Bergen•RocklandParent JANUARY 2017
NYMETROPARENTS.COM
Is
Homework
Helpful?
Welcoming Everyone
Inside the debate Plus: Find the right school for your child
The surprising religious diversity at Catholic schools
Good Failure Teaching kids grit and resilience
WHERE TO GO SKIING
•
SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN WINTERTIME
FROM INFANTS TO ADOLESCENTS
Meet Crystal Run’s Pediatrics Team in West Nyack
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ŠDyana Van Campen
An inspiring education, emphasizing creativity and individual thinking over high-stakes testing Spots open in select grades for January 2017!
845.356.2514
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NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
Contents
January 2017 ››
14
Features
14 The Benefits of Failure Why teaching kids to handle setbacks with grit and perseverance is important 16 Finding Summer Fun in the Depths of Winter Six ways to bring warm-weather fun to the coldest season
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18 Is Homework Necessary? Inside the debate about whether kids really need homework—and what one school is doing instead 20 Not of the Faith How local Catholic schools have integrated students from all types of religious backgrounds 25 Winter Fun in Rockland Our top 12 picks to keep your family entertained all season
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36 Great for Leftovers Three recipes, plus a leftover twist for each 40 Why Are Boys Failing? How current norms are contributing to boys falling behind—in school and life 42 Helping Your Child with Common Core Math 44 Flu Shot 101 Four frequently asked questions
Connections
6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 NYMP Q&A: Ilana Wiles, creator of MommyShorts.com, talks average parenting 50 Voices: Is My Babysitter Doing a Better Job Than Me?
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Family Activities CALENDAR ››
Fun & Activities
27
12 DIY Corner: Make your own bird feeders 13 Media Matters: What Your Kids Should Watch 24 Outing: Queens Museum 27 Family Activities Calendar 34 Where-To Guide: Ski & Snowboard
Directories 22 45 46 48 49
Schools and Educational Services Meet the Director Meet the Health Care Professional Party Planner and Family Resource Guide Advertisers’ Index
ON THE COVER ›› 14 Good Failure 16 Summer Activities in Wintertime 18 Is Homework Helpful? facebook.com/nymetroparents
@NYMetroParents
20 Welcoming Everyone 34 Where to Go Skiing Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
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RocklandParent
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JANUARY 2017 • Vol.10 • No.3
NYMetroParents Publications
EDITOR’S NOTE
Education in the Classroom & Beyond
I
remember when my oldest child started getting homework. It was a shock to the system, hers and ours, intruding on her post-school play time and, to the extent we needed to help her, on our quiet time with the kids. Since then, as the volume and difficulty of her homework has increased, I’ve become so grateful and proud to see how diligent and responsible she is at it. Still, there are nights where she remembers well past bedtime about a forgotten assignment or is flummoxed by a particularly difficult task. I sometimes wonder what worth there is in this, and as Katelin Walling reports (p. 18), I am not alone in asking that question. There is a hot debate in education circles about whether to ditch homework altogether, and some schools, including some in our region, have done exactly that. Speaking of frustration, I am sure you’re familiar with this scene: A child melts into tears and anger, unable to be consoled, because of his inability to complete a task, whether it’s getting that ball into the basket or building a block tower taller than he is. It breaks our hearts to see our kids so angry and hurt, and we naturally try to assure them of their skills and worth. But setbacks can be useful to children, especially if we help channel their feelings in a productive direction, helping them see failures as motivation to try again and harder and conquer the task. We spoke with experts who offer advice on how to teach kids this sort of grit and resilience (p. 14), skills that will serve them well throughout their lives. If you want to get your kids to pick themselves up again after they fall down—literally and metaphorically—you could bring them to a ski slope and teach them the sport. Find great spots for skiing and snowboarding around the Northeast (p. 34). And for winter fun closer to home, get great tips on recapturing the joys of summer even when the weather is freezing (p. 16). For my family, dead-of-winter visits to the Bronx zoo are a cherished tradition. For many of us, January is the time to think of September—specifically, where our kids will go to school next year. For some parents, the right choice might sound surprising on the surface: choosing a Catholic school even though they are not Catholic. Samantha Neudorf investigates this phenomenon and explains what’s behind the decision to send kids to a religious school when they are not of the faith (p. 20). And if you are seeking a school for your child, check out our education directory to find tons of great choices (p. 22). Stay warm, and have a great January! Michael Kress Editorial Director
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ASSISTANT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Jonathan Perry, Kathryn Sheridan
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Join us for an afternoon of family fun at the first-ever Westchester Parents Day! We’re putting together a program sure to put a smile on your kids’ faces—while helping you learn valuable information. Kids will enjoy entertainment, tasty treats, crafts, a dance party, and raffles and giveaways, while parents can get to know local child-focused businesses, including camps, after-school activities, and birthday party venues. Westchester Parents Day will be held 12-3pm on Sunday, Feb. 5, at the Crown Plaza, 66 Hale Ave., White Plains. Go to westchesterparentsday.com to learn more and register. 6
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS
nymetroparents.com/np-rp
Who: Smile More Dentistry What’s New: The pediatric dental and orthodontics floor of the practice, which is scheduled to expand to the second floor of the practice’s building in late January, early February. “We wanted to be a family dental office,” says Darren Tong, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist at the practice. “Every time we referred them [patients] to a specialist, they wouldn’t go because it was a hassle and inconvenient for them. We decided it would be best to have everything under one roof.” The facility currently provides dental care for children as young as 2½, and the new pediatric section will also provide procedures such as sleep dentistry for fearful children, fillings, and orthodontics (metal and clear braces). Want More Info: 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan; 845-359-1763; smilemoredentist.com
Courtesy Smile More Dentistry
Family Dental Business in Tappan Expands Practice
At Smile More Dentistry, children are taught the best dental practices.
Courtesy Camp Venture Equestrian Center
Local Equestrian Center Available for Birthday Parties Year-Round Who: Camp Venture Equestrian Center What’s New: Birthday parties, which are offered to the public year-round, utilizing the indoor riding center. Camp Venture Equestrian Center in Stony Point is a nonprofit organization that serves families of children with special needs in Rockland County. The Equestrian Program offers therapeutic riding and riding lessons for children and adults with and without special needs. Camp Venture hosts birthday parties for the general public throughout the year. The sheep, goats, and miniature horses on its small animal farm love to be part of the party. Want More Info: 15 Fernald Road, Stony Point; 845-786-3929 or 845-709-4073; facebook.com/ campventure.equestrianprogram Camp Venture Equestrian Center offers public birthday parties year-round.
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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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UOTABLES I was going to be a perfect stay-athome mom and enjoy every single moment teaching and encouraging my children. Then, I actually had my own kids, three of them, and that is when I fell off my unicorn and tumbled straight back to reality. —Barrie Bismark, in a post entitled “I’m Not the Mom I Thought (and Hoped) I Would Be,” on The Huffington Post: Parents.
in an instagram in an instagram Cal. Several days ago. In front of a nova that’s he’s completely enamored with. It has been parked on our block since the dawn of time. The owner is a complete mystery, but it does move for alternate side. (Posted by @megankellicraig, aka Megan C., who blogs at thebrooklyndoll.blogspot.com)
“He won’t do these things forever. These (nearly) three years of waking up every night or changing what feels like millions of diapers, will feel like a short moment in time come 30 years from now. And it’s then that I’ll miss the moments of walking into his dark room with me squinting my eyes half asleep to pick him up out of his crib and have him lay his head on my shoulder and fall quietly back to sleep. Or the funny faces we make to each other as I lay him on the ground to keep him occupied while I’m changing his diaper.” —Lauren Jimeson, in a post entitled “No Rush,” on her blog, SincerelyLauren.com.
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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Having the time of their life! Letting go is scary but they both did plenty of times. #iceskating indoor is definitely the way to go! @chelseapiersnyc @kamikofficial #stepoutside (Posted by @gothamlove, aka Suzanne C., who blogs at gothamlove.com)
WORKING OUT AS A BUSY MOM “You can still move on to your kid’s theatrical debut at school if your lipstick, say, doesn’t make it through Pilates. But if your deodorant gives out? Yikes. You may miss the curtain call.” —Christina Vercelletto, in an article entitled “Hit the Gym Moms—and Look Great.” Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/mom-fitness.
MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: GET OUTTA TOWN: Get great winter day trip suggestions at nymetroparents.com/winter-trips. GLIDE AND SLIDE: Find ice-skating rinks near you at nymetroparents.com/ice-skating. MORE WINTER FUN: See the top 100 winter activities in the New York metro area at nymetroparents.com/winter-activities. CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR: How to make resolutions kids can keep (nymetroparents.com/kid-resolutions)
NYMP Q&A
Here’s to the Average Parent ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva
Ilana Wiles is the creator of the successful parenting blog, MommyShorts.com. She recently wrote The Mommy Shorts Guide to Remarkably Average Parenting. What is an average parent? I think everyone is an average parent. And the reason I say remarkably average parenting, in my book, is because I think it should be an aspirational thing. The people who are striving to be a perfect parent or to do everything correctly are never going to get there. So once you accept there is no one correct way to do things, I think we can all feel much better about the parenting job we’re doing, which ultimately is much better for ourselves and our children. I think everybody is having the same experience, no matter what kind of parent you are. There are helicopter parents, attachment parents, free-range parents, and they all have children who are developing and going through the same things. They have tantrums, they need to be potty trained, they have accidents, they’re tough on a long road trip. Where does the pressure of being a perfect parent come from? I think a lot of it is due to social media. Even on Instagram, everybody posts these beautiful pictures of motherhood, and everybody is putting up their highlight reel and the reality is you’re taking, like, 50 pictures of your kids not being able to stand still and then the one where they’re both smiling is the one you’re posting. Which is totally normal and fine, but as we’re looking through our feeds and we’re seeing all these pictures of kids in these perfect scenarios and smiling, you make your own assumptions about what the rest of that person’s life or day looks like and you forget that you’re only seeing a very small piece of it. We can’t look at what people are posting on social media and think that represents real life, because people are posting the best versions of their life. It’s very healthy to talk about the realities of parenting so we don’t think that we’re alone in this and we’re the only ones who can’t get our kids to stand still for a picture. How do you incorporate humor into your everyday life? I think my kids are hilarious, and I think a lot of how you enjoy parenthood is using your pain as entertainment. If everything went according to plan, you wouldn’t have any good stories to tell. If you go on the plane and everything goes smoothly, that’s wonderful. If you go on the plane and everything goes awry, you have a really good story to tell. How do you determine how much to share on social media? I never want my kids to be embarrassed about anything I’m putting out there about them. I’m very cognizant of how things might make them look or if something is too personal. At the moment, I still feel like I’m able to talk about the struggles of parenthood or some of the things I’m dealing with and I feel like it’s all universal. So I have to figure out how to walk a line with being honest but not saying anything that might upset them or might be too personal. RocklandParent 11
DIY CORNER WINTER CRAFT
Feed the Birds
Invite winged friends to your yard this winter by making one of these bird feeders. Position the feeder in front of a window, and your kids will have an opportunity to become winter bird watchers, especially if they want to stay cozy inside with a cup of cocoa instead of braving the cold.
Bird Seed Ornaments These goodies are so pretty they’d brighten a tree even without the snow. Use walnuts, cranberries, and kumquats to form a garland to add a little extra cheer. Ingredients ¾ cup flour ½ cup water 1 packet unflavored gelatin 3 Tbsp. corn syrup 4 cup birdseed Directions 1. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. 2. U se vegetable oil on a paper towel to coat the insides of the cookie cutters (or use vegetable spray); this will allow you to remove the ornaments from the cookie cutters more easily. 3. S pread waxed paper over your work area, then fill the insides of the cookie cutters with birdseed mixture, packing tightly. (We used circle and heart shapes.) 4. P oke a drinking straw through each ornament near the top to make a hole for hanging. 5. C arefully remove each ornament from the cookie cutter and set on waxed paper. Let dry for several hours.
6. Once the ornaments are dry, you can use peanut butter to decorate the rims and insides with other seeds. For example, spread a line of peanut butter around an outside rim, then press thistle onto the peanut butter. Or use peanut butter to create a heart shape atop a circle, and press in thistle and corn kernels. 7. Thread ribbon through the hole, and hang on a tree.
Bird Seed Wreath
Ground Bird Seed Feeder
Trace a bird outline in the snow, then fill the shape with different types of seed.
Bake bread dough in a doughnut shape, slather on peanut butter, and coat with seeds. A yummy dinner for the birds! Add a pretty bow to make it a decoration for the yard.
Projects and photos courtesy Lowe’s; for two more ways to feed the birds this winter, visit nymetroparents.com/birds.
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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Media Matters: TV
Splash and Bubbles (PBS Kids)
Recommended Age: 3+
What Your Kids Should Watch
HHHH
Friendly fish introduce preschooler
Dot. (Sprout)
s to ocean science
Recommended Age: 5+
HHHHH
Recommended Age: 6+
HHHH
This charming series strikes the perf ect balance between life and tech . Milo Murphy’s Law (Disney XD)
An unlucky teen’s fortune lies in frien
dship and a positive outlook
MARS (National Geographic Channel)
Recommended Age: 12+
HHHHH
This outstanding Mars mission serie
s has suspenseful moments.
In Theaters Jan. 27: A Dog’s Purpose Parents need to know that A Dog’s Purpose provides a bit of a twist on the standard talkinganimal movie. The story is narrated by a dog (voiced by Josh Gad), who begins his life as a golden retriever named Bailey whose best friend is a young boy named Ethan (Bryce Gheisar). Bailey remains loyally by Ethan’s side through his teenage years, even through Ethan’s first love (so expect some kissing and romance), until Bailey dies of old age—only to be reincarnated as a (female) German shepherd police dog. The dog continues to come back, living many lives as many different breeds. With each new human he—or she—lives with, the dog learns a little more about his purpose, until, years later, he returns to a familiar home and a familiar friend (Dennis Quaid). Although this movie will likely have emotional moments that might be too intense for sensitive younger kids—including the recurring death of a pet—for the most part it looks like a heartfelt family dramedy for all dog lovers.
Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices. Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org
See more at NYMetroParents.com/media Do you need a location for his 7th birthday party?
ResouRces ARticles
Find everything you need, faster at
RocklandParent 13
The Benefits of Failure
››
Teaching kids to handle setbacks with grit and perseverance is more valuable than trying to help them avoid ever failing at anything. By Madeleine Burry
A
re you raising kids who can cope with setbacks? Does your child respond to obstacles by persevering—or by calling it quits? Lately, it may seem as if the concepts of grit and failure—specifically, how to have more of the former and deal productively with the latter—are everywhere, making them the buzzy parenting concepts of the moment. It’s hard to escape the headlines and books about the perils of allowing kids to grow up without failing. But as these ideas have entered the zeitgeist, it’s easy for them to assume a bumper sticker-like simplicity (Failure is great! Go grit!), cautions Richard Rende, Ph.D., and co-author of Raising Can-Do Kids: Giving Kids the Tools to Thrive in a Fast-Changing World. The reality is a bit more complicated. It’s not that failure is good; there is no need to root for your children to flounder and fail to achieve goals. But failure is inevitable; if you’ve lived, you’ve experienced setbacks and disappointments. That goes for everyone: Even our century’s big success stories, such as J.K. Rowling, Simone Biles, and Steve Jobs, have histories littered with rejection letters, torpedoed projects, bad reviews, and missed medals. And because failure is ever present, it’s important for your child to be able to respond appropriately. “Kids need practice failing so they can learn how to deal with it in both a practical and emotional way, and know how to move on from 14
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
failures,” says Ami Schwab, Ph.D., who specializes in child psychology and teaches parenting classes.
Help Kids Focus on Feedback—Not Failure
Carol Dweck, Ph.D., the author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, is known for her groundbreaking research into what she calls “fixed” and “growth” mindsets. In a fixed mindset, abilities and intelligence are set: Tanisha is so smart; Abby has a natural talent for math; Arjun is better at music than writing; Sean is a real artist! In this framework, failure becomes an endpoint. If you see yourself as “good” at math, a poor grade on an algebra test can feel devastating, as though you’ve reached the end of your abilities in math. Or, if you’ve always thought of yourself as “bad at math,” a poor grade acts as reinforcement. In a growth mindset, on the other hand, abilities are framed as something that can, well, grow—this transforms failure from debilitating to a “what’s next” moment. In this mindset, a poor grade indicates the need to study more or to seek tutoring. To foster a growth concept, align feedback toward effort: Tanisha studied hard for her math test; Connor’s not good at drawing realistic people yet; Abby’s practice before the piano recital paid off— she went from three missed notes last year to just two this year. Dr. Dweck believes mindset plays a powerful role in relationships, personality, and how a person’s life unfolds. “In one
world, failure is about having a setback. Getting a bad grade. Losing a tournament. Getting fired. Getting rejected. It means you’re not smart or talented,” Dr. Dweck writes. “In the other world, failure is about not growing. Not reaching for the things you value. It means you’re not fulfilling your potential. In one world, effort is a bad thing. It, like failure, means you’re not smart or talented. If you were, you wouldn’t need effort. In the other world, effort is what makes you smart or talented.”
Focusing on Your Own Response
Throughout your child’s life, there will be setbacks. Many times, the scale may seem small, especially for young kids—a missed goal; a broken toy; a poor grade in a topic that doesn’t come naturally—but from a developmental perspective, these moments are hugely important. The way you respond to these events, and, in turn, how your child processes them, will play an outsized role in your child’s personality and response to setbacks over a lifetime. Try these strategies to raise kids who can persevere past obstacles and process failures as feedback (and not dead ends): Phrase feedback right (and be cautious with your compliments). Given Dr. Dweck’s research, it’s clear that the way we speak to kids about their successes and failures has a huge impact in whether they view themselves as having core abilities, or whether they’re focused on effort and improvement. “Compliments can be negative for your child’s internal motivation and self-esteem,” says Dr. Schwab, a Bronx resident. Praise feels good, but when it’s for fixed qualities, it doesn’t foster your child’s esteem or sense of worth. Instead of saying, “Good job!” Dr. Schwab advises, ask your child, “Are you proud of yourself?” This allows kids to think through how they feel— proud or determined to do even better next time. Resist the temptation to smooth things over. Here’s a classic scene: A wheel has fallen off your child’s small truck, and she is wailing in dismay as a result. For parents, it can be tempting to fix the truck. After all, for us, that’s easy (and stops the tears handily). But doing so might not be doing your child any favors. “Remember who owns the problem, and try to avoid bailing your child out,” Dr. Schwab says. Instead, offer empathy (Isn’t it frustrating that the wheel fell off!) and ask helpful questions geared toward your child’s age and understanding (What do you want to do? How can we fix this? Do you think that wheel can be reattached?) “This strategy gives kids the confidence and ability to fix problems on their own and encourages them to think for themselves,” Dr. Schwab says. Don’t keep your own failures hidden. Think about how you share stories of your own life with your children. Do you talk only about your successes? Here, as in every other area of your life, be a role model to your children: Share your triumphs in work and life, but don’t shield your child from the process—the successful meeting that was the result of devoting a full weekend to creating and practicing a presentation, for instance. Share the negative feedback and disappointments as well, along with how you overcame those challenges. Encourage kids to be intelligent risk takers. Dr. Rende recommends parents “let kids do things where they might not be the stars” and encourage kids to take risks. Doing this helps inculcate a growth mindset in your child—and encourages them to not settle for only doing tasks where they’ll perform well. “Failure is an important part of the learning process,” Dr. Schwab says. He recommends parents get in the habit of
tacking on the word “yet” to negative statements. If your child is crying that he can’t fix that truck’s wheel, you might subtly inspire him by responding, “You can’t fix that truck’s wheel— yet!” Practice and perseverance alone can’t make a person run as fast as Usain Bolt, Dr. Schwab points out, but that doesn’t mean it won’t lead to improvements. In everyday life—unlike the Olympics—there’s more value to trying and improving than to chasing after the gold medal. Separate out external markers. In a child’s world, there are a lot of definitive moments of evaluation: grades, competitions, sports victories, and defeats. Perhaps more than adults, children have to deal with rankings and concrete feedback. Dr. Rende describes all of these evaluations as being a statement in a moment of time, and encourages parents to keep kids focused on the process, instead of the result. “We really want to eliminate the word failure, but we also want to eliminate the word success. It’s best for kids to focus on process and being in control of their learning,” he says. Ask children to think about what they learned from the experience, and encourage them to be open to feedback beyond the grade. As parents, it can be painful to think of your child experiencing pain, frustration, or failure. But research tells us allowing your child to fail—and then helping them think through how to respond to this setback—allows kids to build the framework they need to learn from the moment, and get insight into how to move on from failure in the future. 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.
RocklandParent 15
Finding Summer Fun in the Depths of Winter ››
Ignore the cold and the snow, and bring some of the joys of summertime to your kids year round. By Bethany Braun-Silva
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here are so many fun summer activities we must forgo when the weather is too cold. But in fact, you don’t have to wait for warmer weather to enjoy some summer fun. Gather the family and check out these great summer activities you can do in winter, swimsuits required—seriously!
Get Wet at an Indoor Water Park
If a day at the waterpark is your child’s idea of a great time, it’s guaranteed to be even more fun in the winter. Who says you have to wait until Memorial Day to throw on your swimsuit? Family resorts such as Great Wolf Lodge and Camelback Resort in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania have huge indoor water parks that are a great way to get your summer fix in the winter. Your kids will love being allowed to put on their swimsuits in freezing temps, and there is nothing cooler than watching the snowfall from a heated pool!
Watch the Waves at the Beach
While beaches are closed for swimming during the winter, most of the boardwalks remain open. Take a stroll and watch the ocean, where the waves are usually huge in the colder months, making for a really great sight. Or hop on a bike on a boardwalk and grab a hot dog for lunch. 16
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
At some beaches, you may be able to even play in the sand, if there’s no snow on the ground—just be careful to stay a safe distance from the water. If you get cold, plan a trip to a nearby venue to warm up. You don’t have to wait until June or July to pay a visit to fantastic sea life: In Coney Island, Brooklyn, Nathan’s hotdogs and the New York Aquarium are open nearly every day of the year.
Visit the Animals at the Zoo
While temps may be low, lots of local zoos remain open all year long. Bundle up and take a trip to visit the animals, or at least
Pitch a Tent and Camp Inside
Enjoy summer fun without leaving your home. You and your family can plan a camping trip right in your living room. If space allows, pitch a tent and throw in some sleeping bags. If space is tight, any kind of makeshift fort will do. Roast some marshmallows on the stove or break out the grill for a wintertime cookout. Tell some ghost stories, blast the summertime jams, or throw on a favorite summer-themed movie. The kids will love the feeling of camping in their own house!
Star Gaze at a Planetarium
Get Active at an Indoor Sports Facility
Take your kids to an indoor sports center or a batting cage. While Astroturf is not quite the same as fresh grass, it will do until the weather warms up. A family soccer or softball game is sure to get the blood flowing just enough to bear the cold. Indoor sport centers such as A-Game Sports in Westchester or Chelsea Piers in Manhattan have plenty of opportunities for some great family fun. Get all the benefits of being outdoors without having to face frigid temperatures.
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Lay (or, at least, sit back) under the stars at a local planetarium. While it may be too overcast in January and February to get a good look at the galaxies, a planetarium is a great way to take in some of the outdoors without actually being outside. The best part, you’ll be nice and warm! The Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan is a classic and offers various show times throughout the week; there are several other options around the region, many of which include kid-focused shows. A virtual trip under the stars should hold your family over until you can see the real thing.
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those that remain on display in the winter. You and the family can pop into an indoor exhibit when it gets too cold. There are some great ones happening this winter, including the 96 Elephants Global Origami Tribute at the Bronx Zoo. You can also pay a visit to the beloved seals and penguins at the Central Park Zoo, or take a spin (or several) on the carousel at many area zoos. Added bonus: No crowds. Be sure to pack a thermos of hot chocolate or cider. The animals are waiting!
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Courtesy Oliver Stockhammer
Jovan Stockhammer, a third-grader at P.S. 118: The Maurice Sendak Community School in Park Slope, Brooklyn, works on creating a 3-D model of the Titanic as part of the school’s Exercise Your Brain program (left), and presents it in class (right).
Is Homework Necessary?
›› Inside the debate about whether kids really need homework—and what one elementary school is doing instead By Katelin Walling
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“
omework is one of the most stressful parts of a family’s day,” says Elizabeth Garraway, principal at P.S. 118: The Maurice Sendak Community School in Park Slope, Brooklyn. “Families argue about homework and instead of being something that kids enjoy or something they learn from, it becomes a source of stress for parents and for kids.” At School Leadership Team meetings last year, parents kept bringing up concerns regarding homework. “A lot of families were feeling like the homework was kind of making their children feel under pressure or frustrated after school,” says Alexis Hernandez, a first-grade teacher at P.S. 118. These sentiments about homework are not unique to P.S. 118. Homework has been “a part of the discussion around education throughout the 20th century as people debated what should kids be doing in school and what should kids be doing outside of school,” says Thomas Hatch, Ed.D., co-director of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching. “I think the latest incarnation of the concerns about homework has come along with the concerns of the proliferation of testing. So, I think, right now concerns about homework, concerns about testing, concerns about academic pressure on kids are all kind of coming to the forefront.” While those concerns are being voiced, there is a huge divide in this country among parents. There are “parents who are very focused on high academic achievement and really push their kids. Those are the parents who want homework,” says Etta Kralovec,
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Ed.D., author of The End of Homework: How Homework Disrupts Families, Overburdens Children, and Limits Learning. “And then there’s another group of parents who want their kids to have well-rounded lives, who want their kids to be involved in church activities, or they want their kids to be in Scouting.” With the regular school day, extracurricular clubs and activities, and sports teams, many parents and students are lamenting how much time homework takes, and parents and educators are questioning whether it really benefits the kids.
Finding a Balance
Hatch doesn’t think teachers should stop assigning homework altogether, but should work to find a balance between activities that support academic development and activities that support other aspects of development. “My take on that is really to look at it in the broader perspective. It’s not just about homework per se, it’s about how much time and focus do we want to see kids having on academic activities,” says Hatch, who is also a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University. “It’s really about how do we create a balance between a focus on academics and activities to embrace a wider set of abilities.” The question of balance isn’t just a hot topic in the U.S.; there are debates going on in many countries, including Korea, China, and Singapore, according to Hatch. The concern is kids are spending too much time in tutoring centers. “It’s kind of like an educational
arms race where the parents are concerned about kids spending too much time outside of school cramming for tests …but at the same time they’re worried that if they don’t put their kids into those centers or don’t support continuing their academic focus after school, then those kids are going to fall behind,” Hatch says. “That’s in part what you see in the U.S. as well.” It’s possible to find that balance with and without homework, Hatch says. If students are spending their entire school day on reading, math, writing—the basic academic skills—and going home with worksheets, “that’s a problem,” he says. If, on the other hand, students have time for recess, play, music, and art during the school day, it’s okay, developmentally, for them to have some homework relating to their academic work.
Ending Homework
“I don’t see any benefit to keeping homework,” says Kralovec, who is also an associate professor of Teacher Education and the program director of Graduate Teacher Education at the University of Arizona South. “There’s just no research that says it develops any kind of abilities or characteristics in student behavior that they actually need in life.” At the elementary level, there is no research that shows homework increases academic achievement. “In fact, most of the research says that it’s detrimental to kids because they’ve been in school all day and they need to exercise other parts of themselves other than just their school self,” Kralovec says. “I think that’s why a lot of elementary schools are really looking at getting rid of it.” At the middle- and high-school levels, though, the research is less clear that homework doesn’t support academic achievement. “There’s a correlation between homework and grades, but the correlation is very weak. Homework may be part of a good student practice by the time you get to high school, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the homework is actually effective,” she says. With the proliferation of articles in the past few years about school-induced stress, we know today’s students feel significant pressure to achieve—especially kids who want to go to college and think they have to be involved in various activities and in the community. Kralovec says homework, in some way, impedes high school students’ ability to become involved in their communities and develop interests that don’t grow out of school experiences. “I know some people say [homework] teaches kids responsibility, it teaches kids discipline, but there are just no studies that show it does any of that,” she says. “So for me, I like to think that there’s almost a firewall between the school and the child’s family life.”
Homework Alternatives
Back at P.S. 118’s SLT meetings, “parents were asking the teachers what they were doing with the homework,” Hernandez says. Not much, as it turns out. Rather than grading the homework and using it to plan future instruction, the teachers at P.S. 118 were mostly just checking to make sure the students completed and turned in their homework packets, Hernandez says. “So we really just kind of sat back and we thought what kind of program can we implement that would be more beneficial to our students, to our families, and to the teachers,” Hernandez says. “At P.S. 118, we really try to put a lot of play and hands-on learning in our curriculum, and so we thought why don’t we extend that into our after-school homework program as well and try to make it more interactive, more play-based, and more hands-on?” The result of that brainstorm session was Exercise Your Brain, which Hernandez created with Matt Weeks and Laura Willeford,
both third-grade teachers at P.S. 118. The three teachers looked to the program P.S. 11: The William T. Harris School in Chelsea, Manhattan, uses, the Home-Based Optional Practice. With HOP, teachers provide families with a list of optional activities (with individual and family approaches to each activity) for every grade level. “We put together a menu of activities that would hit on a lot of different profiles of learning,” Willeford says. “We wanted to create an opportunity where kids could express their learning and their engagement in school in a variety of modalities. EYB is a menu of activities that changes monthly from which kids can choose an activity to complete. While participation in EYB is not required, Weeks has found that “100-percent of students participate, and they’ve participated a handful of times so far,” he says. Exercise Your Brain was implemented at the beginning of the school year, and though it met with some hesitation from the parents, the feedback now is positive. “I remember having mixed feelings, because while I support innovation in education, this no homework idea was foreign to me,” says Debbie Farrell, a mother of first- and second-grade boys at P.S. 118. “My 7-year-old son used to delay starting his homework, or skip it altogether. Now he and his brother both start talking about which EYB activity they can do, even before we are home from school. They are also able to do some EYB activities together, like the science experiment making invisible ink. They seem more patient with each other as well.” Oliver Stockhammer, father of third-grade Jovan, says, “Maria [Jovan’s mother] and I feel that this program has engaged the children on such a higher level than simple homework worksheets, getting them ownership of the projects, selecting and following through.” “I’m also seeing [increased engagement] in the classroom,” Willeford says. “My class is probably the most engaged class I’ve had, and I think a lot of that is attributed to the fact that they have been able to be creative and have self-initiated learning.” The kids are loving EYB, too. “You have fun with EYB because you’re making something and learning a lot about different things,” Jovan says. “You don’t have to do homework all night long, and you get to present to the class and get to show what you did. With normal homework you just hand it in.”
Making Changes in Your School
The one resounding piece of advice everyone gave: Changing the homework policy at your children’s school should be a major discussion within the school community. Each school “needs to deal with the issue from the context of that school community. It really requires all parents to get involved to try to shape the work at the school so there’s a balance between school life and family life,” Kralovec says. “You do really have to look at your population, and you need to talk to the stakeholders. Talk to the principal, go to the SLT and make a presentation,” Garraway says. “We talked about it in SLT all last year, and we implemented [Exercise Your Brain] this year because homework just kept coming up” as an issue. It’s also important to look at how scaling back or ending homework will affect all kids in terms of their performance at school. “Those who love academics may thrive when there’s more to do. Those who are already disengaged from school may find it even more problematic if there’s too much activity, and then they respond when the homework is cut back, but it may not benefit them unless they’re also given alternate ways to improve their educational performance or to get engaged in academic activities,” Hatch says. “It’s about finding that right balance that allows every student to get the kind of academic support they need.” RocklandParent 19
John Raiola
Not of the Faith
Students at Iona Prep’s Upper School work on a class assignment.
›› How local Catholic schools have integrated—and accommodated—students from all types of religious backgrounds By Samantha Neudorf
A
rthur Tobias is the father of three kids in New Rochelle and was brought up in an Italian-Catholic family. His wife is Jewish and his kids identify as Jewish, yet his two sons attend Iona Preparatory School—an all-boys Catholic school in New Rochelle. Tobias says that when it was time for his older son to consider high schools, he was either going to continue attending public school or enroll in Iona Prep, where the elder Tobias had gone himself years earlier. But he did not know if the school would accept non-Catholic students until he had a conversation with a colleague who had been in the same situation: his wife and kids were Jewish, yet he sent his kids to Iona Prep. The colleague was a member of the school’s board and said that at one point board members had asked, “Who do we admit into the school?” They decided that being Catholic was not required, opening the school to kids with different religious backgrounds. Tobias and his wife then discussed sending their son to Iona Prep. They were concerned he might be teased or experience prejudice because he is Jewish. “She understood that I went there and that I valued my four years there and still do,” Tobias says. They came to an understanding and agreed to enroll him. Four years later, Tobias’ son graduated from Iona Prep and thanked his parents for allowing him to go there.
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Catholic School Policies
Edward O’Neill, the principal of the Upper School at Iona Prep, says that out of the 750 boys in ninth through 12th grades, 171 identify as not Catholic, which is approximately 23 percent of the student population. That number includes students who are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu, as well as non-Catholic Christians. O’Neill says he believes non-Catholic students apply to Iona Prep because of the school’s values. “Our values system is fairly clear, so people can identify with that,” O’Neill says. “We’re able to project a set of values of right and wrong, why we think kids should pursue their values and a good life.” The school requires all students to take four years of a course in Catholic religion and to attend school Mass once per month. The class is just like any other course in that the students receive a grade and have homework, and while Mass attendance is mandatory, participation is not. “The guys don’t have to actively participate, but we do want them to be familiar with our liturgies and how we celebrate our religion,” O’Neill says. Many other Catholic schools have similar policies, in which non-Catholic students can enroll and must go to Mass, but are not forced to participate or share the same beliefs. Maria Ljubich, the advancement director of St. Bernadette Catholic Academy in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, says 4 percent
SCHOOL MARKETPLACE of the 400 students in pre-K through eighth grades are non-Catholic, but all participate in prayer and school Mass. “Religion is taught as a subject on a daily basis and prayer permeates our day,” Ljubich says. Catholic students may prepare sacraments and non-Catholic students are welcome to help, but they do not have to receive them. Ljubich says no problems have come up from nonCatholic students and their families. Jane Harrigan, the principal Our Lady of Good Mercy School in Hicksville, says approximately 31 students out of the 300 in pre-K through eighth grades identify as non-Catholic. She says some parents have asked questions about what it will mean for their child to receive an education in a Catholic school. “We talk about…what the child would be experiencing because especially with the little ones, they’re learning ABCs, numbers, and also prayer,” Harrigan says. Students at Our Lady of Good Mercy School take a religion class, and though they are learning about the faith, they do not have to agree with it, Harrigan says. “If there are any places where perhaps our [religion] and theirs is not exactly the same, then the parents take it upon themselves to say [to their kids], ‘This is what you’re learning in the Catholic school, this is what we believe in. We’re respectful of both,’” Harrigan says. Unlike Iona Prep and St. Bernadette Catholic School, tuition prices vary at Our Lady of Good Mercy School: Tuition is slightly cheaper for a Catholic student whose family attends a church in the diocese in Rockville Centre. The reasoning behind the difference is these families are already making monetary contributions to their Catholic church along with tuition, and some of that goes toward Our Lady of Mercy church, which is adjacent to the school.
Misconceptions, Debunked
In the beginning, Tobias’s eldest son was unsure about Mass and did not want to attend. “He was anxious about it because any time he had been to church, it was with me and it was a family setting,” Tobias says. At the school, all students are expected to get up and stand in line for communion, but they do not have to receive it. “It removes the stigma of, ‘Well, why aren’t you going up and going to communion?’” Tobias says. If his son did not like Iona Prep, Tobias says he would not have enrolled his kids in any other Catholic school. His daughter is currently a senior at a public high school because she did not like the private school she and her parents considered. It’s a matter of researching the school and constantly checking in with your child, Tobias says. “[See] if there are any anxieties or concerns they may be having around the idea that they’re in a school different from their religion,” he advises. “A lot of kids are adjusting to high school life and religious differences may be just another part of that adjustment.” O’Neill has been an educator at Catholic schools for 44 years and attended one as a student 50 years ago. Catholic schools used to be viewed as extremely rigid, he admits, with an emphasis on discipline and order. But, he says, educators’ mindsets have changed in the past 20 years because a lot of them are modernizing and adapting to the times. “The older approach was ‘Here’s a group of kids and everybody is going to conform,’” O’Neill says. “At some point, Catholic schools got it that they needed to treat people as individuals and adjust to their learning styles.”
Looking for an Alternative? Come meet Blue Rock faculty and hear how our vibrant and creative learning environment stimulates children’s natural curiosity with its hands-on approach. In small class settings, students engage in a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and discovery-based curriculum infused with the arts, nature, and play. Encouraging critical thinking, collaboration and creativity—Blue Rock is a great alternative for grades K-8.
Winter Information Session & Campus Tour Saturday, January 28, 10am
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We nurture compassion. Future medical visionaries don’t make their mark on the world by accident. They start early, developing the determination to reveal solutions that change lives. Kiddie Academy ® Life Essentials® lights the path for each child to discover individual potential, showing anything is possible. To schedule a tour and enroll, visit kiddieacademy.com/ Northvale-Tappan Kiddie Academy® of Northvale-Tappan 10% OFF TUITION! 201-767-1120 3 full days or more. New customers only. Not redeemable for cash. One 271 Livingston Street, Unit 269 L-O offer per child. Participating locations Northvale, NJ 07647 only. Call academy for details.
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Academic Enrichment & Educational Services Bergen Chinese School
Hackensack Middle School 360 Union St., Hackensack, NJ bergenchineseschool.com admin@bergenchineseschool.com Established in 1972, Bergen Chinese School offers Mandarin and Chinese cultural classes on Sunday afternoons. The Heritage track is for those with basic fluency, while Chinese as a Second Language is for non-native speakers. We offer a pre-K through high school curriculum, as well as adult conversation classes. Students learn to speak and understand Mandarin, to read and write traditional Chinese characters, and to appreciate China’s rich cultural history. Bergen Chinese School—in partnership with parents—continues to thrive because we have a common goal of teaching our children Chinese language and culture.
amusement parks that provide building blocks for educational play, giving kids opportunities for problem solving, which helps them develop an appreciation for how things work. Bricks 4 Kidz® offers after-school enrichment, preschool, WEDO/EV3 robotics, and stop-motion animation classes, birthday parties, camps, in-school workshops, and field trips.
on to even greater achievements. We provide assistance with math homework, and we are specialized in test preparations (Common Core Assessments, Regents, Terra Nova, ACT, SAT, ASVAB, and GRE/GMAT). We make math fun, but, most of all, we make math make sense.
Smart Alec
getatutor.com info@getatutor.com Get-A-Tutor is a new online tutoring platform that specializes in creating a safe and effective learning experience for young learners, kindergarten through 12th grades. Our tutors are hand-selected to ensure safety and quality, as well as their ability to identify your child’s unique learning style for a tailored tutoring session. The Get-A-Tutor platform also provides a secure learning environment filled with tools to help enhance any lesson.
646-583-3611; smartalec.com Smart Alec offers in-home private tutoring sessions, all in just a few taps on their smartphone app or website. Smart Alec’s expert tutors teach all subjects, from math to science to writing, and help students in kindergarten through 12th grades. Using the Smart Alec website and app, parents can easily schedule in-home tutoring sessions, even for same-day and last-minute help. Smart Alec also matches students with the best possible tutors for their unique learning-style, making sure that students find the right teacher for them.
110 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack 845-627-0234; bluerockschool.org Blue Rock School is the Lower Hudson Valley’s only progressive school, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. We offer a unique educational experience based on a hands-on and holistic approach that nurtures children’s innate love of learning, enabling them to follow their own natural curiosity and develop as independent thinkers. At Blue Rock, class sizes are small and students engage in a challenging and creative academic curriculum, which is infused with the arts, nature, and play. Winter Information Session: Saturday, Jan. 28 at 10am. Registration required at admissions@ bluerockschool.org.
Green Meadow Waldorf School
Tech Adventure
Bricks 4 Kidz - Rockland
209B W. Route 59, Nanuet 845-624-MATH (6284) mathnasium.com/nanuet nanuet@mathnasium.com Mathnasium Learning Center, the nation’s leading math-only learning center, specializes in teaching kids math in a way that makes sense to them. Students go to Mathnasium year-round to catch up, keep up, and get ahead in math. We help struggling students develop into A+ students and A+ students go
Blue Rock School
121 W. Nyack Road, Suite 11, Nanuet 845-501-7800; b4kcenter.com info@b4kcenter.com Bricks 4 Kidz® offers STEM-principled educational play activities for children ages 3 and older, where they learn, build, and play with Lego® bricks. Our programs are built around proprietary model plans designed by engineers and architects with exciting themes such as space, construction, and
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Get-A-Tutor
307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge 845-356-2514; gmws.org Green Meadow Waldorf School in Chestnut Ridge offers parent-andchild classes for babies and toddlers up to age 3; serves children from nursery to 12th grade; and also runs popular summer programs. Founded in 1950, we are one of the oldest, largest Waldorf schools in the U.S., with approximately 400 students. Green Meadow students go on to top colleges and fulfilling careers, and are known for their resilience and creativity. Visit gmws.org to see how we are transforming education.
Mathnasium of Nanuet
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
404 E. Route 59, Nanuet 845-627-7000; techadventureny.com info@techadventureny.com Come and have your child explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and engaging environment! Celebrate birthdays and other special events by gaming in our huge Xbox One and WiiU room! Looking for something new for your kids to do while school is out? Join our innovative and exciting technologybased mini-camps that are open when school is not. STEM workshops, gaming, and holiday activities! Pizza included! Located just minutes from The Shoppes in Nanuet and the Palisades Mall. Contact: techadventureny.com or 845-627-7000.
Preschools Deborah Koenig Early Childhood Center at JCC Rockland
450 W. Nyack Road, West Nyack 845-501-4100 jccrockland.org/dkecc dkecc@jccrockland.org Limited spaces available: register today. The Deborah Koenig Early Childhood Center at JCC Rockland is committed to providing
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Schools & Educational Services Guide
A directory of top area schools, tutors, and other academic services to help you make the best decisions for your child
excellent care and education to our diverse community in Rockland County. We believe that our children are precious, and we support your efforts to provide them with a bright start. We partner with our families to encourage creativity, curiosity, and imagination, and to build trusting relationships. Our mission is the same as yours; for your child to grow and develop in an environment that is safe, warm, and stimulating. Registration is ongoing for infants through pre-K.
Kiddie Academy of Northvale
271 Livingston St., Northvale, NJ 201-767-1120 kiddieacademy.com/northvale northvale@kiddieacademy.net At Kiddie Academy® of Northvale, we never take a single moment of your child’s growth potential for granted. We feed your child’s curiosity and instinct to learn with days filled with age-appropriate activities designed to treat every experience as a learning opportunity. We believe when children learn at their own pace, they are capable of incredible growth. That’s the core philosophy of our Life Essentials® curriculum. Visit our academy, meet our staff, see our classrooms, and play on our playgrounds. Call or click today to schedule a private tour.
Kreative Kids
61 Maple Ave., New City 845-634-2202; vickistudio.com Kreative Kids is a toddler and nursery program for boys and girls ages 16 months to 4 years (diapers welcomed)! Classes are divided by age. We offer arts and crafts, music with instruments, singing, creative movement, tumbling, story time, snack time, and early learning skills. Our professional staff balances active and quiet activities, as they provide comfort and love to each child, making separating from parents easy. Classes are kept small to provide individualized attention. We also offer flexible, extended hours to fit your work schedule.
Palisades Country Day School
248 Herbert Ave., Closter, NJ 201-784-7600 Palisades Preschool and Kindergarten 2324 Fifth St., Fort Lee, NJ 201-947-3898
palisadescountryday.com We believe that “nothing in education is more important than a good beginning.” We offer academic activities, and a literature-based curriculum that reinforces our varied themes, and creative play. Specials include sports, Spanish, music, creative movement, character education, science, art, computers, and library. Our school is multi-cultural, and all holidays are celebrated. We welcome family participation. Programs offered include “Mommy & Me” 12 months and up, toddlers, 3- and 4-year-olds, and Jr. Kindergarten classes. Our professional and dedicated staff is experienced in early childhood education.
St. Catharine Early Childhood Center 517 Western Highway, Blauvelt 845-359-4330; stcatharineprek.org Our program provides an opportunity for young children to join together in a loving, nurturing, educational, fun environment. Each child is introduced to a full curriculum of early learning in a center-based setting. Hands-on activities and participation in all areas provide the perfect setting for young children to develop and grow. Each child is recognized as a unique individual with many special
talents and abilities. Phonemic awareness, social, cognitive, fine and gross motor skills are introduced through a creative curriculum. A wonderful place for preschoolers to learn, grow, and have fun!
SCHOOL MARKETPLACE
Let Them GROW with us!
Private Schools Young World Day School
585 Wyckoff Ave., Mahwah, NJ 201-327-3888 youngworlddayschool.org director@ywdschool.org Young World Day School provides a safe, nurturing environment in which ordinary kids do extraordinary things. An experienced staff utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to learning, using individualized and small-group instruction, and cooperative learning. The school includes a traditional preschool, beginning with a 2-year-old program, a Montessori school for ages 2.9-5, and a transitional and traditional kindergarten, all with low pupil-to-teacher ratios. The primary school for first-fifth grades is comprised of small, mixed-age classrooms providing individualized instruction so students learn at a rate appropriate to their ability. Morning and afternoon extended care available.
Mrs. Feeney and her staff are celebrating another fabulous year educating and nurturing the children in our community
Open House
Tues, Jan 17th - 6:30pm-8pm Wed, Jan 18th - 9am-11am (Snow date Thurs, Jan 19th 9am-11am & 6:30pm-8pm)
• Half Day and Full Day Sessions for 3-5 yr olds. • Extended Care
Registration for Sept 2017 Tues, Jan 24th - 6:30pm-8pm Wed, Jan 25th - 9am-11am (Snow date Thurs, Jan 26th 9am-11am & 6:30pm-8pm) Readiness Skills
Including: Math, Science, Reading, History, Religion, Fine & Gross Motor Skills
Technology
Touch Screen Tablets, Smart Boards
Fun
Arts & Crafts, Yoga, Class Trips, Hands on Activities
St. Catharine
Early Childhood Center
517 Western Highway • Blauvelt
845-359-4330 NY State Licensed All Staff NY Certified CPR & First Aid
UPK Participant
www.stcatharineprek.org st.cprek@yahoo.com
Your child is not like everyone else... so why is his education? Come see our individualized approach to education.
Young World Day School Age 2 through Grade 5
585 Wyckoff Avenue R Mahwah, NJ 07430 P. 201-327-3888 R www.youngworlddayschool.org
RocklandParent 23
OUTINGS: Queens Museum
nymetroparents.com/outings
Queens’ Most Versatile Museum The 4-in-1 institute is an art museum, classroom, community center, and historical site. ››
Courtesy Queens Museum
4
Courtesy Queens Museum
3
5
Max Touhey
2
Courtesy Queens Museum
The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass
1
By Lauren Diaz
1 A peacock lamp from The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass, a collection that fosters a better understanding and appreciation of the artwork of Louis C. Tiffany. 2 Families can snap a photo in the phosphorescent photo booth at the museum’s annual Spooktacular event in January. 3 Circus Amok!, a New York City-based circus-theater company, provides musical entertainment as guests dance at the museum’s Spooktacular. 4 The museum’s west façade is covered in glass panels spanning the length of the building, which are backlit by programmable LED lighting. 5 The Panorama of the City of New York is a 9,335-squarefoot model of the entire city, which was planned using aerial photographs, fire insurance maps, and other city materials.
The New York City Building was originally built with the purpose of housing the New York City Pavilion at the 1939 World’s Fair. After hosting another World’s Fair in 1964, it finally became home to The Queens Museum. Within this building you will find a host of unique and educational exhibits, galleries, and fun and interactive programming for your family.
Year-Round Fun
Billed as an indoor helicopter tour and often referred to as the “jewel of the crown of the collection” by staff, The Panorama of the City of New York was one of the most successful attractions at the 1964 World’s Fair. Each of the city’s 895,000 buildings constructed prior to 1992 and every street, park, and some 100 bridges are represented. Other permanent exhibits include The Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass, an extraordinary array of colorful lamps and windows, a 540-square-foot Relief Map of the New York City Water Supply System, and a World’s Fair Visible Storage collection. The Queens Museum prides itself on educa24
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
tional programming and offers weekly Dropin Family Art Workshops. Families with children ages 5-12 are invited to take part in a number of diverse art projects ranging from designing city blocks to making puppets. Each year, the museum also offers a number of programs for children and adults with varying abilities through its ArtAccess initiative. The Museum Explorers Club specifically aims to aid families affected by autism. Families participate in creating art inspired by the work in the galleries while exploration and play help bridge connections and build literacy.
for Queens residents who are entering seventh to ninth grades.
Annual Events
Details
The Queens Museum hosts Queens International, a biannual exhibition of artists living or working in Queens. The exhibit aims to highlight and contextualize the vibrancy of the borough through cultural productions in all media. The museum also offers a number of summer programs including two-week summer camps for children ages 7-11 and a six-week Summer Youth Arts program
January Highlights
Each year, with the help of Circus Amok!, the Queens Museum turns into a spooky wonderland for its Spooktacular event. The afternoon is full of exciting performances, face painting, art making, and scavenger hunts. This event is ticketed with proceeds benefitting the museum’s Education Department, which provides arts programs for students and adults of all abilities. Spooktacular will be held Jan. 21, 2-4pm. Address: New York City Building, Meridian Road, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens Directions: Approximately a 55-minute drive from New City Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm Admission: $8; $4 seniors; free for children 18 and younger For more information: queensmuseum.org or 718-592-9700
Winter Fun in Rockland Plan an exciting winter in Rockland County with these 12 fun things to do around the area. Our top picks will have you skating through to spring! ››
Take a trip to outer space at the Town of Ramapo Challenger Center.
Take a trip to outer space. Join a Public Space Mission at the Town of Ramapo Challenger Center on the third Sunday of every month, during which kids can go on simulated, interactive missions to Mars, the moon, and a comet. Visit nymetroparents.com/lhvcc for more information. Lace up your skates and go ice-skating. Hit the ice for some classic winter fun at Bear Mountain State Park Ice Rink. The rink is typically open through mid-March (weather depending). Find more indoor and outdoor ice rinks in the area at nymetroparents.com/ice-skating. Take in a holiday tra(in)dition. Hitch a ride to the New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show, which boasts replicas of area landmarks made entirely from plants and is definitely worth the drive to the Bronx. The show typically runs through mid-January. Find a full list of nearby train shows and exhibits that you can visit throughout the year at nymetroparents.com/trains. Hit the slopes for skiing or snowboarding. Grab your gear and pack up the kids for a day of skiing or snowboarding at one of the area’s family-friendly resorts (p. 34). Celebrate a snow day with downhill sledding. When the flakes start to fly, pull out your Flexible Flyer and get set for some snow day fun. But before you head out to your local sledding hill, be sure to check out our sledding safety tips at nymetroparents.com/sled-safe. Volunteer in your community. Give back to the community on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in mid-January. Learn more about volunteer opportunities in the Rockland area at nymetroparents.com/volunteer. Cheer on our New York girls. Cheer on the hundreds of young ladies competing to be called Miss New York USA and Miss New York Teen USA at the Purchase Performing Arts Center in nearby Westchester County in mid-January.
Travel to Legoland. Escape from the cold and head to Legoland Discovery Center Westchester in nearby Yonkers. Among its attractions, Legoland boasts several themed building stations, rides, and Miniland, a miniature re-creation of the New York metro landscape. Visit nymetroparents.com/legoland for more information. Watch a movie on the big screen. What’s better on a cold winter weekend than some warm popcorn and a family movie? Head to the Palisades Center Mall in West Nyack to catch the latest films in IMAX. Or if you have a family member with sensory issues, opt for a sensory-friendly matinee during which the lights stay up, the sound is turned down, and audience members are encouraged to get up and make as much noise as they please. View a list of theaters offering sensory-friendly screenings at nymetroparents.com/movies. Cure your cabin fever at Bounce! Keep the kids active in the cold months at Bounce! Trampoline Sports, an indoor play space in Valley Cottage that has tons of fun trampolines and foam pits. Start planning for summer camp—and more. Westchester Camp Fair has been transformed into Westchester Parents Day on Feb. 5 at Crowne Plaza in nearby White Plains. While the kids have fun at the many activities, parents can learn about area summer camps, after-school programs, and more. See westchesterparentsday.com for more information. Find out where maple syrup comes from. Do you love syrup on your pancakes? See where the sweet stuff comes from during a maple sugaring event at The Nature Place Day Camp in Chestnut Ridge on March 4. You’ll learn how to tap a tree and boil down sap into syrup. Find more details, plus other locations that host maple sugaring events in February and early March, by visiting nymetroparents.com/maple-sugaring.
RocklandParent 25
We've got everything for a…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is parents' Party Central—one-stop shopping for the best in: H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale) H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!) H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the best presents for every age) H At-Home Party Themes (think pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…) H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!) Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH
HILLSDALE • MONTVALE
SEPTEMBER 2012
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NYMETROPARENTS.COM
LongIslandParent Parent SPETEMBER 2012
Class Is In!
After-School Activities
✓ ❑ ✓ ❑
Resource Guide
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SLOW DOWN!
NYMETROPARENTS.COM
Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins
How to Manage Kids’ Schedules
What Makes a Good Mentor?
+ 174 Family
+ 130 Family
(see our calendar, p. 26)
(see our calendar, p. 32)
Events
Events
Plus: Learning to Let Go
Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child
Where-To Guide: Berry Picking
26
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
•
Dinosaur Fun
Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science
NYMetroParents
Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
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 ‘Pinkalicious The Musical’ (No. 1 on our list).
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JANUARY CALENDAR
28 Editor’s Hot Tickets 29 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE! 30 Smarty Pants, Browse & Buy 31 Show Time!, Must-Sees in NYC WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?
nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: SAMANTHA BERANBOM rpeditor@davlermedia.com
32 Once Upon a Time, The Great Outdoors 33 Movers & Shakers, Crafty Kids
2
EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS
Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the four 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
‘Pinkalicious The Musical’
WHEN: Jan. 1-March 31, Monday, 10am-5pm; TuesdayFriday, 10am-9pm; Saturday, 8:30am-9pm; Sunday, 8:30am-5pm WHERE: Mount Peter, 51 Old Mt. Peter Road, Warwick AGES: All WHAT: Beginners and experts will love skiing and snowboarding right in their own backyard. Families can also enjoy snow tubing and night skiing. WHY WE LOVE IT: If it’s gonna snow, might as well be on the slopes! WANT TO GO? $30-$49; $25-$42 children ages 5-11. 845-986-4940. mtpeter.com.
Celebrate! Party Showcase & Mitzvah Project Fair
Palisades Winter Farmers’ Market FREE
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 29, 12-4pm WHERE: Park Ridge Marriott, 300 Brae Blvd., Park Ridge, NJ AGES: 9 and older WHAT: From invitations to entertainment and everything in between, check off your to-do list in just one afternoon! Sample food, find the perfect party favors, and stop by the Mitzvah Project Fair to connect with organizations and discover unique ways to give back to your community. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s a one stop shop of ideas! WANT TO GO? $10 at the door; free with online registration. 646-6527512. celebrateshowcase.com.
2
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3
Skiing, Snowboarding, and Tubing
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: Bergen PAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe, but when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament. WHY WE LOVE IT: One of our most favorite characters comes to life! WANT TO GO? $15-$39. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Jan. 14-May 27, Saturdays, 9am-1pm WHERE: Palisades Community Center, 675 Oak Tree Road, Palisades AGES: All WHAT: Select vendors offer a wide-range of products including fish and seafood, meat, veggies, fruit, cheese, bakery, desserts, and prepared foods. WHY WE LOVE IT: All the food at the market is grown or prepared within a 100-mile radius of the Palisades! WANT TO GO? 845-359-3988. palisadesfm.org.
4
WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE
MAKE THIS SCHOOL YEAR
GREATER THAN LAST YEAR!
A new school year brings a fresh start—and Mathnasium is here to help set the stage for success!
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.
Together, we can make this school year greater than last year!
Circle Time with Sukey Molloy FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 10:30am WHERE: Rose Memorial Library, 79 E. Main St., Stony Point AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join Sukey Molloy for her award-winning series of musical activities created specifically for young children. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-2100. rosememoriallibrary.org.
Family-Friendly Friday Night Service FREE
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 20, 5pm WHERE: Congregation Sons of Israel, 300 N. Broadway, Upper Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Please join Rabbi Ariel Russo and Hazzan Michael Kasper for services to sing, dance, pray, and tell stories. This is a great opportunity to learn about Shabbat and have fun. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3767. csinyack.org.
50% OFF on Assessement Fee + $100 OFF the First Month! Some restrictions apply. New students only.
Math Help and Enrichment
Test Prep
Camp Open House FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 1-4pm WHERE: The Nature Place Day Camp, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: 3-12, adult WHAT: Meet the staff, take a tour of the camp grounds, see a narrated slideshow of summer activities, and learn all there is to know about this amazing program. WANT TO GO? 845-356-6477. thenatureplace.com.
Mathnasium of Nanuet
(845) 624-6284
Nanuet@mathnasium.com www.mathnasium.com/Nanuet 209B W. Route 59, Nanuet, NY 10954
Keep Your Family’s Smiles Bright! Healthy, nuturing, emotionally supportive environment
Growing and Caring for Indoor Plants and Orchids FREE
• Dental Wellness of Suffern & Monroe Dental Office, P.C. provide natural, effective, quality dental care for you and your family.
WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 25, 1:30-3pm WHERE: Finkelstein Memorial Library, 24 Chestnut St., Spring Valley AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Extend the gardening season by growing orchids and tropical plants indoors all year round. Learn which plants grow best in your home environment, when to fertilize, when to divide and re-pot the plants, and how to keep insects and diseases under control. WANT TO GO? 845-429-7085. rocklandcce.org.
• We help children who are apprehensive about visiting the dentist feel comfortable and have fun.
Playtime Storytime FREE
WHEN: Jan. 6-Feb. 24, Fridays, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy stories, songs, sensory story time with cool activities, fun with non-fiction, and more. Families welcome. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org. ››
Homework Help
Sherri Alpert, DDS Author of Cassandra Gets Her Smile Back and Attack of the Sugar Bugs. Both books help children enjoy their dental visit. Books can be ordered on Amazon.com
• We also treat adults for dental implants, crowns and other dental treatments.
Dental Wellness of Suffern 2 Executive Blvd., Ste. 307, Suffern 918-1801 – dentalwellness@optonline.net Learn more at DentalWellnessofSuffern.com
Accepting new families. Book your Appointment today. Most Insurances Accepted
Monroe Dental Office – Bobby Crohn, DDS 400 State Rt. 17M, Suite 2, Monroe 782-0189 – monroedental@optonline.net Learn more about MonroeDentalOffice.com
RocklandParent 29
Tot Shabbat at CSI, Nyack FREE
WHEN: Jan. 7-28, Saturdays, 11am WHERE: Congregation Sons of Israel, 300 N. Broadway, Upper Nyack AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Read stories, play games, and discover what Shabbat is all about. Enjoy grape juice and challah with Rabbi Russo followed by a free lunch for all. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3767. csinyack.org.
Play the PS4 FREE
SMARTY PANTS Public Planetarium Show
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 2-4pm WHERE: Town of Ramapo Challenger Center, 225 Route 59, Airmont AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Travel to the planets and moons of our solar system and observe comets, meteors, eclipses, nebulae, galaxies and black holes. Following a 1-hour planetarium show that includes a full-dome video, participants will take part in a 1-hour hands-on astronomy-related project in the center’s activity room. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and for children younger than 9. 845357-3416. lhvcc.com.
Public Space Mission
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2-5pm WHERE: Town of Ramapo Challenger Center, 225 Route 59, Airmont AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Just like real astronauts, public crew members will attend a briefing session and then select tasks to perform on the mission that are detailed enough to feel real and challenging, simple enough for kids to do, and fun. Participants will work in a simulated spacecraft and mission control. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and for children younger than 9. 845357-3416. lhvcc.com.
Tabletop Gardens: Bonsai & Terrariums FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 1-2:30pm WHERE: Valley Cottage Library, 110 Route 303, Valley Cottage AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Continue gardening even during the long winter months. This program will demystify the ancient and widely practiced art of the Bonsai and will demonstrate the techniques used to create beautiful terrariums and indoor garden baskets for any room in the house. WANT TO GO? 845-268-7700. rocklandcce.org.
Winter Information Session Campus Tour at Blue Rock School FREE
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 27, 10am-12pm WHERE: Blue Rock School, 110 Demarest Mill Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: Meet faculty and hear how this vibrant and creative learning environment nurtures children’s natural curiosity and fosters a lifelong love of learning. Discover how Blue Rock School’s unique educational approach brings learning to life. RSVP required. WANT TO GO? 845-535-3353. bluerockschool.org. 30
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Jan. 3-31, Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Calling all gamers: come in and play the PS4 on a big screen. WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.
BROWSE & BUY Ramsey Winter Farmers’ Market FREE
WHEN: Through March 26: Sundays, 9am-2pm WHERE: Eric Smith School, 73 Monroe St., Ramsey, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Ramsey’s ever popular market takes it indoors for the winter season. Enjoy 35 local food purveyors who offer fresh, artisanal products along with special events for the whole family. WANT TO GO? ramseyfarmersmarket.org.
Nyack Winters Farmers’ Market FREE
WHEN: Through March 31: Thursdays, 8am-2pm WHERE: Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave., Nyack AGES: All WHAT: This year-round market moves indoors for the season featuring many popular vendors including Orchards of Concklin, Pie Lady and Son, Taiim Shack Mobile, American Seafoods, and Kiernan Farms. WANT TO GO? 845-353-2221. nyackchamber.org.
CityBound
N Y C Teresa Wood
Must-Sees in
‘Story Pirates’
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 1pm and 3pm WHERE: Bergen PAC Kidz Cabaret Series, Drapkin Cabaret & Lounge, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: 3-8 WHAT: A sketch comedy musical based on favorite stories written by kids from around the country, plus a segment that’s entirely improvised according to suggestions from kids in the audience. WANT TO GO? $17. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.
4th Annual Puppet Festival: ‘City That Drinks the Mountain Sky’
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 11am WHERE: Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave., Nyack AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Featuring Arm of the Sea Theater, City That Drinks the Mountain Sky is heralded as one of the wonders of the world, NYC’s ingenious system of aqueducts and reservoirs provides clear mountain water from the Catskills to 9 million downstate residents. The show will be followed by an interactive hour featuring puppetmaking and a puppet shows by kids for kids. WANT TO GO? $15; free for children younger than 2. 845-3575062. artsrock.org.
Children’s Shakespeare Theatre Presents ‘Macbeth’
WHEN: Jan. 13-21, Friday-Saturday, 7pm WHERE: The Tappan Manse Barn, 32 Old Tappan Road, Tappan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The Knaves of Children’s Shakespeare Theatre present Macbeth—a story of tragedy, of death, and madness. Come out and support these fearless kids, who promise you a darkly moving experience. WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors; $10 children. 845-262-0278. childrensshakespeare.org.
‘The Ugly Duckling’
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 4pm WHERE: Bergen PAC, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Hans Christian Andersen’s classic The Ugly Duckling has helped generations of children understand one of humanity’s universal struggles. Corbian and Lightwire Theater brings this classic story to the modern stage with the use of electroluminescent puppetry, moving sculpture, and dance for an unforgettable theatrical experience. WANT TO GO? $10-$25. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org. ››
Elephant and Piggie rock out with The Squirelles.
We are in a Play! A musical adaptation of Mo Willems’s best-selling children’s books of the same name: Elephant and Piggie. The famous BFFs dance across the stage and sing songs alongside their backing singers The Squirrelles. They address very important questions such as: What do you wear to a fancy costume pool party? Should you share your ice cream? Like the books, this show won’t fail to put a smile on your face. Jan. 28-Feb. 5; see website for show times. Age: 4-7. $25. The New Victory Theater, 229 W. 42nd St., Times Square Theater District. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org. Courtesy New York Boat Show
SHOW TIME!
A fun day out for all ages
Ahoy There, Manhattan The world’s first and longest-running boat show, the Progressive® Insurance New York Boat Show is a fun day out for the whole family. Take the helm and try out boats of all sizes, from luxury motor yachts and sport fishers to performance boats and sailboats. There’s a family zone with activities that include a toy workshop, balloon fun, and a photo opportunity with a pirate. Ooh-ahhh. Jan. 25-29; see website for times. Age: All. $16, free for children 15 and younger (with an adult). Jacob K. Javits Center, 655 W. 34th St., Hell’s Kitchen. 718-707-0711. nyboatshow.com.
Visit mta.info/mnrParents for discount rail packages to NYC’s hottest attractions, shows and tours!
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RocklandParent 31
ONCE UPON A TIME Winter Tales with Chuck Stead FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 21, 12-1pm WHERE: The Nature Place Day Camp, 307 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge AGES: All WHAT: Master storyteller Chuck Stead spins funny, poignant, outrageous and true stories of his childhood and growing up in the nearby Ramapo Mountains. When the weather turns cold and winter has really set in, Chuck tells his Winter Tales of stories that sparkle and glimmer like the snow and ice of January. WANT TO GO? 845-356-6477. thenatureplace.com.
PAWS for Reading FREE
WHEN: Jan. 7-21, Saturdays, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Young animal-lovers can practice reading to a furry friend. Sign up for a 15-minute session to read to a dog. WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.
Nature Myths and Stories
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 10am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Hands-on storytelling accompanied by animal pelts, tracks, and games. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.
Special Event Story Times FREE
WHEN: Jan. 7-28, Saturdays, 11am WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Nanuet, Palisades Center, and Paramus, NJ locations, check website for addresses and phone numbers AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy new stories or old classics followed by coloring and activities. This month features fun titles, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, How Do Dinosaurs Choose Their Pets?, Nanette’s Baguette, and I’ll Never Let You Go. WANT TO GO? barnesandnoble.com.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS Animal Tracks and Traces
WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 8, 10am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Search for clues that tell the tale of who lives in the forest and what they do during the winter. Learn to identify common animal tracks and signs, plus make a plaster animal track casting to take home. WANT TO GO? $7; $5 children. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.
Starlab: Indoor Planetarium
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 10am, 11:30am, and 1pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Take a celestial adventure in the magical night sky via the Starlab. Come learn how to identify the major constellations and stars while hearing Native American and Greek stories of how they were created. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $12. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.
Candlelight Tours
WHEN: Through Jan. 15: Sundays, 5pm and 6:30pm WHERE: Jacob Blauvelt House, Historical Society of Rockland County, 20 Zukor Road, New City AGES: All WHAT: Spend an enchanted evening at the historic 1832 Jacob Blauvelt farmhouse, illuminated with candlelight and lanterns, fragrant with traditional sweets, and decorated with festive greenery. Experience Dutch American holiday traditions of the 1830s with 19th-century music and song and seasonal refreshments. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors; $5 children. 845-634-9629. rocklandhistory.org.
Exhibit Grand Opening: Birds on the Wing Hike
WHEN: Jan. 28-29, Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Wildlife Education Center, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Explore the fascinating world of birds and expand your knowledge of our local bird species. Activities for this opening weekend include a ribbon cutting on Saturday at 12:15pm, crafts, refreshments, and special programs about birds at 1pm and 2:30pm. WANT TO GO? $3. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org. 32
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
WHEN: Jan. 1-March 31, Monday-Thursday, 2-8pm; Friday, 1-10pm; Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-8pm WHERE: Campgaw Mountain, 200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a variety of terrains for all abilities with short lift lines, uncrowded trails, and a friendly staff. Find the latest in rental equipment and the highest level of skiing or snowboarding instruction for all ages. Tubing is also available. WANT TO GO? $22-$45. 201-327-7800. skicampgaw.com.
MOVERS & SHAKERS Music Lessons
WHEN: Jan. 1-31, times vary WHERE: New City School of Music, 12 N. Main St., New City AGES: All WHAT: Patient, fun, and caring instructors will teach the songs you want to learn. WANT TO GO? $46 and up. 845-499-2137. newcitymusicschool.com.
Open Bounce
WHEN: Through Jan. 31: Monday-Thursday, 4-5:30pm WHERE: BounceU, 424 Market St., Nanuet AGES: All WHAT: Nonstop bouncing, climbing, sliding, and more in two giant bounce stadiums. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? $12.95. 845-623-5400. bounceu.com.
Pee Wee Playtime
WHEN: Through March 30: Mondays and Thursdays, 10am-1pm WHERE: The Joseph T. St. Lawrence Center, 115 Torne Valley Road, Hillburn AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Children, along with a parent, participate in a variety of different developmental activities from a bounce house to balance beams, bouncy balls, mat activities, and more to develop balance and coordination skills in preparation for kindergarten. WANT TO GO? $5 per day. 845-753-2324. ramapoparks.org.
Sensory Tuesdays
WHEN: Through June 27: Tuesdays, 6-7pm WHERE: Bounce! Trampoline Sports, 612 Corporate Way, Valley Cottage AGES: 3-8 WHAT: For children with sensory issues and those with autism, this program offers fun structured activities with decreased auditory and visual stimuli in a less crowded environment with limited class size. WANT TO GO? $12. 845-268-4000. bouncevalleycottage.com.
CRAFTY KIDS Lego Skyline London and Chicago Event FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 5, 7pm WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Nanuet, Palisades Center, and Paramus, NJ locations, check website for addresses and phone numbers AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Help build an exciting, new Lego® Skyline collection instore display for London and Chicago. After, enjoy being creative and collaborative with other customers by building with Lego® Architecture Studio white bricks. WANT TO GO? barnesandnoble.com.
Parents’ Night Out Art Party
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 14, 6-9pm WHERE: Art Adventure, 60 Dutch Hill Road, Suite 8, Orangeburg AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Enjoy a night of adulting while the kids are busy with their own fun night out with art projects, games, movies, snacks, and more. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $25 per child. 845-680-6780. artadventureny.com.
Kids’ Club
WHEN: Jan. 7-21, Saturdays, 10am-12pm WHERE: Michaels, 14A Spring Valley Marketplace, Spring Valley; 75 Interstate Shop Center, Ramsey, NJ AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Little artists will enjoy creating simple, winter-themed projects while parents shop. Supplies included. WANT TO GO? $2. michaels.com.
Coming up next month: FEB. 10: Date and Create: Embellished Beer or Wine Glasses with Barbara Galazzo at Rockland Center for the Arts, West Nyack FEB. 12: Disney’s Frozen Sing-Along at Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ FEB. 18: Outragehisss Pets at The Nature Place Day Camp, Chestnut Ridge
Tr F ia re lC e la ss !
Ski Season
Visit us online or call about
Art Mini-Camp
Birthday Parties Ages 2-18 Class/Camps Walk in Art Time Spacious Studio
60 Dutch Hill Rd, Orangeburg www.ArtAdventureNY.com • (845) 680-6780 RocklandParent 33
WHERE-TO GUIDE
Ski & Snowboard
nymetroparents.com/where-to
››
Research by Jonathan Perry and Kathryn Sheridan
Slice across the snowy slopes this winter with the entire family. Whether your little ones are hitting the bunny slope for the first time or you’ve got an experienced snow leopard navigating tricky trails, a mountain getaway offers winter charm, activities to keep you moving through the cold, and fun for the whole bunch. Almost all mountains and resorts offer lessons for skiing and snowboarding, so don’t be shy! Please note: We recommend checking snow conditions before visiting any of the mountains listed here. 518-263-4223 huntermtn.com Spans three mountains and includes 58 trails and 10 lifts. Programs for kids include Mighty Mights (ski only) for ages 5-6 and Junior Adventure (snowboarding and skiing) for ages 7-12. Snow tubing for those 42 inches and taller on Friday evenings and weekends. Mini Park for those shorter than 42 inches. Day care available for children ages 6 months to 6 years on weekends (Friday-Sunday) and during school holidays. Several bus services offer round-trip transportation from the New York metro area; see website for details.
Southeast New York Belleayre Mountain 181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount 845-254-5600 belleayre.com Features 50 trails, parks, and glades. Offers ski and snowboard lessons for kids ages 4-6, 7-12, and 13 and older. Round-trip bus service from NYC via Adirondack Trailways (trailwaysny.com) includes lift ticket and luggage lock-up. Catamount State Route 23 E., Hillsdale 518-325-3200 catamountski.com Has 36 trails, seven lifts including a summit quad chairlift, five terrain parks, and a novice area for beginning boarders. Fourth- and fifth-graders ski free on 34
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
weekends and holidays with a paying adult (registration and $25 processing fee required). Season passes available: $510 adults; $440 children ages 7-13; $170 for children ages 6 and younger. Holiday Mountain Ski and Fun Park 99 Holiday Mountain Road, Monticello 845-796-3161 holidaymtn.com Boasts seven trails, four lifts, night skiing, snow tubing, and ice-skating. Beginner lessons available. Thursday and Saturday nights (5-8pm) are Family Nights, with reduced lift ticket and rental pricing. Friday night is Family Tubing Night. On Tuesday nights (5-9pm), buy any lift ticket and get another at half price. Hunter Mountain Route 23A, Hunter
Mount Peter 51 Old Mount Peter Road, Warwick 845-986-4940 mtpeter.com Has nearly a dozen trails, from beginner to black diamond, a terrain park, and tubing. Offers free beginner lessons on weekends and holidays with the purchase of a lift ticket (for ages 5 and older). There’s also a Tiny Tots program for children ages 4 and younger (must be potty trained), which includes a lesson, equipment rental, lift ticket, and hot chocolate. Ski racing program for ages 6-18. Plattekill Mountain 469 Plattekill Mountain Road, Roxbury 607-326-3500 plattekill.com Features 38 trails and a terrain park. Child care on weekends and holidays for children ages 6 months and older; group ski lessons for kids as young as 4. Liftserviced snow tubing on weekends and holidays; children must be at least 3 feet tall. Kids younger than 7 ski free. Lift tickets are reduced to $20 from Jan. 2931, and the first 50 skiers or riders get a $25 lift ticket on the following dates: Jan. 6, Feb. 3, and March 3. Roundtrip bus service available from New York metro area locations via Adirondack Trailways (trailwaysny.com) and online via skedaddle.com.
Rocking Horse Ranch 600 Route 44/55, Highland GPS address: 13 Pancake Hollow Road, Highland 845-691-2927 rockinghorseranch.com A family resort that includes downhill skiing, snow tubing, horse-drawn sleigh ridges, timber shoots, and ice-skating. Best for the ski “dabbler.” Offers beginner classes (in the Never Ever Area) and free equipment rentals (snowboards not available) with your stay. All-inclusive packages available. Free pickup service available from the Amtrak train station in Poughkeepsie and Stewart International Airport in Newburgh.
Foundation (call 518-7345070 for more information). Child care is available. Bus service available from NYC via Adirondack Trailways (trailwaysny.com).
New Jersey Campgaw Mountain 200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah 201-327-7800 skicampgaw.com Small ski area with two lifts,
night skiing, and snow tubing (must be at least 42 inches tall). Tiny Tot program offers group ski lessons for ages 4-6; group ski and snowboard lessons for ages 7 and older. Approximately 20 miles north of the George Washington Bridge. Mountain Creek Ski Resort 200 Route 94, Vernon 973-827-2000
mountaincreek.com Features 44 trails, mostly beginner and intermediate, and a large terrain park. Private lessons available. Night skiing and snow tubing for ages 5 and older who are at least 42 inches tall. Kids Camp on half-day school days and racing programs two days a week. Approximately 50 miles from Manhattan.
Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/ski
Thunder Ridge Ski Area 137 Birch Hill Road, Patterson 845-878-4100 thunderridgeski.com Boasts 22 trails with many slow and gentle slopes for beginners and intermediates. Has a ski racing program for kids ages 6-19. On weekends and holidays through March 12, you can take the MetroNorth ski train to Patterson station ($61.50; $44 seniors; $49.50 children ages 12 and older; $25 children ages 6-11; $12 children age 5; $10 for children younger than 5) and a the free shuttle to Thunder Ridge. Ticket includes allday/all-night lift ticket (night skiing not available on Sundays) and a $5 discount on rental equipment. Windham Mountain 19 Resort Drive, Windham 800-754-9463 windhammountain.com Nearly 50 trails and six terrain parks (for beginner to expert riders), plus a Mountaintop Adventure Park with iceskating, snow tubing, two rope tows, and two zip lines. Ski and riding programs for kids ages 4-12 (private lessons for kids as young as 3). Lessons for children with disabilities are offered through the Adaptive Sports RocklandParent 35
Great for Leftovers
Each of these three recipes makes enough for two servings, plus enough for two servings of a leftover twist. By Elana Karp and Suzanne Dumaine Creamy polenta with mushroom ragoût and the polenta cakes with fried eggs that can be made with the leftovers (inset)
Creamy Polenta with Mushroom Ragoût
Using a mix of fresh and dried mushrooms in sauces and soups is ideal; fresh provide meaty texture and heartiness, while dried bring concentrated flavor, released when they’re reconstituted. You could use this ragoût over pasta, but we particularly like the way this dish can became an all-in-one leftover: Mix ragoût into polenta, let it harden, then fry it in olive oil. Enjoy it any time of day. Ingredients 1 cup water ½ cup dried porcini mushrooms 6 sprigs fresh thyme 1½ pounds mixed fresh mushrooms (we like cremini, oyster, and shiitake) 2 shallots ¼ bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter ½ cup white wine 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock 2 cups whole milk 2 cups polenta ¹⁄³ cup grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions 1. In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat. As soon as it comes to a boil, add the dried mushrooms, remove from heat, and soak for approximately 10 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, strip the thyme leaves from the stems. Cut the fresh mushrooms into ¼-inch slices. Thinly slice the shallots. Roughly chop the parsley leaves. 3. Drain the dried mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid. Roughly chop and pat dry. 4. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the dried and fresh mushrooms in a single layer and immediately season with salt and pepper. Cook without moving until beginning to crisp, 3-4 minutes. Add the butter, thyme, and shallots. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are tender and browning and the shallots are softened, approximately 5 minutes.
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5. Add the wine, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer until the wine is reduced by half, approximately 3 minutes. Add the reserved mushroom-soaking liquid to the pan and continue to simmer until reduced by half, 3-4 minutes longer. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm until ready to serve. 6. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock, milk, and a large pinch of salt to a boil over high heat. As soon as the liquid is boiling, while whisking, slowly add the polenta. Immediately reduce the heat to as low as possible and whisk slowly and continuously until the polenta is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed (cooking time may vary; check package instructions). Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. 7. Taste the ragoût and add salt and pepper as needed. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the parsley. 8. To serve, divide half the polenta evenly between two bowls and top with half the ragoût. Note: Stir the remaining polenta and ragoût together to save as leftovers. Spread into an even layer in a medium baking dish and store, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days. Leftovers: Polenta Cakes with Fried Eggs Ingredients Leftover polenta with mushroom ragoût, chilled 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 large eggs Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions 1. Cut the chilled polenta into 3-inch squares. In a large nonstick pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the polenta cakes in a single layer and
cook until browned and warmed through, approximately 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside. 2. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the same pan over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the pan and season with salt and pepper. Fry without moving until the whites are set, 2-3 minutes. Slide the fried eggs over the polenta cakes and eat hot. Cheffy Nugget: Polenta has two possible textures: creamy and delicious or totally solid. Make sure you have everything else ready before beginning to cook the polenta; you’ll want to eat it as soon as it comes off the stove.
Garlicky Shrimp Stir-Fry with Shiitakes and Bok Choy
Rice is pretty much the perfect leftover—in fact, we love purposely making too much, just so we can repurpose it the next day. The steamed rice in this stir-fry is perfect for mopping up sauce, but once the rice dries out, it’s no longer a moisture sponge. In the leftover fried rice dish, it crisps up, becoming the star feature. Ingredients 1½ cups jasmine or basmati rice 2½ cups water 4 baby bok choy 4 cloves garlic 1 pound shiitake mushrooms 1-inch knob fresh ginger ½ cup chicken or vegetable stock
1 tsp. cornstarch 1 Tbsp. mirin 2 Tbsp. sesame oil ½ tsp. crushed red pepper 1½ pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions 1. In a medium pot, combine the rice, water, and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. As soon as the water comes to a boil, stir once, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 12 minutes, covered, then remove from the heat. Keep covered and allow to steam for at least 10 minutes. 2. While the rice cooks, cut the bok choy crosswise into ½-inch slices, keeping the leaves and stalks separate. Mince the garlic. Stem the shiitakes and thinly slice the caps. Peel and mince the ginger. In a small bowl, whisk together the stock, cornstarch, and mirin. 3. In a large pan, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the bok choy stalks and shiitakes, continued on next page ››
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›› continued from previous page
Leftovers: Shrimp Fried Rice with Egg
spreading into a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook without moving until starting to brown on the bottom, 2-3 minutes. Stir and cook until softening, 2-3 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper, garlic, ginger, and bok choy leaves and stir to combine. Cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Season the shrimp on both sides with salt and pepper. Add to the vegetables and cook until just pink, 1-2 minutes per side. 4. Push all the ingredients to the outer edges of the pan. Pour the stock mixture into the center, and simmer until thickened, approximately 2 minutes. Stir everything together to combine and coat, then remove the pan from the heat. Taste the stir-fry and add salt and pepper as needed. 5. Uncover the rice and fluff with a fork. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Note: Before serving, set aside half the rice and half the stir-fry to use as leftovers. Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. 6. To serve, top the rice with the stir-fry.
Ingredients Leftover shrimp and vegetable stir-fry 3 Tbsp. sesame oil 2 large eggs
Spaghetti Squash Ragù
Spaghetti squash gets its name from the thin, pasta-like strands that are pulled out of it after roasting. Don’t be fooled by its size; it makes an unexpectedly enormous amount of food—ideal for leftovers! This and the leftovers recipe are two of our favorite preparations, but there’s ample opportunity for you to invent your own. Ingredients 2 small or 1 large spaghetti squash 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 pound ground beef 2 carrots 1 yellow onion 3 sprigs fresh thyme 3 cloves garlic 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper 1 tsp. dried oregano ½ Tbsp. tomato paste ½ cup red wine 1 cup beef or chicken stock ¼ cup grated pecorino or Parmesan cheese Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. 2. Halve the spaghetti squash lengthwise. Using a large spoon,
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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Leftover cooked rice ½ tablespoon soy sauce Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions 1. Chop the leftover shrimp into bite-size pieces. 2. In a large nonstick pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil over medium heat. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. When the oil is shimmering, add the eggs and scramble, 2-3 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. 3. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons sesame oil to the pan and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add all the leftovers—chopped shrimp, vegetables, and rice—and cook, stirring, until warmed through and the rice begins to crisp, approximately 5 minutes. Drizzle with the soy sauce and return the eggs to the pan. Stir to combine, approximately 1 minute.
scoop out and discard the seeds. Drizzle the cut sides with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Arrange cut-side down on the lined baking sheet and roast until browning along the edges and very tender, approximately 35 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, in a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until the meat loses its color, 8-10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a medium bowl and discard any liquid from the pan. 4. Meanwhile, halve the carrots lengthwise and slice them crosswise. Dice the onion. Strip the thyme leaves off the stems. Mince the garlic. Drain the tomatoes. 5. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the carrots, onion, thyme, garlic, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Return the meat to the pan. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook until brick red, approximately 2 minutes. Add the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced by half, approximately 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and stock. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the ragù is thickened and the flavors are melded, approximately 15 minutes. 6. While the ragù simmers, when the spaghetti squash is cool enough to handle, use a large fork to pull and release the spaghetti-like strands into a large bowl. Note: Set aside half the shredded spaghetti squash to use as leftovers. Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. 7. Add the spaghetti squash to the ragù and stir to combine. Cook until warmed through and beginning to soak up the sauce, 2-3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
Leftovers: Spaghetti Squash with Pine Nuts and Parmesan
Ingredients ¼ cup pine nuts 3 cloves garlic 6 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley 1/ 8 tsp. crushed red pepper ½ tsp. dried oregano ¼ cup chicken or vegetable stock
Leftover shredded spaghetti squash ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions 1. In a medium pan, spread out the pine nuts in a single layer and cook over medium heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until fragrant and toasted, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer the pine nuts to a small bowl. 2. Meanwhile, mince the garlic and roughly chop the parsley leaves. 3. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the garlic, crushed red pepper, and oregano. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Stir in the spaghetti squash and stock. Simmer until the pan is almost dry and the squash is warmed through, 3-5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve garnished with the toasted pine nuts and parsley.
Reprinted from Plated. Copyright © 2016 by Dine in Fresh, Inc., d/b/a Plated. Photographs copyright © 2016 by Robert Bredvad. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, an imprint of Penguin Random House, LLC.
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Why Are Boys Failing?
››
How current societal norms are contributing to boys falling behind—in school and in life By Jaimie Seaton
E
very day after school Peter comes home, drops his backpack and heads to his room to grab his laptop. Before he even gets a snack, he’s logged on and surfing between YouTube and his favorite video games. Unless an adult intervenes, he’ll spend the rest of his afternoon locked in an online trance. Peter is not unlike most 13-year-old boys in this country. Instead of heading to the ball field after school, or hanging out with friends, Peter spends his afternoons online. If he has homework he does exactly what’s required, never more. He gets A’s and B’s but has been conditioned to believe that learning is a means to an end (doing well on tests) and not a means in itself. He’s rare in that he enjoys reading for fun, but views reading as an activity to pursue when he’s not able to get online, not as a pleasurable way to spend his leisure time. In many ways Peter is the quintessential modern boy, and that’s the problem, according to Leonard Sax, M.D., Ph.D., a primary care physician in Maryland, and the author of four books, including Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men. The 2009 book was updated and re-released this year, and examines why boys are less ambitious and less resilient than they were 20 years ago. Dr. Sax argues that a combination of social, cultural, and biological factors has created a toxic environment that leaves boys disengaged from school, less likely to go to college (and of those
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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
who do, less likely to earn a degree), and more apt to live with their parents as adults. Currently, one-third of men ages 22-34 are still living at home, which is a nearly 100-percent increase in the past 20 years. Meanwhile, the proportion of girls who are anxious and depressed has at least quadrupled; it’s risen at a much higher rate than the rate for boys. “I need to stress that girls are not the winners here,” Dr. Sax says. Between the book’s initial release and the revision this year, the problem has only got worse, according to Dr. Sax. “We now have a great deal more research showing the growing gender gap in academic achievement—with boys falling further and further behind—not because girls are doing better, but because boys are doing worse,” Dr. Sax says. “If the gender gap was growing because girls were doing better, that wouldn’t be a problem. That would be cause for celebration.” Dr. Sax says the gap is evident in many parameters, both formal and informal. For instance, girls are less likely to read for fun in their spare time than they were 30 years ago. But American boys have practically stopped reading for fun. “The gender gap widened not because girls are reading more but because boys stopped reading,” Dr. Sax says.
Contributions to the Decline
A number of factors have contributed to the situation, including a cultural shift in which political sensibilities have infiltrated the
household, leaving Americans uncomfortable with the notion of authority, the decline of masculine role models, the need to make schools more boy-friendly, misguided parenting, and an over-reliance on pharmaceuticals to control children, according to Dr. Sax. “American parents are now parenting their kids badly, compared to other countries. An American kid is now fourteen times more likely to be on medication for ADD compared to a kid in the U.K. An American kid is forty times more likely to be on medication for bipolar disorder than a kid in Germany. In this country we use schizophrenia medications to keep kids from having temper tantrums. There’s been a collapse of parenting in the United States,” Dr. Sax says. Parents are grappling with challenges not faced by their parents, particularly the proliferation of screens and social media. We learn to parent from our own parents, and if we can’t draw on experience, we look to our peers for guidance. The problem with this approach, according to Dr. Sax, is many parents don’t have a clue what they’re doing. “I encourage parents to turn off the screens,” Dr. Sax says. “We have a great deal of research showing the more time kids spend in front of a screen, the less engaged they are in the real world. We have very substantial evidence that finds that screens actively undermine kids’ ability to concentrate and focus.” The American Academy of Pediatrics recently came out with new guidelines, recommending no more than 40 minutes of screen-time a night during the week and 1 hour on weekends. Even if parents turn off the screens at home, however, a growing number of students are looking at screens in school. “I think a big piece of it is too much technology in their daily lives, there’s such a rush to get the technology into the classrooms,” says Greg Stott, an eighth-grade science teacher at the Francis C. Richmond School in Hanover, NH, where students have individual iPads. “The students look to that for stimulation, and when that’s not provided, they don’t know what to do.” “I’m not a fan of the iPad program. Parents can limit screen time at home, but we’re not thinking that maybe we should limit screen time here at school,” Stott says. He added that students are less willing to solve problems, and that boys in particular either don’t know how to begin or simply give up. Girls tend to be more meticulous, more patient; girls typically do better overall because they do better work. Boys tend to be more impulsive, get it done quickly, and don’t go back and check their work. “This generation of young adults seems to be expecting stuff and when it doesn’t come through, they’re at a loss of what to do, and maybe that’s why a lot of them move back home and don’t have the motivation to get out,” Stott says. Peter Gray, Ph.D., research professor in the department of psychology at Boston College, has seen a profound lack of resilience among college students, which he attributes to the change in parenting and education methods over the past 50 years. Part of the problem, he says, is children are not left to their own devices to play outside, to push their own limits, and to get into situations or conflicts with other children that they must solve. “Children are almost always in the presence of adults. They’re not getting into trouble and out of trouble, and negotiating with their playmates. We’re depriving children of free play, and we’re seeing the consequence of that in college stu-
dents,” says Dr. Gray, author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. Paradoxically, though “helicopter parenting” has turned out kids who are unable to cope with the slightest set back at college (a fight with a roommate or a bad grade, for instance). Parents have ceded their power to their kids because of their own discomfort with authority. Too many parents today are asking their children what they want—from meals to vacations—rather than setting the rules.
Closing the Gap
A look at television shows from the 1950s and ’60s offers a glimpse at an important difference between parenting styles then and now: Children in those shows are free to play on their own (both in and out of school) and often get into sticky situations. Indeed, many plots turn on the child doing something reckless and learning a valuable lesson as a result. In today’s hyper-vigilant world, children have fewer and fewer opportunities to challenge themselves through play. No where is this more evident than at school, where the fear of litigation has turned playgrounds into outdoor gym classes, where adults closely supervise play, and many kids stand idly looking at their phones. “Over the last forty years education changed in multiple ways, and schools became less friendly to boys,” Dr. Sax says. “Are kids allowed to throw snow balls on school grounds during school hours? No. We used to throw snowballs and the teachers would come out and join us. Today if a kid starts throwing snowballs a teacher comes running out to stop him.” Dr. Sax says there is a better way that costs nothing. He suggests making the football field the designated snowball throwing zone, where both boys and girls can choose to participate, or holding a tournament with teachers setting up targets and letting the kids compete. He added that boys’ behavior must be channeled and it extends to the classroom. For instance, he says many boys like to write violent stories. An acceptable story might be a generic depiction of violence that suits the period being written about (Roman gladiators, for example). Writing a story depicting personal or threatening violence is out of bounds. “Boys understand in bounds versus out of bounds very well,” Dr. Sax says. There’s been so much concern about gender parity in schools that we’ve thrown the baby out with the bathwater. Dr. Sax says gender is complicated but it doesn’t mean gender doesn’t matter. “What boys need to get excited about school is different from what girls need, and if you don’t understand that, you end up with what we have, which is a lot of boys who think school is just for girls,” Dr. Sax says. “If we don’t turn the tide we’ll have boys who are less likely to be engaged in the real world and more likely to be looking at their screens, and less likely to fulfill their potential.” Jaimie Seaton has been a journalist for more than 20 years, and is the former Thailand correspondent for Newsweek. Her work on divorce, parenting, dating, and a wide range of topics has been featured in the Washington Post, the Guardian, Glamour, and numerous other publications. Follow her on Twitter @JaimieSeaton.
RocklandParent 41
EDUCATION
Helping Your Child with Common Core Math F ››
or most parents, excelling in math as a child meant correctly solving linear calculations. They may remember the thrill of answering a complex multiplication problem or correctly solving for an unknown variable. Yet with the Common Core Standards, which nearly all states have now adopted, math is taught in a very different way. Students are expected to understand how and why they are completing problems, rather than simply coming up with correct answers. So how can you as a parent help your child with this “new” Common Core way of teaching math?
Math: Then and Now
Let’s start by looking at the “old” verses “new” way of teaching math. Imagine your child needs to solve the addition problem 8+9. When parents were young, they likely knew the answer simply from “drill and kill”—or memorizing the addition facts. Yet with Common Core standards, one way students might be asked to solve this problem is using doubles. They’d need to identify the closest double (8+8) and move upwards from there. 8+8=16, plus 1 equals 17. They might also look at a 10 frame and see that 8 42
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
By Emily Levy, Ed.D.
darkened circles on the frame plus 2 more circles gives us 10 circles (one complete 10 frame), plus 7 more on another 10 frame gives us 17 total circles. Now let’s move to the problem 325-27. In the “old” days we learned a basic algorithm for solving subtraction problems with regrouping, starting on the right side, borrowing from the 10s, and so on. Yet with Common Core standards, this problem might be solved with the “counting up” method—essentially “counting up” from the smaller number to the larger number using 10s and 100s. For example, we’d start with 27. We’d add 3 to get to the nearest 10 and therefore circle the 3. Then we’d add 70 to get to the nearest 100 and circle 70. Next, we’d add 200 more to get to 300 (and circle 200). Finally, we’d add (and circle) 25 to reach the larger number (325). Then we’d add together all of the numbers we circled to come up with the answer. Sounds complicated, right? It is, to many. Yet the reality is that math instruction is not reverting back to the “old” way anytime soon. The days of memorizing equations and plugging in numbers are behind us, and the wave of understanding and applying math concepts is here to stay, at least for the near future.
How can you help?
Get to know the math curriculum your child’s school is using. Look for parent resources online. Ask the principal of your child’s school to set up parent workshops so you can learn more about the curriculum. Embrace the change and do what you can to understand this way of teaching. Try not to teach your child “your” way to solve a problem when his teacher is emphasizing a different way. This will only confuse him even more! Use it as an opportunity to teach your child to advocate for herself. If she is struggling with a concept, encourage her to ask her teacher for clarification rather than reeling in frustration. She can learn how to solve the problem the “Common Core” way and then even become your teacher, teaching you this new way of coming up with an answer. Let your child know that this approach is confusing for you too and that it’s okay! In life we all struggle with different problems and we can find a way to figure out how to get through them. Share the success of moving from an utterly confused to an utterly satisfied state by finally understanding this new way of approaching a problem. Many parents feel strong disdain toward Common Core-style math. They feel “their” way (the old way) is is simpler, clearer, and downright better. Don’t share these thoughts with your child. The “new” math is the “new” reality. You can share your views privately with your child’s teacher or principal but avoid sharing them with your child, or you will likely create deeper frustration. Dr. Emily Levy is the founder and director of EBL Coaching, a one-on-one tutoring program for students in grades preK-12 based in NYC, Westchester, and Englewood, NJ.
Englewood Wyckoff • Norwood, NJ
Bronxville Woodcliff Lake
Pinatas • Crafts • Entertainment • Sombreros • Birthday Cake (packages range from $8.95 - $21.00 per child)
for party info
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Clemente Orthodontics Where Excellence Is A Family Tradition Dr. Marissa Clemente Dr. Michael Clemente Dr. Nicole Clemente • Private Treatment Rooms • All Digital X-Rays • Flexible Payment Plans Accepted •
Camp • Birthday Parties • Kidz Night Out Creative Play • Robotics • Stop Motion Animation
Winter break camp
Tues., Dec. 27th – Fri., Dec. 30th | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Bricks4Kidz.RcklndNY 121 W. NYACK RD. NANUET, NY 845-501-7800
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Tilly... A Deer’s Tale (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)
Follow the adventures of a rescued baby deer. Share Tilly’s courage and valiant recovery. Call 914-764-5564
to schedule a free Tilly Event for schools, libraries & hospitals Available at Barnes & Noble, Walden Books and at Amazon.com For books preview and sale, visit us at:
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RocklandParent 43
Flu Shot 101
›› Four frequently asked questions. By Aimée Kahn, M.D., MPH
Can I get the flu from the flu shot? This is a common misconception regarding the influenza vaccine, so let’s clear the air. The influenza vaccine that’s given by an injection (shot) does not contain any living virus. To make the vaccine, the virus is heated and inactivated prior to testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This means the virus cannot infect you and cause you to have the flu infection. What can happen, though, is one person may have an illness brewing around the same time as getting the vaccine. Then, that person feels worse after the flu shot and assumes it is the flu. But again, this is not possible because the flu shot does not have a live virus—so you are safe. The protection from the vaccine takes approximately two weeks to start working. If you’re exposed to the flu virus within two weeks of receiving the vaccine, you are not yet fully protected from it and you could get sick. The most common side effects of getting the vaccine are soreness at the site of injection, headache, and muscle ache—which only last one to two days. Who should get the flu vaccine? The influenza vaccine is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older, and for those caring for infants who are younger than 6 months. The best way to protect newborns younger than 6 months from the flu is for caregivers to get vaccinated. Also, all pregnant mothers are at a higher risk of getting sicker from the flu than others and are recommended to get the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. This not only offers protection from the flu for the mother, but for the newborn as well for several months after birth. If you have a serious anaphylactic allergy to eggs, talk to your doctor before getting the influenza vaccine. I hate needles; is there another way to get the vaccine? The influenza vaccine is available in two forms: an injection
44
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
and nasal spray. The nasal spray does contain a live vaccine, however, the virus is weakened and then tested by the FDA. Unfortunately, during the 2016-2017 flu season, the nasal spray is not recommended as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. But do I really need to get the flu vaccine? There are many benefits to getting the influenza vaccine. The flu vaccine can prevent you from getting sick from the flu. Vaccination also reduces the chances of flu-related hospitalizations from complications of the infection. As mentioned, vaccination during pregnancy protects the mother and newborn, which is especially important as babies’ immune systems are not as strong as those who are older and can have much worse outcomes with infection. It is impossible for the vaccine to cover every single strain of the influenza virus. If you’re infected but have gotten the flu shot, your symptoms will be milder and not as severe as if you are unvaccinated. Getting the vaccine reduces the chances that you will get the flu. Catching the flu can cause a very serious illness that can result in hospitalization and even death. Every year, nearly 100 children die in the U.S. from complications of the flu. Young children and those older than 65 are more likely to have worse symptoms from the infection. Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, nasal congestion, and feeling tired. Children are more likely to also have vomiting and diarrhea, compared to older age groups. You’re most likely to spread the infection one day before symptoms start and up to a week or more after. If you’re feeling these symptoms, believe your child is, or need to get the flu shot, see your primary care doctor or pediatrician. Aimée Kahn, M.D., is board-certified and specializes in pediatrics. Dr. Kahn is seeing patients in Crystal Run Healthcare’s West Nyack office.
Meet The
The Nature Place Day Camp
Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo
Deer Mountain Day Camp
0
DIRECTOR
Ed Bieber, owner and director 285 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge 845-356-6477; thenatureplace.com camp@thenatureplace.com Ed Bieber (back right, accompanied by director of programming Scott Dunn, as well as Ed and Scott’s children who also work at or attend The Nature Place) is the owner and director of The Nature Place Day Camp. Ed created The Nature Place 32 summers ago to be a non-competitive and nature-oriented alternative program in which children can connect with themselves, with one another, and with the Earth. A leader in outdoor and environmental education in Rockland County and surrounding areas for more than 45 years, Ed keeps the ‘nature’ in The Nature Place.
70 N. Main St., New City 845-638-4000 mytaekwondolife.com Head Master H.S. Jung is a sixth degree Black Belt, former Korean Champion, U.S. National Team head coach, and international referee. Blending Korean culture and philosophy with traditional taekwondo, Master Jung and Master Yu’s school offers unique martial arts training. Classes are open seven days a week for all ages. Our unique birthday parties open the door for future leaders and martial artists and are available on weekends. Energize your mind, body, and spirit with traditional taekwondo. We will offer a variety of summer classes—please call for more details.
Camp Ramaquois
30 Mountain Road, Pomona 845-354-1600 ramaquois.com Arthur Kessler has spent his entire professional life having a tremendous impact on the camping industry. Arthur’s camping experience developed from camper to owner and director of Tunis Lake, and now Ramaquois. Throughout the years, Arthur has been known for setting the standards in camping. In 2005, he, along with his wife, received the highest honor as inductees to the Legends of Camping.
63 Call Hollow Road, Pomona 845-354-2727; deermountaindaycamp.com info@deermountaindaycamp.com Explore Talents. Unlock Creativity. Learn New Skills. Find Passions. Make True Friends. Shine As You! Our story began in 1956, when the Katz family founded the camp, a legacy continued today by second-generation owners and directors, Roberta and Carol Katz. Under our insightful watch, campers (ages 3-15) open up as themselves and have a blast as they enjoy a sleepaway camp’s range of activities, facilities, and staff— each program is crafted to meet their ages and developmental levels in a day camp setting. Activities include swimming, sports, fine and performing arts, outdoor adventure, nature, waterfront, discovery, science, and special events.
Kreative Kids
61 Maple Ave., New City 845-634-2202; vickistudio.com Vicki is the owner and director of Vicki’s Dance Studio and Kreative Kids, and has been offering toddler and preschool dance, gymnastics, musical theater, summer programs, and birthday parties for more than 25 years. Vicki maintains a funfilled learning atmosphere in all of her programs. The Summer Multi-Arts program is an outstanding part-time program for the child who wants to do a little bit of everything, and for the parent who doesn’t want to spend a fortune. Everyone who participates in any of her programs from ages 16 months to adult will have a wonderful, personalized experience.
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Meet the Health Care
PROFESSIONAL
To be in this section, call 845-848-8021 or email nympads@davlermedia.com A & R Advanced Dental Group, Anna Alekseyeva, D.D.S., Roman Izmailov, D.D.S. 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-364-9400 aradvanceddental.com
Marita Smith, D.D.S. Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-414-9626; smithslittlesmiles.com drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com
Kastin & Newman Orthodontics 6 Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-354-7233 rocklandorthodontics.com info@kastin-newmanortho.com
Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net
At A&R Advanced Dental Group, patient satisfaction and comfort is our No. 1 priority. We are a cutting edge practice that delivers state-of-the-art dental care to our patients. Dr. Roman Izmailov and Dr. Anna Alekseyeva have more than 30 years of experience in all phases of dentistry, including high quality and affordable dental implants, zirconia crowns, porcelain veneers, fixed bridges, root canal treatments, teeth whitening, and composite fillings. Evening appointments are available, and we accept most insurances.
Drs. Brett Kastin and Warren Newman utilize stateof-the-art materials and customized treatment planning for every patient, ensuring the highest quality of care. Dr. Kastin is a certified Invisalign® provider, and has been president of the Rockland County Dental Society since 2006. Dr. Newman has more than 40 years of orthodontic experience. They have been a team for more than 10 years, and were voted Rockland’s Top Orthodontists by the dentists of Rockland County. Their practice offers an experienced staff and flexible appointment times. Initial exams are complimentary, as are children’s recall appointments.
Kupchik Dental Dr. Anna Kupchik, D.D.S. 2 Medical Park Drive, Suite 16, West Nyack 845-535-3500 kupchikdental.cominfo@kupchikdental.com
At Kupchik Dental, patients’ comfort is our No. 1 priority. We strive to make every dental experience easy and relaxing by practicing gentle touch dentistry. Our state-of-the-art dental office is committed to providing the best quality of care for the entire family. Dr. Kupchik and her team believe in educating patients and keeping them informed of their oral health every step of the way. We are open seven days a week for your convenience, and have an in-house insurance plan for the uninsured. 46
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
Dr. Marita Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist dedicated to providing excellent dental care for children from infancy through adolescence in a warm and friendly environment. As a mother of two, Dr. Smith knows how important it is for a child to be comfortable and stress-free during their dental visits. Dr. Smith places great focus on prevention and her goal is to keep your child’s smile healthy! Most insurances accepted. Evening and Saturday hours and 24-hour emergency service available. Se habla Español.
Dental Wellness of Suffern provides natural, effective, quality dental care for your family, making your visit enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing. A parent herself, Dr. Alpert enjoys working with children who are apprehensive about the dentist, creating a fun environment with magic tricks, interactive Wii games, a wall mural, and a Find the Dental Helpers game. Author of two books, Cassandra Gets Her Smile Back and Attack of the Sugar Bugs, Dr. Alpert makes visiting the dentist fun. Dental Wellness of Suffern—let them create the smile you were born to have.
Smile More Dentistry 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan 845-367–4866 tappandentist.com
Drs. LaCap, Tong, and their “Smile Team” have been providing exceptional dental care with a gentle touch and state-of-the-art technology for more than 25 years. Children love going to their office because of the friendly and fun environment. Busy moms love the office because they offer an “on time guarantee,” “workmanship guarantee,” and “you will love us” guarantee! Dr. Tong was voted one of NJ’s top children’s dentists five years in a row. The office receives a perfect five-star rating in patient satisfaction.
Bobby Crohn, D.D.S. Monroe Dental Office 400 State Route 17M, Suite 2, Monroe 845-782-0189 monroedentaloffice.com monroedental@optonline.net
Danceworks Ballet Workout
Develop a lean, strong dancer’s body with flexibility and grace
Dr. Crohn graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a degree in biology. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University at Buffalo in 1992, and he completed his general practice residency at Danbury Hospital in 1993. Dr. Crohn has done extensive additional training in implant dentistry including training with Dr. Nick Elian at Vistara Institute, DentalXP Symposiums, and training at Zimmerman Institute.
Tenafly Pediatrics 74 Pascack Road, Park Ridge, NJ 201-326-7120 Offices also in Tenafly, Fort Lee, Clifton, Paramus, and Oakland, NJ tenaflypediatrics.com
Learn to work with your body, not against it • Barre stretch • Mat Work • Reverance • No Special Clothing Needed • All Levels • No Prior Training Necessary • Beginners Welcome • 10 Week Session $75 or $10/class • Free Babysitting • Monday & Wednesday 9:30am-10:45am • Free Trial Class
69 Lake Road • Congers Call for details and brochure 845-268-4669
Mention this Ad for a FREE Trial Lesson!
Dr. David Schaumberger is one of the pediatricians working out of our newly expanded Park Ridge office. As someone who lives nearby, he enjoys working in Northern Bergen and Rockland counties. Dr. Schaumberger completed his pediatric residency from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and has been working at Tenafly Pediatrics since 2001. On a personal note, he enjoys ethnic cuisine and spending time with his three children. Tenafly Pediatrics is a recent Angie’s List Winner with offices conveniently located throughout Bergen County.
ACTIVITIES
For Adults & Kids
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• Lessons • Group Classes • Rock Camps • Instrument Rentals • Recording • Live Performances
www.RnRmusicschool.com
16 N. Route 9W - Congers, NY • 845-267-3311
New Spring Arrivals Daily!
Mimi's Treasures A Unique Children’s Boutique
Large Selection of Baby Gifts!
38 East Central Ave, Pearl River, NY
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• Organized programs for boys & girls, ages 3-14 • Focused on fun, safe play and convenience • All skill levels welcome. No tryouts!
Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices.
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Get advance notice on activities, i9sports.com participate in group discussions RocklandParent 47 and receive special notices.
Each location independently owned and operated.
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To advertise: 845-848-8021 or nympads@davlermedia.com Looking for the perfect birthday gift? Come visit our Unique Toy Boutique!
Jill’s Ceramics
Where children & adults create their own functional works of art
Available all seasons. Indoor/Outdoor facilities Private party room & host
Mention this ad for 10% OFF!
Also Year-Round Lessons & Therapeutic Riding
15 Fernald Rd., Stony Point
• ADULTS’ NIGHT OUT • Specialty Items For Every Holiday • Paint & Go or Glaze & Fire
We offer over 7000 games, toys, crafts, puzzles, gadgets & more to choose from!
Small animal farm on site FREE riding photo for each child PATH certified staff Camp Venture Equestrian Center
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1581 Route 202 • Pomona, NY
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FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE To advertise: 845-848-8021 or nympads@davlermedia.com
TUTORS
Cantor Barbra Lieberstein is seeking local, qualified Hebrew Tutors for private & small group, in-home lessons to expanding Rockland student base.
NEED to plan the perfect party? FIND venues, entertainers, suppliers,
and other ideas to create the ideal party in our online Parent Resources Directory.
201-788-6653 cantorbarbra@aol.com www.cantorbarbra.com
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Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com 48
January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
AD INDEX
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ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS
Danceworks................................................................... 47
Palisades Climb Adventure............................................ 11
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................. 7
Mathnasium of Nanuet.................................................. 29
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................. 7
Tech Adventure................................................................ 7 BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................. 7
HEALTH A&R Advanced Dental Group........................................ 46
Academy for Martial Arts................................................. 5 Art Adventure................................................................. 33
DANCE
Blue Moon Mexican Café ............................................. 43
Danceworks................................................................... 47
Bricks 4 Kids - Rockland................................................ 43
Kreative Kids / Vicki’s Studio......................................... 45
Clemente Orthodontics.................................................. 43 Crystal Run Healthcare................................................... 2 Dental Wellness of Suffern................................ 29, 46, 47 Kastin & Newman Orthodontics..................................... 46
Camp Venture Equestrian Center.................................. 48 Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo............... 39, 45
DEVELOPMENTAL
Palisades Climb Adventure............................................ 11
Smart Alec..................................................................... 15
Rockland Parent Party Planner..................................... 48 Tech Adventure................................................................ 7
EDUCATION
Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................. 7
Bergen Chinese School................................................. 17
West Rock Tennis Club................................................. 37
Blue Rock School.......................................................... 21 Green Meadow Waldorf School....................................... 3
Kupchik Dental, PLLC............................................. 43, 46 Smile More Dentistry............................................... 17, 46 Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.................. 37, 46 Tenafly Pediatrics.................................................... 39, 47 MUSIC R&R Music School......................................................... 47
CAMPS
Kiddie Academy - Northvale.......................................... 21
RESTAURANT / FOOD SERVICES
Art Adventure................................................................. 33
Kreative Kids / Vicki’s Studio......................................... 45
Blue Moon Mexican Café ............................................. 43
Bricks 4 Kids - Rockland................................................ 43
Mathnasium of Nanuet.................................................. 29
Camp Ramaquois.......................................................... 45
Palisades Country Day School & Camp........................ 23
RETAIL
Deer Mountain Day Camp............................................. 45
Smart Alec..................................................................... 15
Mimi’s Treasures........................................................... 47
Kiddie Academy - Northvale.......................................... 21
St. Catharine Early Childhood Center........................... 23
Tilly...A Deer’s Tale......................................................... 43
Kreative Kids / Vicki’s Studio......................................... 45
Young World Day School............................................... 23 SPECIAL EVENTS
Mathnasium of Nanuet.................................................. 29 Nature Place Day Camp................................................ 45
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT /
Palisades Country Day School & Camp........................ 23
EVENTS / OUTINGS
R&R Music School......................................................... 47
ArtsRock of Rockland.................................................... 13
Tech Adventure................................................................ 7
Deborah Koenig Early Childhood Center...................... 52
West Rock Tennis Club................................................. 37
Ski Butternut.................................................................... 5 Smugglers’ Notch Resort............................................... 35
CHILD CARE / DAY CARE
ArtsRock of Rockland.................................................... 13 Deborah Koenig Early Childhood Center...................... 52 Special Needs................................................................... Camp Venture Equestrian Center.................................. 48 Tumble-Bee Gymnastics................................................. 7 SPORTS Academy for Martial Arts................................................. 5
Kiddie Academy - Northvale.......................................... 21
FAMILY TRAVEL
Palisades Country Day School & Camp........................ 23
Smugglers’ Notch Resort............................................... 35
St. Catharine Early Childhood Center........................... 23
Camp Ramaquois.......................................................... 45 i9 Sports - Rockland County.......................................... 47 Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo............... 39, 45
FITNESS
Palisades Climb Adventure............................................ 11
CLASSES
Academy for Martial Arts................................................. 5
Art Adventure................................................................. 33
Danceworks................................................................... 47
Bergen Chinese School................................................. 17
i9 Sports - Rockland County.......................................... 47
TUTORS
Bricks 4 Kids - Rockland................................................ 43
Master Jung & Yu Traditional Taekwondo............... 39, 45
Smart Alec..................................................................... 15
West Rock Tennis Club................................................. 37
RocklandParent 49
Courtesy Judy Koutsky
VOICES
The author and her children swim with the dolphins on a recent trip.
Is My Babysitter Doing a Better Job Than Me? ›› Though my sons’ caregivers can sometimes seem to be better role models than me, that doesn’t mean I am a bad parent. By Judy Koutsky
W
ork has been super busy lately, so we recently tried out some new babysitters. When I asked my sons afterward what they thought of the new recruits, they said they didn’t like any of them. I was worried: Were the babysitters doing something wrong? Where they being mean? Where they not parenting the way I would parent? I asked my kids to give me examples of why they disliked those babysitters. My older son said that one babysitter “forced” him to eat his dinner. “How?” I asked. “Did she physically force open your mouth?” He thought about it, paused, and said, “Well, no, but she wouldn’t let me watch the rest of my TV show until I promised to finish half my fruit and veggies and eat three more bites of chicken.” Other atrocities? “At bedtime,” my younger son chimed in, “she’s so mean.” Again, I asked for details. “She gave me a fiveminute warning to go to the bathroom, get a glass of water, and find my favorite book. Then at exactly eight o’clock, she said lights out!” he exclaimed. “You always lay with us for a long time and when you tell us just one book you often read many, many more.” So it turns out the “mean” babysitters were making my kids eat healthy, stick to rules I implemented, and were consistent. Hmmm, what does that say about me? I started to feel bad, as if I wasn’t parenting correctly. Why were the babysitters able to get my kids to do things that I let slide? I think one of the biggest changes in parenting today is that we parents are so much more involved in our kids’ lives day to day. I grew up 1 of 6 kids, and my mom made sure we had a family dinner (homemade) each night at 6. But parents didn’t get as involved in every little detail in their kids’ lives. I need a babysitter, because in addition to working, I’m full-on with the kids. That includes being class parent for both of my boys (planning class parties, organizing field trips and volunteers,
and making sure everything runs smoothly). Then there are all of the extras, such as volunteering to be the pizza mom as well as the art appreciation mom at school. Plus, there’s the playdates, and after-school sports and activities. I also try to take my kids outside each day for fresh air and fun, and I need to help them with homework and reading each night. I love my mom and the way she raised me, but she wasn’t nearly as involved. (None of the moms were back then.) I love being a big part of my kids’ lives, but it’s also exhausting. Come dinner and bedtime, I’m beat. So while the babysitter comes in fresh and ready to work, I’m ready to throw in the towel (having been up since 5am). She has the energy to negotiate three more bites, or a spoonful of broccoli, but I feel like I’ve been negotiating for hours. When it comes to bedtime, I admit, I’m terrible about being strict. Truth be told, I love reading stories to my boys. I love the extra snuggle time. I love telling them about when they were a baby, or a story about when I was their age. So while I wish I had the energy to stick to a schedule and keep it consistent and structured, I also feel like I need to cut myself some slack. I don’t always make them finish their dinners (or eat their veggies and fruit), but I do make them three full meals a day. If they skimp on something at dinner, hopefully they make up for it at lunch. If I don’t always have the strong will to enforce bedtime, I hope they have happy memories of their mom telling them lots of bedtime stories about their childhood (and mine) and reading lots of books. Maybe babysitters can be consistent and more structured because they watch my kids at most 20 percent of the time I do. If I had my kids 20 percent of the time, maybe I could strive for perfection or good modeling all that time. But I’m on 24/7, so even though I slip up and bend the rules quite a bit, I like to think it evens out in the end. And that I’m still a good mom.
Judy Koutsky is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has appeared in more than 30 publications, including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Redbook, Parents, Scholastic, and Prevention. She writes often about travel, parenting, health, and lifestyle. Follow her @JudyKoutsky or visit her website, judykoutsky.com.
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January 2017 | nymetroparents.com
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