BigApple B igApple Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM APRIL 2018
BIRTHDAY
BLOWOUT! Special Tips for Milestone Parties
SpecialParent Autism Awareness Month • Myths to Ignore • Keeping Happy as a Couple—Challenges and All
5 Easy Steps to a Cleaner, Greener Home
HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
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contents table of
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Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)
april 2018
26 38
special needs 18 Autism Myths You Should Ignore
Build a Budget That Works
Here’s how to make a spending plan that covers the things you need—and helps you save for the things you want.
April Activities
Buy fresh produce at a local farmers’ market, root for the home (minor leage baseball) team, and more!
20 A Child on the Spectrum—and a Happy Marriage 22 Special Needs Directory
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raising kids
6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling 12 A Passion for the Performing Arts 14 Independent School Spotlight 40 Planning a Blowout Birthday Party 42 Party Central 44 What Makes Toddlers Tick 46 Is Your Child Ready to be a CIT? 48 Camps for Older Kids 52 Camps-at-a-Glance Chart 56 Professional Services and Open Houses 57 Family Resource Guide and Party Planner 57 Advertisers’ Index 58 Quotables
Planning a Blowout Birthday Party
Tips to create a terrific bash, whether you want to make it extra-special or are celebrating a milestone
things to do
family life
28 Family Fun a Ride Away
24 Give Your Home a Health Check
29 Family Activities Calendar
26 Build a Budget That Works
38 April Activities
NYMetroParents
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› facebook.com/nymetroparents
17 Autism Awareness Month 24 5 Easy Steps to a Cleaner, Greener Home
@NYMetroParents
40 Birthday Blowout!
Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
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raising kids editor’s note
APRIL 2018 • Vol.33 • No.3
Special Times, Special Kids
NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com
EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf
W
hen my daughter Clara turned 3, I planned an at-home party with a clown and cake. It seemed like the perfect idea—until the clown got lost on the way to our house. For 45 minutes, 20 bored preschoolers ran wildly around my living room. The clown finally arrived at the same time the pizza did, so I told her she’d have to wait till the kids were done eating. A few minutes later, I spied her through our front window: She’d set up a lawn chair in front of my neighbor’s house and was smoking a cigarette. My neighbor was freaking out at the sudden appearance of a random, smoking clown. It was a party I’ll never forget—and neither will the family next door! Birthday celebrations can be tons of fun, but only if they’re done right. That’s why I’m loving our birthday party feature this month. “Planning a Blowout Birthday Party” by Samantha Neudorf (p. 40) reveals event planners’ secrets for throwing bashes, with advice on finding a venue, vendors, and more. In addition to extraordinary occasions, extraordinary kids are on our mind right now: April is Autism Awareness Month. Turn to our Special Parent section on p. 17 to read two thoughtful pieces: “Autism Myths to Ignore,” by Katelin Walling, which debunks harmful stereotypes about those on the autism spectrum, and “A Child on the Spectrum—and a Happy Marriage,” by Madeleine Burry. April is when Earth Day is observed. On p. 24, Emma Steven explores how to freshen your home by reducing toxins. We’ve also got a fresh look at toddlers’ quirky behaviors on p. 44. And you won’t want to miss Lambeth Hochwald’s story on p. 46, “Is Your Child Ready to be a CIT?” We explore the traits that make a kid a great counselor-in-training. Of course, this month also brings us Easter and Passover. Wishing a happy holiday to all of you observing, a fun and healthy spring to everyone, and not a smoking clown in sight! Deborah Skolnik Editorial Director, NYMetroParents
Investigative Feature: “An Unimaginable Tragedy” by Stacey Pfeffer (nymetroparents.com/infant-mortality)
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
PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR|PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR|DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Sara Wentworth
MARKETING
MARKETING MANAGER: Jaime Graham PUBLISHING & MARKETING MANAGER: Tom McCann
ACCOUNTING
CONTROLLER: David Friedman
ADMINISTRATION
Profile: “Kids Making a Difference” by Julia Hyman (nymetroparents.com/making-a-difference)
CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith
Family Fun Column: Outings: “See the World in Miniature” at Gulliver’s Gate in Times Square by Katelin Walling (nymetroparents.com/gullivers-gate) and “Where Education and Inspiration Take Flight” at Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey by Caitlin Berens (nymetroparents.com/aviation-hall)
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Rebecca Dixon 917-572-9192
Personal Essay: “Powerful Tunes” by Michaela Searfoorce (nymetroparents.com/powerful-tunes)
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DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan
Investigative Feature: “Is Homework Necessary?” by Katelin Walling; Tony Diaz, designer (nymetroparents.com/no-homework)
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DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Leonard Porter, Christopher Regalado
We’re proud to announce that our print magazine and website won eight awards for editorial and digital excellence at the annual Parenting Media Association Awards Banquet last month in St. Petersburg, FL.
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REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan, Westchester); Karen Lo (Brooklyn); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Cintia Feliz, Caitlin Sawicki
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We Won! 8
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Melissa Wickes
Special Series: Me Time: “Battling Burnout” by Katelin Walling (nymetroparents.com/ battling-burnout) and “Extracurriculars vs. Extra Downtime” by Rosalind Muggeridge (nymetroparents.com/extracurriculars-vs-downtime)
Best E-Newsletter: NYMetroParents Weekend Planner (sign up at nymetroparents.com/register)
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raising kids new places, new programs
Who: robofun™ What’s New: Refer-a-Friend discounts with which parents and friends save $25-$50 per week on Vacation Day (when schools are closed) and summer camp enrollment. Plus, an early-bird discount of $75 off each week of camp is available for those who register by April 6. Programs at robofun™ focus on pre-robotics, robotics, coding using MIT Scratch, and stop-motion animation. Programs are geared toward project-based learning, discovery, and fun for children in pre-K to sixth grade. Vacation Days and after-school programs are currently running. Summer camp runs June 18-Aug. 31, and registration is open. Visit the website for camp open house information. Want More Info: 2672 Broadway, Loft A, Upper West Side; 212-245-0444; robofun.org
Courtesy robofun™
Upper West Side After-School & Camp Program Offers New Discounts
Children enrolled in summer camp at rob ofun™ can learn rob through building wit otics h Legos.
Who: The Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust What’s New: The Number on Great-Grandpa’s Arm, an HBO documentary on view through April 29. The film tells the story of 10-year-old Elliot and Jack, his greatgrandfather. When asked about the number on his arm, Jack tells Elliot what it meant to be Jewish in Eastern Europe during the Holocaust. Artist Jeff Scher’s illustrations, based on archival footage, are featured in the film and are on display in an accompanying installation. Miriam Haier, director of strategy and engagement, says the film and installation were produced with young viewers in mind; the animation helps soften disturbing images associated with Holocaust history. Want More Info: Edmond J. Safra Plaza, 36 Battery Place, Lower Manhattan; 646-437-4202; mjhnyc.org
Courtesy HBO
Jewish Heritage Museum Presents HBO Documentary and Installation
view at the Grandpa’s Arm, on Number on Greath his greatwit es tur pic In a still from The at ks Heritage, Elliot loo Museum of Jewish grandfather Jack.
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Courtesy Buckley Country Day Schoo
Who: Buckley Country Day School What’s New: A school-wide read-aloud event in conjunction with Black History Month. Jean-Marc Juhel, Ph.D., the school’s headmaster, wanted to do something different to celebrate Black History Month this year. The school’s librarian chose a book for each grade, including The Color of Us by Karen Katz for kindergarten, Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester for fifth grade, and Still I Rise by Maya Angelou for eighth grade. “Students and teachers were clearly engaged in meaningful conversations about the contributions of African-Americans to our country’s history, prejudice, racism, equity, and kindness,” Dr. Juhel says. Want More Info: 2 I.U. Willets Road, Roslyn; 516-627-1910; buckleycountryday.com
l
Long Island Private School Hosted Black History Month Read-Aloud
A group of fifth-graders listens to Let’s Talk About Race by Julius Lester as part of Buckley Country Day School’s Black History Month read-aloud event.
Party packages include: • A fun theme, such as pilot, astronaut, marine or spy • Exploration of the ship and submarine • Hands-on activities • Lunch and birthday cake • Costumed party host
CONTACT OUR GROUP SALES TEAM AT GROUPSALES@INTREPIDMUSEUM.ORG OR 646-381-5010.
PIER 86, W 46TH ST & 12TH AVE, NYC intrepidmuseum.org 2018 © Intrepid Museum Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under applicable law, this work may not be copied, published, disseminated, displayed, permission of the copyright holder.
performed or played without
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raising kids in the know
5 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva with Zak Zarbock, M.D.
I
t’s no secret that when traveling you put yourself at risk for getting sick. Your chances of catching a germ or two are pretty high—after all, you’ll be doing everything from mingling with crowds to breathing recycled air on the plane. And when you’re traveling with children, your chances of contracting a bug are even higher. After all, kids love to put their fingers in their mouths, roll on the floor, and do many other not-so-sanitary things. But there are precautions you can take to ensure they (and you!) stay as healthy as possible. Zak Zarbock, M.D., dad, pediatrician, and founder of Zarbee’s Naturals shares five ways you can keep kids healthy while traveling.
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Sanitize once you get past security. Most fliers are required to take off their shoes at airport security. With everyone touching the bottoms of their shoes, germs and bacteria are being transferred to their hands, and then on everything else they touch past that point. Quickly using a hand wipe just past security can go a long way toward keeping germs at a minimum. Be prepared. The best defense is a good offense. To ensure your family feels their best, take a multivitamin to fill any nutritional gaps in your diet. Also, focus on wholesome immune support ingredients such as vitamin C, zinc, and even elderberry. Wipe down contact points. When you get to your seat (both at the gate and on the plane), quickly wipe down the arm rests, handles, and side or tray tables before you settle in. You’ll feel better knowing your kid’s food, drinks, snacks, toys, and activities will be handled with clean hands on fresh surfaces. Hydrate. Make sure you and your family drink lots of water. Planes are known to dehydrate people, and keeping hydrated will make everyone less vulnerable to dry skin, eyes, and mouths. Consider bringing a refillable water bottle or getting bottled water at the airport so you are prepared for the entire flight. Wash your hands. No one wants to arrive at their destination only to find an illness coming on, so hand washing is a no brainer, and soap and water are always best to fight germs you might pick up en route to your destination. If soap and water aren’t available, use a baby wipe on the hands, followed by hand sanitizer. Zak Zarbock, M.D., was inspired to create Zarbee’s Naturals after looking for alternative wellness products, only to realize there weren’t many wholesome, safe, and chemical-free options on the shelf.
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
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raising kids voices
A Passion for the Performing Arts ›› How sharing my interest in the arts helped me become a better parent. By Darren Critz
Courtesy Darren Critz
T
hough nothing has been disastrous (yet), I have managed to mess up many aspects of parenthood. A good example: Easter. Somewhere along the way, I began referring to the Easter Bunny as Peter—he bizarrely morphed with Peter Rabbit for a reason I can’t remember. To avoid a Sunday morning food-coloring feast because of my own aversion to chemicals in food dye, Peter would steal the Easter eggs from our house rather than leave them out to be found and consumed. Perhaps even more reflective of my failures is the fact that this alternate history about the Easter Bunny came about at all, since my family has been Jewish as far back as anyone can remember. Spoiler alert: Jews don’t celebrate Easter. But I have done a lot of things right, too. I’ve demystified swearing and curse words, taught my daughter that avant-garde jazz isn’t always as terrible as people say it is, and, perhaps most importantly, I’ve helped instill in her a love for the performing arts. From practically the moment she was born, I’ve been bringing my daughter to events, both at Symphony Space and all around the city. I’ve made efforts to make the arts a regular part of her life, and not just a once-a-year visit to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes (thereby avoiding Christmas-specific events and balancing out the whole Jewish/Easter thing, I suppose). I’ve taken her to music concerts that spanned genres, from rock to jazz to classical and just about everything in between. We’ve attended a ton of dance performances, seeing everything from tap to ballet to percussive dance. And we’ve been to more theatrical events than I can count. The results have made a huge impact on her life. We’ve had discussions about what it takes to write songs and compose music, and where the different styles of music originated. I’ve watched her choreograph dances for stuffed animals and our cat after viewing dance performances (great stuff, despite the erratic performances by the lazy stuffed bears and the overly entitled cat, who studied briefly with Balanchine—as if we needed to hear that story again for the billionth time!). I’ve also witnessed her take the things she’s seen and apply some amazing thoughts and questions to the world outside of the performances: How do bands decide where to put their instruments onstage? How do puppeteers transport their fragile-looking puppets without breaking them? How do performers create funny voices, and is that what the actor sounds like in real life? And the results have helped her in school as well. Why write yet another story about a turtle, when a critique of the lighting for
Darren Critz and his daughter Regan
that circus show is so much more interesting? Don’t think math is important? How are you going to settle up with the venue for your 80-percent cut of the merchandise profits if you can’t figure out how to calculate percentages? (She’s way into money—the little capitalist!) All of this is to say the arts have helped shape her as a thinker and communicator in ways I could never have done as successfully without their assistance. Sure, you could argue there’s another dad out there who lets his kids eat the damn eggs crawling with Yellow Dye No. 6 (aka benzenesulfonic acid, treated with hydrochloric acid and sodium nitrite), and whose preference for baseball means he can testify that sports have had the same effect on his child as the arts has on mine. But I guess that kind of just strengthens what I’m saying, right? When we find ways to share our passions, hobbies, loves, and interests with our children, we bond in ways we could never imagine, help expand our children’s minds, and become more communicative, responsive parents as a result. Thanks, arts! Thanks, baseball! And thanks, Easter Bunny, for burying your eggs in Mr. McGregor’s garden and not in mine!
Darren Critz is director of Performing Arts Programs at Symphony Space, a performing arts center on the Upper West Side. He curates Symphony Space’s Just Kidding series. The 2018-2019 season will begin in October, with such performances as New Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia’s The Rainbow Fish in October, Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower in December, and more family performances most weekends through March 2019.
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
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!
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Independent School Spotlight 欢迎
BIENVENIDOS
raising kids independent school spotlight Courtesy Atlas School
WELCOME
Students at Atlas School play a game of Connect 4.
School for Children with Autism Creates Personalized Curriculum Students deepen social-emotional development and communication skills. ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva Name of school: Atlas School
Bilingual. Multi-Cultural. Diverse. Helping students gain the leadership skills, confidence, and compassion to contribute and thrive in today’s world. ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Spanish and Mandarin tracks for Nursery (age 3) - Grade 3. Adding a grade each year through Grade 8.
www.ianyc.org Springtime Open Houses:
April 26th, 8:45am / May 9th, 6:00pm RSVP: admissions@ianyc.org 14
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Ages: 7-21 Size of student body: 17 Educational approach or philosophy: Atlas School creates an individualized educational program for each of its students. At the core of these programs is a focus on developing students’ social-emotional skills as well as their communication skills. The school’s curriculum, called the Atlas Map, places a strong emphasis on communication with the goal of helping students become effective, life-long communicators. “Atlas School honors and embraces students’ unique minds, spirits, and voices. Empowered communication and respect for students’ passions and abilities ease them into rich social and emotional relationships and experiences. Self identity, growth, and joyful engagement joins with academic learning and choice-driven community integration to aid students in pursuit of their own life goals and happiness,” says Amanda Friedman, director and founder. What makes the school unique: At the Atlas School, students not only learn traditional school subjects, but they also learn and are encouraged to find their own happiness and to continuously express themselves. Many different methods are used to teach the students and encourage communication. “What makes Atlas unique is our eccentric and multi-strategic approach integrating modified elements and influences of DIR Floortime™, the SonRise Program™ Natural ABA, and TEACCH balancing data collection, supportive behavioral plans, and meaningful, joyful interactions and dynamics,” Friedman says. “Additionally we really understand and embody every day the importance of sensory integration and constant and customized communication. Happiness and understanding are definitely keys to school and life success!”
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
inside
SpecialParent
online extras Chase Bailey, a teen with autism, hosts his own YouTube cooking channel and published a cookbook. Read more, and find some of his recipes, at ›› nymetroparents.com/chase-bailey
Your child with autism wants to form a secure bond with you, even if it doesn’t always seem that way. Learn how to understand signals at ›› nymetroparents.com/autism-connection
Advocates are pushing for a stop to the R-word. Find out how, and what you can do to help at ›› nymetroparents.com/r-word
Going out to dinner with a child who has autism can be very stressful. Find tips from a mom who’s been there at ›› nymetroparents.com/autism-dining
autism awareness month
18 Autism Myths to Ignore: There are a lot of stereotypes about autism spectrum disorder that just aren’t true—here are the five biggest misconceptions. Child on the Spectrum—and a 20 A Happy Marriage Your child’s diagnosis can be challenging to your marriage. Experts share how to keep your bond strong. pecial Needs Directory: Find 22 S resources in Manhattan for your child with special needs
Despite what many people may think, people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder do like spending time with peers. In fact, interacting with people on the spectrum is the best way to battle these misconceptions.
Autism Myths You Should Ignore
››
There are a lot of stereotypes about autism spectrum disorder that just aren’t true—here are the five biggest misconceptions. By Katelin Walling
W
hile the awareness of autism spectrum disorder has grown due to social media, increased research, Autism Awareness Month, and more, there are still many misconceptions about ASD, from its causes to the characteristics and abilities of those on the spectrum. As its name denotes, autism is a spectrum, meaning not everyone diagnosed with autism displays the same traits, exhibits the same behaviors, or has the same abilities—just like you or me. So applying blanket statements to those on the spectrum would be like saying girls can’t throw or boys don’t cry. We spoke to experts about stereotypes of ASD, and uncovered the truth behind five big misconceptions about the disorder and those diagnosed with it.
Myth 1: Vaccines cause autism.
Unfortunately we do still hear the misconception that autism is related to vaccinations, commonly the measles, mumps, rubella vaccination, says Sarah Kuriakose, Ph.D., BCBA-D, clinical assistant professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health. “Not only was the initial study that showed that a fraudulent study, but follow-up studies have debunked that many times,” she explains. There are other concerns that autism is caused by “various environmental factors that a pregnant mother may be exposed to and in utero some of those environmental causative factors may have somehow affected the fetus,” says John Pfeifer, senior director of Clinical Services and the Family Center for Autism, part of Life’s WORC, a Long Island nonprofit that supports people with developmental disabilities and autism. “There’s still ongoing research about the expansion of electromagnetic technology and various environmental chemicals and such that may be at play, but not knowing everything in the environment that may be affecting a fetus, either seen or unseen, makes it hard to decipher that.” “What we do know about autism is there seems to be a genetic com18
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
ponent, and about ten to twenty percent of cases with ASD are linked to an identified genetic disorder,” says Dr. Kuriakose, who is also senior director of the NYU Langone Autism and Developmental Neuroscience Initiative and the clinical director of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical and Research Program at NYU’s Child Study Center. “We anticipate that that number will go up with more genetics research. But even in identical twins, the concordance rate is not one-hundred percent, so we know there is some factor that is not genetic as well.”
Myth 2: People on the spectrum are anti-social and don’t have feelings.
Dr. Kuriakose says parents, teachers, and even doctors will tell her things like, “that child can’t have autism because…he’s affectionate, …she makes eye contact, or …he’s interested in other kids.” “So what can end up happening is people have this very blackand-white picture that a person with autism is someone who is anti-social and isn’t interested in other people,” she says. “We know that those aren’t necessarily true.” Yet thanks to this persistent myth, a child who does have autism might not be given a diagnosis—his parents may be hanging on to the fact that their child is affectionate though he is struggling in other ways. “It is often thought that people with autism don’t have feelings, which is a very sad misconception and very far from the truth,” adds Janet Koch, CEO of Life’s WORC. “They are capable of having loving relationships with family members and friends.”
Myth 3: People with autism exhibit challenging and/or maladaptive behaviors.
“It’s not fair to say that challenging behaviors are inherent in the diagnosis,” Pfeifer says. “They are often a byproduct of ineffective treatment of some of the things that are inherent in the diagnosis, which are
communication and socialization difficulties.” These behaviors could include flapping hands, rocking, or other self-stimulatory behaviors. “We still unfortunately have the misconception from previous media portrayals that kids with autism are nonverbal, are going to sit in the corner, and just rock or flap their hands,” Dr. Kuriakose says. As society becomes more educated about autism, people are learning about adapting communication efforts. “I have young children, and they’re learning in integrated classrooms about what these behaviors may mean. It could actually help a person [on the spectrum] to not escalate to such a significant behavior because they’ll be able to communicate more easily with people who have been taught how to communicate with them,” Koch says.
Myth 4: Those on the spectrum are savants and/or are fixated on one topic.
The media commonly portrays those with autism as being savants or having restricted interest in a singular subject area: Sam Gardner in Netflix’s Atypical and Shaun Murphy in ABC’s The Good Doctor are two recent portrayals. “Certainly we have kids and adults with autism who have an amazing depth of knowledge in a particular area, incredible memory, incredible pattern recognition skills, things like that that are going to set them up for a particular career,” Dr. Kuriakose says, but not all people on the spectrum show these characteristics. In fact, the most recent criteria for an ASD diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fall into two categories: social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors (RRB). There are four traits that fall under the RRB category—repetitive speech or behavior/mannerisms, restricted interest, sensory challenges, and difficulty with transitions or insistence on sameness—and a person needs to only exhibit two of the RRB traits (and meet criteria from the social communication category) to receive a diagnosis of autism,
according to Dr. Kuriakose. “So you could have a kid who has some sensory challenges and insistence on sameness without any restricted interest at all and you could still have the diagnosis,” she says.
Myth 5: People with ASD can’t go to college, have jobs, or get married.
Because some people with autism may struggle with social situations, have communication challenges, and have difficulty with flexibility, there’s the misconception that they will not be able to attend higher education, have a job, or get married and have kids. “There are lots of examples of folks with autism who do successfully do those things, and the big thing that’s important is it’s all about the supports the environment can provide,” Dr. Kuriakose says. When working with a patient who is looking at colleges or employment opportunities, Dr. Kuriakose looks for a setting that is supportive of that patient’s strengths and challenges. In fact, “a lot of individuals with autism are actually really great, dedicated, passionate employees, but it has to be a setting that can understand that they might process information and interact in ways that are slightly different from typical.” In terms of getting married, Dr. Kuriakose says there are quite a few instances where she’s diagnosed a child with autism, and a few months later their parent will observe that they’re seeing some of the same characteristics in themselves or another family member. “And these are all people who had families,” she says. So how can we continue to combat these and other myths about people on the spectrum? “Just like with any other group, you shed your misconceptions when you have more close relationships with people in that group,” Dr. Kuriakose says. “And so I really would encourage people to engage with lots of individuals with autism.”
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This workshop for children 3 - 12 years old — all ages and abilities — utilizes both proven speech and language techniques and educational theatre learning activities to promote and empower children who have developmental delays. Your child will develop critical thinking tools, tap into their inner creativity, develop imaginative play skills, and strong speech, language and articulation skills …all through a fun, creative and interactive theatre experience! Sign up for as many weeks as you like!
For more information on this workshop or our therapy center visit www.chattychild.com or to register, call 347.491.4451 or email info@chattychild.com (subject line: InterAct).
325 Broadway - Suite 403 New York, New York 10007 BigAppleParent 19
A Child on the Spectrum—and a Happy Marriage ››
Your child’s diagnosis can be challenging to your relationship. Experts share how to keep your bond strong. By Madeleine Burry
H
ere’s a fundamental truth: Being married with children is wonderful and rewarding—but also really, really hard. And for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, raising a child is a whole other level of difficulty. More and more moms and dads face this situation; 1 in 68 children have ASD, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s a diagnosis that’s life changing for the entire family. “The diagnosis of a child with autism and the breakdown in communication create a major strain on a marriage,” says Alisha Griffith, Aud.D., CCC-SLP, autism parenting coach, author of Au-mazing Gift: A Journey to Autism Acceptance, and mom to an 11-year-old son with autism. That sounds ominous. Marriage is hard enough without additional stress or strain. And it’s true: The time-consuming daily grind of parenting a child on the spectrum, along with the financial and emotional burden involved, can take over moms’ and dads’ lives, leaving little time to nurture your partnership. Neglecting a marriage does not tend to lead to good things. In fact, for years, despite no actual scientific source, people thought the divorce rates were significantly higher—80 percent—for parents of children on the spectrum. A 2010 study from the Kennedy Krieger Institute debunked the anecdotal rumor. The reality: The divorce rate for parents is the same, regardless of whether they have a child with ASD or not. That points to something reassuring: Maintaining a healthy, happy marriage as a parent of a child on the spectrum may be challenging, but it’s definitely doable. We spoke to experts—couples therapists, coaches, and psychiatrists who are deeply familiar with the impact of 20
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
this diagnosis on relationships—to find out practical tips to help your marriage stay strong.
Pick a Path Together
Often, parents react to a diagnosis in very different ways: One parent may seek to become an expert, researching the condition constantly, while the other is subsumed by emotions, feeling sorrow, grief, and frustration. “There’s a misalignment in this response that creates distance,” says Tracy Ross, LCSW, a couples and family therapist who specializes in treating parents of children on the spectrum. How can couples feel united in this fragmented moment? If it’s a matter of disagreeing over next steps, pick an expert and trust her to steer your path forward, recommends Gail Saltz, M.D., psychiatrist and author of The Power of Different: The Link Between Disorder and Genius. “To some degree, it’s useful to pick your maven and go with that. Pick someone you really both can feel confident in and then let them direct some of that decision-making,” she says. This is also a moment to sharpen your communication skills, discussing everything from feelings to treatment. That can be harder than it sounds (there’s a reason we praise preschoolers and kindergarteners when they’re good listeners; listening isn’t easy!). Schedule time for judgment-free conversations, recommends Dr. Griffith. “Respect the role of speaker and listener. Take turns to truly listen to each other. Create rules for a safe conversation,” she says, so it doesn’t break down in screams or stony silence.
Make Sure Work is Shared
Typically, one parent becomes the primary caretaker for a child on the
spectrum, Dr. Saltz says. (Yes, it’s usually the mom.) And that’s fine, so long as both parents have responsibilities and acknowledge each other’s contributions. “Caretaking doesn’t have to be fifty-fifty,” Dr. Saltz says, but without participation from both moms and dads, resentment festers. Ross adds that it’s helpful to recognize your spouse’s talents. Consider how your partner can help you become a better parent, and where your different skills can be most helpful to your child. “You can’t both be working on the same thing—there’s just too much to do. Divide and conquer is really better,” Ross says.
Bring Back Date Night (Or Day)
Your child can easily become the focus of your every conversation, activity, and thought. And, doing otherwise may induce feelings of guilt (I shouldn’t go to the movies when I have that towering pile of paperwork to tackle). But your marriage requires attention, too. “Make sure you do carve out time to do pleasurable things together and do not spend every waking moment on your child,” Dr. Saltz says. “You have to keep your relationship interesting and spicy. You were married way before you were a parent, so you still have to nurture your marriage,” Dr. Griffith says. To that end, put date night on the calendar, just like any other important appointment. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your child with a caretaker, or can’t afford one, Dr. Griffith suggests shifting date night to date day—after you drop your child off at school, skip out of your responsibilities for a few hours in favor of a long lunch, coffee at your local café, a walk in the park, or a trip to the museum or movies together.
Develop a Support System
It can be deeply lonely to be a parent of a child with ASD. “Parents who don’t have kids with special needs don’t know how hard it is. [They] don’t know what you go through,” says Jennifer Kaufman, an occupational therapist who works in NYC public schools and mom to a 9-year-old son who is on the spectrum. “When you have a typical child, you meet other families with kids and your world expands, but when you have a kid on the spectrum your world can constrict, and that’s harder,” Ross says. Simple social gatherings—like a trip to the park or a birthday Saving money on a New York City party—are difficult for kids who are on the spectrum. That leads family day is easy! many parents to just opt out. “Parents with kids on the spectrum get embarrassed, feel judged, feel upset, so they tend to isolate, which can cause stress,” Ross says. Instead of RSVPing no until the invites end, Ross recommends educating the people around you: Have a conversation with friends about what to expect from your child, and how to talk to their own child about being around kids on the spectrum. As well as maintaining pre-existing relationships, look to make new connections. “Find other parents who may be having a similar struggle, so you have a community to be able to talk to about these [struggles],” Dr. Saltz says. Ross recommends seeking out parent groups.
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Consider Volunteering
It can feel relieving and world opening to raise money or volunteer for autism-related causes, Dr. Saltz says. “Doing volunteer work together can be helpful and bonding,” she says. Cityguideny.com has coupons and Immersed in therapy, testing, and schedules, it’s easy to neglect caring discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, for your marriage—but it’s not a small thing to overlook. As Ross restaurants, stores and more. points out, “It’s not a luxury to work on your relationship. It’s really Great Newfor York important thedeals, adultssavings, and thespecial whole family.” Having a strong partoffers and deepthe discounts—for and and allows you to do more nership reduces likelihood ofyou burnout, your family—are yours with just a on behalf of your children. So go ahead: Enjoy some time with your click of the spouse, andmouse. make your partnership a top priority. Madeleine Burry is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor, covering everything from parenting to open data to workplace productivity. She’s held staff positions at Parents.com, Scholastic, and About.com. You can follow her on Twitter @lovelanewest.
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BigAppleParent 21
Special Needs Directory Atlas Foundation For Autism
252 W. 29th St., 3rd Floor 212-256-0846 atlasforautism.org; info@atlasforautism.org The Atlas Foundation for Autism houses the Atlas School as well as speech, OT services, music, after-school classes, and weekend social skills groups! Atlas is different in its approach to working within modalities that address communication, emotional and social thinking, as well as behavior and self-esteem! People are welcome to join from every developmental level to play, learn, and grow together as a community!
Boost! Learning and Behavior Therapy
646-998-4284 boostaba.com; info@boostaba.com We are a boutique private practice offering Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA Therapy) and educational support to BOOST! your child’s behavioral, social-emotional, and academic development. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality services that are delivered by topnotch BCBAs and Special Educators. In addition to ABA Therapy, we also provide individualized home- and school-based special education services (private SEIT), parent education, and school consultation. We serve children from 18 months through elementary school ages in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Founder and executive director Erica Wyner, M.A., B.C.B.A., L.B.A.
Camp Huntington
56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Camp Huntington, a coed, residential summer camp for children and young adults with autism and related developmental and learning disabilities, and ADD. Ability levels mild to moderate-severe. Located in High Falls in the beautiful Catskill Mountain region, the camp provides therapeutically and instructionally designed recreation programs in summer and certain weekends during the year. Programs offer structured daily activities designed to be safe, learning-based, fun, and rewarding. Positive reinforcement motivates children to be happy and participate meaningfully. Activities encourage improvement in self-management and independence, and advancement in social and life skills.
Camp SAY
646-735-1559 campsay.org/parents meg@say.org Camp SAY helps kids and teens who stutter build self-confidence, communication skills, and friendships. This two-week, ACA-accredited, sleepaway camp combines the highest quality, traditional summer camp experience, with com-
22
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
prehensive activities and innovative programs that empower kids and teens who stutter (ages 8-18). Summer 2018 dates are July 30-Aug. 13 (shortened stays available). Camp SAY is located in East Stroudsburg, PA (in the Pocono Mountains). Sliding scale tuition and travel are available. Visit campsay.org, contact camp director Meg Hart at meg@say.org, or 646-7351559. Paul Rudd talks to parents about Camp SAY at campsay.org/parents.
Chatty Child Speech & Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C.
325 Broadway, Suite 403 347-491-4451 chattychild.com; info@chattychild.com Chatty Child Speech Therapy & Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C. is a personalized therapeutic center in downtown Manhattan. We provide comprehensive speech-language and occupational therapy services. We are available to provide ST and OT evaluations, individual sessions, and group sessions. We accept DOE-RSAs, EI, and private pay for out-of-network reimbursement. Our therapists are highly experienced, caring, and passionate about creating a unique learning experience for each child. We have years of experience treating a variety of developmental delays. Come take a tour of Chatty Child!
Children’s Museum of the Arts
103 Charlton St. 212-274-0986 cmany.org CMA offers free weekend art classes, tours, and camp for children with disabilities and their families. Inclusive Weekend programs offer structured early childhood, fine and media arts for children with disabilities and their families. Programs include Saturday Inclusive Classes for children with autism spectrum disorder and their family and friends and Sunday Inclusive Classes for children with physical disabilities and their family and friends. Programs provide a safe space to develop social skills and manual dexterity through the arts. Typically developing siblings and friends are welcome. Learn more at cmany.org/schools-and-community/ access-programs/accessible-art-programs.
Huntington Learning Center
237 W. 72nd St. 212-362-0100 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington is the leader in K-12th tutoring and test prep. Our certified tutors provide children with individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. We also help prep students for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington’s proven programs help children develop the skills, confidence,
and motivation needed for academic success. Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn more about our mission at huntingtonhelps.com.
Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen, P.C.
250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com; ac@amcohenlaw.com Andrew Cohen’s vast professional and personal experience has led him to become an author and frequent lecturer on special needs planning. In order to legally protect loved ones with disabilities, a comprehensive estate plan must consider the following: eligibility for government benefits, a supplemental needs trust, guardianship proceedings, and the letter of intent. The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost.
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. He provides concierge-quality house calls conducted in the privacy of his patient’s homes.
Otto Specht School
260 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge 845-352-5020 x130 ottospechtschool.org info@ottospecht.org At the Otto Specht School, we work to discover each child’s path to lifelong learning, offering a variety of educational programs designed to meet the needs of students with developmental delays, social and sensory sensitivities, and learning challenges. We have looked beyond both typical and special educational models to provide an extraordinary education to those who need it most. We offer kindergarten, firsteighth grades, high school (with the opportunity to earn a diploma), High School Practical Life Skills (certificate program), and Transitional Life Skills (post-secondary program).
SPECIAL NEEDS MARKETPLACE
A Boutique Private Practice Providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Parent Education ACTIVITIES EVENTS MORE School Consultation
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NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices. A life-changing 2-week sleep-away camp for young people who stutter.
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OUTSTANDING CAMPER TO COUNSELOR RATIO • ACA-ACCREDITED • SLIDING SCALE TUITION
Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices.
Camp SAY provides an environment of inclusiveness, builds confidence, communication skills, friendships & community for kids and teens, ages 8-18. Camp SAY is ACA-accredited, and located in the Pocono Mountains, PA.
www.facebook.com/nymetroparents EVENTS
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CampSAY.org • Camp Director Meg Hart • Meg@SAY.org • 646.403.3522
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NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions Programs and receive special notices.
Kindergarten Grades 1 - 8 www.facebook.com/nymetroparents High School (diploma program) High School Practical Life Skills (certificate program) Transitional Life Skills (post-secondary) Reaching beyond the four walls of a traditional classroom to bring a Waldorf Curriculum and hands-on learning to students with learning challenges and developmental delays. www.ottospechtschool.org info@ottospecht.org Farm Faire April 14th! www.ottospechtschool.org/farm-faire-1/
BigAppleParent 23 ACTIVITIES
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family life home
Some plants, such as Spider Plants, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Peace Lilies, Aloe Vera, and Garden Mums are natural air purifiers, according to NASA. So this Earth Day, why not take your kids to pick out a little greenery for your home?
Give Your Home a Health Check ›› Five simple steps to reducing environmental toxins around your house
D
o you want to detox your home but don’t know where to start? Got a couple of green products in your kitchen but want to know what else you should you be doing? Consider this: The average family is exposed to thousands of environmental toxins and the majority of this occurs in the home. The good news? There are simple things you can do to make your living space greener and healthier for your family. “The first point I would say is don’t get overwhelmed,” reassures Nneka Leibe, director of healthy living science at the Environmental Working Group. “There are simple changes that can make an impactful difference.” Here are five expert-approved priority tasks you can do in your home to go a little greener:
Improve your air quality.
“One thing people don’t realize is that the indoor air is a poorer quality than the outdoors. Even in cities,” says Maia James, green home consultant and founder of gimmethegoodstuff.org. In fact, indoor air is as much as two to five times more polluted than air outside. “A lot of people are thinking about the pollution they are exposed to outdoors,” Leibe says. “When we started to dig into the products we have indoors, we realized that a lot of the things we have in our home and furniture either release chemicals or are made with chemicals that we suggest to avoid.” 24
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
By Emma Steven
Don’t panic: You can improve your air quality by replacing or eliminating poly vinyl chloride (especially the flexible kind found in shower curtains, toys, raincoats, and kids’ mattress covers), flame-retardants, conventional cleaning products and air fresheners, dry cleaning that uses perchloroethylene (PERC), particle board and MDF, furniture with waterproof or stain-guard finishes, chemical pesticides, synthetic carpeting, lead paint, asbestos, and radon gas. Visit nymetroparents.com/green-home for more details about these common problem areas. If you want to go one step further, James recommends investing in an air filter to actively clean the air. For a low-fi option, you can add wool rugs and plants—both have been shown in studies to be natural Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs include formaldehyde and benzene) absorbers. And don’t forget to open your windows every day!
Reduce household dust.
Those dust bunnies may look harmless, but nasties like lead, phthalates (endocrine disrupting chemicals or EDCs), BPA, flame-retardants, perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), and chemicals from cleaning products lurk in them. Gary Ginsberg, Ph.D., an assistant professor and toxicologist at Yale School of Public Health, has studied household dust extensively. He says dust is a key source of children’s exposure to contaminants at home, with levels of phthalates, lead, and flame-retardants in dust relating closely to
levels in blood and urine. Children and babies ingest a lot because they spend more time on the floor and put things in their mouths. They are also much smaller and still developing, so toxins have a much bigger potential impact on their health. Vacuum regularly using a HEPA filter vacuum, wet-mop floors, and wipe down surfaces. Fit filters to heating and air-conditioning units, take off your shoes when you get home, and use a doormat to reduce the amount of outdoor dust and soil coming into your home.
Buy a water filter.
“Another small change that is really impactful is purchasing a water filter,” Leibe says. The quality of tap water can vary widely, so it’s important to check yours via your water utility’s website or a resource like the EWG Tap Water Database (ewg.org/tapwater). Just make sure to regularly clean the water container and change the filter.
Switch to cleaner personal care items.
Many beauty products contain small amounts of chemicals, including EDCs and lead. James recommends starting with the products that are used the most often and on the biggest areas such as moisturizers, sunscreen, and shampoos. Many people are surprised to hear the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require safety testing for personal care and cosmetic products, so it’s up to the consumer to check labels. The EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database (ewg.org/skindeep) is a great resource for researching ingredients as are apps such as Think Dirty, which let you check on the go.
Ditch plastic and non-stick cookware.
Replace plastic bottles with stainless steel or glass. The dangers of BPA are well known, but the plastics used to replace it (like bisphenol S aka BPS) are also thought to contain EDCs, according
to the EWG and James. Never heat food in the microwave in plastic as this can lead to chemicals such as phthalates leaching into it, and replace non-stick cookware as these are made with PFCs.
Don’t obsess.
All of the experts interviewed were keen to emphasize that we should not be lying awake at night (on our non-organic mattresses) panicking. “I know it’s hard to not freak out about this stuff as you begin to educate yourself,” James says. “But it’s helpful to remember that it’s all about cumulative risk. No one item in the home is going to make or break your family’s health.” “It’s not a life or death situation,” Dr. Ginsberg agrees. “There are a lot of low-level risks out there. We are doing much better today than we were when I was a kid. We don’t want to overwhelm people because then [they] will be paralyzed.” “All of these changes combine to reduce our body burden of chemical exposure,” Leibe adds. “They’re small changes but very, very important to reducing the number of chemicals we’re exposed to that lead to adverse health impacts.” The onus is now on us, as consumers, to do the legwork to find out what’s in the things we use. “The biggest piece of advice is that because of lapses in regulation, parents have to become amateur investigators,” Leibe concludes. “They can’t rely on claims and advertising hype.” By increasing your knowledge and making smart choices, it is possible to make your home a greener and healthier place. So you can sleep better in more ways than one! Emma Steven is a British freelance writer living in Manhattan with her husband, two small kids, and two cats. Previously the Manhattan calendar editor for NYMetroparents.com, she writes about parenting and New York City. When asked about what she most misses about the UK she’s most likely to say British humor and least likely to say British weather.
Childhood Atropine for Myopia Progression Study
Is your child nearsighted? Are they 3 to 16 years of age? If so, your child may be eligible to par�cipate in a study evalua�ng the use of inves�ga�onal eye drops to slow the progression of nearsightedness. This study involves 17 office visits over 4 years with compensa�on of up to $1,080 for office visits. Par�cipants may also receive an allowance for glasses or contact lenses.
(212) 938 4052 | clinicresearch@sunyopt.edu | sunyopt.edu/CVRC | 33 West 42nd St New York (between 5th and 6th Ave) Jan 24, 2018
BigAppleParent 25
family life finances
Build A Budget That Works
››
Stop living from paycheck to paycheck! Here’s how to make a spending plan that covers the things you need—and helps you save for the things you want. By Katelin Walling
D
o you know how much, on average, you’ll spend each year on raising a child? $12,980, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture if your child was born in 2015. That’s $233,610 over the course of your child’s underage years, ages newborn to 17. For good measure, add in another $51,000 for projected inflation. And that’s not even taking into consideration how much you’ll need to save if you want to buy a house for your family, pay for a chunk of your children’s college educations, or contribute to your retirement. Oh, and speaking of college: Most parents in their 20s and 30s are paying off their student loans, too. Is thinking about all of these numbers making your head spin? Before you panic, consider doing this: making a budget. It will help you “create realistic goals by understanding your spending and savings behaviors and make sure you don’t spend more than you earn,” says Keri Danielski, consumer finance expert and spokeswoman for Intuit’s money management tools Mint and Turbo. If you’re hoping the magic fix is cutting your daily latte habit or bringing a lunch from home instead of buying a $15 salad, you’re in for a rude awakening. While those small changes will certainly help you save money (as long as you actually save it), they’re only the start. What you really need to do is step back and take in the big picture of how much you earn—and spend. “I know a lot of people struggle with this, but it’s worth the struggle. I tell my clients all the time: This is the foundation to financial planning,” says Kristen Euretig, CFP, founder of 26
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Brooklyn Plans, a financial planning service geared toward women in their 20s to early 40s. “This is what’s coming in and going out every month, and if you can get this piece right, you can do everything else.” Before sitting down to tackle your finances, set yourself up for success by finding a system that both you and your partner feel comfortable using. “Whether it’s tracking everything manually in a spreadsheet or using a personal finance tracker like Mint to help track in real-time, you need something that works for you,” Danielski says. “This will make budgeting easier and more enjoyable for you.” Once you have a system figured out, creating your budget can be accomplished in four steps: Know how much you’re bringing in. Before you and your partner can even think about determining how much money to allocate to various expenses, you need to know your total net annual income. That’s how much you’re both taking home after taxes. “When we go to create a budget, we automatically go to the expenses side,” Euretig says. “But that side is meaningless if you don’t have the right income number because that’s how you actually figure out if you can afford your monthly expenses. So that’s the first step.” The easiest way to figure out your total net annual income, if you’re salaried employees, is to multiply your last paycheck amount by however many pay periods are in a year. This will be a little trickier for freelancers, Euretig notes.
Determine your current spending habits. “People tend to underestimate what they spend and overestimate what they save,” says Daniel D’Ordine, CFP, founder of DDO Advisory Services LLC, which offers financial planning, investment management, and insurance solutions for families and business owners in New York City, the Hudson Valley, and New England. “You have to get a very good sense of what your steady spending habits are.” He suggests reviewing 12 months of statements from credit cards and bank accounts to see what you actually spent in a year and on what. Categorize what you spent into fixed expenses (rent, transportation or commute, groceries, utilities, child care, etc.) and discretionary expenses (takeout, entertainment, clothes, gym memberships, vacations, birthday parties, etc.). Then use the total amount you spent in the past year as a baseline to determine an average monthly expenditure. “It’s as simple as knowing that we spend around $8,500 a month allin,” D’Ordine says. This will help you figure out how much of your total net monthly income you have left over to save for various goals. Figure out your goals. First and foremost, D’Ordine suggests bulking up your emergency fund if you don’t have one. He advises keeping approximately three months of expenses in your savings account in case something happens, like you lose your job or your partner needs to take an extended leave. Then sit down together and write down your goals, “and be very realistic,” Danielski says. Do some research on how much these goals will cost and how long it will take to reach them—a down payment on a house, retirement, paying off debt (find tips at nymetroparents. com/decrease-debt). “Once you identify how much you need to start saving, you can figure out your budget,” Danielski adds.
Periodically check in on your budget to make sure you’re meeting your goals. “I think that a monthly check-in provides accountability,” D’Ordine says. “So that when unexpected opportunities arise to spend money that maybe aren’t in the budget, something will go off in the individual’s brain that will say ‘this is going to come back to haunt me when we check in at the end of the month.’” “The more you’re aware of your spending and savings habits, the better you’ll be able to meet your budget goals,” adds Danielski, who suggests couples plan “money dates” out of the house to make these check-ins something to look forward to. “Weekly or bi-weekly meetings are helpful if you’re trying to cut back on spending habits,” she says. “Monthly and quarterly meetings may be a better fit if you’re checking in on the overall health of your budget and goals.” These periodic check-ins are also a good time to take a peek at your emergency fund. “If it’s being depleted, that means you’re spending more than your average monthly amount or you’re spending more than is coming in,” D’Ordine says. You’ll want to review your discretionary expenses to see what you can trim (find tips at nymetroparents.com/spending-cuts). But, D’Ordine adds, “if that emergency buffer is creeping up, then that extra money is what you can throw into the college fund or save for a down payment.” While all of this might seem like a massive undertaking, setting up a budget and attacking problem areas now will set you up for success down the road. “Once you’re cash-flow positive and you have more savings and you’re spending less than you earn, you can pay off debt, you can save for a home, you can save for other goals,” Euretig says. “So it’s really crucial and it’s worth the time to get right because it sets you up for literally anything else you want to do financially.”
The School of American Ballet AT L I N C O L N C E N T E R Photos by Rosalie O’Connor
The official school of N E W YO R K C I TY B A L L E T
Auditions in Manhattan for 6 to 10 year olds April 9 April 10 April 16 April 23
6 year olds 9-10 year olds 7-8 year olds 6 year olds
Auditions are held at the School’s headquarters in Manhattan (165 W 65th Street) starting at 4pm.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Visit SAB.ORG/AUDITIONS to register and schedule an audition time.
There is a $35 audition fee for auditions at SAB.
SAB will also hold auditions in Chinatown on April 20 and Harlem on April 21. Visit sab.org/auditions for information.
Winter Term classes begin in September for 8 to 10 year olds and in October for 6 and 7 year olds. | Children must be 6 years old by 9/1/18 to audition and enroll for the 2018-19 Winter Term. | Substantial scholarship program for students with need.
NO PREVIOUS TRAINING NECESSARY
These programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Members Daniel Garodnick, Stephen Levin, and Helen Rosenthal, and by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Big-Apple-Parent.indd 1
BigAppleParent 27 3/20/18 12:40 PM
things to do
outbound
Family Fun a Ride Away
Celeste Roldan
Courtesy Long Island Aquarium
In Suffolk County…
Caumsett State Historic Park
Named after its Matinecock Indian name “Caumsett,” meaning “place by a sharp rock,” this estate contains almost 2,000 acres of land extending into the Long Island Sound. Families can jog, hike, or bike along the miles of paths surrounding the rocky shoreline and salt marsh. Bird watching, fishing, horseback riding, and environmental education are just some of the various activities Caumsett offers. Visit It: 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington; 631-423-1770; caumsettfoundation.org
Long Island Aquarium
Visit one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, several touch tanks, and more than 100 exhibits at the Long Island Aquarium. Upcoming events this month include behind the scenes tours, otter feeding, and an African penguin talk. On April 15, kids can also join their favorite princesses for a tea party. Visit It: 431 E. Main St., Riverhead; 631-208-9200; longislandaquarium.com
Bellevale Farms Creamery Bellevale Farms Creamery is a small, family-run creamery located on a 450-acre dairy farm in Warwick. Families can choose from more than 50 flavors of homemade ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and more, all while enjoying the beautiful view over the rolling hills of Bellevale Farm. The creamery opens at 12pm daily, April-October. Visit It: 1390 Route 17A, Warwick; 845-988-1818; bellvalefarms.com
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Courtesy Connecticut Science Center
Adin Fuchs
o and bey nd!
Connecticut Science Center More than 165 hands-on exhibits, a 3-D digital theater, four education labs, and daily programs and events allow kids to build, design, learn, and more at the Connecticut Science Center. Permanent exhibits include Science Alley, Butterfly Encounter, Exploring Space, and River of Life. The center is perfect for children, teens, and adults who want to learn and explore all kinds of science from physics to forensics, geology, and astronomy. Visit It: 250 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT; 860-724-3623; ctsciencecenter.org
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 Annual Big Swim Big Kick (No. 8 on our list).
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EDITOR: WHITNEY C. HARRIS nyccalendar@davlermedia.com
CALENDAR 30
Editor’s Hot Tickets
31
We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!
32
Little Foodies, Fun Fairs & Festivals
33
Crafty Kids
34
Show Time!, Mini Musicians
35
Movers & Shakers, Special Needs
36
Smarty Pants
37
Holiday Fun, The Great Outdoors
5
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!
1
NYC Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival FREE
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 10am-4pm WHERE: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue, between 49th and 57th streets, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Watch as bonnet-clad Easter-enthusiasts walk up Fifth Avenue in their Sunday best during this NYC tradition that dates back to the 1800s. Every year New Yorkers show off their Easter Bonnets while spectators watch all the festive, pastel glory. WHY WE LOVE IT: You can easily snag a spot near St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the best vantage point. WANT TO GO? saintpatrickscathedral.org.
The New York International Auto Show
WHEN: Through April 8: Monday-Saturday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 10am-7pm WHERE: Jacob Javits Convention Center, 655 W. 34th St., Chelsea AGES: All WHAT: Families who are into cars will get a kick out of seeing new models, sitting behind the wheel, and exploring inside endless vehicles. Many exhibitors have activities geared toward kids, too. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s the oldest and most famous automotive show in the country! WANT TO GO? $17; $7 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-216-2000. autoshowny.com.
2
3 30
‘Love Heals All Wounds’
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 3pm and 7:30pm WHERE: NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Featuring the intricate and urban choreography of Lil
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Buck and Jon Boogz, the stirring words of spoken word artist Robin Sanders, and an all-star cast of movement artists. WHY WE LOVE IT: The piece addresses social issues such as police brutality and violence in America, while seeking to promote diversity, inclusion, and empathy as a uniting force. WANT TO GO? $40. 212-998-4941. nyuskirball.org.
The Big Apple Comic Con
WHEN: April 14-15, Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Penn Plaza Pavilion, 401 Seventh Ave., Chelsea AGES: All WHAT: Expect dozens of independent and up-and-coming comics creators and publishers displaying their work. Plus, plenty of panel programming, films, and special kids activities, alongside comics, toys, T-shirts, DVDs, cards, collectibles, and jewelry for sale. WHY WE LOVE IT: If you love comic books, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or pop culture, this is the weekend plan for you. WANT TO GO? $25; $15 for children younger than 14. nycbm.com.
4
‘Air Play’
WHEN: Through April 15: Friday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Watch as umbrellas take flight, balloons sprout minds of their own, and shimmering silks ripple to the rafters in a modern circus spectacle. The globetrotting Acrobuffos, Seth Bloom, and Christina Gelsone, animate airflow, goad gravity, and make buoyant, beautiful, and really, really high art out of the very thing we breathe. WHY WE LOVE IT: This show is one that will entertain parents as much as kids! WANT TO GO? $16 and up. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.
5
6
‘Bubble Guppies Live! Ready to Rock’
WHEN: April 14-15, Saturday, 2pm and 5:30pm; Sunday, 11am and 2:30pm WHERE: Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: The Bubble Guppies are getting ready to rock ‘n’ roll with everyone’s favorite tunes, but when a special band member goes missing, the show can’t go on. With help from Mr. Grouper and giggly little fish, Molly, Gil, and the whole gang embark on a musical expedition as they search every corner of their bubbly world for their friend. WHY WE LOVE IT: What’s better than your kid’s favorite TV show coming to life on stage? WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 212-465-6000. msg.com.
Being Green Fest
WHEN: April 21-22, Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Engage in all kinds of Earth Day-related activities, such as seed pod making, creating your own herb garden, and forming rice balls through mottaina: a Japanese concept that means “don’t be wasteful.” WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids will love all the hands-on activities that demonstrate how to help the environment. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 212-721-1223. cmom.org.
7
Annual Big Swim Big Kick FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 11am WHERE: Asphalt Green’s Upper East Side Campus, 1750 York Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids can experience the thrill of their first swim race in an Olympic-size pool and play outdoor soccer-based games. Participants receive a medal, T-shirt, and ice cream. The event will also feature exhibitions by Olympic divers and freestyle soccer pros. WHY WE LOVE IT: Meet five-time Olympic swimming gold medalist Dana Vollmer, and University of Florida women’s head soccer coach Becky Burleigh. WANT TO GO? 212-369-8890. asphaltgreen.org.
8
Street Games 2018 FREE
9
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 11am-3pm WHERE: Thomas Jefferson Park, 114th Street and First Avenue, East Harlem AGES: All WHAT: Play old-school street games from the ’60s and ’70s such as pogo sticks, Hula-Hoops, double Dutch, hippity hop, yo-yos, box car derby, jumbo games, an obstacle course, Imagination Playground, ultimate disc, and wheelchair basketball. WHY WE LOVE IT: See performances by a yo-yo master, hip-hop breakdancers, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. WANT TO GO? 212-360-1319. nycgovparks.org.
‘The Velveteen Rabbit: A New Dance Musical’
WHEN: April 28-29, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Margery Williams’ classic story comes to life in this all-new dance musical. Enter the magical world of the Velveteen Rabbit, the toy who’s transformed into a living creature by the power of a child’s love. WHY WE LOVE IT: Families will love entering a whimsical world full of original music. WANT TO GO? $18 and up. 212-415-5500. 92y.org.
10
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. Annual Shearing of the Heather Celebration FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 7, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Fort Tryon Park, Heather Garden, Cabrini Boulevard and Fort Washington Avenue, Fort Washington AGES: All WHAT: Bring your musical instrument for this annual rite of spring and parade through the Heather garden, make flower-themed crafts, and more. WANT TO GO? 212-795-1388. forttryonparktrust.org.
New York Tartan Day Parade FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 7, 2pm WHERE: Sixth Avenue, West 45th to West 55th streets, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Scottish heritage and pride. This year’s Grand Marshal is award-winning Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall. WANT TO GO? 212-980-0844. nyctartanweek.org.
Macy’s Flower Show 2018 FREE
WHEN: Through April 8: Monday-Saturday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Macy’s Herald Square, 151 W. 34th St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Stop by Macy’s annual welcome to spring. This year’s theme is Once Upon a Springtime. WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400. macys.com.
Cherry Blossom Festival FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 12-4pm WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, Fields 62/63 next to the Urban Farm, Randall’s Island AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the spring season and Japanese culture with paper flower making, face painting, kite flying, origami with Taro’s Origami Studio, kimono try-ons with New York de Volunteer, and more. WANT TO GO? 212-860-1899. randallsisland.org.
Central Park Tour Discovery Walk for Families: Gardens FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 10-11:30am WHERE: Vanderbilt Gate at Conservatory Garden, Fifth Avenue between 104th and 105th streets, Central Park AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Discover the difference between the various flowers and landscapes that make up the park’s only formal garden. WANT TO GO? 212-310-6600. centralparknyc.org. ›› BigAppleParent 31
FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS FIRST New York City Robotics Competition and Expo FREE
WHEN: April 7-8, Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5pm WHERE: The Armory Track & Field Center, 216 Fort Washington Ave., Washington Heights AGES: 3 and older WHAT: High school students are challenged to put their custom-built robots to the test. The tournament includes demos and college and career fairs. WANT TO GO? 212-923-1803. nycfirst.org/nycregional2018.
LITTLE FOODIES Infants & Young Children Family Shabbat Dinner
WHEN: Friday, April 13, 5:30-7pm WHERE: Marlene Meyerson JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Share the joy of celebrating Shabbat with family and friends. The meal will begin with appetizers and an interactive sing-along, followed by blessings and a delicious dinner. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $18; free for children younger than 2. 646-505-5700. jccmanhattan.org.
Shababa Kids in the Kitchen
WHEN: Friday, April 13, 1-2:30pm WHERE: 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Kids and grown-ups sing Shabbat songs and blessings with Rebecca, explore Jewish recipes, set a beautiful Shabbat table, and celebrate with family and friends. WANT TO GO? $50. 212-415-5500. 92y.org.
Family Films: Yum! Films About Food FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 12-1pm WHERE: The Museum of Modern Art, 4 W. 54th St., Midtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Enjoy five short films all about yummy eats and treats, followed by engaging discussions with a museum educator, and suggestions for follow-up activities in the museum’s galleries. WANT TO GO? 212-708-9805. moma.org/family.
Taste of Battery Park
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 12-3pm WHERE: Battery Park Esplanade, south side of the North Cove Marina, Battery Park AGES: All WHAT: A fundraising fest full of food to benefit P.S. 89. Restaurants include Le Pain Quotidien, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Del Frisco’s, Financier, Parm, PJ Clarkes, and Danny Meyers’ Shake Shack, Blue Smoke, and North End Grill. The Kids Corner will have face painting and tattoo art, plus musical entertainment and sports activities. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 212-571-5659. tasteofbatteryparkcity.com.
New Moms Breakfast
WHEN: Wednesday, April 25, 10am-12pm WHERE: Marlene Meyerson JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: New mothers can treat themselves to breakfast and bring along their babies while meeting other new moms and talking with special guest experts. Sponsored by Bugaboo. WANT TO GO? $20. 646-505-5700. jccmanhattan.org. 32
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Artopia! FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 11am-2pm WHERE: The Anderson School, 100 W. 77th St., Upper West Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Professional artists will lead age-appropriate projects inspired by art from around the world. WANT TO GO? 212-586-2330. wingspanarts.org.
Moroccan Cultural Festival
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Moroccan culture with workshops and performances inspired by artistic traditions. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.
Spring Family Fair
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 2-4:30pm WHERE: The Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Ave., Murray Hill AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Inspire your family’s love of books with a visit to Mr. Morgan’s historic library, explore exhibits, compose poetry, and make crafts. WANT TO GO? $20; $13 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger. 212-685-0008. themorgan.org.
EarthFest
WHEN: Sunday, April 22, 7am-6pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy yoga in the Cullman Hall of the Universe, a large-scale dance by the Pilobolus troupe using lighted umbrellas under the blue whale in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, and more. WANT TO GO? $23; $18 seniors and students; $13 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2. 212-769-5100. amnh.org.
Pointe Shoe Workshop and Fair
WHEN: Sunday, April 22, 6:30pm WHERE: The School at Steps, 2121 Broadway, Upper West Side AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Vendors will include Capezio, Chacott by Freed of London, Gaynor Minden, Grishko, and Hannah Bush, along with various panelists. WANT TO GO? $15. 212-874-3678. stepsnyc.com.
Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival
WHEN: April 28-29, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: The festival will feature performances and kid-centric activities such as family tea ceremonies, taiko drumming lessons, and an origami workshop. WANT TO GO? $25; $20 students ages 12-17; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.
Decorative Paper Capes
WHEN: April 2-6, Monday-Friday, 12-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: April is all about wearable art at the museum, beginning with paper capes that incorporate exciting weaves of color and patterns. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.
Design Kids Family Day FREE
WHEN: April 2-7, Monday-Saturday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Design Kids Family Day programs are facilitated by a museum educator. Join in for free design activities, storytelling, and gallery bingo. WANT TO GO? 212-849-8400. cooperhewitt.org.
Workshops: Memory of Material with Camille Hoffman
WHEN: Saturday, April 7, 1-3pm WHERE: Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, Columbus Circle AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Students are invited to create their own invented landscapes following an introduction to collage and painting techniques. Materials will be provided, however participants are encouraged to bring their own. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-299-7777. madmuseum.org.
Family Afternoon: Lasting Legacy
WHEN: Sunday, April 8, 1-4pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Drop in for free, hands-on family fun. This afternoon’s theme is Lasting Legacy, presented in conjunction with the exhibition Golden Kingdoms: Luxury and Legacy in the Ancient Americas. WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.
Spring Break Arts and Crafts
WHEN: Through April 8: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden, 421 E. 61st St., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Drop in to make a 19th-century craft, try historic games, and play with historic toys in the garden. Family-friendly tours included. WANT TO GO? $8; free for children younger than 12. 212-838-6878. mvhm.org.
MADmakes with Esperanza Cortés
WHEN: Thursday, April 12, 6pm WHERE: Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, Columbus Circle AGES: All WHAT: Create your own earring or pendant using glass beads, chain, thread, wax, feathers, leather, paper, plastic, small personal photographs, shaped wire, and a variety of mixed-media elements. WANT TO GO? Free with pay-what-you-wish admission. 212-299-7777. madmuseum.org.
Family Tours at The Met Breuer
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 11am-12pm and 2-3pm WHERE: The Met Breuer, 945 Madison Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12
Family Day: Design for Living
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm WHERE: Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Families will see examples of creative designs and new options for affordable housing being built in other countries. Kids will then have a chance to create their own innovative housing designs for New York City. WANT TO GO? $6; $12 children. 212-358-6133. centerforarchitecture.org.
Botanical Prints
WHEN: April 16-22, daily, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Use colored pencils on scratch-foam to create your own prints. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 1. 212-274-0986. cmany.org.
Family Sundays: Treasures From The Earth
WHEN: April 8-29, Sundays, 1-4pm WHERE: The Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Create hidden treasures, inspired by The Second Buddha: Master of Time—an exhibition all about revealing gems of wisdom. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org. ››
German
Lessons Children
for
CRAFTY KIDS
WHAT: Share ideas and enjoy gallery activities that bring works of art to life. This month, explore Like Life: Sculpture, Color, and the Body (1300-Now). WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-731-1675. metmuseum.org.
Bilingual German After School Program NY State Accredited Language Program
Low Tuition No Previous German Necessary Classes Meet Once a Week Playgroup (Franklin Square only), age 4-5 Kindergarten Age 5-6 • Other Classes Ages 6-15 Three convenient locations in the Greater New York Area: Manhattan, NY (Upper East Side), Franklin Square, Garden City
Classes start the second week in September. For more information see:
www.German-American-School.org Teaching German for 119 years! or call 212-787-7543 BigAppleParent 33
SHOW TIME! ‘Are You My Mother?’
WHEN: Sunday, April 8, 1:30pm WHERE: Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St., Tribeca AGES: 3-8 WHAT: With the help of Dog, Cat, and Hen, Baby Bird sets out in search of Mother Bird. WANT TO GO? $30. 212-220-1460. tribecapac.org.
‘Robin Hood Now’
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 2:30pm WHERE: The Tank, 312 W. 36th St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Robin Hood Now updates the folklore by drawing inspiration from real stories about acts of kindness shared by children around New York. WANT TO GO? $10-$15. 419-349-2465. sparkmovementcollective.org.
‘Sleeping Beauty’
WHEN: April 7-15, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Galli Theater, 357 W. 36th St., 2nd Floor, Midtown AGES: 3-12 WHAT: A wicked fairy is upset at not being invited to a princess’s birthday celebration and casts a sleeping spell on the kingdom for 100 years. WANT TO GO? $20; $15 children. 212-731-0668. gallitheaternyc.com.
‘Cinderella the Musical’
WHEN: Through April 22: Saturdays, 3pm; Sundays, 11am WHERE: The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St., Greenwich Village AGES: 3-8 WHAT: There are interactive arts workshops prior to the performance. WANT TO GO? $32 and up. 212-475-1237. literallyalive.com.
Story Pirates
WHEN: April 7 and 28, Saturdays, 12pm WHERE: Arthur Seleen Theatre at The Drama Book Shop, 250 W. 40th St., Midtown AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Using stories submitted by children, the Story Pirates create outlandishly funny sketches and mini-musicals. WANT TO GO? $35. 347-878-6798. storypirates.com.
New York Theatre Ballet Presents ‘The Alice-in-Wonderland Follies’
WHEN: April 28-29, Saturday, 1pm; Sunday, 11am, 1pm, and 3:30pm WHERE: Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St., Upper East Side AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Follow Alice’s adventures through Wonderland. This ballet draws on a range of cultural dance forms, from Irish step dancing to African Juba. WANT TO GO? $34; $24 for children 12 and younger. 212-355-6160. nytb.org.
‘Rumpelstiltskin’
WHEN: April 21-29, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Galli Theater, 357 W. 36th St., 2nd Floor, Midtown AGES: 3-12 WHAT: A miller’s daughter promises her first-born child in return for a favor. WANT TO GO? $20; $15 children. 212-731-0668. gallitheaternyc.com.
New York City Children’s Theater Presents ‘The Little Red Fish’
WHEN: April 7-29, Saturday-Sunday, 11am and 2pm WHERE: The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row, 410 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: 3-8 WHAT: When Jeje is allowed to accompany his grandfather to the library, he brings his pet fish in a bowl. But the fish disappears into a book and Jeje must dive in and travel through the pages to follow his friend. WANT TO GO? $29.25. 646-721-4375. nycchildrenstheater.org. 34
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‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show’
WHEN: Through May 20: 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. 800-982-2787. hungrycaterpillarshow.com.
‘Geniuses’
WHEN: April 28-May 20, Friday, 7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 2pm and 4pm WHERE: TADA! Youth Theater, 15 W. 28th St., 3rd Floor, Chelsea AGES: All WHAT: A musical about two kids from a school for children who learn differently, who sneak into an elite private school for students with exceptionally high IQs and shake things up for the better. WANT TO GO? $25; $15 children. 212-252-1619. tadatheater.com.
MINI
MUSICIANS Very Young People’s Concerts
WHEN: April 8-9, Sunday, 12:30pm and 3pm; Monday, 10:30am WHERE: Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th St., Upper West Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: The New York Philharmonic presents this program titled “Make-Believe,” and is the second installment in Philharmonic Playdates, the season’s theme that imagines playdates with the orchestra. WANT TO GO? $26 and up. 212-875-5656. nyphil.org.
Hopalong Andrew and Band Family Concert
WHEN: Sunday, April 22, 11:30am-12:30pm WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Hear the down-home sounds of Hopalong Andrew and band of world-class Americana musicians as they playfully adapt traditional folk songs and classic country songs to reflect city life for urban cowpokes. WANT TO GO? $18. 212-423-3200. jewishmuseum.org.
Speakin’ Spanish at the Upper West Side with Bilingual Birdies FREE
WHEN: April 9-30, Mondays, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: St. Agnes Library, 444 Amsterdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: The musicians play guitar and percussion, lead puppetry routines, and finish with a bubble dance party! Select from Spanish, French, or Mandarin. There will be instruments and props for children to use. WANT TO GO? 646-443-1313. bilingualbirdies.com.
MOVERS & SHAKERS SPECIAL NEEDS Start with Art and Music
WHEN: Thursday, April 5, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Look, move, and sing while exploring art and music together in the galleries. This month’s theme is “Powerful Objects.” WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.
An Evening with New Chamber Ballet: A Tribute to Claude Debussy
Artists at the Atrium: Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could FREE
WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: David Rubenstein Atrium, 61 W. 62nd St., Upper West Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Get ready for a whimsical Americana mashup when the Grammynominated singer and songwriter brings his rootsy, accordion-laced pop and rock tunes to Lincoln Center. Designed for kids on the autism spectrum, this performance is part of the Big Umbrella Festival. WANT TO GO? 212-875-5000. kidsportal.lincolncenter.org.
WHEN: April 6-7, Friday-Saturday, 8pm WHERE: City Center Studio 5, 130 W. 56th St., Midtown AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Choreographer Miro Magloire’s New Chamber Ballet in original ballets to music by Debussy, and contemporary Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho, all played live on piano and violin. WANT TO GO? $29; $16 students and children. 212-868-4444. newchamberballet.com.
Workshops for Kids with Disabilities FREE
Go Out And Play! Old-Time Games at Eldridge
Light Show
Wellness Weekend
Big Umbrella Festival
WHEN: Sunday, April 8, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St., Lower East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Stickball, stoopball, handball, hit the penny, jump rope, and jacks were games that once ruled the New York City streets. WANT TO GO? $14; $8 seniors and children; free for children younger than 5. 212-219-0302. eldridgestreet.org. WHEN: April 7-8, Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5pm WHERE: Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens, 37 W. 65th St., 3rd Floor, Upper West Side AGES: 3 and older WHAT: State-of-the-art studios will hold dance, fitness, and wellness classes. WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 212-457-0035. broadwaydancecenter.com.
Baby and Me Yoga
WHEN: Sunday, April 8, 3-4pm WHERE: Marlene Meyerson JCC, 334 Amserdam Ave., Upper West Side AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: This baby-and-me yoga class focuses on strengthening the spiritual, emotional, and physical bond between parent and child using interactive, slow-moving postures. WANT TO GO? $25. 646-505-5700. jccmanhattan.org.
Parkinson’s Unity Walk
WHEN: Saturday, April 28, 8:30am-1pm WHERE: Central Park, Starts at 72nd Street Bandshell, Central Park AGES: All WHAT: The 24th annual 1.4-mile walk in Central Park gathers thousands of participants. One-hundred percent of donations go to Parkinson’s disease research funded by five major U.S. Parkinson’s foundations. WANT TO GO? Donations accepted. 866-789-9255. unitywalk.org.
Telling Tales in Art FREE
WHEN: April 1-29, Saturday-Sunday, 10:20-11:30am WHERE: The Museum of Modern Art, 4 W. 54th St., Midtown AGES: 5-12, adult WHAT: Engage in lively discussions and fun activities while searching for stories in modern masterpieces and cutting-edge contemporary art. WANT TO GO? 212-708-9805. moma.org.
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 10:30am-12:30pm WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Examine art on view and create a work of your own in these programs for families with children who have developmental and learning disabilities. Workshops include gallery activities and a project. WANT TO GO? 212-423-3200. jewishmuseum.org. WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Samuels Teaching Studio, 165 W. 65th St., 7th Floor, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: The show takes children and their families on a multisensory journey of textures, smells, and tactile experiences, all accompanied by enchanting live music from a virtuoso double bass player. WANT TO GO? $25. 212-721-6500. lincolncenter.org/big-umbrella. WHEN: April 14-May 6, Saturday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Lincoln Center, Broadway and 65th Street, Upper West Side AGES: 3-17 WHAT: The Big Umbrella Festival is the world’s first month-long festival dedicated to performing arts programs for children on the autism spectrum and their families, offering three original interactive theater productions made for your family, as well as relaxed performances across the Lincoln Center campus. WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 212-875-5833. bigumbrellafestival.org.
Autism Spectrum Tour: The Discovery Squad FREE
WHEN: Through 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: 5-12 WHAT: This powerful new 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. ›› BigAppleParent 35
goons, an organization that brings to life the first congressionally authorized cavalry regiment in American history. Watch a saber drill and take a close look at their special helmets, military saddle, and other equipment. 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.
Invisible Inventions Workshop FREE
SMARTY PANTS
Everyday Heroes
WHEN: April 3-6, Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-7pm; Friday, 10am-2pm WHERE: New York City Fire Museum, 278 Spring St., Hudson Square AGES: All WHAT: Renowned artist Alexander Millar’s new art series will be on display to honor the members of the fire and emergency medical services. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 seniors, students, and for children younger than 12. 212-691-1303. nycfiremuseum.org.
Math Encounters: ‘Seeing Symmetry: the Artful Mathematics of Wallpaper Patterns’ with Frank A. Farris FREE WHEN: Wednesday, April 4, 4-5:30pm and 7-8:30pm WHERE: National Museum of Mathematics, 11 E. 26th St., Gramercy AGES: All WHAT: Join for a visually stimulating session about symmetry. WANT TO GO? 212-542-0566. momath.org.
Family Fridays at MoMath: ‘Playing with Pentominoes’ with Henri Picciotto FREE
WHEN: Friday, April 6, 6:30-8pm WHERE: National Museum of Mathematics, 11 E. 26th St., Gramercy AGES: All WHAT: Pentominoes—five equal-sized squares joined together—provide a host of classic challenges in the world of recreational mathematics. Discover them, play with them, and explore a variety of visual puzzles that span the whole range. WANT TO GO? 212-542-0566. momath.org.
April School Vacation Week: History Hunt
WHEN: April 3-6, Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-6pm; Friday, 10am-8pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Go on a history hunt in the DiMenna Children’s History Museum to search for unique objects and learn fun facts about American history. 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: Friday, April 13, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: The Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: In workshops led by Ayman Mukerji Househam, families can learn how to apply the tenets of mindfulness to family interactions. WANT TO GO? $50. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.
Living History: Fighting the Revolution on Horseback
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 11am-4pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Meet living historians from the Second Continental Light Dra36
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: April 7-21, Saturdays, 1-4pm WHERE: Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, Lower Manhattan AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Explore Native American artist Julie Nagam’s work, Our future is in the land: if we listen to it. Illuminate your own hidden images and messages by creating simple circuits with paper and LEDs. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 212-514-3710. nmai.si.edu.
A Rebellious Brew: New York’s Tea Party of 1774
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 11am-1pm WHERE: Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl St., Financial District AGES: All WHAT: Boston wasn’t the only Colonial city to have its own ‘tea party’ in revolutionary times. Many seaport cities, including New York, had their own rebellions. Join licensed New York City Tour Guide Fred Cookinham to envision New York’s 1774 waterfront and discover why the city was so late in the game to revel in patriotic spirit. WANT TO GO? $20. 212-425-1778. frauncestavernmuseum.org.
‘The Number On Great-Grandpa’s Arm’
WHEN: Through April 29: Sunday-Tuesday, 10am-6pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-8pm; Friday, 10am-3pm WHERE: Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place, Battery Park City AGES: All WHAT: When 10-year-old Elliott asks his 90-year-old great-grandfather, Jack, about the number tattooed on his arm, he sparks an intimate conversation about Jack’s life that spans happy memories of childhood in Poland, the loss of his family, surviving Auschwitz, and finding a new life in America. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 students and children ages 13-17; free for children 12 and younger. 646-437-4202. mjhnyc.org.
Tours for Fours: Art in Motion, Motion in Art FREE
WHEN: April 1-29, 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 you explore motion in works of modern and contemporary art. WANT TO GO? 212-708-9805. moma.org.
Second Sundays Dig Drop-In
WHEN: Sunday, April 8, 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.
Art Explorers
WHEN: Through May 15: Tuesdays, 4-5pm WHERE: The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Preschoolers and their adult companions can explore Scenes from the Collection, the museum’s new collection exhibition, through themed tours and engaging gallery activities, followed by a visit to the museum’s art studio. WANT TO GO? $10. 212-423-3200. jewishmuseum.org.
HOLIDAY FUN
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 10am-12pm WHERE: The High Line Hotel, 180 Tenth Ave., Chelsea AGES: All WHAT: Kids will hop for all the spring-themed fun, such as petting zoos, crafts, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. There will also be face painting, balloon animals, and snacks. WANT TO GO? 347-624-8533. thehighlinehotel.com.
Kids Week Manhattan FREE
Easter Celebration FREE
Easter Brunch and Skating With the Easter Bunny
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 8:30am-2pm WHERE: The Rink at Rockefeller Center, 600 Fifth Ave., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Skate around the rink with the Easter Bunny. Then, enjoy a brunch and family photo opportunity at the Rock Center Café or The Sea Grill. WANT TO GO? $65 and up; $40 children. 212-332-7654. therinkatrockcenter.com.
Easter Kids Party Cruise
WHEN: April 2-4, Monday-Wednesday, 1-2:30pm WHERE: Inwood Hill Park and Central Park, Inwood and Central Park AGES: All WHAT: Learn all about the important role reptiles and amphibians play in our local ecosystem, get to know more urban wildlife, and join Park Rangers for a walk to identify trees. WANT TO GO? 212-304-2277. nycgovparks.org.
Earth Day New York 2018 FREE
WHEN: Sunday, April 15, 12-7pm WHERE: Union Square, Broadway and East 17th Street, Union Square AGES: 3 and older WHAT: This annual event features dozens of exhibitors, including environmental nonprofits, green businesses, kids’ activities, and live performances. WANT TO GO? 212-922-0048. earthdayinitiative.org.
Earth Day 5K Green Tour 2018
WHEN: March 31-April 1, Saturday-Sunday, 11am, 2:45pm, and 5:45pm WHERE: Harbor Lights Cruise at Skyport Marina, 2430 FDR Drive, Peter Cooper Village AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Hop aboard and enjoy pictures with the Easter Bunny, face painting, dancing, and more. Food and beverages available for purchase. WANT TO GO? $35; free for children younger than 1. 917-776-3479. eventbrite.com.
WHEN: Friday, April 20, 9am-1pm WHERE: Union Square, Broadway and East 17th Street, Union Square AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The tour is a fantastic way to get outside on Earth Day and get involved with some of the great green groups around NYC. Sites this year include a living green wall and a Broadway theater that’s going green. You’ll travel from site to site and learn about what each group is doing on the ground to help green the city. WANT TO GO? $30. 212-922-0048. earthday5k.eventbrite.com.
The Amazing Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt
Discovery Walk for Families: Statues and Monuments FREE
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 1:30-4:30pm WHERE: Slattery’s Midtown Pub, 8 E. 36th St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: A series of clues leads you around the city. WANT TO GO? $39. 718-344-8962. pogoevents.com.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny FREE
WHEN: Sunday, April 1, 9:30am, 12:30pm, and 2:30pm WHERE: Stella 34 Trattoria, Macy’s Herald Square, 151 W. 34th St., 6th Floor, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Features a delightful breakfast with views of the Empire State Building, a keepsake photograph with the Easter Bunny, and activities. WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400. stella34easter.com.
Easter Celebration
WHEN: March 31-April 2, Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm; Monday, 10am-4:45pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Easter with a weekend full of colorful activities starting with a museum-wide Easter egg hunt. WANT TO GO? $14; $11 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 212721-1223. cmom.org.
WHEN: April 7 and 21, Saturdays, 10-11:30am WHERE: Central Park, Information Kiosk, East 72nd Street, Upper East Side AGES: 5 and older WHAT: A kid-friendly adventure to discover the secrets and mysteries of Central Park’s most beloved children’s sculptures. Learn about some of the park’s most popular statues including Balto, Alice in Wonderland, and Hans Christian Andersen through guided activities. WANT TO GO? 212-310-6600. centralparknyc.org.
Central Park Discovery Walk for Families: Towering Trees FREE
WHEN: April 14-May 28, Saturdays, 1-2:30pm WHERE: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth avenues, Central Park AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Bring your family for a guided walk and discover why Central Park is a sanctuary for plants, animals, and humans alike. Learn about the architecture, landscapes, and ecosystems of the park through handson exploration using Discovery Kits: rugged backpacks filled with kidfriendly binoculars, field guides, and hand lenses. WANT TO GO? 212-310-6600. centralparknyc.org.
Coming up next month: MAY 4-5: Bike Expo New York, Pier 36 at Basketball City, Lower Manhattan MAY 13: Mother’s Day Celebration, Central Park Zoo, Upper East Side MAY 19: Annual Dance Parade and Festival, Union Square to Tompkins Square Park, East Village BigAppleParent 37
April things to do
where-to guide
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Compiled by Samantha Neudorf
Activities
Courtesy Brooklyn Cyclones
They say April showers bring May flowers, but why should a little rain stop you from getting outside? With the onset of warmer weather (and quite frankly more daylight now that we have sprung forward for Daylight Saving Time), there is no excuse to hibernate at home anymore. Get out to a farmers’ market to gather local, in-season produce or head to a fundraising walk to support a cause. Minor league baseball season is also around the corner, which is always a great reason to root for your home team. And finally, books are always in season, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t pay a visit your local bookstore to sharpen your child’s mind and imagination.
FARMERS’ MARKETS
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Union Square Greenmarket Union Square Park, Union Square West between 14th and 17th streets, Union Square grownyc.org/greenmarket/manhattan-union-square-m Hours: Year-round: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday-Saturday, 8am-6pm More than 140 vendors are in attendance during peak season, complete with chef and cooking demonstrations, school and adult tours, and a constantly packed schedule filled with events and activities. Find more>> farmers’ markets in Manhattan at nymetroparents.com/farmers-markets.
MCU Park offers a unique view of the Parachute Jump and the Atlantic Ocean.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Brooklyn Cyclones Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League (New York Mets) MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave., Coney Island, Brooklyn brooklyncyclones.com Season begins June 16 Tickets: $10-$17 in advance Through the Field of Dreams program, youth baseball, softball, and Little League teams can stand side by side, in uniform, with the Cyclones while the national anthem plays at the start of the game (you must purchase a minimum of 20 tickets to participate in this program). Fireworks are free after every Friday and Saturday home game. On Sunday Fundays, kids can run the bases after the game and get the chance to play catch on the field before the game. Find more>> local minor league teams at nymetroparents.com/ballparks.
BOOKSTORES Strand Book Store 828 Broadway, East Village 212-473-1452; strandbooks.com Join in for weekend story times and crafts on the second floor of this independent bookstore established in 1927.
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Find more>> children’s bookstores in Manhattan at nymetroparents.com/bookstores.
FUNDRAISING WALKS March for Babies Columbus Avenue, between 62nd and 65th streets, Upper West Side marchforbabies.org March for Babies, sponsored by the March of Dimes foundation, raises funds for babies born prematurely and children born with birth defects. This year’s walk takes place April 29.
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Find more>> fundraising walks in Manhattan at nymetroparents.com/walks.
Junior Division: First Steps & Bounding Boys (ages 3-6)
OPE N HOU S E FOR P R O S P EC T I V E FA M I L I E S
SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018 A T 9 : 3 0 AM
Photos by Rosalie O’Connor
Join us during our open house and learn more about creative movement programs at The Ailey School. For more information and to sign-up to attend the open house, please visit: TheAileySchool.edu
BigAppleParent 39
Planning a Blowout Birthday Party Whether you’re celebrating a major milestone or simply want to have an extra-special party, these tips from event planners can help you create a totally terrific bash. By Samantha Neudorf
W
hen I turned 9, my mom rented a limousine for my friends and me to ride in for an afternoon tea party. To this day it has been a favorite birthday party of mine, and a memory I continue to treasure. Birthdays are occasions that kids will remember for the rest of their lives, and birthday parties are a way to hold those memories in place. Sometimes, you want to make those celebrations extra-big, either because you’re marking a major milestone—such as a bar or bat mitzvah, quinceañera, or sweet 16—or simply for the fun of it. Where do you begin? We asked event planners (though you may think they’re only for weddings, you can find those who plan children’s birthday parties, too) what to keep in mind.
Pick the venue and DJ (if you’re having one) first.
The venue is key when piecing together the rest of the details for your child’s party. This locks you into a specific neighborhood or town, and helps narrow down the options for additional elements, if desired, such as caterers and entertainment. If you’re planning a bar or bat mitzvah and live in a town with a large Jewish population, book your venue early. “If you wait too long, you may end up with a venue that’s too big or not big enough, or too expensive and not your style because you were stuck with what was available,” says Melisa Imberman, president of The Event of a Lifetime Inc., an event planning company in Westchester County. For other types of birthday parties, families should start booking a venue at least a month beforehand. Marla Mase, founder of PARTYpoopers, a kids’ party planning company serving the greater New York area, says families call her anywhere from a month to six months in advance for all types of parties, including first birthdays. Securing a venue also allows you (or your event planner, if you’re using one) to see the space and pick out the décor and design for the party. “You can’t really plan décor and design if you don’t know where [the venue] is because you need to know what kind of space you’re working with,” Mase says.
Set a budget.
One helpful hint is to decide what aspects of the party to prioritize. For example, a family planning a daughter’s sweet 16 may invest more in having a DJ and photo booth, and may opt for cheaper food because it’s not the focal point of the party. “Your number of guests is the biggest contributor to your budget,” Imberman says. “There are some variables that are not going to change with your number of guests, but there are some, like food and beverage, that will.” A benefit of hiring an event planner is they develop a rapport 40
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
Peter Oberc Photography
››
Morgan I. celebrates her bat mitzvah, planned by The Event of a Lifetime Inc., with her friends
with vendors and venues and can offer discounts. Event planners have a list of clients they continually work with, which saves families the time and effort of doing their own research. “I represent a potential party every weekend, so although most people want to make customers happy, [vendors] want to make me happy because I bring them repeated business,” Imberman says.
Adjust the party to your child’s personality.
The party and vibe should reflect your child’s character and feel like it’s very much his own party. Mase plans parties for children of all ages and remembers planning a bat mitzvah for a shy girl who did not want a DJ or dancing, so she instead planned a murder mystery theme. “It was a huge success without any dancing,” Mase says. “You have to know your kids—don’t create an event for them that’s not for them.”
Discuss details.
Event planners consider everything when putting together a party, from when food will be served to when dancing should start, and serve as liaisons to all moving parts. It’s a smart strategy for families to follow as well. “Even if you have the best caterer and the best DJ, they likely will not talk to each other before the day, Imberman says: “I do a very detailed timeline and communicate it with everyone prior rather than running into an issue before the party.”
Consider hiring security.
It’s strongly recommended for sweet 16s, when teenagers may get rowdy. Security can help keep kids in the party an out of trouble. It’s also advisable to have adult chaperones on buses (if there are any) to monitor the kids.
BIRTHDAY PARTY CHECKLIST Whether you hire an event planner or not, here is a helpful checklist of things to keep in mind when putting together your child’s birthday party. • • • • • • • • • •
Pick a date and time Secure a venue Choose your DJ or entertainment Send out invitations Select a theme and décor Arrange food and catering (don’t forget the cake and candles!) Designate a photographer Plan your outfit Make party favors Mail thank-you cards
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BigAppleParent 41
PartyCentral PARTY ENTERTAINMENT BAKETIVITY 347-534-8131 baketivity.com; help@baketivity.com A scrumptious box of baking activities, along with fun and learning, delivered straight to your door! Order a box to bake for a group or birthday party for a fun-filled experience! 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 BREAKAWAY HOOPS 646-776-2021 x0 breakawayhoops.com info@breakawayhoops.com Breakaway Hoops offers birthday packages for your child’s special occasion. Come celebrate the special day with us and we will make it memorable. BROADWAY DANCE CENTER CHILDREN AND TEENS 37 W. 65th St., 3rd floor 212-582-9304; broadwaydancecenter.com Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens loves a good dance party! Your birthday dancer and guests are sure to love these birthday parties set in our beautiful, spacious studios.
Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.
Choose a theme and party package. Come celebrate with us! 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! CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS 103 Charlton St. 212-274-0986 cmany.org/about/birthdays-rentals/birthdays Art-filled parties begin with time to explore the museum’s hands-on workshops. Experienced teaching artists lead children in your choice of private workshop. Parties end with food and cake. 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 and experience the magic of live theater for your special event! Your child loves the theater and would love to be on stage? Allow your child to experience the most amazing theater party in town! INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue 646-381-5166 intrepidmuseum.org Celebrate your child’s birthday with a one-ofa-kind party! The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space
Museum will captivate groups of all ages and interests. Choose from exciting themes, value packages, and customization options to create a birthday adventure they’ll remember forever!
way to celebrate your child’s next birthday. Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, trampoline, sports, and music are tailored to your child’s interests!
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.
PALISADES CLIMB ADVENTURE 4590 Palisades Center Drive, Level 4 of the Palisades Center, West Nyack 845-727-3500; palisadesclimb.com Palisades Climb Adventure offers the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course with 75 unique challenge elements. Our Sky Tykes kids’ ropes course is designed for ages 2-7. Both courses are available for birthday parties. Book your party today!
JUST KIDDING AT SYMPHONY SPACE 2537 Broadway 212-864-1414 x289 symphonyspace.org/justkidding 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.
PIER 62 CAROUSEL Pier 62 at Hudson River Park (by Chelsea Piers) 718-788-2676 pier62carouselnyc.com; info@nycarousel.com Give your child the best birthday with our VIP Birthday Party Package at Hudson River Park’s whimsical carousel on the water!
KATE TEMPESTA’S URBAN GOLF ACADEMY 917-270-7257 ktuga.com/birthday-parties mari@ktuga.com KTUGA’s parties are customized to your child’s interests. Think Pirate Golf Fun or Princess Castle Chipping. Ideal for ages 3-8. Select from different activities to highlight our golf games, including storytelling, shadow screen play, and music and movement. THE LITTLE GYM 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side 212-799-1225; tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side 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
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! SEAGLASS CAROUSEL AT THE BATTERY Water Street and State Street 718-788-2676 seaglasscarousel.nyc; info@nycarousel.com Celebrate your next birthday at SeaGlass Carousel! VIP Birthday Packages start at $535 within your own exclusive party area. Book online: seaglasscarousel.nyc/birthdays. 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 in a private room for pizza.
Children’s Museum of the Arts
Week-Long Hands On Art Making Day Camps For Ages 5 –15 • June 18 - September 7
LOOK
MAKE
SHARE
SUMMER ART COLONY at 103 Charlton and on historic Governors Island! REGISTER TODAY AT CMANY.ORG! 42
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
eventh S r u O nd Year a g din Expan ion iss Our M
Camp Clio
a seriously fun place for adopted children... Youths and Teens Camp Clio
(Ages 9 - 12)
July 1 to July 21, 2018 (1, 2, or 3 weeks) Held at Camp Claire Lyme, CT
Camp Clio Teen
(Ages 13 - 16)
July 1-6 or July 7-13, 2018 (1 or 2 weeks) Held at Middlesex County Camp Moodus, CT
The Shoe Tree
What do you look for in a Shoe Store? • Friendly service • Huge inventory • Knowledgeable staff • Proper fit for all: birth to adult • Frequent buyer program • Socks, hats, jewelry, sunglasses, rain gear THE SHOE TREE HAS ALL THIS AND MORE!
2876 Broadway New York, NY 10025 212-280-1711
theshoetreeonline.com Facebook: The Shoe Tree theshoetree@earthlink.net
Convenient NYC location Broadway between 111th St. and 112th St. #1 subway, M4 & M104 buses
Hours
Monday–Saturday
11am–6:30pm
Sunday
11am–6:00pm Find All Your Summer and Camp Needs Here! Family Owned and Operated in Morningside Heights For Ten Years
BigAppleParent 43
raising kids baby
Sponsored by
What Makes Toddlers Tick Why toddlers do the weird things they do.
M
y toddler will not keep his clothes on. Seconds upon entering our apartment he strips down to his diaper and pretty much stays like that until it’s time to leave again. He also answers almost every question with a “no,” and will only eat out of a green bowl. While we entertain this weirdness because he is only 2, it turns out it might not be so weird after all. I’m sure most parents of toddlers have at least a few things they consider out-of-the-ordinary behavior, and like me, find themselves constantly chasing after a naked dictator while dodging attacks from his green bowl. Toddlers are new to this earth and are figuring things out at their own speed and in their own weird way. Read on for some of the strangest things they do, and why they do them.
No Means No
Chances are if you ask a toddler a question, you will be met with… “No!” “Do you want to go outside?” “No.” “Do you want to eat dinner?” “No.” “How about you put some pants on.” “No!” That last one wasn’t really a question, but you get my drift. So what’s with the negative attitude, tots? Turns out, it’s not 44
April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
››
By Bethany Braun-Silva
really so negative. Toddlers who are learning to express themselves use “no” as way to assert their independence and gain just a bit of control in a world where they are constantly told what to do and when to do it. “Toddlers are gaining independence from their parents. Up until about eighteen months or so, kids really feel as though they are one with their mom (or primary caregiver). Their little brains don’t have the maturity to understand seeing the perspective of another person,” says Amy Webb, creator of the blog thoughtfulparent.com, who has a doctorate in Human Development and Family Sciences and is mom of two. “So as they are gaining this independence, they want to ‘do it myself’ for just about everything, and this could include dressing or just about anything else.” While hearing “no” from your toddler all day long can be increasingly frustrating, just know it means your little one is growing up and growing into herself. Here’s what you can do if your child’s refusal is becoming a bit too much: • Offer choices. Instead of telling your child to put pants
on, ask what color pants he would like to wear today. This leaves little room for a negative answer. • Make it a learning game. Help your child count how many peas are left on her plate as she eats them one at a time. Make it fun! • Watch your language. Toddlers are sponges and will pick up your behavior. Instead of telling your spouse, “No, I’m not watching another episode of The Bachelor tonight,” try saying, “How about we watch a movie we will all enjoy.” • Don’t back down. Toddlers can be defiant, but they need their parents to set boundaries. If what your child is saying no to is a non-negotiable, stand your ground. It will get better.
Again, Again!
I have seen Moana at least 50 times. While it’s a great movie, I’m ready to move on. In fact, since starting this article we have moved on…I am currently on my 20th viewing of Trolls. Ughhhhh. When my toddler finds a movie he likes, he will watch it every day, sometimes twice a day. Melissa Robles from Kew Gardens, Queens, has the same issue with her 2½-year-old. “Gracie is obsessed with reading Green Eggs and Ham. She would have me read it to her ten times in a day, and on more than one occasion, I have,” she says. While this repetition is frustrating for parents, it’s extremely comforting for little ones. “Toddlers really thrive on repetition and it makes them feel safe and it’s also exciting and fun to them,” says Tanya Altmann, M.D., pediatrician, mother, and author of Baby & Toddler Basics: Expert Answers to Parents’ Top 150 Questions. “They like patterns, they like counting the steps walking up to preschool the same way every day, and will get mad if you skip a step.” Toddlers rely on repetitive behavior to know what to expect. Their communication skills are so minimal at this age that knowing what to expect is, in fact, key to their health and happiness. Repetition is actually a great tool for parents, too because if you stick to the same routine, your toddler will know what’s expected of him and will likely do it. Dr. Altmann suggests using this behavior to your advantage. “The good thing about repetition is that you can change any toddler behavior that you want to change. Whether it’s getting them to sleep through the night or eat green vegetables, as long as you’re consistent for a week and offer positive reinforcements and ignore undesired behavior, you can change their behavior,” she says.
Nudity, Nose Picking, and Head Banging
No, this is not the name of the latest Tarantino film, but rather three distinct (and strange) behaviors you might witness from your little one. As I mentioned earlier, the main problem we deal with in our family is getting my toddler to keep his clothes on. While
we manage to keep our little nudist contained at home, sometimes he starts stripping in public. Toddlers have no concept of what’s socially acceptable, so they don’t really see this as a problem. Same goes for nose picking. If your toddler has an itch or a booger, she will stick her finger up her nose because she doesn’t realize it’s a gross thing to do. Teaching your toddler social cues and what’s expected of him in the house and outside of the house will go a long way to making his behavior more acceptable. As for head banging, that’s a bit different. Some toddlers will bang their heads against their crib at night or before falling asleep for a nap. While this behavior can seem worrisome or outright scary, it’s actually completely normal and a way for your toddler to self-soothe. Often head banging happens at night as way for her to get herself to sleep. She is soothed by the rhythm she is creating and will most likely outgrow it in no time.
When to Worry
Toddlers definitely display some strange behaviors from time to time, but there are certain behaviors that could raise a red flag. For instance if your child is using the above-mentioned head banging as a way of cutting off interaction from you and others, it might be time to reach out to your pediatrician. Also, “if your child consistently is testing limits to the point where it’s driving you crazy and it’s disrupting everyone in the house and causing a lot of extra stress, that could be a sign that there is something else going on with your toddler, and you may want to talk to your pediatrician,” Dr. Altmann says. Rafi Bilek, LCSW, director of Baltimore Therapy Center, suggests parents watch out for certain behaviors, as they may be indicators of something more serious going on, such as autism or a behavioral disorder: • Regression in language or motor skills (e.g., child was using many words but then can’t seem to speak in words at all; child was running but now can’t seem to walk) • Child screams for hours without a break • Child clutches at private parts anxiously (possible sign of sexual abuse) • Child is violent to the point of causing serious injury to self or others As the parent, you know your child. If any of your toddler’s behaviors seem really strange or off to you, make an appointment with his pediatrician or even ask to chat over the phone. That’s what they’re there for. Raising a toddler is one of the most challenging times for parents—they don’t call it the Terrible 2s for nothing. One thing I know for sure is my toddler is weird (but adorable!), and it’s my job as his mom to help him feel comfortable and safe enough to let his little freak flag fly.
From our sponsors: The mission of Allied Foundation is to impact and improve the health and well-being of residents within Allied Physicians Group’s geographical footprint, which currently includes Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk), Queens, Brooklyn, Richmond, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange. The Allied Foundation funds community-based strategies and initiatives, including Breastfeeding Support (toll-free Support Line: 866-621-2769; Breast Milk Depots), Community Education (free app—AlliedPG—and lectures about such topics as ADHD, managing food allergies, behavioral health, and infant CPR), Early Childhood Literacy (proud partner of Reach Out and Read and The BookFairies); and Community Service (Diaper Bank of Long Island). For more information, visit alliedfoundation.org. BigAppleParent 45
raising kids teen
Is Your Child Ready to Be a CIT? ››
Find out what being a counselor-in-training really means, and what camp directors look for in their trainees. By Lambeth Hochwald
I
f you’re the parent of a teen who lives for anything related to camp, now might be the time to talk to him about applying for a summer job as a counselor-in-training. Turns out, becoming a CIT is the next best thing to being a camper because your teen will get firsthand experience and job training, and have a little fun, too.
How Do I Know My Child Is Ready?
Your teenager may have set up many a lemonade stand or sold Girl Scout cookies, but for most kids a CIT position will be their first job. As a parent, you’ll know that your teen is a great CIT candidate if he or she is extra trustworthy. “An important question for parents to consider is, ‘Would I trust my teen to watch other people’s children?’ suggests Michael Halpern, director of Mosholu Day Camp in the Bronx. If your answer is yes, “That’s usually a good sign that you, as a parent, think that your child would be a great counselor-in-training.” Also ask yourself how reliable your teen is, says Colleen Barnhart, camp director at Camp Claire in Lyme, CT. “When you ask him or her to do something and walk away, does it get done?” she asks. Again, if you’re able to answer ‘yes’ to this question, your child probably is conscientious enough to make a good CIT. To help your teen get ready for the job, give her responsibilities around the house and hold her accountable, Barnhart says. “Assign her chores, show her exactly how to do them by participating with her as a partner, and then have her do that task alone the next week. If she messes up, don’t tell her that it is not her fault. Instead, be constructive. Tell her it’s okay because she is learning and show her how to do better next time.” There’s one more important character trait your child should have: He should really love camp. At Mosholu, for example, 95 46 April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
percent of CITs are ex-campers, and supervisors there have worked up the ranks all the way from their days as campers to unit leader. “The perfect CIT is one who grew up in my camp because they know how things go,” Halpern says. “That’s even more important to us than an application filled with babysitting experience. The fact that you’ve been in camp means that you know about the group dynamic,” Halpern explains. “As CITs, you’re not going to be oneon-one with a child ever, so we need to know that you’ve had that experience interacting in groups.” Last of all, make sure your teen has the right motivation for applying for a CIT job. Does he want to work with kids, or does he just want to be back at camp? “CIT work is hard work,” Barnhart says. “To know if your child is really ready to be a CIT, ask what his goals are for the summer. Be sure he’s clear on why he wants this job.”
The Qualities Camp Directors Value
One of the key qualities of a CIT is an eagerness to learn. “I want my CITs to take on a leadership role and add more responsibilities as they get experiences,” says Peter Corbin, founder and director of Corbin’s Crusaders Sports Club in Greenwich, CT, who hires five to 10 CITs each summer. “When they come to us as a CIT they don’t have a lot of experience. That’s why at the beginning we give them a taste of responsibility, and as they get more and more successful, we give them more. If they’re not as successful, we’ll give them more direction.” The other qualities camp directors look for include good communication skills, maturity, responsibility, respect, care for others, interest in working and engaging with children, teamwork, and initiative, Barnhart says.
“At the beginning, initiative looks like being a willing buddy to a camper for trips to the bathroom or nurse,” she explains. “It’s also helping campers clean their area without being asked, and starting games with campers during downtime...Initiative is one of many qualities that is important for a camp staff to function as a team, because that is what we essentially are when it comes down to it.” Familiarity with the camp can also be an important factor when a teen is hired to be a CIT, Halpern says. “We look at the type of camp they went to and if their camp was similar to ours,” he says. In the end, a meeting without the parents present is a critical part of most hiring procedures. “We like to have a conversation with teens— without their parents there—so we can speak to their maturity and their abilities to be outgoing and friendly,” Halpern says.
YMCA
SUMMER CAMPS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
What Kids Can Expect From a CIT Program
As a CIT, your teen may stay with her assigned bunk or switch around the camp depending on the need for extra help. She could be asked to pitch in on a variety of tasks, such as setting up the baseball fields before campers arrive (including making sure all the equipment is in place), assisting the arts and crafts counselors, or helping the swim instructors. “Typically we give the CITs the option to either be with a group or with an activity,” Corbin says. “I’ve had CITs learn how to become swim instructors and ultimately work as lifeguards, while others tend to work with a particular age group all summer.” Regardless, CITs should expect to always have someone supervising them. Your child should also be prepared for long, tiring days. “CITs tend to get tired very easily because they’re working the full day and may have never done so before,” Corbin says. “They realize quickly that the work isn’t always easy, but it’s also really wonderful to see their sense of pride in the job—they often tell me how cool it was to work with such and such kids, or do a particular job.” In addition, Barnhart says that while CITs should expect fun lessons and team-building activities, they should also realize that, unlike camp itself, not every second is going to be fun. “Working at a camp is a lot of hard, sometimes gross work, especially at resident camps where we are on duty twenty hours a day, six days a week,” she says. “CITs will get tired and frustrated, but it is all part of the process of maturing and learning how to be a camp counselor.” Another thing your child needs to realize is he will in all likelihood not get paid. CITs “are legally campers, so they pay to attend, but we write them letters for community service hours,” Barnhart says. Of course, CIT experience may lead to a paid counselor job in future years. For some kids, it can be a bit of a transition to move from camper to counselor. Barnhart understands this. “I firmly believe in giving CITs the chance to grow into the role and rise to expectations, which is why I don’t call them ‘kids’ anymore,” she says. “They are no longer campers, except legally, so we start treating them like the young adults they are. They are never in charge of supervision but they certainly can assist us with it.” In the end, consider this: Being a CIT is essentially one giant job interview for the next year. “We look for CITs to use feedback to grow,” Barnhart says. “We constantly give CITs feedback on how they are doing, what their strengths are, what we would like to see more of, and specifically what negative behaviors we would like them to be aware of and change. A great CIT will often go out of their way to ask for feedback...reflect on it, and actively try to do better.” That feedback loop is what will enable your teen to become a CIT and then, hopefully, be asked back as a counselor for a future summer. Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based journalist covering trends, relationships, and life in New York City.
10%
Early Bird Discount ENDS APRIL 21
NEW YORK CITY’S YMCA
ymcanyc.org/camp
SINCE 1983
FRENCH LANGUAGE CAMPS in Montréal
Residential and day camp options • • For campers ages 7 to 17 • Located at McGill University in the centre of Montréal
www.mwscamps.com office@mwscamps.com BigAppleParent 47
Camps for Older Kids Asphalt Green Summer Day Camp
555 E. 90th St., Upper East Side 212-298-7900 212 North End Ave. (at Murray Street), Battery Park City 212-298-2900 asphaltgreen.org camps@asphaltgreen.org Asphalt Green Summer Day Camp builds character, confidence, and community. Our core camp values are focal points of every activity, creating a safe space for children to learn and grow. Whether playing sports, doing arts and crafts, or swimming, we encourage campers to be mindful of their actions. Children take the life lessons they learn at camp and apply them to school, sports, and social settings. Our state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor facilities combined with world-class instruction create the ultimate experience. Rich with 30 years of spirit and tradition, you are part of something special at Asphalt Green Summer Day Camp.
Baruch Summer Camp at Baruch College
and more than 30 other options are available. Teens from across the country and worldwide attend. Premium overnight options.
Breakaway Hoops
646-776-2021 x0 breakawayhoops.com info@breakawayhoops.com Breakaway Hoops is a NYC-based basketball company offering youth ages 5-17 fundamental basketball instruction through camps, leagues, and clinics year-round. Our instructors are current or former college and pro players. Our coaches pride themselves on teaching the game in a fun and instructional manner. As a member of Breakaway Hoops you will see significant improvement and growth in your child’s game. We offer weekly NBA-themed summer day basketball camps from June to August. Weekly camps consist of Shooting Camp, Core Skills Camp, and Triple Threat Camp with guess appearance by professional players. Spots are filling up fast! Register today!
55 Lexington Ave. 646-312-5096 athletics.baruch.cuny.edu/sports/2006/1/9 /summercamp.aspx summercamp@baruch.cuny.edu The Baruch College Summer Camp is coed for children ages 5-15. Campers are placed in small groups according to age and supervised by qualified counselors. The program features fun, recreational activities including arts and crafts, sports, computers, and enrichment programs. Swimming lessons are taught and supervised by Red Cross-certified water safety instructors. The camp also offers weekly field trips, theme days, parent visiting days, and an annual talent show. The camp counselor staff and program coordinator specialists are selected for their child care experience and dedication.
Bricks 4 Kidz®
Boston Leadership Institute
37 W. 65th St., 3rd floor 212-582-9304 broadwaydancecenter.com Spend your summer with Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens! Our one-week dance camps are the perfect way for preteens and teens to learn about dance, make new friends, and create lasting memories. Designed for movers of all levels, our camps give boys and girls the opportunity to try a wide variety of styles. The camps will rotate between three themes: Hip-Hop, All Styles, and Broadway! We provide exceptional dance training in a welcoming, supportive atmosphere, promoting strong work ethic, teamwork, and fun!
781-431-2514 bostonleadershipinstitute.com Multiple award-winning summer STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) programs are just several hours away. Boston is a student mecca and renowned for higher education, biotech, and leading medical centers. Award-winning teachers with M.D., Ph.D., and Ivy League degrees lead programs. Teens take STEM-themed field trips. Beautiful science labs provide a summer experience that is highly valued in college admissions. Biomedical and Surgical Research, DNA Science, Green Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Anatomy, Architecture, Sports Statistics,
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646-927-9129 bricks4kidz.com/450 bricks4kidzny@gmail.com Join us this summer for a fun-filled Bricks 4 Kidz NYC Camp! Inspire your child to dive into their imagination and demonstrate their creativity with awesome, educational builds and activities. We’ll take a thrilling journey through Galaxy Far Away, Brick City Engineers, Mining and Crafting, Transformation Creation, Super Hero Academy, and Robotics! Bricks 4 Kidz provides your child with the tools they need to discover their inner science, math, architecture, and engineering skills in an exciting learning environment. Don’t miss out on this great summer camp opportunity!
Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens
Camp Clio
Held at Camp Claire 15 Oakland Ave., Lyme, CT Middlesex County Camp 298 E. Haddam Moodus Road, Moodus, CT 212-472-5207 campclio.org Camp Clio and our new Camp Clio Teen offer a unique experience for adopted children (ages 9-12) and teens (ages 13-16). Camp Clio campers and counselors, themselves adopted and serving as role models, share the intimacy and safety of being with other adopted friends, providing the opportunity to share feelings and adoption stories with others who understand adoption without explanation because they are “just like me”—all in a fun camp environment. Camp Clio Teen: July 1-13. Camp Clio Youth: July 1-21. Campers may come for one or more sessions. Scholarships available.
Camp SAY
646-735-1559 campsay.org/parents meg@say.org Camp SAY helps kids and teens who stutter build self-confidence, communication skills, and friendships. This two-week, ACA-accredited, sleepaway camp combines the highest quality, traditional summer camp experience, with comprehensive activities and innovative programs that empower kids and teens who stutter (ages 8-18). Summer 2018 dates are July 30-Aug. 13 (shortened stays available). Camp SAY is located in East Stroudsburg, PA (in the Pocono Mountains). Sliding scale tuition and travel are available. Visit campsay.org, contact camp director Meg Hart at meg@say.org, or 646-7351559. Paul Rudd talks to parents about Camp SAY at campsay.org/parents.
Chatty Child Speech & Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C.
325 Broadway, Suite 403 347-491-4451 chattychild.com info@chattychild.com Join Chatty Child this summer for InterAct: Theatre and Therapy Lab™. This summer lab is an interactive, therapeutic workshop designed to promote speech and language development through a unique and creative theater learning experience. This inclusive workshop combines traditional speech and language therapy with an interactive and immersive theater experience. Your child will become part of the InterAct Theatre ensemble! Weekly registration is available for ages 3-12 (all ages and abilities welcome). For information or to register, email info@chattychild.com (subject line: InterAct), call 347-491-4451, or visit chattychild.com.
Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex Summer Camps
West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park Camps: 212-336-6846 chelseapiers.com/camp Urban Adventure camp at Chelsea Piers offers teens instruction in kayaking, rock climbing, and sailing, as well as opportunities to participate in more traditional sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, ice skating, and fencing. Campers put their newly acquired skills to use on short kayak and sailing trips, weekly Urban Game competitions, and weekly off-site excursions to various locations. Our coaches are experienced in inspiring teens to challenge themselves and build camaraderie with fellow campers. After care, transportation, and lunch available for all full-day campers. Early Bird pricing available through May 18!
math, executive functioning, and organizational skills. All students are initially evaluated and then hand-matched with one of EBL’s learning specialists, who provide tutoring either at the student’s home or at EBL’s Upper East Side learning center. EBL also offers three-week academic camps held in June, July, and August. Specialized instruction for students with learning disabilities and ADHD, including the Orton Gillingham methodology, is also available.
Galli Theater New York
357 W. 36th St., Suite #202 212-731-0668 gallitheaternyc.com galliny@gmail.com We are offering musical acting camps throughout winter, spring, and summer breaks. All of our camps are running MondayFriday and end with a final performance on our theater stage in costumes for family and friends. For more information, please see gallitheaternyc.com, email galliny@ gmail.com or call 212-731-0668.
Hofstra Summer Camps
101 Oak St., Uniondale 516-463-CAMP (2267) hofstra.edu/camp hofstra.edu/campli ce-camps@hofstra.edu Hofstra Summer Camps offer children, ages 5-17, more than 70 programs. There’s something for everyone—from theater to sports, gaming, art, music, STEM and STEAM, YouTube Studio, and Adventure Education. There are even pre-collegiate programs in which teens and tweens can continued on next page ››
SUMMER CAMPS KIDSAIL JULY- AUGUST 2018
Children’s Museum of the Arts
103 Charlton St. 212-274-0986 cmany.org/classes-and-activities/ art-colony/summer-2018-103-charlton CMA offers a variety of Summer Art Colony Camp programs created specifically for ages 12-15. With classes focused on media arts, fine arts, or hands-on teaching experiences, teens can learn new skills or build on old ones. 2018 classes include Special Effects, Street Photography and Portraiture, Silkscreen and Poster Design, The Art of 3D Printing, Video Game Design, and Comics: Digital Techniques. Camps run weekly from 9am5pm and are led by practicing artists trained and experienced in teaching art making to young artists. Learn more at cmany.org/ classes-and-activities/art-colony/ summer-2018-103-charlton.
EBL Coaching - Manhattan
Dr. Emily Levy, director 17 E. 89th St., Suite 1D 212-249-0147 eblcoaching.com/ one-on-one-tutoring-new-york-city EBL Coaching specializes in three-week academic skills building camps and 1-on-1 tutoring for students in pre-K to 12th grades. They use research-based, multi-sensory techniques to help students develop their reading, writing,
EARLY BIRD PRICING
Sign up before June 1 and save 15%
Learn more about our KidSail programs! Ages 7–17, no sailing experience necessary! Contact director Doug Reynolds at KidsCamp@NorthCoveSailing.com
North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place 300 Vesey Street, Battery Park City
@sailnorthcove
Register at: northcovesailing.com BigAppleParent 49
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try out careers such as aviation, culinary, law, and journalism. At our camp kids explore their interests, learn social skills, and have fun. Daily swim instruction for many programs in Hofstra’s Olympic-sized, indoor pool. Doorto-door, air-conditioned transportation available. Lunch included—we offer gluten-free and Kosher food, and are peanut-allergy sensitive. Contact: 516-463-CAMP (2267) or ce-camps@hofstra.edu.
JCC Manhattan Summer Camps
Camp Settoga 646-505-4430 jccmanhattan.org/campsettoga Your summer of adventure awaits at Camp Settoga! Nestled in the foothills of Harriman State Park, JCC Manhattan celebrates day camp excellence in a brand-new, state-of-the art, 21-acre home. It’s everything you’ve come to expect from the JCC, with enriching and engaging programs in the arts, the Red Cross Learn to Swim Program, an adventure course, sports, and outdoor cooking! For information, please call the camp office at 646505-4430 or email Genna Singer at gsinger@ jccmanhattan.org.
Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy
917-270-7257 ktuga.com/weekly-classes ktuga.com/content/camps-and-special-programs-summer mari@ktuga.com Going East this summer? Our expanded Evening Eagles program at Montauk Downs is perfect for tweens and teens. Players will enjoy more course time; advance through a six-level, 72 objective curriculum; and have the opportunity to earn badges and track progress on a smartphone app. For more information, visit ktuga.com/content/ camps-and-special-programs-summer.
Modeling Camp
1535 Broadway 888-757-5575 modelingcamp.com modelingcamp@aol.com Modeling Camp invites all girls to discover the model in you this summer as we explore the world of modeling and fashion in NYC. From photo shoot to fashion shows, personal grooming to health and fitness, making TV commercials and meeting top model scouts, girls learn about the industry in a non-competitive environment while gaining valuable life skills at the same time. Featured on Good Morning America and NBC, this camp is a must for all fashionistas.
MWS Student Camps
514-531-4193 mwscamps.com vanessa@mwscamps.com “French Immersion Experience!” MWS Montreal French Camps are located at McGill University in the center of Montre-
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al with residential and day camp options. Our 33 years of experience guarantees a high-quality program for young language learners with personalized attention and support. MWS Camps are specifically designed for each of our age groups: Juniors (ages 7-10), Inters (ages 11-13), and Seniors (ages 14-17). Programs include language study, age focused excursions (daily), and camp activities. Full-day trips to Quebec City and Ottawa.
The New School’s Open Campus Summer Programs
72 Fifth Ave. 212-229-5600 opencampus.newschool.edu/youth opencampus@newschool.edu At The New School’s Open Campus, students in second to 12th grades discover summer programs that broaden their minds and brighten their future. Explore art and design with world-renowned Parsons School of Design, and music through Mannes Prep’s Music Intensives today, and get a head start on tomorrow. Master the skills, theories, and techniques that will stoke your creativity and set you apart from your peers all year long. Learn more about our summer offerings and register today.
The Whale Camp
610-399-1463 whalecamp.com The Whale Camp at the Fundy Marine Science Institute is dedicated to providing marine biology experiential educational programs and facilities for learning about the dynamic marine ecology of the Bay of Fundy as well as the coastal, terrestrial, and human ecologies of Grand Manan Island. Our goal is to use hands-on, discovery-oriented marine science activities to increase awareness and understanding of these living systems and the systems of our oceans and planet. We help our campers foster connections between themselves, each other, and the natural environment.
Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Zoos and Aquarium
212-766-7302 northcovesailing.com/kidsail KidSail summer camp is a great opportunity for children growing up in Manhattan to connect with the outdoors and have an awesome NYC adventure. The KidSail camp is for kids ages 7-17. All experience levels are welcome and no sailing experience is required. The program is taught on our fleet of Colgate 26 sailboats. Both the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy have fleets of Colgate 26s, they are stable, safe, and fun boats making them the perfect platform to teach sailing. North Cove Sailing is a certified U.S. Sailing Center.
1-800- 433-4149 The Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx 718-220-5132 Central Park Zoo: 830 Fifth Ave., Manhattan 212-438-6583 Queens Zoo: 53-51 111th St., Corona, Queens 718-271-7361 Prospect Park Zoo: 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn 718-399-7327 New York Aquarium: 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn 718-265-3457 wcs.org/summercamps Summer just got wild! Send your animal-lover to summer camp at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium! Campers will enjoy up-close animal experiences, Wildlife Theater performances, and age appropriate, hands-on STEM activities. Join us at the aquarium for keeper chats, behind the scenes experiences, and exclusive early morning access to the new Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit. For more information, visit our website at wcs.org/education/programs, call 800-433-4149, or email edu@wcs.org. Use code NYMETRO for 10 percent off one week of camp!
Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts
YMCA Summer Camps
North Cove Sailing: KidSail Summer Camp
185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.org Get your camp on at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts—the perfect place for young artists ages 12 and older. With more than 100 classes to choose from including Ukulele, Rock Band, Mobile Photography, Yoga, Quidditch, Cosplay, Matinee Idol: Mean Girls, Sculpture, and Hip-Hop Dance, there’s something for everyone, whatever your interest. Interested in having fun and honing your leadership skills? Check out Usdan’s Leadership Institute, where campers can meet and be mentored by visiting artists and performers. Enroll with promo code CampOn for $100 off. More info at usdan.org.
ymcanyc.org/camp bit.ly/2FgUwLs rho@ymcanyc.org At YMCA Summer Camps, children learn leadership skills and develop self-confidence in a safe, accepting, and stimulating environment. They also build robots, go on field trips, shoot hoops, learn to swim, make new friends, and laugh all summer long! Our creative, educational camp programming—structured around the Y’s values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility—helps campers reach their fullest potential, physically, mentally, and emotionally. With six locations in Manhattan and the Bronx, find the perfect camp for your child! Visit us at ymcanyc.org/camp to learn more today!
Italian Summer Mini-Camp
REACH. GROW. ACHIEVE.
Connecting families to the Bella Lingua of Italy...without leaving NYC!
Awaken your child’s potential through dance
• Summer Mini Camp #1: June 12 – July 19 • Summer Mini Camp #2: August 14 – August 30
1556 Third Ave @ 87th, Suite 603, NY, NY • 212.427.7770 www.collinaitaliana.com • info@collinaitaliana.com
Christopher Duggan
• Ages 2-8 Italian Language Programs ograms using songs, stories, games andd arts & crafts • Ages 2-4 Morning drop off playgroup • Italian Art Workshop • Tutoring Services • Inquire about our Adult Classes
Rosalie O’Connor
Register Now!
BalletAcademyEast.com Join Ballet Academy East Summerdance, June 25-August 16 BALLET ACADEMY EAST
1651 Third Avenue, 3rd floor New York, NY 10128
ST. LUKE’S SCHOOL
OPEN WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 HOUSE 4:00 TO 5:30 PM You will hear from our Head of School, meet outstanding faculty, talk to current parents, and tour our facilities. RSVP Required: 212.924.5960 or www.stlukeschool.org 487 Hudson Street (located in the heart of the West Village)
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Abrons Arts Center abronsartscenter.org
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Ballet Academy East balletacademyeast.com
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Baruch College Summer Camp baruch.cuny.edu
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Academic Enrichment
Day Trips
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China Institute chinainstitute.org
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Calhoun Summer Camps calhoun.org
Camp Henry at Henry Street Settlement henrystreet.org
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Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens broadwaydancecenter.com
Camp Clio campclio.org
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Bricks 4 Kidz NYC bricks4kidz.com
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Asphalt Green Day Camp asphaltgreen.org
Breakaway Hoops breakawayhoops.com
Theater
STEAM/Robotics
PROGRAMS:
Half-Day
Flexible Scheduling
Extended Hours
Lunch
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Camp Guide
SERVICES:
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Teruelfamilyimmersion
As featured on
Your whole family can learn Spanish together! Available dates July 15
Modeling Camp
August 5
Book your 2 week customized immersive experience. Enjoy the small city lifestyle along your whole family in Teruel, the City of Love, in the cradle of Spanish language. We offer multiple ways to enhance your language skills as a family, and will tailor our programs to your specific ages and interests.
TM
Workshops Excursions Social Activities
Day Camps for Children Aged 6 -14
Camps for girls ages 11-17
Teruel
Lodging & Meal plans available
www.teruelfamilyimmersion.com info@teruelfamilyimmersion.com
The Cathedral School
Call for more info:
modelingcamp.com 888-757-5575
319 East 74th Street, New York City
A Classical Education for the Modern World
OPEN HOUSE
April 19th at 6pm
Dynamic preschool program offering half-day and full day options Kindergarten through 8th grade co-educational day school with advanced curriculum
Now Accepting Applications for 2018-2019 REGISTER TODAY FOR AN OPEN HOUSE:
212.249.2840/admissions@cathedralschoolny.org/www.cathedralschoolny.org
for
Montessori Summer Day Camp 347 East 55th Street (at First Avenue)
Observe whales, porpoises, puffins, seals, and a variety of other marine life up-close in their natural habitat. Explore a unique island ecosystem and make connections that will last a life time!
• Swimming • Drama • Yoga • Arts & Crafts • Field Trips • Dance • Ice Skating • Hands-On Science • Academic Tutoring • SSAT/ISEE/ERB Exam Prep
Hands-on programs in marine science, oceanography, and whale research on beautiful Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy.
Ages 2½ to 14
College credit program and $40,000 college scholarships available for high school students
Wisdom through Knowledge
For more information & FREE brochure, please visit: www.whalecamp.com
» SPACES FILL UP QUICK, REGISTER TODAY! «
212-223-4630 montessorinyc@aol.com www.montessorischoolny.com
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Dwight Summer Camp dwightsummercamp.org
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Open Campus at The New School opencampus.newschool.edu Play On! Studios playonstudios.com
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Kate Tempestas Urban Golf Academy ktuga.com
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Extended Hours
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Transportation
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SERVICES:
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BaruchSummerCamp
http://athletics.baruch.cuny.edu/ sports/2006/1/9/SummerCamp.aspx Fees Based on Enrollment: Up to 3 weeks $725 per week Up to 6 weeks $575 per week Up to 8 weeks $425 per week
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STEAM/Robotics
PROGRAMS:
Half-Day
Flexible Scheduling
Extended Hours
Lunch
Transportation
Camp Guide
SERVICES:
SUMMER CAMP DATES Week 1: 6/25 - 6/29 Week 2: 7/2 - 7/6 Week 3: 7/9 - 7/13 Week 4: 7/16 - 7/20 Week 5: 7/23 - 7/27 Week 6: 7/30 - 8/3 Week 7: 8/6 - 8/10 Week 8: 8/13 - 8/17
Visit an Open House to learn about our special discounted rates! If paid in full by June 1st - $100 discount If paid in full by June 15th - $50 discount
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Check out our golf programs for kids in NYC, and Montauk Downs. ktuga.com
Upcoming Open House Schedule: Friday, April 20 • 5:30pm to 7pm | Monday, May 21 • 5:30pm to 7pm
New York's Premier Tutoring and Publications Company
Test Prep + Enrichment Tutoring ACE THE TEST www.bright-kids.com • (646) 434-1084 info@brightkidsnyc.com
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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals estate. All clients are provided with LEGAL SERVICES high-quality service at a reasonable cost. LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN, P.C. LITTLE OPTICS INC. 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216 192-07 Union Turnpike, 212-244-0595 Fresh Meadows, Queens 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens 516-877-0595 718-468-7500; hablamos Español amcohenlaw.com; ac@amcohenlaw.com littleopticsinc@yahoo.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen We provide eyeglasses and professional eye can help you achieve your objectives care for children, including infants, and young through careful special needs legal adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem isplanning, regardless of the size of your sues associated with the stigma of wearing estate. All clients are provided with glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, high-quality service at a reasonable cost. rest assured they will feel confident. SPECIAL NEEDS LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN, P.C. 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
THERAPY & COUNSELORS 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.
OPENHOUSES 2018 The Ailey School
The Joan Weill Center for Dance 405 W. 55th St. 212-405-9000 theaileyschool.edu juniordivision@alvinailey.org Junior Division: First Steps & Bounding Boys (ages 3-6), open house for new parents and students on Saturday, April 14 at 9:30am. Learn more about creative movement programs at The Ailey School. To sign up, visit theaileyschool.edu.
Baruch Summer Camp at Baruch College
55 Lexington Ave. 646-312-5096 athletics.baruch.cuny.edu/ sports/2006/1/9/summercamp.aspx summercamp@baruch.cuny.edu Join us for an open house on Friday, April 20 from 5:30-7pm or Monday, May 21 from 5:30-7pm. Visit an open house to learn about our special discounted rates!
The Cathedral School Preschool
319 E. 74th St. 212-249-2840 cathedralnyc.org/page info@cathedralschoolny.org Join us for an open house on April 19 at 6pm.
Chatty Child Speech & Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C.
Are You My Mother? Sunday, April 8th at 1:30PM
At long last, Baby Bird emerges from her shell and expects to be greeted by her mother’s song. But her mother is not there. Where is she? Why isn’t she home? With the help of Dog, Cat, and Hen, Baby Bird sets out in search of Mother Bird in this colorful musical adventure based on P.D. Eastman’s whimsical and well-loved picture book. $30
Become a 10Club Member & Enjoy $12 tickets! The best way to enjoy our Family series is with a 2017-18 Family 10Club Membership. The membership fee is $120. Your 10Club membership includes 10 admissions, at $12 each, to any Tribeca PAC Family Series production. Call (212) 220 - 1460 or visit tribecapac.org/membership for more information. Tribeca PAC is located on 199 Chambers St., New York, NY
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325 Broadway, Suite 403 347-491-4451 chattychild.com info@chattychild.com To schedule an individual tour, or to join us at our open house on Saturday, April 28 at 4pm, please email: info@chattychild. com to register.
Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex Summer Camps
West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park Field House Registration Desk: 212-336-6500 x6520 Camps: 212-336-6846 chelseapiers.com/camp Join us for an open house and sample classes at the Golf Club on April 28 from 12-2pm. Please RSVP.
Children’s Museum of the Arts
103 Charlton St. 212-274-0986 cmany.org/classes-and-activities/ art-colony/summer-2018-103-charlton/ CMA Summer Art Colony Open
House and Earth Day Celebration April 22 from 10am-5pm; $12. Celebrate Earth Day with art-making and learn about CMA Summer Camps. Visitors receive 20 percent off camps!
Galli Theater New York
357 W. 36th St., Suite #202 212-731-0668 gallitheaternyc.com galliny@gmail.com Galli Theater New York-Fairytale Theater For the Whole Family! Schedule a tour through the Galli Theater New York for your special event by emailing us at galliny@gmail.com, or calling us at 212-731-0668.
Hofstra Summer Camps
Open House: Mack Physical Education Center, Hofstra University, North Campus 516-463-CAMP (2267) hofstra.edu/camp hofstra.edu/campli ce-camps@hofstra.edu Learn about our more than 70 programs—there’s something for everyone, from theater, to sports, to gaming, even a super hero academy. Special one-day discounts. Plus, inflatables, games, face painting. April 21 from 12-2pm.
International Academy of New York
4 E. 90th St. 212-641-0260 ianyc.org info@ianyc.org Please join is for an open house on April 26 at 8:45am.
Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy
917-270-7257 ktuga.com/weekly-classes mari@ktuga.com Summer Fun Open House on Sunday, April 15. Play games with Birdie and meet the coaches. 10am-12pm, St. Stephen of Hungary School gym, 408 E. 82nd St. RSVP: mari@ktuga.com.
Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts
185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.org Join new families interested in learning more about Usdan. Meet with our admissions counselors and tour the campus. Refreshments, warm drinks, information, and 2018 registration available. Sundays, April 15 and May 20, from 11am-2pm.
FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE To advertise: 212-315-0800 or nympads@davlermedia.com
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We know the thought of feeding your baby can be a scary thing. Our chefs are here to help guide you and show you how stress free it can be. Let our chefs come teach you or hire us to do all the work. Email us to get started at tatersandtotsnyc@gmail.com
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raising kids ad index NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! acrobatics / gymnastics
Jodi’s Gym ............................................41
birthday / party services
Asphalt Green.........................................5 Big Apple Parent Party Planner ............57 Bricks 4 Kidz - NYC ..............................41 Galli Theater .........................................41 Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.........9 Jodi’s Gym ...........................................41 Little Gym ............................................13 NFL Experience ....................................41 Palisades Climb Adventure...................43 Pier 62 Carousel ...................................41
camps
Asphalt Green.........................................5 Atlas Foundation for Autism..................16 Ballet Academy East.............................51 Baruch College Summer Camp ............55 Boston Leadership Institute ..................51 Breakaway Hoops ................................55 Bricks 4 Kidz - NYC ..............................41 Broadway Dance Center ........................3 Camp Clio .............................................43 Camp Huntington..................................23 Camp SAY ............................................23 Chatty Child Speech Therapy, PLLC ....19 Chelsea Piers .........................................7 Children’s Museum of The Arts.............42 Collina Italiana ......................................51 Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.........9 JCC of Manhattan.................................10 Jodi’s Gym ...........................................41 Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy ...55 Little Gym ............................................13 Modeling Camp ....................................53 Montessori School of NY International .....53 MWS Student Camps ...........................47 North Cove Sailing................................49 Oasis Children Services .......................60
Teruel Family Immersion ......................53 The New School Open Campus ...........39 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts..........2 Whale Camp .........................................53 YMCA of Greater New York ..................47
child care / day care
Mommybites .........................................59
classes
Alvin Ailey School (The)........................39 Ballet Academy East.............................51 Boost! Learning and Behavior Therapy ..23 Boston Leadership Institute ..................51 Breakaway Hoops ................................55 Bricks 4 Kidz - NYC ..............................41 Broadway Dance Center ........................3 Cathedral School ..................................53 Chelsea Piers .........................................7 Children’s Museum of The Arts.............42 Collina Italiana ......................................51 German American School.....................33 International Academy of New York .....14 JCC of Manhattan.................................10 Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy ...55 Kumon Manhattan ................................15 North Cove Sailing................................49 School of American Ballet.....................27 The New School Open Campus ...........39
dance
Alvin Ailey School (The)........................39 Ballet Academy East.............................51 Broadway Dance Center ........................3 School of American Ballet.....................27
developmental
Boost! Learning and Behavior Therapy 23 Camp SAY ............................................23 Chatty Child Speech Therapy, PLLC ....19 Mr. Speech Pathology ..........................21
Otto Specht School...............................23 YMCA of Greater New York ..................47
education Atlas Foundation for Autism..................16 Boston Leadership Institute ..................51 Bright Kids Inc ......................................55 Cathedral School ..................................53 Collina Italiana ......................................51 Earth Day Initiative ............................... 11 German American School.....................33 Huntington Learning Center .................21 International Academy of New York .....14 JCC of Manhattan.................................10 Kumon Manhattan ................................15 Montessori School of NY International .....53 Mr. Speech Pathology ..........................21 MWS Student Camps ...........................47 Otto Specht School...............................23 St. Luke’s School ..................................51 The New School Open Campus ...........39
family entertainment / events / outings
Children’s Museum of The Arts.............42 Earth Day Initiative ............................... 11 Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.........9 NFL Experience ....................................41 Pier 62 Carousel ...................................41
family travel
Teruel Family Immersion ......................53
fitness
Alvin Ailey School (The)........................39 Palisades Climb Adventure...................43
health
SUNY College of Optometry.................25
music
Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts..........2
performing arts / acting
Galli Theater .........................................41 Tribeca Performing Arts Center ............56 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts..........2
religious
St. Luke’s School ..................................51
research
SUNY College of Optometry.................25
retail
Shoe Tree (The) ...................................43
special events
Earth Day Initiative ............................... 11 Pier 62 Carousel ...................................41
special needs
Atlas Foundation for Autism..................16 Boost! Learning and Behavior Therapy....23 Camp Huntington..................................23 Camp SAY ............................................23 Chatty Child Speech Therapy, PLLC ....19 Huntington Learning Center .................21 Mr. Speech Pathology ..........................21 Otto Specht School...............................23
sports
Asphalt Green.........................................5 Baruch College Summer Camp ............55 Breakaway Hoops ................................55 Chelsea Piers .........................................7 Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy ...55 North Cove Sailing................................49 Palisades Climb Adventure...................43 YMCA of Greater New York ..................47
theater
Galli Theater .........................................41
tutors
Bright Kids Inc ......................................55 Huntington Learning Center .................21 Kumon Manhattan ................................15
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raising kids quotables
What are some ways you’ve taught your kids kindness? “Leading by example is always the best way to teach kids anything. My husband and I do little things, like say, ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ but we also show kindness and empathy to our children and to each other, which our kids see and emulate.” –Carol Bermudez, New City
“When my daughter was 4 and in an especially not-so-nice mood my partner and I explained The Golden Rule, which is essentially, ‘treat people how you want them to treat you.’ Now when she says something mean or refuses to share a toy with her brother, we just say, ‘Stay gold, Roxie,’ and usually that does the trick.” –Aisha R., Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
“It’s so hard for kids to think beyond themselves, especially when they are so young, but it is also so important. We teach our son kindness in the larger sense. We encourage him not only to be kind to his friends, but to himself, to the earth, to animals. Giving him a broad perspective early on will teach him to be a conscious citizen in this big world...we hope.” –Jeffrey Klimpton, Manhattan
in an instagram “I love this little guy so much! He’s going to be new to this big brother business but I know he’s going to have the baby laughing all the time with all of his jokes.”
“My kids’ school teaches a ‘Kind and Gentle’ philosophy that they carry over into all activities. The other day, I got what seemed to be my 100th call from a telemarketer and after some pretty foul language on my part, my daughter reminded my that I was not being K and G (kind and gentle). She’s the one who’s teaching me!” –Paula Terrozzo, Long Island City, Queens
(Posted by @rattlesandheels aka Queens mom Adanna Dill)
Go For It!
Whatever ‘it’ is that you feel like you might be the only mom doing or not doing or feeling or not feeling, you’ve probably got company somewhere. Find another mom at library lap time or in the church nursery or at the pediatrician’s and lay ‘it’ on the line—wait for the blessing of hearing that mom say ‘me, too.’ –Elizabeth Spencer in a post entitled “New Mama, You Don’t Have to ‘Cherish Every Moment’,” on motherly.ly
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April 2018 | nymetroparents.com
“It’s always great to see your children trying new things, watching their adventurous side coming to light. It’s especially gratifying when I see my son—who’s been diagnosed with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder—take a leap even when he is scared. I have done plenty of things while afraid and after I complete them I feel so freakin’ good. That’s exactly what he’s been doing lately, only it is much harder for him than for me, or for most of us. He’s been trying new things and just going for it, even when he’s scared. –Eileen Carter-Campos in an article entitled “Helping a Child With Autism Try New Things;” read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/new-things-autism.
More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: FUN IN SPRING: Download a free guide to the top Spring activities in the NY area (nymetroparents.com/ spring-activities). PLAN YOUR CHILD’S SUMMER: Find the perfect camp at nymetroparents.com/camp-finder. HOPPIN’ GOOD TIME: Find local Easter events at nymetroparents.com/easter-nyc. MAKE YOUR OWN MATZAH: A Passover activity for the whole family (nymetroparents.com/matzah).
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