and off the field through best-in-class coaching, communication, and curriculum. Our expert-approved curriculum is age-appropriate and aligns with childhood education standards, visit the website at soccershots.org/liwest.

YMCA of Long Island

Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue 855-2YMCALI (296-2254) ymcali.org/camp camp@ymcali.org At the YMCA Summer Day Camp, we offer the best of adventure, athletics, aquatics, camp traditions, STEAM, special guests, and summer learning. Our programs for ages 3-15 are designed to meet your child’s interests and abilities. Two-week sessions run June 28-Aug. 27. Following NYS COVID-19 guidelines.

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The Scoop nymetroparents.com/register

LongIslandParent 21

family activities

Summer Boredom Busters

Between camp sessions, vacations, and afternoons at a museum or water park, there will be days when you wake up and wonder what the heck to do.

Make a family time capsule and bury it. Leave yourself a clue (somewhere you frequently look) with a reminder of when you hope to dig it up and where it was buried.

Play flashlight tag.

up with a secret handshake 5 Come or a funny word that only members of your immediate family are in on.

Have a sandcastle building competition. Points for size, creativity, and using natural items found on the beach.

Make your own hard-to-pop bubbles. Mix 1 cup of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of Dawn dish soap, and 1 tablespoon of glycerin. And make a bubble wand with the DIY found at nymetroparents.com/bubble-wand.

Play Would You Rather...?

2 Organize a neighborhood bike parade. It’s extra fun on July 4! 22

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

Kids love to choose between two bizarre options—and you’ll get addicted to this game too. Would you rather investigate scary noises in the attic by yourself or sleep outside in a sleeping bag alone? (The best thing about this game: No props required.) Find more prompts at nymetroparents.com/rather.

Organize a neighborhood scavenger hunt.

Participating neighbors hide predetermined little treasures around their property, then open up their yards to the excitement.

1O Set up a “Mission Impossible” challenge.

Thread yarn in between and around furniture, lamps, railings (anything sturdy and safe in the same room). Challenge bored kids to move from one end of the room to the other without getting “zapped” by the “laser beams.”

Paint with ice. Fill ice cube trays with washable tempera paint, freeze, and head outside with paper (or another fun painting surface— shells, tree bark, fabric) to get messy.

Have a family movie night.

And don’t forget your family’s favorite movie theater treats!

Bake your favorite cookie recipe to make homemade ice cream sandwiches. Bonus points if you make your own ice cream, too!

Volunteer with your kids. Whether it’s picking up trash in the neighborhood park, making cookies for the local firehouse, or organizing a fundraiser for a charity, doing good will make your whole family feel good.

Grow a green thumb.

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family activities

Summer Boredom Busters cont’d

Find a hidden treasure. Geocaching is a modern-day, real-world scavenger hunt that combines modern orienteering and the great outdoors. Learn the rules of geocaching and find a treasure hunt in your area at nymetroparents.com/geo.

Take your dinner outside to dine al fresco.

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Run through the sprinkler.

Relax on the beach while your kids build sandcastles. Make sure to slather on the sunscreen!

Excavate in ice! Running out of ideas on how to keep your wee ones busy on a sweltering day? Freeze a few small, inexpensive toys in a bucket of water, take it outside, and see who can dig one out first.

17 23 Play hopscotch. It’s even more fun than you remember. Draw pictures on the sidewalk with the leftover chalk.

Have a water balloon fight. Don’t forget to pick up all the balloon pieces when you’re done!

Tie-dye your world. Or perhaps just a T-shirt or beach towel—though usually, once we get started, we don’t want to stop! Tie-dye is the process of twisting, knotting, and crumpling fabric, binding it with string or elastics, and applying dye. Learn how to tie-dye with food coloring at nymetroparents.com/tie-dye.

Make a home movie, costumes and all! 24

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

Go screen-free for a week. This is an experiment worth trying, even though it may be challenging!

Have a limbo contest. Crank up the tunes, grab a long stick, and find out how low the kids can go!

Lay back in the grass and see what shapes you can find in the clouds.

Score a hole in one!

There’s something for everyone, including indoor and outdoor facilities, fun obstacles, and courses for every skill and age level. Up the competition and play not just for bragging rights, but for a free pass from chore duty. Visit nymetroparents.com/mini-golf to find a course near you.

Designate a family reading day.

Whether you’ve all gotten too much sun at the beach or a rainy day comes along, curl up on the porch, near a fan, or around the living room with a good book each. There’s something to be said for being lost in your own story while those you love are lost right next to you.

If it rains, let the raindrops help your kids create beautiful watercolor paintings! Find out how at nymetroparents.com/rain-painting.

Make sun tea.

Shop local at a farmers’ market. Bring your kids to help choose fresh produce, then have them help make dinner.

Everyone has a favorite recipe, but the basic one is 5 tea bags of any type + 4 cups distilled water in a glass container, covered, for 2-4 hours in direct sunlight. Let the kids drizzle some honey in theirs.

A Place to be Understood Winston Prep Long Island, NY is a leading school for students with learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, and non-verbal learning disorders (NVLD).

Learn about how our innovative learning program is helping students with learning differences succeed. Register for an in-person open house at winstonprep.edu/apply-now or contact Karen Preston, Director of Admissions at kpreston@winstonprep.edu 631-779-2400 | 30 Deforest Road, Dix Hills, NY 11746

LongIslandParent 25

family activities

Summer Boredom Busters cont’d

Build a home fit for a (fairy) queen.

Gather twigs, leaves, shells, flowers, moss, and any other found natural item, then scope out the perfect place for a fairy house (on a tree branch, in an old stump, under the shade of a large rock or boulder) and build!

42 33

Roast some marshmallows over the campfire for the quintessential summer treat: s’mores!

Learn how to Hula-Hoop.

Mark your calendar to gaze at the stars during the Perseids meteor shower.

Splash in some puddles. Or run around sans umbrella during a warm summer rain.

It’ll be active July 17-Aug. 26, but peak viewing will be Aug. 11-12.

44 Pick your own berries.

Just make sure your kids put more in the container than their mouths! Turn to p. 32 to find a roundup of our favorite locations.

35 Go for a family bike ride.

Clean out your closets and have a rummage sale. Then use the money for a family treat—or donate it to a charity the whole family agrees on.

4O 26

37 Catch fireflies in a jar. Go swimming! 38 Go camping. 39 Pitching a tent in your backyard counts!

Pizza party! Need we say more?

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

Have a family slumber party in the living room.

Go for a hike. Visit nymetroparents.com/hike for the top 5 family-friendly hikes in the area.

47 Fly a kite. 48 Go fishing. 49 Go bowling.

5O Make a playlist.

Ask your child to make one for you, and you make one for her, then dance or chill and share the stories behind your song picks.

Providing Services for over 50 Years

The Hagedorn Little Village School, Jack Joel Center for Special Children (HLVS), is a not-for profit program that provides services for infants and children up to 12 years of age with learning, language, and social delays, motor impairments, and autism with no direct cost to families: Related Services: • Speech • OT/PT • Parent Training • Family Support Services

• Evaluations • Early Intervention (Birth–3) • SEIT • CSE Itinerant Services • ABA Home Programs

Special Ed Classes: • Preschool (3-5) • School age (5-12) • Inclusion

750 Hicksville Road Seaford, NY 11783 516.520.6000 • littlevillage.org Funded and regulated by Nassau County (NCDOH) and Suffolk County (SCDOH) Departments of Heath,NYS, NYS ED Department Early intervention (EI) and Committee for Preschool Special Education (CPSE) services are for children who have or are suspected of having a developmental delay or disability. Evaluations must be referred by NCDOH/SCDOH for EI and/or to the local school district for CPSE. Services are provided based on an individual child’s eligibility as established by NYS DOH and/or NYS ED department and local government at no direct cost to parents. Parents are responsible for fees/costs associated with children.

LONG ISLAND SPEECH Licensed Speech Pathologists & Myofunctional Therapists

TELETHERAPY AVAILABLE!

Specializing in the Treatment & Correction of: • Language Disorders • Memory & Auditory Processing Difficulties • Fluency • Voice Disorders • Motor Planning Disorders

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Deviate Swallowing Tongue Thrust Feeding & Swallowing Problems/Aversions Thumb Sucking Articulation Disorders Oral Facial Muscle Weakness

Specialized Therapy Approches Including: • PROMPT • Individual Feeding Therapy • Augmentative Communication Evaluations & Therapy

844-5-SPEECH | www.LIspeech.com

Background Vectors by Vecteezy

LongIslandParent 27

health

A Safe & Social Summer

We talked to experts about how to be appropriately cautious when preparing for summer fun By Alison Kotch

ne of the toughest parts of the pandemic for both parents and kids was not being able to socialize in person. In fact, a Pew Research Center report found that during the last year, the thing American adults missed most was their social routine. Kids were forced to socialize online—the number of messages they sent increased 144 percent in 2020. But now that infection numbers are down and many people are vaccinated, everyone is eager to return to a version of summer that feels close to our “normal” mask-less lives. For parents, this means ensuring kids make up for lost time on the playground. “Play is the most powerful learning tool for children. The foundation of soft skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, and leadership is primarily built through play in children’s formative years,” says Ariel Kornblum, Psy.D., clinical director of behavioral and educational services at Manhattan Psychology Group. Unstructured playtime helps foster kids’ imagination and creativity, and it teaches them the coping skills required to navigate life; and strong attachments to both friends and family equip them for everyday challenges. This is true for parents, too. “Connecting to other parents is one of the hallmarks of surviving parenthood, and while this varies for every family, most [adults] rely on support from other parents for any and all challenges,” Dr. Kornblum says. So how do we safely socialize this summer? We spoke to experts about the precautions we should take for group gatherings.

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

Establish comfort lEvEls with othEr parEnts. Although the best course of action is to defer to state, local, and the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding masking, sanitizing, and social distancing, the first step toward normalcy is to decide what level of closeness is appropriate for your family. (This can be tough when our social habits have been disrupted by a trauma-filled year.) Younger kids will likely take longer to adjust to a pre-pandemic-style play, while older students with established friend groups and access to technology might have an easier time. Regardless of your child’s age, the adjustment to in-person socialization may take a while. “What is most important during this time is that parents remain supportive and understand that transitions may take longer than expected,” Dr. Kornblum says.

minimizE any potEntial coviD ExposurE. Parents should not assume that all kids in their friend group are safe playdates. “I always encourage open dialogues between family and friends in order to fully understand the risks,” says Gopi Desai, M.D., FAAP, general pediatrician at New York Presbyterian Queens. “Talk about the activities you and your family have been doing, and what those around you have been doing. This will give you a sense of what the exposure levels might be.” Dr. Desai recommends asking about vaccine status for adults

HEY, LONG ISLAND, and kids (older than 12) in the household. If all members are vaccinated, the risk of transmission is much lower. If kids haven’t been vaccinated, Dr. Desai recommends masks—parents should model mask-wearing behavior so their kids can follow their example. Also, talk to them about the importance of not sharing food/cups or items that are difficult to clean, and they should be reminded not to put toys in their mouths or touch their faces. If children will be eating together, and masks will be coming off, make sure to enforce social distancing rules. The CDC says that COVID transmission can occur when touching surfaces covered in the virus, or within 6 feet of others who don’t live in the same house. Another good nugget of advice: Postpone the playdate if anyone is sick.

ReseaRch summeR camp and play outdooRs. If you’re looking to send your child to camp, ones that are primarily outdoors are still your best option. Be sure to ask about safety precautions that will be taken by the staff. Dr. Desai recommends asking if masks are required at all times, if staff members are required to be vaccinated, and about the number of children that will be enrolled. “If staff members are vaccinated and most of the day is spent outdoors and in small groups, this will definitely lower the risk for children attending,” she says. Additionally, parents should know the rules when it comes to encounters with someone who has COVID. “Ideally, even large camps will split up into smaller pods so that kids and staff are only exposed to a limited number of people,” Dr. Desai says. No matter what level of socializing your family chooses this summer, keep in mind that the best option for one family may not be the best option for another family. And as Dr. Desi says, it’s important that kids find joy in their summer activities. “We know that there are clear benefits to attending in-person camp and having playdates, so it is crucial to encourage these activities in a way that is safe and mindful.”

WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER? While recent tests of the water coming into your home show it is safe to drink... is it safe enough? Contaminants, toxin, and chemicals in your water MAY meet the standards set up by local & state government, BUT that does not mean it is as safe as it could be!

The reality is that tap water throughout Long Island is NOT as GOOD as it COULD be... BUT IT CAN BE!

pHountain pHresh water is CLEAN and SAFE from over 278+ toxins and contaminants, every pHountain store then boosts this pristine water with Molecular Hydrogen. Our proprietary alkaline water filtration system reduces or removes chemicals, heavy metals, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and even things like Chromium VI & Flouride The benefits of drinking alkaline water are amazing: • Boosts energy • Weight loss • Hydration • Body detoxification • Immunity • Focus • Mood Visit any of our 10 Long Island locations for a FREE demo and to try our pHountain pHresh water so you can taste the difference. You can also learn about how to make your home pHountain pHresh.

Bring In The Coupon & Recieve:

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Must present this coupon in store. Not valid for online ordering. See store for details. Offer expires 8/31/21. CODE:350LIPTS21

Alison Kotch is a freelance writer, editor, and runner who specializes in wellness and travel content. She enjoys cooking and gardening and lives in Brooklyn.

631-991-3995

pHountain.com/whole-house-system LongIslandParent 29

family activities

Top Water Parks for Families Spend the day seeking thrills! By Stacey Feintuch

hen it comes to summer fun, sometimes it just must involve water. Look no further than indoor and outdoor water parks in the New York area. You’ll be cool all day, even if you have to wait in a line. There are plenty of options nearby, so we’ve rounded up a list of our favorite water parks in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania—all perfect for a day trip (or an overnight stay) from the NYC area. Grab your bathing suits and some sunscreen and prepare to beat the heat while staying cool.

Courtesy Kalahari Resorts

Hours: May 29-June 13: Saturday-Sunday 11am to close*; June 19-

Pirate’s Cove at the Land of Make Believe 54 Great Meadows Road – Route 611, Hope, NJ lomb.com • 908-459-9000 Hours: May 29-June 20, Saturday-Sunday and Memorial Day, 10am-6pm; June 21-Sept. 6: daily, 10am-6pm; water park closes at 5:30pm and amusement rides close at 5:45pm AdMission: Pay One Price for unlimited rides, shows, and attractions: $34; $31 seniors ages 62 and older’ free for children younger than 3. Cash or Discover only. Ahoy mateys! Your kids may not stop talking like pirates after their visit to Pirate’s Cove, the waterpark section at the Land of Make Believe. Take a walk on the wild side with a thrilling ride down Pirate’s Peak, zooming through a tunnel and waterfalls. Or stay cool as you explore Buccaneer Pirate Ship and the wading pool, both ideal for smaller children. Bonus: One admission price includes all rides, shows, and attractions, including the rides at Land of Make Believe. So, you’ll get an action-packed day of fun, on land and in the water.

runaway rapids Waterpark at Keansburg Amusement Park 275 Beachway Ave., Keansburg, NJ keansburgamusementpark.com • 732-495-1400 30

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

27: daily, 11am to close*; June 28-Sept. 6: daily, 10am to close*; Sept. 11-12: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm. *Closing times vary based on weather and park occupancy. AdMission: $33 for a 3-hour waterpark ticket; $15 Monday-Friday, 4pm to close; $22 Saturday-Sunday and holidays, 4pm to close Enjoy dozens of rides for all ages. Test your acrobatic skills at the Nestea Plunge, a Tarzan-style rope swing. Defy gravity on the uphill waterslide where you’ll plunge downhill, only to be propelled back uphill and down again. The younger set will adore Toddler’s Reef, where they’ll find a dancing fountain, climbable jeep, and more, all geared just for their size.

six Flags Hurricane Harbor 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ sixflags.com • 732-928-2000 Hours: May 29-June 13: Saturday-Sunday and Memorial Day, 10am-5pm; June 18-Sept. 5: daily, 10am-6pm; plus, Saturday, Sept. 11, 10am-6pm AdMission: $29.99 and up Thrill seekers will delight in the tall, fast, crazy, and of course, wet, rides here. At King Cobra, race through a snake’s body and then go face-to-face with a huge cobra head. Or raft through a 132-foot tunnel into the mouth of a huge funnel for a unique water rush. Little ones aren’t left out of the mix. They can explore Discovery Bay, a huge shallow water playground, or take it easy and cruise down the lazy river.

splish splash 2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton splishsplash.com • 631-727-3600 Hours: Schedule varies; check the online calendar. AdMission: Weekends: $54.99; $44.99 seniors ages 60 and older, children ages 2 and younger, and those shorter than 48 inches. Weekdays: $49.99; $39.99 seniors ages 60 and older, children ages 2 and younger, and those shorter than 48 inches. Splish Splash, with 96 acres of slides and attractions, offers fun for everyone. Enjoy more than 20 water slides, two wave pools, a large kiddie area, lazy river, and a tropical bird show. Plus, experience high speed slides like Bombs Away and Riptide Racer.

The Great Wolf Lodge

mountain Creek Waterpark

1 Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun, PA greatwolf.com • 800-768-9653 Hours: daily, 10am-8pm Admission: Full- and half-day passes are available; prices vary by date. Feed your need for adventure at this indoor water park. Find out what it’s like to ride a roller coaster made of water on Hydro Plunge. It propels your raft, via a motorized track, up a steep climb, only to send you plunging down a thrilling 52-foot vertical drop. Or try The Double-Barrel Drop. It’s the ultimate water slide with flashing LED lights, electrifying twists and turns, barrel drops, and 450-degree spins.

200 Route 94, Vernon, NJ mcwaterpark.com • 973-827-2000 Hours: Opens June 19; daily, 11am-5pm Admission: $39.99; $10 parking. Passes must be purchased online. Enjoy the great outdoors, water style, at this mountainous water park. Get an adrenaline rush as you plummet through the double-looping thrill slide, Zero-G. Or see if you can handle the iconic Colorado River Rapids. Kids World features Junior Rapids and Fishing Village, a children’s water playground sure to entertain little ones.

Thundering surf Waterpark

Kalahari resorts 250 Kalahai Blvd., Pocono Manor, PA kalahariresorts.com • 570-580-6000 Hours: Indoor water park: Sunday-Thursday, 10am-8pm; FridaySaturday, 10am-9pm. Outdoor water park: Closed for the season. Admission: Prices vary depending on the date. Get ticket prices here. At 220,000 square feet, this is the largest indoor waterpark in America. It’s part of Kalahari Resorts, a mega resort with an African theme (named after the Kalahari Desert). On the Anaconda, hang on tight as you navigate sharp turns and high-speed plunges on this family raft ride. Or go for Barrelling Baboon, where you’ll slide through soaring dips and twists.

300 Taylor Ave., Beach Haven, NJ thunderingsurfwaterpark.com • 609-492-0869 Hours: June 12-18: daily, 10am-5pm; June 19 through the end of the season: daily, 9:30am-6:30pm Admission: Day passes: $39.99. 2- and 3-hour admission options are available. Everyone in the family will have fun getting wet at Long Beach Island’s popular waterpark. Little ones can romp around, and adults can relax at Cowabunga Beach. Sail down 1 of 8 whirling water slides or float along the lazy river, which features interactive water play activities. Just beware of the river’s surprise mega-water blasters.

Stacey Feintuch is has written for BestofNJ.com, The Bump, Care.com, Highlights for Kids, and other outlets. She lives in Bergen County, NJ. A mom to two boys, you’ll find her at the baseball diamond on the weekends.

Linda’s Studio of Performing Arts Classes for all ages: Children & Adults Ballet · Tap · Jazz · Hip Hop · Musical Theater · Mommy and Me Tu Tu’s & Tap Shoes · Couple’s Wedding Dances Quinceañera · Sweet 16 Dances · Daddy Daughter · and MORE!

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family activities

Go Berry Picking!

The top spots to pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. By Alison Leighton

erry picking is one of the most fun family activities when the season rolls around. When your children are small it is absolutely adorable to watch them learn how to pick the fruit and have fun filling up a little container, while also teaching them about where we get our food. Don’t forget sunscreen, your bottle of water, good shoes for walking on uneven ground, and some cash in case a farm doesn’t have an ATM. A tip before you head out: Always be sure to check with a farm in advance by calling or checking out its website or social media to find out what’s in season and what’s still available.

ochs orchard 4 Ochs Lane, Warwick ochsorchard.net • 845-986-1591 Hours: Farm Market: daily, 9am-5:30pm; pick your own: not announced yet Admission: Rates for 2021 have not been announced yet. Mid-June kicks off the pick-your-own season with strawberries, and in July there are peaches, blueberries, raspberries and plums. August has tomatoes, peaches, peppers, eggplant, raspberries, nectarines, apricots and plums. Be sure to check out the Farm Market with delicious goods made from the farm’s produce and veggies like jams & jellies, pure maple syrup, butters, apple cider, honey and more.

Patty’s Berries and Bunches

Garden of Eve Farm 4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead gardenofevefarm.com • 631-722-8777 Hours: Through July 16: daily, 9am-6pm (hours for the farm and the U-Pick time slots); call ahead to make sure berries are available at the day and time you plan to come. Admission: $9.95; free for children younger than 2. Fee does not include the cost of berries. This organic farm is dedicated to providing delicious organic vegetables and fruits. It’s one of the only certified organic U-pick fields on Long Island and it offers other fun activities too! Strawberries are available through the end of June, blueberries are available beginning in late June, and blackberries are available starting mid-July. Admission includes unlimited access to U-pick organic field and the Family Fun Fields, which include unlimited hayrides (Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm), pedal karts, hay tower, farm animals, spider web, live music, and more.

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

410 Sound Ave., Mattituck pattysberriesandbunches.org • 631-655-7996 Hours: daily, 9am-5pm Admission: Free; $7.50 per basket for U-pick fruit. This farm offers a variety of seasonal U-Pick fruit options starting in June with strawberries, then raspberries and blueberries in July, and blackberries in August. There are a number of beautiful flower bunches you can purchase as well. Be sure to stop at The Ice Cream Patch, the farm’s ice cream stand, and indulge in seasonal ice cream made from the farm’s own fruits.

Alstede Farms 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ alstedefarms.com • 908-879-7189 Hours: Pick Your Own: daily, 9am-6pm; last entry is 5pm. Farm store: daily, 9am-7pm. Admission: $9.99 entry, plus 1 quart; $6.99 additional quarts; $49.99 entry, plus 6 quarts; $44.99 additional 6 quarts. Tickets must be purchased in advance on the website. Pick-your-own strawberries are in season through June, while blueberries and raspberries are in season at the end June through July, and blackberries will be available mid-August. Plus, there are lots of activities to keep your children happy, such as pony rides and a seasonal maze (the evergreen maze is open now, while the corn and sunflower mazes will open later in the summer). As

a result of COVID, you now must pre-purchase a PYO ticket for a specific time slot online. Before you leave, make sure you try some homemade ice cream from the stand made with the farm’s own freshly picked fruits.

Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton NJ terhuneorchards.com • 609-924-2310 HOurs: Daily, 9am-5pm (blueberries not available for picking Mondays throughout the season) AdmissiOn: Call before you visit to find out the latest pricing for the season. Strawberries: $4 minimum charge per person ages 3 and older paid before you enter the patch. This will get credited to the final amount picked at the end. Ripe strawberries are available late May through early June, cherries (sweet and sour) and blueberries are ready mid-June, and blackberries are available in July. Families can visit the farm animals in the barnyard and enjoy the children’s play area. The orchards also have a winery, family activities, and a full calendar of events like a winery music series, Kite Day, and “Read & Pick” events for children. You can also find fresh pressed cider, pies, and other homemade goodies at the country-style Farm Store.

Jones Family Farms 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton, CT jonesfamilyfarms.com • 203-929-8425

HOurs: Strawberry season: Monday-Saturday, 8am-5:30pm; Sunday, 8am-12pm. Blueberry season: Tuesday-Saturday, 8am-5:30pm AdmissiOn: Admission to the farm is free, and berries are purchased by the pound. The strawberry picking season starts mid-June and lasts into the end of June, sometimes early July. Blueberries are typically available in early to mid-July and usually last until mid-August. The Jones Family has owned the farm for more than 150 years and claims to have one of the finest harvest-your-own picking experiences due to its high-quality crops and the knowledgeable, friendly farmers.

silverman’s Farm 451 Sport Hill Road, Easton, CT silvermansfarm.com • 203-261-3306 HOurs: Pick Your Own: daily, 9am-4:30pm (when fruits are in season). Farm Market and Animal Farm: daily 9am-5pm. AdmissiOn: Pre-purchased bags are required before entering the orchard. This farm has fruit picking, an Animal Farm, and a market with jellies, cheeses, pies, and more. The beginning of July is the kickoff to the berry picking season. Raspberries and blueberries will be ready at that time, and peach picking begins in mid-July. Children can visit the Animal Farm to feed and pet buffalo, llamas, alpacas, deer, and more (there is an admission fee), and during the summer the Animal Farm hosts story and craft times (free with paid admission).

Alison Leighton is the founder of Social Parent NYC (@SocialParentNYC), which hosts events for parents and their babies/toddlers. She lives in NYC with her husband and son and spends a lot of time reading Corduroy and wondering why Play-Doh smells so good.

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516-579-4200 1089 Hicksville Road, Seaford 1/4 Mile North of Southern State Parkway (exit 29N, Rte. 107) Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 11am-5pm Clothing must be in good condition, of current style, freshly laundered and neatly organized in boxes or other folding containers. Toys, equipment and furniture items must include all original parts, be clean and in good working condition, and meet all industry safety standards. Because the safety of children is a top priority of Once Upon a Child, we are unable to purchase recalled or retrofitted products. We reserve the right to refuse items based on condition, current inventory levels and past experience.

LongIslandParent 33

mental health

Practicing Mindfulness These activities can help kids feel present, relax, and build resilience. By Vera Sirota

ids have experienced a lot of upheaval over the past year and a half, including interruptions to school, among other serious challenges. Luckily, there is a powerful tool to help us navigate difficult times: mindfulness activities. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a renowned expert in the field of mindfulness, defines the practice as “the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” Through mindfulness, we learn to slow down, be aware, and breathe. Using mindfulness activities, kids can learn to cope with stress, regulate emotions, and strengthen their focus. It’s beneficial to learn about mindfulness at any time, but it can truly provide a lifeline during stressful times. Below are some strategies to help your child quiet their mind and build resilience. Explore these activities as a family to see which are the best fit for you and your kids!

For Ages 2-5 introduCe young kids to yogA. Try a virtual yoga class tailored for toddlers and preschoolers with Karma Kids Yoga, a Manhattan-based yoga studio for children. Pre-recorded classes are available through its YouTube channel. Check out the Karma Kids Yoga schedule to discover engaging classes that encourage mindful movement for your little one and help them find their inner Zen. teACh them how to identiFy their Feelings. Teaching our toddlers and preschoolers how to identify and name their feelings is an important part of growing up. Being aware of our emotions, and how they affect us, is also a key component of mindfulness. Read Todd Parr’s book The Feelings Book and discuss how it’s normal to experience different feelings every day. Learning how to name feelings is also a key cornerstone in helping preschoolers build emotional intelligence skills. meditAte with elmo, Cookie monster, And other sesAme street Friends. In an effort to help kids and parents combat the stress and anxiety brought on by the pandemic, Headspace and Sesame Street partnered to create “Monster Meditations,” six animated shorts to teach kids mindfulness, meditation, and social and emotional learning. The shorts are around 3 minutes long and feature animated versions of Sesame Street Muppets expressing feelings of frustration, impatience, being overwhelmed, nervousness, disappointment, and excitement, and learning breathing techniques, sensory activities, and mindfulness techniques to help manage everyday scenarios.

For Ages 6-8 For All Ages CreAte A “CAlm Corner” or “peACe seCtion” in your home. Guide your child to decorate a poster with pictures of their favorite people, significant places, and meaningful objects. When your child feels sad or overwhelmed, they can sit in the calm corner with cozy blankets or on a bean bag to turn around their mood and have a “time in.” inCorporAte mindFulness into your everydAy FAmily liFe. Whether it’s part of your child’s bedtime routine or something you do while sitting down to dinner together, have everyone identify one thing you are grateful for each day. A focus on gratitude enables us to appreciate our blessings. Use this time to put stressful moments from the day behind you. 34

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

teACh kids to FoCus on breAthing. Don’t be intimidated by meditation! Place a “breathing buddy,” such as a favorite stuffed animal, on your child’s stomach. Follow a guided meditation from Linda Lantieri’s book Building Emotional Intelligence: Practices to Cultivate Inner Resilience in Children as your child concentrates on their breathing. The stuffed animal provides a visual cue for kids to connect with the present moment and relax. meditAte with bArbie. Headspace for Kids partnered with Barbie to raise awareness surrounding emotional well-being and mindfulness exercises like meditation with the Barbie Wellness Collection. Exercises include meditations that will help kids get ready for their day in the morning, bounce back from scary and worrisome thoughts, appreciate the world around them, settle down for bed, and simply breathe.

ExplorE foods with your sEnsEs. Even the simple act of eating a snack can teach us mindfulness—enter Raisin Meditation. Use your senses to evaluate how it looks, smells, feels, and tastes. Focus on chewing the raisin by counting how many bites you took before swallowing it. Showing this level of attentiveness helps our kids to cultivate mindfulness. MakE a MindfulnEss craft. Read the book Peaceful Piggy Meditation by Kerry Lee Maclean and construct a “mind in a jar” as an extension activity. Fill a jar with water and glitter, similar to a homemade snow globe. Shake the jar and watch the glitter settle on the bottom. When the water is clear, it reminds us to nurture a sense of calm. Notice and discuss with your child how the story and mind in a jar activity go together.

for agEs 9-12 spEnd tiME coloring in a MindfulnEss coloring book. Coloring isn’t just for young kids anymore. Older kids, tweens, teens, and even adults are finding their way back to the childhood favorite—and it’s a great way to practice mindfulness. Consider purchasing a mandala coloring book. Mandalas are important in the Buddhist and Hindu faith traditions and include a series of geometric shapes. Coloring mandalas is a gentle way to still the mind and express one’s creativity. go for a walk outsidE. Step into the outdoors for a nature walk. While focusing on your senses, point out what you and your child observe as you walk and take deep breaths. This exercise helps both the mind and body through the restorative power of nature.

for agEs 13 and oldEr listEn to soothing Music and journal. Teenagers may experience anxiety as part of their development. Encourage your teenager to listen to soothing instrumental music while expressing their thoughts in a journal. To help with brainstorming, have your teenager check out some mindfulness writing prompts, like what are you grateful for, what is something you feel nervous about, brainstorm a list of everything you’d like to do, and make a list of 25 things that make you smile. utilizE aroMathErapy to crEatE a calM, Mindful EnvironMEnt. Purchase some lavender body cream or an essential oil for your teen. Aromatherapy can assist in setting a contemplative mood. crEatE a Mantra or statEMEnt of affirMation. Teenagers can benefit from learning how to use affirmations and mantras. Affirmations are positive statements meant to uplift our spirits and shape our state of mind. Show your teen how to use the power of words to stay grounded and reject negative self-talk. Above all, an important key to mindfulness is modeling it for our kids. When we are mindful together, we can establish meaningful routines that promote self-care and help us to stay connected as a family, even in the toughest of situations. Vera Sirota is a writer, teacher, and proud mama of two beautiful girls.

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teens

A Positive Body Image Teens often have negative body images—how can parents help? By Sara Ackerman

teenager’s body image can affect everything from selfesteem to choices about clothing, diet, and exercise. It can also lead to afflictions—from anorexia to body dysmorphia. During this last year of pandemic living, body image issues have exploded, and from 2020-2021, there was a 41-percent increase in people seeking help for eating disorders. Plus, COVID led to more time on social media, which only adds to the problem. What can parents do to ensure teens develop a healthy body image and how should they respond when issues arise?

How Parents Can HelP The first step for parents is to model a happy body image, says Connie Sobczak, author of Embody: Learning to Love Your Unique Body (and Quiet that Critical Voice!) and founder of The Body Positive, a California-based nonprofit devoted to helping individuals work toward body positivity. They should avoid obvious dieting or making negative comments about their own physical appearance—such as body size or aging. Making comments about their child’s physical appearance, whether positive or negative, may also have detrimental effects. Another way parents can help is by demonstrating a healthy relationship with food. Parents “should avoid language that moralizes food, such as eating ‘clean,’ or labeling food as bad 36

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

or unhealthy,” says Rosie Barton, LCSW, a therapist at Cobb Psychotherapy in Brooklyn Heights. “In the same vein, parents should aim to speak about body size in a neutral way and promote the idea that health is not dependent on a certain body.” Claire Mysko, an internationally recognized leader in eating disorders advocacy and education, explains that having conversations with your child from a young age about health and nutrition is a protective factor against a range of mental health issues, including eating disorders. Mysko recommends these conversations include emotional and mental health, as well as physical. Rather than talking about the importance of exercise, she recommends talking to kids about what physical activities they find fun. When parents talk too much about what foods are healthy, she adds, “we lose sight of the fact that meals are more than nutrition.” Mysko says reframing meals as a time for community and enjoyment can help prevent eating disorders. Social media frequently exposes teenagers to unrealistic images of health and beauty, despite influencers who promote fitness or “wellness.” Mysko says parents should be aware of the platforms their children are using and the accounts they follow. Talk to your child about how the images they are seeing are quite likely altered and not an accurate portrayal of realistic bodies. Limiting and monitoring teen’s screen time allows them to spend more time engaging with real-world, varied, and realistic bodies, rather than the curated and filtered images on social media.

eating DisorDers anD BoDy DysmorPHia About half of all teenage girls and a third of all teenage boys have engaged in unhealthy weight control practices including skipping meals and the use of laxatives, steroids, and supplements, according to Mysko. And because there is so much shame around eating disorders, there is a good chance the numbers are even higher, especially for boys who may be even less likely to seek help for something typically labeled as a “girls’ issue.” In addition to disordered eating, teens with a negative body image may experience anxiety, low self-esteem, or mood disorders such as depression. Negative body image may also contribute to body dysmorphia—a mental health disorder in which someone can develop a distorted perception of their appearance and fixate on “flaws,” real or imagined, to the point where it affects functioning in their lives. Body dysmorphic disorder affects about 1.7-2.4 percent of the general population, according to Melissa Horowitz, Psy.D.,

director of Eating Disorders and Weight Management Program at the American Institute of Cognitive Therapy in Manhattan. Researchers have found that symptoms can develop in early adolescence, although the average age of onset occurs in middle adolescence. The cause of body dysmorphic disorder is not entirely clear, but factors include genes, personality traits, temperament, and the environment.

When to Seek help In general, there are several red flags parents should be aware of when it comes to body image and disorders. Teens who are struggling with body image may cover up certain body parts and make increasing negative comments about specific body parts, including talking about surgery to change their bodies. They may have decreased interest in school, hanging out with friends, and other activities. They may spend significant time scrutinizing themselves in the mirror or refuse to look in the mirror. They may avoid looking at pictures of themselves or being photographed. Increased irritability or other changes in mood are other signs parents should be aware of. Parents should also take note if their teenager abruptly cuts out certain foods from their diet they were previously eating, such as dairy, meat, or carbs, or begins paying significant attention to calories or grams of fat. Mysko notes that eating disorders are often preceded by dieting. If parents have concerns, a crucial first step is to seek out a mental health professional who has expertise in supporting teens with developing a positive body image and a healthy relationship with food and exercise. “Sometimes it might be difficult for a teen to open up to a parent, but they might trust an external source more,” Barton says. Parents can also turn to their doctor or a pediatrician or reach out to a nonprofit group that can provide resources. Dr. Horowitz, however, cautions against over-pathologizing comments teenagers make about their bodies. For example, if your teen says, “I hate my stomach,” don’t jump to conclusions. This is first and foremost an opportunity for the parent to start a conversation with their teen.

Where to Find Help In addition to discussing concerns with a child’s doctor or pediatrician, who can provide recommendations for psychiatrists or local treatment centers, parents can also turn to the following resources: the national eating DiSorDerS aSSociation nationaleatingdisorders.org NEDA offers a screening tool, helpline, and a database of treatment centers around the country.

the BoDy poSitive thebodypositive.org This is a nonprofit devoted to helping individuals work toward body positivity. The website includes a number of online resources.

health at every Size haescommunity.com This site has a list of resources, including blogs, podcasts, and online groups.

nyc Well nycwell.cityofnewyork.us The 24-hour hotline (888-NYC-WELL) is staffed by mental health professionals. Plus, it has additional resources listed on the website.

The BEST things to do with your kids in your neighborhood delivered to your inbox!

The Scoop nymetroparents.com/register • The can’t-miss events for kids in the community each weekend • Roundups of things to do any day of the week • Resources for your kids and family near you

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raising kids

Talking to Kids about Gender & Sexual Identity 6 expert tips to help you have these important conversations with your kids By Madeleine Burry

any parents are overwhelmed by the idea of talking to their kids about gender and sexual identity. And that’s understandable, says Jeffrey Cohen, Psy.D., a psychologist at ColumbiaDoctors and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “We can all struggle in talking about gender identity or expression, as well as sexual orientation and identity,” he says. But don’t let this discomfort hold you back from having frank and ongoing discussions about these issues with your children. One reason for prioritizing these chats? You can’t count on schools to provide this information to students. For instance, while sexual health education is required in New York City schools, sex ed is not. “When children are not receiving comprehensive sexuality education, it has detrimental impacts regardless of the identities those children hold,” explains Ryan Mateo Sharnbroich, M.Ed., M.P.H., a sexuality education consultant. Kids miss out on learning about what healthy relationships and intimacy look like, as well as information about safe sex practices and consent.

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

“If we want our kids to have healthy, happy, pleasurable lives, we’ve got to take on that responsibility and fill in those gaps,” he adds. This includes talking about sex—and also about sexual and gender identity. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

Do your homework. An understanding of basic concepts is helpful for parents, according to Dr. Cohen, but it’s also reasonable to feel uncertain about what terms to use. “Certainly, the language has shifted a lot over time,” he says. You’ll want to be familiar with all the words that make up the acronym LGBTQ: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (or, sometimes, questioning). Plus, know the difference between: • Sex: This is assigned by doctors at birth based on genitalia. • GenDer expreSSion or GenDer preSentation: This is how someone expresses their gender (think: hairstyle and clothing, and also how a person behaves).

• Gender identity: This refers to a person’s internal understanding of gender—separate from a person’s sex assigned at birth, Dr. Cohen says. “There are many, many ways to experience your gender that transcend the binary [of man/woman].” • Sexuality: This explains who a person is attracted to. Think of these basics as a foundation that’ll help you feel more informed and comfortable having these conversations, Dr. Cohen adds.

it’S okay not to have all the anSwerS.

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“Your responsibility isn’t to be an encyclopedia and regurgitate facts for your kids,” Mateo Sharnbroich says. Instead, you want to make two things clear to children: You’re aware of gender and sexual diversity; you love and accept people however they identify or express themselves. “That value system matters more than being able to know and teach all the facts,” he says.

don’t put off converSationS until adoleScence. When it comes to talking about sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, Mateo Sharnbroich says there’s never a bad time to start. By age 3, most children know their gender, he notes. And while understanding sexuality comes later, that doesn’t mean you should hold off on discussing these topics. “Kids at really young ages can understand a diversity of family structures,” he says.

look for natural converSation openinGS. Your child’s questions and observations will often provide an opportunity to talk about gender and sexuality. For example, your preschooler may point out that a nuclear family is different from yours. Older kids may talk about a friend whose gender identity is different than their own. Kids of all ages may make gender-based statements (i.e. “only girls like princesses”). Be honest and age-appropriate in your responses. Give preschoolers simple, concrete responses, and encourage older kids to share their own thoughts and perspective. And note that with teens it may help to ask questions. Even if they don’t respond right away, they’ll understand that you’re open to talking. If teaching moments and questions don’t occur on their own, encourage them through culture. Watching TV together can start conversations and gives parents an opportunity to share their values. “There’s books and TV shows for children of all ages that show a diverse representation of sexual identities,” Mateo Sharnbroich says. Consider them your entry point.

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raising kids

Consider Conversations ongoing. Release the notion of a one-time, “big” talk on all things gender and sexual identity. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be sitting down with your 5-year-old and talking about what all types of sexuality exist,” Mateo Sharnbroich says. Instead, think of it as an ongoing discussion you’re having, that may evolve and deepen with your child’s age. This may help decrease your sense of urgency or stress. If your child asks a question, and you’re not sure how to respond, you can look up the answer together, or tell your child you’ll get back to them after you do some research, Mateo Sharnbroich says. No need to make something up.

show unConditional love and enCourage aCCeptanCe. “Make it really clear that your value system aligns with an inclusive, affirming approach,” Mateo Sharnbroich says. In other words: Live your values, be accepting, call out hateful language, avoid gendered phrases and assumptions, and show that your love for your child is big and unconditional.

talking to kids who have Come out For kids, it can be uncomfortable being the center of the conversation, Mateo Sharnbroich notes. Asking open-ended questions and talking positively about diversity show that you’re accepting, without turning an uncomfortable spotlight on your child as they share their sexual orientation or gender identity, he says. Dr. Cohen recommends some additional supportive behaviors: • express your love: Coming out can be scary for kids (yes, still) so express love, affection, and support. • use appropriate language and pronouns: Respect and affirm your child’s name and pronouns. Similarly, allow them to wear clothing that supports their gender identity.

• Be welComing: Invite your child’s LGBTQ+ friends to come to your house—make it a safe and welcoming space. • partiCipate in welComing Communities: Make sure all the organizations and institutions your child interacts with—school, doctors, camp, sports, religious organizations, and so on—welcome both your child specifically and LGBTQ+ people generally, as well as people with a variety of gender identities. • Build ConneCtions: Help your child meet other people in the LGBTQ+ community. Above all, speak about your child’s identity or orientation openly. “Saying nothing can be hurtful,” Dr. Cohen says. Defend them against insults and negativity from others. Counteract lingering myths by believing that your child can and will be happy as an LGBTQ+ adult. And “explicitly tell them that they will have a good life,” he advises.

Helpful Resources for Parents Looking to learn more? There are plenty of parent-focused resources available. planned parenthood plannedparenthood.org/learn/parents/identity You’ll find age-by-age tips for talking about sex and sexuality as well as sexual orientation and gender identity.

trevor projeCt thetrevorproject.org/resources Find an array of resources about how to show support, plus answers to FAQs.

gender uniCorn transstudent.org/gender The unicorn illustration graphic at this site, which is available in many languages, can help kids discuss their gender identity, gender expression, along with who they are physically and emotionally attracted to.

ameriCan sexual health assoCiation ashasexualhealth.org A rich source of science-based facts about sex and sexuality, with a helpful parent-focused page. ASHA is also behind the website iwannaknow.org, which provides information to teens and young adults.

talk with your kids talkwithyourkids.org The site’s Timeline Guide offers tips for how parents and caretakers can talk to kids about sex, sexuality, and gender from birth onward.

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

index Camps

Buckley Country Day School ..........................................................................................3 Camps ‘R’ Us.................................................................................................................5 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNALC........................................................................21 Countryside Montessori School ...................................................................................15 Destination Science .....................................................................................................17 Everbrook Academy of Glen Head .................................................................................2 Friends Academy ...........................................................................................................8 Kenwal Day Camp .........................................................................................................7 Little Sponges Day Care...............................................................................................31 Long Island Musical Theatre Festival ............................................................................33 Music Institute of Long Island......................................................................................35 Oasis Children Services................................................................................................33 US Sports Camps.........................................................................................................35 YMCA of Long Island ..................................................................................................15

The BEST Summer Activities are Here! Summer 2021

Child Care / day Care

YMCA of Long Island ..................................................................................................15

Classes

Music Institute of Long Island......................................................................................35 Soccer Shots ................................................................................................................37

danCe

Linda’s Studio of Performing Arts.................................................................................31

developmental

Hagedorn Little Village School .....................................................................................27 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.......................................................................27

Family Fun GuiDE Great Summer activitieS for Your familY

eduCation

Buckley Country Day School ..........................................................................................3 Countryside Montessori School ...................................................................................15 East Woods School ......................................................................................................23 Everbrook Academy of Glen Head .................................................................................2 Friends Academy ...........................................................................................................8 Huntington Learning Center ........................................................................................21 Winston Preparatory School - Long Island ...................................................................25 YMCA of Long Island ..................................................................................................15

Family entertainment

Jones Beach Adventure Excursions LLC .......................................................................13

health

American Lung Association .........................................................................................43 pHountain ...................................................................................................................29

researCh

American Lung Association .........................................................................................43

retail

Once Upon a Child ......................................................................................................44 pHountain ...................................................................................................................29

parents Published by

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

s a e d I ! N U Get F READ OR DOWNLOAD TODAY!

speCial needs

Hagedorn Little Village School .....................................................................................27 Huntington Learning Center ........................................................................................21 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech.......................................................................27 Winston Preparatory School - Long Island ...................................................................25

nymetroparents.com/fun

sports

Jones Beach Adventure Excursions LLC .......................................................................13 Soccer Shots ................................................................................................................37 NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area!

LongIslandParent 41

last word

What is your ideal picnic experience? Battery downtown near er th ei — er iv R n on the Hudso I’d bring bread, ce s. la n p w a to k er ic p iv n R s te tchester’ “I most of or the parks in Wes of y an or e fruit or crudité, 1, m r ie so be ay m ), Park or P ’s urray ost likely cuterie (from M some dessert—m y el it n efi d d cheese, and char an wine, snack on, a lot of Westchester anything else to —Abby Diamond, ” e. at ol oc loaded with ch homemade and

“Our ideal picnic spot is called the LIC Landing—steps from the Hunter’s Point ferry stop. There’s a large grass field nea r the Pepsi sign. Ideally, we’d bring fresh fruit and healthy snacks, maybe a che ese platter, or three, and a bottle of Prosec co, but who are we kidding? We have little kids, so we usually end up eating chips and sugary garbage or prepared food from nearby Food Cellar.” —Aaron Lubarsky, Queens

nd! Brats and a “Governors Isla at Little Eva’s. frozen cocktail of summer.” My favorite part Brooklyn —Beverly Chase,

“Central Park for sure. I’d bring sandwiches and Chardonnay.”

an —Heidi Jules, Manhatt

June/July 2021 | nymetroparents.com

—Laurel Bauer, Westc hester

“I’d want to be near the water so any grassy area along the rivers, preferably in Brooklyn. Then I’d want fried chicken, slaw, cold beer or wine, and at least three varieties of chips—but also lots of ready to eat fresh fruit. That’s it…oh wait...also lamb biryani.” — Michael Moshan, Westchester

ndwiches, a s , rk a P ry , “Batte Feigenbaum —Andrew !” e in w and r Westcheste

“A balcony overlook ing Central Park, with charcuterie, baguet te, and red wine.”

MENTHOL: MENTHOL: It’s not just a flavor. It’s for Big Tobacco to target, It’sa manipulative not just away flavor.

attract and addict Black Americans. It’s a manipulative way for Big Tobacco to target, attract and addict Black Americans.

It’s not just in communities. It’s in Black communities using It’saggressively not justmarketed in communities.

Smoking-related illnesses are the Smoking-related illnesses are the

in the African American community in the African American community

elements of Black culture, putting productsusing on It’s aggressively marketed in Black more communities shelves and making them cheaper. elements of Black culture, putting more products on shelves and making them cheaper.

It’s not just addicting. The flavor makes menthol products easier to It’scooling not just addicting. startcooling and much harder tomenthol quit. The flavor makes products easier to start and much harder to quit.

It’s not just an injustice — It’s not just an injustice — it’s killing us. it’s killing us.

Help us fight this injustice at NotJustMenthol.org Help us fight this injustice at NotJustMenthol.org facebook.com/TobaccoFreeNYS @TobaccoFreeNYS facebook.com/TobaccoFreeNYS

@TobaccoFreeNYS

Oasis Summer Camp at LIU Post ™

A Premier Camp, Uniquely Affordable Daily Hot Lunch Included Transportation Options Weekly Theme Days and Special Events Daily Instructional Swim In An Indoor Olympic Size Saltwater Pool Daily Travel Program For Teens Ages 11-14 Extended Day Options (8AM-6PM) Air Conditioned Indoor and Lush Green/ Division 1 Athletic Outdoor Facilities Specialized Programs That Are Age Appropriate (Ages 3-15) Athletics, Gaga, Hockey Rink, STEAM, Visual/Performing Arts, Horseback Riding, Enrichment, Coding and Radio Broadcasting, and more

Info Sessions

Flexible Enrollment From 2-8 Weeks

Join us for an info session to learn more about our Summer Camp! April 10 at 11am - 12:30pm April 25 at 11am - 12:30pm Meet outside of the PRATT Recreation Center

Five Free T-shirts and A Backpack Included

NOW MORE THAN EVER YOUR CHILDREN NEED A SUMMER OASIS

Now! Camp Begins Enroll LIU Post Campus - 720 Northern Blvd, Brookville, NY 11548 liupost@oasischildren.com oasischildren.com June 28, 2021 646.519.5066

Long Island Parent - June/July 2021

Articles inside

Water Safety for Little Ones

Practicing Mindfulness

Is This the Summer for School?