Brooklyn Parent April 2017

BrooklynParent APRIL 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Party-Planning Timeline

Green Your Kid’s Room Tips for Earth Day

7

Organize the perfect birthday for your child

SpecialParent

Amazing Accomplishments

• A Cookbook by a Boy with Autism • How Music Lessons Helped My Son

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

BrooklynParent

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NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

April 2017 ››

40

Features

16 The Ultimate Party-Planning Timeline Give your kids the birthday of their dreams— without driving yourself crazy 18 Detox the Toy Box Simple steps to reduce your kids’ exposure to environmental hazards

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22 Mindful Games Two activities to help kids practice mindfulness 40 Chasing His Dreams How a teen with autism overcame his food aversions to create a cooking show and cookbook 44 15 Questions to Ask When Looking for a Special Needs Tutor Advice to find the right one

16

22

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 12 NYMP Q&A: Nicole Feliciano talks about being a “mom boss.”

54 Voices: How music lessons helped a child with autism and sensory processing disorder

Fun & Activities 14 15 24 25 27 38

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

Directories

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46 51 51 51 52 53

Camp Guide Party Central Professional Services Open Houses Meet the Health Care Professional Advertisers’ Index

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

by Appaman (appaman.com)

››

ON THE COVER ›› 16 Party-Planning Timeline 18 Green Your Kids Room

facebook.com/nymetroparents

DIY Corner: Stitching Stars Media Matters: What to Watch for Earth Day Outing: Minnewaska State Park Your Child Can Be IN the Circus!

Family Activities Calendar Where-To Guide: Minor League Baseball

40 A Cookbook by a Boy with Autism

54 How Music Lessons Helped My Son

@NYMetroParents

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

Open House April 01st & 16th 11 am - 2 pm

BrooklynParent

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APRIL 2017 • Vol.13 • No.9

EDITOR’S NOTE

Creative Pursuits

by Amazing Kids

M

y oldest daughter has recently gotten very interested in baking and cooking. She’s progressed quickly from brownie mix with lots of help from an adult to cookies from scratch, on her own (except for putting them in or taking them out of the oven, which we insist a grown-up still do). She follows recipes carefully, and while she occasionally expresses ideas for her own creations, she hasn’t ventured there yet. So I was fascinated to read about another young person who has his own YouTube cooking show and recently published a cookbook of his own recipes—impressive for any teen, but even more so for Chase Bailey, who has autism. As part of our Autism Awareness Month coverage, read an interview with Chase and try out some recipes from The Official Chase ‘N Yur Face Cookbook (p. 40).

Chase isn’t the only super-impressive young person with special needs you’ll meet in this issue.

For our Voices column (p. 54), Manhattan mom Michaela Searfoorce shares how her son James was transformed by music lessons, even participating in performances he previously would not have even been able to attend. And did you catch the beautiful photo of Ryan on our cover? The 14-year-old Queens resident was one of the finalists in our Kids’ Cover Contest last year. His mom captioned the photo she submitted: “I have autism but it doesn’t have me.” Meeting Ryan in person at our photo shoot, I realized how perfect that statement is.

On a related note, this year’s Kids’ Cover Contest launches April 24. Go to nymetroparents.com/cover then to enter for a chance to see your child on our magazine cover. In the meantime, we have a unique opportunity for you to win a walk-on role for your child in Circus 1903 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden! Enter at nymetroparents.com/circus for this amazing chance to see your kid pulled onstage during a performance.

Whether you hold your child’s birthday party at the circus or you’re more of a low-key athome party kind of family, planning our kids’ parties is an essential part to today’s parenting job description. Some parents enjoy and look forward to this, but I know my wife and I are not alone in feeling the pressure of our kids’ expectations and the difficulties of fitting party planning into our already busy lives. If you’re like us, you’ll want to check out our timeline for birthday planning (p. 16), so you can get organized and de-stress the process.

April brings us Earth Day, our annual reminder of what we should be doing year-round to ensure our kids inherit a healthier, safer planet. If you’re looking to live greener, how about starting right at home, with your kids’ bedrooms or playrooms? Emma Steven explores some of the environmental dangers lurking in household items and offers pointers on how to eliminate them (p. 18).

Of course, this month also brings Easter and Passover. Wishing a happy holiday to all of you celebrating, and a healthy, fun spring to everyone!

Michael Kress Editorial Director, NYMetroParents

NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT 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 INTERN: Sabrina Sooknanan

ADVERTISING SALES Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 Jessica Leonhardt, Jeunesse Jackson, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Ellen Klein Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Randi Shulman, Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Ellen Klein, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager, Dani Pollack Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Ray C. Guédez, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro ADMINISTRATION MANAGER: Erin Jordan

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR | PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Robert Reynolds DIRECTOR | DIGITAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: Sara Wentworth

ACCOUNTING

CONTROLLER: David Friedman

MARKETING

HEAD OF MARKETING: Jacqueline Lachman

ADMINISTRATION

CREDIT MANAGER: Elizabeth Teagarden CREDIT ASSISTANTS: Rosa Meinhofer, Diedra Smith EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT: Barbara Byrd

Davler Media Group CEO: David L. Miller

We’re Looking for Great Writing—By Your Kids!

Does your child have a great story to tell about something that’s happened in her life? A strong opinion about an issue affecting him? An exploration of overcoming obstacles and achieving her dreams?

NYMetroParents is seeking essay submissions from local tweens and teens—and the best ones may be published online or in a future issue of this magazine!

Essays can be about virtually any topic of relevance to local children and families, but should be written entirely by your child, with minimal help from Mom and Dad. Submissions should be 600-800 words.

Parents should email their child’s submission to nympwriter@nymetroparents.com. Be sure to let us know how old your child is and where you live.

And remember: We’re also always on the lookout for great personal essays from moms and dads in our area! Submit your best take on life as a New York metro-area parent to the same email address above.

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

General Manager: Thomas K. Hanlon 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 nymetroparents.com davlermedia.com nybarbatmitzvah.com

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

Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

State Senator Leroy Comrie and Councilman I. Daneek Miller, invite you to the

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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

nymetroparents.com/np-bp

Who: Therapy and Learning Center Inc. What’s New: A parent association with an executive board that will help support the school and produce its first yearbook.

Therapy and Learning Center in Windsor Terrace is a preschool open to all and provides services for children with special needs. It also offers Universal Pre-K and an integrated 3s program.

TLC staff includes an education director, clinical coordinator, licensed teachers, teacher assistants, a psychologist, a social worker, a nurse, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and an active board of directors.

“At TLC all children are actively engaged in learning through developmentally appropriate practice. Our focus is on process, not product,” says executive director Timothy Behr.

Want More Info: 1723 8th Ave., Windsor Terrace; 718-2902700; info@tlckids.org; tlckids.org

Courtesy Therapy and Learning Center

Windsor Terrace Preschool Launches Parent Association

Students work on their daily writing skills at Therapy and Learning Center in Windsor Terrace.

Who: Art Fun Studio What’s New: Mosaic art and canvas painting birthday parties for children and families, which were started in January and November 2016, respectively.

Art Fun Studio’s mosaic birthday party package includes all art materials such as shells, gemstones, and sea glass.

The canvas painting party includes all necessary supplies along with 12-by-16-inch stretched canvases sketched with the birthday child’s favorite character or theme (such as Shimmer and Shine or NYC).

All birthday party packages include pizza and drinks for kids along with free professional photography.

Award-winning artist and Art Fun Studio owner, Alla Baksanskaya, provides step-by-step instructions for art-making birthday parties.

Want More Info: 547 92nd St., Bay Ridge; 718-680-0508; alla@artfunstudio.com; artfunstudio.com

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Art Fun Studio

Art Studio in Bay Ridge Expands Birthday Party Offerings

Art Fun Studio provides all art materials and will snap birthday party photos for free.

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BrooklynParent

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UOTABLES That first baby learning curve is steep, and there is no way to relax when, for the first time ever, you are responsible for something as huge as a human life with the tiniest toes you’ve ever seen.

—Jill Krause, in a post entitled “if i knew then what i know now,” on her blog babyrabies.com

in an instagram Rainy day women portrait mode?!)

(also anyone else obsessed with the #iPhone

(Posted by @augustabelle, aka Belle Augusta Savransky, an East Village mom and photographer whose website is belleaugusta.com)

A SPECIAL MILESTONE

in an instagram She’ll be taking herself to school before I know it.

#igotthismom

(Posted by @chanynck, aka Chanyn Cheree Kirtman, who blogs at styliststandpoint.com)

“I know many moms have a hard time finding their footing in the career world after they have kids. I’ve already gotten over the fact that I’m not meant to be just a mom. It’s a beautiful life, it’s an unforgiving life and it’s not the life I want. I don’t feel sorry about it. Mama wants a career, kids. Sorry not sorry.

—Brittany Minor, in a post entitled “Where the Hell did My 5-Year Plan Go?!” on mom.me

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

“The museum combines the history of cacao and chocolate with hands-on activities to make your own chocolate, and, the best part—chocolate tastings. The kids may want to breeze through the historical part of the museum, but it is definitely worth bringing them to try samples, play in the kids’ area, and make their own chocolate.”

—Samantha Neudorf in an article entitled “A Look Into New York City’s First-Ever Chocolate Museum” Read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/chocolate-museum.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: FUN IN SPRING: Download a free guide to the top Spring activities in the New York area (nymetroparents.com/spring-activities).

PLAN YOUR CHILD’S SUMMER: Find the perfect camp at nymetroparents.com/camp-finder.

HOPPIN’ GOOD TIME: Find local Easter events at nymetroparents.com/easter-nyc.

MAKE YOUR OWN MATZAH: A Passover activity for the whole family (nymetroparents.com/matzah).

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BrooklynParent 11

N U F ER HERE

S M T R M A T U S S

NYMP Q&A

How to Be a ‘Mom Boss’››

By Bethany Braun-Silva

N

icole Feliciano is the founder of Momtrends.com, which offers trends and tips for moms who want to live a fashionable life. Her book Mom Boss: Balancing Entrepreneurship, Kids & Success was recently published.

What is a “mom boss”? There are some women who really want to create a brand and do something like I have. If you’re looking to take a skill you’ve already got—say you’re a lawyer or you’re a consultant and you want to start up on your own— my tip would be to start getting some freelance clients before you quit your day job and see what it’s like, see what those hours turn out to be, how much money are you making per hour, could you live off of that salary if you project out what that’s going to look like in six or 12 months. But really focus on, “Where is my income going to come from and how is this going to affect my family life?” It’s a unique proposal when you’re a mom boss because I think a lot of entrepreneurs start and all they need is a great idea and the time and energy to throw into it. When you’re a mom entrepreneur you also have to factor in where your family is going to fit. You can’t work around-theclock when you’ve got young kids at home.

Why do you think so many women, especially moms, are turning to entrepreneurship? I think it’s the deaf ears of corporations and the lack of flexibility in the workspace. So many of the women I spoke to said they just got so tired of asking for permission or for missing out on the moments of childhood and parenting that they were so invested in. A lot of women invest a lot of time and energy into their careers and then when they finally have kids they want to be super present; they’ve waited so long for this moment to happen and they don’t want to miss their memories. And workplaces have not flexed to accommodate the needs of working mothers. And mom boss life allows you to grow at the pace that you want to grow. When my kids were little, I was just kind of keeping the business small, and then as they’ve gotten older I’ve been able to ramp it up, and I’ve got more bandwidth to take on work projects, [so] I’ve been able to grow it at my pace.

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What advice do you have for moms who want to start their own business? I would definitely suggest making a one-year map for yourself. And that’s going to have the profitability. Where is that going to come from? I think a lot of women figure out products that are sellable that people will be attracted to buy but they don’t build in all of the expenses that go into marketing and building this product. So I’d love to see women spend more time and effort or get a coach or do networking where they can find a business partner who can walk them through the actual expenses of a business.

April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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718-488-0200 BrooklynParent 13

DIY CORNER MATH FUN

Stitching Stars

Sometimes equations are too hard to solve, even for professionals! For these problems, people invent methods that are easy to compute and approximate the solution. This branch of mathematics is called Numerical Analysis. These numerical algorithms are usually done on a computer, and by doing more calculations you can make your approximate solution as good as you need. Curve stitching is a way to approximate a curve by drawing only straight lines, without any computation needed.

The closer you draw the lines together, the better the approximation to the curve you make. We can use the same technique to make a variety of curves and shapes that can be turned into beautiful art.

Materials Pencil and eraser Manila folder or very lightweight cardboard Ruler Pushpin

Corrugated cardboard or a bath towel Scissors Thread (embroidery thread, yarn, or other thick thread) Blunt needle

Stitch a Star 1. Using a pencil, lightly draw two lines in the shape of a plus sign on your manila folder. (Don’t press too hard; you’re going to erase them later.) Using your ruler, make even marks from the center point and moving outward along each line.

2. Using the pushpin, carefully poke a hole at each mark on your folder. This is easier to do if you put your folder over something that you can push pins into safely, such as a piece of corrugated cardboard or a thick, folded towel.

3. Lightly number two of the lines as shown (fig. 2).

4. Cut a piece of thread about the length of your arm and thread it onto your needle.

5. Starting from the back of your folder, push the needle through the hole you labeled No. 1. That is at the tip of your star. As you pull the thread through the hole, stop when there are a few inches still sticking through and tape the end of the thread down on the back of the folder very securely. Tug on the thread a little to make sure it won’t slip through.

Fig. 2: Lightly number two of the lines.

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Fig. 4: Make a short stitch through the back of hole No. 2. From the front, connect the two No. 2 holes with another long stitch.

April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

6. Your needle should be on the front side of your folder now. Push the needle down through the other hole marked No. 1 to make a long stitch. Your thread should connect the two dots.

7. Starting on the backside of your folder again, push the needle through the hole right next to it, which should be hole No. 2, making a short stitch. Then, from the front side, you can make another long stitch to connect both No. 2 holes (fig. 4).

8. Continue like this for the rest of the holes. You should have long stitches on the front side of your folder, and short stitches on the back. When you run out of thread, tape the end down on the back of your folder, cut another piece of thread, thread your needle, and keep going! When you’ve finished your curve, tape the end of the thread on the back of the folder and trim any long ends (fig. 5).

9. S titch the other three parabolas in the same way to finish your four-pointed star! You can number the other axes if you need to. Experiment with using different colors for your lines (fig. 6).

10. Gently erase any visible pencil marks.

Excerpted from Math Lab for Kids by Rebecca Rapoport and J.A. Yoder with permission of Quarry Books

Fig. 5: Continue like this for the rest of the holes.

Fig. 6: Stitch the other three parabolas in the same way.

Media Matters: Movies & TV Shows

What to Watch for Earth Day

One Big Ocean (PBS)

Recommended age: 3+ H

Featuring biodiversity, environ

HHH

mental concerns in marine

Dr. Seuss: The Lorax (DVD, Stre

Recommended age: 5+

aming)

HHHHH

An outstanding 1970s Dr. Seu

ss parable about protecting

Planet Earth II (BBC America)

Recommended age: 6+

adventures

nature

HHHHH

This nature documentary seq

uel is a visual triumph.

Boy and the World (DVD, Stre

Recommended age: 7+

This poignant hand-drawn

aming)

HHHH

story promotes family and env

ironmentalism.

Chasing Ice (DVD, Streaming)

Recommended age: 13+

HHHHH

A beautiful, affecting docum

entary about glacier retreat

In Theaters April 7: Smurfs: The Lost Village

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

Parents need to know that Smurfs: The Lost Village is an animated comedy that—unlike The Smurfs and The Smurfs 2—doesn’t appear to have any live-action characters. Instead, this movie focuses solely on the Smurf world, where Smurfette (voiced by Demi Lovato), the only female Smurf in the whole village, struggles to find her purpose. She decides to set off on a quest into the Forbidden Forest to find the legendary Lost Village, accompanied by three other Smurfs—Clumsy (Jack McBrayer), Brainy (Danny Pudi), and Hefty (Joe Manganiello). Expect plenty of comic peril thanks to evil wizard Gargamel (Rainn Wilson), plus plenty of potty humor. But kids love these tiny blue people, and parents who liked the original Smurfs animated series may enjoy watching this movie with them.

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

BrooklynParent 15

The Ultimate Party-Planning Timeline ›› How to give your kids the birthday of their dreams—without driving yourself crazy in the process By Bethany Braun-Silva

K

ids may look forward to their birthday parties all year long, but let’s face it: For many of us, planning that party can be stressful, yet another project in our already hectic lives. It can feel overwhelming even before you consider kids’ high expectations for the perfect birthday. But don’t panic— we are here to help! To keep you organized, here’s a timeline of everything you need to make the planning process run smoothly, whether you are hosting the party at home or at one of the many local birthday party places. From when to book the venue to when to buy supplies (hint, not as early as you may think!), we’ve got you covered.

Six Months Prior

This might seem like a very long time in advance to start planning your child’s birthday party, but if you’re thinking of doing it at a party venue, it can book up fast. Now is the time to start getting an idea of what your child wants, including themes, places, and the size of the guest list. It wouldn’t hurt to start calling possible venues about availability.

Three Months Prior

Book the venue! Better to be safe than sorry.

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Start thinking about a theme. If your child is old enough, discuss it with him. You can start putting together a Pinterest board to collect all of your ideas and inspiration. This is also a great way to get the birthday boy or girl involved, says Seri Kertzner, owner of Little Miss Party Planner, a party planning service in New York City and the Hamptons. “Kids love talking and planning for a specific theme especially when it comes to the look of the cake,” she says. “Let your little one help you sketch a picture of the cake to show your bakery.”

Do you want entertainment at your child’s party? Now is the time to start thinking about booking clowns, magicians, or any characters that will make an appearance. Be sure to ask all entertainers about set-up requirements and backups in case they are sick.

Two Months Prior

Confirm the date with the venue and go over the details. Be sure to find out what they will they be providing in the way of food, cake, decorations, and favors. Pick menu items and décor and make a list of anything additional you will need to buy or prepare. Make arrangements to get whatever is not provided by the venue.

This is also a good time to start thinking about the guest list.

If your child’s in school, there might be a policy in which all children in her class must be invited. If not, decide on the size of the party and be sure to keep your budget in mind. Many venues offer parties for 10-12 kids and can charge a hefty price for additional guests.

One Month Prior

Mail (or email) invitations and make sure they have a clear RSVP date. This is also another prime opportunity to get your child involved. The experts at MarthaStewart.com suggest, “Have him or her draw on paper (or a blank puzzle) and color in the designs, cut out pictures to glue onto blank invitations, or put stickers on cards.”

Make sure you line up help for the day of the party. Confirm that a babysitter, close friend, or relative will be on hand to help in whatever way you need.

Start shopping for supplies. “You don’t want to shop too far in advance for kids ages 3-6 years old—that may be too early,” says Marla Mase, owner of Party Poopers, a party planning company in NYC. “Remember, kids change their minds a lot— and what they liked three months ago may be very different than what they like today.”

Two Weeks Prior

Order the cake if you don’t plan on baking it yourself. And if you are baking it yourself, check the recipe, make your shopping list, and get the necessary ingredients.

If the party is at home, start thinking of games and activities for the children to play. There are plenty of online resources with ideas, and be sure to ask your child because he may have a very specific idea of what he wants to do at the party.

snacks, and movies, and you’re set if you find you need to make a last-minute change,” Kertzner says.

The Day of the Party

Deep breaths! Hopefully, you have planned far enough ahead to only need to take care of a few minor details and do prep work on the big day. Here are some things to consider: • Get the house ready for the big day.

• Decorate, set the table, prepare activities, and confirm with entertainment that morning.

• Bake or pick up the cake.

• Know where the candles and matches are.

• Set up the food.

• Clear a table for presents.

• Make sure to have a pad and pen on hand when you open presents to record who gave what.

Finally, “Be relaxed!” Kertzner says. “The most important thing is for your kids to have a good time. If you chose a good venue they will take care of every detail so you can be a guest and enjoy your child’s party.”

Several Days After

Write thank you notes. Have your child assist you in thanking her guests for coming to her party. Younger kids can dictate their message to you or draw a picture on the notes; older kids can sign their names, while those who can write their own notes should do so themselves.

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One Week Prior

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The party is getting close! This is the time to start tying up loose ends and confirming all details are correct.

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Prepare the goodie bags. You’ll need the bags themselves, of course, and the contents to go in them. And remember, you can give small games, pencils and erasers, or even small books in addition to, or instead of, candy, to cut down on the sugar.

Make sure you have enough storage on your phone for pictures. Time to make some tough decisions! But better than being caught without a camera available at the party.

Get the space ready. If you are having the party at home, now is a time to clean, clear space, and move valuables and breakable things out of the way.

If the party is not at home, confirm the timeline with your venue. What is the order of activities? When should the food arrive? And so on.

Have a back-up plan. “If you’re hosting a party outdoors you must have a back-up plan, including a space indoors. Check the weather and two days out make your call. Board games,

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BrooklynParent 17

Detox the Toy Box

››

Simple steps to reduce your kids’ exposure to environmental hazards where they sleep and play By Emma Steven

T

he majority of Americans have at least 300 different environmental chemicals in their blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include flame retardants in crib mattresses, formaldehyde in furniture, bisphenol A (BPA) in food, and phthalates in toys and toiletries; it’s enough to make even the most laid back parent anxious.

Feeling overwhelmed? Here are some simple things you can do to help green your home, starting with kids’ rooms and playrooms.

Reality Check

The most common dangers at home are lead, pesticides, flame retardants, endocrine disruptors, cleaning products, and air pollutants. Before you start freaking out, give yourself a break— you can’t possibly stop your children from coming into contact with these chemicals completely. “I know that feeling of being the frontline of protection for your family, and it’s exhausting,” says Sonya Lunder, senior analyst at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group. “It’s not possible, and it’s not necessary.”

Beware of Lead Paint

If your home was built before 1978, have it inspected for lead 18

April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

paint. Dust and flakes are dangerous to children, who breathe in more than adults and put their hands in their mouths a lot. Make sure any renovations are properly sealed, and check paint regularly for chips. Vacuum and wipe down surfaces weekly, using a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. My son’s lead levels became elevated last year after a workman scraped off lead paint from a door in his room without taking precautions.

Don’t Use Bug Treatments

A 2015 study found that use of household insecticides was connected to increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma in kids.

Look for natural ways of controlling pests, such as blocking off access and vacuuming regularly. Never use pesticides in children’s rooms, and if you have to use them on your pets, keep them away from your kids and high-traffic areas for at least 24 hours.

A Safe Night’s Sleep

“The one thing you should do in your kid’s room is buy a new non-toxic mattress,” says Maia James, founder of the website Gimme The Good Stuff and a healthy home consultant. Many conventional mattresses are made from petroleum-based

polyurethane foam covered with vinyl containing phthalates and sprayed with flame retardants. All of these things off-gas while your child is asleep. Don’t use hand-me-downs; mattresses made before 2005 may contain polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), highly toxic fire retardants that are now banned.

There are lots of manufacturers who now make mattresses without flame retardants, and if you want to go even further, buy one made of natural materials such as cotton and wool and that has been certified by an independent body such as GreenGuard or Oeko-Tex. Don’t use pillows or changing pads that contain foam; replace them with organic wool or cotton instead. Finally, make sure you wash any new bedding, as lots of textiles are processed with dyes and formaldehyde.

Beds, Dressers, and More

When buying kids’ furniture, the best choice is solid wood rubbed with oil and made with non-toxic glues. However this isn’t an option for everyone due to budget or decor. The biggest dangers are flame retardants in foam and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde from composite wood, paint, furniture glue, and varnishes. The good news is that all furniture is becoming safer, thanks to laws that limit off-gassing. Look for brands with low emission standards such as California Air Resources Board (CARB or European equivalents) and foam without flame retardants. Avoid products with stain- or water-resistant finishes, which can contain perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs). There are lowor no-VOC paints and varnishes available, and if you have already renovated you can buy sealants to stop off-gasing.

BROOKLYN

ARTS CENTER for the PERFORMING

AT BROOKLYN COLLEGE

Dallas Children’s Theater presents John Steptoe’s

MUFARO’S BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS: An African Tale

Adapted for the stage

by Karen Abbott Music & Lyrics by S-Ankh Rasa

Sat, April 29 at 2pm Tickets: $15

Get a Wool Rug

Choose solid wood floors and natural flooring, as some carpets and their glues can off-gas formaldehyde and acetone. Avoid vinyl tiles (which can contain phthalates) and don’t forget rugs. “One simple thing I tell people to do is get a wool rug,” James says.

Studies have shown that wool flooring absorbs formaldehyde and nitrogen, making it a great choice for kids’ rooms.

Use Air-Cleaning Plants

Put a spider plant or peace lily on your kid’s dresser—not only will it look good, it will also improve the air quality. “Houseplants are surprisingly effective,” James says. In 1989, NASA conducted a now-famous study that revealed many common houseplants were able to filter VOCs such as formaldehyde, ammonia, and benzene.

Swap Plastic Toys for Natural Materials

The good news is you don’t have to throw away all of your kids plastic toys, Lunder says. “The really toxic phthalates have been banned from kids’ toys, and plastics are pretty hard to avoid,” she explains. “It’s nice to minimize plastic, but it’s almost impossible to avoid.” Some plastics are marked with a recycling symbol and a number, to tell you what sort of plastic they are; avoid anything marked with a “3” or made from polyvinyl chloride or PVC (such as beach balls), as these often have phthalates in them. Get rid of soft plastic bath toys and books, and don’t let young kids put plastic toys in their mouths. Use toys and teethers made of natural materials, such as wood and cloth, instead of plastic. Don’t let kids play with polycarbonate water bottles or containers (marked with a “7” or PC), as these are most likely to contain BPA, or chew on electronics such as phones and remotes, as they can contain flame retardants. Finally, be careful with kid’s jewelry; it can contain lead and cadmium. continued on next page ››

THE GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS Sun, April 30 at 3pm

Tickets: $25

BrooklynCenter.org or 718-951-4500 Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College 2 to Flatbush Avenue / on-site paid parking available Supported by: HERE WITH YOU. HERE FOR YOU.

BrooklynParent 19

‹‹ continued from previous page

Clean Up Safely

Break out that vacuum regularly in kids’ rooms and play areas to get rid of toxins that collect in dust. Choose one with a HEPA filter and follow up with a wet mop as often as possible. With cleaning products less is more. “Disinfecting products are simply not necessary outside a clinical setting,” Lunder says. Many contain strong chemicals that cause asthma, skin irritation, and even cancer. Warm water and soap is enough for daily cleaning.

For something stronger, look for active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide or citric acid. Using microfiber cloths and mops will also make it easier to clean up without chemicals.

Wash Your Hands

Get rid of the hand sanitizer by the changing mat and don’t use it on your kids’ hands. It may contain triclosan, trilocarbon, or fragrances, which are suspected carcinogens and endocrine

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CHEMICAL GLOSSARY Flame Retardants Found in polyurethane foam, such as nursing pillows, mattresses, changing pads, and car seats, as well as electronic items such as remote controls. Known carcinogens, neurotoxins, and endocrine disruptors. A recent study found that levels in the bodies of children were nearly five times higher than their mothers.

Phthalates Found in personal care products, soft plastic toys (especially polyvinyl chloride, or PVC), teethers, vinyl clothes, some paints, air fresheners (parfum), food, and plastic food containers.

Linked to a variety of health problems, including asthma, allergies, male infertility, and abnormal hormonal development.

HELP WANTED! HELP WANTED! NYMetroParents is looking for experienced temporary help in our midtown Manhattan office.

Bisphenol A (BPA) looking forcups, experienced Found NYMetroParents in plastic bottles andisutensils, sippy teethers, temporary help in our midtown Manhattan office. bottled formula, and canned food. Known endocrine disruptor that has been linked to breast cancer. Its replacement, Projects Include: bisphenol S (BPS), is also thought to be toxic.

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Formaldehyde Found in composite • Data Entry wood, furniture and carpet glues, and cleaning and personal care products. Known carcinogen.

Causes asthma, eye and Distribution throat irritation, and allergies.

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Found in antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, and hand sanitizers. resume or work to: Linked toPlease cancer,email endocrine disruption, liver history toxicity, and thyroid projectwork@davlermedia.com dysfunction. Recently banned by the Food and Drug Administration for use in hand soaps.

Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) Found in waterproof and stainproof shoes and clothes, furniture, and carpets. Suspected to be carcinogenic and to cause liver and thyroid problems.

Parabens Used as preservatives in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals Some have been linked to endocrine disruption, sperm damage, breast cancer, and neurological and hormonal conditions.

disruptors. Triclosan was recently banned by the Food and Drug Administration and is also found in antibacterial soap.

Lose the Air Fresheners

Throw away the air freshener, as it may contain phthalates among other nasties. James recommends a low-fi option: activated charcoal bags. Charcoal is a natural air purifier and may absorb some toxins, as well as bad odors. If you want to go one step further, buy an air filter such as the Austin Air Healthmate, which filters gases, odors, and particles. Finally remember to open windows often, as indoor air often contains higher levels of VOCs such as formaldehyde.

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Activism for Change

Now for some good news: “Levels of BPA, triclosan, parabens, and some phthalate levels in blood have gone down between 2003 and 2014,” Lunder says. This is thanks to increased awareness and new laws and regulations. So speak up and support groups such as the Environmental Working Group that is campaigning to change legislation, and educate your friends and family to make smart choices. “It’s not a job that one person can do on their own, we have to change it on a national level,” Lunder says.

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Dimitrios & Georgia Kaloidis Parochial School Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church "Continuing a Tradition of Excellence in Education"

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BrooklynParent 21

Mindful Games

››

Activities for kids to help them practice mindfulness, awareness, calmness, kindness, and compassion

M

indfulness is a popular buzzword these days. It is being used everywhere from the home, to the workplace, to how we parent and deal with other personal relationships. Now kids can get in on the action, too. Susan Kaiser Greenland is a mediation practitioner and an expert when it comes to teaching mindfulness to kids. She wrote the book Mindful Games as a way for children to develop focusing skills and respond in a calm way to situations. The games are simple and fun to play and Greenland suggests they are as equally beneficial for parents to play as well. Below is an excerpt from the book that includes two “mindful games.”

With the help of a colorful plastic toy, we build a chain of monkeys to demonstrate how we can notice thoughts and let them go.

Life Skills: Focusing, seeing Target Ages: Young children, older children

Drop the Monkeys

2. In this game, each monkey represents a thought, emotion, or sensation that has grabbed our attention. Offer an example of a distracting thought and hold up a monkey.

Drop the Monkeys is a remarkably useful visual demonstration of how kids work with the thoughts, emotions, and sensations that bubble up during anchor games. It is also a wonderful group facilitation tool that brings playfulness and a sense of humor to the check-ins that follow introspective practices. Using a children’s toy called Barrel of Monkeys as a prop, children joke about the thoughts that grabbed their attention.

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Leading The Demonstration 1. Talking points: Do you ever notice that instead of paying attention to what’s happening in the moment, you become distracted by a thought about something that happened in the past or something that might happen in the future? What are some examples?

3. Now you give me an example. For each distraction we think of, I’ll add another monkey to the chain. Take three to four examples from children, and add a monkey to the chain for each example.

4. These are all monkeys we can let go of, right? We don’t need any of these thoughts and emotions distracting us right now, so let’s drop them. Drop the monkey chain back into the plastic barrel.

5. That was fun. Let’s try it again. Can you think of more examples?

Tips 1. Although the barrel of monkeys is used more like a toy with younger children, it can be a helpful visual aid when working with older children (and adults!).

2. Extend the demonstration by adding a discussion at the end.

Here are some talking points: How often does your mind wander away from the present into the past or future? Do thoughts and emotions stay the same, or do they change over time?

3. Drop the Monkeys helps children turn distractions into success stories. Hold up the monkey chain and ask children what to call the moment when they notice they’re distracted. Kids shout, “Mindfulness!” because they know where their minds are at that instant.

4. Occasionally, children bring up a serious topic that merits further inquiry. If the timing and venue are right, there’s no better time to talk about what’s bothering them. But sensitive topics are sometimes raised at inappropriate times. If that happens, acknowledge the topic and the child’s concern, then shift the tone and subject matter of the discussion. Be sure to revisit the topic with the child privately at a more appropriate time and place.

Next, young meditators choose a breathing anchor by noticing where they feel their breath most easily—near their noses, in their chests, or inside their bellies.

Choose Your Breathing Anchor

6. Now I’m going to ask you to make a choice and focus on your breathing where you feel it most. Wherever that is, that’s the place I’ll be talking about when I use the word “anchor.” We’re going to use this anchor for the rest of the game, so if you need to check again to see where it’s easiest to feel your breathing right now, go ahead.

7. Great. Let’s try this for a few more breaths together. See if you can keep your body relaxed and lightly rest your attention on your anchor at the same time. This is how we rest in the feeling of the movement of our breath.

Tips 1. Choose Your Breathing Anchor can also be practiced lying down or standing.

2. When leading more than one child, ask them to put one hand on their head when they’ve chosen an anchor. Wait for everyone to choose an anchor before you continue.

3. It can be helpful to start the activity with a relaxing body scan. For example, “Feel your eyelids closed, feel your shoulders relaxed, feel your hands touching your knees, feel your legs touching the floor or the chair . . .”

4. When children have had some practice sitting for longer periods, you can extend this activity with a few minutes of Mindful Breathing.

5. To vary the game, ask children to choose another simple, neutral object to anchor their attention: a sound, a sensation, or counting, for example.

Susan Kaiser Greenland is an internationally recognized leader in teaching mindfulness and meditation to children, teens, and families. She is the author of The Mindful Child and Mindful Games, and has studied meditation with teachers from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition since 1997.

We pay attention to the feeling of breathing where we notice it most—near the nose, chest, or belly—to help us relax and focus on the present moment.

Life Skills: Focusing Target Ages: All ages Leading The Game 1. Sit with your back straight and your body relaxed, resting your hands gently on your knees, and close your eyes if you’re comfortable. Notice what it feels like to breathe in and out right now.

From Mindful Games by Susan Kaiser Greenland © 2016 by Susan Kaiser Greenland. Illustrations © 2016 by Lindsay DuPont. Reprinted in arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc. Boulder, CO.

Celebrations, Baby Showers, Corporate Events, Birthdays,Weddings, Funerals & Everything in Between!

2. Place one finger under your nose and feel your breath going in and out. Can you feel it?

3. Next, place your hand on your chest, above your heart. Can you feel your hand moving when you breathe?

4. Now place your hand on your belly and feel the movement of your breathing there.

5. Put your hands back on your knees and breathe naturally.

Notice where you feel the movement of your breath most easily. Is it just beneath your nose, at your chest, or at your belly?

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BrooklynParent 23

OUTINGS: Minnewaska State Park Preserve

nymetroparents.com/outings

Adventures with a View in Kerhonkson

Take in waterfalls, stunning cliff-edge views, and activities for everyone at the Minnewaska State Park Preserve. ›› By Melissa A. Kay

Courtesy New York State Parks

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Courtesy Nicholas Margin

3

5

Courtesy New York State Parks

2

Courtesy New York State Parks

Courtesy New York State Parks

1

1 An aerial view of the vast landscape of Minnewaska State Park Preserve. 2 Guided hikes provide a group environment to take in the surroundings, including numerous waterfalls, while community conservation days provide an opportunity to clean up the park and give back. 3 Mountain laurels bloom in abundance during the early summer in Minnewaska State Park Preserve. 4 Nature-focused and family-friendly events take place year-round, giving kids of all ages an opportunity to interact with and learn more about their natural surroundings. 5 Minnewaska State Park Preserve is home to a Bird Conservation Area and has an Early Morning Birders program from April to October.

S

panning more than 23,000 acres of wild and scenic land, Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County is the largest of six New York state parks holding the distinction of being classified and protected as a park preserve. Take a hike, take a swim, and take in the picturesque views.

Year-Round Fun

Minnewaska State Park Preserve rests on land that used to hold a thriving mountaintop resort, dating back to the late 1870s. The park was founded in the early 1970s, and gained distinction as a park reserve in 1993. Set on the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, the park includes several waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense hardwood forests, and four crystalline sky lakes fed by rainwater. Rock climbing is permitted and visitors can swim and scuba dive in the lifeguarded swimming areas of Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting in the summer.

The park has a total of 85 miles of carriage roads, footpaths, and wood roads, on 24

April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

which families can enjoy horseback riding, biking, hiking, snowshoeing, or even crosscountry skiing.

The Shawangunk Ridge, a 500-foot tall prominent cliff, is home to rare plants and animals. Peregrine falcons are known to nest along the cliff lines of the ridge. Stop by the 3,000-square-foot Sam’s Point Visitor Center to learn more about the area.

Annual Events

A guided outing, Tuesday Trek, is offered the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from October to May. Depending on the weather, participants may rent snowshoes.

Kids who are home-schooled can join others for an afternoon of nature and discovery through the Homeschooler Programs, offered the first Thursday of each month from March to June and September to December in the afternoon.

I Love My Park Day, held on May 6, will mark the sixth year of the statewide event to improve and enhance New York’s state parks and historic sites. Volunteers will clean

up parklands and beaches, plant trees and gardens, restore trails and wildlife habitat, and more. Volunteer Trails Day on Sept. 17 is another opportunity to show the park some love by volunteering to help clean up.

April Highlights

Minnewaska State Park Preserve is home to a Bird Conservation Area. The Early Morning Birders program is designed for birding enthusiasts or those just looking to learn the basics and will be led by experienced birding volunteers and park naturalists. The family-friendly program runs Tuesday mornings from April to October. Bring your binoculars to see what you can find!

Details

Address: 5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson Directions: Approximately a 2-hour, 10-minute drive from Park Slope Hours: Visit the website for seasonal hours Admission: $10 per vehicle For more information: 845-255-0752 or parks.ny.gov/parks/127

Jim Lee

SWEEPSTAKES

Your Child Can Be IN the Circus! ›› Enter for a chance to win a unique opportunity to see your kid on stage.

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YMetroParents has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one lucky child to have a part in an upcoming performance of Circus 1903 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden! The winner’s family will be sitting in premier seats while your child is invited to join the performers on stage.

Kids dream about being in the circus—now yours may have a chance to make that dream come true!

Go to nymetroparents.com/circus to enter.

The Grand Prize winner’s celebrity moment will take place at the 6pm performance on Saturday, April 15, and the winner will receive four free premium tickets to the show. In addition, two second-prize winners will each receive a family four-pack of tickets to a Circus 1903 show in April.

Enter today to for a chance to win this unique opportunity to make a memory that will last forever. There is no charge for entry; simply fill out the form at nymetroparents.com/circus.

“

More About Circus 1903

A brand-new show, Circus 1903 is the circus reimagined—more than two hours of edge-of-your-seat entertainment with an incredible cast of the most unique, spellbinding, and dangerous circus acts from all four corners of the globe. Sensational puppetry puts elephants back in the ring as never seen before while Ringmaster Willy Whipsnade takes you on a mesmerizing journey through the magic of the circus. *No purchase necessary. Open to individuals who are at least 18 years of age, a legal resident of, and located within, 100 miles of New York City at the time of entry, who are the parent or legal guardian of a child born between April 12, 2005, and March 21, 2012. Ends 11:59pm ET April 11, 2017. Must be available to attend 6pm performance on April 15, 2017 if Grand Prize winner. Void outside stated area and where prohibited. See Official Rules for complete details.

Sat. night; Open 1 hr. after sundown On or about November 1, 2016

INGENIOUS BUBBLE WIZARDRY.” -THE NEW YORKER

Telecharge.com or 212.239.6200

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GazillionBubbleShow.com BrooklynParent 25

Attention Parents of Babies, Kids, Teens

Your Child Could Be on Our Cover

EASY STEPS TO ENTER: 1. "Like" at www.facebook.com/nymetroparents 2. Select 1 favorite photo of your child (ages < 1-16) 3. Upload the photo (jpg or png) to Facebook 4. Share with friends and vote daily!

Every entry will be automatically reviewed by Barbizon talent scouts

For a complete list of rules: http://nymetroparents.com/CoverContestRules Promotion period 4/24/17 - 6/9/17

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Ideas When You Need Them:

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

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on Sakura Matsuri 2017 (No. 9 on our list).

APRIL

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

t

nyme

com/c

ents. ropar

CALENDAR 28 Editor’s Hot Tickets

34 The Great Outdoors

30 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!,

Mini Musicians

35 Once Upon a Time,

Special Needs,

Dance Party

31 Movers & Shakers 32 Show Time!

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: SAMANTHA BERANBOM rpeditor@davlermedia.com

33 Smarty Pants

36 On Screen, Holiday Fun 37 Fun Fairs & Festivals

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

1

Poetry 2017: Get Up, Stand Up!

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 2pm WHERE: BAM Fisher, Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Place, Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Brooklyn-based group Soul Science Lab headlines this program, featuring their unique Afrofuturistic soul sound alongside DJs and student poets in a concert hosted and MCed by BAM’s Mikal Amin, Education Program Manager of Brooklyn Reads and Arts & Justice.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Similar to BAM’s poetry program, this concert explores the range and spectrum of spoken word and hip-hop as it speaks to and with a younger audience.

WANT TO GO? $10. 718-636-4100. bam.org/kids.

Step Afrika!

2

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 8pm WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, Walt Whitman Theatre, 2900 Avenue H, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: The company will conduct a three-day residency that includes a public performance, a free after-school stepping masterclass, and three educational shows for schoolchildren.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Step Afrika! holds the distinction of the first professional company in the world dedicated to the art of stepping.

WANT TO GO? $25. 718-951-4500. brooklyncenter.org.

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

3

Geek Fest 2017

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 10am-7pm WHERE: Gregory Hotel Best Western, 8315 4th Ave., Bay Ridge AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This event aims to bring a Comic Con-like convention to Brooklyn featuring local video game retailers as the vendors and offering more affordable admission fees and merchandise.

WHY WE LOVE IT: There will be tournaments and raffles for great prizes including best dressed Cosplay costume, and classic game tournaments with Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.

WANT TO GO? $15 in advance; $20 at the door. 917-246-2935. gothamcitygaming.com.

Opening Weekend and 150th Anniversary Celebration FREE

4

WHEN: April 1-2, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Prospect Park, various locations throughout the park AGES: All WHAT: The Prospect Park Alliance kicks off the 150th anniversary celebration of Prospect Park with a weekend of special events and festivities including an opening day parade and fair, an historic baseball game, kids programs at the Audubon Center, a farmer’s grillout at the Greenmarket, and a history running tour.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A spring weekend in Prospect Park is the perfect way to get out and enjoy the start of the season.

WANT TO GO? 718-965-8951. prospectpark.org.

5

Harlem Globetrotters

WHEN: Sunday, April 2, 12pm WHERE: Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: The Original Harlem Globetrotters are preparing for their action packed 2016-2017 tour. A star-studded roster will feature legendary ball handling wizardry and basketball artistry that thrills fans of all ages.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Join Globetrotter stars after the game when they will be available for autographs, photographs, and high-fives for fans.

WANT TO GO? $26 and up. 718-933-3000. barclayscenter.com.

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Open year-round, Rolling admission Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Brunch with the Easter Bunny

WHEN: Sunday, April 2, 9-11am and 12-2pm WHERE: Aviator Sports and Events Center, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Marine Park AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a buffet, photo with the Easter Bunny, cupcake decorating, crafts, and a complimentary bloody mary or mimosa for adults.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This is very popular with adults and kids alike.

WANT TO GO? $22; $20 children ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-758-7565. aviatorsports.com.

Luna Park 2017 Season Opening

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WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 10am-8pm WHERE: Luna Park, 1000 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Kick off the season at Coney Island’s Luna Park and celebrate the 90th birthday of the Coney Island Cyclone with games, live entertainment, and prizes.

WHY WE LOVE IT: The first 100 guests can ride the Coney Island Cyclone for free!

WANT TO GO? Free general admission; tickets required for some activities. 718-373-5862. lunaparknyc.com.

8

ABC Child Center

Child Care and Preschool for children ages 2 - 5 years

Full Day, Half Day Programs & Drop-off Care Available 109 Nassau Avenue, Greenpoint - Brooklyn, NY (718) 389-9004 • www.abcchildcenter.com For more information or to schedule a tour email us at info@abcchildcenter.com

We treat:

• Food Allergies • Asthma • Eczema • Hay Fever • Sinus Issues • Recurrent Infections • Hives • Insect Allergies & much more!

Farm Day and Shear Madness

WHEN: Sunday, April 30, 12-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Spring is sheep shearing time and shearers will be removing the heavy winter coats from the flock at the Children’s Center.

WHY WE LOVE IT: The Zoo Woolies will demonstrate how the wool is handspun into yarn.

WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children ages 3-14. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

Sakura Matsuri 2017

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WHEN: April 29-30, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate traditional and contemporary Japanese culture, featuring Taiko drumming, a Cosplay fashion show, tea ceremonies, Kabuki dance, Samurai sword fighting, manga drawing, vintage kimonos, Bonsai kids’ workshops, wagashi sweets, and more.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Sakura Matsuri is popularly referred to as New ACTIVITIES EVENTS York’s rite of spring and the nation’s largest event in a public MORE garden.

WANT TO GO? $30; $25 students and seniors; free for children younger than 12 and members. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

All Kids Fair

WHEN: Sunday, April 30, 10am-4:30pm WHERE: Huntington Hilton, Grand Ballroom, 598 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy this celebration of life on Long Island for kids and their families with a bounce house, petting zoo, popcorn, sand art, face painting, balloons, craft projects, chocolate samples, and more. Now in a new, bigger location to accommodate a larger crowd.

WHY WE LOVE IT: There will be more than 80 exhibitors introducing local products and services, plus kids’ classes for all ages including gymnastics, ballet, music, and messy toddler art.

WANT TO GO? $5; free for children 2 and younger. 516-621-1446. allkidsfair.com. ››

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WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome.

Opening Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 10am WHERE: Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th Street entrance, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Join the Prospect Park Alliance and the Prospect Park Baseball Association to celebrate the start of the baseball and softball season. More than 1,000 players will parade down 7th Avenue to the Bandshell, where ceremonial first pitches will be thrown to start the season.

WANT TO GO? 718-287-3400. prospectpark.org.

Family Play Day

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 10am-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Bring the family to try hands-on activities and games that will be featured in a new exhibition about the history of the Brooklyn waterfront. Activities will include building puzzles of the Brooklyn waterfront, coloring postcards of the Brooklyn Bridge, drawing waterfront murals, and a Brooklyn Navy Yard dress up station.

WANT TO GO? $5. 718-222-4111. brooklynhistory.org.

The Public Theater Mobile Unit: ‘Twelfth Night’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, April 7, 11:30am-1pm WHERE: Brownsville Recreation Center, 1555 Linden Blvd., Brownsville AGES: All WHAT: Set to the rhythms of house, Cuban, and ’90s beats, Saheem Ali directs this colorful comedy about the power of new people and new experiences that throw the world into beautiful disarray, and open hearts and minds to the possibility of love.

WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Easter Egg Hunt FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 2-4pm WHERE: The Evergreens Cemetery, 1629 Bushwick Ave., Bushwick AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Join this Easter party to enjoy an egg hunt, a visit from the Easter Bunny, a petting zoo, and refreshments on the beautiful grounds of the Evergreens Cemetery. The Easter Bunny will visit from 2-3pm, and the egg hunt will take place at 2:30pm. Bring your own baskets.

WANT TO GO? 718-455-5300. eventbrite.com.

10th Annual National Grid Earth Day Celebration FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, 2900 Avenue H, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Now in its 10th year, this celebration is designed to educate families on how they can play a role in caring for the earth and creating a more sustainable future. Interactive family activities, educational materials, and giveaway items will highlight the need for conserving energy, recycling in the home, and being aware of the environmental and global issues that we face today.

WANT TO GO? 718-951-4500. brooklyncenter.org.

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MUSICIANS Tavern Concerts

WHEN: Through April 1: Friday-Saturday, 8pm WHERE: Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Get cozy in the historic tavern and enjoy intimate concerts. Join talented musicians as they regale the tavern with their stories and tunes.

WANT TO GO? $18. 718-351-1611. historicrichmondtown.org.

Family Matinee with The Knights: On the Shoulders of Giants

WHEN: Sunday, April 9, 2pm WHERE: BRIC Arts Media House, 647 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The Knights once again return for a full orchestral program honoring classical treasures alongside Brooklyn composers. Featuring music by Schubert, Mozart, Haydn, Stravinsky, Philip Glass, and Brooklyn’s Gabriel Kahane.

WANT TO GO? $12; $10 in advance. 718-683-5600. bricartsmedia.org.

Stomp, Clap, and Sing with with Aly Sunshine from Funkytown Playground FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, April 11, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Come on down to the Funkytown Playground. Kids will jump and jam with shakers and tambourines, dance with bubbles, and fall from the stars with our colorful parachute.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Events for Youth and Families: Fiesta Tropical with the Bilingual Birdies Band FREE WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 1-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Kids learn new words in Spanish and heart-warming life lessons in this highly energetic and interactive theater and concert performance.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Timbaloo Duo Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 11am WHERE: National Sawdust, 80 N. 6th St., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: Oran Etkin makes instruments come to life and talks through their music so children can conceive making music as the magical act.

WANT TO GO? $20; $5 children. 646-779-8455. nationalsawdust.org.

Stomp, Clap, and Sing with Mil’s Trills FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, April 25, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Mil’s Trills is a children’s music project led by Amelia Robinson that invites families to celebrate the community through original tunes and a cast of musical guests. A highly interactive experience, audiences are encouraged to be part of the show and discover a world of instruments.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Songs For Extraordinary People

WHEN: Through June 3: Saturdays, 4pm WHERE: Barbes, 376 Ninth St., Park Slope AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Author and composer Michael Hearst, along with his five-piece band, presents this highly geeky A/V presentation of some of the most fascinating individuals in the world.

WANT TO GO? $10 suggested donation. 347-422-0248. barbesbrooklyn.com.

Neighborhood Family Concerts FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 23: Saturdays, 4pm WHERE: Bargemusic, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Walk across the gangplank of a renovated coffee barge for a 1-hour, family-friendly performance, including a Q-and-A session with the musicians.

WANT TO GO? 718-624-4924. bargemusic.org.

Sing-Alongs

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Monday-Friday, 10:30am WHERE: The Dean Street, 755 Dean St., Prospect Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: These weekday sing-alongs feature a different favorite local musician each day, including Rolie Polie Guacamole and the Dirty Sock Funtime Band.

WANT TO GO? $8 per family. 718-783-3326. deanstreetbrooklyn.com.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Roller Rink Grand Re-Opening

WHEN: Friday, April 7, 3-10:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 2, 150 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Bring the kids out to Brooklyn Bridge Park Roller Skating at Pier 2 to experience the fun of outdoor skating overlooking the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.

WANT TO GO? Free admission from 3-7pm; $9 admission from 7-10:30pm; $6 skate rentals. 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgeskating.com.

NYRR Spring Youth Run FREE

WHEN: Sunday, April 9, 11am WHERE: Central Park, The Great Lawn at 85th Street, Central Park, Manhattan AGES: 7 and older WHAT: Shake off the winter blues by running 1.7 miles through Manhattan’s most famous park. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? nyrr.org.

Yoga For Teens FREE

WHEN: Through April 26: Wednesdays, 3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Kings Highway Branch, 2115 Ocean Ave., Gravesend AGES: 10 and older WHAT: Every Wednesday until the end of April, anyone ages 10-18 is welcome to attend these free yoga classes.

WANT TO GO? 718-375-3037. bklynlibrary.org.

Fencing Class FREE

WHEN: Through July 17: Saturdays, 9am WHERE: South Brooklyn Fencing, 211 21st St., 1st Floor, South Slope AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This one-time free class is a chance for your child to try his or her hand at fencing. Trial classes held every Saturday. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 929-337-8097. southbrooklynfencing.nyc.

New York Road Runners Open Run FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 27: Tuesdays, 7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6, Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Open Run is a community-based initiative that empowers local volunteers to bring free weekly runs to local neighborhood parks all over NYC. All runs are directed by volunteers, and courses are usually between 2½-3 miles. Open to all ages, experience levels, walkers, strollers, and dogs.

WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

SPARK by Brooklyn Children’s Museum

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesday and Friday-Sunday, 1-5pm; Wednesday, 1-3pm; Thursday, 1-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 John St., DUMBO AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: SPARK is a new art and play space located in Brooklyn Bridge Park and features an outpost of the popular Brooklyn Block Lab exhibit, as well as daily art and design workshops, music classes, and birthday parties.

WANT TO GO? $15; free on Thursdays. 718-624-4719. brooklynkids.org. ››

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‘946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips’

WHEN: Through April 9: See website for schedule WHERE: St. Ann’s Warehouse, 45 Water St., DUMBO AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Seen through the eyes of a little girl and her beloved cat, this is the true story of British townsfolk and the African-American soldiers sent to rehearse the Normandy invasion from their shores.

WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 718-254-8779. stannswarehouse.org.

‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’

WHEN: Saturday, April 15, see website for times WHERE: Puppetworks, 338 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy Robert Southey’s beloved folktale from 1837, adapted for hand puppets by Jack Kaplan.

WANT TO GO? $10; $9 for children younger than 12. 718-965-3391. puppetworks.org.

SHOW TIME! Poetry 2017: Word. Sound. Power.

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 7:30pm WHERE: BAM Fisher, Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Place, Fort Greene AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Explore inherent radical nature of this oral tradition, creative aesthetics in and around hip-hop, and spoken word. This year’s poets include The Peace Poets, OSHUN, Lady Logic, and Frank Waln.

WANT TO GO? $20. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

Spellbound Theatre: ‘Grow!’

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 10-10:45am and 11:15-11:45am WHERE: Old Stone House, 336 3rd St., Park Slope AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Follow the life cycle of an apple seed through four seasons in this lovely, interactive performance for very young children. Young audiences and the storyteller plant a seed together and help it grow, while learning gentle and charming songs and ASL signs to help tell a story of seasonal growth.

WANT TO GO? $15. theoldstonehouse.org.

‘The Wizard of Oz’

WHEN: Sunday, April 2, 4pm WHERE: St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St., Staten Island AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion as they come to life in an adaptation featuring the music of the MGM movie. The performance runs for 1 hour, followed by a meetand-greet with the cast in the lobby.

WANT TO GO? $22. 718-442-2900. stgeorgetheatre.com.

Events for Youth and Families: ‘Junie B. Jones The Musical’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 1-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: It is Junie B.’s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament, and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

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‘Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale’

WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, Walt Whitman Theatre, 2900 Avenue H, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: An adaptation based on the Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Award-winning book by Brooklyn native John Steptoe. Following the performance, Brooklyn Center will host its 10th annual National Grid Earth Day Celebration on the plaza outside Whitman Theatre.

WANT TO GO? $15. 718-951-4500. brooklyncenter.org.

Events for Youth and Families: ‘Biscuit’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 1-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: ArtsPower’s newest musical features a frolicking puppy named Biscuit who loves exploring, making new friends, and stirring up some mischief. Along the way, Biscuit learns about the joys of having a family.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

‘In a Pickle’

WHEN: April 22-30, see website for schedule WHERE: BAM Fisher, Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Place, Fort Greene AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: When a shepherdess and her flock of little sheep discover a lost baby, the audience must join in the search for the child’s family, a journey that will take them through the forest and across the sea.

WANT TO GO? $15. 718-636-4100. bam.org/kids.

‘Peppa Pig Live’

WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 5pm WHERE: St. George Theatre, 35 Hyatt St., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Come join Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, and more in an all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of games and muddy puddles.

WANT TO GO? $49 and up. 718-442-2900. stgeorgetheatre.com.

‘Wild Kratts LIVE!’

WHEN: Sunday, April 30, 2pm and 6pm WHERE: Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the natural world and have fun with puppets, animation, and the Kratt brothers themselves.

WANT TO GO? $45 and up. 212-465-6225. beacontheatrenyc.com.

SMARTY PANTS Baseball Greats at Green-Wood Trolley Tour

WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 11am-1pm WHERE: Green-Wood, 500 25th St., Greenwood Heights AGES: All WHAT: Visit the monuments and gravestones of Henry Chadwick, the Father of Baseball, who invented the game’s scoring system; James Creighton, baseball’s first national star; Charles Ebbets, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers; the great hitter Charlie Smith; and many others who played a role in making baseball America’s national pastime.

WANT TO GO? $30; $25 members. 718-210-3080. green-wood.com.

Tilt Kids Festival: Hervé Tullet ‘This Isn’t Trash’ FREE

WHEN: Through April 15: Thursday-Saturday, 1-7pm; Sunday, 1-5pm WHERE: The Invisible Dog Art Center, 51 Bergen St., Cobble Hill AGES: All WHAT: Colorful sheets of paper will be hung from the ceiling and as a multi-dimensional forest of artworks that kids can meander through, encountering new viewpoints, windows, and surprise compositions.

WANT TO GO? 347-470-6747. tiltkidsfestival.org.

ARTech: Adventures in Art + Technology FREE

WHEN: Through April 29: Wednesday-Thursday, 3-7pm; SaturdaySunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: 459 W. 14th St., Meatpacking District, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: A two-month long series of workshops, installations, and interactive activities in STEAM subjects: science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Reservations required.

WANT TO GO? $10. 212-889-0440. artech.splashthat.com.

The Amazing Brooklyn Museum Scavenger Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 12:30-3:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A series of clues leads participants around the Brooklyn Museum performing mental challenges along the way. Each member of the winning team receives a New York City gift package.

WANT TO GO? $39. 718-344-8962. pogoevents.com.

BCM Explorers’ Day

WHEN: April 4-May 30, Tuesdays, 10am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Explore the museum’s permanent exhibits with your child.

WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

Brooklyn Open FREE

WHEN: Through June 5: Mondays, 5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Teens enjoy an open mic event at which poets, spoken work artists, emcees, scholars, and activists share their powerful and important voices. Run by youth for youth, with youth DJs, youth hosts, and a monthly featured poet.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Library Lab: Coding FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 20: Wednesdays, 4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Explore science, technology, engineering, and math concepts with fun, free activities that will spark curiosity through hands-on experiments.

WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Train Operators Workshop

WHEN: Through Dec. 23: Saturday-Sunday, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Drop by the Computer Lab to take control of a NYC Subway car and operate it over virtual miles of track in this realistic game.

WANT TO GO? $7; $5 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-694-1792. nytransitmuseum.org. ››

Science Fiction, Science Future

WHEN: Through April 30: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; SaturdaySunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: This temporary exhibition gives visitors a deeper understanding of how science fiction ideas and concepts might become the science reality of tomorrow. Hands-on exhibits incorporate robots, holograms, and augmented reality.

WANT TO GO? $16; $13 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-6990005. nysci.org.

Holding History

WHEN: Through May 29: Sundays, 11am WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Children will learn about the history of objects through tactical investigation and relating these historical artifacts to their own lives.

WANT TO GO? $11. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

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Opening Weekend and Blessing of the Rides

WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 12pm WHERE: Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park, 3059 W. 12th St. and Boardwalk, Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate a new season at this classic boardwalk amusement park and don’t miss the annual Blessing of the Rides on Palm Sunday at 11am.

WANT TO GO? Free admission; ticket prices for rides vary. 718-3722592. wonderwheel.com.

Birding: Spring Migration FREE

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Carousel Opening Weekend

WHEN: April 1-2, Saturday-Sunday 12-5pm WHERE: Prospect Park Carousel, Children’s Corner Entrance, Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the start of spring with a first ride of the year on the park’s beloved 1912 carousel.

WANT TO GO? $2 per ride; $9 for five rides. 718-965-8951. prospectpark.org.

Spring Sprouts

WHEN: April 1-2, Saturday-Sunday, 2-4pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard, Flatbush AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join the Prospect Park Alliance at Lefferts Historic House, to make a small pot out of newspaper, fill it with soil, and plant an herb seed to take home.

WANT TO GO? $3 suggested donation. 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Opening Weekend at the Zoo

WHEN: April 1-2, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Prospect Park Zoo is celebrating the park’s 150th anniversary with free admission for children and special park-centric fun including discovery center activities, nature play on the discovery trail, and a conservation station in the Hall of Animals.

WANT TO GO? $8. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

Community Baking Day

WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 12-4pm WHERE: Old Stone House, 336 3rd St., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Bring something to bake in the new oven which will be at baking temperature all day. Meet at the stone oven next to the Old Stone House.

WANT TO GO? $5 suggested donation. theoldstonehouse.org.

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WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 10-11:30am WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Flatbush AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The Urban Park Rangers will guide you to the best wildlife viewing spots in the urban jungle.

WANT TO GO? 718-287-3400. prospectpark.org.

Discovery Walks for Families: Beginning Birders FREE WHEN: April 1-May 5, Saturdays, 10am WHERE: Central Park, see website for locations, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Explore the park in the spring and learn about birding.

Guided walk and hands on exploration. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 212-860-1370. centralparknyc.org.

Exhibition: Wilderness Camp

WHEN: Through June 4: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Kids and their caregivers will learn about different ways of creating shelters, plants that provide food and building materials, and techniques that transform natural materials into functional, everyday objects.

WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

Shayne Dark Exhibit

WHEN: Through July 31: Tuesday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm; SaturdaySunday, 10am-4:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Shayne Dark is known for making complex sculptures from tree branches, trunks, and roots that evoke nature while taking on majestic new forms. In July 2016, the artist worked on the grounds of Brooklyn Botanic Garden to create a new site-specific, large-scale installation on Cherry Walk.

WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 12. 718-6237200. bbg.org.

Free Family Day FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 20: Saturdays, 1-4pm WHERE: The Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, Canarsie AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy engaging, kid-friendly tours, hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, and more on the third Saturday of the month. If the weather is nice, bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds before or after your visit to the house.

WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

ONCE UPON A TIME FamJam: Family Tales FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 11am WHERE: BRIC Media House, 647 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join this hands-on workshop for families to capture a family story through video storytelling.

WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. bricartsmedia.org.

‘Puss in Boots’

WHEN: Through April 9: See website for schedule WHERE: Puppetworks, 338 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy Charles Perrault’s 1697 French fantasy with an original song score. Adapted for marionettes by Nicolas Coppola.

WANT TO GO? $10, $9 for children younger than 12. 718-965-3391. puppetworks.org.

Laurie Berkner at World Read-Aloud Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 11am WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 267 7th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 3-8 WHAT: For World Read-Aloud Day, kids’ music superstar Laurie Berkner will sing her beloved “We Are the Dinosaurs” and “These Are My Glasses,” read her new We Are the Dinosaurs book aloud, and sign books at a meet-and-greet for fans.

WANT TO GO? 718-832-9066. laurieberkner.com.

Storytime Depot

WHEN: April 1-30, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am-12pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Start weekend mornings with a reading of favorite transportation tales.

WANT TO GO? $7; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Greenlight Young Readers Book Group FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 13: Wednesdays, 5:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Led by Greenlight bookseller Grace, this book group, which takes place on the fourth Wednesday of the month, reads contemporary and classic chapter books. Parents are welcome but not required to attend, and pizza is served.

WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

SPECIAL NEEDS ‘In a Pickle’: Relaxed Performances

WHEN: April 23-29, Sunday, 3:30pm; Wednesday and Saturday, 10:30am WHERE: BAM Fisher, Fishman Space, 321 Ashland Place, Fort Greene AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Modifications will include elimination of blackouts and sudden theatrical cues; maintaining moderate house lighting through the performance; lowering the overall volume of sound elements; allowing for audience vocalization and movement; and allowing for patron exits and entrances whenever needed.

WANT TO GO? $15. 718-636-4100. bam.org/kids.

DANCE PARTY Doug Varone and Dancers

WHEN: Through April 1: Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30pm WHERE: BAM Harvey Theater, 651 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Doug Varone and Dancers celebrate 30 years of impassioned choreography with three works representing the past, present, and future of this peerless company.

WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

Tango Lovers Celebrates the Centennial of ‘La Cumparsita’

WHEN: Friday, April 7, 8-9:50pm WHERE: Master Theater, 1029 Brighton Beach Ave., Brighton Beach AGES: 13 and older WHAT: This year marks the 100th anniversary of this iconic tango composed by Uruguayan Gerardo Matos Rodríguez. The piece is traditionally played at the end of tango shows and milongas around the world and has been performed in renowned theaters around the world.

WANT TO GO? $39 and up. 718-732-3838. mastertheater.com.

Dance Classes

WHEN: Through April 9: See website for schedule WHERE: Brooklyn Music School, 126 St. Felix St., Fort Greene AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Through a supportive and nurturing environment, students receive the needed tools to learn to dance, build self-assurance, and increase self-expression.

WANT TO GO? $15 per class. 718-638-5660. brooklynmusicschool.org/dance-ballet-brooklyn.

Community Dance Class FREE

WHEN: Through June 5: Mondays, 6:30-8pm WHERE: BRIC House Ballroom, 647 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: All ages and skill levels are welcome to join this series of community dance classes taught by Ronald K. Brown and members of his company, Evidence, A Dance Company the first Monday of every month.

WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. bricartsmedia.org.

The Little People Party

WHEN: Through Aug. 15: Monday, 3-5pm; Wednesday, 9-11am WHERE: The Backyard, 196 N. 14th St., Greenpoint AGES: 3-5 WHAT: The Little People Party is a twice-weekly, daytime playgroup for young children and their caregivers. The giant, enclosed, Astroturfcovered field is decked out with games and toys for kids.

WANT TO GO? $10 children. 646-707-4372. facebook.com/thelittlepeopleparty. ›› BrooklynParent 35

Kane—Aladdin himself—performing a soundtrack favorite in a special pre-film sing-along.

WANT TO GO? See website for prices. 212-941-2400. tribecafilm.com/festival.

‘Journey to Space’ 3-D Movie

WHEN: Through June 30: Monday-Friday, 12pm and 3pm; SaturdaySunday, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Moviegoers will learn about the important role of the International Space Station, uncover what NASA and the space community are working on, and discover the challenges they face to carry out bold missions such as capturing asteroids and landing astronauts on Mars.

WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children with admission: $15; $12 children, students, and seniors. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

ON SCREEN BAMkids Movie Matinees: ‘Babe’

HOLIDAY FUN EGGstravaganza Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

WHEN: Sunday, April 9, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: A plucky piglet defies expectations to become a farmer’s prize sheepherder in this delightfully imaginative barnyard tale, one of the most enchanting and innovative family films of the 1990s.

WANT TO GO? $10; $7 for children 12 and younger. 718-636-4129. bam.org/kids.

WHEN: Saturday, April 8, 9:30-11am WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: This event includes a hot breakfast buffet, an Easter egg hunt, animal encounters, a carousel ride with Chuck the Groundhog, a chance to take your own pictures with the Bunny, and live music.

Reservations required.

WANT TO GO? $30; $20 children ages 3-14; free for children 2 and younger. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

BAMkids Movie Matinees: ‘The Secret World of Arrietty’

Easter Egg Hunt

WHEN: Sunday, April 23, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: Studio Ghibli’s enchanting adaptation of the children’s classic The Borrowers, featuring an uncommonly strong, complex heroine at its center, this is children’s entertainment at its most thoughtful, empathic, and imaginative.

WANT TO GO? $10; $7 for children 12 and younger. 718-636-4129. bam.org/kids.

Nitehawk Cinema Musical Brunch

WHEN: April 1-30, Saturday-Sunday, 11am WHERE: Nitehawk Cinema, 136 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: Give your family a crash course in the history of musicals, including the cinematic classic Singin’ in the Rain, the Dr. Seussauthored The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T., the Broadway-bound Kermit in The Muppets Take Manhattan, and the animated epic Anastasia. See website for schedule.

WANT TO GO? $12; $9 children. 718-782-8370. nitehawkcinema.com.

Tribeca Film Festival

WHEN: April 19-30, see website for schedule WHERE: Multiple venues around New York City AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The 16th annual Tribeca Film Festival returns to the city. One of the highlights for families is the chance to see a free screening of Aladdin to celebrate its 25-year anniversary, featuring the voice of Brad 36

April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 11am WHERE: Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Bring an egg carton to decorate in high Victorian style, transforming it into an egg-holder. Then meet the Easter Bunny as you hunt for eggs in a Victorian town house decorated for spring.

WANT TO GO? $9. 718-351-1611. historicrichmondtown.org.

Spring Egg Hunt 2017

WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 11am, 12pm, and 1pm WHERE: t.b.d. Brooklyn, 224 Franklin St., Greenpoint AGES: All WHAT: Bring your own basket and join an old-fashioned egg hunt featuring separate baby and toddler egg hunt areas. This event boasts thousands of eggs, photo opportunities with the Easter bunny, arts and crafts, face painting, and live music.

WANT TO GO? $15 in advance; $20 at the door. 347-559-1410. townsquareinc.com.

Barnyard Egg Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 11am-3pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Egg hunts will be ongoing in the orchard and Whiskers the Bunny will be hopping about ready for photo-ops, and there will be games, food, and more. Bring your own baskets. Registration required, no tickets will be sold at the door.

WANT TO GO? $10. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

Easter Egg Hunt FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 15, 1pm WHERE: Coffey Park, 50 Dwight St., Red Hook AGES: All WHAT: Redemption Church will be hosting its 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Red Hook. Come out for a great time with family and enjoy great activities for the kids, candy, music, fun, and lots of Easter eggs.

WANT TO GO? 718-965-8935. nycgovparks.org.

NYC Easter Parade FREE

WHEN: Sunday, April 16, 10am-4pm WHERE: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue between 49th and 57th streets, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Every year, New Yorkers show off their Easter Bonnets in this parade that marches north on Fifth Avenue, starting at 49th Street. Come and watch or even bring your own bonnet. The best place to watch is from the area around St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

WANT TO GO? saintpatrickscathedral.org.

Skate with the Easter Bunny

WHEN: Sunday, April 16, 3-7:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 2, 150 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Head to Brooklyn Bridge Park for some roller skating on Easter and take a spin with the Easter Bunny. Skate along to today’s top music and take photos with the skating Easter Bunny.

WANT TO GO? $9; $6 skate rental. 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgeskating.com.

Green Meadows Farm Easter Egg Hunt

WHEN: April 13-17, Thursday-Monday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Aviator Sports and Events Center, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Marine Park AGES: All WHAT: Admission includes the egg hunt, photo with Whiskers, a hayride, Tiny Tractors Corn Box, Giant Hay Wagon Slide, and more.

Families can also visit the farm and enjoy activities like pony rides and a petting zoo.

WANT TO GO? $8. 718-224-5863. aviatorsports.com.

Earth Day New York: Union Square FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, April 18, 12-7pm WHERE: Union Square, 33 E. 17th St., Union Square, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Earth Day as part of this annual environmental wake-up call event. Activities will include dozens of environmental organizations and campaigns, kids’ activities and entertainment, a sharing economy exhibition, local businesses with green projects, a green vehicle exhibition, live performances, and celebrity appearances.

WANT TO GO? 212-622-0165. earthdayny.org.

Family Day Earth Day

WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 11am-2pm WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Participants will meet an animal up close, decorate a flower pot, and engage in other activities around the zoo. Refreshments will be provided.

WANT TO GO? $35. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS The Tilt Kids Festival

WHEN: Through April 16: See website for times WHERE: French Institute Alliance Française, 22 E. 60th St., Upper East Side, Manhattan, and other venues citywide AGES: All WHAT: This exciting festival of culture from around the world continues into April. Many events are free, check website for details.

WANT TO GO? See website for ticket prices. 212-355-6100. tiltkidsfestival.org.

St. George Day Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 22, 11am-5pm WHERE: Tompkinsville Park, 208 Bay St., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: The St. George Day Festival, a local Earth Day and arts celebration, features a community pageant, performing arts showcase, literary event, and interactive science fair. Enjoy kids activities, outdoor art installations, live music, crafts, and Earth Day demonstrations.

WANT TO GO? 347-576-4638. stgeorgedaysi.com.

Puppetry Arts Festival of Brooklyn

WHEN: Saturday, April 29, 11am-3pm WHERE: JJ Byrne Park, 344 5th Ave., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: This popular annual event includes Star Wars characters, puppet making, crafts, games, prizes, and a bounce house. The first 200 kids get a free Puppetry Arts goodie bag.

WANT TO GO? Free general admission; $2-$5 activities. 718-7683703. puppetryarts.org.

Coming up next month: MAY 20-21: 23rd Annual Fleece Festival at the Prospect Park Zoo, eastern side of Prospect Park MAY 21: The Fabulous Fifth Avenue Fair on 5th Avenue between Sterling Place and 12th Street, Park Slope MAY 29: Memorial Day Concert at Green-Wood Cemetery, Greenwood Heights

BrooklynParent 37

WHERE-TO GUIDE

Catch a Minor League Baseball Game ››

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Research by Sabrina Sooknanan

Courtesy Brooklyn Cyclones

Take the family out to a ball game! For a fraction of the cost of a Mets or Yankees game, you can check out some of the sport’s up-andcoming big hitters at a local minor league game and soak up tons of fun perks for kids, such as hanging out on the field before the game, meeting the players, and free admission to some games. Please note that dates and prices are projected for the season. We recommend confirming details before heading out to the ballpark.

Season begins April 20; home game April 28 Tickets: $12-$15; discounts for groups of 25 or more Kids ages 14 and younger can join the Kids Club for discounts and special events.

Members are invited to Kids Club Day, when they can go on a behind-the-scenes tour of Bethpage Ballpark and get a chance to run the bases.

Somerset Patriots TD Bank Ballpark, 1 Patriots Park, Bridgewater, NJ somersetpatriots.com Season begins April 21 Tickets: $9-$25 Children can join the Somerset Sluggers Kids Club for special opportunities such as posing with the entire Somerset Patriots team in the Somerset Sluggers team poster, exclusive Q-and-A’s with Patriots Players, and ballpark tours. AllStar birthday parties are available.

Sandy the Seagull and a young fan participate in the mascot race, one of the many in between inning contests that help make games at MCU Park so much fun from start to finish.

New York City Brooklyn Cyclones Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League (New York Mets) MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave., Coney Island brooklyncyclones.com Season begins June 17 Tickets: $10-$17 in advance Through the Field of Dreams program, youth baseball, softball, and Little League teams can stand side by side, in uniform, with the Cyclones while the national anthem plays at the start of the game (you must purchase a minimum of 15 tickets to participate in this program). Fireworks are free after every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday home game. On Sunday Fundays, kids can run the bases after the game and get the chance to play catch on the field before the game.

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Staten Island Yankees Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League (New York Yankees) Richmond County Bank Ballpark, 75 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island siyanks.com Season begins June 19 See website for ticket prices. The stadium offers group tickets that include discount ticket prices, fan gear, a chance for kids (ages 12 and younger) to run the bases after the game, and the opportunity to join Scooter’s Kids Club.

Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Double A – Triple A

Long Island Ducks Bethpage Ballpark, 3 Court House Drive, Central Islip liducks.com

Bridgeport Bluefish The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, 500 Main St., Bridgeport, CT bridgeportbluefish.com Season begins April 28 Tickets: $12; discounted rates for groups of 20 or more Kids ages 13 and younger can join the Kids Club for special events and activities throughout the season and during the offseason. Young athletes can join a Youth League Outing to accompany the players on the field during the national anthem, join the players on the field during team introductions, play catch with the players before the game, and more; see the website for details.

Lancaster Barnstormers Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA lancasterbarnstormers.com Season begins April 21; home game April 28 Tickets: $7-$13

Several ticket packages available for groups and families. Children ages 12 and younger can gain one free lawn admission ticket if they wear their local, organized sport uniform to any home game.

York Revolution PeoplesBank Park, 5 Brooks Robinson Way, York, PA yorkrevolution.com Season begins April 28 Tickets: $8-$14 Kids can join Rookie Revs ($27) for special events, and receive six ticket vouchers for any game.

New Jersey New Jersey Jackals CanAm League Yogi Berra Stadium, 8 Yogi Berra Drive, Little Falls jackals.com Season begins May 18 Tickets: $12-$17 The Baseball Buddies program allows youngsters to be introduced like the pro players and take the field with the Jackals for the national anthem.

See website for details.

Trenton Thunder Double-A (New York Yankees) Arm & Hammer Park, 1 Thunder Road, Trenton trentonthunder.com Season begins April 13 Tickets: $8-$13 The team offers Boomer’s Kids Club, presented by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at University Medical Center Princeton at Plainsboro. The club is for fans younger than 12 and features special discounts, one-of-akind experiences, and on-field opportunities. Memberships are $25 for the first child and $10 per child after.

Lakewood BlueClaws Single-A (Philadelphia Phillies) FirstEnergy Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood blueclaws.com Season begins April 13

Tickets: $8-$13 With the Future BlueClaws package, your child’s Little League team can take to the field with the BlueClaws during the starting lineups and the national anthem, and join the Kid’s Club for free.

• Budget–friendly Birthday Party Place • Plan Your Child Birthday Party Now! • 70 five star reviews on Google and Yelp.

• Fun and creative packages for all ages.

Southeast New York Hudson Valley Renegades Class A Short-Season New YorkPenn League (Tampa Bay Rays) Dutchess Stadium, 1500 Route 9D, Wappingers Falls hvrenegades.com Season begins June 19; home game June 21 See website for ticket prices. The Renegades offers special discounts and packages for groups of 15 or more.

There will be an All-Scout Sleepover on June 1.

Rockland Boulders CanAm League Palisades Credit Union Park, 1 Palisades Credit Union Park Drive, Pomona rocklandboulders.com Season begins May 18 Tickets: $11-$16 Kids ages 12 and younger can get on the field every Sunday and run the bases after the game. Kids are also allowed to play catch on the field after the games.

Connecticut Hartford Yard Goats Double-A (Colorado Rockies) Dunkin Donuts Park, 1214 Main St., Hartford yardgoatsbaseball.com Season begins April 6; home game April 13 Tickets: $6-$22 Kids ages 12 and younger can become members of the Red Robin Kid’s Club (free membership). They’ll also get a chance to receive invitations to special events, exclusive Yard Goats giveaways, a 10-percent discount at the team store, and club ticket packages for parents of members.

See the website for details.

www.artfunstudio.com

547 92 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209 718-680-0508 • alla@artfunstudio.com

Need a staycation?

ResouRces ARticles

Find everything you need, faster at

Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/ballparks.

BrooklynParent 39

Robert Dahey

SpecialParent

Chase Bailey, a 15-year-old chef with autism who is host of his own cooking show on YouTube.com, recently published The Official Chase ’N Yur Face Cookbook.

Chasing His Dreams

››

How a teen with autism overcame his food aversions to create a cooking show and cookbook Interview by Katelin Walling; recipes by Chase Bailey

C

hase Bailey is a 15-year-old chef with his own cooking show on YouTube and a recently released cookbook, The Official Chase ‘N Yur Face Cookbook—and he’s using part of the proceeds to set up his Chase Yur Dreams Foundation. That is a huge accomplishment on its own, but what makes it even more impressive is Chase was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, a diagnosis that includes severe food aversions, speech delay, and other developmental and physical issues. “Some doctors told my mom that I would probably never speak, and would not be able to take care of myself,” Chase said in his cookbook introduction.

He goes on to reveal that when he was 8, he started watching cooking shows with his grandfather—Eat Street is a favorite— which helped him overcome his food aversions. “These cooking shows helped me to see that food could actually be fun, and a big part of traveling—which is one of my favorite things,” he said.

Chase took a minute to tell us about his inspiration, how he overcomes challenges, and advice he has for others. Plus, he shares three of his own recipes with us.

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

What inspired you to write your own cookbook? I didn’t plan on doing a cookbook. But someone asked my mom if I would be interested, so she told me about it and all the amazing stuff that doing a cookbook would be. I already had a journal of recipes, so I thought, why not bring it to the world, right?

How do you come up with your recipes? Sometimes ideas literally just pop in my head. Sometimes when I’m eating something or see food on a show, I start thinking about how I would make something like it with different ingredients.

Are there any challenges you’ve had to overcome—both with your YouTube channel and cookbook—as a young man with autism? One of the challenges I have is speaking. I know the words I want to say but it takes time for me to put them in order. I have an acting coach who helps me speak properly for my shows and interviews. I also have challenges with fine motor skills.

Sometimes my hand strength is not very good, so l use tools like a

chopper and food processor to help me in the kitchen. Everybody has challenges to overcome. We all do life with a little bit of help.

Can you tell me about the Chase Yur Dreams Foundation (ChaseYurDreams.org)—its mission and goals? There are a lot of kids with autism who have challenges and dreams like me. I want to help them with education, jobs, and things they need to make their dreams come true.

SPECIAL NEEDS MARKETPLACE

HELPS STUDENTS AT ALL LEVELS ACHIEVE RESULTS

Do you have advice for other children on the spectrum, or with other disabilities, about pursuing their passion? Find out what you love to do and go for it! And ask for help!

If you could say anything to those without special needs about having an autism diagnosis, what would it be? People with autism have dreams and can do things, too. Autism is like having something special or an extra body part. You just have figure how to make it work for you.

OUR PROGRAMS WORK BECAUSE:

• We begin with an Academic Evaluation • We testify on behalf of a student, attend IEP or • We develop a customized learning plan 504 meetings, and visit the student’s school • We provide personalized instruction by • We update you on your student’s progress certified teachers at accredited centers • We offer flexible schedules

Recipes excerpted from The Official Chase ‘N Yur Face Cookbook by Chase Bailey with permission of Chase ‘N Yur Face Media LLC

Ingredients 4 Waffles (recipe below) 12 thin slices of uncured maple honey ham 8 slices of provolone cheese ½ cup breakfast slaw (recipe below) Directions 1. On a warm waffle, add 2 slices of provolone cheese, 3 slices of ham, and ½ cup of breakfast slow to one side of the waffle.

2. Gently fold over to make a sandwich.

3. When serving to guests, add a 4-inch toothpick to keep the sandwich closed.

Waffle Recipe Ingredients 1¾ cup flour ¼ cup cornstarch 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1¾ cup milk ½ cup canola oil 2 teaspoons almond extract

Directions 1. Preheat waffle iron.

2. Combine all of the ingredients together in a bowl and whisk until smooth.

TUTORING

Jessica Nicosia-Nadler

Pigs In A Waffle

WITH THIS OFFER*

TEST PREP

Phonics • Reading • Writing • Math Study Skills • Executive Functioning Skills ADHD • Dyslexia • Learning Disabilities ACT • SAT • Regents BAY RIDGE

FLUSHING

PARK SLOPE

BRONX

MANHATTAN

STATEN ISLAND

©2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently owned and operated. *Offer valid for Academic Evaluation, new students only. Not valid with any other offer. SAT is a registered trademark of College Board. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of these entities endorses or was involved in the production of the program.

HLC1818BLKN0317

3. Use cooking spray to grease waffle iron.

4. As waffle irons vary in size, follow the instructions for your waffle iron to determine how much batter to pour onto the waffle iron.

Breakfast Slaw Mix Ingredients 2½ cups green cabbage rough shred ½ cup Fuji apples diced 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1½ tablespoons chopped walnuts 1 tablespoon dried blueberries 2-3 tablespoons ranch dressing (use your favorite)

Directions 1. Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl and stir together. continued on next page ››

BrooklynParent 41

Circus!

PBNA Panini (Peanut Butter, Nutella, & Apple) Ingredients Cooking spray or 1 teaspoon of butter 2 slices of whole-wheat sandwich bread or gluten-free sandwich bread 1 tablespoon Nutella 1 tablespoon peanut butter 1 small whole green apple Directions 1. Use a peeler to remove the skin from apple 2. Use a knife or slicer to slice thin slices of apple.

3. Spread Nutella on one slice of bread.

4. Spread peanut butter on the other slice of bread.

Win 4 premium seats to Circus 1903 at The Theater at MSG and the chance for your child to go on stage and participate in the show!

Plus 2 other lucky winners will receive family four-packs

Enter sweepstakes at

nymetroparents.com/circus Circus 1903 is a brand new show for all ages; it’s the circus reimagined, with over two hours of edge-of-your-seat entertainment featuring an incredible cast of the most unique, spellbinding and thrilling circus acts from all four corners of the globe. Sensational puppetry puts elephants back in the ring as never seen before while Ringmaster Willy Whipsnade takes you on a mesmerizing journey through the magic of the circus. *No purchase necessary. Open to individuals who are at least 18 years of age, a legal US resident residing within 100 miles of New York City at the time of entry, and who are the parent or legal guardian of a child born between March 21, 2012, and April 12, 2005. Ends 11:59 p.m. ET 4/11/17. Must be available to attend 6pm performance on 4/15/17 if Grand Prize winner. Void outside stated area and where prohibited. See Official Rules for complete details.

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Sloppy Chase’s Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 small yellow onion chopped 1 tablespoon minced garlic ½ cup chopped yellow pepper ½ cup chopped orange pepper ¾ cup chopped cremini mushrooms 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 1 pound ground lamb 2 tablespoons sloppy Joe seasoning 1 6 ounce can of tomato paste 1 cup diced fire roasted tomatoes with the liquid ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano 3-5 French Brioche hamburger buns or regular hamburger buns Directions 1. In a medium pan, heat oil on medium-high heat and sauté onions for 3-4 minutes.

2. Add in garlic, yellow peppers, orange peppers, mushrooms, salt, and pepper.

3. Sauté for an additional 2 minutes.

4. Add ground lamb into sautéed vegetable mixture and cook until meat is done.

5. Drain excess grease.

6. Pour vegetable and ground lamb

5. Place desired amount of apple slices on top of the peanut butter and place the Nutella slice on top.

6. Brush a small amount of butter on the top and bottom half of the sandwich or spray the top and bottom of the Panini maker with cooking spray.

7. Place the sandwich in the Panini maker and cook until golden on both sides.

Jessica Nicosia-Nadler

Your Kid Can Be IN the

Jessica Nicosia-Nadler

‹‹ continued from previous page

mixture back into pan.

7. Stir in the sloppy Joe seasoning, tomato paste, and roasted tomatoes, and return to heat.

8. Blend all ingredients well and turn heat down to simmer.

9. Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

10. To make a closed faced Sloppy Chase sandwich, put ½ cup of mixture on ½ of the hamburger or brioche bun and top with ParmigianoReggiano. To make an open faced Sloppy Chase put ½ cup mixture on each half of the hamburger or brioche buns and top with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

SPECIAL NEEDS MARKETPLACE

COOKING CLASSES FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS If your child has expressed an interest in learning to cook, check out these programs in Brooklyn that offer cooking programs for children and teens with special needs.

Green Apron Kitchen 7122 Bay Parkway, Bensonhurst 718-676-4792 greenapronkitchen.com info@greenapronkitchen.com Green Apron Kitchen offers camps, birthday parties, and a variety of classes to teach children the art of cooking.

Dietary restrictions and allergies can be accommodated, and children with special needs are welcome to join any of the facility’s programs.

Kings Bay Y 3495 Nostrand Ave., Sheepshead Bay Dara: 718-648-7703 x220 kingsbayy.org The Sunday Funday Program for ages 5-15 is for children that have learning disabilities, developmental disorders, and children on the autism spectrum. Activities include cooking, dance, music, yoga, climbing on the adaptive rock climbing wall, and swiming.

LilChefs.com Special Events Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, New Jersey 516-338-0552 lilchefs.com paula@lilchefs.com Chef Paula offers hands-on workshops and birthday parties at your location for ages 3-14 that include chef hats and aprons, as well as a personalized recipe booklet specific to the event, for each young chef. All parties and workshops are conducted in an inclusive environment, and Chef Paula can customize an event specifically for children with special needs, geared toward different abilities. Recipes can also be created for various dietary needs, and every event includes multi-sensory components relating to sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound.

Little Mixers Speak, Learn and Play 540 President St., Suite 2D, Gowanus 917-719-0241 littlemixersbrooklyn.com This social skills program, run by a speech-language pathologist and a licensed master social worker, offers an eight-week school-year session and a five-week summer session for ages 3-5 and 5-8. Each group will include a collaborative cooking activity, as well as structured games and activities.

Camp Huntington A Special Camp for the Special Camper

90 Minutes north of NYC Call Today: 855-707-2267

www.camphuntington.com

Lois A. Jackson, D.D.S., P.C. and Associates

Pediatric Dentistry 505 LaGuardia Place, New York • 212.995.8888 16 Court Street, Suite 2211, Brooklyn • 718.855.8833 BrooklynParent 43

SpecialParent

15 Questions to Ask When Looking For a Special Needs Tutor ›› There are lots of considerations when looking for a tutor for your child with special needs. A mom of six—two of whom have special needs—offers advice on how to find the right one. By Michaela Searfoorce

I

f your child is struggling in math, spelling, or reading, you might be considering a tutor. If so, there are a lot of options to consider: Home or tutoring center? What can you afford?

How often can you meet? When you add into the mix a child with additional special needs, things can quickly become overwhelming.

Fortunately, many tutors and tutoring services are experienced in working with kids who have special needs. Finding the right one may require a little more research on the parent’s part, but those seeking clients who have special needs should be happy to spend the time answering parents’ questions to ensure they are the right fit for your child. I spoke with two experts—Carol Lovallo, an educational development supervisor from Huntington Learning Center, and Emily Levy, Ed.D., the founder and director of EBL Coaching— who were friendly, knowledgeable about the field, and helped me come up with this list of 15 things you may want to consider when seeking out the right tutor for your child with special needs: What disabilities do your tutors have experience with? As all of us parents are painfully aware, different disabilities are not created equal. A tutor who has experience with dyslexia may not know what to do with learning issues caused by autism, ADHD, or OCD. Instead of starting with, “My child has _________,” or “Do you 44

April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

have experience with __________,” I have found it more helpful (and enlightening) to simply ask, “What disabilities and special needs have you had experience with?” Lovallo, for instance, touted Huntington Learning Center’s special ADHD program, in which the centers offer individualized help to children diagnosed with ADHD from teachers who have had specific training.

Do you have any special qualifications, certifications, or credentials? Dr. Levy says parents should be asking about what specialized and research-based techniques are being used. As just one example, her company specializes in the Orton-Gillingham method for students who struggle with reading.

How long have you been tutoring? This apparently means “how old are you?” in our house. Tutors come in all ages and experience levels, but it’s important to consider who your children will enjoy learning from and listening to—with whom they’ll click.

My children have made their preferences known loud and clear and we do our best to accommodate. My oldest son and daughter prefer someone “not old like mommy,” and do very well with young, energetic, qualified college students. One of my middle boys, however, responds best to a woman closer to my own mother’s age who has more experience and a calm, quiet demeanor (to balance him bouncing off the wall, perhaps?).

How do you handle disruptive behavior, acting out, and attention issues? What’s your discipline strategy? Look, I love my kid, but when he starts rapidly clicking his pen for the 90th time after being asked to make change for a dollar, I can lose my cool.

In calmer moments I’m redirecting, using mini M&M’S as positive reinforcement, or offering extra screen time for a successful finish to our homework session. It’s comforting to know the tutor’s (or tutoring center’s) strategies.

What’s your expertise in the content area my child is studying? Now that you know the tutoring center specializes in ADHD, make sure it has tutors who also are knowledgeable in Spanish, calculus, or whatever subject(s) your child is struggling with.

Do you have special needs references I can speak to? “Special needs” is the key phrase here, because while Joe’s mom might rave about this place, Joe might be a B student who needed some basic math test prep. How does Maria’s mom, whose daughter has an autism spectrum disorder and is upset easily by certain noises, feel about their approach? Even better, do they have any clients with your child’s specific disability who would be willing to speak with you?

Do you tutor at my home or only on-site? You should be able to find what you need fairly easily, and don’t need to compromise on this; do what is best for you and your child. Huntington Learning Center offers on-site tutoring with locations nationwide along with a search function on the website that will bring up a map of its nearby centers. EBL Coaching has tutors at several locations around the New York City area, as well as tutors who travel to students’ homes.

What will the environment be like? If tutoring won’t be taking place in your home, it’s important to understand the surroundings where your child will be learning. Since my son has sensory processing disorder it’s important that there aren’t loud electric pencil sharpeners being used while he’s around. During his lessons, distractions and loud noises from sources such as gum, bubble wrap, or balloons need to be avoided.

Will you be tutoring my child alone or in a group? Think about what approach might be best for your child. Is he motivated by a group and enjoys being around other children? Or does she struggle with social issues and is easily distracted? Many tutors and tutoring centers have different approaches. Some may start with a 1-on-1 approach and then increase the number of students per teacher (a practice which can help promote independence in the classroom). If you only want 1-on-1 tutoring, let it be known.

How much do you charge per session? Is there a sliding scale?

Are other fees involved? Make sure your budget includes the extras, such as possible fees for materials or assessments.

How long is each tutoring session? What hours are sessions available? If your child struggles with attention issues, you might want to seek out a place that offers shorter, more frequent sessions.

But if you’re trying to squeeze meetings into an already-packed schedule of extracurricular activities and therapists, perhaps fewer, longer sessions are what you’re looking for.

What’s your policy for cancellations and make-up sessions? Don’t forget to check the policy both ways. What happens if your child is sick? How much notice is required to be able to reschedule without a penalty? What happens if the tutor can’t make it? At a larger center, perhaps a substitute is available, but ask: Will the substitute be brought up to speed on your child before you arrive?

How do you evaluate progress? And what happens if my child doesn’t make progress? While you as a parent need to be clear on what progress you’re looking for your child to make, it should also be made clear how the center or tutor evaluates progress. Is it through test scores and report cards, or anecdotes gathered from your child’s teachers?

Huntington Learning Center uses more than one approach to form a baseline against which progress is measured, including interviews with parents and teachers as well as research-based tests. Lovallo says Huntington Learning Center actually uses hundreds of different curricula so there is always another way for a student to learn the material.

At EBL Coaching, Dr. Levy says each student is constantly measured against his or her original baseline. She assures me that if a student isn’t making progress or responding, the plan is tweaked immediately.

How will you communicate with me, and how often? How can I contact you with concerns? Some places opt for in-person meetings, while others include written reports for parents.

Will you work with and communicate with my child’s teachers? With six kids, in my house a unified front is sometimes the only way we get through dinner, time-outs, and especially school work. Lovallo says tutors should be in touch with teachers as often as parents—they try to meet with or reach out to teachers at least once a month to make sure progress is being carried over to the classroom.

Getting What You Need

This might seem obvious, but make sure that you explain your goals and ask for concrete steps on how they will be met. At the end of our conversation, Lovallo remarks, “You need to understand who is going to be working with your child. When you’re looking for a tutor, you want to make sure the person is qualified, and at our center what is important about us is that we are a research-based, professional institution.”

This particularly hit home for me. Many excellent tutors and centers focus primarily on academics and their ability to raise your child’s test score and report card grades. However, this might not always be the main focus for a parent of a child with special needs. My oldest child is seven grade levels behind in math, exempt from New York state testing, and has an IQ hovering in the mid-70s. I just want him to be able to tell time and make change as he gets older. Make sure you and any potential tutor have the same vision for what your goals are and what progress you are seeking ahead of time.

Michaela Searfoorce is a home-schooling mother of six children. She makes time to write in the wee hours. You can find more of her stories at thefoorce.com or thecentralparkzoo.com.

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BrooklynParent 45

camp GUIDE 2017 BounceU

6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway, 2nd Floor, (entrance on 67th Street and 9th Avenue), Dyker Heights 347-450-JUMP (5867) bounceu.com/brooklyn-ny

Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com

718-596-4840 kiddiekorner.org director@kiddiekorner.org

Double-Daring Camp for Girls

1037 72nd St. 718-748-9023 Christine Hauge, principal ledsny.org

718-669-7799 doubledaringcamp.com info@doubledaringcamp.com

CBE KIDS CAMP

FasTracKids

274 Garfield Place, Park Slope 718-768-3814 cbebk.org/camp bfinkelstein@cbebk.org

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Williamsburg, Sheepshead Bay, Bay Ridge / Dyker Heights, Park Slope 347-983-2229 ftkny.com

Brooklyn Navy Yard BLDG92, 63 Flushing Ave. The Co-Op School, 40 Brevoort Place The British International School of New York, 20 Waterside Plaza, Manhattan Corlears School, 324 W. 15th St., Manhattan

Kiddie Academy of Williamsburg

288 S. 5th St. 718-599-5437 kiddieacademy.com/williamsburg williamsburg@kiddieacademy.net

Kiddie Korner Preschool 117 Remsen St. 166 Montague St.

Smart Start Early Learning Center

Leif Ericson Day School’s Summer Creative Arts & Music Program (SCAMP)

Join

8411 Fort Hamilton Parkway 718-921-1868 smartstart@verizon.net

The Stage Theater School Summer Camps

718-928-3779, Beth Kent thestageschoolbrooklyn.com thestagetheaterschool@gmail.com

NYMetroParents

Mill Basin Day Camp

5945 Strickland Ave. 718-251-6200 millbasindaycamp.com

Therapy and Learning Center 1723 8th Ave. 718-290-2700 tlckids.org

Get advance notice on activities,

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St. Francis 182 Remsen St. 646-519-5059 oasischildren.com

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Usdan Summer Camp www.facebook.com/nymetroparents for the Arts

The Park Slope Day Camp

185 Colonial Springs Road, Ronny Schindler, executive director Wheatley Heights 718-788-7732 631-643-7900 ACTIVITIES EVENTS MORE parkslopedaycamp.com usdan.com

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

ACTIVITIES

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CAMP MARKETPLACE

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CAMP MARKETPLACE

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

»Sports, games & outdoor adventure »Visual arts, crafts & performing arts »Special events & theme days »Carnivals & color war »Traditional camp activities » Red Cross Swim Instruction

Join us for an info session!

St. Francis College (182 Remsen St, Brooklyn, NY 11201) MEET AT BBP CONSERVANCY (334 Furman St) April 8, 2017 at 11:00 am April 22, 2017 at 11:00 am Walking Tour to Follow

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Summer Day Camps SUMMER 2017 Elementary Day Camp Entering Kindergarten through 4th Grade Full Day program. Specialties in on-site swimming, outdoor sports, arts & crafts, nature, gymnastics & music.

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Activities related to Israeli culture through art, dance, sports, swim and exciting trips.

Children of All Backgrounds are Welcome Call Bobbie Finkelstein 718-768-3814 x210 or www.congregationbethelohim.org/camp

BrooklynParent 49

CAMP MARKETPLACE

SMART START

TLC provides expert instruction in pre-academics, fundamentals of reading, writing, and arithmetic, along with core knowledge in health, science, and other developmentally appropriate subjects.

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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

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PARTY ENTERTAINMENT SUGAR VINES 7404 4th Ave. 718-734-2700 sugarvinesflowers.com sugarvinesflowers@gmail.com Sugar Vines sets itself apart from the traditional flower shop by bringing a fresh and unique twist to an old-fashioned practice. In addition to floral decor, we also offer balloons and plush animals to help make any child’s birthday a little more special.

PARTY PLACES ART FUN STUDIO 547 92nd St.

718-680-0508 artfunstudio.com alla@artfunstudio.com Canvas and ceramic painting art studio in Brooklyn. Plan a child’s budget-friendly birthday party or adult’s Sip and Paint event, check our classes or just walk in for spontaneous fun!

Seventy five-star reviews on Google and Yelp. Fun and creative packages for all ages.

BOUNCEU 6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway (entrance on 67th Street and 9th Avenue), Dyker Heights 347-450-5867 bounceu.com/brooklyn-ny BounceU, the premier birthday party and play experience in all of Brooklyn.

We’re a 30,000-square-foot indoor recreational facility with “YUGE” inflatable play equipment.

KIDS ‘N ACTION 1149 McDonald Ave. 718-377-1818 kidsnaction.com steven@kidsnaction.com Fun and thrills are what your kids will have at Kids ‘N Action. Kids never get bored enjoying our thrilling indoor roller coaster, amusing winding train, exciting go-karts, and action-filled arcade games. Parties include unlimited soft play and rides.

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS

PEDIATRIC IMMEDIATE CARE 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-ofthe-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted.

LEGAL SERVICES BAKSHI LAW Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133; lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale.

274 Garfield Place, Park Slope 718-768-3814 cbebk.org/camp bfinkelstein@cbebk.org Join us for an open house on April 2 from 12-2pm at the Temple House, 274 Garfield Place.

Mill Basin Day Camp

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BAKSHI LAW Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale.

LITTLE OPTICS INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside 718-468-7500 Hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident.

OPEN HOUSES 2017 CBE KIDS CAMP

Want to know the Best Activities for Families?

SPECIAL NEEDS

5945 Strickland Ave. 718-251-6200 millbasindaycamp.com Join us for an open house on April 1 and 16.

Oasis in Brooklyn Bridge Park

St. Francis College, 182 Remsen St. 646-519-5059. oasischildren.com Join us for an open house on April 8 and 22 at 11am. Meet at

BBP Conservancy (334 Furman St.). Walking tour to follow.

The Park Slope Day Camp

Ronny Schindler, executive director 718-788-7732 parkslopedaycamp.com Join us for an open house on Saturdays, April 1 and 22, at 339 8th St. Presentation time 1-2:30pm.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.com Young artists flourish at Usdan.

Be part of Usdan visit and information session: April 2 and May 7 from 11am-2pm. RSVP at usdan.org/visit.

BrooklynParent 51

Want to know

Meet the Health Care

PROFESSIONAL

To be in this section, call 212-315-0800 or email nympads@davlermedia.com

Dr. Charlot Cascya - Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn 10 Plaza St. E., Suite 1E 311 Saint Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood 347-564-3211 brooklynallergydr.com

Dr. Cascya Charlot is an award-winning, Harvard Medical School-trained physician who is board-certified in pediatric and adult allergy and immunology. She is the chief of pediatric allergy at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn, in Park Slope and Williamsburg.

She evaluates patients for a wide variety of allergic conditions including asthma, eczema, food allergies, sinusitis, and environmental allergies. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades including the prestigious Patients’ Choice “Most Compassionate Doctor” award in 2012 and 2013.

Park Slope Kids Dental Care 150 4th Ave. 718-488-0200 parkslopekidsdental.com

At Park Slope Kids Dental Care, children who are first seen for a friendly examination and cleaning are able to enjoy the dental experience and build a bond of trust with us. A customized dental plan that includes prevention, growth development, and possible treatment is created to fit your child’s specific dental needs. We are committed to giving children the best possible experiences at our office to help set them up for a lifetime of good oral health.

Pediatric Immediate Care 698 Manhattan Ave. 718-389-PEDS (7337) 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337); pediatricimmediatecare.com

Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kidfriendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, as well as baby, camp, school, and sports physicals. Certified urgent care recommended by Urgent Care Association of America. Thirty years of dedication to our patients. The offices are open seven days a week including holidays, 8am-11pm.

Lois Jackson, D.D.S., P.C. and Associates 16 Court St., Suite 2211 718-855-8833 505 LaGuardia Place, Suite L4, Greenwich Village, near Washington Square Park 212-995-8888; lajacksondds@aol.com

Dr. Lois Jackson is very experienced in pediatric dental care for children, adolescents, and patients with special needs. She is the president of the New York State Association of Pediatric Dentists. To give back to the community, Dr. Jackson volunteers and supports numerous civic and cultural organizations. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Camp Brooklyn (sending children to camp), Flatbush Development Corporation, East Midwood Jewish Center, and Fisk Terrace Neighborhood Association. Dr. Jackson was a Nickelodeon Parents’ Pick for Best Dentist for two years running!

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

AD INDEX

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BrooklynParent 53

SpecialParent

VOICES

Powerful Tunes

››

How music lessons helped my child with autism and sensory processing disorder By Michaela Searfoorce

A

s a former music teacher, I pride myself on all of the musical ways my children learn in our household. We have mastered the continents, days of the week, months of the year, and even our phone number and address through songs. My kids still can’t say their phone number without singing it.

My oldest son, James, was born with a chromosome defect and multiple disabilities, among them autism and sensory processing disorder. Needless to say, his sensory issues and my knack for singing loudly in the car or playing Christmas carols on the piano at home didn’t make for a peaceful household.

Instead of me passing on my love for music, we stopped attending concerts and started avoiding birthday parties just to circumvent the pre-song anxiety and the post-song meltdown. At school, I was called in more than once after James had become overwhelmed by a choir concert or classmate’s birthday. It reached a point where it became a given that if his class was performing in an assembly, James would stay back in the classroom. Even movie soundtracks or church hymns were enough to make him put a blanket over his head and start crying.

As a musician, this music-phobia was particularly upsetting for me. When James turned 7 we moved to Manhattan. New York City was chock-full of special needs everything, integrated classrooms, sports teams—and as I would soon discover, music classes. After being called several times to pick James up early due to birthday songs, fire alarms, and choir assemblies at school, I decided it was time for drastic measures. With minimal searching online I found Daniel’s Music Foundation, which provides music classes to children and adults with disabilities.

When I contacted DMF we were asked to come in for an interview, after which James was formally invited to join in on a drumming and percussion class as well as a recreational music and movement session. Incredibly, James seemed at ease both during the interview and the initial classes, in which he was able to participate as much or as little as he felt comfortable. The volunteers were helpful and friendly, and the other students were eager while not without their own struggles, which seemed to comfort James. It was as if he knew that music was being explored and shared in a safe space, which made the exposure to it less frightening.

It wasn’t until several weeks later, when James made it through his first classmate’s birthday without tears, that I realized something incredible was happening. Later that

month, he did not hesitate when we broached the topic about participating in a performance.

“Do you want to sing with your class? Up on a stage in front of a crowd?” I asked.

“Sure, why not? Everyone in my class will be there,” he reasoned.

But even considering this amazing progress, it was with no small amount of anxiety that I headed to his first winter concert at the end of the semester.

The auditorium was packed and the audience was very enthusiastic throughout the show. As James walked onto the stage for the last number, people began to cheer and clap along and I could see him starting to lose his composure. I felt a thrill of dread in my stomach—what had I been thinking putting James up on stage when he couldn’t even sit through his own birthday cake?

As I watched James grow more and more agitated and began formulating his escape route, a young man hopped up onto the stage next to James and whispered something into his ear. It was Michael Trush, one of DMF’s founders. Within moments he and James were high-fiving and the song reached its conclusion, with Michael and James still standing together. James stood on stage wearing a nervous, but triumphant smile.

That miraculous moment occurred eight years ago. I want to make the story more interesting and say it was a long road with detours and U-turns, with setbacks and trials, but it was nothing so dramatic. It was more like finally finding the right exit off of the highway and smooth sailing to our destination from that point on. Many semesters later, James has performed on stage with DMF nearly a dozen times, including with the New York Yankees during HOPE Week and on the field at a Brooklyn Cyclones game. He sings hymns loudly at church and “Happy Birthday” to his siblings. There is a continuous stream of Michael Jackson and John Williams blasting out of his room, and I still can’t help but smile when I ask him to turn it down a little.

Michaela Searfoorce is a home-schooling mother of six children. She makes time to write in the wee hours. You can find more of her stories at thefoorce.com and thecentralparkzoo.com

.

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April 2017 | nymetroparents.com

6813 8TH AVENUE BROOKLYN, NY 11220

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Travel around the world with us this summer!

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Our proprietary curriculum uses research and data to develop essential and age-appropriate, socio-emotional, physical and cognitive skills that begin at school and continue at home.

We believe that high-quality learning doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to come at a premium, and with love, inspiration and discipline, Worldtots prepares your child for the future.

info@worldtots.com www.worldtots.com BrooklynParent 55