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BigApple Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM PARENTS.COM JANUARY 2018

Education Special

• Why Babies Need Books • The Hot Tech Trend in Learning • Should School Start Later?

Family Life

Choosing Your Kids’ Guardian

Don’t Tell! The 5 Big Secrets of Girlhood

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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SUMMER GROWTH SPURT Usdan is an award-winning day camp for students ages 4-18 to explore music, dance, theater, visual arts, sports and more on our Long Island campus in the woods. JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE: Sunday, January 21 or Sunday, February 11. Reservations required. Visit usdan.org/visit.

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WE MAKE YOUR SMART KID EVEN SMARTER! OR AG

The unique Kumon Method can give your child an academic advantage. At Kumon, we personalize our math and reading programs to fit the skill level of each child. Students of all levels learn to grasp concepts on their own and take full ownership of their success. It’s how Kumon builds an academic advantage in school and beyond.

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contents table of

Original photo by ›› PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)

january 2018

58 44

education

Quotables

The best parenting quotes from the web, and your New Year’s parenting resolutions!

Wintry Family Fun

Where to ski, snowboard, and ice-skate, plus kid-friendly museums and day trips in the area.

18 Baby Needs Books! 20 The Buzz on Blended Learning

24 Should School Start Later? 26 Education Resources

Choosing a Guardian for Your Child

Take these steps to make sure your child is always cared for, now and in the future.

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 9 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Girlhood 11 To Test or Not to Test? 13 Promoting Experiental Learning & Student Individuality 52 Meet the Director 54 Party Central 55 Open Houses 55 Professional Services 57 Family Resource Guide 57 Advertisers’ Index 58 Quotables

10 Dynamite Dinner Table Conversation Jar

46 Creating a ‘Yes’ Space

30 Family Fun a Ride Away

48 Food and Drink Hacks for Parents

33 Family Activities Calendar

50 Choosing a Guardian for Your Child

44 Wintry Family Fun

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› facebook.com/nymetroparents

9 Don’t Tell: The 5 Big Secrets of Girlhood 17 Education Special

50 Family Life: Choosing Your Kids’ Guardian

@NYMetroParents Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!

At The Little Gym, we complement the traditional school experience with unique classes that revolve around active play. Our students are encouraged to jump, ﬂip, and swing their way towards increased health, focus, knowledge, and happiness. Big Discoveries at The Little Gym. Find your kid's happy place with an Introductory Experience!

The Little Gym of Scarsdale tlgscarsdaleny.com 914-722-0072 The Little Gym of Upper West Side tlgupperwestsideny.com 212-799-1225

NOW

enrolling for Winter/Spring Semesters!

Parent/Child Classes • Pre-K Gymnastics Grade School Gymnastics • Dance Karate • Sports Skills • Awesome Birthday Bashes Parents’ Survival Nights • Camps BigAppleParent

Our Resolution: More Solutions

JANUARY 2018 • Vol.33 • No.1

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens

s surely as New Year’s Eve involves a dropping ball and confetti, it brings with it something else: resolutions. I bet you have a few, and so do I, such as to give my two teenage daughters a bit more freedom (I’ll try!), figure out my new Instant Pot (honest!), and lose 15 pounds (who am I kidding?). We here at NYMetroParents have made a resolution too, and it’s one we think you’ll really like: to serve your needs better than ever. We know parenting is more than a verb; it’s an identity. And so we’re taking a holistic approach to parenting, with the aim of helping you make better decisions across all areas of your life. The changes start right on our table of contents, where you’ll see stories grouped into the three main “buckets” of parenting: Things to Do, Raising Kids, and Family Life. Some of our longstanding sections have been freshened up, too. Q-and-A is now In the Know (p. 9), giving you the inside scoop on some of parenting’s hottest topics. Quotables has moved to the back of the magazine (p. 58), and features sound bites from parents right in your area. Our Outings page has been renamed Family Fun a Ride Away (p. 30)—there’s no better way to plan your day trip to get away from the city! And the Where-to Guide (p. 44) now offers a greater range of suggestions for seasonal activities. You’ll also find a more varied and robust selection of articles. We’ll address your legal and financial needs going forward, starting with Samantha Neudorf’s story about how to choose a legal guardian for your children (p. 50). We’ve also got great advice for your home—Katelin Walling explains how to create “yes spaces,” kid-friendly areas filled with safe stuff to play with and explore (p. 46). Babies and teens will now be a regular focus of ours, and are featured in this month’s education theme. Turn to page 18 for my article about why it’s so important to read to your infant right from the start. And if your teenagers, like mine, shout “five more minutes!” every time you try to get them to wake up for class, you’ll appreciate our special report on school start times on page 24. One big takeaway: Early classes may go against adolescents’ biology and their best interests too. And don’t miss Ellen Horafas’s essay explaining why it may be short-sighted to opt out your children from state tests (p. 11). Just as few people can achieve their New Year’s resolutions without a little help, I couldn’t possibly put together this wonderful magazine without the help of my team. That’s why they’re all pictured below. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and not-too-hectic 2018, from our family to yours.

SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Jordan Laird To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents

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Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, EJ Morales-Gomez, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Karen Shapiro, Gayle Sherman To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Leonard Porter, Christopher Regalado DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan

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Deborah Skolnik Editorial Director

DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR|DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Sara Wentworth

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MARKETING MANAGER: Jaime Graham PUBLISHING & MARKETING MANAGER: Barbara Byrd

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CONTROLLER: David Friedman

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CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith

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MANAGING DIRECTOR: Rebecca Dixon 917-572-9192

Davler Media Group davlermedia.com

CEO: David L. Miller General Manager: Thomas K. Hanlon 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239

Clockwise from top left: Katelin Walling, Caitlin Berens, Bethany Braun-Silva, Deborah Skolnik, and Samanth a Neudorf

Keep in Touch: @nymetroparents nymetroparents.com editor@nymetroparents.com

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN •ROCKLAND PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2017, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

THE DILLER-QUAILE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

e Fre l* a i r T ss! Cla Visit diller-quaile.org

for a complete listing of Early Childhood classes, Instrument & Voice lessons, Community Programs, and Concerts for 2017-2018. 24 EAST 95TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10128 • 212-369-1484 • INFO@DILLER-QUAILE.ORG Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools *Free trial class is on January 10, 2018 at 10:00 am for ages 3 months-2.6 years. New students only. Call 212-369-1484, Ext. 43 to RSVP.

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raising kids new places, new programs

Chelsea Piers has offe red flexible summer camps for the last 22 summers for every athlete, with 11 weeks to choose from and various sports offe red.

Who: Chelsea Piers What’s New: One-day school break camps and a Ninja & Parkour Camp. One-day school break camps offer structured activities throughout the day. Children ages 3-5 can participate in Little Athletes for a halfday, and children ages 5-14 have the option of multi-sport classes such as soccer, basketball, baseball, gymnastics, and rock climbing taught by expert instructors. School break camps are offered during the winter holidays, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and President’s week as well as March and April breaks. Ninja & Parkour Camp will be offered for children ages 7-13 on weekdays June 18-Aug. 31. Want More Info: 23 Street and Hudson River Park, 62 Chelsea Piers, Chelsea; 212-336-6520; info@chelseapiers.com; chelseapiers.com/camp

Courtesy Chelsea Pier

Chelsea Piers Adds New Camps

Who: Timbalooloo What’s New: A flagship location in Soho, which has winter classes scheduled to start Jan. 16 for children ages 4 months to 9 years. Owner and internationally acclaimed clarinetist, composer, and educator Oran Etkin will host a grand opening concert at City Winery on Jan. 13 at 11am, followed by a parade from the venue to Timbalooloo’s Soho location for a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Founded in 2005 by Etkin, Timbalooloo classes can be attended by parents or caregivers and some, Etkin says, are even created for parents or caregivers to participate in with their children. Want More Info: 131 Varick St., Suite 935, Soho; 646-926-1840; timbalooloo@gmail.com; timbalooloo.com

Courtesy Timbalool

Music Education Center Opens Soho Location

havs themselves not by ldren learn to expres ir instruments the g kin At Timbalooloo, chi ma by t bu correct notes, the music. ing to execute the r, and emotion to ing character, humo come alive by add

Who: Lexington Children’s Center What’s New: Weekly 45-minute yoga sessions led by a certified yoga instructor, which started in July for children ages 2-5 at the center. With some extra money in her budget this year, education director Rosa Gillece decided to start offering yoga, a mind and body practice that includes physical postures, because she thought it would be a good fit. According to Gillece, the sessions are not only fun for the children, but help them develop their social skills. “It’s really good for socialization,” Gillece says. “The kids really enjoy it.” Want More Info: 115 E. 98th St., East Harlem; 646-699-3360; lexingtonchildrenscenter.com

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Lexington Children’s Center

East Harlem Day Care Adds Yoga Sessions

Lexington Children’s Center is an early childhood program in East Harlem that serves children ages 2-5.

raising kids in the know

Things You 5Didn’t Know

About Girlhood

››

By Bethany Braun-Silva with Katie Hurley, LCSW

t’s hard to ignore the news as of late. Every day new cases of sexual harassment make headlines, social feeds are flooded with #metoo posts, and Time Magazine just named “The Silence Breakers” as its Person of the Year. More and more women are feeling empowered to speak up and stand up and, of course, we want to get that message across to our girls, too. However, this empowerment may come with consequences, says Katie Hurley, LCSW. In her book NO MORE MEAN GIRLS: The Secret to Raising Strong, Confident, and Compassionate Girls, she cautions against letting our girls grow up too early. “Skipping over the development of crucial social-emotional skills in the name of creating a generation of supergirls doesn’t actually empower our girls,” she writes. “In fact, it does the opposite: It creates a culture of cutthroat competition.” Hurley adds a further warning: “When we fast-track girls through developmental levels without considering the potential consequences, we set girls up for negative behaviors and friendship fails.” Below, Hurley shares five things everyone needs to know about girls and girlhood. 1. A girl’s social world plays a crucial role in her day-to-day life. Whether your daughter has two close friends or 10 besties, she’s enmeshed in her social world. Young girls leave the parental orbit once they enter school, and they look to their peers to make sense of the world around them when they are away from Mom and Dad. So while a playground argument might not sound like a big deal to you, this kind of micro-stressor can make or break a day for your daughter. 2. Risk aversion is on the rise. With all the pressure to be the best at everything and find a passion, young girls feel like they’re under a microscope. This fuels perfectionism, which leads to fear of failure and risk aversion. If you

suspect that your daughter plays it safe, she probably does, and she may need your encouragement to branch out and take chances. 3. Your daughter needs you more than you know. When Hurley asks girls what they want or need most from their parents, the No. 1 answer is uninterrupted 1-on-1 time. They might roll their eyes, slam their doors, or keep quiet at times, but girls crave guidance and input from their parents, and time spent having fun. 4. Girls’ sensitivity is at an all-time high. Middle childhood is a time of rapid growth, both physically and emotionally, and this makes girls vulnerable to emotional upheaval. Joking about “girl drama” and being sarcastic often makes girls feel ashamed and guilty. Proceed with caution and empathize often to help the girl in your life to thrive. 5. Girls know more about the world than you think. They piece together information about the modern world from a variety of sources. Hurley has had many girls confess they binge-watched 13 Reasons Why (a controversial series about a teen’s suicide) or set up Snapchat and Instagram accounts on a friend’s phone. Sometimes they keep these activities secret to avoid disappointing their parents, since they crave parental approval. Couple that with intense pressure to fit in and peer pressure to keep up with technology, and the result is a recipe for very young girls dipping their toes into murky water with limited information. Talk openly and honestly with your daughter about modern girlhood to help her navigate these tricky topics and work through big emotions.

Katie Hurley, LCSW, is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting expert, and author of The Happy Kid Handbook and No More Mean Girls (TarcherPerigee; on sale Jan. 30). She is also the founder of Girls Can! empowerment groups for girls between ages 5-11.

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things to do

diy corner

Dynamite Dinner Table Conversation Jar Sometimes sitting at the dinner table can feel like sitting behind an interrogation table. Your grown-ups constantly asking, “How was your day?” only to be met with the ever-popular response, “Fine.” This Dynamite Dinner Table Conversation Jar game will blast your conversation skills to the next world, making you the talk of the table. Not only will you get to tell everyone the coolest tricks you did for the day, but you’ll start connecting with your family in a whole new way!

What You Need Recycled glass jar Permanent markers Popsicle sticks How to Make Ahead 1. Color a creative pattern on the outside of a clean glass jar using permanent markers. You can be as creative as you want: make a rainbow, make stripes, make a funny face, add a super-powered symbol…really, the sky is the limit. 2. Once you have covered your entire jar, set it to dry while you prepare your conversation starters. 3. On each of your Popsicle sticks, write simple word clues or questions to help you the next time you are stuck and don’t know what to talk about (ideas listed below). When you have enough choices, add your Popsicle sticks to your jar and place it in the middle of your dinner table. How to Use This Tool At your next family meal, when your adults ask, “What did you do today?” instead of saying, “Nothing,” you can pull a prompt from the jar and get the conversation rolling. Never again feel like you are at a loss for words or worried about what to talk about when you have company over. Sample Conversation Starters Let’s learn about your day. Today, what is your favorite… subject in school? game you played at recess? book you read? thing you did with a friend? part of the day? WHY? 10

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Let’s learn more about everyone. What is your favorite... food? movie? song? color? game? WHY? Let’s learn about your dreams. What would you do if... you had a million dollars? you had to move to a new state? your friend switched schools? you lost your two front teeth? WHY? Let’s learn about your struggles. Today, what is your… biggest worry? worst memory? scariest moment? WHY? Challenge Make your own conversation starters. Use cardstock paper and pens to write out some funny questions or jokes to get the conversation going with your family. Train Your Adult Have you ever felt like the cat’s got your tongue? Adults use that phrase when kids suddenly go quiet. Your grown-up wants nothing more than to understand you, and some days that seems impossible when all of their questions are met with roadblocks. I know you have a lot to say, but you just aren’t sure how to access all the awesome things you want to tell your adults. Instead of leaving adults baffled at your silence, give them this super-secret tool to get you talking and sharing all the cool things you have to say, and give them a sneak peek into your world.

Cover and book design by Page Street Publishing Co. Photography by Dayna Abraham. Excerpted from The Superkids Activity Guide to Conquering Every Day by Dayna Abraham with permission of the publisher.

raising kids voices

To Test or Not to Test?

››

Few parents like the current system of state standardized tests. But here’s why the solution may not be as simple as just opting your child out. By Ellen Horafas

addy, nooooo…..why?!” My 13-year-old daughter’s voice was cracking. “Please. Please!” When it registered that her father wasn’t going to give in, her pleading had switched from lighthearted to desperate. When he finally walked away, Amanda ran to her room, sobbing, slamming the door so hard that the family cat, on the couch 50 feet away, jumped. If you’re guessing that the cause of Amanda’s meltdown was a parental decision that she perceived to be unfair, you’re sort of right. Her dad, the night before her eighth grade New York State English Language Arts (ELA) exams were to begin on March 28, was refusing to sign the form that was her ticket out of the tedious, three-day test and into the auditorium, where most of her friends, apparently, would be. The school districts on Long Island lead the way in Common Core test refusals in the New York metro region. A Newsday survey of the 124 school systems across Long Island showed that fully half—52 percent—of the third- to eighthgrade students eligible to take the ELA tests did not. In some districts in Suffolk County, where we live, the numbers topped 80 percent. My husband was one of many in our town who didn’t like the content or the implementation of the Common Core Standards—and hated the intense test prep that came with it. So he signed Amanda out of the tests in sixth and seventh grade. I did tell him then that I thought it might be a mistake. Standardized testing was unlikely to disappear anytime soon. And before you know it, our daughter will be taking the SATs, and maybe other college entrance exams as well. The more practice she had with the admittedly unpleasant experience of preparing for and sitting through them, the better, it seemed to me. Then there was the fact that life is littered with interminable tasks you can’t just opt out of. In turn, he reminded me of the son of one of our friends who was totally stressed about what would happen if he “failed.” And of the third-grade girl down the block who had been in tears at the bus stop, as she had gotten the idea that if she

didn’t do well, her beloved teacher would be fired. Indeed, I could see both sides of the argument, and I pick my battles. Amanda was signed out. Interestingly, in elementary school, such tests were a non-issue for Amanda. They were annoying, sure, but in the same way that having to play kickball in the gym on a rainy day was. She was able to deal with them and quickly forget them. But now, she looked at them as a form of torture that all the good parents were swooping in and saving their kids from. My husband, meanwhile, had seen that opting her out hadn’t improved her grades, inspired her to learn for learning’s sake, or made her more relaxed throughout the school year. What it had done, he only just realized the night the door was slammed, was make her feel entitled to avoid what she didn’t want to do. But, oh, she fought. She fought with the skill of a lawyer and the fervor of, well, a 13-year-old. She first tried logic: “A person, even a young person like me, should always stand up for what she believes in!” She used her dad’s own words against him: “You told everybody the tests were a waste of time!” She invoked practicality: “I could do all my homework in the auditorium, all my projects, everything, for the next two weeks. Think how easy school nights would be!” And, in a last-ditch attempt, Amanda appealed to her Daddy: “You know how you said you feel bad for me that I have to wait until seventh period for lunch every day? The kids who take the test have to wait even longer. I’ll be soooooo hungry. I’ll be fainting!” In the end, it failed, all of it. We passed two miserable nights of bitter complaining. “See this bruise on my leg? It’s from being in that chair all those hours. I hope you’re happy!” Will putting her back into the state-test stream be to her advantage? To ours? To anyone’s? We’re holding our breath. The math tests are coming in May.

Ellen Horafas is a Long Island mom of three, whose kids have all gotten to an age where they no longer appreciate being named in her prose.

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SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

We don't just study science. We become scientists. Start stronger. Go further. Apply now at SuccessAcademies.org 12

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WELCOME

欢迎

BIENVENIDOS

Courtesy Calhoun School

raising kids independent school spotlight

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Two Calhoun Upper School students collaborate on a STEAM project for Science Olympiad.

Promoting Experiential Learning & Student Individuality Calhoun School nurtures a joy of learning through inquirybased and student-centered instruction. ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva Name of school: Calhoun School Grades: Pre-K to 12th grade Size of student body: 750 Educational approach or philosophy: Calhoun School offers a curriculum based on interdisciplinary projects that stress experiential learning. “We are committed to embracing the individuality of our students while supporting intellectual, emotional, and social growth,” says Andrew Hume, director of enrollment. Calhoun’s approach fosters passionate, multi-talented thinkers and innovators who thrive in multiple fields. A strong foundation in multidisciplinary thinking exists at all grade levels. “For example, in first grade, children choose a mammal to study,” Hume says. “They research through books and visits to the Bronx Zoo and the American Museum of Natural History. Students write up their findings and create models of their mammal and its habitat, which they share with the community.” In 11th grade, students embark on Junior Workshop, a 12-week independent project in which they are challenged to create something new. What makes the school unique: Calhoun’s main building, which serves third through 12th grades, was designed in 1975 with open, flexible teaching spaces to foster collaborative and individualized learning. The classroom layout lends itself to the hands-on and cross-disciplinary curriculum that typifies Calhoun’s pedagogical approach to education—one that values inquiry, critical problemsolving, and creative expression. Additionally, the food program at Calhoun, which is created by Chef Bobo from the French Culinary Institute, is designed to teach students about the importance of a wellbalanced diet. Students can also take part in the Deconstructing Race program. According to Calhoun’s website, the project is “designed to transform the conversation about race, racism, and white privilege in this country; expose the myth of color-blindness in a society that, for many, espouses a post-racial myth; [and to] fundamentally alter the dialogue surrounding white privilege and structural and systemic racism for K-12th grade students, their parents, and teachers.”

Bilingual education. Multi-Cultural understanding. Diverse community. ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR Pre-Nursery (age 2 by Sept. 1) - Grade 3 for Spanish and Mandarin tracks. Adding a grade each year through Grade 8.

Visit our school on the Upper East Side: info@ianyc.org / 212-641-0260

www.ianyc.org BigAppleParent 13

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Early Years Curriculum

Join us for a presentation and workshop to discover the benefits of an international, thematic approach to learning. Thursday, January 11, 2018 6:00pm Friday, January 12, 2018 9:00am RSVP to info@ny.nae.school or call 212.600.2010 www.nordangliaeducation.com BigAppleParent 15

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Discover Wetherby Pembridge School Education should be founded on strong values. At Wetherby-Pembridge School, we inspire the individual to reach personal confidence and success with integrity, kindness, respect and manners.

Book a Private Tour For more information: info@wetherbypembridge.org | 646-213-3400 | www.wetherbypembridge.org 7 East 96th Street, New York

AT GIRLS PREP, SCHOLARS ARE CHALLENGED TO THINK AND WORK HARD EVERY DAY.

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Our curriculum incorporates science instruction in all grades 5 days per week and CGI math instruction.

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Girls Prep has established multi-day, immersive partnerships with leading colleges and universities for our scholars, including Cornell University, West Point, Smith College and more!

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January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

NOW ACCEPTING 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR APPLICATIONS

www.publicprep.org/enroll 212-346-6000 ext. 108 enroll@publicprep.org

llame al 212-346-6000 x108 para inscribir su hija en girls prep lower east side

online extras In families with two or more children, an older sibling’s departure for college can spark mixed emotions in the younger child. Find out how to cope at ›› nymetroparents.com/college-sibling Is homework necessary? Take a look inside the debate—and what a Brooklyn school is doing instead ›› nymetroparents.com/no-homework

Local Catholic schools are integrating students of all religions. Learn why at ›› nymetroparents.com/inclusive-catholics One of the first decisions you’ll have to make as the parent of a child with special needs is what school your child will attend. Find answers to common questions that go into the decision making process at ›› nymetroparents.com/special-school

inside

raising kids education special

18 B aby Needs Books!: It’s never too soon to raise an eager reader. he Buzz on Blended Learning: 20 T This bold approach integrates technology with traditional teaching. hould School Start Later?: Early 24 S classes can harm teens’ health and academic performance. 26 Education Directory: Schools, academic enrichment, and special education services in Manhattan.

Baby Needs Books!

››

It’s never too soon to raise an eager reader—these early steps are the way to start.

hen my older daughter was born, I ran out and bought a bunch of things I assumed were necessities, such as a wet-wipe heater (which only made the wipes a smidge warmer than they already were) and a rattle (even though Clara’s little hands were in mittens to prevent her from accidentally scratching herself). “She doesn’t need that stuff,” my mom laughed. “She just needs food and shelter and love.” Experts would agree, but they’d probably add one more item to that short list: books. That’s right—even the very smallest children can benefit profoundly from story time. Snuggling over a good read actually helps your baby learn to read you and vice versa, and can yield a host of brain-boosting benefits, both now and later. Here are some reasons to start amassing a kiddie library, and using it daily.

0-6 Months: Building Bonds

At the very beginning of life, “reading time is really about bonding with a parent or caregiver,” says Rina P. Collins, owner of Book Nook, an early literacy studio with two Manhattan locations. Set aside time once or twice a day to break out 18

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

By Deborah Skolnik

a book. It’s also a chance for you to practice your reading technique. Not only do you have to get used to reciting aloud (it can take a while not to feel silly saying things like “and then the bunny went to the market!”) but “you’re learning how to hold your baby in the crook of one arm while holding the book with the other,” notes Pam Allyn, founding director of LitWorld, a global literacy initiative. Your child may not spend lots of time checking out the book’s pages—he isn’t even focusing that well yet—but he’s looking at the faces you make, and starting to associate them with emotions. He’s also listening. “You’re transmitting the grammatical structures and rhythm of language,” Allyn says. Go for books that are rich in sounds, such as Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. Also select some books with black-and-white contrast, since that’s what infants see best. One great choice: Hello Baby by Roger Priddy. Around 4 months, your baby can see pictures more clearly, Collins notes. She’s mesmerized by other babies’ faces, so try reading Global Babies by The Global Fund for Children or a similar book. “And as your baby gets more accustomed to the rhythms of

language, he’ll enjoy texts that have an element of repetition,” says Roslyn Haber, Ed.D., associate professor of education at Touro Graduate College of Education in Manhattan. Nursery-rhyme books are great choices now, as are other books with repetitive turns of phrase. “We started reading Eric Carle’s Brown Bear, Brown Bear a lot at this point,” Collins says. Rest assured, all this reading is doing lots of good. According to a study presented last spring at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting, reading to babies as young as just 6 months of age results in more robust vocabularies and better early literacy skills by age 4. The more vividly parents share books, the better: “We asked whether they were engaging in reading that involved talking about the pictures and emotions, and having a conversation around the story,” says Carolyn Cates, the study’s lead author. So go ahead— comment on the characters, make funny faces as you read, and modulate your voice up and down.

7-12 Months: Tactile Readers

Speaking of vocabulary, the second half of the first year is a great time to start building your baby’s knowledge of words. “We put out lots of board books that just had pictures and basic words, like ‘mommy’ or ‘daddy,’” Collins says. Roger Priddy’s First 100 Words Lift-the-Flap introduces vocabulary staples while also satisfying curious little fingers. In fact, you may notice your child starting to handle books a lot more around this time—“my son liked taking his finger and rubbing the page and moving his hand all around it,” Collins remembers. Dr. Haber agrees: “this is a very exploratory stage. It’s great to get books that have a lot of tactile fabrics in them,” she says. By this point, you’ve probably figured out reading to your baby is a way of getting to know her personality. Does he act excited when you pull out a book about dinosaurs? Disinterested in the book about cats? Her expressions, gestures, and even the sounds she makes will provide clues. Since he can see colors very well now, the bright hues of Sandra Boynton’s Moo, Baa, La La La! may appeal to him. Rich language patterns may grab her attention too—at least for a short while. A book such as More More More Said the Baby by Vera B. Williams fits the bill. Once your baby starts to crawl, put books in baskets, so they’ll be at eye level, Allyn recommends. If he shows a preference for certain subjects, stick with them (“Oh, you liked that book about trucks? Let’s get another book about them!”). As she nears her first birthday, your little one will also have a better understanding of the overall concept of a story, so feel free to try a book with more of a plot, such as Ezra Jack Keats’s The Snowy Day. Another major concept your child is starting to grasp is the idea that he belongs to a family. Try reading some stories that highlight family relationships, such as the Max and Ruby series by Rosemary Wells, featuring brother-and-sister rabbits. “Max and Ruby are recurring characters in the books, so you and your baby can keep reading about them as your child gets older,” Allyn points out. Also highlight books that talk about where its main character fits into the world, for example The New Baby by Mercer Mayer. Talk to your baby about how there are many different types of families. And make sure to throw in some books just for silly fun: Allyn is a big fan of Acoustic Rooster by Kwame Alexander, chronicling the adventures of a jazz-loving rooster and his barnyard band.

13-18 Months: Pages and Passions

“One to two years of age is when children’s language is absolutely exploding,” Allyn says. Your baby can appreciate continuity, so

introduce her to authors you can return to again and again. These include Mo Willems, author of the acclaimed Pigeon series, and Charlotte Zolotow, who wrote The Seashore Book and dozens of others. “Your child is ready to have books that have multiple sentences, are longer, and have more advanced pictures,” Collins says. Rhyming books, such as Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown, may capture his attention. Tickle your baby’s funny bone by making exaggerated expressions and noises—you may be rewarded with some extra enthusiasm and delicious giggles. Where your baby used to be cradled in your arms for story time, she may happily settle into your lap. Make it easy for him to pick up books on his own, too; Collins recommends using low dish-display shelves and filling them with kiddie volumes. Try finding books that relate to something your child loves in real life: If she’s a fan of unicorns, for example, read her a storybook that features one. And be prepared to let your little one take the lead—she may no longer be content to have you hold the book, insisting she keep a grip on it and turn the pages instead. “Be really patient,” Allyn advises. “It’s important that she learns how books work—even if that means [she is] turning the pages backwards as well as forwards.” With all his squirminess, your child may often be reluctant to go to bed. Make books your secret weapon. Soothing titles such as Night-Night, by Leslie Patricelli, and DK Publishing’s Baby Touch and Feel Bedtime can become part of your evening or naptime rituals. The comforting images and soothing words, read in a soft voice, might just do the trick and help your child (and you!) catch some much-needed zzz’s.

19-24 Months: Read It Again, Mom!

Since you’ve exposed your baby to so many wonderful books by now, don’t be surprised if she has a favorite or two—and wants you to read them again and again. Oh, and again. Yes, it can test your patience a little, but it’s really a good thing for your budding reader. “It links that book to comfort and familiarity,” Dr. Haber says. Don’t be surprised, either, if your child picks up a book and throws it down, or even hurls it several feet across the room. It doesn’t mean your little one is destined to grow up to be the terror of the local library! “At this time, he’s exploring space, and throwing the book is part of that,” Dr. Haber explains. Instead of scolding him, you can calmly tell him to treat books with care. “You can pick the book back up and say, ‘That’s the book about the bird taking a vacation! Should we read it again?’” Dr. Haber suggests. Of course, it’s good to introduce new books whenever you can. At this age, they can have simple lessons, such as Please and Thank You by Richard Scarry and the old favorite, The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. Sing-song books, with hand gestures you can try together, will often be a big hit too—read The Wheels on the Bus by Jerry Smith. Almost any book can inspire some back-and-forth now. Try pointing to a duck or house and asking your child what it is; she may surprise you with a one-word answer you can expand on (“Right! That’s the duck who likes to play in the mud!”) Just as your child may be mimicking some of your day-to-day activities, he may now mirror the way you read. “Many kids this age start trying to hold a book and read it aloud to their stuffed animals,” Allyn says. Your little one may “read” by babbling, using the same inflections you sometimes do during story time. It’s hilarious to watch, and touching, too. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And it shows that when it comes to a healthy love of reading, you and your child are on the same page. BigAppleParent 19

Jordan Laird

In math class, a fifth-grade student at St. Ann in East Harlem works on a Google Chromebook in i-Ready at the technology station. Behind him, Phil Biondo teaches students at his teacher instruction station. The timer on the board signals when to rotate stations.

The Buzz on Blended Learning

››

This bold approach integrates technology with traditional teaching. By Jordan Laird

n the fourth floor of an old building in East Harlem, Phil Biondo is teaching fifth-grade math. One group of students works diligently in their workbooks on one side of the room, occasionally discussing questions or asking Biondo for clarification. A second group of students is taught by Biondo himself, at the front of the classroom. A third group of students, directly across the room from the first, wears headphones and works online on Google Chromebooks, using a learning program called i-Ready. Behind Biondo, a digital timer is set for 30 minutes. When it goes off, the students rotate between the three ‘stations.’ Biondo remains seated and quickly begins teaching the next group’s lesson. Class at St. Ann looked very different four years ago, before Principal Hope Mueller came on board and instituted a blended learning program—one in which a portion of learning is done online, and data generated is used to track students’ progress and refine lesson plans and other teaching strategies. At the time of her arrival, Mueller says, the school was plagued by behavioral problems, and test scores were stagnant. “The faculty and I recognized something wasn’t working and we kind of brainstormed and thought about the fact that we were not meeting the needs of every child,” she shares. Mueller had gone to a few conferences and heard about blended learning and how the teaching style could possibly help students, 20

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

so the faculty agreed to try it. At first the school made do with its limited tech gear, but soon won a grant for equipment (including the Chromebooks), better Wi-Fi, and staff support. The new strategy has paid off. In its first year after implementing blended learning, St. Ann saw a 28-percent increase in the number of students passing the state English Language Arts test and a 5-percent rise in those passing the state math exam, far exceeding Mueller’s goal of a 3-percent increase in both areas. In addition, “we saw behavior concerns drop to almost nothing,” she says. “We saw morale go through the roof with everybody in the community, and enrollment go up for the first time since 2006.” Last year, St. Ann was 1 of 11 schools to win a Blackboard award for outstanding schools in New York City. It was also named one of the 85 schools in the country worth visiting by gettingsmart.com, a design firm focused on innovations in learning.

A Rich Blend

Kimberly Greene, Ed.D., an associate professor of education at Brandman University in Irvine, CA, and an expert on educational technology, says blended learning is “where there is a formal electronically mediated component. It’s a formal component, not the occasional ‘here, watch this video and we’ll talk about it in class.’” In other words, tech is integral to the teaching process. A growing number of schools are adopting some type of blend-

ed approach. According to a 2015 report by the Center for Digital Education, 41 percent of K-12 schools surveyed offered blended and virtual (online) learning classes, and 55 percent of K-12 schools surveyed provided personalized learning, which is learning tailored to an individual student’s particular needs. Personalized learning goes hand in hand with blended learning. “A lot of times I think about blended learning as a way to allow computers to do what computers do well, which is delivery of standardized lessons in some ways, and using data to personalize but [also] to free teachers to do what only humans can do,” says Michael Horn, co-author of the book Blended. “And that’s, you know, spend a lot more time on rich feedback. The point of blended learning is to increase the quality of those human interactions.” St. Ann utilizes quite a bit of data to personalize lessons for its students. Using the i-Ready software, teachers can check students’ progress on virtual lessons as frequently as desired. The program automatically uses the data to personalize the lessons each student receives next. The teachers use that data to create their own lesson plans as well, and to decide how to group students for station rotation. “Before we had this [approach], basically how you get data from students [is] you’re giving them quizzes or tests or you’re seeing how they act during class, seeing if they can answer questions. But this gives us data on how they’re doing each day in real time,” says Karen Doyle, St. Ann’s Blended Learning Coordinator and a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) teacher. While St. Ann utilizes the station rotation model of blended learning, this is just 1 of 3 major blended-learning approaches used in K-12 education. In 2013, when the Center for Digital Education surveyed schools that have embraced digital learning in some way,

it found that roughly equal percentages of respondents used station rotation (38 percent); a “flipped” classroom model, in which instruction is offered outside the classroom—often online—and projects traditionally considered to be homework are done during class time (43 percent); or a mixture of online and traditional classes (43 percent).

Challenging Changes

Although blended learning can be beneficial, it also can be tricky to implement. “One of the most important things I will tell teachers… is that they need to walk around their rooms first thing and find the [electrical] outlets,” Mueller says. If a school’s building is old, as St. Ann’s is, many of the outlets may not work. In some of St. Ann’s classrooms, the only functional outlet was located where the teacher’s desk had always been, which meant that the desk had to be moved to make room for the Chromebook cart. Even harder than rearranging furniture, however, was reframing staffers’ mindset as to what instruction could look like. “In the beginning, I was the one always complaining, ‘I can’t do this, I’m not a technology person,’” says first-grade teacher Stephanie Gueits-Marrero. “So for me, it was challenging to transition to this blended learning.” Doyle adds that it’s also very difficult for teachers to carve out time to plan for blended learning. “You have to invest a lot of time and planning up front, and in the very first year we really didn’t have extra time built into the schedule,” Doyle notes. She explains faculty has to spend ample amounts of time sifting through student data on the computer software, then must come up with lesson plans for every group they’re going to see in their station rotation. continued on next page ››

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Two kindergarteners at St. Ann focus on their lessons in i-Ready.

Last of all, schools may struggle with the price tag for the necessary tech tools. “One of the other most difficult things [was that we had to] get this new infrastructure, these Chromebooks. We got a grant that was very substantial,” Mueller says. “If we didn’t have that support from the Archdiocese and these generous donors, we would not have been able to do what we’ve done.”

Remarkable Ripple Effects

Despite the challenges, St. Ann’s faculty wouldn’t go back to a traditional curriculum. “No. I think I like this way of teaching better,” says Gueits-Marrero—this despite her early resistance. “I think it’s more fun for the students too. They’re not stationed at one desk all day long. It’s helping them. The scores show their improvement.” She describes one of her success stories, a student who came into her first-grade class on a pre-kindergarten level in reading and a low kindergarten level in math. But by the end of the school year, she was already on a second-grade reading level. Gueits-Marrero says this student is continuing to do well now. Camron Campbell, a 14-year-old eighth-grader, is also benefiting tremendously from the new approach. “It’s a little emotional for me because my son struggled so long and felt so bad about himself,” says his mother, Antonia Campbell, remembering the years before the curriculum switch. Now, however, Camron “has just been excelling with this blended learning,” she says. In fact, Principal Mueller says the new style of instruction has improved the climate of the entire school, and the surrounding community. Students and parents now trust the faculty and staff more. Because of the improved school climate, Mueller says faculty members have started facilitating after-school extracurricular activities, despite the fact that St. Ann is not able to pay them a salary for doing so. “The goal originally was just to help the kids academically,” she notes. “And it changed everything. If we had not started with blended learning, I don’t think any of these things would have happened.”

Blended Learning Gone Bad

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January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

St. Ann has had tremendous success with blended learning, but when schools don’t implement the approach properly, they run the risk of having it backfire. One common mistake some schools make, Horn says, is assuming technology has replaced the teacher and that the majority of a student’s day will be spent on the computer. Another way schools get blended learning wrong “is they’re using it more as maybe a replacement for a textbook,” Horn explains. “But they’re not really personalizing that learning, and developing strong

cultures around starting to help students own what they’re doing and why.” Horn also stresses spending time up front to design the model, and giving teachers adequate professional development. St. Ann has hosted more than 200 visitors from across the country who want to see its award-winning blended learning program in action. Mueller says one common misconception among visiting educators is that if teachers are using learning centers, and one center is computer-based, it constitutes blended learning. But “without the data driving both the technology and the teacher-led instruction, it’s not quite the blend,” Mueller says. “You’ve got to have a sense of who your students are so that you’re meaningfully able to design how the experience will be for that group,” Dr. Greene adds. “You can’t just design a great blended learning opportunity and then use it with everybody and expect it’s always going to be amazing. It’s got to have flexibility. What is the intention of the learning, and how does it best serve this group of students I’m working with?” Jeffrey Tsang, founder of the education consulting firm Building Blocks Education, which implements blended learning programs in schools, contends that “the challenge is getting to the right ‘why.’” He worries a lot of schools will get into blended learning just because the technology is there or because they believe it will make it cheaper to run the school, or easier for teachers. None of these, Tsang feels, are particularly compelling rationales. “Ultimately, once schools and districts get to a place of ‘I think we should use technology because it’ll improve learning and improve the student learning experience,’ I think that’s where you get to better models and better implementation,” he says.

What’s Coming Next?

Tsang suspects the next big shift for education will be to put students in charge of what they learn, and how. He thinks that if schools could combine internal motivation with individualized learning styles, it would transform learning into something driven by students in ways that are much more effective for them. Horn believes there will be more movement toward the notion of mastery learning—a model in which students advance not because it’s time for the whole class to move on, but because they’ve truly mastered something. This may eventually involve doing away with traditional assessments. Horn also predicts a move toward “more thoughtful and coherent interweaving of rigorous curriculum with really rich projects. Meaning, students can learn knowledge on the computer, but it’ll be much more rigorous curriculum than some of the online programs we’ve seen so far, that sometimes are flimsy. And then giving students more time to dive into rich, complicated, multi-day projects with their peers.” No matter which direction blended learning takes in the future, it’s clear that innovation will be integral to the mix.

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Should School Start Later?

››

Early classes can harm teens’ health and academic performance—here’s a look at the movement to push back that first bell. By Christina Vercelletto

e tried sending the dog in to lick him awake. We tried threats, bribes, and a liberal dose of guilt, too (I’d burst into tears at fairly regular intervals). We set progressively earlier alarms, before calling that experiment a failure at 4:55am. But nothing my husband or I did could get our son, Charles, on the 6:50am high school bus more often than a few times a month. So there I’d be, driving him to school, sweaty and breathless, careening into the parking lot when first period was half over. (I usually drove him, because when my husband did, he’d bellow at him the whole way. I got his frustration, believe me, but was afraid he’d get in an accident.) For four years this went on, until, blessedly, my son graduated last June—but not before having to take night-school classes for habitually failing first period. A mere month after those insanely stressful mornings finally ended, Charles began working a shift that starts at 9:30am. He gets up on his own at 8am, fixing himself eggs and toast. He leaves promptly at 8:45am every day, allowing a little extra time for traffic. Really? I thought. As mystifying as it seemed to me at first, my experience, it turns out, squares with science. Research has shown that early school start times (7:21am at our Long Island high school, for example) simply don’t mesh with teenage biology, and that starting even just 60 minutes later has positive effects on mental and physical health, and on academic performance, too. Yet the vast majority of public schools, including in our area, resist making the change.

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Rude Awakenings

Despite their appearance, high school kids are just that—kids who are still growing. Adolescents need 8½-9½ hours of sleep a night, an almost laughable number when compared with dayto-day reality. Ruth Angstadt’s son, Kurt, a 10th-grader at West Babylon High School in Suffolk County, is a prime example. “He has soccer practice after school, then dinner and hours of homework. By the time he showers and winds down, it’s after eleven. Midnight is not unheard of,” she laments. Kurt is up at 6:15am (5:45am if he needs to get to school early for extra help). Do the math. Contrary to the assumption that teens are just being, well, teens by refusing to budge from bed, it has much more to do with biology than rebellion. A shift in their internal clocks at puberty signals the sleep hormone melatonin to kick in later at night. That’s why the seemingly simple solution of enforcing an earlier bedtime doesn’t really work. That internal shift makes it hard for teens to fall asleep before 11pm, or wake up much before 8am. They may get in bed and turn off the light at your insistence, but in all likelihood, they’re not sleeping. “The fact that these circadian rhythm shifts appear in adolescent mammals as well as adolescent humans suggests that there’s more to the story here than irresponsibility,” says Stacy Simera, communications director for StartSchoolLater.net.

The Benefits of Later Start Times

Why Don’t More Schools Make a Change?

Like so many other things having to do with public school sysTeens need enough sleep, not only to stave off the grumpies, but tems, the current situation is largely driven by budgets. The start also to effectively learn once they get to school. Schools with the times of high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools first period bell ringing at 8:30am or later—which eliminates more have to be staggered in order to keep the number of buses and than 85 percent of U.S. public high schools, according to federal drivers—and costs—to a minimum. And high schools tend to start data from the 2015-16 school year—wind up with better attenearliest, often to allow the youngest students to wait at the bus dance and graduation rates. One study comparing schools in seven stop in broad daylight and to have teens back home before their states, including New York, found that instituting an 8:30am start little brothers and sisters arrive, an arrangement some working increased attendance rates from 90 to 94 percent and graduation parents depend on. rates from 79 to 88 percent. These schools’ students have more Aside from increased transportation costs, rejiggering the start downtime too, according to a separate study recently published times of a district’s schools would mean renegotiating contracts, in December in the journal Sleep Health. It found that when high not only with transportation providers, but with teachers and school classes started at 8:30am or later, teens spent 46 more minschool staff, including sports coaches. utes in bed, on average, compared with peers whose schools startAnother consideration: The traffic that school buses and traveled between 7 and 7:30am. ing school sports teams would face if their schedule were closer to Meanwhile, a study of middle-school students in North Carorush hour. “As it was, it would take Joey an hour to get back when lina found that a one-hour delay in start time increased math test his away volleyball games ended at four. Imagine if they ended at scores by 3.3 percentile points and reading test scores by 3.7 points. five?” says Marie Iorio, a mom of “As someone who has studied two in New Hyde Park in Naseducational interventions, I trusau County. A situation like that ly believe that this is the single Despite their appearance, high school kids could hamper a child’s participaeasiest and least expensive way are just that—kids who are still growing. tion in extracurriculars or sports, to improve student outcomes,” which—who knows?—could be said the study’s author, Santa Adolescents need 8½-9½ hours of sleep a the thing that makes or breaks Clara University economist Teny night, an almost laughable number when their college applications. M. Shapiro. Other parents are simply neuIn fact, none other than the compared with day-to-day reality. tral on the issue. “I have mixed American Academy of Pediatfeelings about late start,” says rics released a policy statement Gina Seymour, the library media in 2014 saying that “insufficient specialist at Islip High School. “Yes, the kids are tired, but as a sleep in adolescents [is] an important public health issue that signifimom I do like to see my children off to school before I leave for cantly affects the health and safety, as well as the academic success, work, rather than leave with them still in bed.” of our nation’s middle and high school students.” The following year, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Continued Clock-Watching education policymakers to start school later. “Getting enough While the premise of later school start times for teens is widely sleep is important for students’ health, safety, and academic perforaccepted by those familiar with the facts, there’s another stummance,” stated Anne Wheaton, the lead author and epidemiologist bling block to overcome: human nature. People, parents included, in the CDC’s Division of Population Health. tend to rally around causes that affect them directly. That means Both the CDC and the AAP noted that sleep-deprived teens not that hard-won advocates graduate along with their kids every four only have poorer educational outcomes, but also are more prone years, so it’s a constant battle for groups such as Start School Later to car accidents, obesity, and depression. to keep re-educating parents and maintain the grassroots pressure. None of this is to say, of course, that opening high schools an Success Stories hour later is the lone magic bullet to kids’ sleep issues and school The realization is spreading that it’s harmful to force teens to success. And some kids fare better than others with the current rise with the birds. Some schools have adopted later start times, arrangement. Jennifer Geddes, a mom of two teens in Manhatthough there’s no hard data on the trend. “Unfortunately, it is tan, is one of the lucky ones. Her daughter’s high school starts at very difficult to track how many schools are talking about chang8:30am. But while Geddes says the late start is great, “Fiona could ing or have changed start times because there is no mandatory start earlier than that,” she shares. “She’s up and ready to go well reporting. Our lack of tracking start times reflects our level of sysbefore she has to leave.” temic lack of awareness,” Simera says. Barring a sweeping change to start times, what are families to do? But the Glen Falls School District is one that made the switch. Promoting good sleep-hygiene habits for kids, such as avoiding cafIn 2013, the high school pushed back its start time from 7:45am feine in the evening, shutting down electronics before getting into to 8:25am, and saw better student outcomes. The South Orangebed, and keeping to roughly the same sleep schedule on weekends, town Central School District is another that opted to try a later will help them regardless of when school begins. That, combined start. “Our high school and middle school went from a 7:30am with continuing efforts to educate parents, school boards, and polstart to 8:15. It’s soooo much better,” says Stephanie Mullen, a iticians on the benefits of letting teens sleep later, may ultimately mom of three in Blauvelt. “Teens are not adults, and there’s no yield eye-opening results for our chronically weary kids. point in forcing them to adapt to an adult schedule.” At Islip High School in Suffolk County, upperclassmen can opt out of first Christina Vercelletto is a former editor at NYMetroParents, Parenting, Scholastic Parent & period and come in 40 minutes later, provided they’ll have enough Child, and Woman’s Day. She lives on Long Island with her kids, a chiweenie, Pickles, and a credits to graduate, which most do. 20-pound calico, Chub-Chub. BigAppleParent 25

raising kids directory

Education Resources Top area schools and academic services to help you make the best decisions for your child

Academic Enrichment and Educational Services Bright Kids Inc.

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China Institute

40 Rector St., 2nd ﬂoor 212-744-8181 x110 chinainstitute.org emarks@chinainstitute.org With two convenient Manhattan locations—Upper East Side and the Financial District—China Institute’s classes allow children to learn Chinese using an integrated, comprehensive approach. Classes are level and age-appropriate. Expert, native speaking teachers lead classes for kids 18 months to 17 years. From Mandarin Munchkins to AP Prep, to Chinese Go, China Institute has something for every child. We also offer private tutoring in the comfort of your home or any location, Summer Day Camp, and other programs! Visit our website or call us today to learn more!

Collina Italiana

1556 Third Ave. (at 87th Street), Suite 603 212-427-7770 collinaitaliana.com info@collinaitaliana.com Set on the Upper East Side, our Italian classes allow children to benefit from a comprehensive approach to learning in an age-appropriate and inviting atmosphere. Classes for kids include Giardino dei Bambini (drop-off on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9am-12pm); Girotondo Giallo, Rosso, Blu, and Viola (ages 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9 and older); Italian Art and Yoga Workshops; private and semi-private tutoring. Children gather around

to share learned words and expressions through playful, skill-building activities such as games, songs, dances, and stories. For all the bellissimi details on Collina Italiana, call the Italian instructors today!

children an academic advantage in the classroom—and throughout life. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration, and develop better study skills.

Huntington Learning Center

The Language Workshop for Children

237 W. 72nd St. 212-362-0100 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington Learning Center is the premier tutoring and test prep provider for kindergarten to 12th grades. Founded in 1977, its mission is to give every student the best education possible. The company prides itself on personalized attention and proven results with individualized programs taught by certified teachers at accredited centers. Areas of instruction include phonics, reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, ACT, SAT, PSAT, high school entrance exams, and state and other standardized exams. To learn more and locate a center near you, visit huntingtonhelps.com.

Kumon of Manhattan

2235 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Central Harlem 212-866-6201 700 Columbus Ave., Upper West Side 212-866-1864 1582 First Ave., Upper East Side 212-717-1644. 320 W. 23rd St., Chelsea 212-242-6528 381 Second Ave., Gramercy Park 212-683-1232 2 South End Ave., Battery Park City 212-786-4295 747 Tenth Ave., Midtown West 212-399-4124 962 First Ave., Midtown East 212-702-8769 123 Baxter St., Chinatown 212-625-1883 237 E. 204th St., Bedford Park 917-751-1888 kumon.com As the world’s largest after-school math and reading program, Kumon’s proven individualized method accelerates your child’s learning—beginning at age 3 through high school. We go beyond tutoring, by developing a customized curriculum for your child that nurtures critical thinking and independent learning skills. Kumon’s time-tested self-learning program uses engaging worksheets and guidance from an instructor to present new concepts and materials, giving

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

888 Lexington Ave. (at 66th Street), Upper East Side 212-628-2700 languageworkshopforchildren.com The Language Workshop for Children has been a leading name in children’s language acquisition since 1973. Using the renowned Thibaut Technique® and native speaking teachers children learn through original music, vocabulary building songs, immersion, visual aids, and action games in a controlled playgroup environment. The LWFC offers French, Spanish, Chinese, and Italian group classes for tots (6 months-3 years), including a Family Preschool, and for children ages 3-8. We also offer private lessons in person or online through Skype as well as test prep for all ages, including teens and college students.

Speakitaly NYC

122 W. 27th St., 12th Floor 212-603-9685 speakitalynyc.com info@speakitalynyc.com Speakitaly NYC offers high quality Italian language lessons for children and young learners ages 6 and older. Our lessons are stimulating and entertaining. Children have fun while learning because they feel at ease with their teacher. They are encouraged to experiment with the language through a wide range of engaging activities and start speaking Italian in a very natural way while becoming familiar with grammar that they will be able to apply in the future. We are a center for the CELI teens examination (ages 13-17) issued by Univ. per Stranieri di Perugia and we follow the European Common Language Framework.

Charter Schools Success Academy Charter Schools

Locations throughout New York 646-597-4641 successacademies.org Success Academy Charter Schools is the largest and highest-performing public charter school network in New York City. Our mission is to redefine what’s possible

in public education, so there’s no limit to what your child can achieve. With our robust curriculum, hands-on approach, and exceptional teachers, we provide the tools that students of all backgrounds need to thrive and ignite a lifelong love of learning.

Preschools The Cathedral School Preschool

319 E. 74th St. 212-249-2840 cathedralnyc.org/page info@cathedralschoolny.org The Cathedral School Preschool offers half-day and fullday programs for children and is now accepting applications for February enrollment. Children thrive in our nurturing environment that fosters intellectual growth and curiosity. Our program focuses on social and emotional development through exploration and thematic units including literacy, guided reading, handwriting, and pre-math activities. With caring teachers at their side, children begin to understand their role as members of a community based on mutual respect and sharing. At The Cathedral School Preschool, each day is filled with something new and wonderful.

Chelsea Piers New York Chelsea Piers Preschool Program: CP Kids

West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park, NYC 212-336-6846 chelseapiers.com info@chelseapiers.com The CP Kids Preschool Program, for children ages 2.7-5, offers a dynamic curriculum that prepares students for kindergarten by teaching problem-solving skills, independence, and confidence. Students leave with a love of learning and strong foundation to build on. Our spacious classrooms are led by a certified teacher who works collaboratively with two assistant teachers to create an engaging learning environment. Unique features include music, sports, art, yoga, and cooking classes. For more information and to request a tour, please call 212-336-6500 x6573 or visit chelseapiers.com/cpkids!

LAC Early Childhood Center

SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

2 Fifth Ave. 212-828-3975 lacearlychildhood.org vborsen@lifeadjustmentcenter.com A new Manhattan day care center for children ages 3 months to 5 years. The center offers enhanced academic programs, dance and movement, languages, sports, and art classes. We maintain a ratio that supports individualized attention and the feeling of security. Teachers and assistants work together in the preparation and presentation of lessons to ensure students are actively engaged and interested. Our small school encourages a sense of community, assists in students’ social connections, and helps create real friendships.

Pusteblume International Preschool

244 W. 14th St. 212-206-1137 pusteblumenyc.org carola.grundmann@ pusteblumenyc.org Pusteblume International Preschool provides children with a fun and community-oriented multicultural environment. Our preschool program welcomes families with children ages 2-5 of all international backgrounds who are interested in having their child learn German, Spanish, or both in a language immersion classroom. Our after-school programs and holiday camps welcome children from other schools and also offer activities for school-age children (ages 6-12). Pusteblume International Preschool is directed by Friends of the German International School of New York Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation.

Private Schools

Creative and positive learning environment

MANHATTAN’S ONLY NON-PROFIT GERMAN AND SPANISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION PRESCHOOL AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

212-206-1137 • pusteblumenyc.org • Info@pusteblumenyc.org

Blue Rock School

110 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack 845-627-0234 bluerockschool.org Blue Rock School is the Lower Hudson Valley’s only progressive school, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. We offer a unique educational experience based on a hands-on and holistic approach that nurtures children’s innate love of learning, enabling them continued on next page ››

York Preparatory School 40 West 68th Street, New York, NY 10023 • www.yorkprep.org York Preparatory School is a New York City independent school committed to guiding students in grades six through twelve to reach their maximum potential-intellectually, socially, and physically-and to prepare them for college and beyond. Compassionate educators creatively address the needs and interests of a diverse community, thereby appropriately supporting and challenging students as they progress through a traditional curriculum within a structured environment. York Prep encourages the development of lifelong learners who are responsible members of their community.

BigAppleParent 27

‹‹ continued from previous page

to follow their own natural curiosity and develop as independent thinkers. At Blue Rock, class sizes are small and students engage in a challenging and creative academic curriculum, which is infused with the arts, nature, and play.

The British International School of New York

20 Waterside Plaza 212-481-2700 x204 bis-ny.org info@bis-ny.org The British International School of New York is proud to offer children from the age of 3 an academically focused, inquiry-based curriculum that sets it apart from other New York City schools. The state-of-the-art facilities and light and airy campus provide a tranquil backdrop for learning—which combined with the breadth, balance, and portability of the curriculum—offer a truly inspiring education. This September BIS-NY expands to an Upper School, providing internationally focused, academically rich, world-class teaching and learning to high school students. BIS-NY: More than a school; it’s an education.

Buckley Country Day School

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

The Calhoun School

Main Building Third to 12th grades 433 West End Ave. 212-497-6500 Robert L. Beir Lower School Building 2.8 years to second grade 160 W. 74th St. 212-497-6550 calhoun.org Calhoun School, preschool to 12th grade, offers a hands-on

“learning-by-doing” curriculum, embracing the individuality of our students while supporting intellectual, emotional, and social growth. At all ages, Calhoun students engage in challenging and exciting learning experiences. Whether building machines in kindergarten, researching race and identity in middle school, or creating an innovative project in Junior Workshop, students are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and pursue their passions. Calhoun graduates, supported by thoughtful college counseling, leave with both a strong academic foundation and the skills to thrive in college and beyond.

The Cathedral School A Classical Education for the Modern World

319 E. 74th St. 212-249-2840 cathedralnyc.org/page info@cathedralschoolny.org The Cathedral School is a nursery through eighth grade coeducational day school located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. The academic program is rigorous, and the setting is nurturing. Committed since 1949 to its mission of fostering the natural curiosity, intelligence, and creativity of children through excellence in education, The Cathedral School features small classes that encourage active student participation. With an exceptional student-to-teacher ratio of 10-to-1, students receive the individual attention needed to help them thrive.

Dwight School

291 Central Park West 212-724-6360 dwight.edu admissions@dwight.edu Founded in 1872, Dwight is a leading private international school dedicated to igniting the spark of genius in every child—one student at a time. Dwight has one of the lowest student-to-teacher ratios among independent schools in New York City. Through a global network, students have opportunities to travel and participate in exchange programs at Dwight campuses around the world. Dwight is

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

the first school in the Americas to offer the comprehensive International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum for students ages 3-18. The IB recognized as the “gold standard” in pre-university preparation worldwide.

The Gateway School

211 W. 61st St., 6th Floor 212-777-5966 gatewayschool.org admissions@gatewayschool.org Founded in 1965, The Gateway School is an independent, coed day school for children ages 5-14 with language-based learning disabilities or attention deficit. It was among the first schools in the country to recognize that bright children who had difficulty learning simply had to be taught differently. Gateway teaches the skills, strategies, and content necessary for students to realize their potential in school and in life. In a language-rich setting, students experience academic success, recognize their strengths, and develop self-advocacy skills.

International Academy of New York

212-641-0260 ianyc.org info@ianyc.org A gem on the Upper East Side right next to Central Park. The International Academy of New York is a bilingual, multi-cultural, and diverse school developing culturally astute, confident, and caring students with fluency in Mandarin or Spanish, excelling in literacy and math. IANY delivers personal attention to each student, nurturing their intellectual, physical, creative, social, and emotional development, teaching them the skills to contribute and thrive in today’s world. Accepting applications for Pre-Nursery (age 2 by Sept. 1) through third grade, adding a grade each year through eighth grade.

Nord Anglia International School New York 44 E. 2nd St. 212-600-2010 nordangliaeducation.com/ our-schools/new-york info@ny.nae.school Nord Anglia International School New York is a truly

international school with a highly personalized approach to learning for ages 2-14. We recognize that all children are unique and as such, our classes are small enough to provide each child with a tailored and well-rounded academic and personal experience, where friends from all over the world are made for life. We enrich our curricula with world leading programs through our collaborations with Juilliard, MIT, and UNICEF, to give our students access to the latest thinking from the world’s leading educators.

Wetherby–Pembridge School

7 E. 96th St. 646-213-3400 Ages: 3-14 wetherby-pembridge.org info@whetherby-pembridge.org Built on the traditions of Wetherby and Pembridge Hall School for Girls in London, Wetherby-Pembridge School aims to inspire each child to reach success with integrity and kindness. We follow the English National Curriculum at pace and complement it with extracurricular activities and enrichment opportunities. Nursery and pre-kindergarten are coeducational while from kindergarten on, pupils enter single sex classes for the main academic subjects. Wetherby-Pembridge School aims to prepare pupils for entry into the very best schools in the United States, the U.K., and internationally. Please book a personal tour.

York Preparatory School

40 W. 68th St. 212-362-0400 yorkprep.org York Preparatory School is a New York City independent school committed to guiding students in sixth through 12th grades to reach their maximum potential—intellectually, socially, and physically—and to prepare them for college and beyond. Compassionate educators creatively address the needs and interests of a diverse community, thereby appropriately supporting and challenging students as they progress through a traditional curriculum within a structured environment. York Prep encourages the development of lifelong

learners who are responsible members of their community.

Public Schools Girls Prep

212-346-6000 x108 girlspreples.org enroll@publicprep.org Founded in 2005, Girls Prep Lower East Side is the first and only all-girls, tuition-free, kindergarten-eighth school in Manhattan. We are committed to providing a rigorous, holistic education that includes STEM, the arts, and social-emotional learning. We also have chess, chorus, computer science, leadership programs, college partnerships, and after-school programming. 2017 marked the first Girls Prep LES alumnae class to graduate from top high schools and enroll into some of the most prestigious colleges in America, earning four-year scholarships to institutions such as Yale University, St. John’s University, and Temple University.

Special Needs Atlas Foundation for Autism

252 W. 29th St., 3rd Floor 212-256-0846 atlasforautism.org info@atlasforautism.org Atlas is a sensory-friendly haven! A place for life learning, academics, and social skills—for growth in independence and confidence! Atlas offers inclusive after-school and weekend classes in art, music, self-expression, health and fitness, speech, occupational therapy, and Setts. We even have a school! Are your kids now adults? Ask us about post 21 services! We will help you and your family design your own Atlas map to greater success, communication, and community! We are here to help pave the path you choose, together! All abilities welcome!

The Gateway School

disabilities or attention deficit. It was among the first schools in the country to recognize that bright children who had difficulty learning simply had to be taught differently. Gateway teaches the skills, strategies, and content necessary for students to realize their potential in school and in life. In a language-rich setting, students experience academic success, recognize their strengths, and develop self-advocacy skills.

Huntington Learning Center

237 W. 72nd St. 212-362-0100 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington Learning Center is an accredited tutoring and test prep leader for kindergarten to 12th grades, since 1977. Huntington’s certified teachers provide individualized instruction in phonics, reading, writing, math, science, study skills, and executive functioning skills and prepare students for the SAT, ACT, and state and standardized exams. Huntington helps students at all levels achieve results by building their skills, confidence, and motivation. According to one parent: “In just four months, I have seen incredible improvements in Jessica’s grades and confidence.” To learn more about Huntington’s programs and find the center near you, please visit huntingtonhelps.com.

Mr. Speech Pathology

347-399-4836 mrspeechpathology.com info@mrspeechpathology.com Eugene Chuprin is a bilingual (English-Russian) speech-language pathologist conducting evaluations and providing therapy in the New York City area. His specialty is treating pediatrics with language disorders, articulation disorders, and stuttering. He also has extensive clinical experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder, Asperger’s syndrome, and other behavioral difficulties. He provides each individual with a specific treatment approach based on their strengths, needs, and unique abilities to increase progress during therapy. Chuprin provides concierge-quality house calls conducted in the privacy of his patient’s homes.

Introducing

Ciao Yoga!

Connecting families to the Bella Lingua of Italy...without leaving NYC!

Next session starts January 22nd

Register Now! • Ages 2-8 Italian Language Programs using songs, stories, games and arts & crafts • Ages 2-4 Morning drop off playgroup ga classes • Ages 4-6 Yoga in Italiann • Italian Art rt Workshopp • Tutoring Services • Inquire about our Adult Classess 1556 Third Ave @ 87th, Suite 603, NY, NY • 212.427.7770

www.collinaitaliana.com • info@collinaitaliana.com

BigAppleParent 29

things to do

outbound

Family Fun a Ride Away Courtesy FunFuzion

Courtesy Westchester Children’s Museum

In Westchester County...

Located on the boardwalk next to Playland Amusement Park, Westchester Children’s Museum is open year-round and serves as an entertaining and educational destination for children ages 13 and younger. The 6,500-square-foot vibrant learning space has interactive exhibits to challenge children of every age group. Visit it: 100 Playland Parkway, Rye (Metro-North New Haven Line); 914-421-5050; discoverwcm.org

Thunder Ridge Ski Area You’re going to get chilly this winter, so why not warm up on the slopes? Approximately 65 miles north of Midtown Manhattan lies Thunder Ridge Ski Area in Patterson. With slopes for beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders, this scenic destination is great for a day trip with the whole family or weekend getaway. Open mid-December to mid-March (weather-dependent). Visit it: 50 Thunder Ridge Road, Patterson (Metro-North Harlem Line); 845-878-4100; thunderridgeski.com

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries. Beacon, New York. © Dia Art Foundation, New York. Photo: Bill Jacobson Studio, New York. Courtesy Dia Art Foundation, New York

Westchester Children’s Museum

This indoor amusement park has a wide variety of activities to entertain family members of all ages (including parents!). With video games, kiddie rides, laser tag, glow-in-the-dark bowling, billiards, miniature golf, and pingpong there’s truly something fun for everyone. Visit it: 29 Lecount Place, New Rochelle (Metro-North New Haven Line); 914-637-7575; funfuziononline.com

Courtesy Thunder Ridge Ski Area

FunFuzion

and bey ond !

Dia:Beacon Step inside a former Nabisco box printing factory to see vast galleries of art at Dia:Beacon. The museum, located on the banks of the Hudson River, presents Dia Art Foundation’s collection of art from the 1960s to present and also includes special exhibitions and public programs. Visit it: 3 Beekman St., Beacon (Metro-North Hudson Line); 845-440-0100; diaart.org

YMCA

SUMMER CAMPS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

OUR STUDENTS

2+ GRADE LEVELS IN 3 MONTHS.**

ENDS APRIL 21

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Reading - Writing - Math - Study Skills - Spelling Vocabulary - Phonics - ADHD Support - Algebra Geometry - Trigonometry - Pre-Calculus - Calculus Earth Science - Biology - Chemistry - Physics

Test prep

SAT - ACT - PSAT/NMSQT - State Tests Advanced Placement (AP) - SSAT - ISEE SHSAT - TACHS - HSPT - ASVAB

Our convenient locations include:

BAY RIDGE

FLUSHING

718-491-0900

718-358-7900

PARK SLOPE 718-230-4600

BRONX

NEW YORK WEST

STATEN ISLAND

718-597-1500

212-362-0100

718-697-0500

©2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently Owned and Operated. SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) are registered trademarks of the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of these entities endorses or was involved in the production of the program.*Offer valid for new students only. Not valid with any other offer. **Grade level results are based on cumulative average grade level increases in reading and math for 17,445 students from 2010 to 2014 using the full set of available student data.

NEW YORK CITY’S YMCA

ymcanyc.org/camp

HuntingtonHelps.com

CALL 1.800.CAN.LEARN

Lexington Children’s Center is a day care center in East Harlem. We service 40 children age 2.0 – 4.11. We offer free Pre-k from 9 am - 2:20 pm. We also offer Private classes our Private fee is $250 per week. We have certified teachers that use the creative curriculum and common core. We offer music and art classes. Our teachers are patient and loving. Our Director has 30 years of experience. We are open from 8 am – 5:45 pm. We serve breakfast, lunch and snack. Call for a tour.

115 East 98th Street 212-410-1060 rbeza@aol.com www.lexingtonchildrenscenter.com BigAppleParent 31

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Ideas When You Need Them:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter & never hear “I’m bored!” again. We email the top kids’ events every Thursday—just in time to make weekend plans!

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Turn the page for details on Bank of America Winter Village (No. 10 on our list).

JANUARY

y-day day-b : r u o t ou line ar Check alendar on alend c ood, hborh cost. g i e n h by and Searc type, age, t n eve ily! ted da a d p U

nyme

com/c

ents. ropar

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar

EDITOR: WHITNEY C. HARRIS nyccalendar@davlermedia.com

CALENDAR

Editor’s Hot Tickets

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Crafty Kids

Show Time!, Movers & Shakers

On Screen

Dance Party

Smarty Pants

Once Upon a Time, Mini Musicians

Holiday Fun, Special Needs

Fun Fairs & Festivals

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 10 events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

Three Kings Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 5, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: 106th Street and Lexington Avenue, up to 115th Street and Park Avenue, East Harlem AGES: All WHAT: The 41st annual Three Kings Day Parade promises live camels, colorful puppets, music, and dancing in East Harlem. Part of the celebration is to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the Latino community. WHY WE LOVE IT: Check out post-parade activities at El Museo. WANT TO GO? 212-660-7176. elmuseo.org.

‘Milo the Magnificent’

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 6, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: The story of a hard-working and aspiring entertainer and magician always ready to put on his best show. But Milo the puppet finds that plans don’t always go as expected. WHY WE LOVE IT: The puppets are incredible and accommodations are also made for families with children on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities. WANT TO GO? $17. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 15, 11am-2pm WHERE: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., East Harlem AGES: All WHAT: Check out King in New York to learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s encounters with New York City in the 1950s and ’60s as he fought for racial freedom and equality. Then visit the exhibition 34

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Activist New York to explore activists today centered on the Black Lives Matter movement. WHY WE LOVE IT: Families can create their own protest poster at the museum to inspire change for an issue they hope to help improve. WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors and students; free for children 19 and younger. 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

‘The Gustafer Yellowgold Show’

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 20, 11am WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Live music, hand-drawn on-screen animations, and vivid storytelling, featuring Gustafer Yellowgold: a friendly creature who came to Earth from the sun, and is living an explorer’s life in a slightly psychedelic version of the Minnesota woods. WHY WE LOVE IT: Hear songs from Grammy-nominated Morgan Taylor’s recently released album, Brighter Side. WANT TO GO? $17. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org.

‘Undesirable Elements: Generation NYZ’

WHEN: Jan. 13-21, Saturdays, 2pm and 7pm; Sundays, 12pm and 5pm WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: 13 and older WHAT: National Medal of Arts recipient Ping Chong + Company casts young New Yorkers to share the jubilant victories, recent discord, and distant dreams of coming of age in this great, big city. Created exclusively for The New Victory Theater and featuring a cast of seven in their theatrical debuts. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s thought-provoking, interview-based theater that examines issues of culture and identity from the perspective of individuals who see themselves as outsiders within their community. WANT TO GO? $25. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

New Year’s Celebration: Oshogatsu

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 28, 1-4pm WHERE: Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the New Year Japanese-style with traditional activities such as rice pounding, calligraphy, lion dancing, kite making, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: There will be a taiko drumming performance and kids can join in a post-performance practice session. WANT TO GO? $18; free for children 2 and younger. 212-832-1155. japansociety.org.

Progressive New York Boat Show

WHEN: Jan. 24-28, Wednesday-Friday, 12-9pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Javits Center, 625 W. 34th St., Hell’s Kitchen AGES: All WHAT: Check out boats of all sizes, from luxury motor yachts and stunning sailboats to performance boats and inflatables. There will be workshops and seminars, plus a touch-a-boat tour for families with working vessels from the NY Fire Department. Kids can climb aboard, chat with captains, and take pictures at the helm. WHY WE LOVE IT: Nautical novices and enthusiasts alike will enjoy roaming the grounds of the first and longest-running boat show in the world. WANT TO GO? $16; free for children younger than 13. 212-216-2000. nyboatshow.com.

Winter Jam FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 28, 11am-3pm WHERE: Central Park, Bandshell Area at 72nd Street, Central Park AGES: All WHAT: Check out live ice sculpting, an ice slide, ice bowling, Quidditch, dodgeball, arctic golf, flag football, shuffleboard, and a Taste NY Winter Market and Warming Hut for when you need to come in from the cold. WHY WE LOVE IT: Whether or not there’s snow in Manhattan, Winter Jam promises tons of freezing-fun in the city. WANT TO GO? 212-360-8213. nycgovparks.org.

FAMILY E

VENTS E

VERY W

MILO THE MAGNIFICENT

EEKEND

SAT, JAN 06 | 11AM & 2PM Meet a bungling puppet magician who can’t get things right.

EXPERIENTIAL THEATER COMPANY: JOURNEY TO OZ SAT, JAN 13 | 11AM An interactive adventure based upon the classic tale.

STAM-PEDE SUN, JAN 14 | 3PM A percussive dance extravaganza.

THE GUSTAFER YELLOWGOLD SHOW SUN, JAN 20 | 11AM Live musicians accompany animated stories of a sun creature and his unusual friends.

BEST OF FAMILY MUSIC SHOWCASE! SAT, JAN 27 | 11AM Featuring GRAMMY-nominated artists for the 2018 Best Children’s Album.

16th Annual Holiday Train Show FREE

WHEN: Through Feb. 4: daily, 6am-8pm WHERE: Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store, Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Kids can watch in awe as little Lionel trains roll along a 34-foot-long, two-level track that looks just like a mini NYC with a nearby countryside. The scenery even includes its very own North Pole. WHY WE LOVE IT: There are some really cool vintage train cars on display. WANT TO GO? 212-340-2583. nytransitmuseum.org.

Bank of America Winter Village

WHEN: Through March 4: daily, 8am-10pm WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: The park becomes a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice-skating rink (free entry!), a European-inspired open-air market for holiday shopping, rinkside dining, and an observation deck full of games and art supplies. WHY WE LOVE IT: In between shopping and skating, kids will love the doughnuts, and adults will love the spiked cider. WANT TO GO? $20 skate rental. 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org. ››

GUSTAFER LD SHOW YELLOWGO

MILY BEST OF FA CASE MUSIC SHOW

FOR TICKETS VISIT SYMPHONYSPACE.ORG/JUSTKIDDING OFFICIAL FITNESS PARTNER

95TH & BROADWAY | 212.864.5400

BigAppleParent 35

R&R Shabbat Diversity Day FREE

WHEN: Dec. 2-March 17, Saturdays, 2-5pm WHERE: JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Make your Shabbat afternoon special and share in the community with art, yoga, and meditation workshops; creative art projects; music and food; spa experiences; and indoor and outdoor play. WANT TO GO? 347-604-3964. jcc.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Family Day: Building Bridges

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE

Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. LC Kids Artists at the Atrium: Soul Science Kids FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 6, 11am and 2pm WHERE: David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, 61 W. 62nd St., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: The innovative Afrofuturist griots of Soul Science Lab translate stories into soul-stirring sounds and dynamic visuals perfect for young audiences. WANT TO GO? 212-721-6500. kids.lincolncenter.org.

Bring Ya Mamma Clean Stand-Up Comedy Show FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 7, 2:30pm WHERE: Village Lantern Comedy Club, 167 Bleeker St., Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: Check out this stand-up comedy show with kid-friendly punchlines for all ages. Watch NYC club comics do their best clean jokes and enjoy a delicious brunch menu between laughs. WANT TO GO? 212-260-7993. facebook.com/bringyamammacomedy.

Design Kids: Family Day FREE

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 15, 11am-3pm WHERE: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join for free design activities, storytelling, and gallery bingo. WANT TO GO? 212-849-8400. cooperhewitt.org.

Target First Friday FREE

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 5, 5-8pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: The Children’s Museum of Manhattan opens its doors for free for special evening hours for families to enjoy all of the exhibits and special programs. WANT TO GO? 212-721-1234. cmom.org. 36

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 6, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm WHERE: Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Families will learn about different types of bridges and how they work, then create their own bridges to span one of NYC’s rivers, canals, or busy streets. WANT TO GO? $6; $12 children. 212-358-6133. centerforarchitecture.org.

Winter Coloring Event FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 6, 11:30am-2:30pm WHERE: Barnes & Noble Union Square, 33 E. 17th St., Union Square AGES: All WHAT: Indulge in your creative side while sipping on a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate from the cafe at this fun event. Artists of all ages are welcome to experiment with different artwork styles and coloring tools. WANT TO GO? 212-253-0810. barnesandnoble.com.

MADmakes with Mimi Bai

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 11, 6pm WHERE: Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, Columbus Circle AGES: All WHAT: Learn how to create open-faced molds with artist-in-residence Mimi Bai. Visitors will imprint a variety of textiles and patterns into clay, and will learn to cast their own creations in plaster. WANT TO GO? Free with pay-what-you-wish admission. 212-299-7777. madmuseum.org.

Design Kids FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 13, 11am-12:30pm and 1:30-3pm WHERE: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St., Upper East Side

AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Participants will learn the basics of sewing to create a design. WANT TO GO? 212-849-8400. cooperhewitt.org.

Start with Art at The Met

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 13, 11am-12pm, 2-3pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Share ideas and enjoy stories, sketching, and other gallery activities that bring works of art to life. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.

Kidtooning

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 13, 1-3pm WHERE: The New Yorker’s Offices, 1 World Trade Center, 34th Floor, Financial District AGES: 5-12, adult WHAT: Kids will learn the art of cartooning from New Yorker cartoonists Liza Donnelly, Corey Pandolph, and Emily Flake. Each artist will lead an interactive lesson on organizing ideas, composition and perspective, and other cartooning essentials. WANT TO GO? $15. priceless.com.

Second Sunday Family Tours

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 14, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 5-17 WHAT: A family-oriented tour that incorporates conversation and creative, hands-on gallery activities. These museum educator-led tours are organized around a single theme and highlight artworks on view from the Guggenheim’s permanent collection and special exhibitions. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $20 per family. 212-423-3500. guggenheim.org.

Powerful Portraits

WHEN: Jan. 12-18, Monday, 12-5pm; Thursday-Friday, 12-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Inspired by the collective works of renowned contemporary painter Kehinde Wiley, young artists will create and design their own powerful self-portraits using colored pencils and oil pastels. WANT TO GO? $12; seniors pay as you wish; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.

A Closer Look for Kids: People and Portraits FREE

WHEN: Jan. 6-28, Saturday-Sunday, 10:20-11:30am WHERE: Museum of Modern Art, 4 W. 54th St., Midtown AGES: 5-8, adult WHAT: Engage in lively discussions and fun activities while looking closely at modern masterpieces and cutting-edge contemporary art. WANT TO GO? 212-708-9805. moma.org.

Family Sundays: Flourishing Futures

WHEN: Jan. 7-28, Sundays, 1-4pm WHERE: The Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Enjoy making art, a family exhibition tour, and a thematic gallery search. The activity involves tucking your worries away in an envelope and sealing it with a blossoming, folded lotus to symbolize a fresh start. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.

DANCE PARTY Stam-Pede

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 14, 3pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: From lively Irish dance to innovative body percussion, mesmerizing tap dance, and delightful clogging, this collection of companies offers something for everyone. WANT TO GO? $17. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org.

CirKiz Dance Party

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 21, 1-5pm WHERE: Cielo Nightclub, 18 Little W. 12th St., West Village AGES: 3 and older WHAT: A cutting-edge dance party for families where a nightclub is transformed into a kid-centric daytime party space with DJs and live performances. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 646-650-5266. cirkiz.com.

Contra-Tiempo

WHEN: Jan. 20-27, Saturdays, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Lincoln Center’s Clark Studio Theater, 165 W. 65th St., 7th Floor, Upper West Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Drawing from salsa, Afro-Cuban dance, hip-hop, and contemporary dance-theater, this critically acclaimed, multicultural Los Angeles dance troupe is dedicated to transforming the world through dance. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-875-5456. lincolncenter.org.

Best of Family Music Concert

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 27, 11am WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: The show will highlight some of the very best music of the year, in a morning featuring artists nominated for the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album, including kid-hop artists Alphabet Rockers, Amazon Music artist Lisa Loeb, three-time Grammy-nominated Justin Roberts, and Symphony Space favorite Gustafer Yellowgold (Morgan Taylor). WANT TO GO? $20. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org. ›› BigAppleParent 37

Reading into History Family Book Club: Vietnam

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 14, 2pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Discuss acclaimed author Russell Freedman’s comprehensive look at the war, Vietnam: A History of the War, which contextualizes for middle-graders one of America’s most confusing and fraught wars. At the meeting, veterans Herbert Sweat and Barbara Chiminello join to discuss their experiences and answer questions. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

Mindfulness for Families

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 14, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: The Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Join Ayman Mukerji Househam, a mindfulness teacher and researcher, to equip yourself with the tools to cultivate a more mindful family. Each session will combine instruction with exercises that can be applied to everyday family life. WANT TO GO? $50. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.

Dig Drop-In

SMARTY PANTS Unlimited

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 7, 6:30-8pm WHERE: National Museum of Mathematics, 11 E. 26th St., Gramercy AGES: 11-14 WHAT: If you’re excited by the idea of a fun-filled, math-focused night where you can hang out with old and new friends, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and move to some great tunes, then don’t miss this program for kids. WANT TO GO? $15. 212-542-0566. momath.org.

Millions: Migrants and Millionaires aboard the Great Liners, 1900-1914

WHEN: Through Jan. 7: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-7pm WHERE: South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St., South Street Seaport AGES: All WHAT: Learn all about 20th-century ocean liners, such as Titanic and Lusitania, and the differences between traveling aboard as a first- or third-class passenger. Featuring both original and reproduced artifacts, this thought-provoking exhibit highlights immigrant life at the turn of the century. WANT TO GO? $12; $8 seniors and students; $6 children ages 2-17. 212-748-8600. southstreetseaportmuseum.org.

Living History: Votes for Women!

WHEN: Jan. 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, 12-3pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Portrayed by living historians, the suffragists share stories about the battle for the ballot. Ask about their early 20th-century wardrobe and special accessories, learn how they marched in parades, and make a suffrage cockade. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum. 38

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 14, 12-3pm WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Kids discover a passion for ancient artifacts in the museum’s simulated archaeological dig. WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors; $7.50 students; free for children 18 and younger. 212-423-3200. thejewishmuseum.org.

The Amazing Underground Scavenger Hunt

WHEN: Jan. 7-27, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Slattery’s Midtown Pub, 8 E. 36th St., Murray Hill AGES: All WHAT: Learn about what lurks beneath the surface of NYC while having a fun, interactive experience. A series of clues leads you around the city performing physical and mental challenges along the way. WANT TO GO? $39. 718-344-8962. pogoevents.com.

People and Portraits FREE

WHEN: Jan. 6-28, Saturday-Sunday, 10:20-11:30am WHERE: The Museum of Modern Art, 4 W. 54th St., Midtown AGES: 5-8, adult WHAT: Engage in lively discussions and fun activities while focusing on people in paintings, sculptures, and photographs during this month’s A Closer Look for Kids. WANT TO GO? 212-708-9805. moma.org/family.

Sacred Spaces: The Road To…and the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room

WHEN: Through Oct. 15: Monday, 11am-5pm; Wednesday, 11am9pm; Thursday, 11am-5pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-6pm WHERE: Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: All WHAT: This thought-provoking exhibition containing the works of two international artists challenges viewers to consider the sacred and think about their own experiences with meaningful journeys. Visitors can also take a pause inside the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, an immersive installation inspired by traditional Tibetan household shrines. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.

HOLIDAY FUN ‘Come Calling’ on New Year’s Day

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 1, 2-5pm WHERE: Merchant’s House Museum, 29 E. 4th St., East Village AGES: All WHAT: Paying calls on friends and family on New Year’s Day was one of Old New York’s most cherished customs. Join in for 19th-century readings about New Year’s Day celebrations, tours of the house, and punch and confectionery, to continue the tradition of renewing, reviving, and reaffirming friendships. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-777-1089. merchantshouse.org.

Luminaries FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 5: daily, 8am-10pm WHERE: Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St., Battery Park City AGES: All WHAT: A mesmerizing holiday light installation designed by the LAB at Rockwell Group, based on the season’s traditions of sharing, giving, and community. For every wish sent by the public during the holiday season, Brookfield will donate $1 to the Grammy Museum and its music education programs. WANT TO GO? 212-978-1698. brookfieldplaceny.com.

Dia de Los Reyes Magos / Three Kings Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 6, 3-5pm WHERE: Teatro SEA at The Clemente, 107 Suffolk St., Lower East Side AGES: All WHAT: The most important Latin American holiday for children is celebrated every year at Teatro SEA, where thousands of children from the community are invited to meet the Three Kings, enjoy traditional, Latino holiday music, and receive a free gift. WANT TO GO? 212-529-1545. teatrosea.org.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Historic Harlem

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 15, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Big Onion Tours, 135th Street and Lenox Avenue, Harlem AGES: All WHAT: Explore the history of Harlem, from its origins as a Dutch Village in the 17th century through its transformation into the “Capital of Black America” in the early 20th century. The tour emphasizes the artistic, literary, and musical flowerings of the 1920s Harlem Renaissance, which laid the intellectual foundation for the early Civil Rights movement. WANT TO GO? $25; $20 seniors; $15 students. 212-439-1090. bigonion.com.

Tu B’Shevat Celebration FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 31, 3:15-4pm WHERE: JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Come celebrate the birthday of the trees as a community. Delight in planting, sensory play, and art with natural materials to mark Tu B’Shevat and the beauty of trees. WANT TO GO? 646-505-4444. jccmanhattan.org.

SPECIAL NEEDS ‘Addy & Uno’

WHEN: Through Jan. 14: Saturday-Sunday, 12pm WHERE: Theatre Row, 410 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: In this musical featuring a cast of puppets and people, Uno, a boy with autism, gains the courage to enter his school’s math competition with help from friends who face challenges of their own: Addy has attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder; Melody is visually impaired; Seemore has hearing loss; and RJ uses a wheelchair. A heartfelt and hilarious journey celebrating hope, big dreams, and the beauty of differences. WANT TO GO? $42.25. 212-239-6200. addyanduno.com.

Discoveries Family Workshops

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 21, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Children with disabilities, together with friends and family, explore the day’s theme on a gallery tour followed by an art activity in the studio. These workshops support development of social and life skills, such as communication and independent living skills. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.

Autism Spectrum Tour: The Discovery Squad FREE

WHEN: Jan. 13-Sept. 1, Saturdays, 9-10am WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Families with members on the autism spectrum can attend a 40-minute tour led by specially trained guides, then spend some time exploring the Discovery Room before the museum opens to the public. WANT TO GO? 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Access+Ability

WHEN: Through Sept. 3: Sunday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St., Upper East Side AGES: All WHAT: This powerful exhibit displays more than 70 products, projects, and services developed by and with people with disabilities—physical, cognitive, and sensory—that expand their ability to lead independent lives and engage more fully in the world. WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors; $9 students; free for children younger than 18. 212-849-8400. cooperhewitt.org. ››

Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection

WHEN: Through Feb. 25: Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am8pm; Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Discover the wonder of hundreds of toy trains, figurines, and miniature models from the renowned Jerni Collection at this annual holiday exhibition. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

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SHOW TIME!

‘Hansel and Gretel’

WHEN: Through Jan. 6: See website for times WHERE: Metropolitan Opera House, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A Met English-language holiday presentation, Richard Jones’s clever production of Humperdinck’s fairy-tale opera is based on the Brothers Grimm story. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 212-362-6000. metopera.org.

‘Cinderella’

WHEN: Jan. 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, 4pm WHERE: Rag Tag Theatre, 410 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Follow a poor troupe of actors as they present a hilarious musical romp through the well-known fairy tale Cinderella, with daffy llamas, roller-skating fairy godmothers, selfie-taking step sisters, Carol Channing, and furry kicks standing in for the traditional glass slippers. WANT TO GO? $40. 212-714-2442. ragtagtheatre.com.

Big Apple Circus

AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The story of some Hogwarts underdogs and how their experience at the magical wizarding school was a far cry from Harry’s. WANT TO GO? $67. 212-239-6200. puffstheplay.com.

‘BOUNCE The Basketball Opera’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 14, 3pm and 7pm WHERE: PUBLIC Arts at PUBLIC Hotel New York City, 215 Chrystie St., Lower East Side AGES: All WHAT: A uniquely American story brought to life with contemporary music from hip-hop to opera and basketball percussion. Loosely based on the Greek myth The Flight of Icarus, audiences experience the descent of a basketball star, then the powerful epiphany that changes his world forever. WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 212-735-6000. ardeaarts.com.

‘A Sick Day For Morris McGee’

WHEN: Jan. 13-28, Saturday-Sunday, 10am and 1pm WHERE: New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Based on the Caldecott Medal-winning book by Philip C. Stead, this charming puppetry performance about one creature of habit and his kind-hearted coterie will warm your heart and chase away the winter chills. WANT TO GO? $20. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

WHEN: Through Jan. 7: Wednesday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Ringmaster Tyron “Ty” McFarlan leads the show featuring a world-renowned contortionist, acrobats and jugglers, many multi-generational performers, plus plenty of animal stars. WANT TO GO? $37.50 and up. 212-257-2330. bigapplecircus.com.

The Amazing Max

‘The Wizard of Oz’

WHEN: Through Feb. 4: Thursday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: DR2 Theatre, 103 E. 15th St., Gramercy Park AGES: 3-5 WHAT: A theatrical recreation of Eric Carle’s beautifully imaginative stories, featuring enchanting puppets during a magical 60-minute show. WANT TO GO? $49.50 and up. 1-800-982-2787. hungrycaterpillarshow.com.

WHEN: Through Jan. 13: Saturdays, 3pm WHERE: Harlem Rep, 240 E. 123rd St., Harlem AGES: All WHAT: The classic musical The Wizard of Oz is being performed by a multi-racial cast with a jazzy underscore and authoritative dramaturgy by representatives of the Yip Harburg Foundation. WANT TO GO? $10-$20. 212-868-4444. harlemrepertorytheatre.com.

‘Puffs, Or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic’ WHEN: Through Jan. 14: Saturdays, 2pm; Sundays, 3pm WHERE: New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., Midtown West

WHEN: Through Jan. 28: Saturday-Sunday, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: Theater at Blessed Sacrament, 152 W. 71st St., Upper West Side AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Max Darwin mixes magic and comedy to make objects appear and disappear and defy the laws of physics to the amazement of audiences. WANT TO GO? $34.50 and up. 866-811-4111. theamazingmax.com.

‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show’

‘Owen & Mzee The Musical’

WHEN: Jan. 6-Feb. 11, Saturday-Sunday, 11am WHERE: Theater at Blessed Sacrament, 152 W. 71st St., Upper West Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: The true story of an orphaned baby hippo and a 130-year-old giant turtle whose remarkable friendship touched millions around the world. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 212-579-0528. vitaltheatre.org.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Fairy Yoga Adventure with Karma Kids

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 18, 4-4:45pm WHERE: City Treehouse, 129A W. 20th St., Chelsea AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children will visit magical lands, make friends with animals of all kinds, and discover the magic that lives within them through yoga. WANT TO GO? $40. 212-255-2050. citytreehouse.com.

Showtime Saturdays

WHEN: Jan. 6-27, Saturdays, 1-2pm WHERE: Sugar Hill Children’s Museum of Art & Storytelling, 898 St. Nicholas Ave., Sugar Hill AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Move your body, make music, and be a part of the story every Saturday with dancer, actor, and in-house talent Alexander Elisa. WANT TO GO? $7; $4 seniors, students, and children ages 9-17; free for children younger than 9. 212-335-0004. sugarhillmuseum.org.

StoryDance Playgroup FREE

WHEN: Through May 3: Thursdays, 9:30-10:15am WHERE: Downtown Dance Factory, 291 Broadway, 4th Floor, Tribeca AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Walking tots and preschoolers take part in story time, a craft, dance games, and activities, plus free play time. WANT TO GO? 212-962-1800. downtowndancefactory.com.

Sing!

American Girl Doll Yoga

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 27, 2-3:30pm WHERE: Karma Kids Yoga, 25 W. 23rd St., Chelsea AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Bring your favorite American Girl doll along for this special yoga class to explore pint-sized poses, mini-mudras, bitsy balances, and teensy twists. Call to reserve a space for your child and her doll. WANT TO GO? $45. 646-638-1444. karmakidsyoga.com.

Tours for Fours: Lines, Dots, Squiggles, and Blots FREE

WHEN: Jan. 6-28, Saturday-Sunday, 10:20-11:15am WHERE: The Museum of Modern Art, 4 W. 54th St., Midtown AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Look, listen, and share ideas while exploring modern and contemporary art. Movement, drawing, and other gallery activities give everyone the chance to participate. WANT TO GO? 212-708-9805. moma.org.

Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s Sunday Funday

WHEN: Through May 30: Wednesdays, 9:15-10:15am WHERE: The 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side AGES: All WHAT: Join Rebecca Schoffer and Parenting Center staff for a fun singa-long of old time favorites, folk songs, and childhood classics. WANT TO GO? $10 and up. 212-415-5500. 92y.org.

ON SCREEN It’s Holiday Time In PaleyLand! FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 7: Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, 12-6pm; Thursday, 12-8pm WHERE: The Paley Center for Media, 25 W. 52nd St., Midtown AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Come in from the cold, warm up with complimentary hot cocoa and special holiday treats, and enjoy nonstop screenings of beloved holiday TV classics, craft activities, and a visit from Santa. WANT TO GO? 212-621-6697. paleycenter.org.

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 28, 10:30am-2pm WHERE: Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, 11th Avenue and West 19th Street, Chelsea AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This annual fundraiser is packed with indoor sports and games, obstacle courses, sports celebrity appearances, bouncy castles, creative workshops, sing-alongs, and more family-friendly activities and food. WANT TO GO? $125; $95; free for children younger than 1. 212-7211223. cmom.org.

Family Films: Unlikely Friendships FREE

Public Ice-Skating

‘Back to the Future’

WHEN: Through Feb. 28: Monday-Tuesday, 10am-2:30pm; WednesdayThursday, 10am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Wollman Rink, 59th Street and Central Park South, Central Park AGES: All WHAT: This outdoor rink offers an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline, plus a skating school, a hockey program, and birthday party offerings on the ice. Check out the nearby carousel for $3 a ride in between skates. WANT TO GO? Monday-Thursday: $12; $5 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger; Friday-Sunday and holidays: $19; $9 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger. 212-439-6900. wollmanskatingrink.com.

PAUSE/PLAY

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 5, 2-6pm WHERE: The 14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th St., East Village AGES: All WHAT: All are welcome in the community for a day of relaxation and renewal. From family yoga and story time to whiskey tastings and open swim, PAUSE/PLAY events feature activities for the whole family. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 children. 212-780-0800. 14streety.org.

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 13, 12-1pm WHERE: The Museum of Modern Art, 4 W. 54th St., Midtown AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Enjoy three inspiring animated films about friendship, interspersed with discussions led by a museum educator, and suggestions for activities to continue the conversation in the galleries. WANT TO GO? 212-708-9805. moma.org/family. WHEN: Monday, Jan. 15, 11am WHERE: Film Forum Jr., 209 W. Houston St., Soho AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Take in a classic movie for families on Sunday mornings this winter. Introduce your kids to Back to the Future, starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. WANT TO GO? $9. 212-727-8110. filmforum.org/ffjr.

‘The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T’

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 21, 11am WHERE: Film Forum Jr., 209 W. Houston St., Soho AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Introduce your kids to a new Dr. Seuss favorite, The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T. WANT TO GO? $9. 212-727-8110. filmforum.org/ffjr. ››

Ice-Skating Season

WHEN: Through April 1: daily, 8:30am-12am WHERE: The Rink at Rockefeller Center, 600 Fifth Ave., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Take a skate around the outdoor rink before stopping by the many shops and restaurants at Rockefeller Center. Skate lessons are available. WANT TO GO? $25; $15 seniors and for children younger than 11. 212332-7654. therinkatrockcenter.com. BigAppleParent 41

Radiant with Color & Art: McLoughlin Brothers and the Business of Picture Books, 1858-1920 FREE

WHEN: Through Feb. 3: Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm WHERE: The Grolier Club, 47 E. 60th St., Upper East Side AGES: All WHAT: Check out more than 200 vibrantly colored children’s illustrated picture books, drawings, watercolors, and ephemera on view. WANT TO GO? 212-838-6690. grolierclub.org.

Rise and Ride the Holiday Express

ONCE UPON A TIME Story Time: ‘Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam’

WHEN: Monday, Jan. 15, 2pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: 9-17 WHAT: In honor of the exhibition The Vietnam War: 1945–1975, come listen to a read-aloud of Walter Dean Myers’ children’s book Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam, which tells the story of a black soldier in Vietnam encountering, and rethinking, his enemy. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 seniors,; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

‘Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History’ by Vashti Harrison FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 20, 11am WHERE: David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, 61 W. 62nd St., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Based on her popular Instagram posts, debut author/illustrator Vashti Harrison shares the stories of 40 bold African-American women who shaped history. WANT TO GO? 212-721-6500. kids.lincolncenter.org.

MOCAKIDS Storytime

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 25, 3:30-4pm WHERE: Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., Chinatown AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy stories, finger-plays, music, and more in English and Mandarin. Interactive songs, nursery rhymes, and arts and crafts will accompany this bilingual storytime. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors, students, and children; free for children younger than 2. 855-955-6622. mocanyc.org.

Saturday Storytime FREE

WHEN: Jan. 6-27, Saturdays, 11am WHERE: Barnes & Noble Union Square, 33 E. 17th St., Union Square AGES: All WHAT: Stop by for a free storytime on Saturday mornings. Books of the month include What Do You Do With a Chance?, Paddington, YOU!, and Fancy Nancy. WANT TO GO? 212-253-0810. barnesandnoble.com.

Crazy for Knishes with Author Joanne Oppenheim

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 28, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St., Lower East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: When two immigrant families opened knish shops right across the street from each other in New York’s Lower East Side back in 1916, it sparked a crazy culinary competition and provided the real-life inspiration for Joanne Oppenheim’s charming and hilarious new children’s book The Knish War on Rivington Street. WANT TO GO? $14; $8 children. 212-219-0302. eldridgestreet.org. 42

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Feb. 23: Fridays, 7:30-9am WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Get an early train fix with your little one at the beloved exhibition Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection, read fun train tales, and enjoy coffee and breakfast treats from the Parliament Espresso & Coffee Bar. WANT TO GO? $21; $16 seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

PJ Library Storytime FREE

WHEN: Jan. 22-May 14, Select Mondays, 3-3:45pm WHERE: JCC Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions through explorations, songs, and PJ Library books. WANT TO GO? 646-505-4444. jccmanhattan.org.

Not Your Typical Story Hour

WHEN: Through May 17: Thursdays, 11:30am WHERE: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Look at books with your child, listen to stories, create an art project, and dance to the music with Petra as part of this imaginative, interactive story time. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-415-5500. 92y.org.

Gateway Storytime in the Discovery Room

WHEN: Jan. 8-June 18, Mondays, 10:15am and 11:15am WHERE: The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Swing by the museum on a Monday morning for an engaging story time with plenty of interactive learning. Space is limited and tickets are distributed outside the 81st Street Planetarium Entrance between 9:45am and 10:15am. WANT TO GO? $23; $18 seniors and students; $13 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

MINI

MUSICIANS Sunday Morning Sing-Along with Suzanna!

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 7, 10-10:45am WHERE: Karma Kids Yoga, 25 W. 23rd St., Chelsea AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join professional musician, children’s entertainer, and Karma Kids Yoga teacher Suzanna Bridges for a Sunday morning sing-along with the whole family. Prepare for lots of laughter and dancing as you sing old favorites, pop songs, and learn new original tunes. WANT TO GO? $10. 646-638-1444. karmakidsyoga.com.

Rug Concert

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 13, 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm WHERE: The Diller-Quaile School of Music, 24 E. 95th St., Upper East Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children and adults experience remarkable musicianship in an intimate setting, and an atmosphere of interactive music making. All monthly series are different and include singing, movement, and opportunities to play rhythm instruments at each 45-minute concert. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-369-1484 x27. diller-quaile.org.

The New York Flute Club Presents: Mindy Kaufman, Piccolo

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 21, 5:30pm WHERE: Engelman Recital Hall, Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Ave., Murray Hill AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Introduce your child to the beautiful sounds of the flute at this incredible performance by a highly sought-after musician. WANT TO GO? $25; $15 students and seniors. nyfluteclub.org.

Broadway Playhouse: Leonard Bernstein

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 28, 11am WHERE: Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center, 129 W. 67th St., Upper West Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Celebrate the 100th birthday of the iconic composer, conductor, educator, pianist, and longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic with songs and scenes from West Side Story, On the Town, and more. Kids can sing along to “New York, New York” and “America” and may be called to the stage to participate in games. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-501-3330. kaufmanmusiccenter.org.

Studio PSK: Polyphonic Playground

WHEN: Through Feb. 11: Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, 10am-6pm; Thursday, 10am-9pm WHERE: The Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, Columbus Circle AGES: All WHAT: Part of the Sonic Arcade: Shaping Space with Sound exhibit, this climbing frame aspect has swings, a slide, monkey bars, and pads that emit electronic sounds to act as a giant 3-D synthesizer for anyone who interacts with it. WANT TO GO? $16; $14 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 18. 212-299-7777. madmuseum.org.

Jazz for Kids

WHEN: Through May 27: Sundays, 2-3pm WHERE: Jazz Standard, 116 E. 27th St., Kips Bay AGES: All WHAT: Talented musicians ages 11-18 dish out jazz classics as family audiences devour the goods off Blue Smoke’s southern barbecue lunch menu. WANT TO GO? $5 suggestion donation. 212-576-2232. jazzstandard.com.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS Holiday Market at the Oculus Presented by Chase Pay and Westfield World Trade Center FREE

WHEN: Through Jan. 6: daily, 10am-9pm WHERE: Westfield World Trade Center, 185 Greenwich St., Battery Park City AGES: All WHAT: Enter an enchanted forest with a gorgeous Christmas tree and 20-foot-high snowman full of shopping opportunities, live performances, tasty treats, arts programs, holiday carolers, and festive experiences. WANT TO GO? 212-284-9982. westfield.com.

Teddy Bear Tea

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 7, 1-3pm WHERE: The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum, 421 E. 61st St., Upper East Side AGES: All WHAT: Bring teddy (or your doll) to enjoy fruit tea and cookies, meet hotel proprietor, Mrs. Woodhull, and go back in time for a typical day in the 1830s. WANT TO GO? $10. 212-838-6878. mvhm.org.

The New York Times Travel Show

WHEN: Jan. 26-28, Friday, 9am-7pm; Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Javits Center, 655 W. 34th St., Hell’s Kitchen AGES: All WHAT: Travel smarter with globe-trottting tips from a variety of experts. Watch unforgettable cultural performances, savor tastes from the world’s most delicious destinations, and enjoy activities and demonstrations for the whole family. WANT TO GO? $20 and up; free for children 18 and younger. 877-7793210. nyttravelshow.com.

Sea of Light FREE

WHEN: Through March 31: daily, 11am-9pm WHERE: South Street Seaport, 19 Fulton St., Seaport District AGES: All WHAT: A fully immersive sensory adventure of light and sound activated by proximity and touch. WANT TO GO? 646-374-0867. southstreetseaport.com.

Coming up next month: SELECT DATES FEB. 9-19: Sesame Street Live! Let’s Party! at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Midtown FEB. 10-13: The Westminster Kennel Club Presents Westminster Week 2018 at Piers 92/94 and Madison Square Garden, Hell’s Kitchen and Midtown WEEKENDS FEB. 23-MAR. 18: New York International Children’s Film Festival at various theaters throughout NYC

BigAppleParent 43

Wintry things to do

where-to guide

❅❆

Family Fun

Compiled by Samantha Neudorf

Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you and your family have to sacrifice having fun this winter! There are plenty of seasonal things to do, including skiing and snowboarding, ice-skating, visiting museums, and even going on a family day trip. Make warm memories even if it’s chilly out there. Don’t forget to bundle up!

Day Trips Stamford Museum & Nature Center 39 Scofield Town Road, Stamford, CT 203-322-1646; stamfordmuseum.org Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm Admission: $10; $8 seniors; $5 children ages 4-17; free for children 3 and younger Located on 112 acres in North Stamford, this sanctuary supports a working farm with heritage breed animals kids can visit, plus an organic vegetable garden and open pastures, nature center, and the Edith & Robert Graham Otter Pond. Find more>> winter day trips in the New York metro area at nymetroparents.com/winter-trips.

MUSEUMS

SKI AND SNOWBOARD Belleayre Mountain 181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount 845-254-5600; belleayre.com Features 51 trails, parks, and glades. Offers ski and snowboard lessons for kids ages 4-6, 7-12, and 13 and older. Round-trip bus service from NYC via Adirondack Trailways (trailwaysny.com) includes lift ticket and luggage lock-up. Rental equipment is available for all ages. There is an on-site nursery for children ages 6 months to 6 years old. Find more>> mountains in the New York metro area at nymetroparents.com/ski.

ICE-SKATING

❆

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers Chelsea Piers, West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park, Chelsea 212-336-6100; chelseapiers.com Hours: Monday, 1:30-5pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 3-5pm; Friday, 1:30-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1-3:50pm. Price: $11. $6 skate rental; $5 helmet rental. Speed skates, double-bladed skates, cellphones, bags, music devices, and cameras are not permitted on the ice. Find more>> ice-skating rinks in Manhattan at nymetroparents.com/ice-skating.

❄

New-York Historical Society 170 Central Park West, Upper West Side 212-873-3400; nyhistory.org Hours: Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am8pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm Admission: $21; $16 seniors, educators, and active military; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children 4 and younger The oldest museum in New York City, its goal is to engage the public with exhibitions about New Yorks political, cultural, and social history. Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection: Experience the wonder of trains and toys with the whimsical train exhibition and family programs. The Train Hunt is available anytime families visit. Find more>> kid-friendly museums in Manhattan at nymetroparents.com/museums.

❆❆

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Courtesy Anna Ruth Myers, RIE® Associate

family life home

This example of a fenced off “yes” space for a mobile infant or young toddler includes a small cozy corner, a firm cushion for climbing, and a variety of easy-to-find play objects such as a colander, woven basket, silicone bowls, and metal cups.

Creating a ‘Yes’ Space

››

Making part of your home into a safe-play zone will help your child’s development. And it’s easier than you think—read on for expert tips. By Katelin Walling

“

o, don’t touch that.” “That’s not a toy.” “Don’t do that. It’s not safe.” Sometimes it feels like we are constantly telling our kids not to do something when it comes to play time at home, whether it’s because we’re afraid of them getting hurt, are anxious they’ll misplace our keys or iPhone, or nervous they’ll break our favorite lamp (à la Brother in The Berenstain Bears and the Truth). One way some parents are combating all the ‘no’s said to young children? They’re creating a safe play environment in the home, which stems from Magda Gerber’s Educaring® approach to parenting— responding to a young child respectfully. Gerber studied under Emmi Pikler, M.D., in Hungary, learning about the Pikler approach to parenting, and brought the concept to the United States. A safe play environment is an area in the home in which a child can play without interruption and is 100-percent safe from harm. “Magda Gerber’s definition is the best way to describe it: If you got locked out of your apartment for a day, you would come back to find that your baby is physically unharmed,” says Deborah

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Carlisle Solomon, author of Baby Knows Best: Raising a Confident and Resourceful Child the RIE® Way. “The baby is obviously going to be upset, or hungry, or in need of a diaper change, but physically will have come to no harm. So there’s nothing in the environment that can cause danger.” A safe play environment is also commonly referred to as a “yes” space in an effort to counteract all of the times a child hears ‘no’ in her life. “You have a space that just says ‘yes’ to the child,” says Anna Ruth Myers, founder of The Nurtured Child, a Brooklyn-based educational facility offering RIE®-certified classes that teach parents about Educaring®, as well as how to care for children in a respectful way. “The child is able to touch everything and move freely and not be restricted by the environment. The environment doesn’t say ‘no,’ and you don’t have to say ‘no’ while the child is there.”

Benefits of a “Yes” Space

Having a safe play environment in the home gives children unfettered playtime, which has numerous developmental benefits. It gives a child time to explore the world on her own,

says Johanna Herwitz, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, RIE® Mentor, Pikler-trained specialist, and founder of Mindful Parenting New York City. “The child gets to have a physical [and] a mental space to do her own thing, and she can play with whatever she wants to,” Dr. Herwitz says. “She gets to make choices, she gets to follow her own interests.” Infants learn through their senses, Myers adds. So having the space to explore freely—to touch things with their hands, move their bodies, and mouth toys that are safe—allows their development to naturally progress as fully as possible. A child will start to develop the ability to focus. Playing without interruption “supports the child to develop a long attention span,” Solomon says. “If a baby or toddler is frequently being interrupted, they don’t have opportunities to focus in on something for long periods of time.” It helps the child build self-confidence. By having a “yes” space, the parent begins to develop basic trust in the child’s abilities to solve problems, be interested, and learn, which gives the child space to do those things. And that’s how the child develops self-confidence, according to Dr. Herwitz. “Playing really helps a child learn how to solve problems, how to be tenacious, how to overcome challenges,” Solomon adds. “When things are difficult, they keep on going and see if they can figure it out. And all of those skills are going to be useful to them when they go to school.” A child is more likely to cooperate outside of the “yes” space. When a child is given room to do the things he wants to within reason and make his own decisions, his autonomy is satisfied. “I think that when that autonomy is satisfied, then the child is more likely to cooperate and to go along with things that may or may not be his first choice,” Dr. Herwitz says. A “yes” space also benefits parents: It allows them to relax knowing they can use the bathroom, answer the door, or make a meal without worrying about the safety of their child. “I find that when I’m with children and we’re in a safe space and I’m observing them or just being with them, it feels so much more comfortable for me than if a child is in a space where the outlet isn’t covered or if there’s something on the table [they shouldn’t play with]…my attention is [on] thinking about those things, [so] that I can’t fully enjoy being with a baby like I can in a safe space,” Myers says.

How to Create a “Yes” Space

The Space The most important aspect of a safe play environment is it needs to be gated off in some way, according to Myers. “In order to make a space one hundred-percent safe, [it needs] to have a way that you can close it off from the rest of the environment, but know that your child can be safely in that space and not risk coming out of it when you aren’t expecting,” she says. A pack and play is enough space for an infant until she begins rolling over and needing more space for movement, while a “fenced in” area of a family room or a separate room with baby gates will work for crawlers and toddlers. “Over the years, I’ve found that parents are sometimes resistant to this because they don’t like the look of gates or they feel like it’s imprisoning their child,” Solomon says. She recalls a time a friend called for advice. “Her son was always at her feet crawling after her, and she said, ‘I’m afraid I’m going to step on him. I give him the run of the whole house, why does he always have to be with me?’,” Solomon says. She replied that the whole house was overwhelming to the child and he didn’t feel secure. She advised her friend put up a gate or corral, put a few toys in the enclosed area, and spend some

time with the child in the enclosure to endear him to the space. “And so she did, and it made a big difference for both of them. Some parents don’t understand that what looks like a prison to us, to the child provides a sense of security,” Solomon says. Dr. Herwitz adds that ideally the enclosed space should be in an area where the child can hear and see what’s going on around her so she doesn’t feel isolated from the rest of the house, and where the parent can easily hear and see what’s going on with the child. The enclosed area should also be clean, there shouldn’t be furniture the child can climb or standing lamps that could fall over, and if there are low shelves in the area that they are bolted to the wall. Solomon also suggests parents crawl around on the ground to look at the space from the child’s point of view to see if there is any potential danger. The Toys In terms of play objects to have in the space, Gerber taught that passive toys make for active babies. When a toy lights up and makes sounds, the child doesn’t have to do much to play with it, but when a play object is open-ended (aka passive), the child uses his imagination to activate it. Keep in mind that some play objects might not be obvious to adults. Solomon, for example, had a basket of caps from glass milk bottles in a class. “One toddler picked up two of them, put one on each ear, and was wandering around the room for twenty minutes pretending they were a headset and he was Buzz Lightyear,” she says. “When he was done with them, another child picked one up and she used it as a cup, pretending to drink. That’s what I mean about the toys being open-ended.” For 2- to 3-month-olds, the first plaything is their hands. After they’ve discovered their hands, infants are ready for soft play objects, such as a soft cotton napkin, a little silicone bowl, a soft ball, and other soft objects that are easy to grasp and not too heavy, as the child is still integrating her reflexes and might accidentally hit herself with the object. As the child gets older, more objects should be introduced into the environment. “Some of them might be soft, some might be a little more firm, but then there are also things in the child’s environment that don’t change shape or properties, if that makes sense,” Myers says. “So you might have little silicone bowls, but then you would also maybe have a little wooden pinch bowl, or maybe a little metal condiment bowl. You would have objects that repeat on the same concept but are different materials and have different properties so the child can see how their actions change or don’t change with materials.” Myers suggests some materials stay the same as the child gets older because he’ll play with them in an increasingly sophisticated way, while also introducing new, more advanced objects. Dr. Herwitz recommends play objects have a balance between dramatic play (dolls and items that can be used for dress up), fine motor skills (baskets and bags into which objects can be sorted), and gross motor skills (things that are safe for toddlers to climb on). The Play Time The best time to put a child in the safe play environment is when she is well-rested, fed, clean, has all her basic needs met, and has had some time with the parents. Time spent in the space should also increase with age, according to Dr. Herwitz, as an infant won’t be able to play on his own for as long as a toddler could. While ideally your child would have a “yes” space from infancy through the time she has learned the limits and rules of the home environment as a whole, Myers says it’s never too late to create a “yes” space for a young child. BigAppleParent 47

family life food & nutrition

Food and Drink Hacks for Parents

Four handy tips to make mealtime with kids easier

etting your kid to put her toys away. Convincing your toddler to stay in his big-kid bed when it’s time to go to sleep. Figuring out what’s causing the meltdown in the grocery store and fixing the problem. There are a lot of situations with raising kids that can be a struggle, but one thing that doesn’t have to be? Meal and snack time—at least not with these practical hints for parents. From mess-free ways to enjoy yogurt and juice boxes to tricks to get your kids to eat most, if not all, of their food, mealtime just got a little bit easier thanks to this dad of two.

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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Choosing a Guardian for Your Child

››

Take these steps to make sure your child is always cared for, now and in the future. By Samantha Neudorf

s a loving parent, you want your child to be well cared for at all times. Though we don’t like to dwell on it, that means asking yourself some tough questions. What if you and your partner pass away or become incapacitated while your child still a minor? Or if your child has special needs or a mental illness, and can’t manage his affairs even as an adult? That’s why appointing a legal guardian is so crucial: It ensures that a child is in good hands for as long as he needs supervision, whether that’s temporarily or indefinitely. Guardianship falls into three categories in New York state: guardianship of a child who may lose both parents, guardianship of a child with special needs after he turns 18, and guardianship of an incapacitated adult. Here’s what you need to know about each type.

Minor Considerations

Ideally, as soon as a couple learns they’re pregnant, they should see an attorney. She can help them draft a will that specifies how their assets will be distributed in the event of their death, as well as who 50

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

will be the guardian of their child until his 18th birthday. If you didn’t already take this step it’s not too late, but it’s still a good idea to do this as soon as possible. Jules Haas, an attorney who specializes in estate planning, says parents usually nominate a close relative to be their child’s guardian. It could be an aunt, uncle, grandparent, or other relation—someone who would have the child’s best interests in mind. If you have few relatives, or aren’t close with them, you might ask a good friend to assume the guardianship role instead. “There’s a lot that needs to be considered through your will,” Haas says. “The most important thing is that it’s better to figure it out and put something in writing than leave it up to the laws of the state of New York.” If you leave no directions, the state will pick a guardian for your child—and it may not be the person you would have preferred. Once both parents are deceased, the nominated guardian needs to fill out an application to Surrogate’s Court. After it is approved, the individual becomes the legal guardian of the minor child. This process can take a few months, as the court reviews the documents.

In certain scenarios, complications can arise—say, if your nominated guardian has a prior conviction that may disqualify her from court approval, or if family members fight for custody. Fortunately, problems like these are uncommon.

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Special Needs, Special Arrangements

Some children with special needs require guardianship even into adulthood. Happily, there’s a way to make sure they’re still properly cared for once they reach age 18, and beyond. Parents can apply in Surrogate’s Court for something called an Article 17-A guardianship, which allows them to continue to make financial and health care decisions for their adult child. The process involves presenting medical certifications from either two doctors or a doctor and a psychologist, proving that the individual has a developmental disability. Next, the paperwork is filed with the court. More often than not, the application is approved and the child’s biological parents are awarded guardianship. Andrew Cohen, Esq., an attorney with offices on Long Island and in Manhattan who specializes in estate planning, special needs law, and guardianship, says parents can file for guardianship under Article 17-A themselves, though they can hire legal representation if they prefer. Either way, it’s a step that shouldn’t be overlooked. “Parents who have a child on the autism spectrum automatically presume, because their child is nonverbal or really cannot advocate for himself, that they would be able to continue to make decisions [for their child] into adulthood,” Cohen says. “But the reality is they’re not granted that automatic authority.” Article 17-A Guardianship can become complicated if parents have separated or divorced. In this instance, they must decide if they will both become legal guardians, or if one parent will be the primary guardian and the other a secondary decider. “These are things that all have to be taken into consideration when parents have the best interest of their child in their hearts, but don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye on their child’s care,” Cohen says. Of course, parents themselves may not be able to oversee their adult child’s care for his entire lifetime. If there are no relatives or friends who can succeed them in the role, parents may appoint a nonprofit organization to be their child’s guardian. The arrangement, called a corporate guardianship, would be specified in the parents’ will and would have to be approved by a court guardianship proceeding.

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Appointing a Guardian for an Adult

A final type of guardianship, Article 81 guardianship, applies to an incapacitated adult who needs help taking care of personal and/ or financial needs under the Mental Hygiene Law. To qualify as incapacitated, the person’s cognitive function must inhibit him from making sound decisions. While in elderly people this may be due to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, in younger people the cause may be other mental illnesses, substance or alcohol abuse, or certain medications. If your child turns 18 and she has a mental illness, you can apply to be her guardian to help make decisions on her behalf. This type of guardianship needs to be applied for in Supreme Court. Article 81 guardianship can be fairly expensive and timeconsuming to attain, but it’s worth it, says Cohen. “The guardian would be appointed with certain powers vested by the court that will properly protect that person from doing harm to themselves or others,” he says. BigAppleParent 51

Meet the

Director Bright Kids Inc.

225 Broadway, Suite 1504, Downtown 177 E. 87th St., Suite 402, Upper East Side 917-539-4575 bright-kids.com; t.kelly@brightkidsnyc.com Danielle Kelly studied English and American Literature at New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences. As a member of America Reads/America Counts, she spent four years working alongside a veteran teacher in a pre-kindergarten classroom, where she helped develop curriculum, lead group lessons, and engage students 1-on-1. Kelly has been with Bright Kids for six years as a lead educator and administrator, developing engaging content and curriculum for K-8 tutorial sessions and publications. As an expert on K-8 New York City exams and standards, Kelly enjoys every minute of being a resource for both families and educators.

Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex

West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park Field House Registration Desk: 212-336-6500 x6520 chelseapiers.com/youth Craig Woodcock has been camp director of Chelsea Piers Summer Camp for the past 13 summers and has been a part of the Chelsea Piers family for 17 years. Craig is a former competitive hockey player and is a professional hockey coach year-round at Sky Rink. Selina Droz has been the assistant camp director for the past 12 summers and has also been a longtime employee of Chelsea Piers. Woodcock and Droz are dedicated to providing a fun and safe environment for children of all ages.

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735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase 914-273-8500 fscamps.com Jordan is returning for his 26th year as director of Future Stars at Purchase College. He has a B.A. from Rollins College, where he won the NCAA Tennis Championship, and an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business, NYU. He is currently the Men’s Head Tennis Coach at Purchase College while also coaching a variety of youth sports at all levels. His education, business, and sports experience make him uniquely qualified to direct the camps for boys and girls, ages 4-16. Hand-picked, experienced program directors offer weekly sessions in tennis, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, circus arts, magic, diving, rising stars, cheerleading, field hockey, football, softball, volleyball, multi-sports, and academic.

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

The British International School of New York

20 Waterside Plaza 212-481-2700 x204 bis-ny.org; info@bis-ny.org Jason Morrow has been head at the British International School of New York for three years and is excited to be steering the expansion to an Upper School in September 2018. Morrow is a graduate of Oxford University and Wake Forest University. Whilst undertaking research in Oxford, Morrow worked as a supply teacher and discovered his passion was in the classroom and he never looked back. An aspect of school leadership Morrow most values is the opportunity it presents to help each child grow in confidence and self-belief and to discover what inspires them.

Deer Mountain Day Camp

63 Call Hollow Road, Pomona 845-354-2727 deermountaindaycamp.com info@deermountaindaycamp.com Explore talents, unlock creativity, learn new skills. Find passions, make true friends, shine as you! Our story began in 1956, when the Katz family founded the camp, a legacy continues today by second-generation owners and directors, Roberta and Carol Katz. Under our insightful watch, campers (ages 3-15) open up as themselves and have a blast as they enjoy a sleep-away camp’s range of activities, facilities, and staff—each program crafted to meet their ages and developmental levels—in a day camp setting. Activities include swimming, sports, fine and performing arts, outdoor adventure, nature, waterfront, discovery, science, and special events.

Girls Prep

212-346-6000 x108 girlspreples.org enroll@publicprep,org Rebekah Adamek and Lacy Reed are the fearless leaders of Girls Prep Lower East Side, the first and only all-girls, tuition-free, kindergarten-eighth public school in Manhattan. They were both drawn to its mission of providing a high-quality education to girls to support their success on the path to and through college. Prioritizing our “3C’s” of College Completion, Common Core, and Character, our Girls Prep scholars and families receive an unwavering focus on providing rigorous, differentiated instruction in core subjects as well as physical education, health, choir, and the visual arts.

ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

JCC Manhattan Summer Camps

Camp Settoga 646-505-4430 jccmanhattan.org/campsettoga Adam is currently the director of Camp Settoga and a head teacher in the Saul and Carole Zabar Nursery School, where he is also on the Leadership Team. He received his M.S.T. in Early Childhood General and Special Education from Fordham University. Adam believes children are capable and creators of their own knowledge and that community is at the heart of what we do, both as early childhood educators and members of a day camp staff. Adam has been the director of our country day camp for three years and is excited to watch our camp community grow.

The Little Gym

777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-799-1225

tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side, Manhattan 212-787-1124 tlguppereastsideny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444; tlgwaldwicknj.com

It was a love of fitness and children that led Jeff Freeman and Ian Axelrod to open several The Little Gym locations throughout New York and New Jersey. Freeman’s love of sports shows through his own athleticism as well as his career choices. For nearly two decades, he and The Little Gym have been helping children develop socially and physically while having fun, teaching them that the key to a healthy lifestyle is an active lifestyle.

Join

NYMetroParents Galli Theater's Musical Acting Camps Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices. www.facebook.com/nymetroparents Galli Theater Tel: 212-731-0668

357 West 36th Street #202 www.gallitheaterny.com New York, NY 10018 galliny@gmail.com Feb 19th−23rd April 2nd−6th

And summer weekly ACTIVITIES throughout July and August

EVENTS

B-DAY PACKAGES • SCHOOL SHOWS • WEEKEND PERFORMANCES AT 2PM

Jodi’s Gym

244 E. 84th St. 212-772-7633 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 jodisgym.com As early as Jodi Levine could walk, she was tumbling. Levine ultimately became a national-level gymnast. In 1982, she started Jodi’s Gym, launching the first gymnastics-based “Mommy & Me classes” in NYC. At Jodi’s Gym, Levine leverages her more than 40 years of experience in gymnastics to create well-balanced programs that focus on all aspects of a child’s development. Jodi’s Gym offers classes in gymnastics, music, and art, in addition to a variety of camps, birthday parties, and off-site “Jodi’s Gym To Go” programs in Manhattan and Westchester County.

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NYMetroParents

Check out our golf programs for kids in NYC, and Montauk Get advance notice Downs.

on activities, participate in group discussions ktuga.com and receive special notices. www.facebook.com/nymetroparents

Pusteblume International Preschool and Afterschool Programs

244 W. 14th St. 212-206-1137 pusteblumenyc.org carola.grundmann@pusteblumenyc.org Mindy Guss was born and raised in Mexico, where she attended a bilingual international school. She completed her undergraduate degree in elementary and early childhood education at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in Bilingual Special Education at Bank Street College in Manhattan. In her 17-year career she has taught elementary school in both New York and Mexico. She joined Pusteblume as preschool director when the school opened its doors in 2012. As director, she has collaborated on the development of the school curriculum and created the Spanish program.

ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

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www.facebook.com/nymetroparents BigAppleParent 53

PartyCentral PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. DAVE’S CAST OF CHARACTERS 914-235-7100 davescast.com Make your party a special one! Dave’s entertainment services include more than 100 costumed characters. From princesses and superheroes to pirates and tea parties, there’s something for everyone. PARTY PLACES BOOK NOOK 167 W. 81st St. (at Amsterdam Avenue) 212-873-BOOK (2665) booknooknyc.com Come celebrate your next birthday party at Book Nook! We provide various packages from custom story times to entire space rental of our indoor garden and party room. CHELSEA PIERS SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park Field House Registration Desk: 212-336-6500 x6520 chelseapiers.com/youth Why cross the bridge for your next birthday party? Because Chelsea Piers parties are action-packed, entertaining, and hassle-free, with more sports, activities, and fun than any other party venue in NYC!

THE FASHION CLASS 21 W. 39th St. 646-329-6663 thefashionclass.com Learn from real fashion designers with a runway or sewing party this year in our 2500-square-foot, bright, sunny, and pink fashion studio! Guests can choose from a variety of our most popular sewing projects, or put on a full runway show! FUNFUZION AT NEW ROC CITY 29 LeCount Place (Exit 16 off I-95), New Rochelle Party Central: 914-637-7575, option 1 funfuziononline.com Calling all birthday superstars! You and your guests will be dazzled by a unique, interactive party experience! GALLI THEATER NEW YORK 357 W. 36th St., Suite #202 212-731-0668 gallitheaternyc.com galliny@gmail.com Party with the Galli Theater New York. We offer a party package for any need and budget! Whether you opt for a personally selected private performance or a workshop party showcasing your little one’s skills, a Galli Theater birthday is one you will never forget! JODI’S GYM 244 E. 84th St. 212-772-7633 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 jodisgym.com Kids run, jump, climb, tumble, slide, bounce, and giggle to their hearts’ delight at Jodi’s Gym, where action-packed parties and unmatched experience have won children’s hearts for 34 years. JUST KIDDING AT SYMPHONY SPACE 2537 Broadway 212-864-1414 x289 symphonyspace.org/justkidding

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Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Just Kidding parties are artsy, imaginative, and fun, designed to make party planning easy and engaging! Through the show kids have the chance to interact with Just Kidding artists creating a once in a lifetime birthday party experience. THE LITTLE GYM 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-799-1225 tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side, Manhattan 212-787-1124 tlguppereastsideny.com 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444 tlgwaldwicknj.com A private party at The Little Gym is a perfect way to celebrate your child’s next birthday. Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, trampoline, sports, and music are tailored to your child’s interests! ROBOFUN 2672 Broadway 212-245-0444 robofun.org robofun@robofun.org Celebrate your next birthday making robots, video games, or animations with RoboFun. RoboFun birthday parties are the perfect combination of fun and creativity! USTA BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing, Queens 718-760-6200 x0 ntc.usta.com Birthday party packages include 1 hour of court time with drills and games organized by our USTA Pro staff and 1-hour private room for pizza.

OPEN HOUSES 2017 The British International School of New York

20 Waterside Plaza 212-481-2700 x204 bis-ny.org info@bis-ny.org The British International School of New York warmly invites you to join us for a private tour during which you can explore and discover just what makes BIS-NY so special. More than a school, it’s an education.

Buckley Country Day School

2 I.U. Willets Road, Roslyn 516 627-1910 buckleycountryday.com Please join us for an open house on Jan. 9 at 9am. RSVP at buckleycountryday.com.

Girls Prep

212-346-6000 x108 girlspreples.org enroll@publicprep.org Join us for a tour on Jan. 5 from 9-9:30am, Jan. 9 from 8-9am, and March 6 from 8-9am. See our website for details and more dates.

Professional services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals LEGAL SERVICES LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW COHEN 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com; ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost. SPECIAL NEEDS LITTLE OPTICS, INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, Queens 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens

718-468-7500; hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident. LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW COHEN 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com; ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost.

LAC Early Childhood Center

2 Fifth Ave. 212-938-1223 x112 lacearlychildhood.org We are having an open house during the first two weeks in January. Come on in to register and find out about our great discounts!

Nord Anglia International School New York

44 E. 2nd St. 212-600-2010 nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/new-york info@ny.nae.school Meet our teachers and chat with our outstanding students at one of our upcoming open houses March 1 at 6pm, March 3 from 10am1pm, or March 8 at 6pm.

Pusteblume International Preschool and Afterschool Programs

244 W. 14th St. 212-206-1137 pusteblumenyc.org carola.grundmann@pusteblumenyc.org Open house: Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 6-8pm. Prospective parents are invited to visit and learn about Pusteblume. Please RSVP by calling 212-206-1137 or emailing admissions@pusteblumenyc.org.

MrSpeechPathology.com Info@MrSpeechPathology.com 347-399-4836 Speech-language pathologist Bilingual (English/Russian) Conducting evaluations and providing treatment in the New York City area. Initial free in-home assessment to address child’s needs. Concierge quality house calls conducted in the privacy of the patient’s home. Specializing in language disorders, articulation disorders, stuttering, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome and behavioral difficulties.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.com Join Usdan for an open house Sunday, Jan. 21. The campus is yours to visit and explore. Reservations required at usdan.org/ visit. Receive $100 off new student tuition with promo code Big Apple.

BigAppleParent 55

Bar Mitzvah Bat Mi t zvah Sweet Sixteen Quinceañera

Party Planning?

Check off your entire to-do list in ONE DAY!

• Venues • Favors

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Northern New Jersey • Park Ridge Marriott • Sunday, January 28th • 12 to 4 PM

Get your FREE family ticket online at CelebrateShowcase.com Tickets purchased at the door are $10 56

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE

SPECIAL NEEDS WORKSHOPS The Parenting Training Network

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Autism, ADHD & Learning Disabilities Workshops are $150 for all three sessions Certificate given upon completion Classes are available on the Saturdays

and other ideas to create the ideal party in our online Parent Resources Directory.

NYMetroParents.com

Please call or text 347-210-0823 or visit our website to inquire parentingtrainingnetwork.com

raising kids ad index NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! acrobatics / gymnastics

Jodi’s Gym ............................................................ 49, 53

Urban Golf Academy .................................................. 53 Wetherby-Pembridge School...................................... 16

birthday / party services

developmental

Jodi’s Gym ........................................................... 49, 53 Little Gym .............................................................. 5, 53 RoboFun ..................................................................... 51

camps

British International School of New York............... 22, 52 Calhoun School .......................................................... 22 Camp Huntington........................................................ 45 Center for Architecture................................................ 49 Chelsea Piers ....................................................... 52, 60 China Institute............................................................. 55 Collina Italiana ............................................................ 29 Deer Mountain Day Camp .......................................... 52 Future Stars .......................................................... 45, 52 Galli Theater ............................................................... 53 JCC Manhattan........................................................... 53 Jodi’s Gym ........................................................... 49, 53 Little Gym .............................................................. 5, 53 Urban Golf Academy .................................................. 53 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................ 2 YMCA of Greater New York ........................................ 31

child care / day care

LAC, Early Childhood Center ..................................... 45 Lexington Children’s Classes ..................................... 31 Mommybites ............................................................... 59 Pusteblume International School .......................... 27, 53

classes

Atlas School................................................................ 32 Center for Architecture................................................ 49 Chelsea Piers ....................................................... 52, 60 China Institute............................................................. 55 Collina Italiana ............................................................ 29 Diller Quaile School of Music........................................ 7 International Academy of New York ........................... 13 Kumon Manhattan ........................................................ 3 Language Workshop for Children (The) ..................... 51 Nord Anglia International School ............................... 15 Public Prep Network ............................................. 16, 52 Pusteblume International School .......................... 27, 53 RoboFun ..................................................................... 51 Speakitaly NYC .......................................................... 53

British International School of New York............... 22, 52 Calhoun School .......................................................... 22 Cathedral School ........................................................ 23 Cosmic Cubs .............................................................. 49 Gateway School (The) ................................................ 23 International Academy of New York ........................... 13 Language Workshop for Children (The) ..................... 51 Lexington Children’s Classes ..................................... 31 Mr. Speech Pathology ................................................ 55 Nord Anglia International School ............................... 15 Public Prep Network ............................................. 16, 52 RoboFun ..................................................................... 51 Speakitaly NYC .......................................................... 53 Wetherby-Pembridge School...................................... 16 YMCA of Greater New York ........................................ 31

education

Atlas School................................................................ 32 Blue Rock School ....................................................... 23 Bright Kids Inc. ....................................................... 7, 52 British International School of New York............... 22, 52 Buckley Country Day School ...................................... 14 Calhoun School .......................................................... 22 Cathedral School ........................................................ 23 Center for Architecture................................................ 49 China Institute............................................................. 55 Collina Italiana ............................................................ 29 Cosmic Cubs .............................................................. 49 Diller Quaile School of Music........................................ 7 Dwight School............................................................. 27 Gateway School (The) ................................................ 23 IDEAL School ............................................................. 21 International Academy of New York ........................... 13 Kumon Manhattan ........................................................ 3 LAC, Early Childhood Center ..................................... 45 Language Workshop for Children (The) ..................... 51 Lexington Children’s Classes ..................................... 31 Mr. Speech Pathology ................................................ 55 Nord Anglia International School ............................... 15 Public Prep Network ............................................. 16, 52 Pusteblume International School .......................... 27, 53 Speakitaly NYC .......................................................... 53

Success Academy ...................................................... 12 Tutors on Wheels........................................................ 49 Wetherby-Pembridge School...................................... 16 York Preparatory School ............................................. 27

family entertainment / events / outings

Symphony Space ....................................................... 35

home services

Cosmic Cubs .............................................................. 49 Mr. Speech Pathology ................................................ 55

music

Diller Quaile School of Music........................................ 7 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................ 2

performing arts / acting

Galli Theater ............................................................... 53 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................ 2

religious

Cathedral School ........................................................ 23

special events

Symphony Space ....................................................... 35

special needs

Atlas School................................................................ 32 Camp Huntington........................................................ 45 Gateway School (The) ................................................ 23 Huntington Learning Center ....................................... 31 IDEAL School ............................................................. 21 LAC, Early Childhood Center ..................................... 45 Mr. Speech Pathology ................................................ 55

sports

Chelsea Piers ....................................................... 52, 60 Urban Golf Academy .................................................. 53 YMCA of Greater New York ........................................ 31

theater

Galli Theater ............................................................... 53 Symphony Space ....................................................... 35

tutors

Bright Kids Inc. ....................................................... 7, 52 Huntington Learning Center ....................................... 31 Kumon Manhattan ........................................................ 3 Tutors on Wheels........................................................ 49

BigAppleParent 57

raising kids quotables

What is your parenting resolution for 2018? “We are resolving to not put off our adventures for another day!” —Anna Novak, Warwick, of tinsparrowstudio.com

My resolution is to give my 12-year-old daughter a little more independence as she matures into a young lady. I also want to teach both her and my 9-year-old son more life skills, like how to make basic meals for themselves for the days I don’t feel like cooking. Which are most days

—Kimberly Thomas, Valley Stream, creator of the blog valleystreammom.com

“My main resolution is that I want to be more of a YES parent. I don’t want to let my boys do whatever the heck they want, but I do want to actually consider their requests before I give them the answer that’s most convenient for me. I want them to have the kind of fun that they want, but that can’t happen unless I encourage and allow it.” —Rhianon Hoffman, the Bay Ridge mom behind brooklynboymom.com

in an instagram So many photos from our Statue of Liberty trip last week, but one of my faves is the view of downtown NYC from Lady Liberty’s pedestal. #statueoﬂiberty #familytravel #travelwithkids #nycviews #nyc #nycskyline #takeyourkidseverywhere #nyckids #thisis8 #nycwithkids #ladyliberty #oneworldtrade (Posted by @globetrottingmommy, aka Lyla Gleason, who blogs at globetrottingmommy.com)

Out of all the people in my life, I get to choose one person to spend my life with. I get to choose one person to love. I get to choose one person to be my partner in everything. ...I have to remember not to take him for granted. I have to remember to show him the love that I have for him. I have to remember that he was here before the kids. —Lili Rasprasith, in a post entitled “I Put My Husband Before My Kids, And This Is Why” on scarymommy.com

“Leta skipped out as she was overcome by the excitement of it all, by the idea of reaching this milestone in her life. She asked me how badly it was going to hurt over the next few days, and because she was still so excited I lied and told her that she’s only going to feel a little pain when the truth is SHE WILL WANT TO CLAW HER OWN FACE OFF.” —Heather Armstrong, in a post entitled “My kid got braces and all I got was a broken heart” on her blog dooce.com

January 2018 | nymetroparents.com

“I am going to try to limit time in front of my phone or computer while my kids are in the same room. As a work-from-homemom, this will be extremely difficult, however I currently find myself demonstrating screen habits that I do not want to pass along to them! And I want to make sure they know that THEY are my number one priority.” —Rebecca Dixon, Manhattan, managing director of mommybites.com

“My resolution is to spend more time playing games with my kids. By games, I mean board games, and as a family. In recent years we’ve become so digital, and my kids, who are 7 and 11, need time to ‘play’ together and with my husband and me. Our goal is to disconnect from devices and have good old-fashioned game nights where we play Monopoly or Trouble with our kids.” —Erin Baker, Eastchester, co-founder of emmawestchester.com

A New Year’s Promise “Being a good parent doesn’t require you to do everything perfectly. Like your child, you are a work in progress. Give yourself credit for the good, and forgive yourself for your parenting imperfections. Seek help and support when you need it—and make smaller, more manageable resolutions.” —Long Island-based psychologist Susan Bartell Psy.D., in an article entitled “Resolutions Revisited.” Read the whole story at nymetroparents.com/resolutions.

More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: WINTER FUN: See the top 100 winter activities in the NY metro region at nymetroparents.com/winter-activities. CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR: How to make resolutions kids can keep (nymetroparents.com/kid-resolutions)

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