Scarsdale Inquirer Kids! by The Scarsdale Inquirer

A SPECIAL SECTION OF

The Scarsdale Inquirer MARCH 8, 2013

Page 2A | the Scarsdale Inquirer

Inside Kids!

Juliette Blake Gross

It’s Party time! Celebrating little ones: the first 5 birthday parties.............. 4A

Best new products for wee ones..... 8A On new mom’s menu: placentophagia?............................ 13A Banking on the future of umbilical stem cells.............................................. 14A Circumcision no longer a clear-cut decision for parents...................... 16A Kids Health News & Notes from the American Academy of Pediatrics...................................... 22A Dealing with divorce: Keep separation separate from children.................23A Financial advice for expectant and new parents......................................... 39A

Cover Winner

family photo shoot turned into a winning picture for the Gross family. And it was 4-year-old Juliette taking the big prize as the cover kid this year. “Her eyes and how she looked very pretty in it — she looks like a little baby doll,” mom Mardi said. But don’t confuse the youngest of three for a softie — this tough cookie rules the Gross household in Scarsdale. Ten-year-old brother Carter and 8-year-old sister Mackenzie are no match for “the boss,” Mom said. “She has a very strong personality,” Mom noted. “She’s talkative and outgoing. She’s 4 going on 16.” This busy little angel loves to draw and especially enjoys taking dance and performance classes when she’s not at The Little School in Scarsdale. “She’s a happy person,” Mom said. “She’s very friendly, very articulate.” And don’t forget, she’s the boss!

Chloe Rebelo Dwyer

Teaching children money skills beyond allowance..................................... 40A Greener schools can make a difference for kids......................................... 41A

Division one Winner

Parent’s Guide to Arts, Camps, & Enrichment..............................45-49A

pon finding out that Chloe was one of our contest winners, grandfather Allan Shapiro of Scarsdale said, “I expect no less.” He was, of course, joking. But not really. Fourteen-month-old Chloe is one of Allan’s 12 grandkids. She lives in Hartsdale and two of her cousins are also local — they live in Scarsdale, one a high schooler, one a middle schooler. Since she’s the baby of the family, “She spends 95 percent of her time at my house,” Allan said. “Not that I’m complaining.” Allan entered this photo of Chloe because of her eyes: “She’s so alert and eager to learn. She’s very curious.” Some of that curiosity leads her to play with some of her grandmother’s Chinese urns, which have rocks from the Yangtze River. Chloe likes to take them out, but she always puts them back in. Chloe’s dad, Tom, who is one of seven kids, grew up in Scarsdale and is now a firefighter for the village, something that makes the whole family proud. Since Allan’s grown children have grown out of the phase, he relies on Chloe for cuddling. “She’s very warm and friendly,” he said. “When you get to be my age you need a lot of cuddles.”

Endpaper: Speaking of Kids........ 50 A

2013 Scarsdale Inquirer

Day camp Guide

pages 31A-37A

Kids!

Jonathan Shawn

A special section of

The Scarsdale Inquirer

Division Two Winner

PUBLISHER Deborah G. White

onathan and his best friend Samantha (the furry one) are the same age, believe it or not. They were born 11 days apart in November 2008, which was the last big snowy winter we’ve had. To this day they are inseparable at 4 years old. The duo have grown up together, but that first winter was interesting — until March of 2009, neither of them ever saw the ground since it was always blanketed in snow. “That was a fun winter because Jonathan and Samantha were the same size for about three months and then she started getting big,” mom Aggy said. During Nemo last month the two were back out in the snow playing together. Jonathan also skis at Stratton, something he’s been doing for two years. Unfortunately Samantha was denied a lift ticket. Jonathan is also lucky to have two older sisters, Emily, 8, and Elizabeth 10. In addition to dogs and skiing, Jonathan loves the color blue and can name every character from his favorite movie, “Cars 2.”

P.O. Box 418, Scarsdale, NY 10583 914-725-2500 • www.scarsdalenews.com

SECTION EDITOR Todd Sliss ART DIRECTOR Ann Marie Rezen ADVERTISING DESIGN Katherine Potter ADVERTISING SALES Thomas O’Halloran, Barbara Yeaker, Francesca Lynch, and Marilyn Petrosa ©2013 S.I. Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without the Publisher’s written permission.

MARCH 8, 2013

Kids! Cover Contest Winners

Book Babies: When to start? What to read?.......... 3A

Home safe home: Childproofing ABC’s from infancy onward............ 6A

Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

Kids!

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 3A

Book Babies

When to start? What to read? By LAURIE SULLIVAN

othing creates the warmth and closeness like reading to your child after he or she has had their bath, cuddling together before bedtime. I remember those wonderful nights reading “Goodnight Moon” to my children when they were just months old, the soothing words sometimes lulling them to sleep. It was only one of many, many dozens of books I read to them over the course of their babyhood, prenursery and nursery school years and beyond. A book every night before bedtime — sometimes two or three — was the rule in our house. My son was a rapt listener who often wanted to hear the same books over and over. He especially liked Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” In fact he wanted to hear it year-round ad nauseum. Somehow reading The Grinch in the July heat was definitely out of sync with the seasons. The other Seuss books held great appeal too; their rhyming words and whimsical drawings could draw in any child under its

spell — or adult for that matter. Some of those rhyming phrases, especially those of “Green Eggs and Ham” were so easy to remember, I must admit I had them memorized myself from reading it to my nieces and later on to my own kids. Children definitely learn by example by seeing their parents read. When my son was 2, we found him in a club chair in the living room, his little legs crossed, with a paperback novel of ours opened upside down, pretending to read! I bought my kids tons of books, letting them pick some out when they were a bit older. My daughter loved listening to books and loved to make up stories with me, which we continued night after night. My kids went to story time at the local library and picked out books to borrow. My son liked a popular book series based on a children’s TV cartoon series, which I particularly disliked. I mentioned that to the librarian. She said the most important thing was that he wanted to read and be read to and not to worry which books he picked. He was motivated and that was all that mattered. Instilling the love of books and the love Continued on page 18A

For us, advanced care is not a goal. It’s a responsibility. Now open: the new inpatient “neighborhood” in our Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, home to the region’s only pediatric-specific intensive care unit and Level IV neonatal intensive care unit. This new neighborhood allows our team of pediatric specialists to continue providing outstanding family-centered care in a compassionate, state-of-the-art setting. It is just one of the $130 million in capital investments Westchester Medical Center has made during the last two years. We’re making these groundbreaking enhancements to ensure the highest level of care for you and your family, now and in the future. And that is just the beginning.

877.WMC.DOCS westchestermedicalcenter.com Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital

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Joel A. Halpern Regional Trauma Center The newest inpatient neighborhood at our Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, (l to r) Suvro Sett, MD, Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery; Lianne DeSerres, MD, Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology; and Michael Tobias, MD, Co-Chief of Pediatric Neurosurgery.

Burn Center • Behavioral Health Center Advanced Imaging Center

• Advanced OB/GYN

Page 4A | the Scarsdale Inquirer

Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

It’s Party time!

Celebrating little ones: the first 5 birthday parties By MARY LEGRAND

one to dress up like a cartoon character must consider whether their child or the young guests will be frightened by this gigantic stranger dressed in an unusual outfit. Instead, “you can find a large blowup cartoon character, which would be less expensive, and if your child is afraid you can move it to another area,” Vazquez suggested. The main point of a birthday boy and girl’s party is for the child to have a good time, Vazquez said. Making up the guest list is a first step, and parents should decide whether to keep it limited to children of the same age range. “This is important because if you want older kids to participate, you must have something for them to do as well,” she said. “For instance, if you are considering having a piñata, you can have two. That way you won’t have the older kids overpowering the smaller ones who are trying to get some of the goodies.” Another age-old guest list dilemma begins in preschool: does the whole class get invited? “For preschoolers, the size of the guest list is pretty much guided by personal preference and common sense (more than a couple of kids are probably too many for a 2-year-old’s party),” advises online resource whattoexpect.com. “But once your child hits preschool, there are a whole lot more kids to consider.” Whattoexpect.com suggests “this tried and true formula: Invite the same number

o matter a person’s age — from 1 to 101 — birthday parties are among the highlights of life. For some parents, though, holding birthday parties for the youngest family members can be superstressful in terms of the planning and follow-through. Luckily, there are some helpful tips available, both from party professionals and online resources, that can make the big day go much more easily. Jacqueline Vazquez, of Lifetime Events by Jacqueline, offers a number of ideas, noting first off that it’s good to keep in mind that even a small child’s birthday party shares basic similarities with other events. Every party benefits from a theme, she said, and after the theme is determined, the color scheme, menu and activities should quickly follow suit. “One of my favorite websites that I tell clients to look at for inspiration is pizzazzerie.com,” Vazquez said. “A vintage theme for young girls has surfaced in the last year. Basically, there are more ideas to plan a party than just the regularly used princess themes, Blues Clues or even superheroes. Think outside the box.” Vazquez has another important piece of advice: “Whether the birthday party is a small gathering or a large reception event, always keep one thing in mind — do not overwhelm the child.” Parents who might want to hire some-

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YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester

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MARCH 8, 2013 continued from the previous page

of kids as your child’s age. On the other hand, if your birthday boy loves a crowd or has a slew of close cousins, by all means expand the guest list. Feel bad about leaving half the class out? If it’s allowed, consider bringing cupcakes or decorated muffins to school for an all-access birthday celebration.” For the youngest partygoers — ages 1-5 — Vasquez suggests holding events with bright, thematic colors that attract their attention. For these preschoolers, “you can also have an area with a few toys they can easily access and play with,” she said. “For the 4- and 5-year-olds, I would involve more intriguing games, games in which they can play sleuths, solve puzzles or put together items.” Any party’s “big attraction is the table with all of the goodies, from the cakes, cupcakes, favors, balloons, etc.,” Vazquez said. It goes without saying that refreshments are a major part of all events, and little ones’s birthday bashes are no different. Always keep in mind that adults may not want to eat children’s food — and vice versa — so try and round out the offerings to make them age-appropriate. Instead of a cake to accompany lighting the candles and singing the birthday song, “cupcakes have been the popular dessert to incorporate in all events, and for this age group they are perfect because they’re easier for kids to hold and eat,” Vazquez said. Vazquez has planned elaborate chil-

Kids!

dren’s birthday parties that featured photographers, videographers, pet and magic shows, and the aforementioned cartoon characters. DJ’s are not typically hired for preschoolers’ birthday events, she said, but to get a smaller party started, parents might consider using an iPod loaded with children’s songs that’s connected to a sound system. “Four- or 5-year-olds who watch Disney shows like to hear Disney songs,” she said, and when kids hear music broadcast at a party they’ll often get off their feet and start dancing. After all, the whole point of children’s birthday parties is to have tons of fun and get lots of photo ops to cherish for decades to come. Parents need to take deep breaths before wading into the planning. The website whattoexpect.com offers some basic toddler party do’s and don’ts that should go a long way to easing parental birthday bash angst. “Keep it short” is first on the list, followed by “do get your tot’s input,” “don’t leave parents guessing” on the who, what and where of the party, “do plan age-appropriate activities,” “don’t feel you have to entertain the adults” and “do say yes to help. Even Superman had Lois Lane.” Not surprisingly, Vazquez agrees wholeheartedly, saying that one of the most rewarding parts of her career is carrying out parents’ plans for their child’s birthday party “so they can enjoy the day as well.”

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 5A

summer2013 Tennis Soccer Baseball Lacrosse Volleyball Basketball Little Stars Multi-Sport

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Creative Beginnings Children’s Centers 112 W. Hartsdale Ave., Hartsdale, NY 10530

(914) 428-1200

Page 6A | the Scarsdale Inquirer

Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

Home safe home

Childproofing ABC’s from infancy onward By JACKIE LUPO

abies are curious. They’re ingenious. Some would say, they’re downright devious. At least that was the case when our 15-month-old son decided to study the “childproof” latches we had installed on all our kitchen cabinets 25 years ago. It took him about five minutes of watching us, then fiddling around with his smart little fingers, to defeat each one of the cabinet latches we had so painstakingly installed. And yes, he laughed as he did each one. Great game! The world can be an exciting but dangerous place for folks who are under 3 feet tall. Get down to a crawler or a toddler’s level and you’ll see what we mean. Cabinets are full of poisonous substances. Coffee tables have sharp corners at just the right height to bump a baby’s forehead. Walls have potentially shock-inducing electrical outlets every 8 feet apart or so, and some of them have cords just begging to be pulled out, chewed on or tripped over. The steps are irresistible to babies from the time they can crawl. Here are some tips for making your home safer for your kids, from babyhood onward. Climbing dangers “Supervision is the first line of defense,” said John Trainor, owner of All Star Baby Safety, a firm that provides childproofing services throughout the New York metro area. “We should always supervise our children, but it’s not always possible.” Trainor said one of the most fearsome issues is furniture tipping. And the problem is not limited to a massive bookcase you might have in the family room or a tall chest of drawers in the master bedroom. Any piece of furniture with shelves or drawers that can pull out can easily become a ladder for kids to climb on, to get to the TV or to a toy somebody has put up on a shelf.

And, said Trainor, “A piece of furniture with all the drawers extended forward can kill the child as well,” since it can tip forward even if the child does not try to climb on it. Today, ASTM (formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials) standards require that dressers have a furniture strap, which is used to secure a tippable piece of furniture to a wall stud. Trainor said the standard is applicable to any piece of furniture that can potentially dip when 50 pounds or more of force is applied to the front of the dresser with all drawers extended. This standard applies to both adult and juvenile furniture. It’s especially important to strap recently built dressers to the wall, because their drawers aren’t just inserted into wood frames like old-style drawers; they have roller bearing tracks that make them very easy for a child to pull out all at one time. But any items that can potentially tip or be climbed on should be strapped. For older furniture, wall straps can be found in hardware or children’s furniture stores. Remember that kids can also make ladders out of lower cabinet drawers. Even if those drawers don’t contain anything hazardous, put latches on them, because an ambitious climber can pull them out and use them to climb up onto a counter. Don’t sit toddlers on the kitchen counter for any reason; doing so tells a child that it’s OK to be up on the counter, and he or she may try to get up there when you’re not around. Flat screen TVs should be secured to the wall. Period. Especially hazardous are low TV cabinets with a flat-screen TV on an unsecured stand. Baby furniture safety The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends buying a crib that meets all current federal safety specifications. This includes no drop-down side rails, which were allowed to be included continued on the next page

June 24 — July 26

The Best Summer Ever...

It’s like talking to a friend who really gets your child and understands your priorities. Spectacular Summers provides individualized camp and teen program guidance based on our personal and up-to-date knowledge of the programs. We’ll listen to your input and make excellent recommendations for your consideration. Contact: Ellen Wylie Regarded as one of the most highly respected advisors by camp and teen program directors 914-722-2644 H 888-774-CAMP H ellen@spectacularsummers.com www.spectacularsummers.com

MARCH 8, 2013

continued from previous page

on cribs made before June 2011 (although many manufacturers voluntarily adopted the new standard banning drop-sided cribs a year earlier). According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over the nine-year period before the new regulations, there were 32 fatalities related to drop-side cribs. Many accidents with cribs were caused by hardware that did not function properly, resulting in entrapment, strangulation or suffocation. Hundreds more crib-related injuries were reported to the CPSC. Other important safety features for a crib include slats that are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Wider spaced slats could allow an infant’s torso to fall through, but could trap the child’s head. Exercise extreme caution when considering a used crib made before 2011. Old baby furniture may also have splinters, lead paint, decorative cutouts that could entrap a baby’s head, and missing, defective, improperly installed or nonstandard, replacement hardware. For more information about crib safety, visit the website of the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov. The website contains lots of helpful information on furniture safety, including a list of all cribs that have had safety recalls. The CPSC states, “Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell a recalled product.” A newborn should sleep on his or her back in a crib with tightly fitted sheets, says the AAP. Don’t put any bumpers,

Kids!

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 7A

pillows, quilts, blankets, sheepskins or stuffed animals in the crib; these could all present suffocation hazards to infants, and a collection of stuffed animals could give a toddler just the lift she needs to climb over the railing. Playpens are a great place to keep a baby in the middle of the action while preventing him from roaming and getting in trouble. But the CPSC said that between November 2007 and December 2011, they received reports of more than 2,100 incidents involving play yards, including 60 fatalities and 170 injuries. New federal safety standards for play yards were approved last June. The standards require that a playpen has to pass a stability test that shows it cannot tip over; it must have latch and lock mechanisms that prevent the playpen from folding on a child inside it; the floor of the playpen must be strong enough to remain rigid so that the child doesn’t get trapped by the floor; it must have minimum side height requirements to prevent a child from climbing out on their own, and if the play yard’s top rails fold downward, they must not use a hinge that forms a “V” or diamond shape when folded, because of the danger of head or neck entrapment. The changing table should be set up against a wall, not a window. The AAP recommends putting shelving in an adult’s (not baby’s) reach of the changing table to hold diapers, wipes and other essentials, so you don’t have to step away for even a second. Avoid using an old-style changing continued on page 28A

St. James the Less Episcopal Nursery School Crane Road at Church Lane Scarsdale, NY

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3 and 5 day programs for 2 year olds 4 and 5 day programs for 3 year olds 5 day program for 4 year olds MiNi CaMp June 10th - June 21st SuMMEr FuN CaMp June 24th - august 1st Experienced Staff Music Specialists, Chapel, Art, Science and Nature Language Enrichment Excellent Student - Teacher Ratios 2 Playgrounds

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Provides children (ages 3-12) with developmental learning needs a nurturing, learning and recreational summer experience. Inclusion options are available.

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*A new camper is defined as a camper who has never attended a JCC summer camp in the past. Cannot be combined with any other offers.

Page 8A | the Scarsdale Inquirer

Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

Best new products for the wee ones By TRACI DUTTON LUDWIG

he market for babies and kids is so ripe with options; sometimes it’s hard to sort out the choices. Given enough room for subjectivity, the best product is often the one that satisfies the child’s needs, makes the parents’ lives easier and gives everyone a good dose of fun. Because the busyness of parenting is indisputable, we did the work for you and compiled a list of cool finds. Some products are tried-and-true classics, while other products are totally new, coming from West Coast mommy-startups fueled by passion, intuition and many sleepless nights.

For rainy days Kiwi Crate, by Kiwi Crate At least three arts-and-crafts projects, complete with all materials and simple directions — wrapped up, tied with a bow and delivered to your doorstep in a cute green box. That’s what Kiwi Crate is all about. With projects geared for kids 3-7, there’s nothing better — and easier — for stimulating imagination and having handson fun. Kiwi Crates are available as single shipments for $19.95 per month or as an annual subscription for $220. Crates inspire various interests through kid-friendly themes such as pirates, growing gardens, dinosaurs and wind power. The pirate-themed crate, for example, contained all the supplies needed for an eye

patch kit, a parrot puppet kit, a paper pirate hat, blank pirate maps with X-marksthe-spot stickers, pirate flags and a small wooden treasure chest. For a nominal upcharge, you can double the contents of your crate — perfect for siblings, playdates and no-argument crafting.

For sweet dreams Cloud pillow, through Land of Nod Sometimes it’s not so bad to have your head in the clouds. For daydreams or nap times, the cloud pillow, available through Land of Nod, is sweet and whimsical. Kids and parents can’t resist the cloud’s wide grin and rosy cheeks. Measuring 13 inches wide by 18 inches high, the cloud pillow is small enough for tiny heads, but large enough to make a big visual impact. The Allison Cole design boasts a 100 percent cotton cover, with an allergy-free polyester filling. Cole, a printmaker and illustrator in Providence, R.I., devotes her days to independent work that makes people smile, so you can feel good about supporting the arts through the purchase of her pillow. And — as a bonus — with such a cutie pie calling for sweet dreams, your children might actually begin to relish the hour of bedtime. For safety Secure View Baby Monitoring System, by Samsung Technology has revolutionized the world — including baby monitoring. Long gone

are the days of piqued ears and handheld audio devices. Now, a host of audio/video monitors enables a constant gateway of communication, even when parent and child are not in the same house. The Samsung Secure View Baby Monitoring Device offers a 3.5-inch color video display, the ability to synchronize with up to four cameras, and a two-way talk feature that feeds your voice into your baby’s room. Secure View technology allows parents, friends and family to view live video on a private, secure channel accessible via Skype or MSN. A micro SD card slot enables videos to be recorded or shared with ease. Digital capabilities eliminate interference from nearby devices and ensure that audio and video signals remain secure. Other features include digital zoom, vibration alerts, a remote activated nightlight, a feeding schedule alarm and a night vision feature to see baby in the dark.

For independence Learning Tower, by Little Partners Inc. Two things are true — children like to help with everyday tasks, and they love to do things on their own. Little Partners’s Learning Tower is the perfect home accessory to facilitate both needs. Better than a stool or a stepladder, the Learning Tower combines safety and independence. Children can climb into the open framework of the tower themselves. SturContinued on the next page

MARCH 8, 2013

Kids!

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 9A

2013 CAMP LIST Take an additional

10% OFF

our already discounted prices on camp orders over $200 during the month of March

continued from previous page

dy side rails are designed to prevent loss of balance and falls. Carol Gamble, the founder of Little Partners, said she was inspired to create the Learning Tower by a passion to nurture the essential partnership between parent and child. She quoted Rachel Carson’s book “The Sense of Wonder:” “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder … he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” With a base platform of adjustable height, the Little Partners Learning Tower offers flexibility for different ages and stages. Utilizing its main purpose of bringing toddlers to countertop height, it is ideal for kitchen help, arts and crafts, and independent hand washing.

For on the go Travelmate, by GoGo Kidz Air travel can be a headache, especially with little ones and car seats in tow. Travelmate is a convenient, safe attachment for a variety of convertible toddler car seats. Parents love it because it makes maneuvering through airports much easier. Instead of carrying your car seat and holding your child’s hand, or lugging around a car seat and an umbrella stroller, the Travelmate allows you to wheel your child through the airport in the familiar comfort of his or her car seat. Weighing in at just 5 pounds, the Travelmate boasts 5-inch razor wheels and a telescopic handle. A new quick-release function provides extra clearance for airplane storage bins and the smaller X-ray machines at airport security checkpoints. continued on page 11A

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Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

The Scarsdale Inquirer

Cute kids Jill Eugenia Cruz

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for cleanup gRaSS COUNTeRTOP DRYINg RaCK, BY BOON Modern design plus smart functionality equals a kitchen helper that’s all about beauty and brains. Let’s face reality: babies go through a lot of supplies, which means a lot of empty bottles, nipples, collars, pacifiers, spoons and teething toys. Because many of these items are best handwashed, a good drying rack is a great investment. Boon’s version resembles a fresh patch of springtime grass that brings cheer to countertops year-round. The flexible green blades are completely free of PVC, Bpa and Phthalate. They support a variety of items that require drying — even oddly shaped items. Water drains into a drip tray beneath the miniature meadow — and can later be used to water real flowers.

for busy moms THe FILeS, BY SUgaR SNaP Innovative and beautiful, Sugar Snap Files are customizable labeled pouches intended to organize the contents of baby’s diaper bag, mom’s handbag or the family car. Busy parents know the art of staying on top of the day is to be prepared for anything that can happen in those 24 hours. Hence, all the backpacks and bags jammed with diapers, wipes, sunscreen, toys, crackers and juice boxes — which only end up epitomizing a mess! Realizing this situation from their own lives, the founders of The Files (two California mommies) set out to bring order to the chaos. Thus, The Files have been designed to fit inside standard size diaper bags and handbags. each File pouch is topped by an easy-to-identify tab to streamline the organizational process. The Classic File set is perfect for new moms. each File pouch has a prelabeled tab and comes with a suggested packing list. ConTinUeD on PAGe 12A

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For moms of older children, the ME+MINE Collection comes with customizable tabs so moms can create personal systems. The Car-Go System is a larger version of the Files. It includes an attractive fabric-covered box and is geared toward on-thego organization and travel. File pouches are expertly designed with a front panel of breathable mesh and a rear panel of printed fabric. All the files contain hooks attached to a durable metal snap ring. Cleverly imprinted with the words “Go Play,” the ring reminds users to join with their kids and have fun every day. For warm and cozy Night sack, by Dwell Studio Babies will sleep cozier and safer in a soft night sack by Dwell Studio. Beautifully designed for overall style, the sack features buttoned shoulder straps and a gently rounded bottom. It is the ideal way to keep baby warm and cozy at night. This shape envelopes baby in warm comfort — without any of the dangers associated with loose blankets. Sewn out of 100-percent cotton and lined with soft flannel, the night sack keeps baby nestled safely and stylishly. Dwell Studio’s

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coloring books for tiny aspiring artists. For nibbles and bites Food Face plate, by Land of Nod Picky eaters can’t resist the fun that Food Face plates bring to the dinner table. Made of high-quality ceramic, Food Face plates are printed with a simple drawing of a plain face. Empty and expectant, it begs for the accouterments of spaghetti hair, green bean mustaches, strawberry hats and cucumber earrings. These plates give new value to “playing” with food — kids get creative and broccoli gets a second life. Each plate measures a diameter of 8.5 inches, is dishwasher- and microwave-safe, and is packaged in a gift box with images of sample food faces. For generations to come Toys, by Green Toys Green Toys manufactures a wide range of high-quality, simple toys made completely from recycled plastic milk jugs. After milk jugs are picked up from curbside recycling containers, they are ground and washed to produce highdensity polyethylene — one of the safest, cleanest plastics in the industry. Green Toys uses this recycled plastic to mold creative and classic playthings for babies, toddlers and kids. All products are made in the United States and sold in earth-friendly corrugated cardboard boxes — free of cellophane, twist-ties and bulky hard plastic packaging. With tea sets and bathtub tugboats from Green Toys, playtime makes families happy. And Mother Earth, too.

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Kids!

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 13A

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encapsulated after the birth of her second child almost a year ago. With the birth of her first child, she “had a little bit of weepiness,” she said. When a friend who is a doula suggested that eating her next baby’s placenta could improve her mood and her lactation, she read up on it: “I said, OK, that’s really creepy. But I said it’s not going to hurt me; it’s my own body part. I said anything I’m going to do is going to be better than doing nothing.” She found a specialist certified in placenta encapsulation in a nearby city, who promised to arrive when her baby and her placenta came home from the hospital. Hospitals routinely discard the placenta as medical waste so, if you’re thinking of eating your placenta, it’s important to

sign the necessary release forms for the hospital. “I made it very clear I was saving my placenta,” she said. When she gave birth, her midwife inspected the placenta to make sure there were no anomalies. It was placed in a biohazard bag and the nursing staff put it in their refrigerator. When her husband went home that night, he transferred the bag to the refrigerator in their kitchen. One of Mom’s first visitors after she came home from the hospital was the placenta specialist, who donned a large rubber apron and put a giant pot of water on the stove. She steamed the placenta and saved the resulting broth, which she offered to Mom to drink. “She said if you drink it, your milk will probably come in in five hours instead of a day and a half,” she said. She was up for it: “It tasted like a beef broth, and I sipped it down kind of slowly. That night, I’m lying in bed and I woke up. My milk had come in with a vengeance.” As for the placenta, after the specialist was done steaming it, she cut it into little pieces, put them into an industrial-size dehydrator, then put the resulting dried pieces into a grinder and reduced them to a powder, which she put into capsules. “Depending on the size of your placenta you get a different amount,” Mom said. continued on page 17A

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ome have it roasted or sauteed. Some mix it into a smoothie. Some pickle it in vodka. And some steam it, dehydrate it, and take it in capsules. What is it? Your newborn’s placenta. The practice of “placentophagia,” or eating the placenta (also called the afterbirth) of your newborn, is common among many mammals, but not so much among the human variety. Until now. “Mad Men” actress January Jones announced last year to the world at large that she had eaten her baby’s placenta. Since then, even people who really didn’t want to know about placentophagia have been forced to think about it, at least for a second. “It’s something I was very hesitant about, but we’re the only mammals who don’t ingest our own placentas,” Jones told People Magazine. “It’s not witchcrafty or anything! I suggest it to all moms!” If this authoritative endorsement doesn’t convince you — or if the idea of eating a piece of tissue that acts as a filter for toxins makes you too squeamish to read on, that’s fine (you can, instead, read about donating your placenta, which has

potentially life-saving stem cells, to a cord blood bank — see accompanying story). In any event, placentophagia is, indeed, widespread among nonhuman mammals. Animals in the wild may eat their placentas to avoid leaving traces for predators to find. Researchers have also found that when animals ingest the placenta and amniotic fluid, it promotes interaction between the mother and the newborn, acts as an analgesic to relieve delivery-related pain in the mother, and stimulates opioid circuits in the mother’s brain that promote caretaking behavior. But University of Buffalo neuroscientist Mark Kristal, who has been researching placentophagia in animals for over 40 years, says that while the animal research he published last year in the journal “Ecology of Food and Nutrition” suggests that placentophagia may offer benefits to human mothers, “This possibility does not warrant the wholesale ingestion of afterbirth, for some very good reasons, but … it deserves further study.” So far, there have been no scientific studies involving human mothers and placentophagia, but that’s not stopping some mothers (especially those who use midwives and doulas rather than traditional obstetricians) from concluding that if it’s good enough for other mammals, it must be good for them, too. One mother of two had her placenta

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Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

Banking on the future of umbilical stem cells By JACKIE LUPO

few years ago we wrote about the potentially life-saving benefits of banking your baby’s cord blood stem cells for possible future therapeutic use. Since that time, researchers have found another source for umbilical cord stem cells: from the blood in the placenta itself. Stem cell therapies have become widely used over the past two decades. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “More than 5500 unrelateddonor cord blood stem cell transplants for a variety of pediatric genetic, hematologic, immunologic, metabolic, and oncologic disorders have been performed to date. The one-year survival may be as high as 75 percent to 90 percent after sibling HLA-matched cord blood donor stem cell transplantation and 40 percent to 80 percent after unrelated cord blood stem cell transplantation.” It was known that each cord blood donation yielded a limited amount of stem cells. Then, in a study conducted by Children’s Hospital & Research Center in Oakland and published in the July 2009 issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine, researchers harvested fullterm placentas from healthy women who were undergoing elective cesarean sections. They found there were also umbilical stem cells in the placental blood that were viable and could be extracted. Why bank your baby’s stem cells? The therapeutic uses of stem cells are still being discovered. Stem cells start out as “blank” cells that can be turned into any type of cell, such as muscle, brain or blood. A well-known use of stem cells is the practice of bone marrow transplantation to treat blood diseases such as leukemia. Bone marrow contains stem cells, but the process of transplantation is invasive and the availability of donors is limited. So when the potential for using stem cells harvested from umbilical cords was discovered, there was great excitement in the medical community. Cord blood stem cells could be harvest-

ed and frozen at facilities specializing in separating the stem cells from the plasma and preserving them in cryobanks indefinitely. Private stem cell banks began to market their services on the grounds that if a baby needed stem cell therapy at a future date, stem cells that were a perfect match would be available. But there are problems. Once a person reaches 65 pounds, the amount of stem cells available from an umbilical cord may be too small to treat that patient. Add stem cells from the placenta to the equation and the number of available stem cells can double, and the lifesaving potential of this larger amount of cells means that they can benefit a larger person. To date, most private facilities that can preserve umbilical cord blood stem cells are not equipped to also preserve the stem cells from the placenta. But that number is growing, because banking stem cells from both the cord and the placenta can double the yield of stem cells. Private cryobanks can charge parents fees ranging into the thousands of dollars for the collection and storage of umbilical stem cells. In 1991, the first unrelated cord blood-banking program was established at the New York Blood Center, and it was followed by other public cord blood banking programs around the world that

collected the blood, typed it, screened it for possible infection and stored it cryogenically for future transplantation into related or unrelated recipients. Programs have been funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the American Red Cross, the National Marrow Donor Program and academic programs based in not-for-profit organizations, and there is a National Institutes of Health program for sibling donor collection that is directed specifically at families where a first-degree relative has been diagnosed with a disease that is treatable with cord blood. In this program, the families own the cord blood and it is shipped to a transplant center to await the possible medical decision to transplant the stem cells into the ailing sibling. The medical establishment tends to look askance at commercial cord blood banking companies who market their services with claims that cord and placental stem cells can be used to treat diseases in the person whose umbilical cord and placenta were the source of the stem cells. There is considerable controversy about these claims. A position paper on the subject published in the journal Pediatrics of the American Academy of Pediatrics stated, “Families may be vulnerable to the emotional effects of marketing for cord

blood banking at the time of birth of a child and may look to their physicians for advice. No accurate estimates exist of the likelihood of children to need their own stored cord blood stem cells in the future. The range of available estimates is from 1 to 1,000 to more than 1 in 200,000.” In addition, research indicates that some of the conditions that could be treated by cord blood stem cells might already have been present in the person’s stem cells when they were born. The AAP states, “There is also no evidence of the safety or effectiveness of autologous [same person] cord blood stem cell transplantation for the treatment of malignant neoplasms. Indeed, there is evidence demonstrating the presence of DNA mutations in cord blood obtained from children who subsequently develop leukemia. Thus, an autologous cord blood transplantation might even be contraindicated in the treatment of a child who develops leukemia.” But cord blood stem cells are sometimes a satisfactory match for other family members, especially full siblings (some research indicates there is about a 25 percent chance that a sibling donation will match). Cord blood stem cells have also been used successfully in treating unrelated individuals. Stem cell transplants can be a lifesaver for a child suffering from a blood disease if his parents have another baby whose stem cells are a match for the ailing sibling. Banking stem cells from a new baby is not a guarantee that those cells will be an exact genetic match for a sibling. It has been shown, however, that umbilical and placental stem cells from a sibling are up to twice as likely to be compatible as stem cells from a sibling’s bone marrow. In addition, the number of public cord and placental stem cell banks is increasing as more people become aware of the potential value to society of donating their newborn’s umbilical cord and placental blood. As the use of these stem cells grow, so has the recognition that there must be a reliable process for reporting of any donor who subsequently continued on the next page

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develops a disease. Despite these caveats, the use of stem cells from the cord and placenta is growing. according to the Parents guide to Cord Blood Foundation, there are a number of diseases for which transplants of blood-forming stem cells are considered standard treatment. In some cases, they are the only treatment, and in others they are used when other treatments have failed. according to information from the foundation, for certain diseases, “almost all standard therapies are allogenic, where the patient must find a matching donor.” These include many types of leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes (sometimes called “pre-leukemia”), some anemias (deficiencies or malformations of red blood cells), such as aplastic anemia and Fanconi anemia (in fact, the first cord blood transplant, in 1988, was for this disease, which is an inherited blood disorder), some bone marrow cancers, and some inherited red cell abnormalities, such as sickle cell disease. Stem cells are also considered standard therapy for some inherited immune or metabolic disorders and some solid tumors not originating in the blood or immune system, such as neuroblastoma. The term “standard therapy” is important because health insurance is more likely to cover standard therapies than those that are still in the stage of clinical trials or in the experimental stage (for a list of diseases in the “standard,” “clini-

cal trial,” and “experimental” categories, visit arentsguidecordblood.org/diseases. php#standard). Therapies are now in clinical trials for a variety of autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, Crohn’s, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and MS; for several cardiovascular and neurologic conditions; and for orthopedic repair of cleft palate and for damaged cartilage. Clinical trials are also going on for stem cells and gene therapy for a wide range of inherited disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and many more. On the horizon, there is experimental research going on to investigate other possible uses of stem cells to treat neurologic conditions such as alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and to regrow damaged heart or liver tissue. Who should bank cord and placental blood stem cells? any healthy infant’s cord and placenta blood can be banked, but particular emphasis is being placed on families with a history of diseases that are treatable with stem cells, such as leukemia or lymphoma; ethnic minorities, because these groups may have difficulty finding stem cell donors; and couples adopting a newborn baby, since this will be the only chance to gather stem cells that are genetically related. This also applies to couples undergoing fertility therapy with donor sperm and/ or eggs. For both these categories, however — adoptees and donor sperm and/ or eggs — there are caveats about the possible usefulness of an autologous stem cell transplant, as noted above.

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Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

Circumcision no longer a clear-cut decision for parents By JOHN ROCHE

hoosing your babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, selecting the dĂŠcor for the nursery, figuring out whether to use bottles or breastfeed â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the decisions facing soon-tobe or new parents abound. But perhaps an overlooked decision for parents of bouncing little boys is whether or not to have your son circumcised. For many parents, the choice is a simple one, because it is based on the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural or religious beliefs. But for others, the decision to circumcise or not isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as clear-cut. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the hood of skin, commonly referred to as the foreskin, covering the tip of the penis. Although the practice has been prevalent in some cultures and religions for thousands of years â&#x20AC;&#x201D; there are records of Egyptians circumcising newborn males as far back as 2400 B.C., for instance, and those of the Jewish faith have performed circumcision, or bris, on 8-day-old boys for at least 3,000 years based on their belief that God commanded Abraham to circumcise his son â&#x20AC;&#x201D; there is a growing number of critics who view the practice as medically unnecessary at best, and outright genital mutilation, at worst. After completing a comprehensive review of available scientific evidence last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics â&#x20AC;&#x153;found the health benefits of newborn male circumcision outweigh the risks, but the benefits are not great enough to recommend universal newborn circumcision.â&#x20AC;? Instead, the AAP urges parents to consult their pediatricians about the pros and cons of circumcision, then make their own choice based on that information as well as in the context of their religious, ethical and cultural beliefs. Local experts generally agree. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The choice is completely up to the parents,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Robert Rosenberg, who serves as director of pediatrics at White Plains Hospital as well as in private practice at Hartsdale Pediatrics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I educate parents about the benefits of circumcision, but still the general rule is to follow cultural and religious norms.â&#x20AC;? Dr. Pete Richel, chief of pediatrics at

Northern Westchester Hospital, said he discusses the pros and cons with expectant parents, but makes it clear that the decision is theirs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recommend either way,â&#x20AC;? Richel said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I simply present the data and allow them to make the choice. I do reassure them that I am not overly concerned with risk, and that the potential benefits outweigh the risks.â&#x20AC;? So what are the risks and benefits? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The risks are pain, infection, excessive blood loss and inadequate removal of foreskin,â&#x20AC;? Richel explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Addressing these risks, I will tell you that, yes, the infants do feel this pain. However, it is very fast, and we prophylax with acetaminophen analgesia in our nursery setting. I have never seen a circumcision infection, although it has been reported. Blood loss is rare, and should only happen with significance if there is a blood dyscrasia, which is rare, such as hemophilia that was formerly unknown. Finally, if there is redundant foreskin, meaning not enough was removed, then the baby has to undergo re-circumcision with a pediatric urologist, with anesthesia in later months. This happens, but it is also quite uncommon, in that most obstetricians do this well, as do the mohels in the Jewish bris ceremony. Those who perform the circumcision must be adequately trained, of course.â&#x20AC;? Richel agrees with the findings of the AAP in terms of the pros of circumcising, especially for the long-term health of the male. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The benefits of circumcision include prevention of urinary tract infection, less acquisition of HIV, less transmission of sexually transmitted infections and less penile cancer,â&#x20AC;? Richel said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are very important and should be relayed to the parents.â&#x20AC;? Rosenberg, while stressing that he doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try to sway parents either way on the decision, said he presents parents with a similar picture of the pros and cons. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Circumcision is one of the most common procedures performed in the United States,â&#x20AC;? Rosenberg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Circumcised infants have a lower rate of urinary tract infections, penile cancer and acquisition of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. There are also risks from the procedure, although they are rare. From a doctor, parents want to know if the procedure is medically beneficial and safe. There are benefits and it is

very safe. But, it is currently not the policy of most pediatricians to strongly recommend circumcision.â&#x20AC;? Rates of hospital circumcision in the U.S. have dropped from a high of about 79 percent in the 1970s to 55 percent in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some of the factors in that drop-off include shifts in the demographics of the country, as well as the fact that Medicaid halted paying for the surgery in 18 states, and because it is an elective procedure, some insurance companies also have stopped covering it. In terms of demographics, the surge in the Latino population in this country has played a part, according to recent studies, since Latin American immigrants generally choose not to circumcise their baby boys. Critics of circumcision, including organized national groups such as InTact America, attribute the decline in the rates of circumcision to their success in getting more and more American parents to consider the moral and ethical issues about the procedure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Circumcision is a painful, risky, unethical surgery that deprives over a million boys each year of healthy, functional tissue, while wasting health care dollars that could be spent on medically necessary services,â&#x20AC;? says a section of InTact Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website that outlines the top 10 reasons not to circumcise. InTact America, formed in 2008, and others who oppose â&#x20AC;&#x153;routineâ&#x20AC;? circumcision claim that it is an outdated practice, and that proper hygiene and the use of condoms are more effective in preventing infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Anti-circumcision advocates also claim that not only does the removal of the foreskin inflict unnecessary physical and psychological pain on an infant, circumcision reduces sexual pleasure for males later in life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Removing the foreskin is no more justified than removing a finger or any other healthy body part,â&#x20AC;? InTact America goes on to state. Local experts, however, have a different take than InTact America on any long-term negative impacts, such as reduced sexual pleasure or psychological effects. Rosenberg said the research heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seen indicates that circumcision does not have a

significant impact on the sex lives of adult males. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best evidence is that there is no difference in sexual satisfaction or performance between circumcised and noncircumcised males,â&#x20AC;? he said. Richel concurred: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have not seen any study or any evidence in my own practice leading me to be concerned with any psychological ramifications. And one of the most common misconceptions is that the circumcised male will have less sensitivity during sexual relations. This does not seem to be the case, according to the experts in the field.â&#x20AC;? Having a conversation with your own ob-gyn or pediatrician is the best way to weigh the pros and cons, as well as to raise questions or concerns any mother or father might have, and doing so before the baby is born is recommended. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Almost all parents make this decision prior to their newbornâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival,â&#x20AC;? said Richel, who authored the book â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happy & Healthy: A Babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Year.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a common question during a prenatal visit with a pediatrician. Parents may also question their obstetrician during the course of the pregnancy, especially if they are aware that the obstetricians perform the circumcision in the nursery setting, not the pediatricians.â&#x20AC;? In addition to religious or cultural beliefs, many parents opt simply to have their son follow in his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps. If the father and most other men in the family are circumcised, the parents will decide to have their newborn boy circumcised, and vice versa. Although there is a national decrease in the rate of circumcisions, Richel said that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been the case at Northern Westchester Hospital, where he has practiced for more than 20 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In our suburban setting, I have not seen any decline,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most parents do choose circumcision for their newborn baby boys.â&#x20AC;? Rosenberg said that in his experience, including at Hartsdale Pediatrics, which he founded over a decade ago, many moms and dads have made the decision long before the babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parents usually have an idea of whether they want their boys circumcised prior to birth based on cultural beliefs,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most parents have made the decision before the time of conception.â&#x20AC;?

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Placentophagia continued from page 13A

“I got 117 capsules out of my placenta.” The specialist also saved a little piece of the placenta, which she made into a “tincture” by dropping it into a fifth of alcohol (Mom used 100 proof vodka) and allowing it to steep for six weeks. Mom took three placenta capsules twice a day for a week, then two a day until they ran out. “I noticed an amazing difference,” she said. “My husband noticed. He said, ‘You’re much happier, much more pleasant to be around. With this one, you are much more composed; you are easier to deal with. You’re like you without the hormones.’ I think that taking the pills did help with my lactation, my milk production and my overall feeling of feeling great.” Mom also swears by her liquid “remedy.” “Once my pills were done I had my tincture,” she said. “The power from that little piece of placenta seeps out into the alcohol. Whenever I had a moment I would take a little glass of wine and put 10 drops of the placenta tincture into my wine and within 10 minutes… it instantly levels you out. It takes the edge off the crazy.” Whether or not eating her placenta was really responsible for Mom’s happier postpartum experience and her great milk production, she is one of an increasing

Kids!

number of women who swear by it. Don’t expect your mainstream obstetrician to suggest it, though. “People will do anything,” Kristal stated when his research was published last year. But, he said, “Human childbirth is fraught with additional problems for which there are no practical nonhuman animal models,” citing postpartum depression, failure to bond and maternal hostility toward the infant. Kristal said that while eating placenta may contain compounds to relieve these problems, the only evidence that it works is anecdotal because the issue has not been tested empirically. “If such studies are undertaken,” he said, “the results, if positive, will be medically relevant. If the results are negative, speculation and recommendations will persist, as it is not possible to prove the negative.” Kristal likened today’s fad for eating encapsulated placenta to reports of people in communes cooking and eating placenta in the ’60s and ’70s, and he cautioned that the upsurge of recent anecdotal reports of the benefits of taking placenta, irrespective of dose, preparation method or amount of time taken, “suggests more of a placebo effect than a medicinal effect.” Kristal said more research was needed to find out why humans “don’t engage in placentophagia as a biological imperative the way other mammals apparently do.” Until then, eating placenta may indeed make you feel great and stave off the baby blues — reason unknown.

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 17A

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Book Babies continued from page 3A

of reading are closely intertwined and can start early, which is why reading to your child is so important. A kids-only bookstore! Little Joe’s Books in Katonah is the only children’s bookstore in northern Westchester. Located across from the train station, the upstairs bookstore is owned by Jennifer Cook, who also owns NoKa Joe’s coffee shop below, a business she has owned for eight years. After the local Borders closed, her coffee shop customers urged her to open the bookstore. Cook’s voice brimmed with excitement as she described the bookshop that she has owned for the last year and a half. The store has “a ton of free events” and has story hour for various age groups. They also have animal visits, author visits every month, even “crazy events like our dress up your pet day.” Little Joe’s features two children’s book clubs divided by age group. When the store receives advanced copies of books from publishers, they give a different free book to each of their children’s reader groups to read and give them feedback. The kids, ranging from 8-10 years old, and another group of 11-and-up, tell them what to buy for the store and also tell other kids what they’re reading, which creates a buzz about the books. “The other thing we’re doing is an in-

Kids!

ternship program for 11-and-up,” Cook said. “We had 30 kids apply and picked a total of eight who split the days they work.” In addition to wrapping books, the kids wander the store and recommend books to other kids in the small shop. “The kids who applied really like books,” Cooks said. “It’s a very fun program. The program started a couple of months ago. This is the first time kids are out there working. We will continue the program.” Cook added, “There’s something very magical about a bookstore for children. Hopefully kids will develop a love of reading. It’s not quite the same with a Kindle… there’s something about the pages. There’s something about children reading with paper books that’s special.” And in the shrinking world of publishing, Cook noted that children’s books are “the only faction of books that is still growing.” When Cook decided to open the store, the first thing she knew was that she needed a person who is “magical.” She found just such a person in Genevieve de Botton, who had worked at Borders, and as Cook explained, “People loved her.” De Botton is the manager with a gift for remembering what people buy and always asks if they liked the book. So when should parents start reading to their children and why? De Botton said parents should start reading to their unborn child “in utero.” She said there are studies that show that babies can hear the sound of their mother’s voice and that children’s specialists

recommend it. “Doctors will encourage mothers to begin reading to their child then, even listening to music,” she said. “It’s a small interaction that begins. They [parents] should develop the habit of reading to their children every night. We have story time for toddlers. Even babies respond to vocal changes. [Parents should start] as young as possible.” To help customers select books, they do reviews, called “shelf-talkers.” “We also have our interns writing them as well as of the things they love,” de Botton said. “It’s so easy to have a conversation about a book because the store is so small. It’s so much fun!” What first books does she recommend and why? “I find that people are drawn to the books they grew up on,” de Botton said. “‘Madeline’ by Ludwig Bemelmans or ‘Goodnight Moon’ by Margaret Wise Brown are library staples for any baby. Once a child reaches the exploration stage, when their senses are running at full force, it’s great to have books they can hold and interact with. Board books are great for this. Most classics come in board book form, but it’s always fun to come across new titles.” She said she is a “big fan” of author Matthew Van Fleet and among his “wonderful books” are “Moo,” “Dogs” and “Cats” which feature photographs of real animals, while his other titles “Heads,” “Sniff,” “Lick” and “Alphabet” have “adorable,” vibrant illustrated pictures. All of his books have movable parts, lift flaps and offer a

MARCH 8, 2013

touch-and-feel experience. “When people are coming out to buy gifts for baby showers or people are coming in for general books I recommend gifts for them,” de Botton said. “It’s an exciting, beautiful thing — it’s a joy when it can revolve around reading. Reading gives the child what the possibilities are in the world around them. Now the books have history — passing books on from your children to possibly your grandchildren.” Little Joe’s has recently added some adult fiction and nonfiction titles, and offers readings and book signing events, which has been a huge success. Owner Cook said that they actually come in and “smell the books.” Maybe there’s hope yet for the printed page! Story time: bonding Carmelita Bota, the director of the St. James the Less Nursery School in Scarsdale, said the time to start reading to children is when they’re “little babies” — the minute you can put them in your lap — even “in utero.” She recommended reading chunky books, sturdy board or pop-up books that transition easily to toddlers — books with pictures of shapes, balls, etc. “It’s a great times to start bonding with babies,” she said. “They look forward to story time and as young as they are, there are stories that they can join in on, like ‘The Itsy, Bitsy Spider’ — toddlers love that.” Seeing their parents, grandparents and siblings read helps them develop their love Continued on the next page

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MARCH 8, 2013 continued from previous page

of learning. Bota believes that children should be read to every day, if only for 10 minutes at a time, to establish the habit of reading, whether by parents, caregivers or even siblings. Bota noted that reading begins with talking, and then they start to mimic you, babbling. “It’s having fun with words,” she said. “Then we’re going to help our children connect those words with reading.” Bota recommended books that are repetitive where kids can finish the sentences, like “Goodnight Moon.” Bota said when they hear the words over and over again they know what’s coming. Also try to be as animated as you can when you read. In addition to regular story time at the school, children come over to the teacher and ask to have a book read and often other children will join in. “In reading the same books over and over again, they know what’s happening next,” Bota said. “Toddlers are so smart, they’re interested in everything. We ask them what is going on in the story, what’s going to happen next. The goal is to expand on their vocabulary.” When you read you can describe what’s on the page, for example, saying, “‘It’s a big brown doggie with spots’ … expand on what’s happening.” Bota added, “Children can recognize the books. I tell parents to make the books accessible. Have little baskets of books

Kids!

around the house. Read to them anytime, even when they are on the potty. True stories about children’s day-to-day experiences, eating with utensils, etc.” Young children especially love pop-up books, according to Bota. One she recommended is “Mommy Can You Play With Me.” And you don’t have to read only at night. Bath time is another opportune time to read to your child: “When kids are playing in the bathtub and you read to them you don’t think they’re paying attention, but when you stop [reading] they want to know why.” At St. James the Less they vary times for story time “depending on the rhythm of the class,” Bota said. “We read at snack time or the end of it — it’s very calming to read to them. Even in the 2s we’ll ask, ‘Who was your favorite character in the book?’ or ‘What happened to Max?’ Some kids get so animated they shout it out. It’s so important to get them to use their own words to retell a story.” What type of book do children love to listen to? “With toddlers it’s peek-a-boo books, ones with flaps,” Bota said. “They get so excited. Sometimes they’ll try to do it themselves. They’re great. Books that are repetitious — they know what’s coming. Certainly if a parent or a teacher reads in a very animated way, it’s jut so much fun.” “Corduroy” is a classic. At story time in school Bota has brought in the little Continued on page 20A

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 19A

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Book Babies

Building blocks for reading When doing puzzles with the kids they always start by going left to right, top to bottom, which helps them recognize that reading begins that way. Bota always reads the author’s name and the book’s illustrator, explaining the role of the illustrator, which gives the kids the opportunity to react and draw pictures of stories they have heard, helps them to learn to read. “They don’t even realize they’re working left to right, that they’re training their eyes, and my goodness, we are build-

MARCH 8, 2013

K.T. Korngold’s favorite books:

continued from page 19A

stuffed bear (like the one in the book). Also when reading Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” she brought in the hungry caterpillar stuffed animal. When reading “The Escape of Marvin the Ape” she brought in an ape and everyone wanted to hold him. When it comes to book selection in class, there is a balance between childand teacher-initiated choices. Different books offer different purposes, too. There are books that teach the kids to count. And what holds their attention best? Books they are allowed to touch, books that are colorful, having the reader act it out, imitate the sounds in the book and changing your voice with each page were some of Bota’s suggestions. Your enthusiasm “really encourages the children to imitate them; the words almost jump off the page.”

Kids!

“My Friends” by Taro Gomi creates anticipation for the child by the repetition of phrases like “I learned to walk from my friend the cat. I learned to jump from my friend the dog.” Children can guess what the little girl has learned by seeing the animal on the next page.

“Are You My Friend?” by Taro Gomi is ideal for children too young to read. Korngold recommends books like this without words and other books with few words, just pictures, especially board books with pop-up surprises.

ing vocabulary,” Bota said. “You start off with a book and that can be integrated into other areas. They learn what makes us the same, what makes us different, hear books on the weather that teaches science, books that teach them to count. It starts with a book. You’re developing the whole child.” One of the highlights of the children’s week at school is welcoming a guest reader to class. Every week is a different guest.

“Brown Bear What Do I See” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle is a children’s classic that teaches colors and animal names. Kids will come back to it over and over.

“Pancakes for Breakfast” by Tomie de Paolo is a perennial favorite that also lets the pictures tell this very funny story. It also teaches children about the world — just through learning how to make pancakes from scratch — and where the ingredients come from.

Mothers and fathers or a special aunt or uncle or other relative drops by. They’ve had one dad who visited often and “was so mesmerizing.” He would read and then ask them questions and he made story time a very interactive process. Bota encourages parents to read to their children at home and “share that magic.” “Establishing everyday routines teach children to become strong learners and readers,” she said, “Reading will give you

“Only the Cat Saw” by Ashley Wolff. While the family goes to sleep, the cat explores. “The magic of this book is that the reader makes the discoveries along with the cat,” Korngold said.

just as much enjoyment. Reading to your child is really giving a gift into a whole new world.” Kid’s choice “I think reading is one of the most important and gratifying ways adults can spend time with the children they love,” said K.T. Korngold, owner and director of Continued on the next page

MARCH 8, 2013 continued from previous page

the Montessori School in White Plains. “It’s a way to give your child a lot of attention without focusing on achievement or externals. I am still tied to the power of the physical, paper books for very young children.” Korngold expressed concern about the effects of technology on young developing brains and eye muscles. “Reading a physical book helps to extend a child’s attention span, rather than curtail it,” she said. One of the foundations of Montessori is that the children choose their own work or “their materials that they engage with.” They have a variety of books, some new and some that are “old, dog-eared and beloved.” “It’s amazing that from such an early age, even before they can read, a child can identify from the shape of the letters on the spine or the picture on the cover of the book which is which,” Korngold said. She noted that all of the classrooms have “cozy, warm nooks, with a soft rug,” a place to sit or lie down with bookcases or a basket with books within easy reach where kids can choose to read on their own or read with a friend or ask a teacher to read to them. Like de Botton of Little Joe’s Books and Bota of St. James the Less, Korngold also recommends reading to children in the womb: “From earliest infancy, children enjoy the sound of a loved one’s voice reading out loud. It is soothing and calming to him or her in a deeply profound and bonded way. The rich cadence of poetry,

Kids!

folk tales and classic children’s literature continues to link parents and children, year after year, because of the many physical and emotional ways it connects them — for life.” Korngold recommended that parents read what they loved as children to their own kids. “Read what you want to say to your newborn,” she said. “Read whenever you need a break. Read when you want to connect.” She added that parents often read at bedtime or naptime, but anytime when you are not rushed is perfect. At Montessori, they read to the children at different times of the day, sometimes in the early morning as the kids are coming in “to help ease their transition.” Sometimes they read to convey some specific information about something pertinent to what is happening, like the changing of the seasons, the birth of a sibling, a friend who is moving or to transition into another activity like nap time or at the end of the day. “Children need to learn that things have a name, that letters have sounds, that sounds blend together to form words, that words go across the page from left to right, that a story has a beginning, middle and end, that pictures in a book are clues to the story,” Korngold said. “These things are not automatic; they are skills a child needs as she/he gets older.” She added, “From a very young age, children can feel the pull of discovery that a good book offers. This stays with them as they grow.”

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 21A

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Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

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nition of medical issues for the exposed newborn infant, and regular follow-up to monitor any long-term effects.

New guidelines on treating ear infections The AAP is updating its guidelines for treating acute otitis media (AOM), the type of ear infection that is one of the most common illnesses in U.S. children. The evidence-based clinical guideline, “The Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otitis Media,” published in the March 2013 Pediatrics and released online Feb. 25, provides recommendations to physicians managing uncomplicated AOM in children ages 6 months through 12 years. Compared to the previous guidelines issued in 2004, the new guidelines highlight more stringent criteria to use in making an accurate diagnosis of AOM, which will enable clinicians to prescribe antibiotics most effectively. The guidelines include recommendations for treatment with antibiotics and pain relievers, or observation alone, based on the child’s age and severity of symptoms.

Suspensions, expulsions may create problems School suspensions and expulsions may seem to be an effective discipline method for severe and ongoing school disciplinary continued on page 25A

MARCH 8, 2013

Kids!

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 23A

Dealing with divorce

Keep separation separate from children By MARY LEGRAND

ontemplating separating from your mate, or are you already in the midst of divorce proceedings? If so, it’s probably a tad late at this point to begin helping your children deal with fallout from their parents’ breakup. Children are like little sponges, experts say, and soak up whatever emotions their parents exhibit during times of marital stress. Arguments, even quiet ones held behind closed doors, are in fact heard and internalized by the youngest kids, including infants. Dale Karp, LCWS, is a licensed professional social worker with offices in Scarsdale and Manhattan. A child and family therapist, Karp frequently helps families navigate through difficult times such as separation and divorce. To make transitions easier, “It’s important for parents to mutually decide what they’re going to say to the kids and therefore influence how the kids are going to interpret the world that’s happening to them,” Karp said. “The primary thing is how parents treat each other and how they talk about each other to their children.” Children receive no benefit from knowcontinued on page 24A

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Divorce

Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

Watch out for signs of changed feelings: changes in sleep,

continued from page 23A

ing anything about what’s going on between the parents, “whether it’s finances or affairs,” Karp said. “The child should be told that his or her parents have made the decision not to live in the same house any longer. The second sentence should be that the child had nothing to do with this, because little kids are always going to assume it’s their fault — if they hadn’t been crying yesterday or left all their toys on the floor, this wouldn’t have happened.” No matter how difficult the situation, parents should remember to speak positively about Mom or Dad in front of the kids. “Never, ever blame or imply blame on the other parent, as in, ‘Well, if your father sent us more money you could go ice skating,’” Karp said, acknowledging, “When parents are hurting, disappointed, rejected and suffering, it’s hard to speak nicely about a spouse.” The message should be that “sometimes things happen with grownups that are very hard for children to understand,” Karp said, suggesting an explanation such as, “We’re still your mommy and daddy, we still love you, and this will be easier for you to understand when you get older.” Keeping difficult messages positive and not emphasizing that Mom and Dad have fallen out of love is key, because telling little ones their parents don’t love each other “taps into children’s abandonment fantasies, letting them interpret it as, ‘Maybe you’ll stop loving me, too,’” Karp said. “Divorce is very, very hard on children — obviously, this is why parents shouldn’t get divorced, if at all possible — but these points will definitely help,” she said, adding that she’s referring to couples whose situations don’t include abuse, addiction and other extremely serious marriage deal-breakers. Navigating the post-separation or divorce child custody world can be tough. “What really becomes the most difficult thing may be that the other person is less than good — the other parent may be neglectful or even have a new spouse who is horrible,” Karp said. “You only feed your kids organic food, but their

temper or mood, problems in school or with friends, regressive behavior like wetting the bed — these may be ways your child is telling you there is stress. — Dale Karp, LCWS

other parent may feed them only junk food. Many, many problems come about when parents live separately and have no control over how the other parent deals with the kids. You may be sending your child on alternate weekends to McDonald’s-land, but you must hold your tongue. Tell the kids that you have special rules in your house and the other house has its own rules. Say, ‘We do things differently, no better, no worse, but different.’” Telling children that their mom lets them do something “because this is what she thinks is right, and you can do it both ways; aren’t you lucky?” is an option Karp advises. Paying close attention to children’s emotions and behavior is important, she said: “Some kids show their feelings much more openly than others, so it’s very hard to know exactly how your child feels. But you need to watch out for signs of changed feelings: changes in sleep, temper or mood, problems in school or with friends, regressive behavior like wetting the bed — these may be ways your child is telling you there is stress.” Seeking help from a therapist who can prepare the family for the tricky stuff that lies ahead is a good idea. “Ideally you would seek therapy as an individual or couple before you seek to separate, and therapy might help you decide not to separate,” Karp said. “When therapy doesn’t prove effective and there’s going to be a divorce, having a therapist help you through it is proactive and makes the children feel much safer.” As a therapist, Karp says she often hears, “‘I’m divorced now; I want you to help my child,’” which is often too late. “It’s always better to do this proactively, as so many things dangerous to the child’s well-being can be done unintentionally.”

Divorce is often difficult, “but the point is that it doesn’t have to be terrible,” Karp said. “Divorce can be acceptable with two reasonably agreeable adults who have their children’s best interests at heart. The problem is often that parents think they have their children’s best interests at heart, but in fact they have their own interests at heart. That hurts the children.” Anjali Roye, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist at the Developmental Assessment and Intervention Center in Bedford Hills. She shares much of what other experts offer in terms of advice for parents contemplating separation or divorce. “The biggest things for parents of young children is that they want to minimize the child’s awareness and the impact that separation or divorce — or even arguing — can have on them,” Roye said. “Try to keep things as normal as possible for them; keep routines the same. The biggest thing is limiting fighting and conflicts. Do not fight in front of the kids, so they don’t feel that tension and animosity.” Most people don’t realize how perceptive children are, Roye said: “Even the youngest children are paying attention and understand a lot more than we give them credit for. You may think you’re having a quiet discussion and the children sitting nearby are playing and not listening. Even if they don’t hear the words, children hear the tone of the conversation. They’re very attuned to their parents’ emotional state. The most well-meaning parents don’t realize that even little babies are sensitive to the emotional environment in the room.” When explaining the marital situation to children, “keep the explanation as simple as possible — you don’t need to go into a lot of the details in terms of the reason why the separation is hap-

pening,” she said. “There can be a pretty simple way of acknowledging that this is happening, acknowledging that kids can feel sad or confused, and that’s okay.” Maintaining smooth transitions is important, as is having parents communicating with one another about what’s going on with their kids. “Stick to the same schedules and routines the children had before the separation, so life stays as normal as possible for the kids,” Roye said. “For example, don’t have the kids change houses right away. Parents are the ones who must be flexible.” Helping children acknowledge that their parents’ divorce is final can be difficult. “Some of that is part of the developmental process, in the sense that very young children do think in the here and now, not long-term consequences,” Roye said. “It may take time and maturity to really understand the finality of a divorce.” Parents must be stoic and patient, and remain ready to answer questions for a long time. “Even though these questions might be repetitive to adults, kids need that continued reassurance, and will eventually put two and two together,” Roye said. Mom and Dad also must know that children can be angry toward their parents, upset that their lives have changed and express hope to return to the old life the whole family shared. “The best thing to do is try to acknowledge how the kids are feeling,” Roye said. “Say, ‘I understand and am sorry you feel that way,’ sometimes just saying, ‘Yes, this feels lousy, and we understand that.’ It’s really a developmental thing, and even for adults it takes time to totally process the changes.” Roye emphasizes the need to be proactive in asking for help. “Talk to the child’s teacher, talk to the pediatrician, see if the child might need a little therapy,” she said. “Don’t wait until your child is having problems, so speak to the school and let them know what’s happening in the household. Say, ‘Please let me know if my child is exhibiting stress.’ That way, it can be addressed early.”

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Kids!

Kids Health NEWs & Notes from the American Academy of Pediatrics

continued from page 22A

problems. However, these methods often create unforeseen problems, especially if they are applied in a zero-tolerance setting. In a policy statement, “Out-ofSchool Suspension and Expulsion,” published in the March 2013 issue of Pediatrics (published online Feb. 25), the AAP does not support zero tolerance policies and recommends that student suspension or expulsion should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Research has demonstrated that students who experience out-of-school suspension and expulsion are 10 times more likely to drop out of high school than those who do not. Also, suspension and expulsion can often place the student back into the environment that led to the behavior problems. If the student’s parents work, there may be no one home to provide supervision, making it more likely the student will engage in inappropriate behavior or associate with individuals who may increase violent or illegal activities. Believing early intervention is important to identify behaviors that could lead to suspension or expulsion, the AAP recommends that pediatricians screen for early childhood and preschool behavior problems so treatment can begin early to reduce risk factors for future behavior. As a student’s primary care physician, pediatricians should esRegister Now for 2013-2014!

tablish communication with the school nurse or counselor for children identified with high-risk behaviors.

Changing what they watch can improve behavior As most parents of preschoolers have witnessed, it’s common for children this age to imitate behaviors they see on television or in movies — whether violent, loving or something in between. This effect of media can be applied to positively impact children’s behavior, according to a study in the March 2013 issue of Pediatrics (published online Feb. 18). For the study, “Modifying Media Content for Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial,” researchers studied 820 families with children aged 3 to 5 years who spent some time viewing screens each week. Through their community pediatric practices, half of the families participated in an intervention in which they replaced aggression-filled programming with “prosocial” and/or educational content for the children. The other half of the families were in the control group. The intervention did not attempt to reduce the number of hours of screen time for the children, but it did encourage a positive media diet and co-viewing with parents. A case manager followed up with families continued on page 27A

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Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

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the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 27A

Kids Health NEWs & Notes from the American Academy of Pediatrics continued from page 25A

regularly for 12 months. At 6 months and 12 months, the children in the intervention group were spending significantly less time on violent programming than they did at the start of the study compared to the control group. Both the intervention and control groups increased their viewing time slightly during the study, but the control group increased its minutes of violent content, while the intervention group increased its minutes of prosocial and educational content. At 6 months, the children in the intervention group demonstrated significantly less aggression and more prosocial behavior compared to the control group, and the effect lasted throughout the 12 months. The authors concluded that such an intervention can positively impact child behavior. Note: This issue contains another article on this topic, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Childhood and Adolescent Television Viewing and Antisocial Behavior in Early Adulthood,â&#x20AC;? and a related commentary, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pediatricians and Television: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Time to Rethink Our Messaging and Our Efforts.â&#x20AC;?

Is vision screening needed in kids under 3? Amblyopia is a life-long vision impairment that affects 2 to 4 percent of the population in the U.S., yet is highly preventable and treatable if recognized early. The study,

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Practical Community Photoscreening in Very Young Children,â&#x20AC;? in the March 2013 Pediatrics (published online on Feb. 11), examined the results of the photoscreening program, KidSight, between May 2000 and April 2011. Study authors compared vision screening results in children from 1 to 3 years of age with children ages 4 and older, and found the test was equally effective in each age group at detecting vision problems. Study authors conclude that vision screening can accurately identify risk factors for amblyopia in children 1 to 3 years of age and should be conducted in children as young as age 1 year. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recently reported insufficient data to recommend photoscreening in children younger than 3, but the results from this study confirm that early screening can detect and recognize amblyogenic factors, and that treatment can effectively restore vision in younger children.

Managing type 2 diabetes in children Over the past three decades, the prevalence of childhood obesity has increased dramatically in North America, ushering a host of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, that formerly afflicted only adults. To assist physicians in caring for this population, the AAP has issued a set of guidelines to provide evidence-based recommendations on managing type 2 diabetes in children ages 10 to 18. The guidelines are the first of their

kind for this age group. The guidelines were written in consultation with the American Diabetes Association, the Pediatric Endocrine Society, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The guidelines, and an accompanying technical report, are published in the February 2013 issue of Pediatrics and were released online Jan. 28. The guidelines recommend beginning treatment with insulin at the time of diagnosis in all patients who are ketotic or in ketoacidosis, markedly hyperglycemic, or in whom the distinction between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is not clear. In all others, metformin is recommended as first-line therapy, along with a lifestyle modification program including nutrition and physical activity. The guidelines include recommendations for monitoring pediatric patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; glycemic control, implementing insulin regimens, and diet and physical activity recommendations.

TV before bed linked to later sleep onset A study in the February 2013 Pediatrics adds to the evidence that the more television children watch in the evening, the less they sleep. The study, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Presleep Activities and Time of Sleep Onset in Children,â&#x20AC;? published online Jan. 14, tracked childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities in the 90 minutes before bedtime and investigated how those activities were related to the time they fall asleep. A sur-

vey of more than 2,000 children and adolescents ages 5 to 24 in New Zealand collected data about how children spent their time in the evening, including eating, getting ready for bed, reading or doing homework, watching television, playing video games, listening to music and other activities. For all children in the sample, television watching dominated the presleep period, with screen time accounting for roughly 30 minutes of the 90-minute period. Those with a later sleep onset reported up to 13 more minutes of screen time in the presleep period than those with an earlier sleep onset. Study authors conclude that reducing screen time may help promote earlier sleep onset in children and adolescents.

Alternative medicine increasing in pediatrics Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is common among children, especially children with chronic conditions. In a new study, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Pediatric Specialty Outpatients,â&#x20AC;? published in the February 2013 Pediatrics (released online Jan. 14), the use of CAM therapies was compared between subspecialty clinics in two childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospitals in western and central Canada. Researchers found that many children seen at childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospitals use CAM, and use is much greater continued on page 30A

ARE YOU SURE YOUR CHILD IS REALLY SEEING AS CLEARLY AS with POSSIBLE? Even children 20/20 eye sight may have hidden vision problems. Even children with 20/20 eyesight t 0GUFO MPTFT QMBDF XIFO SFBEJOH may have hidden vision problems. t 1PPS SFBEJOH DPNQSFIFOTJPO

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Home safe home continued from page 7A

table with open shelving underneath, as these can tempt climbers and can topple over onto a toddler. Dispose of diapers in a container which can’t be opened by a child. And speaking disposal of hazardous waste: don’t put the cat litter box in a place that is easily accessible to a child, or invest in a child (and dog)-proof cat litter box. Don’t overlook hazards presented by adult furniture and household appliances. Install cushioned edge guards or corner guards on coffee tables and end tables, and on the edges of a raised hearth. Install toilet locks to keep the covers of toilets down when not in use. If your stove has knobs in the front, install knob covers to prevent the knobs from being turned by toddlers. Install a stove safety guard across the front of a rangetop to keep taller little ones from reaching open flames and hot pots. A range of other appliance locks is also available to keep kids from opening refrigerators, freezers, oven doors and washer-dryers. Electrical hazards Covering electrical outlets is essential to prevent little hands from poking at outlets or sticking other items into them. Old-style, single plastic outlet covers may themselves pose a hazard. Some of them are small enough for a child to choke on if somebody removes one and leaves it lying around where a child can find it. Some of them may loosen up over time. A better

Kids!

choice is to replace the entire outlet wall plate with a babyproof one that has a sliding cover over the outlet itself. There are also hinged, boxlike outlet covers that accommodate multiple items plugged into one plate. Don’t forget about the hazards of electrical cords, power strips and surge suppressors. Many people put these on the floor around computer or audiovisual equipment, then forget about them. These items are hazardous in many ways — a hanging cord can be pulled on and result in a piece of equipment falling on a child’s head. Power strips are just as hazardous as uncovered electrical outlets, and should be encased in a power strip cover (a hinged box that encloses the entire power strip and all the plugs attached to it, letting the cords snake out of an opening at the end). Cord “messes” that exist around clusters of equipment should be gathered into bundles in a tubelike organizer or a plastic strip that adheres to the baseboard. Bottom line: don’t plug anything into an outlet that’s accessible to a toddler. Baby monitors can be hazardous if they are placed too close to a baby’s crib. The CPSC released a warning in July that baby monitor cords presented a strangulation hazard if the monitor is placed less than 3 feet away from any part of the crib. Since 2002, the CPSC reports, seven children have died after being strangled in baby monitor cords that they were able to reach, and three children nearly strangled. The victims were between 6 and 20 months old.

Big Feats

Little Steps...

If you have uncarpeted floors or stairs, don’t let little ones run around the house in stockinged feet. Wood floors can be slippery. Consider putting a runner or nonslip treads on the steps. The AAP advises parents to think about the potential hazards of anything you put in the trash, such as discarded batteries, spoiled food, old razor blades, etc. If you have a roll-out trash receptacle as part of your kitchen cabinets, install a childproof latch. Safe gates Gates can keep kids away from hazards such as stairs and fireplaces, but they can be hazards themselves if they’re not properly installed or are installed in the wrong place for the particular type of gate. An enclosure around a fireplace, stove or space heater should be secured to the wall and should have a walk-through gate with a latch above the child’s reach, to allow adults access to the fire or heater. Gates should be placed at both the top and bottom of stairs. Avoid accordionstyle gates that can entrap a child’s head or neck, or pinch little fingers. NEVER put pressure-mounted gates at the top of a stairway. A gate for the top of the stairway must be screwed to the wall. Near the bottom of stairways, an improperly installed pressure gate can collapse under the force of a running child. Also, avoid using gates that have a bottom threshold that you could trip over, especially when holding a child. Choose gates with a mechanism that an adult can operate one-handed.

MARCH 8, 2013

If you have a stairway with a wall on one side and a newel post on the other side, or newel posts on both sides, not all standard screw-in safety gates will work. Take a picture of the top and bottom of the stairway with you when you shop, and ask the shopkeeper if the gate you’re considering is suitable. Window and railing hazards Don’t put furniture that a child can climb on in front of a window. When possible, open windows from the top. Window screens do not provide a barrier to falls. Window wedges can prevent a window from being opened more than a few inches. In situations where windows must be opened from the bottom, steel window guards should be permanently installed. Choose the kind that can be opened by an adult in case of an emergency. The cords on window shades, blinds, and curtains with traverse rods can all present a strangulation hazard. Some of the new models of shades and blinds have a new, cordless mechanism. If you are stuck with a window treatment with hanging cords, install a tie-down device (a double-pronged hook, available at any hardware store) near the top of the window frame, and be sure that when the blind is pulled up, the cord is always wrapped securely around that hook. Stair and deck rails installed more than a few years ago can allow a child to fall through or for the child’s torso to pass continued on the next page

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MARCH 8, 2013 continued from previous page

through, entrapping the head and causing strangulation. Mesh netting is available to fit most balconies and railings. These products are also excellent for households with small pets. Off limits Before your child begins crawling and cruising, it’s time to get all those toxic cleaning substances, medications and personal care products out of the bottom cabinets and up high where kids can’t reach them. There are hundreds of different drawer and cabinet latches on the market, and it can be hard to tell which ones will work on which cabinets. Trainor said, “When we do cabinet locks, there are four or five different types we carry on our trucks and some homes will use four or five different types.” He noted that when a homeowner chooses them from a store, “The locks might not work on all their cabinets. It’s a hit or miss situation.” He said his company’s installers are experienced with these items. “It’s a specialized industry,” he said. “You don’t want somebody ruining your cabinets.” Doorknob covers can keep little ones from entering a room that is just too hazardous. Be sure that if you install one, it can be easily operated by an adult in case of an emergency. Consider installing a sliding latch toward the top of the door frame of a cellar door to prevent kids from visiting an unfinished basement unattended. If you have interior doors that lock from

Kids!

inside the room (the case with many bathroom and bedroom doors), a child could enter the room alone and accidentally lock himself in. Be sure you have an emergency “key” stashed on top of the outside door frame of each room with such a lock. These emergency keys are a universal item that can be used from the outside of the doorknob mechanism to “pop” the lock open. Some items should be kept strictly offlimits to children. Medicines should be kept in a securely locked container out of the reach of children — consider using a combination lockbox available in office supply stores. Firearms should be kept unloaded and locked away in a secure location out of reach of anyone except adults. A reminder No matter how diligent you are in your own home, you can’t personally childproof every place you visit (with the possible exception of Grandma’s house). Kids should be supervised at all times when in a nonchildproof environment, including houses, stores or hotel rooms (and speaking of travel — beware of souvenirs from other countries that are meant to be kids’ toys; they may contain lead or other toxic chemicals). Fortunately, child safety standards and products have improved in the quarter century since we attempted to childproof our kitchen. But one thing remains the same: the need to use common sense about supervising your kids — and never to fool yourself about what they may be capable of.

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Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

Kids Health NEWs & Notes from the American Academy of Pediatrics continued from page 27A

in the western versus the central hospital. The most common CAM products used were vitamins/minerals, homeopathics, and herbal remedies. Massage, aromatherapy, and relaxation were the most common practices used. Almost half of all patients reported using CAM along with conventional medical care, and more than half reported concurrent use of CAM with prescription drugs. The majority of parents felt comfortable using CAM therapies, and would like more information from their clinic or hospital about the risks and benefits. Study authors conclude that there is a need for more research and safety data, and greater training for pediatricians about the safety and effectiveness of CAM therapies.

2013 Childhood Immunization Schedule The AAP has issued the policy statement, “Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule — United States, 2013,” published in the February 2013 Pediatrics (published online Jan. 28). The new schedule includes several changes, including a full redesign due to the complexity of the schedules and the need for additional space in the footnotes to clarify vaccine recommendations. The major vaccine schedule changes from last year include the administration of

tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine to adolescents and adults during each pregnancy. This recommendation is in response to the increasing number of pertussis cases nationally. Because infants are most at-risk of contracting pertussis (whooping cough), before they can be immunized themselves, they are better protected from this potentially deadly disease if the mother receives the vaccine during each pregnancy. In addition, the pneumococcal vaccine footnote itemizes the medical conditions for administration of PCV13 in children ages 24 through 71 months and for use of PPSV23 in children 2 years of age and older, and the meningococcal footnote includes guidance for immunization of children 2 months through 10 years of age with high-risk conditions. These schedules have been approved by the AAP, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

A third with allergies experience bullying Up to 8 percent of children in the U.S. have been diagnosed with food allergies. The study, “Child and Parental Reports of Bullying in a Consecutive Sample of Children With Food Allergy,” in the January 2013 issue of Pediatrics (published online Dec. 24, 2012) examined whether those

RCS_Spring 2013_9.833x6.667_v1_Layout 1 2/25/13 12:55 PM Page 1

children are at increased risk for bullying. Researchers surveyed 251 parent and child pairs to see if they have experienced bullying related to their food allergies. The results show that 31.5 percent of these children report being bullied, and threats frequently involved food. Children who report being bullied, and their parents, had higher stress levels and lower quality of life. Of those surveyed, approximately half the parents reported being aware of bullying. Children whose parents were aware of the bullying had less stress and a higher quality of life than those whose parents were unaware. The authors emphasize it is important that parents and pediatricians screen for bullying in children with food allergies to reduce stress and improve quality of life for these children. Note: The January issue of Pediatrics also features the article, “Weight-Based Victimization: Bullying Experiences of WeightLoss Treatment-Seeking Youth” and the commentary, “Did the Ugly Duckling Have PTSD? Bullying, Its Effects, and the Role of Pediatricians.” Both of these articles were published online Dec. 24, 2012.

Milk drinking should come with recommendations Young children who drink cow’s milk increase their stores of vitamin D, but decrease their iron levels. According to the study, “The Relationship Between Cow’s

Milk and Stores of Vitamin D and Iron in Early Childhood,” in the January 2013 issue of Pediatrics (published online Dec. 17, 2012), two cups of cow’s milk per day is sufficient to maintain adequate vitamin D levels for most children, while also maintaining sufficient iron stores. Researchers looked at more than 1,300 children aged 2 to 5, assessing the amount of milk they drank per day as well as vitamin D and iron supplementation, time spent outdoors, skin pigmentation, body mass index and bottle use, all of which can modify the effects of milk consumption on vitamin D and iron levels. Blood samples were taken from the children to determine these levels. The authors found there is a trade-off for milk consumption in this age group: It raises vitamin D stores but lessens iron stores. They concluded that two cups of milk per day is sufficient to maintain adequate vitamin D levels in most children, while having minimal impact on iron stores. The authors also noted that vitamin D supplementation is important for certain children based on the season, their skin pigmentation, and amount of time spent playing outdoors. The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.

Rippowam Cisqua provides students with an exceptional education grounded in academics, the arts, and athletics. The curriculum is specifically designed to engage and inspire each child to reach his or her fullest potential, and develop a lifelong love of learning. The program, highlighted by a better than 6:1 student/faculty ratio, features caring and enthusiastic teachers who encourage the students to think critically and take intellectual risks. RCS graduates leave the School prepared for the best possible secondary school and college opportunities.

Extraordinary Students… Exceptional Foundation…

Remarkable Outcomes

Lower Campus Open House: PreK - Grade Four Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. 325 West Patent Road, Mt. Kisco, NY lori_adelsberg@rcsny.org (914) 244-1205

For more information, please visit www.rcsny.org

Rippowam Cisqua School is a coeducational, independent country day school for students in Grades PreK through Nine.

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DAY Camp Guide Acres of Adventure Summer Camp at Ann & Andyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Camper-counselor ratio: 4:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 9 Hours: Early and late drop-off 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Vary according to program Special programs/other: Outdoor pool, hot kosher lunch, creative programming, two outdoor playgrounds.

2170 Saw Mill River Rd. Elmsford, NY 10523 (914) 592-3027 Directors: Cheryl Anstett and Debbie Asadoorian annandychildcare@yahoo.com www.acresofadventuresummercamp.com Philosophy: Acres of Adventure Summer Camp at Ann & Andyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is a one- to nine-week summer camp program with an emphasis on outdoors. We are situated on five acres with 15 playgrounds. The outdoor program includes baseball, soccer, climbing wall, bocce ball court, zip line, mini-golf, color games, kickball, basketball, dodgeball, drama, arts and crafts and more. Campers ages 11-14 take fun recreational, educational and cultural trips weekly, including Lake Compounce, Mountain Creek, white-water rafting, on and off-Broadway theater trips, Liberty Science Center and Maritime Museum. We offer customized schedules, individualized attention and hot lunches daily, as well as barbecue Fridays. All buildings are air-conditioned and we also have a new computer lab. We are licensed by the health department and have experienced counselors. Family-owned and -operated since 1973. Enrollment: 200 Camper-counselor ratio: Infant/Toddler, 4:1, 5:1; 2s, 6:1; 3s, 7:1; 4s, 8:1; ages 5-14, 10:1 plus CIT Calendar: June 24-Aug. 23 Hours: 7 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Rates vary by age; please call or visit website Special programs/other: Swimming, bowling, arts and crafts, field sports, family night, carnival day, field trips, computers.

Alcott School Summer Fun Program 27 Crane Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 472-4404 Site Director: Maria Francella mfrancella@alcottschool.org 535 Broadway Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 (914) 693-4443 Site Director: Dimitra Dreyer tosborn@alcottschool.org Executive Director: Beth Farkas bfarkas@alcottschool.org www.alcottschool.org

Boulder Brook Equestrian Center Camp 291 Mamaroneck Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 725-3912 boulderbrook@gmail.com www.boulderbrookequestrian.com

Camper-counselor ratio: Toddlers, 3:1; 3s-6s, 6:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 2 or 9, depending on program. Children may enroll for four or more weeks Hours: Morning, 9-a.m.-noon; Full day, 9 a.m.-2 or 3 p.m.; Extended Day Program (3s-5s only in Scarsdale), 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (early drop-off at 7:30 a.m.; late pick-up at 6 p.m.) Transportation: Available by contract with T.L.C. Bus Company for an additional fee Fees: Vary by number of weeks and days child attends

Ardsley Community Nursery School Summer Camp 21 American Legion Dr. Ardsley, NY 10502 (914) 693-4932 Director: Dr. Gloria Wolpert drwolpert@aol.com www.acns.us

Philosophy: Our Summer Fun Program is designed to be an enjoyable summer experience for a child attending for the first time or for the experienced preschooler. The program encourages outdoor play, hands-on science and nature exploration, water play in sprinklers and water tables, open-ended messy art, tricycle riding and group games, among other activities. Each well-equipped classroom is staffed with experienced head teachers, assistants and summer counselors. The multicultural program is enriched by early childhood music and nature specialists. Indoor gym is available on rainy days. Classrooms are air-conditioned. Enrollment: 125 children at each location

Philosophy: The ACNS camp program has a friendly and inviting atmosphere with a lovely, shady playground and air-conditioned classrooms. Caring staff gives personalized attention to each child through arts and crafts, science activities, songs, stories and dancing. There is daily outdoor painting, water play and sprinklers. Emphasis is on having fun and making friends to improve language and social skills. We are diaper friendly. Enrollment: 20 Camper-counselor ratio: 4:1 (two teachers per group) Hours: 9-11:45 a.m. Transportation: No Fees: $1,300 for full six-week season; partial attendance is possible Special programs/other: Arrangements can be made by request

Badger Day Camp 119 Rockland Ave. Larchmont, NY 10538 (914) 834-1084 Director: John Collins info@badgersportsclub.com www.badgersportsclub.com Philosophy: To learn various sports and have fun while doing so. Activities include swimming and diving, gymnastics, basketball, tennis, martial arts, dance, yoga, soccer, baseball, field sports, and arts and crafts. Enrollment: 375-400 Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: June 26-Aug. 16 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation: Door to door Fees: Upon request Special programs/other: Badger Olympics, carnival day, talent show, tennis tournament, field day, pirate day, topsy turvy day, swim demonstrations.

Beth El Day Camp 1324 North Ave. New Rochelle, NY 10804 (914) 235-2700 Ext. 256 Director: Julie Rockowitz jrockowitz@bethelnr.org www.bethel.org/daycamp Philosophy: At Beth El Day Camp, children ages 2-7 make new friends, learn new skills and develop confidence in a safe, loving and noncompetitive environment. We feature swimming in our outdoor pool, sports, arts and crafts, nature, karate and music. Creativity and independence are encouraged. Accredited by the American Camp Association. Enrollment: 220

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Philosophy: Our goal is to have campers become comfortable and knowledgeable about horses in a relaxed and fun-filled environment. Children will participate in an accelerated riding program, learn about and practice all things horses, including: horse care and management, interacting with equine specialists, horse crafts, games, special day programs and much more. Camper-counselor ratio: Generally 3:1. Riding group lessons are 6:1. There is one-on-one for beginners and those requiring extra help. Calendar: Eight one-week sessions, June 27-Aug. 19. Sessions can be done in any order and any combination. Hours: Horse camp, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; with pool option, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Call for fees Special programs/other: Bring your own lunch (Monday-Thursday), helmet, riding pants and boots.

Camp Applause 114 West Boston Post Rd. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 835-2200 President: Heather Capelle westchester@applauseny.com www.applauseny.com Philosophy: If your child loves performing, then Camp Applause is the place for them! Each week your child will cycle through classes such as acting, singing, scene study, audition technique, Broadway dance, hip-hop, acting for TV and costume design taught by industry professionals from New York City. The week culminates in an open-house performance every Friday. There is an entirely new curriculum every week in the summer, so you can join us for one week or all 12. Enrollment: 20-40/week Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: Spring Break Camp, March 26-29; Summer Camp, June 10-Aug. 30 Hours: Ages 3-5: Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-noon; grades K-5: Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Ages 3-5: $250/week; grades k-5: $450/week. Discount of $25/week for four-plus week or $50/ week for six-plus weeks.

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Camp Cavise At Dance Cavise 273 Halstead Ave. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 381-5222 Directors: Lori and Joe Cavise www.dancecavise.com Philosophy: A program for that special kid that loves to be on stage. Children will study every aspect of the stage including dance, voice, drama, set and costume design, script writing and more. Enrollment: Limited to 50 campers, ages 5-13 Camper-counselor ratio: 6:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 8 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: from $500/week to $3,225/full summer; lunch is $5/day Special programs/other: Campers will participate in two original productions directed by Broadway veteran Joe Cavise. This year, there will be two field trips to see the Broadway productions of “Cinderella” and “Matilda.” There will be barbecues, a Hawaiian luau, water balloon fights, ice cream prizes and tons of games. Weekly campers are welcome.

Camp Funkist and Travel Camp Gymnastics Summer Program Little Friends Camp

• Little Friends Camp: offers structured activities that expand children’s horizons and abilities. It also allows time for free play, independent exploration and making friends. Weekly themes, arts and crafts, soccer with Super Soccer Stars, special events and instructional swim are all part of the camp experience. Enrollment: Approximately 400/two-week sessions Camper-counselor ratio: Travel Camp, 10:1; Camp Funkist, 5:1; Little Funkist, 4:1; Little Friends Camp 5:1, 7:1 or 8:1 depending on age of children Calendar: Camp Funkist and Travel Camp eight weeks (June 24-Aug. 16); Summer Gymnastics Program seven weeks (June 24-Aug. 2); Little Friends Camp seven weeks (June 24-Aug. 9) Hours: Camp Funkist, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (early drop-off 8-9 a.m.; extended hours 4-5:30 p.m. or 4-6:30 p.m.); Summer Gymnastics Program, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Little Friends Camp, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. or 9 a.m.4 p.m. depending on group and age (early drop-off and extended hours available) Transportation: n/a Fees: Call for fees. Special programs/other: The YWCA offers a Summer Program for Children with Developmental Disabilities that is designed to complement children’s extended school-year programs. Participants enjoy a variety of therapeutic recreation programs that support and strengthen cognitive physical, social and affective skills in a safe, supportive and fun-filled environment. Family members receive support, respite and the opportunity for family participation in recreation activities. Enrollment is limited and preregistration is required. A personal assessment and tour of the facility is required for new participants. For more information, transportation services, financial aid, or other specific needs, call the Special Programs Office at (914) 949-6227 ext. 108.

515 North St. White Plains, NY 10605

Camp Hillard

(914) 949-6227 — Camp Funkist and Travel Camp ext. 168; Summer Gymnastics Program ext. 125; Little Friends Camp ext. 142 campfunkist@ywcawpcw.org, Camp Funkist and Travel Camp; jeiesle@ywcawpcw.org, Summer Gymnastics Program; rheumann@ywcawpcw.org, Little Friends Camp

26 Elizabeth St. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 949-8857 Directors: Jon and Jim Libman Camp@camphillard.com www.camphillard.com

www.ywcawpcw.org Philosophy: For decades, children from the greater Westchester community have grown up at this summer camp. • Camp Funkist: offers fun, age-appropriate activities including arts and crafts, swimming, gymnastics, soccer, karate, tennis, lacrosse, mosaic crafts, jewelry and mask making, nature, music, instructional guitar and dance. • Travel Camp: is not your typical summer camp. This is a great option for older campers, ages 12-15. The children have the opportunity to visit exciting attractions and destinations every day. The schedule and activities aim at building independence in our teens, while giving them ample time for summer fun and relaxation. • Summer Gymnastics Program: features action-packed, fun gymnastics taught by marvelous gymnastics instructors and coaches. Children learn all Olympics events. There is never a dull moment with all the special events including twin day, stars and stripes, talent show, comedy time and so much more. Summer Gymnastics Program days start off with warm-up and morning gymnastics, then stack/rest time, conditioning, lunch and swimming. The day ends with afternoon gymnastics and dismissal.

Philosophy: Campers learn skills while having fun in a safe, active and well-supervised environment with first-class facilities and superb staff. Celebrating our 85th year of one-family ownership. Located on 20 beautiful acres in the Edgemont section of Greenburgh. Our program is a balance of outstanding swimming and sports instruction combined with high quality creative and performing arts programs, plus exciting special events. Enrollment: 800 Camper-counselor ratio: 3:1 Calendar: June 25-Aug. 16 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation: Door to door air-conditioned school buses driven by professional drivers and supervised by camp staff. Fees: Mini-day: 3s and 4s $6,850; full day: $8,300 (both programs include transportation and lunch); any four, five or six weeks also available. Call or visit website for more information. Special programs/other: Activities include swim instruction in seven heated pools, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, softball, lacrosse, flag football, tennis, gymnastics, arts and craft, drawing, painting, jewelry, ceramics, nature, theater, music, horseback riding, zip line, mini golf, archery, mini sleepaway program, day trips, golf and sports specialization programs for older campers.

Camp Ramaquois

Challenge Camp 2013

30 Mountain Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 (845) 354-1600 Directors: Arthur and Natalie Kessler info@ramaquois.com www.ramaquois.com

School of the Holy Child 2225 Westchester Ave. Rye, NY 10580 Mailing address: P.O. Box 586 Bronxville, NY 10708 (914) 779-6024 Director: Carole B. Berman carole@challengecamps.com www.challengecamps.com

Philosophy: Ramaquois is a magical camp where children experience a sense of adventure, meet new challenges, create wonderful memories and make lasting friendships. Camp Ramaquois was formerly a resident camp and is now “a day camp as complete as a sleepaway camp.” From adventurous activities to creative arts to athletic activities, boys and girls ages 3-15 experience a traditional day camp program filled with a variety of stimulating activities. Situated on 44 acres in Rockland County, the camp’s facilities include a five-acre crystalline lake, eight heated swimming pools, a splash park, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, hockey rinks, ballfields, soccer fields, a petting zoo, an air-conditioned indoor gym, many air-conditioned specialty cabins, group bunks with bathroom facilities and an air-conditioned indoor dining room. Enrollment: On a first come, first served basis. Online application available at www.ramaquois.com/ enrollment. User name is RAMA, password is GUEST. Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 15; full eight weeks, or seven-, six- or four-week options Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation: Door-to-door mini school buses servicing Rockland, Bergen, Manhattan, parts of Westchester and Greenwich, Conn. Certified professional drivers and a bus counselor, who oversees safety of the children and provides planned activities on the bus. Fees: Call for fees. Tuition includes transportation, hot lunch, snack, towel service, craft materials and two camp shirts. Camp shirts are uniform. Special programs/other: Exciting teen and preteen program; optional Trailblazers trip program for grades 3-10; optional overnight trips for grades 6-10; 10th-grade Leadership Program. Visit website or call to set up an appointment for a personal tour.

Central Park Dance 450 Central Park Ave. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 723-2940 Directors: Maria Bai and Mario Lastrada www.centralparkdance.com Philosophy: Under the artistic direction of Maria Bai, who is accompanied by a talented and generous staff of teachers, students will receive personal attention in a nurturing environment. At Central Park Dance, summer is sure to be a stimulating and enlightening experience for your children, enabling them to indulge their creativity and gain the confidence of seeing their work produced. Enrollment: Open. Partial and full enrollment available. Camper-counselor ratio: 8:1 Calendar: June 26-Aug. 23 Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Call for fees. Ballet, tap and jazz shoes are free when you register in full enrollment. Special programs/other: Bus transportation to see a Broadway show.

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Philosophy: Challenge Camp remains dedicated to providing innovative and fun, learning opportunities for academically motivated children to realize their intellectual and personal potential. More than 50 hands-on and exciting morning classes are designed to stimulate imagination and creativity. The afternoon challenge features outstanding sports and 40 enrichment options. Enrollment: 400 Camper-counselor ratio: 10:1 Calendar: Session 1: June 24-July 19; Session 2: July 22-Aug. 9 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; 8 a.m. early drop-off Transportation: Bus Fees: Full seven weeks, $4,350; four weeks: $2,400; three weeks: $1,950. CIT program: seven weeks, $1,200; Session 1 or 2: $700. Optional early morning beginning at 8 a.m.: $175 or Session 1 $100, Session 2 $75. Sibling discount: $100 tuition discount for each additional child enrolled for seven weeks.

Chapel School Summer Program 172 White Plains Rd. Bronxville, NY 10708 (914) 337-3203 Directors: Lynn Lena (Care Bear), Kim Johnson (Explorer Program) www.thechapelschool.org Philosophy: At the Chapel School, all summer programs are carefully developed by the Chapel School’s professionals. For 2013, we have planned a variety of new programs: fencing, musical theater, yoga, quilting, a day trip adventure camp, crime scene investigation, ecotastic crafts, fashion design, baseball, Lego robotics and more. Our popular Care Bear program for children 3-6 will run for nine weeks starting June 10. Enrollment: over 250 Camper-counselor ratio: Varies with age group Calendar: Nine one-week sessions starting June 13 Transportation: No Fees: Vary

Clay Art Center 40 Beech St. Port Chester, NY 10573 (914) 937-2047 Director: Leigh Taylor Mickelson leigh@clayartcenter.org www.clayartcenter.org Philosophy: The Clay Art Center is a nonprofit arts organization nationally recognized for its advancement of the ceramic arts. Its vision is “to kindle a passion for the ceramic arts and to provide a sharing community for that passion to flourish.” In relationship to our children’s programs — weekly classes

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and camps — we believe that the transformational qualities of clay provide an excellent opportunity for children to express themselves. Each of our themed camps will have clay at the core of its curriculum, but other art media will also be explored and enjoyed. This summer we will be offering morning and afternoon camps, with the option to sign up for both to make a full-day camp experience. Enrollment: 12 students maximum for each weeklong camp Camper-counselor ratio: 10:1; we will have a teacher’s assistant in classes over 10 campers Calendar: 28 half-day camps from June 24-Aug. 23 Hours: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Half day: $245 members, $265 nonmembers; full day: $420 members, $440 nonmembers. Scholarships available. 10 percent off each additional child’s registration.

Concordia Summer Camp Concordia College 171 White Plains Rd. Bronxville, NY 10708 (914) 395-4848 Director: Ceil Warren www.concordiasummercamp.org Philosophy: Concordia Summer Camp offers a wide variety of creative, musical, academic and sports programs striving to foster a life-long love of learning and to promote enthusiasm for physical activity. Basketball camp is taught by college coaches in the spacious Meyer Athletic Center. The Sports Camp is for both early childhood (ages 3-5) with age-appropriate sports activities, and grades 1-9, offering soccer, baseball, tennis, basketball, dodgeball, floor hockey, swimming and more. The Concordia Conservatory of Music & Art offers exceptional programs in musical theatre, piano, violin, guitar, vocal arts, chamber music, drawing and oil painting. The Early Childhood Enrichment Program offers music, art, science, literacy, indoor and outdoor play. The Enrichment Program for Grades 1-9 includes exciting classes such as video game design, forensic science, lamp making, digital photography, cooking and art. Day Trip Adventures Camp takes campers in grades 2-9 on exciting day trips around the metro area. Enrollment: Early Childhood, 120; Enrichment grades 1-9, 200; Sports Camp grades 1-9, 400; Day Trip Adventures, 35 Camper-counselor ratio: Early Childhood, 5:1; grades 1-9, 10:1 Calendar: Early Childhood Mini Camp, June 10-21; Main Camp: June 24-Aug. 2; Day Trip Adventures, Aug. 5-16. Hours: Morning programs: 9 a.m. to noon; afternoon programs, noon-3 p.m. and noon-5 p.m. Early drop-off and late pick-up are available from 8-9 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. on a daily basis. Transportation: No Fees: See website

Congregation Kol Ami Sun and Fun 252 Soundview Ave. White Plains, NY 10606 (914) 949-4717 Ext. 107 Director: Nan Blank njbtt@aol.com www.nykolami.org Philosophy: A summer program for 2s, 3s and 4s. Groups are staffed with our own experienced early childhood staff. We have two well-equipped,

outdoor shaded playgrounds and in case of inclement weather, a large air-conditioned indoor play space. Both programs include arts and crafts, music, nature, fine and gross motor play and water play. The 3s and 4s enjoy additional specialists who teach drama, art, gardening and soccer, and a weekly Shabbat celebration. Enrollment: n/a Camper-counselor ratio: 3s and 4s 5:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 6 Hours: 2s: children come with a parent or caregiver Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, 9:30-11 a.m.; 3s: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, and Wednesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. with lunch; 4s: Monday -Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch is served Wednesday) Transportation: No Fees: 2s, $700; 3s, $1,950; 4s, $2,450

The Country Childrens Center’s Summer Adventure Camp 412 Cross River Rd. Katonah, NY 10536 (914) 242-0520 ext. 302 Director: Brent Morton www.countrychildrenscenter.org Philosophy: Our program is designed to provide children with all the experiences of a great summer day camp while providing working parents with coverage for their daycare needs. We are an independent, licensed child care center dedicated to providing affordable, quality day care programs designed to meet the individual needs of each child through a caring, nurturing and stimulating environment. Enrollment: 75-85 children in grades K-7 Camper-counselor ratio: 10:1 Calendar: July 1-Aug. 23 Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. with extended hours offered 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Fees: $3,100 for full eight-week session, $3,300 for full eight-week session with extended hours. Weekly rates available Special programs/other: On-site swimming, general sports, arts and crafts, adventure games, science and nature, music and theater, film making and photography, field trips

Creative Playtime at Grace Lutheran Church 59 Grand Blvd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 472-4777 Director: Gigi Aronoff director@creativeplaytimescarsdale.org www.creativeplaytimescarsdale.org Philosophy: Our summer program offers 3- and 4-year-olds a noncompetitive camp experience that balances arts and craft, sports, water play, music, cooking, outdoor play, nature programs and literacy experiences. We will also be collaborating with Scarsdale Strings to offer violin instruction. We have large, cheerful, air-conditioned classrooms and a large fenced-in playground with a cushioned surface. Snack is provided. We are a New York State licensed facility. Enrollment: n/a Camper-counselor ratio: 7:1 with experienced teachers Calendar: June 10-July 26 Hours: 9 a.m.-noon Transportation: No Fees: Competitive and available upon request

DanceNaiad Summer Camps 774 North Bedford Rd. Bedford Hills, NY 10507 (914)715-9882 Director: Carrie Tron lady_inanna@yahoo.com www.dancenaiad.com Philosophy: Students can choose from two five-day camp sessions and/or two three-day camp sessions to explore all types of dance classes as well as take daily ballet and strengthening techniques. Explore classes you haven’t tried before and improve the skills you’ve been working on all year. Dance into the fall with confidence and enthusiasm. Teachers are all professionals in the fields of classical ballet, modern, Duncan, hip-hop, jazz, ballroom and lyrical techniques. Enroll by calling Carrie Tron, school director, before April 15 to ensure your placement. Session 3 is Jumps and Turns Intensive, Session 4 Ballet Boot Camp. Enrollment: Maximum 20/class. Sessions 1 and 2, ages 8-13; Sessions 3 and 4, ages 10- and up. Camper-counselor ratio: n/a Calendar: Session 1, July 8-12; Session 2, July 1519; Session 3, July 23-25; Session 4, July 30-Aug. 1 Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fees: $500/week Sessions 1 and 2; $375/week Sessions 3 and 4 Special programs/other: DanceNaiad trains and celebrates all students, from total beginners to preprofessional performers. All of our staff are experts in their fields and our goal is to nurture a true respect and love for the art of dance in your child.

The Doug Proudian Tennis Academy County Tennis Club 5 Brook Ln. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 472-1136 or (914) 263-8958 Director: Doug Proudian dougproudian@hotmail.com Philosophy: We teach children the fundamentals of stroke production for tennis, match scoring and strategy, and proper sportsmanship in a fun and safe tennis camp/academy environment. Enrollment: Ages 6-16, 30/week Camper-counselor ratio: 4:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 23 (weekly sign-up required for each of the nine weeks) Hours: noon-3:30 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: $415/week or $85/day, $395/week or $80/ day for junior members of County Tennis Club. Lunch included

Early Summer Mini Camp/Hockey Camp/ Figure Skating Camp/ Camp Chillin’ Westchester Skating Academy 91 Fairview Park Dr. Elmsford, NY 10523 (914) 347-8242 www.skatewsa.com Philosophy: WSA Camps are offered for all levels and include on- and off-ice activities and training. We have a camp for everyone. WSA offers recreation, figure skating and hockey camps for beginners to

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advanced skaters. Enrollment: n/a Camper-counselor ratio: n/a Hours: n/a Calendar: Mini-Camp June 10-28 and Aug. 19-30; Figure Skating Camp, 10 weeks beginning June 24; Hockey Camp, nine weeks beginning July 1; Camp Chillin’ runs June 24-28 and Aug. 26-30 Hours: TBA Transportation: No Fees: TBA

Elmwood Day Camp 900 Dobbs Ferry Rd. White Plains, NY 10607 (914) 592-6121 Directors: Hillari Boritz and Gregg Licht summer@elmwooddaycamp.com www.elmwooddaycamp.com Philosophy: Our mission is for each child to discover, celebrate and be who he or she is supposed to be. Consistent caring relationships and a comprehensive activity program are essential to achieve our mission. Enrollment: 450 campers Camper-counselor ratio: 3:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 15 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation: Door to door in yellow school vans Fees: four-week session, $4,800; eight-week session, $7,800 Special programs/other: Electives, performing arts, athletics, Red Cross swimming, arts and crafts, field trips, special event days

Ethical Culture Society of Westchester Nursery School Camp 7 Saxon Wood Rd. White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 948-1132 Director: Ea Jensen mynurseryscl@gmail.com www.ecswnurseryschool.com Philosophy: This program, for 2s, 3s and 4s, includes indoor and outdoor play, work in the vegetable garden, art experiences, music, stories, snack and some special activities with a naturalist. Enrollment: n/a Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: Wednesday, June 12-Friday, July 26 (seven weeks) for three or five days per week (choose either one or all seven weeks) Hours: 9-11:40 a.m. (four-day afternoon program option available until 2 p.m.) Transportation: No Fees: Available upon request

Fashion Extravaganza Day Camp & Fashionagery Day Camp 31 Mamaroneck Ave. Suite 601 White Plains, NY 10601 (914) 428-1047 Director: Denise Proctor www.wfac4children.com Philosophy: To give children the tools to learn how to design clothes through many fashion design experiences.

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Enrollment: 10-20/camp. Fashionagery is for ages 6-8, Fashion Extravaganza ages 9-17. Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: June 24-28, July 22-26, Aug. 12-16 (campers may take one or more areas of design) Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (added fee for early/late drop-off) Transportation: No Fees: Camp Fashionagery $375/week, Camp Fashion Extravaganza $600-$1,200 based on designer program chosen.

First Steps Summer Program at Mathnasium of Scarsdale 747 White Plains Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 725-MATH (6284) Director: Shane Bland www.mathnasium.com Philosophy: Give your child the right start for a lifetime of success in math at Mathnasium of Scarsdale, opening this spring. Just as reading to a young child is critical to language development, our First Steps Summer Program builds foundational math skills in a fun and engaging way that fosters understanding of math concepts and “number sense.” Before long, your little “mathlete” will become crazy about math. Perfect for pre-K through first-grade students. Enrollment: Up to 15 Camp-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: July and August Hours: TBD Transportation: No Fees: Call for fees

French Immersion Camp French American School of New York 111 Larchmont Ave. Larchmont, NY 10538 (914) 413-3665 Director: Agnes Tounkara camps@fasny.org www.fasny.org/After-School Programs Philosophy: Using years of excellence in bilingual education, we have designed a unique program where children will learn French by doing. Research shows that an early start, teachers with native fluency, total immersion and practical experience are essential steps on the path to language proficiency. From experience we know that, if the enjoyment is there, the learning of the language will naturally take place. That’s why our program revolves around fun, hands-on activities led by native French instructors that will stimulate children’s conversation skills but also open them to the French and Francophone cultures. We welcome preschoolers as young as 3 years old, half day or full day, as long as they are potty-trained and ready for this wonderful adventure. In small groups, the children will hear and speak French all day through fun activities that will respect their rhythm. Quiet time is also scheduled. Our program for children in grades 1-5 will stimulate their conversation skills while exposing them to fun and unique activities such as French theater, art with our artist-in-residence, cooking, science and technology projects, music and dance, sports and more. We also offer French classes for teenagers and adults. Enrollment: Ages 3-13 Camper-counselor ratio: 8:1 Calendar: June 24-July 26 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with optional extended day Transportation: No Fees: Half day, $250; full day, $485 (hot lunch included)

Philosophy: Weekly day sports and specialty camps for boys and girls ages 3 1/2-16. Campers choose from the following: tennis, soccer, multisports, baseball, lacrosse, basketball, circus arts, magic, diving, little stars, academic enrichment, cheerleading, field hockey, softball, football and volleyball. Each program includes three to four hours of specific training in the chosen sport, as well as supervised swimming. Highly qualified, professional staff with sport-specific expertise. We encourage our campers to play with confidence, enthusiasm and a genuine love of the game. Enrollment: 600 Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: Weekly June-August Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation: Door to door transportation from Scarsdale Fees: Call for fees Special programs/other: Lunch option available

over yet. Let your child enjoy those last few days of summer break with outdoor nature exploration, animal interaction, indoor and outdoor nature games, and much more. Includes a snack. Enrollment: 10/camp. Critter Camp Children, grades 4-6; Half-Day Camp Children, grades K-3; Nature Adventure Camp Children, grades 4-6; Wilderness Survival Camp Children, grades 5-7; End of Summer Half-Day Camp, grades K-3. Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: Critter Camp, Monday-Friday, July 8-12; Half-Day Camp, Monday-Thursday, July 15-18 and Aug. 5-8; Nature Adventure Camp, Monday-Friday, July 29-Aug. 2; Wilderness Survival Camp, Monday-Friday, Aug. 12-16; End of Summer Half-Day Camp, MondayThursday, Aug. 19-22 and 26-29. Hours: Critter Camp, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Half-Day Camp, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Nature Adventure Camp, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Wilderness Survival Camp, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; End of Summer Half-Day Camp, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Critter Camp: members $350/non-members $400; Half-Day Camp, members: $180/non-members $220; Nature Adventure Camp: members $350/nonmembers $400; Wilderness Survival Camp: members $425/non-members $475; End of Summer Half-Day Camp: members $180/non-members-$220

Greenburgh Nature Center Summer Camps

Greenville Church Nursery School Camp

99 Dromore Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 723-3470 Director: Travis Brady tbrady@greenburghnaturecenter.org www.greenburghnaturecenter.org

270 Ardsley Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 723-1262 Directors: Marcia Heese and D’Ann Cecere Philosophy: Age-appropriate activities are tailored to individual needs with a balance of indoor and outdoor time. Enrollment: 38 Camper-counselor ratio: 3s, 5:1; 4s, 6:1 Calendar: June 29-Aug. 7 Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. with a lunch brought from home Transportation: No Fees: Three-week session, $950; six-week session, $1,500 Special programs/other: Music specialist, nature specialist, walking trips with older group. Accredited by NAEYC and licensed by New York State Department of Social Services, Office of Children and Family Services

SUNY Purchase College 735 Anderson Hill Rd. Purchase, NY 10577 (914) 273-8500 Director: Jordan Snider jordan@fscamps.com www.fscamps.com

• Critter Camp: Celebrate the wild in your child at Critter Camp, where kids focus on making both human and animal friends. Campers go behind the scenes and into the forest for a hands-on introduction to the extraordinary world of animals and nature. They also get a chance to help care for our resident animals and explore the lives of our wild forest friends. Lunch should be sent with child each day. • Half-Day Camp: These half-day camps are the perfect opportunity for your child to spend extended time at the Nature Center, making new friends, playing nature games, doing craft projects and exploring our oasis of greenspace. Includes a snack. • Nature Adventure Camp: Dirt on your clothes, leaves in your hair, grass stains on your shoes — that’s what being a kid is all about. Join our Nature Adventure Camp and you get to do just that. Campers will enjoy a full week of hiking, dipping nets in the pond, geocaching, exploring under dead logs, shelter building, close interaction and handling of our vast animal collection, nature games, and more. Lunch should be sent with child each day. • Wilderness Survival Camp: Wilderness survival skills enhance children’s ability to feel comfortable and confident in the natural world. Activities such as fire building, shelter construction, tracking techniques, plant identification and camouflage are highlights of the camp. The week culminates with an overnight campout on Friday night. Note: Each camper must have a parent or guardian attend the overnight campout. Campers provide own tents and sleeping bags. Camp/ tent set-up would start directly following the 4:30 p.m. pick-up. Evening snacks and camp dinner will be provided, as will Saturday morning breakfast. • End of Summer Half-Day Camp: Summer is not

Greenwich Academy Summer Programs 200 N. Maple Ave. Greenwich CT 06830 (203) 625-8967 LSingleton@greenwichacademy.org www.greenwichacademy.org/summer Philosophy: Summer is the perfect time to discover, and Greenwich Academy’s 39-acre campus is the ideal location for investigation and exploration. Greenwich Academy is proud to offer summer programs that will encourage creativity, curiosity and athleticism. Enrollment: 250-plus Camper-counselor ratio: 8-10:1 Calendar: June 10-27 Hours: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Varies by program

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Hoff-Barthelson Music School Summer Arts Program 25 School Ln. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 723-1169 Director: Joe Piscitelli hb@hbms.org www.hbms.org Philosophy: The program offers a stimulating, challenging and enjoyable summer experience in music, visual arts and theater for second- through 10thgraders. Lessons, ensembles and weekly concert performances. Basic morning program can be combined with a variety of extended day options, such as world drumming, musical theater workshop, chamber music or jazz workshops, wind serenade, composers corner, music tech lab and HB Rocks! guitar ensemble. Enrollment: 85-110 Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: June 24-July 26 Hours: 9 a.m.-noon for basic program; extended day options to 2 or 5 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Morning only, $1,492; extended day, $2,120; afternoon only, $785; afternoon plus HB rocks!, $1,540; afternoon plus musical theater workshop, $2,278; extended day plus HB Rocks!, $2,875; extended day plus musical theater workshop, $3,615; HB rocks! only, $755; musical theater workshop only, $1,492 Special programs/other: Scholarships available. Five percent discount if enrolled before March 31

Hole-In-One Junior Golf Camp Dunwoodie and Sprain Lake Golf Courses, Yonkers; Hudson Hills, Ossining; Maple Moor, White Plains; Saxon Woods, Scarsdale; and Mohansic, Yorktown Heights (914) 231-4673 Director: Beth Bricker babc@westchestergov.com www.westchestergov.com/parks Philosophy: Young people ages 10-17 can learn the fundamentals of golf and hone their skills under the direction of top PGA pros in Westchester. Enrollment: Varies Camper-counselor ratio: Varies Hours: Vary Transportation: No Fees: $50/session

Hudson Country Day Camp 340 Quaker Ridge Rd. New Rochelle, NY 10804 (914) 636-6202 Director: Paul Casey info@hudsoncountry.org www.hudsoncountry.org Philosophy: Summer fun in a safe, nurturing environment. Enrollment: 150 Camper-counselor ratio: 2s, 5:1; 3s-8s, 6:1; 9s-11s, 8:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 16 Hours: 2s, 9 a.m.-noon; 3s-5s, 9 a.m.-noon or 9 a.m.4 p.m.; 6s-11s, 9.a.m.-4 p.m.; extended hours available

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7:45 a.m.-6 p.m. Transportation: Optional Fees: Call for information Special programs/other: Special activities include swimming, sports, science, gardening, crafts, nature, karate, gymnastics and dance. Open house Saturday, April 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (raindate April 21).

JCC of Mid-Westchester Summer Camps 999 Wilmot Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 472-3300 ext. 0 www.jccmw.org/camp.htm • Camp Gadol (includes Camp Xtreme): Give your child an unforgettable summer at Camp Gadol, where children ages 2-13 will be introduced to a variety of professionally led activities and weekly special events. Camp Gadol encourages children to spread their creative wings, try new skills and stretch their imaginations in our weatherproof facility. Camp Xtreme provides campers 10-13 with a complete camp experience close to home with special weekly enhancements. • Summer Arts Center (SAC): The joy of creative expression is what this unique program is all about. Developed for the creative and independent child (entering grades 3-8), SAC is the only program of its kind in lower Westchester that provides an opportunity for campers to focus on art, dance or theatre as a major while taking electives in all disciplines. SAC provides a noncompetitive, nurturing atmosphere in which children are encouraged to explore their creativity. SAC is a fullday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. program. • LIT/CIT Experience (Leader/Counselor in Training): Leadership training and “pre-job” experience is what you will gain from our unique LIT/CIT program (available for 14- and 15-year-olds). LIT/CITs are paired with counselors to learn how to supervise and interact with campers or with a specialist to learn how to lead an activity. There will be a weekly community service component as well as LIT/CIT-only group activity and weekly trip. • Toward Tomorrow (July 8-Aug. 16): The Toward Tomorrow program provides children 3-5 years with developmental needs a nurturing learning and recreational summer experience. We collaborate with Camp Gadol to give children ages 3-12 years with special learning needs inclusion opportunities. • Dance Intensive (June 24-July 26): The serious dance student with some experience will enjoy a comprehensive curriculum of dance and dance-related classes taught by professionals. Dancers attend camp daily, 10:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. and may choose a two-, three-, four- or five-week session. The program culminates with an in-studio showcase on July 26. Space is limited to 16 students Camper-counselor ratio: Varies by program/age Calendar: June 24-Aug. 9 (extended/specialty camps available Aug. 12-16 for an additional fee) Hours: 9 a.m.-noon, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Early arrival after care available (additional fee). Transportation: No Fees: Range from $1,700-$4,950 (some programs include lunch)

The Little School Summer Enrichment Program 307 Mamaroneck Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 472-5409 Director: Deborah Fine

dfine@kblsmail.org www.kbls.org Philosophy: Our philosophy at The Little School Summer Enrichment Program is to create a climate of learning and fun that will further the development of each child socially, physically and creatively. We help each child adjust easily, strengthen values of cooperation and have a positive group experience. In everything we do, we promote a positive self-image of each child in a variety of age-appropriate physical and creative activities. These objectives are pursued in a low-key and spirited way. Our concern is always for The Little School child. Enrollment: 100 campers Camper-counselor ratio: 6:1 Calendar: June 25-Aug. 9 Hours: Half day, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; full day, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; extended hours, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Half day, $3,290; full day, $3,995; Breakfast Club $290 (7:30-9 a.m.); Extended Day $515 (3-6:30 p.m.) Special programs/other: The Little School is a not-for-profit community organization for children who reside in the Scarsdale School District or who are eligible to attend the Scarsdale public schools. It is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and is licensed by the Office of Children & Family Services

Mazel Tots Summer Stars Scarsdale Synagogue-Temples Tremont and Emanu-El 2 Ogden Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 723-3001 Directors: Jody Glassman and Jocelyn Gross mazeltots@aol.com Philosophy: At Summer Stars we provide children ages 18 months to 6 years old with an environment that will encourage their curiosity and help them to grow socially, emotionally and physically. Enrollment: n/a Calendar: June 24-Aug. 9 Hours: Toddlers 9-11:15 a.m.; half day 9 a.m.-noon; full day 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Camper-counselor ratio: 3:1 Transportation: No Fees: Toddlers $1,600, half day $2,425, full day $3,075 Special programs/other: Activities include sports, water play, art, music, soccer, storyteller, puppetry, fitness, cooking, nature and more.

Mitchell Spearman Junior Golf Summer Camp Doral Arrowwood 975 Anderson Hill Rd. Rye Brook, NY 10573 (800) 733-1653 Director: Mitchell Spearman joanna@mitchellspearman.com www.spearmanjuniorgolf.com Philosophy: Premier instruction that will create an environment to bring out the best in your junior both on and off the golf course. Working on all aspects of the swing. Full swing, short game, putting, oncourse strategy and play. Utilizing the latest in video technology. Enrollment: Ages 6-16 Camper-counselor ratio: 4:1 Calendar: June 3-Aug. 30 Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-noon

Fees: $1,150/week with early registration sign-up. Sign-up for one week minimum. Special programs/other: Winter indoor program running now. Maximum four per session. Spring program outdoors: Commences April 1. Many sign-up options running Monday-Friday 4-6 p.m. and weekends 2-6 p.m. Minimum one day a week. Pee Wees: Ages 4-7, Wednesdays and Sundays. Join in any time as long as space is available. Two-hour classes.

Mohawk Day Camp 200 Old Tarrytown Rd. White Plains, NY 10603 (914) 949-2635 Directors: Ken, Barbara and Steve Schainman info@campmohawk.com www.campmohawk.com Philosophy: Mohawk Day Camp is committed to enriching children’s lives through friendship, learning and play. For more than 80 years, generations of campers ages 3-13 have had unforgettable summers mentored by remarkable, mature staff in an environment of inclusiveness and exploration. Leadership Training program available for ages 14-15. Enrollment: n/a Camper-Counselor Ratio: 3:1 Calendar: Pre-camp: June 10-21; Main Camp: June 26-Aug. 16 Hours: Full-day: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (ages 3-13); mini-day: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (ages 3 to entering kindergarten); half-day: 9 a.m.-noon (ages 3-4) Transportation: Door-to-door on air-conditioned buses with counselor, included in tuition Fees: Call for fees Special programs/other: Mohawk’s 40-acre site features a year-round farm, 23 sports fields and courts, eight heated pools, eight craft/hobby areas, ropes course and climbing walls, and much more. In addition to traditional sports, crafts, performance, nature and adventure activities, campers enjoy age-appropriate elective choices such as circus skills, sports intensives, rocketry, doll making, songwriting, guitar lessons, dog training and more. Staff members include more than 120 local teachers, many from Mohawk’s own nursery school/kindergarten/first grade school-year program. For more information or to schedule a tour, visit website or call office

Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Music & Arts

MVP Basketball Camp 29 Homeside Ln. White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 946-1231 Director: Noel Muyskens nmuyskens@mvpbasketballcamp.org www.mvpbasketballcamp.org Philosophy: The camp teaches boys and girls from 6-16 the fundamentals of basketball, plus teamwork, leadership, goal-setting and dedication. Enrollment: 250/week Camper-counselor ratio: 6:1 Calendar: June 24-28 in Bedford for boys 9-16 and girls 9-13, July 1-Aug. 2 in White Plains for boys and girls 6-16 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; early drop-off and extended hours available Transportation: Carpooling arranged Fees: Varies by week Special programs/other: Camp features high school coaches and college players as instructors

My First Camp at Gymboree Play and Music of Scarsdale 450 Central Ave. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (located in the Scarsdale Park Mall) Main office: (866) 477-3700 Gym direct: (914) 472-0192 Director: Shane Bland www.gymboreeclasses.com/scarsdaleny.site Philosophy: Gymboree’s My First Camp is a twohour and 45-minute drop-off camp for children ages 3-5. We specialize in making the camp experience fun, stimulating and extremely positive. Children can attend from one-five days a week for four-12 weeks. This is the perfect first camp separation experience or continuation of pre-K activities through the summer. Our camp focuses on social skills, physical play, sports, art, science/math, theatre, music and imaginative play. Enrollment: 12/class Camper-counselor ratio: 6:1 Calendar: June 10-Aug. 30, closed July 4 Hours: 9-11:45 a.m. or 12:30-3:15 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Call for information

The Play Group Theatre

216 Central Ave. White Plains, NY 10606 (914) 761-3900 Director: Sarah Wetherbee info@musiced.org www.musicconservatory.org

1 N. Broadway White Plains, NY 10601 (914) 946-4433 Director: Jill Abusch jill@playgroup.org www.playgroup.org

Philosophy: You’ve never experienced summer like this. MCW’s all-new program gives your child (ages 1-3, 4-6, 7 and up) the option to join one or more of our educational — but fun — sessions. Choose electives in band, orchestra, arts and crafts, chorus, jazz, rock, music technology, dance or visual arts and more. Enrollment: n/a Camper-Counselor Ratio: n/a Calendar: Session 1: July 1-12 (closed July 4), Session II: July 15-26, Session III: July 29-Aug. 9 (sign up for one, two or all three sessions) Hours: Monday-Friday, varied hours Transportation: No Fees: Call or visit website Special programs/other: Half day, early arrival and extended day options available

Philosophy: The Play Group Theatre’s summer program provides a conservatory-quality theatre training experience in a nurturing, supportive and collaborative environment. The program includes a six-week MainStage program and three-week programs for the Teen Conservatory (ages 14-and up), the Young Actors’ Ensemble (ages 11-13), the PGT Kids (ages 7-10) and Little Theatre (ages 4-6). Half of each day is spent in classes, including acting, musical theatre, dance and movement, Shakespeare, stage combat, on-camera and more. The other half of the day is dedicated to rehearsal. Each program culminates in a performance. A trip to Broadway, an improv workshop with Chicago City Limits and weekly “special days” complete the PGT summer experience. A one-week improv program is also

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available at the end of July. PGT’s professional staff is dedicated to providing an artistic haven for children and teens of all ages and levels of experience. Enrollment: 100 Camper-Counselor Ratio: 5:1 Calendar: MainStage: July 8-Aug. 16. First three-week session, July 8-26; second three-week session, July 29-Aug. 16; one-week session, July 29-Aug. 2 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. (Little Theatre, Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.) Transportation: No Fees: Vary by program

Purchase College Summer Youth and Precollege Programs in the Arts

Director: Carmelita Bota Philosophy: Morning program for children entering a 3- or 4-year-old program or kindergarten in the fall. Experienced nursery school teachers. Outdoor playgrounds and sprinklers. Weekly fun themes. Enrollment: n/a Camper-counselor ratio: n/a Calendar: June 24-Aug. 1 Hours: 9-11:45 a.m. Transportation: No Fees: $190/week

tour of our bright, sunny classrooms. Special programs/other: A six-week fun-filled first camp experience for young children including music and movement, language and literature, arts and crafts, and science. Our large protected play area is equipped with a state-of-the-art playground, sand area, bikes and yard equipment to encourage gross motor activities. An indoor playroom is available for rainy days. Our classrooms are air-conditioned, bright and sunny. Weekly themes, water play and sprinklers add to the fun.

Scarsdale Ballet Studio Summer Intensive and Mini-Camp

Scarsdale Recreation Summer Day Camp

735 Anderson Hill Rd. Purchase, NY 10577 (914) 251-6500 Director: Kelly Jackson youth.pre.college@purchase.edu www.purchase.edu/youth Philosophy: Children ages 7-18 will work with practicing artists and educators in the studios, stages and classrooms of Purchase College to develop confidence, creativity and enjoyment of the visual and performing arts. Programs in photography, visual arts, filmmaking, creative writing, jazz, acting, comic drawing, fashion design, songwriting, pop choral, architecture, game and app design and Shakespeare are offered. Enrollment: Varies by program Camper-counselor ratio: Approximately 10:1 Calendar: begins July 1; dates vary by program Hours: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; early drop-off and extended day options (9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.) available at an additional cost Transportation: No Fees: $1,115-$2,275, vary by program; early registration/additional sibling discounts available

696R White Plains Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 725-8754 Director: Diana White scarsdaleballetstudio@verizon.net www.scarsdaleballetstudio.com

Village Hall — Parks and Recreation 1001 Post Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 722-1160 Director: Jim Andreski recreation@scarsdale.com www.scarsdale.com/campcentral

Philosophy: A daily program for dancers ages 8-12 who wish to focus in-depth on ballet technique and repertory in a collaborative and creative atmosphere. Studio and guest faculty, including Abi Stafford of New York City Ballet, teach classes in ballet, pointe, variations, choreography, body conditioning and contemporary. All participants will perform a solo in the final studio showing. Maria Posey directs the afternoon mini-camp for ages 3-5. Also offering a two-week After School Intensive for advanced dancers June 17-28. Call for more information. Enrollment: Two levels, 16/level Camper-counselor ratio 10:1 Calendar: July 1-Aug. 2 Hours: After School Intensive: Monday-Friday, 4:307 p.m.; Summer Intensive: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Mini-camp: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 3-4:30 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: TBD. Call for information

Philosophy: We provide a wide variety of recreational and educational programs for all campers. Camp open to Scarsdale residents only. Enrollment: Approximately 900 campers grades k-8 Camper-counselor ratio: Kindergarten, 6:1; first grade, 6:1; second grade, 8:1; third-eighth grade starts at 8:1 and goes up to 12:1 Calendar: Monday, July 1-Friday, Aug. 2 Hours: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Transportation: Provided from each elementary school, Scarsdale High School, Hyatt Field, George Field Park, Kids’ BASE and Scarsdale Pool. Fees: Early-bird fee by signing up by May. Full-day season $850. Weekly options also available. Special programs/other: Combination camp: campers in third-eighth grades can choose soccer or sports camp in the morning and regular day camp in the afternoon (separate fee). Specialty elective programs will be offered during the season for thirdto eighth-graders (additional fee).

Rye Racquet Club Tennis Camp

Scarsdale Community Baptist Nursery School

Scarsdale Recreation Teen Travel Camp

3 South Rd. Harrison, NY 10528 (914) 835-3030 Directors: Go Inagawa and Teza Simunyola www.ryeracquet.com Philosophy: To provide a comprehensive tennis education including mechanics, stroke production and strategies of the game. To help students develop a lifetime love of the game and a sense of good sportsmanship and fair play. Enrollment: Morning and full day, 40 campers/week Camper-counselor ratio: 4:1 or 5:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 16 Hours: Morning camp, 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m.; full day, 8:45am-4 p.m. (Fridays camp ends at 1 p.m.); USTA, 2-4 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Call for fees Special programs/other: Students must be evaluated for acceptance into the USTA and/or full day camp. MITL team competition, Elite Training Program offered

Popham and Autenrieth Roads Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 722-0278 Director: Elaine Ferraro, M.S. Ed. www.sbcns.com

Village Hall — Parks and Recreation 1001 Post Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 722-1160 recreation@scarsdale.com www.scarsdale.com/campcentral Philosophy: Each day campers go on a different trip. Registration is held at Scarsdale Village Hall and via the village website. Enrollment: For sixth- through ninth-graders on a first come, first served basis. A minimum of 20 and a maximum of 40/session. Calendar: Session I: Monday, July 1-Friday, July 19; Session II: Monday, July 22-Friday, Aug. 2 Hours: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (time varies depending on trip) Fees: Session I: $1,355; Session II: $955

St. James The Less Summer Camp Crane Road at Church Ln. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 723-1018

Philosophy: Our educational philosophy is to create a safe, nurturing, child-centered environment. We are concerned with all aspects of a child’s development: emotional, social, physical, cognitive and creative. Our aim is to help each child gain a positive self-image, to encourage independence and to stimulate the child’s enormous capacity to learn during these special preschool years. The Scarsdale Community Baptist Nursery School was established in 1961 as an outreach of the Scarsdale Community Baptist Church. It is a nonsectarian program welcoming all children of the community. Our classrooms are alive with active play, learning and laughter. Visit website for pictures and more information. Enrollment: 14 campers Camper-counselor ratio: 7:1 Calendar: June 10-July 19; choice of two-, three- or five-day program Hours: 9 a.m.-noon Transportation: No Fees: Vary by program. Please call for fees or for a

Slam Dunk Basketball Camps Westchester County Center 198 Central Ave. White Plains, NY 10606 (914) 231-4673 Director: Rob Rizzio KDC2@westchestergov.com www.westchestergov.com/parks

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Philosophy: Children in grades 1-9 learn and practice basketball skills through drills and team play. Enrollment: 90/session Calendar: One-week sessions, July 1-5 (no camp July 4), July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26 Hours: Grades 1-2, 8:30 a.m.-noon; grades 3-9, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: Call for fees.

Soundview Sports 2900 Purchase St. Purchase, NY 10577 (914) 323-5400 Director: Steve Moynahan office@soundviewsports.com www.soundviewsports.com Philosophy: The Soundview Sports Skills Building Program is designed to teach sportsmanship and proper skills to boys and girls ages 5-14. The focus of the program is making learning fun and building confidence through success. Campers are taught basic to advanced skills in soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, field hockey, flag football, floor hockey, swimming, tennis, golf and volleyball. Enrollment: Maximum of 350 per session Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: Seven one-week sessions starting June 24 and ending Aug. 9 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Transportation: Optional door-to-door busing Fees: Upon request

Sportime Harbor Island Summer Camp Harbor Island Park Mamaroneck, NY 10543 (914) 777-5050 Director: Carlos Campo www.SportimeNY.com/Camp www.sportimeny.com/harbor-island Philosophy: All camps offer appropriate level of learning, playing, competing and summer fun. Facilities include nine tennis courts, ball fields, basketball, beach and spray park. Three distinct summer junior tennis camps: QuickStart camp for children ages 4-8; Junior Tennis Camp for advanced beginner to intermediate players ages 8-14; Elite Training Camp for competitive juniors of all ages. Enrollment: 50 campers/week maximum Camper-counselor ratio: 4:1 Calendar: June 17-Aug. 30 Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or half-day options Transportation: Limited transportation may be available Fees: Call for fees

Squire Advantage and Squire Sports Academies The Masters School Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 Mailing address: P.O. Box 885 Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 (914) 328-3798 Directors: Matt Davanzo squirecamps@gmail.com www.Squirecamps.com Philosophy: Squire Camps, set on the beautiful 96-acre Masters School campus in Dobbs Ferry, is celebrating its 40th anniversary season and offers

ColdwellBankerMoves.com 723-3340 ~ 870 SCAR SDALE AVENUE

continued on page 37A

MARCH 8, 2013

Kids!

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The Scarsdale Inquirer 2013 I Day Camp Guide continued from page 36A

www.StratfordStables.net

unique and varied opportunities for boys and girls ages 5-15. Squire Advantage is a totally individualized program for the inquisitive child who wishes to explore and expand his or her interests. Advantage Primary, grades K-3, and Advantage Choice, grades 4-9, enable campers to design their own schedule by choosing two morning and two afternoon courses from a selection of more than 50 offerings, which include digital photography, robotics, polymer clay, lights camera action, tennis, swimming, Legos, etc. Squire Sports Academies: baseball, tennis, and all-sports academy. Squire Sports programs provides an outstanding competitive program for athletes who are interested in improving their skills and having fun while doing so. Early drop-off from 8 a.m. on, hot lunch and a morning snack, as well as a T-shirt and water bottle are included. Transportation and extended day are available. Instructors are New York State certified teachers. Enrollment: 175 for Advantage, 75 for Sports Academies Camper-counselor ratio: 6:1 or better Calendar: June 24-Aug. 9 Hours: 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m. for Advantage; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for Sports Academies Transportation: Yes Fees: Vary

Philosophy: Stratford Stables Summer Camp Program is designed to encourage and nurture equine enthusiasts of all ages. The program offers a safe and fun method of learning for all levels and abilities. Participants only need a love of horses. The goal is to enlighten children on all aspects of horsemanship. Participants will have all the opportunity to ride daily in a setting with their friends. Emphasis is on safety, education and fun. Activities will include grooming and tacking of rider’s assigned lesson horse, one-hour lesson, weekly art project, discussions on proper horse care and horse management. Each day will end with a quick round of equine trivia to recap what was learned. Enrollment: Please enroll early to secure your child’s choice of session(s) Enrollment is limited to assure that we can provide individual attention Camper-counselor ratio: 4:1 Calendar: Nine one-week sessions June 24-Aug. 23 Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: $500/week. All camp registration forms, release forms and $100 per week nonrefundable deposit must be received no later than May 17. Final payment must be received no later than June 14 to ensure your child’s placement in our camp.

Steffi Nossen Summer Dance 216 Central Ave. White Plains, NY 10606 (914) 328-1900 Director: Kathy Fitzgerald info@steffinossen.org www.steffinossen.org Philosophy: Programs fit the needs of a broad spectrum of dancers. Both programs and faculty transmit the joy of dance while teaching technique and developing creativity. Enrollment: Currently accepting enrollment for weeklong Company-in-Residence Program, an opportunity for experienced high school and college dancers to join a professional dance company in daily Company Class and create and learn repertory; weeklong Dance Intensives for dancers in fifth grade-high school to take daily modern, ballet and jazz technique classes, plus improve composition, repertory, Pilates and yoga; weeklong Hip-Hop Intensive for fifth grade-high school exploring various hip-hop and breakdance styles and learning and performing repertory; Summer Dance Master Series: 10 Artists in 10 Days — each day a different performing professional will present a Master Class followed by discussion and repertory in a variety of modern and jazz techniques. Calendar: Professional Dance Residency June 24-28; Weeklong Dance Intensives July 8-12 and 15-19; Hip-Hop Intensive July 22-26; Master Series: 10 Artists in 10 Days July 29-Aug. 9; Moving Wheels & Heels Adaptive Dance: Adult Weeklong Intensive June 24-26; Children’s Camp July 1-3 Transportation: No Fees: Call for details

Stratford Stables Summer Camp 120 Cottage Ave. Purchase, NY 10577 (914) 939-9294 StratfordStables@gmail.com

Studio B Dance Center 281 White Plains Rd. Eastchester, NY 10709 (Entrance on Prospect) (914) 793-2799 studioboffice@aol.com www.studiobdance.com Philosophy: The studio focuses on fun, age-appropriate technique and social interaction for boys and girls, ages 2 and up. Enrollment: Varies with program. Flexible scheduling allows for parent to pick individual days and weeks for children to attend; no minimum Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 23 Hours: Vary by program Transportation: No Fees: Vary with program Special programs/other: Saturday and weekday dance classes for boys and girls ages 2 and up. Two-and-a-half-hour morning arts program for ages 3-5. Arts camp for ages 6-10, includes dance, games, arts and crafts, snack and exciting guests. Intensive dance program for ages 11-17 focuses on ballet, contemporary, modern and hip-hop. All camp programs can be done on a daily or weekly sign-up

Teaches Basketball Camps 59 South Greeley Ave. Chappaqua, NY 10514 (914) 238-0278 Director: Terry Teachout teaches100@aol.com www.teacheshoops.com Philosophy: Teaches Basketball Camp’s goal is to provide a positive learning environment through fundamentals and participation. We are the best “teaching” basketball camp in Westchester. Learn how to improve, play full-court games and have fun. All abilities and levels of experience served. Popular camps included NBA All-Star David Lee Camp, NY Knick Iman Shumpert Camp and NY Knick Steve Novak Camp

Enrollment: 25-75 per week Camper-counselor ratio: 7:1 Calendar: July 6-Aug. 30. Multiple camps and locations each week: Armonk, Chappaqua, Dobbs Ferry, Yorktown, White Plains, Sleepy Hollow, Cortlandt and New Rochelle Hours: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: $200-375; varies per week Special programs/other: See our theme camps: Five-Star Basketball Camp and Shooting Camps with locations in a town near you.

Temple Israel Center Summer Camp 280 Old Mamaroneck Rd. White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 948-2800 ext. 126 Director: Patty Goldstick p.goldstick@templeisraelcenter.org Philosophy: Our six-and-a-half-week camp provides a summer filled with enthusiastic, age-appropriate fun and discovery in a relaxed nurturing environment. Enrollment: 40 campers Camper-counselor ratio: Staffed by our Nursery School teachers, ratio varies depending on age group, but low Calendar: June 24-Aug. 7 Hours: Mommy & Me, Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m.; 2s, 9-11:30 a.m.; 3s, 9 a.m.-noon; 4s, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; 4s two extended days until 2:30 available. Transportation: No Fees: Call for information

Thornton-Donovan School Summer Challenge 100 Overlook Circle New Rochelle, NY 10804 (914) 632-8836 Director: Annemarie Licini www.td.edu Philosophy: The Summer Challenge begins its 45th year Monday, July 8, and concludes seven weeks later on Friday, Aug. 23. The Summer Challenge attracts campers from ages 3-14, is co-educational and has swimming and instructional swim as its main focus. The Challenge also makes available 25 other recreational activities. A seasoned staff of 20, mostly teachers and other professionals, help make each summer day a fun and safe one. Our open houses are set for Sundays, March 10 and April 14, both from 2-4 p.m. Call for a brochure or any other information. Enrollment: 150 Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 or 6:1 Calendar: July 8-Aug. 23 Hours: 8:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Transportation: Yes, call for details Fees: $625/week. Discounts on multiple-week programs Special programs/other: Summer School classes from July 15-Aug. 9

Twin Lakes Farm 960 California Rd. Bronxville, NY 10708 (914) 961-2192 Director: Elizabeth Tarter Camp@TwinLakesFarm.com www.TwinLakesFarm.com

The ONLY Tri-State Real Estate Website You'll Ever Need.

Philosophy: Traditional riding academy and summer camp with more than 45 lesson horses, indoor and outdoor riding Enrollment: 30 Camper-counselor ratio: 5:1 Calendar: July 1-Aug. 23rd; weekly, biweekly, monthly and full summer camp Hours: Half day, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; full day, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: $500/week half day, $750/week full day; multi-week discounts Special programs/other: Summer camp includes twice daily riding, horsemanship, horsey arts and crafts, waterslides and horsey games. Afternoon summer leasing also available by the month or week. New renovated facility with new indoor dedicated to camp.

Westchester Reform Temple Summer Play Place 255 Mamaroneck Rd. Scarsdale, NY 10583 (914) 723-5493 Director: Joyce Podolak E.rosenberg@wrtemple.org www.wrtemple.org Philosophy: The Summer Play Place at Westchester Reform Temple offers a fun-filled program within a warm, nurturing setting where experienced staff and teen CITs facilitate our hands-on program. Our agespecific activities are exciting, creative and fun. Enrollment: Varies Camper-counselor ratio: 6:1 Calendar: June 24-Aug. 2 Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for 3s and 4s (children bring lunch); 9:15-11:15 a.m. for Temple Tots (children entering 2s in September) two or three days/week. Drop-off is optional. Transportation: No Fees: 3s and 4s, $2,935; two-day Temple Tots, $1,275; three-day Temple Tots, $1,890 Special programs/other: Highlighted activities feature arts and crafts, sports (including Happy Feet Soccer program), nature, dance, music, special projects, theme days, our large, air-conditioned indoor play space and daily outdoor water play

Westchester Summer Music Center Westchester County Center 198 Central Ave. White Plains, NY 10606 (914) 231-4673 Director: Mitch White KDC2@westchestergov.com www.westchestergov.com/parks Philosophy: Young people going into grades 3-12 can learn to play a ba nd or orchestral instrument, as well as guitar or keyboard. Students will experience performing in a group setting. Recreational breaks are included. Enrollment: 220-plus Calendar: Six-week session, July 1-Aug. 9 Hours: 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Transportation: No Fees: $550-$650. Discounts for Westchester County Park Pass holders

ColdwellBankerMoves.com 723-3340 ~ 870 SCAR SDALE AVENUE

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Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

Kids B.A.S.E offers variety of programs at Manhattanville College • 2900 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY 10577 (914) 323-5400 • www.soundviewsports.com

SUmmer Day camp! Now 3 Great Choices:

(1-week sessions now available)

Soundview classic multi-Sport for Boys & Girls Choose 4 sports!

W NE Soundview afternoon

Speciality camps

for Boys & Girls, 5th Grade & Up Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse & Soccer W NE

Soundview mini camp

for Kids, Ages 31/2 - 5 9:00AM - 1:15PM Introduction to Sports! Includes Swimming and Lunch

Kids’ B.A.S.E. & The Little School is a unique facility among Westchester communities and an indispensable resource for Scarsdale’s working parents. The Little School, a nationally accredited, not-forprofit educational community organization, offers a dynamic and nurturing environment for 3- and 4-year-old children of Scarsdale residents, as well as employees of the village and school district, providing five-day programming, as well as before- and after-school enrichment. Deborah Fine is in her ninth year as executive director. The Kids’ B.A.S.E. program, available to Scarsdale families with children in kindergarten through sixth grade, provides before- and after-school enrichment programs from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, and on many of the vacation days. The Kids’ B.A.S.E. students, under the direction of program coordinator Johnna Locoparra and Kids’ B.A.S.E. teachers, teach the children the value and importance of community service. Their Thanksgiving food drive was successful in collecting many grocery bags of food which was gratefully received by the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless. The annual toy drive delivered toys to needy children in Westchester through Community Action in New Rochelle for victims of Hurricane Sandy. An exciting selection of after-school enrichment programs at Kids’ B.A.S.E. is available to school-age children for the winter 2013 semester, including Kids r’

Cookin, Kids’ B.A.S.E. has Talent with Gigi Schwartzman, Lego Block Stars, Mad Science-Secret Agent Lab, Beading with Melanie Rose from Beadz and guitar and violin lessons, along with the continued popularity of Chess Chums, which introduces young minds to this international game of strategy. After-school sports clinics continue with coach Steve Stone and assistant coach William Davis, along with the Saturday basketball clinics. The mini-vacation programs offered by KBLS during school holidays and vacations offer much-needed support for working parents. KBLS is very pleased to continue its relationship with social worker Brenda Stern. She meets with parents and teachers to offer support related to the developmental needs of children. The Little School Summer Enrichment Program and Summer Set, the beforeand after-camp program for school-age children, will once again welcome campers. Enrollment has begun for all summer programs. As a not-for-profit institution, fundraising efforts and community donations are essential to the enhancement and development of new and ongoing programs at KBLS, as well as offerings of need-based scholarships. For information about the various programs and activities offered by KBLS, call 472-5409 or visit updated website at www.kbls.org.

Twin Lakes Farm “Where Westchester Learns to Ride” © Twin Lakes Farm is Westchester’s largest and most diverse equestrian center, offering both boarding and a robust riding academy. The riding academy starts at age 6 with private lessons before moving up to groups; adults ride daily and take advantage of the 8pm adults-only classes. For the more serious equestrian Twin Lakes Farm offers Drill Teams, Interscholastic Teams, Trail Lessons, Horseshowing and Summer Leasing while also offering year-round boarding. Camp is coeducational and runs 8:30am to 4:30pm all summer and includes riding, camp activities and the very popular camp horseshow.

• Westchester’s Largest Equestrian Facility • 2 Campuses, over 50 Stalls each • Indoor & Outdoor Arenas at both campuses • 4 Outdoor Arenas and Miles of Trails • Open 7 Days • Boarding, Leasing and Training • Lessons, Drill Team, Interscholastic Teams • Full Day Coeducational Summer Camp

960 California Road, Bronxville • 914-961-2192 Visit our website for more information www.TwinLakesFarm.com A FACILITY

THE COUNTY

WESTCHESTER PARKS, RECREATION & CONSERVATION

MARCH 8, 2013

Kids!

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 39A

Financial advice for expectant and new parents

ave you ever heard the saying that “babies don’t come with owner’s manuals”? It’s true that no matter how many books you read, classes you take or experienced parents you talk to, you can never be completely prepared for the challenges and joys of parenthood. You can, however, prepare yourself for the costs of a new baby by looking after your finances before your bundle arrives. New parents don’t always prepare for the expenses associated with having a baby. One survey by Redbook Magazine and VISA found that less than 50 percent of expectant parents create a new budget that includes baby expenses. And while 76 percent of parents-to-be felt financially prepared for a baby, after the tyke arrived, 41 percent of new parents said they weren’t as prepared as they had thought. Taking steps like clipping coupons and buying secondhand clothes can help new parents save cash, but other important financial considerations — such as protecting their credit scores — require advanced planning. Here are some tips to help expectant and new parents to look after their finances:

Before the baby arrives • Review your health insurance and what it covers. The full costs of pre-natal care, maternal care and delivery are not always covered by all insurance plans. As

dresser or changing table.

soon as you know you are pregnant — or when you make the decision to conceive — contact your insurer and ask for a detailed explanation of benefits. The Redbook survey found that unexpected hospital costs — things that couples thought their insurance would cover — cost one in four new parents more than $2,000 from their own pockets. Knowing what’s covered and what’s not can help you determine how much cash to set aside for hospital expenses. • Review your credit. One way or another, you will be spending money — a lot of it — when the new baby arrives. Whether you need to tap credit to buy nursery furniture or need a good credit score so you can get a better auto policy that costs less, it’s important to under-

stand this aspect of your financial wellbeing. Enrolling in a product such as freecreditscore.com can help you understand your credit score and status, which can help you make informed decisions about how you will use credit during this potentially financially challenging time. • Create a spending plan. Your overall spending plan should not only include a budget for day-to-day costs like diapers, but a long-term plan for larger expenses such as nursery furniture, day care and college savings. It’s important to estimate not only how much you’ll spend, but when you’ll spend it, too. For example, your short-term budget may include the cost of a crib — an item you will need immediately — but you may be able to postpone other furniture purchases like a

When you’re new parents • Buy wisely and frugally. From clipping coupons to buying off-brand names or purchasing from second-hand stores, it’s possible to equip your baby with everything he or she needs at a fraction of the cost of buying brand new, brand-name retail products. It’s normal to feel pressured to buy new, top-of-the-line luxury items for your baby, but used items and off-brand products can be just as good. Check out online ratings for a used item’s durability before you buy it, and see what other consumers have to say about cheaper brands of diapers, baby wipes and clothing. • Continue to keep an eye on your credit; it’s a key element of your financial health. Good credit directly affects your ability to buy that bigger house you need as Junior starts to grow, get an auto loan for a minivan or secure a new job in some cases. The Internet can help. For example, freecreditscore.com offers a Score Planner that lets members and nonmembers see for free how their financial behaviors can affect their credit scores. While nothing can really prepare you for the agony of sleepless nights with a newborn or the joys of seeing your baby take his or her first steps, it is possible to prepare for the financial responsibilities associated with becoming a parent. — Brandpoint

Nurturing Academic Instruction in the Art of Dance inter generational music and movement classes for early learners 6 months - 6 years with caregiver

DanceNaiad trains and celebrates all students, from beginners to pre-professional performers. Teachers are all professionals in the fields of Classical Ballet, Modern, Duncan, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Ballroom and Lyrical techniques. Our goal is to nurture a true respect and love for the art of dance in your child.

Summer Program • Two 5-day camp sessions and/or two 3-day camp sessions

www.babiesandgrands.com • (914) 274-8117 Call for free trial class!

• All types of dance classes as well as daily ballet and strengthening techniques • Maximum enrollment twenty dancers per class with teacher and assistants Session 1: 7/8 - 7/12 M-F 10am - 4pm Ages 8- 13 Session 2: 7/15 - 7/19 M-F 10am - 4pm Ages 8-13 Session 3: 7/23 - 7/25 Tu-Thurs 10am - 4pm (Jumps and Turns Intensive) Ages 10 and up. Session 4: 7/30 - 8/1 Tu-Thurs 10am - 4pm (Ballet Boot Camp) Ages 10 and up. $500 per sessions 1&2

$375 per sessions 3&4

DanceNaiad

Home of the Isadora Duncan Youth Ensemble REGISTRATION BEGINS MARCH 1, 2013

774 North Bedford Rd., Bedford Hills, NY 10507 (914)715-9882 Carrie Tron, Director lady_inanna@yahoo.com www.dancenaiad.com

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Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

Teach children money skills beyond allowance

ne of the most exciting parts of parenthood is watching your children learn as they grow. Of course, lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lessons can be tough just as often as they can be pleasant. And as you want to protect kids from falling off their bike or scraping a knee, you also want to set them up for a successful financial future, as free from worries as possible. One of the best things you can do to prepare your kids for a lifetime of handling money is to get them started early. But it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t only about timing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; following through with lessons and providing plenty of explanation is essential. Keep these tips in mind to give your kids a leg up in learning about finances. â&#x20AC;˘ Start saving. The earlier you can get your kids into the habit of saving, the more theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to enjoy down the road. The concept doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to be overly complex, and it shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dealing with very young children. Piggy banks are a perfect tool for starting saving habits; a simple glass jar works, too, and gives kids an exciting visual to associate with their savings. As your children grow, so should their ideas about saving money. Opening a real savings account in your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name is not only an exciting event for her, it builds an early understanding of banking. Some

schools and banks even have partnerships that allow students to make deposits at school. If your school doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer such a program, make trips to the bank with your kids and show them how to monitor their accounts. â&#x20AC;˘ Have ongoing conversations about money. Making your children comfortable with discussing finances is a gift that, while not flashy, will serve them well throughout their lives. Start conversations about needs versus wants, bud-

geting and lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s necessary expenditures. Encourage price comparison skills by going grocery shopping together and looking at different brands. Set an example by telling kids how you save up to buy an item that you want and ways that you cut costs, and what you can get from the savings. If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something your child wants, provide guidance and ideas for how to save up the amount needed to make the purchase. â&#x20AC;˘ Effectively use an allowance. An

allowance is a tricky thing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it can be a good teaching tool, but you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want your kids to view it as a handout. Whether or not you choose to associate chores with an allowance is up to you, but you should have discussions with your children about when allowances will be paid, and how they can be spent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; or saved. Encourage savings by providing two bank envelopes, one for savings and one for spending. If your budget allows for it, consider a â&#x20AC;&#x153;matchâ&#x20AC;? program in which you contribute a percentage every time your child makes a savings deposit. â&#x20AC;˘ Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid of mistakes. Some of the most powerful lessons lie in making mistakes, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to let your children make some less-than-perfect decisions. Whether they overspend their budgets or waste money on something frivolous and later regret it, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for them to learn the consequences of financial mismanagement early in life. Teaching kids about money can be daunting, but doing so lays the groundwork for a stable financial future. Whenever possible, make lessons about money fun, yet practical; emphasize that money doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be scary, and that good things come from using it wisely. Visit the Equifax Finance Blog (blog. equifax.com) for more useful information and tips on managing family money mat â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Brandpoint

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K-12ALLALL SUBJECTS K-12 SUBJECTS â&#x20AC;˘ 3!4 s ,%!2.).' $)3!"),)4)%3 â&#x20AC;˘ 3!4 s ,%!2.).' $)3!"),)4)%3 â&#x20AC;˘ 3!4 s ,%!2.).' $)3!"),)4)%3 eE hheG â&#x20AC;&#x153; Theâ&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x153;T G ETD yo yoiluu EDyoG ildild uErEch s 2%'%.43 s 2%!$).' s 2%'%.43 s 2%!$).' drrchch s 2%'%.43 s 2%!$).' n n ee ee d d s n to ee S d U S s U C to C C S E C U E E s -!4( s 72)4).' D C s -!4( s 72)4).' CEED!â&#x20AC;? ED!â&#x20AC;?!â&#x20AC;? s -!4( s 72)4).' s !0 #/523%3 s 3#)%.#% s !0 #/523%3 s 3#)%.#% s !0 #/523%3 s 3#)%.#%

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Kids!

MaRCH 8, 2013

the ScarSdale InquIrer |Page 41a

Greener schools can make a difference for kids

s awareness about the environment continues to grow, it’s becoming more apparent that “going green” not only benefits the planet, but it benefits the entire population, especially its youngest segment. When children learn in safe, comfortable, toxin-free school environments, their futures are that much brighter. “green schools improve student test scores, lower energy bills, and promote a more ecologically sound atmosphere,” said Matt Petersen, president and CeO of global green USa. “We call it the three Rs of green schools: Rise in student performance levels and teacher retention; Reduction in carbon emissions and toxins; and Renewed hope in education and the future.” Unfortunately, right now, many schools across the national earn poor marks for “greenness.” This is not from a lack of initiative; many schools simply don’t have the funds necessary for making renovations and repairs. To help schools get on track toward becoming better, greener learning environments, Pureology Serious Colour Care is teaming up with global green USa to present the 2nd global green USa green School Makeover Competition. ConTinUeD on PAGe 43A

Kol Ami Early Childhood Program Warm, Nurturing and Enriching

STRATFORD STABLES

Nan Blank, Director

Celebrating almost 40 Years of Experience! First Friends: A Toddler Program 2, 3, 4 & 5-Day 2’s 3, 4 & 5-Day 3’s Full and Half Day 4’s Extended Day Program for 3’s & 4’s A Step Ahead! Pre-K for children turning 5 in the Fall Summer Camp for 2’s, 3’s & 4’s Join us for Shabbat in the Woods every Friday all year round from 5:30 - 6:00pm

Now Registering for the 2013-2014 Season Call for an Appointment & Tour 252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains 914-949 -4717 x107

• Boarding • Training • Lessons • Ponies • Hunters • Sales • Beginner • Advanced • Ages 5 & up • Small Groups • Safe Environment • 80 x 200 Indoor Ring • 100 x 300 Outdoor Ring • Ponies for Lease or Sale • Summer Camp 120 Cottage Ave., Purchase, NY 914-939-9294 StratfordStables@gmail.com www.StratfordStables.net

Page 42A | the Scarsdale Inquirer

Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

The Scarsdale Inquirer

Cute kids 2013 Cover Contest

Andrew Marvin

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SUMMER PROGRAM 2013 JUNE 10 - JULY 26 Innovative, project-based opportunities and sports camps for GIRLS and BOYS pre-K through grade 9.

Enrichment chess, robotics, programming, 3D design Arts & Crafts claymation, drama, sewing Sports field hockey, squash, soccer Languages Chinese, French, Spanish, and so much More! For more information and to register visit:

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MARCH 8, 2013

Greener schools continued from page 41A

From Jan. 1 through March 31, 2013, any parent, student, teacher or individual can nominate a K-12 public, private or charter school for a well-deserved green school makeover. Students and parents can work with school administrators to complete an application that details the green improvements their school needs. The winning school will receive a green makeover valued at $140,000, and finalist schools will receive awards for sustainable upgrades. For more information, visit Pureology.com/GreenSchools or www.globalgreen.org/greenschoolmakeover. Here are a just a few ways schools can be greener, with benefits for both the earth and students: Start a recycling program • Green benefit: A recycling program can greatly reduce the amount of recyclable waste that is created in schools every day which would otherwise end up in landfills. Schools could also take it one step further and launch a composting program, which provides fertilizer for gardens. • Learning benefit: Children can learn about what items can be recycled and take those lessons home to their families. Composting provides a great platform for biology lessons.

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Conducting energy audits • Green benefit: Many older schools aren’t equipped to be energy efficient, which can lead to lots of wasted dollars. When cold air leaks in and warm air seeps out, it’s not only uncomfortable, but costly as well. • Learning benefit: Have teachers show students how and where energy leaks happen and explain what the effects are. It’s also a great source for a science lesson. Increasing energy efficiency also saves schools money on utility bills, which can instead be used for books or other school supplies. Use green design elements • Green benefit: Plain and simple, schools that use green materials and design elements, from window awnings and solar panels to non-toxic flooring and low-VOC paint, don’t use nearly as much energy and provide a healthier learning environment. • Learning benefits: Green buildings use non-toxic compounds that decrease the chances that students will be exposed to something that will make them sick and keep them out of school. Natural lighting and proper ventilation also help students stay healthy and maintain the proper mindset for learning. When schools go green, there are short- and long-term benefits to enjoy. A better school environment today can teach kids how to lead the way toward a more sustainable tomorrow. — Brandpoint

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Page 44A | the Scarsdale Inquirer

Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

The Scarsdale Inquirer

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the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 45A

Parent’s Guide I Arts, Camps, Enrichment Summer Dance Intensive at Central Park Dance This summer, Central Park Dance has expanded the summer camp program for all ages and dance aspects. Each discipline has an extensive curriculum in a range of levels. CPD believes that personal attention is essential for student growth. Talent is carefully nurtured and developed allowing every dancer to feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Whether your child is bound for Broadway or ready to be introduced to dance for the first time, CPD combines a fun environment along with a studio focused on teaching proper dance technique. Led by artistic director Maria Bai and director of operations Mario LaStrada, CPD is celebrating over 30 years in business. “We believe that superior teaching and a supportive atmosphere go hand in hand,” Bai said. “Our dancers believe in themselves because we do everything we can to motivate and inspire them.” Thanks to her extensive dance experience, Bai has developed a dance syllabus that reflects every age, ability and commitment level for each student studying ballet, pointe, jazz, tap and street jazz. In continued on page 46A

Central Park Dance puts on quite a show.

Scarsdale Community Baptist Nursery School Non-Sectarian Programs for Pre-School Children since 1961

• 3 and 4 year old classes • Music and Movement 4 year class is Pre-K emphasizing pre-reading and writing skills

• Arts and Block Centers • Science and Nature • Indoor Playroom equipped for various kinds of physical play • Large protected Outdoor Playground with modern play-structure

Call for a tour of our bright, cheerful facility

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Page 46A | the Scarsdale Inquirer

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MARCH 8, 2013

Parent’s Guide I Arts, Camps, Enrichment continued from page 45A

PreSchool Program, which is regarded as one of the finest in the area, children as young as 2 years of age delight in “Tot + I,” an introduction to dance, the popular “Fairytale Ballet” for ages 3-5, and the latest addition, our very own “Hip Hop Princess.” LaStrada is constantly updating the programs and class offerings to ensure quality and variety. With over 30 years of experience, CPD knows that variety and creativeness have made them a popular studio for dancers. With over 150 weekly classes to choose from such as ballet, pointe, jazz, Latin jazz, tap, hip-hop and salsa, as well as fitness classes like bootcamp, Latin fit, zumba, kettlebell kickboxing and the ever-popular belly dance, you are sure to find a class that’s right for you. We are able to maintain our reputable status due to our impeccable customer service that we pride ourselves in. Summer camp at CPD is an experience that offers participants an opportunity to dance alongside the top teachers and guest artists from NYC like Tweetie, Ant Boogie, Soraya, Talia Dooz, Justine Ayala, Mercedes Pablos and Amanda Marquez. Special this year is B Boys with Mikey. The most popular dance camps with Christina Donohue for Fairytale Ballet and Hip Hop Princess for ages 3-4 and

4-5 are extended through late August. Dance Intensive Camp for ages 7-12 and 13-18 include classes in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, tap, Latin jazz, salsa, hip-hop and street jazz. Every two weeks are concluded with a performance in CPD’s studio to show what dancers have accomplished. LaStrada, Bai and everyone at CPD look forward to meeting you and providing you a dance experience that is fun, educational and personally focused on you. At CPD, “Dancing is not just our business, it’s our way of life.” CPD, at 450 Central Park Ave. in Scarsdale invites you to participate in the ultimate dance experience. Call 723-2940 or visit www. centralparkdance.com.

HBMS offers Summer Arts Program For over 30 years, the Hoff-Barthelson Music School Summer Arts Program, run at the HBMS site in the Village of Scarsdale, has provided the ideal setting for a stimulating, challenging and enjoyable summer for second-10th-graders. With its exceptional faculty, boasting some of the top performers and music educators in the country, the school is uniquely suited to offer a quality summer experience of music, visual art and theater. Students at all levels of advancement receive

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instruction in a program individually tailored to their needs and desires. The Basic Morning Program, from 9 a.m.-noon, is for second-10th-graders, who are divided into elementary, junior and senior categories. Each child receives an instrumental lesson, takes visual art and a drama workshop, and performs in the weekly Friday concerts. Juniors and seniors participate in musical ensembles and may also make choices among jazz band, chamber music and, for juniors and seniors, classes in the HBMS stateof-the-art Music Technology Lab. The extended day array of options offers an afternoon program that runs until either 2 or 5 p.m., with choices such as Simple Symphony, Time for Chimes, Composers Corner, World Drumming, Chamber Music Workshop, Jazz Workshop and HB Rocks! High School students ages 14-17 will enjoy the Comprehensive Musical Theatre Program, and may also participate in the Musical Theatre Workshop designed for a broader age range from 9-17. Both theater programs culminate with a final performance at the program’s end. Enrollment prior to March 31 offers a 5 percent discount for the June 24-July 26 programs. Music at Hoff-Barthelson is valued not only as an indispensable facet of educa-

tion, but as an essential part of life. One of Westchester County’s most cherished and active cultural resources since 1944, HBMS has achieved national recognition as a premier community music school for its unsurpassed leadership in education, performance and outreach for more than half a century. The SAP brochure may be viewed and application forms downloaded from the HBMS website at www.hbms.org. Each student is interviewed by Joe Piscitelli, camp director, so that a program can be tailored to the individual choices of parent and child. Contact Fran Levy at 7231169 or flevy@hbms.org.

It’s never too early for 2014 If you are thinking about sending your child to sleep-away camp in 2014, or have not yet made summer plans for your child/teen for this year, Spectacular Summers can help you. Based in Westchester, Spectacular Summers has extensively researched hundreds of camps and teen programs and has the up-to-date personal knowledge to make the right recommendations for each child. Talking to Ellen Wylie of Spectacular continued on the next page

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Kids!

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 47A

Parent’s Guide I Arts, Camps, Enrichment continued from previous page

Summers is like speaking to a friend. Wylie is warm, patient and attentive. She will listen to what you tell her and make thoughtful and appropriate recommendations for your child. Wylie simplifies what can be an overwhelming process for parents. Her service is free to you and her recommendations are excellent. Wylie is highly regarded by camp/teen program directors and parents alike. To find that spectacular summer program for 2013 or 2014, call Ellen Wylie at 722-2644 or (888) 774-CAMP or email ellen@spectacularsummers.com. Visit www.spectacularsummers.com.

Scarsdale Ballet offers summertime programs “Summer is a great time for young dancers to accelerate their training, improve their technique, and explore new artistic possibilities,” said Diana White, former ballerina of the New York City Ballet and director of the Scarsdale Ballet Studio. “It’s also a time to make friends with other young people who share a passion for dance. I always enjoy our summer program because it really gives me the chance to get to know my stucontinued on page 48A

The summer is a truly special time of year at Scarsdale Ballet Studio.

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Page 48A | the Scarsdale Inquirer

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MARCH 8, 2013

Parent’s Guide I Arts, Camps, Enrichment continued from page 47A

dents’ personalities, both inside and outside the classroom. Everyone is upbeat and full of energy because they’re not coming from a long day at school. The kids make a lot of progress and at the same time bond with each other and their teachers.” Scarsdale Ballet offers programs for three age groups during the months of June and July. During the last two weeks of June, intermediate and advanced dancers can take advantage of 2 1/2-hour master classes after school. This year’s guest teacher is Momchil Mladenov, former principal with the Bulgarian National Ballet and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet. “A great many of our teen dancers are accepted into major professional summer programs, and they really want to be in top form when they go away,” White said. From July 1 to Aug. 2, the studio offers a full-day intensive for preteens ages 8-12. “Our program offers dedicated young dancers all the challenges of a professional-style summer ballet program without the need to travel to Manhattan or to stay away from home,” White said. The curriculum focuses on classical ballet technique with additional classes in pointe, solo variations, character dance, body conditioning, choreography and contemporary dance. Participants are divided into two groups according to age and ability. The session concludes with a studio performance.

For the youngest dancers there is an afternoon mini-camp in July. Directed and taught by Maria Posey and Elizabeth Kawalek, classes are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. for 3- to 5-year-olds, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 5 1/2-7-year-olds. Five-year-olds may attend all four days. The curriculum is based on the highly regarded Leap ‘N’ Learn™ syllabus, which was developed by a former ballet dancer and a child psychologist. Activities include a creative ballet class, story time from stories of the great ballets, ballet history, ballet video excerpts followed by discussion, simple anatomy, dress-up, coloring, rhymes and rhythmic games. Visit www.scarsdaleballetstudio.com or call 725-8754.

Fashion camps this summer Camp Fashionagery and Fashion Extravaganza Day Camp are great options for kids this summer. Open houses will be held March 23 and April 20 from 9:30-11 a.m. at 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains on the sixth floor. To RSVP and register call 428-1047 or visit www.wfac4children.com. Meet the staff and learn more about the following programs: Camp Fashionagery will be held MondayFriday, June 24-28, July 22-26 and Aug. 12-16 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Fashion camp-

process for a collection. To take advantage of a special discount, call ASAP as space is limited.

Enrichment How to spot problems in children’s writing By DR. RAYMOND J. HUNTINGON ers ages 6-8 work with a fashion designer learning how to design on mannequins, paint fabrics, create tissue textiles, sketch clothing, embellish, create slippers and enjoy hours and hours of fun learning about this fascinating art form called fashion design. Fashion Extravaganza Day Camp will be held the same dates and times, but is for ages 9-17. Using the actual designer’s experience this is a carefully put together program that emulates being an actual designer in a design studio. A Fashion Extravaganza camper may select from seven weekly fashion design categories that may be combined or taken individually. Each week the camper as the designer is given projects to design. The staff takes on the position as the head stylist that guides their creations through trend boards, journeys through various music, nature and studying many cultures that often times give designers their thought

Scarsdale Synagogue/Temples Tremont + Emanu-El Scarsdale Synagogue/Temples Tremont + Emanu-El

Nursery School classes for toddlers and children 2, 3 and 4 years of age

Summer camp for toddlers through 6 years of age

Extended day available for 3’s and 4’s

For more information about our programs, please call: For more information about our programs, please call: Jody Glassman, Director Jocelyn Gross, Assistant Director Jody Glassman, Director Jocelyn Gross, Assistant Director To Join Our Synagogue, call Gary Katz, Executive Director

To Join Our Synagogue, call Gary Katz, Executive Director 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale y 914-723-3001 y mazeltots@aol.com 2 Ogden Road Scarsdale y 914-723-3001 y mazeltots@aol com

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The Scarsdale Inquirer 914-725-2500 www.scarsdalenews.com

For many children, learning to write well is one of the most demanding parts of the school experience — and English and language arts classes come with many frustrating challenges. Perhaps your child has always struggled with writing or maybe he or she is just starting to experience difficulties. You can help by taking time to review all writing assignments and graded homework for issues and teacher notes, making your own observations of your child’s work, and sharing feedback with your child. As you review your child’s written work, keep an eye out for red flags by asking yourself these five questions: Did my child follow directions? If your student was asked to answer a specific question and instead rambled on about something off topic, perhaps he continued on the next page

MARCH 8, 2013 continued from previous page

or she needs to spend more time on the brainstorming and/or outlining stages of the writing process. Read through the assignment together and help your child come up with possible topics and angles he or she could take with each. Help him or her take those ideas and develop a loose outline to write from as well. Does it make sense? Whether the assignment is a simple book report or an in-depth essay, your student needs to learn to write clearly and communicate his or her main point in a logical and compelling way. Any time you read your student’s writing, make sure it reads well and is not confusing. Can you easily grasp what he or she is trying to say? Are words misspelled and are there any grammar issues? By high school, your student should be a capable speller — so if spelling is a consistent problem, you’ll want to ask the teacher how you can help your child improve. Also look for improper grammar in writing homework. At the very least, take note of things such as run-on sentences, unclear wording, unnecessary commas, sentence fragments and the like. Does the piece follow an outline or basic structure? You don’t need to be an English teacher to notice when a book report doesn’t do what it is supposed to do (summarize a

Kids!

story and put forth the student’s opinion on it) or an essay lacks a conclusion or compelling main point. The basic essay structure and the outline as a writing tool will become your child’s trusted writing companions as he or she navigates middle and high school. Be sure your child understands the underlying framework of a well-written report, essay or paper. Did my child give this a final review? If an assignment is full of errors, it’s a safe assumption that he or she simply wrote it, printed it and turned it in. Teach your student the importance of reviewing one’s work after setting a draft aside for a day or so. Fresh eyes can do wonders for the editing process, as can slowly reading aloud. Students must learn to be strong self-editors as they move into high school. Help your student become a better writer now, and you will be arming him or her with an invaluable lifelong skill: the ability to communicate well through writing. The more your child practices, the more his or her writing will improve — especially with your support. Also remember that if writing is a continued source of frustration and struggle for your child, there may be other issues worth exploring. Call Huntington to arrange an academic evaluation to uncover any issues and develop a plan to correct them. Dr. Raymond J. Huntington is co-founder of Huntington Learning Center, which has been helping children succeed in school for more than 30 years. For more information, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 49A

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MARCH 8, 2013

Endpaper

Speaking of Kids

e have two boys. They’re now 6 and 2 years old. And they couldn’t be more different from each other. Literally from the moment our little one, Jeffrey, was born we could tell. It’s not a bad thing, but it’s so strange. I know there are a lot of factors that come into play when a child develops his own personality and traits — and I truly believe it’s part nature, part nurture. Although when the kid is different that very first week of life, it’s still very strange. One of the major differences was sleep. It’s not that Henry, our oldest, didn’t sleep, but napping and bedtime at night were major debacles. First on naps: Henry never once in his life took a nap in a crib. He just wouldn’t do it. No matter what we tried. After the bassinet it was him falling asleep in the car or the bouncy seat, on vibrate, of course. The bouncy seat meant keeping a close eye on him, too, to make sure he didn’t fall out since he was only strapped at the waist. And when he outgrew that — his butt was literally scraping the ground — it was the car and the high chair. And eventually all of that stopped working. He gave up

naps before age 2. (I’m 35 and I still take naps when I’m allowed to, or if I can pass out on the couch before anyone notices.) Bedtime for Henry was a two- or threehour ordeal on a nightly basis. And again, it didn’t take place in his crib. It was on our bed with a Baby Einstein DVD and him being soothed until he finally fell asleep. And if you moved him at the wrong time, or if he felt like he was being lowered into the crib, yes, Henry woke up and you started all over again. Eventually (and I don’t even remember when or how) we got Henry falling asleep properly in his crib — there were stories and songs and light shows that he eventually grew to love. Even now we do everything but the song and he’s pretty good about falling asleep most nights. And then there was Jeff. He’s a super napper and he’s always been great at bedtime. Now my wife puts them down at the same time, but when Jeff was younger all you had to do was give him a kiss goodnight, plop him down in the crib, he would assume the butt in the air position and he’d pass out without a fuss. This was 99 percent of his young life — no stories, no songs, just his light-up seahorse. Naps were the same. Easiest thing ever.

Sure there have been some rough periods (though the worst are usually when he decides to wake up at 5 a.m. and torture us). In addition to them having totally different personalities and body types and eating habits and interests, another major difference was communication. We never knew what Henry wanted. Never. He was a super-early walker — first steps at 10 months — but the speech didn’t come in until the later side of after 18 months, and he just couldn’t find a way to let us know what he wanted. But by age 2 this kid was speaking like an adult — using big words and sentences and asking questions and answering questions. It was amazing, though I didn’t realize it at the time. What I did know was that it was strange for this to be coming out of this tiny little person. The funny thing was that for the next two years I could not for the life of me understand any of Henry’s friends. Not a word. Until Jeff came around I hadn’t realized that Henry was the exception to the rule. Jeff didn’t make a peep at 18 months. However, we knew exactly what he wanted at all times. He was much easier in that way. But there was some concern about his speech and our pediatrician suggested

Jeff get evaluated. The evaluator came to the house, talked to Jeff, observed him doing certain tasks, playing with certain toys and pretty much told us, “I’ll be surprised if I see you again in six months.” Everything was “normal,” and since he listened well — for someone his age — and could communicate, and also showed a little wit in his actions, she said he’d start talking soon enough. Of course it wasn’t long after that the words started to come. And yes, we now regret teaching him to talk, but the fun part is that while his speech is very good — still nothing like Henry’s was — he’s progressing like a toddler. It’s like we have our baby as a baby a little longer. Jeff is starting to really string a lot of words together, but at a regular pace, one that’s been comfortable for him. The things both of our kids say and do are quite funny and representative of who they are. Now when Jeff gives us a hug, he says, “Oh, you’re sooooo cute,” like everyone says to him, but in a mocking tone. And just this week Henry made his first sarcastic remark. Well, maybe our boys aren’t so different after all. — Todd Sliss

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Kids!

the Scarsdale Inquirer |Page 51A

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Page 52A | the Scarsdale Inquirer

Kids!

MARCH 8, 2013

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School Skills

(Ages 0-5yrs.) Nurture confidence, curiosity and physical skills through play-based activities.

(Ages 3-5 yrs.) It’s our Preschool Alternative. Develop key social and intellectual skills.

Scarsdale, 450 Central Ave. | Yorktown, Rt. 6 and Hill Blvd. | Danbury, 31 Mill Plain Rd.

www. gymboreeclasses.com • 866.477.3700

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