Brooklyn Parent April 2019 by City Guide NY

Brooklyn rooklyn Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM APRIL 2019

A Birthday Bashfor Less

Plus, party entertainment, places, and more!

10 Easy Tips to Go Zero Waste

SpecialParent • Planning for Your Child’s Future • Sensory-Friendly Fun • Resources for Children with Special Needs

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

BrooklynParent

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contents table of

Original photo by ›› Big Apple Portraits (bigappleportraits.com) Clothing provided by Land’s End (landsend.com)

april 2019

22 25

birthday parties 38 A Birthday Bash for Less

Zero Waste, Zero Fuss

Learn how to make the green movement work for your family—it’s not as hard as you think!

Family Activities Calendar

Find something fun to do with your family every day of the month!

39 Birthday Party Directory

special needs 16 17 18 20

Protecting Your Child’s Future Special Education Resources Special Education Resources at-a-Glance Special Needs Directory

Potty Training 101

Here’s how to make the frustrating task of getting your kids out of diapers as smooth as possible.

raising kids

things to do

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Advocating for Peri 12 Helping Teens Through Mental Health Struggles 14 More Child Care Solutions in NYC 34 Camps for Older Kids, Open Houses 36 Camps at-a-Glance Chart 40 Potty Training 101 42 Awkward Talks 44 Meet the Health Care Professional 45 Advertisers’ Index 46 I Will Not Fail This Child

24 Family Fun in Manhattan 25 Family Activities Calendar

family life 22 Zero Waste, Zero Fuss

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 20 Planning for Your Child’s Future 22 10 Easy Tips to Go Zero Waste 31 Sensory-Friendly Fun 38 A Birthday Bash for Less facebook.com/nymetroparents

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

BrooklynParent

raising kids editor’s note APRIL 2019 • Vol.16 • No.9

A Season to Celebrate

e have a little spring in our step, and the change in seasons has (almost) nothing to do with it. In early March, we attended the annual Parenting Media Association conference, and NYMetroParents was honored with five awards for digital and editorial excellence—including a silver award for our Weekend Scoop newsletter! Sign up at nymetroparents.com/register if you don’t already get it! Children always seem to have a little spring in their step when their birthdays roll around. So, to help you plan the ultimate birthday bash without breaking the bank, check out Madeleine Burry’s article on pg. 38. It’s full of ideas to earn you double-taps on Instagram without tapping into your savings. Spring is also a time when we think of how we can help Mother Earth and do good for our environment (who else is excited to visit baby animals at the zoo?). Check out “Zero Waste, Zero Fuss” for 10 easy things you can do to limit the amount of trash your family creates (pg. 22). April is Autism Awareness Month, and in honor of it, you’ll want to read Stella L. Spanakos’ heart-wrenching essay about how she turned a tragedy into a way to help her son and others on the spectrum (pg. 46). And in keeping with our goal to help you make better decisions for your kids, we’re bringing back Special Parent in digital editions full of advice, resources, and inspiring stories—all for parents of children with special needs. It’s launching Monday, April 8, so check it out then! We’re also continuing to help you make better decisions for your kids when it comes to summer camp. If you haven’t already, make sure you read our 2019 Summer Camp Guide at nymetroparents.com/campguide/brooklyn. Whether you’ve already chosen a camp or are still looking, the Camp Guide is full of advice for working with camp staff, ensuring your child has an amazing summer, and local camp descriptions. It’s a mustread for every parent of a camper. Wishing you a prosperous and productive spring! Katelin Walling Editorial Director

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

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

Have You Seen the 2019 Summer Camp Guide? nymetroparents.com/campguide/rockland

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling PRODUCTION EDITOR: Melissa Wickes ASSISTANT EDITORS: Jacqueline Neber, Anja Webb CALENDARS CALENDAR COORDINATOR: Whitney C. Harris EVENT RESEARCHERS: Lisa Fogarty, Kristina Johnson, Shara Levine DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke

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Looking for a camp for this summer? Have you chosen a camp for your child this summer? Either way, you’ll want to read this guide! Rockland Parent’s 2019 Camp Guide is chock full of great advice every parent of a camper should know. Learn from experts about working well with camp staff, supporting your child, or choosing the right camp for your child. Plus, if you are shopping for a camp, check out local camps’ descriptions and open houses. Read it now on your phone, desktop or tablet.

CEO: David L. Miller GENERAL MANAGER: Thomas K. Hanlon 213 W. 35th St., Suite 12W, New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN • ROCKLAND PARENT, STATEN ISLAND PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2019, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher.

Party packages include: • A fun theme, such as pilot, astronaut, marine or spy • Exploration of the ship and submarine • Hands-on activities • Lunch and birthday cake • Costumed party host

CONTACT OUR GROUP SALES TEAM AT GROUPSALES@INTREPIDMUSEUM.ORG OR 646-381-5010. PIER 86, WEST 46TH ST & 12TH AVE, NYC INTREPIDMUSEUM.ORG displayed, performed or 7 2019 © Intrepid Museum Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under applicable law, this work may not be copied, published, disseminated,BrooklynParent played without permission of the copyright holder.

Courtesy Bright Horizons

Early Education Center Opens in Dumbo and Manhattan

At Bright Horizons, the curriculum, named The World at Their Fingertips, is designed to promote active learning in children that both prepares them for school and helps develop their character, creativity, and sense of community.

Who: Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool What’s New: The Dumbo location, which opened in February, and the Manhattan location, which opened in January. Both locations offer state-of-the-art facilities that include indoor play spaces to keep children active no matter the weather, as well as the highest level of security and latest technology. Bright Horizons offers full- and part-time, year-round programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. The centers abide by Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies and aim to consider what children need in a space and how they will use it. Want More Info: 52 Water St., Dumbo; 644 Greenwich St., West Village, Manhattan; brighthorizons.com/nyc

all faiths and backgrounds welcome!

STEAM Enrichment Program Moves to St. Joseph’s College in Clinton Hill

Courtesy The Learnatory

raising kids new places, new programs

A fifth-grader learns about flight and aviation using a professional flight simulator in preparation for her actual maiden flight in a Cessna 170 with The Learnatory.

Who: The Learnatory What’s New: A move to St. Joseph’s college last summer and summer courses, slated to begin June 27. The Learnatory moved to better accommodate students through access to higher level computers for its technology and science courses. Students going into second through 10th grades will explore STEAM-focused subjects with the goal of exploring potential college majors and creating multimedia projects. New summer courses, which will also be a part of the fall weekend program, include nanotechnology, microbiology, video game design, spa science, and culinary arts. Want More Info: The Learnatory STEAM Summer Camp, St. Joseph College, McEntegart Hall, 222 Clinton Ave., Clinton Hill; The Learnatory Weekend Program, The Berkeley Carroll School, 181 Lincoln Place, Park Slope; thelearnatory.org; register@thelearnatory.org; 347-787-0435

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SpecialParent Courtesy Lori Finkelstein

raising kids voices

Advocating for Peri ››

Although the past 18 years have been full of challenges, I’ve always believed my daughter could do anything she put her mind to. By Lori Finkelstein, as told to David Paone

’ll start at the beginning: I was born in Queens in 1965 and moved to West Hempstead about two years later. I met Paul while we both attended Queens College, but he repulsed me, in true romantic comedy fashion. Eventually we became best friends, but when I set him up on a blind date, I knew I had made a mistake and wanted him for myself. We were married on Dec. 31, 1989. I had told him if we didn’t get married in 1989, we were never getting married. Beginning a marriage with an ultimatum is always a good idea. Our first child is Katy, born in 1990. Our second is Joel, born in 1995. We weren’t planning on a third child, at least Paul wasn’t, but in 1999 I heard on the radio that if we were to conceive a child within the next few days, we would most likely have a millennial, born by Dec. 31. We got on that right away. Peri was born on our 10th anniversary. Much of Peri’s young life has included medical emergencies and hospital stays that last for months. By the time she was 2, she had both CPR and the Heimlich maneuver performed on her twice, including by Paul. Sometimes I have flashbacks of them cutting her dress open in the ER and pounding on her. Many children born with nemaline rod myopathy, a form of muscular dystrophy, don’t survive past the age of 7. Peri has survived one muscle biopsy (at 9 months old), nearly 25 sets of ear tubes, more than a dozen bronchoscopies, a tracheotomy, the removal of her tonsils and adenoids, a broken femur, two broken tibiae, and eight scoliosis surgeries. Physically and medically, Peri’s obstacles were immense. But one early piece of advice we took heed to was to “maximize her potential.” We’ve always been very positive with Peri. We haven’t said, “she’s never going to do this.” We always assume she can do it. That approach has worked. Peri made honor roll every quarter in sixth grade. The year before, she won the excellence award for her class at graduation. More recently she was salutatorian at her graduation from Henry Viscardi School in Albertson.

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Lori Finkelstein with her daughter Peri, who was born with nemaline rod myopathy, a form of muscular dystrophy

I didn’t know it at the time, but all during my young life I was learning the skills that enabled me to care for such a child. My sister was book smart. It was her job to study all the time and I took care of the house. I cooked and cleaned while my parents were at work. But I also learned how to call companies on the phone if I had a problem with their products. I learned what to say to get them to send me a replacement at no charge. All of this repeated itself when I had to deal with insurance company appeals and the uncooperating public school system. My knowing how to finagle has gotten Peri services she wouldn’t otherwise have had. In 2013, we had the opportunity to meet David Wright of the New York Mets at Citi Field. I love David Wright; he’s a mensch. David walked over to his locker, produced an All-Star game jersey, signed it, and gave it to Peri. I would have been happy with a sock. This past September he actually called Peri on the phone to talk about a gift she had sent him. Then he mailed her a signed baseball bat. Gotta love David Wright. He didn’t have to do any of that. Currently, Peri is a freshman at Adelphi University in Garden City, as a business marketing major. I attend class with her some days and a nurse we hired on other days. It’s like I’m going to college again. At first, I paid attention to the lessons and even asked questions, which really bothered Peri. So now I sit in class, next to Peri, watching Netflix on my phone. I watched all of Orange Is the New Black and now I’m up to Mad Men. Sometimes the teachers will talk about something from 1912 and give me a nod and I’ll give them one back. The worst part, however, is while Peri is on a feeding tube and losing weight, I think I’m gaining the freshman 20. The plan is for Peri, and probably me, to go all the way to an MBA. I’ve been helping her with her papers, but I can see her getting stronger and stronger and soon she won’t need any help. One day Peri will rule the world.

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raising kids in the know

Helping Teens through Mental Health Struggles ›› By Melissa Wickes

early 20 percent of teenagers have a diagnosed mental health disorder, according to Robin Seymour, LCSW, clinical director of Newport Academy, a series of evidence-based healing centers for adolescents struggling with mental health issues. She says teens often exhibit internal mental health struggles by acting out and partaking in risky behaviors. So, to help your teen through these difficulties and limit risky behaviors, Seymour shares five effective ways to navigate your child’s mental health crisis. Make communication a priority. Many teens say their No. 1 issue with their parents is a lack of communication, according to Seymour. Stay present in your child’s life, ask questions without being interrogative, and, most importantly, listen to what she has to say. When approaching these conversations, recognize your child may be struggling and acknowledge that her outlandish behaviors may be a result of a deeper struggle. Approach the situation with love and understanding and ask yourself, ‘why is my child doing this?’ Let your teen know he is not alone. Teens in general struggle a lot because they often feel as though they are the only one dealing with certain things, whether it’s anxiety or depression—or just the feeling of receiving a bad grade on an exam. And with the stigma of mental health disorders, your child may feel very alone in his fight. Reassure your teen that he is not alone by discussing struggles you may have had as a teenager.

Don’t overreact to the situation. Blowing small problems out of proportion will only make the situation worse. In order to help your teen through what may or may not be a mental health crisis, be patient and find your own middle ground. If you overreact, your teen will be less likely to come to you for help in any situation. Reach out to other adults in your child’s life. While you know your child better than anyone else, it can always help to get the perspective of other adults that spend a lot of time with her. If you have a concern, ask her teachers, coaches, and any other adults she may be spending a good chunk of time with if they have noticed an abnormality in your daughter’s life. Access professional help. Mental health is a delicate and serious topic that needs to be treated with empathy and often professional help. Seymour suggests looking into mental health treatment options that use evidence-based practices and those that are specific to helping adolescents.

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April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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Center photo by Jai Odell. Other photos by Rosalie O’Connor.

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Optional pre-registration and more information at SAB.ORG/AUDITIONS This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Members Stephen Levin and Helen Rosenthal, by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, and by gifts from Capezio and The Ralph M. Cestone Foundation.

BrooklynParent 13

raising kids child care

More Child Care Solutions in NYC ››

Courtesy Mommybites.com

he hectic pace of a New York City mom’s life oftentimes requires her to be in multiple places at once. Thankfully, living in NYC makes affordable and creative child care solutions more accessible than in most places. In February and March, we elaborated on asking neighbors for help, hiring a mother’s helper of a slightly younger age (who is less costly and can be groomed into a future experienced full-fledged babysitter), and the strategic advantages of participating in a nanny share. Here are some additional ways in which living in the Big Apple can really work in parents’ favor when it comes to finding child care.

Put Your Friendships into Action

Take turns with family friends picking up or watching each other’s kids after school so you have time to run errands or work out. With walking and NYC transit as school commute options, you won’t be limited by the number of seats—or car seats—in a friend’s car. When swapping childcare hours with friends, money doesn’t change hands.

Search Your Social Connections

Ready to hire a sitter but need more recommendations? Spread the word to your social circle. If someone isn’t available, ask: • Your child’s teacher • Your regular sitter’s roommates • Volunteers at your church or synagogue • Child care workers at your gym • Alumni from your college • College babysitting groups • Local chapter of your sorority • Co-workers • Unemployed friends • Babysitters you meet at school pick-up

Mommybites’ nanny boards only feature postings from current families. You can rely on their recommendations. If you need a nanny or babysitter, visit Mommybites.com.

SPECIAL NEEDS MARKETPLACE

Brooklyn, NY

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leighconner.com 14

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

SPECIAL NEEDS MARKETPLACE

Little Steps 1, Inc. Speech & Language Clinic

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Therapy is provided via play, utilization of PROMPT techniques, and ABA therapy using a naturalistic approach. • Aphasia • Apraxia • Articulation (Phonology) • Dysarthria • Speech/Language Delay • Pre-Reading Activities • Autism/PPD • Stuttering • Swallowing Disorders • Frenulectomy • Voice • Cleft Lip/Palate

Adelina Samuels, MA CCC-SLP Speech Pathologist www.littlestepsspeech.com 63-70 Woodhaven Blvd. Rego Park, NY 11374 929-335-7707 BrooklynParent 15

SpecialParent

Protecting Your Child’s Future

››

Parents of children with special needs must plan for the years ahead in important ways. Here’s where to begin. By Christina Vercelletto

arenting is challenging no matter what. But as Nicole Johnson of Port Washington in Nassau County puts it, “parenting a severely disabled child is just very different. Our concerns are not ordinary.” Johnson’s daughter, Josie, 7, has FOXG1 syndrome, a neurological disorder caused by a mutation in the FOXG1 gene. “I worry about lifting her as she gets older,” Johnson continues. “She’s 50 pounds, and it’s getting very hard.” Josie could have a life-threatening seizure at any time, so “it’s critical she is always with someone. I worry about her care,” shares Johnson, who is a co-founder of the FOXG1 Research Foundation. Johnson’s worries about how her child will be taken care of when she’s no longer able to do it are likely familiar to many parents of children with special needs. Exactly what legal and financial steps need to be taken to ensure your child’s care and well-being down the road will be dictated by the specifics of your family’s situation and your child’s diagnosis. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t exist, but consulting with an attorney who specializes in estate and guardianship law to discuss your unique situation is an essential step. Seeking the guidance of a financial planner with expertise in family matters could also be necessary. Given the personal, emotional nature of the topics you’ll 16

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

be discussing, it’s important you feel very much at ease with him or her. If you enlist a large firm, make sure the person you first met with and liked is actually the one who will be working with you through the conclusion of the process. When you’ve selected your planning “team,” prepare to discuss these key points, and go to your initial meetings with a list of specific questions in hand.

Government Services

Is Social Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicaid, or any other state or federal benefit available to your child, and what are the respective qualifications to receive them? This is the first thing to look into, and ask your attorney about, says Wendy Gildin, a special education lawyer in Garden City.

Income and Asset Limitations

Is there a limit to how much money your child can have in his or her name in order to receive the maximum amount of available benefits and services? “The answer is yes for many. For example, to qualify for SSI, your child must have less than two thousand dollars in assets,” Gilden explains. And it’s about more

than financial concerns. You will likely want to make sure there would be the least upset to your child’s current arrangements as possible, adds Naomi Becker Collier, Esq., of Pashman Stein in Purchase. Losing benefits can necessitate switching caregivers and disrupt your child’s routine.

Special Needs (or Supplemental Need) Trusts

Setting up a SNT for the benefit of the child with special needs is vital, says Michelle Peretz, counsel to Rivkin Radler’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group, with offices in Manhattan and Uniondale. “By utilizing a special needs trust, you can protect the assets from claims and creditors, while retaining the disabled child’s eligibility for government services. Then the funds are used to pay expenses,” Peretz says. “Note, though, that the money in the trust cannot be given outright to the beneficiary, but [only] be used to pay expenses on their behalf.” Try to set up a budget for your dependent’s needs, so you can get a rough estimate of what those expenses would be. “Once you have an idea of how much money will be needed for him or her, then you can evaluate how you are going to fund that need in a trust,” Collier says.

Guardians and Trustees

Consider carefully who will be the people to provide support for your child, Gildin urges. “Some adults with disabilities will require a guardian who has the legal ability to make decisions for him or her, while someone [else] may need to act as a trustee to oversee the special needs trust,” Gildin says. She encourages parents to involve their child in this planning process as much as is practical. Trustees have complete control of the finances and assets in the SNT. Parents do not need to give this control over to one relative or close friend; they can choose co-trustees instead. Peretz recommends three: “This will avoid the autonomy associated with having one trustee appointed, and the potential for deadlocks between an even number of trustees,” she explains. Guardians, rather than controlling the financial side of your child’s life, will make decisions such as living arrangements, doctor selection, and transportation arrangements. Although it can be helpful if a trustee is also the guardian, Peretz notes, it’s quite possible that a person perfectly suited to making financial decisions isn’t necessarily the ideal caretaker. If you do decide to split up those responsibilities, make sure the respective parties’ temperaments and perspectives on such practical matters align. You may love and trust both your sister and your childhood best friend, but if the two don’t usually see eye-to-eye, it may not be wise to pair them in these important roles.

Your Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Proxy

Your will is where you name your child’s trustee(s) and guardian. Once you decide on them, it is crucial to consult your attorney to make sure your will is executed properly, and any and all beneficiary designations are spelled out as they should be, Collier says. A durable power of attorney appoints the individuals who can act on your behalf while you are still alive. “This is a very powerful tool to ensure that your child is taken care of should you become incapacitated,” says Nadine Gordon Lee, a certified financial planner with the Colony Group Family Offices in Manhattan and Armonk. For much the same reason,

it’s smart to have health care proxies and related directives in place, she adds.

Properly Executed Life Insurance

Parents should make sure life insurance will be payable to the special needs trust, not directly paid out to the child, which could negate any government benefits for him or her. Lou Cannataro, partner at Cannataro Park Avenue Financial in Manhattan, advises purchasing separate life insurance policies for the spouse and any other children in the family. He points to “second to die” coverage as the most efficient life insurance for this type of situation. “Second to die is one policy that covers both parents. There is no payout until the second parent dies, for typically this is when the child is truly on their own.” Planning for a child’s future is important for all parents, but for parents of a child with special needs, the conversation is taken to another level. “We all nurture and plan for our child with the hope that our responsibility wanes once they begin to build their own lives,” Cannataro observes. “For parents with a [child with special needs], this role never ends.” So, while thinking ahead to a time when you won’t be able to care for your child as you do now is unsettling, even overwhelming, the best thing you can do for your child, and your own peace of mind, is to get started now. Christina Vercelletto is a former editor at NYMetroParents, Parenting, Scholastic Parent & Child, and Woman’s Day. She lives on Long Island with her kids, a chiweenie, Pickles, and a 20-pound calico, Chub-Chub.

Special Education Resources Hebrew Public 555 Eighth Ave., Suite 1703, Manhattan 212-792-6234 hebrewpublic.org Hebrew Public Charter School is a network of diverse-by-design schools. We are committed to serving instructional services to all students, from a wide range of racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Services include occupational and physical therapy, special education itinerant services, and speech and language therapy.

Huntington Learning Center 808 Union St., Park Slope 718-230-4600 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington is the leader in kindergarten to 12th grade tutoring and test prep. Our certified tutors provide individualized instruction in all areas including executive functioning, ADHD, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. We help students prep for the SAT, ACT, and state exams. Huntington also testifies on student’s behalf and attends IEP/504 meetings.

Leigh Conner Tutoring leighconner.com Leigh Conner Tutoring is a private tutoring service offered in NYC specializing in serving students with special needs. With eight years of classroom experience, Leigh has the skills necessary to support students traditionally considered to be “challenging” as they become academically successful in the areas of reading, writing, and study skills.

BrooklynParent 17

Atlas School atlasforautism.org

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Leigh Connor Tutoring leighconner.com

Little Steps 1, Inc. Speech & Language Clinic littlestepsspeech.com

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April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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Special Needs Directory Atlas Foundation For Autism

Atlas School 252 W. 29th St., 3rd Floor 212-256-0846 atlasforautism.org info@atlasforautism.org The Atlas Foundation for Autism houses the Atlas School as well as speech, OT services, music, after-school classes, and weekend social skills groups! Atlas is different in its approach to working within modalities that address communication, emotional and social thinking, as well as behavior and self-esteem!

Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com Camp Huntington is a coed residential summer camp for children and young adults with autism, related developmental and learning disabilities, and ADD. Ability levels mild to moderate-severe. Located in High Falls in the beautiful Catskill Mountain region, the camp provides therapeutically and

instructionally designed recreation programs in the summer.

Hebrew Public

555 Eighth Ave. suite 1703, Manhattan 212-792-6234 hebrewpublic.org Hebrew Public Charter School is a network of diverse-by-design schools. We are committed to serving instructional services to all students, from a wide range of racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Services include occupational and physical therapy, special education itinerant services, and speech and language therapy.

Huntington Learning Center

808 Union St., Park Slope 718-230-4600 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington is the leader in kindergarten to 12th grade tutoring and test prep. Our certified tutors provide individualized instruction in all areas including executive functioning, ADHD, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. We help students prep for the SAT, ACT, and state exams. Hunting-

ton also testifies on student’s behalf and attends IEP/504 meetings.

Leigh Conner Tutoring

leighconner.com Leigh Conner Tutoring is a private tutoring service offered in NYC specializing in serving students with special needs. With eight years of classroom experience, Leigh has the skills necessary to support students traditionally considered to be “challenging” as they become academically successful in the areas of reading, writing, and study skills.

Little Steps 1, Inc. Speech & Language Clinic

Adelina Samuels, M.A. C.C.C.-S.L.P. speech pathologist 63-70 Woodhaven Blvd., Rego Park 929-335-7707 littlestepsspeech.com Little Steps 1, Inc. aims to help people develop their communication abilities, as well as treat speech, language, swallowing, and voice disorders. Services include prevention, identification, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Therapy is provided via play, utilization of PROMPT techniques, and ABA therapy using a naturalistic approach.

SPECIAL NEEDS MARKETPLACE

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

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-theart medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly, walk-ins welcome, most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, as well as baby, camp, school, and sports physicals.

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center

3 Lafayette Ave. 718-624-8400 markmorrisdancegroup.org/school schooladmin@mmdg.org The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center is committed to bringing the joy and benefits of dance and music to students with special needs. Class capacity is kept small to allow for a more intimate learning experience and optional parent participation. Weekly classes are offered for ages 6-18.

SPECIAL NEEDS MARKETPLACE Hebrew Public is a network of diverse-by-design schools. We are committed to educating students from a wide range of racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Services Include: • Occupational & Physical Therapy • Special Education Itinerant Services • Speech & Language Therapy From personalized math and English, to learning a new language, Hebrew Public schools provide your child with a well-rounded academic experience that will set them on a path to success!

UPCOMING TOUR DATES: Tuesday, April 16th • 9:30 AM at Harlem Hebrew Thursday, April 18th • 9:30 AM at HLA (Mill Basin) Thursday, April 18th • 1 PM at HLA2 (Gravesend) Limited Seats Available! Lottery Date: Brooklyn April 9th, Harlem April 10th Have questions? Call 646-916-0055 Hebrew Language Academy (K-8) • 2186 Mill Avenue, Brooklyn Hebrew Language Academy 2 (K-3) • 1870 Stillwell Avenue, Brooklyn Harlem Hebrew Language Academy (K-7) • 147 St. Nicholas Avenue, Manhattan

THE SCHOOL at the

MARK MORRIS DANCE CENTER

e c n a D s d Special Ki

The School at the Mark Morris Dance Center brings the joy and benefits of dance with live music to students of all ages, with and without physical and developmental disabilities.

All classes are inclusive. In addition, our Special Kids Dance classes offer smaller class sizes with optional parent/caregiver participation.

markmorrisdancegroup.org/special-kids BrooklynParent 21

family life home

Zero Waste, Zero Fuss

››

Cutting the amount of landfill trash your family creates isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Here’s how to make this green movement work for your family. By Emma Steven

ero-waste living has become a lifestyle movement. There are now hundreds of books, blogs, and videos about it, and even a number of zero-waste stores opening in New York City. For a beginner, becoming a zero-waste household looks time consuming and difficult. So just how do you do it, and is it even possible for a busy, urban family? Bea Johnson is a mother of two, blogger, author of the best-selling book Zero Waste Home, and the founder of the zero-waste lifestyle movement. Her family of four famously collects less than a glass jar’s worth of waste a year, and she travels the world talking about it. Her passion and conviction for zero waste is the driving force behind the lifestyle’s growing popularity. “To me it’s a life hack,” she sums it up. “It’s a way of saving time and money in so many different areas, so that all you regret is not having started earlier.” But before you panic about having to throw away your trash can, it’s important to remember the world is not currently set up for us to be 100-percent zero waste. “Pretty much no one is completely zero waste,” says Celia Ristow, a zero-waste writer, organizer, founder of the blog Litterless. “You can still make some trash and that’s perfectly fine,” she reassures. “It’s less about making zero waste and more about zero-waste principles.”

Why Go Zero Waste?

Though it may seem like a massive undertaking, there are seven 22

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

big reasons to live a zero-waste lifestyle. • It reduces your landfill. New Yorkers create an average of 12,000 tons of waste each day (not including commercial waste), and the majority of it ends up in landfill, according to the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. • It reduces greenhouse gases. Landfill is the third biggest source of methane gas, which is more potent than carbon dioxide and contributes significantly to climate change, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. • It reduces plastic waste, a global problem that is poisoning our oceans and waterways. By 2025 we will be dumping 16 million metric tons of plastic waste into the sea, per year, according to a 2015 study by the UC Santa Barbara’s National Center for Ecological Analysis. • It conserves natural resources. Creating single-use items uses precious resources (e.g. plastic forks), and those items can’t be re-used or recycled. • Recycling isn’t enough. Although the EPA estimates that Americans recycle more than 87 million tons of waste a year, plastic is usually recycled into something that can’t be recycled, so it eventually ends up in landfill. Recycling also takes up a huge amount of resources, including shipping overseas. • It can improve your health. It reduces your exposure to

plastics and chemicals in conventional consumer products and forces you to eat fewer processed foods. • It can save you time and money. “When you eliminate over consumption and buying disposables, then all of a sudden it’s more time and money in your life to do what’s important to you,” Johnson says. You’ll spend less time and money on cleaning, buying, repairing, and disposing of things.

Getting Started

“When people get started, they think, ‘Oh boy, this sounds so complicated. It’s so different from what we’re doing,’” Johnson says. “But it actually isn’t. We’re talking about things that your grandparents used to do, really quite simple.” She gives the example of replacing tissues with handkerchiefs. Instead of spending time and money going to the store to buy tissues and disposing of them once used, you carry a handkerchief (like Grandma) that you wash and reuse. Johnson also wants to dispel the myth that you need to spend all of your time making zero-waste replacements for things. While some people may enjoy it, this isn’t necessary. Instead of making your own toothpaste, breakfast cereal, or five different types of homemade kitchen cleaner, make low-waste swaps instead. “If you can find the ingredients zero waste and you have the time and the curiosity then great,” Ristow says. “If not, someone probably already makes it and so you can save yourself time.” For example, if your grocery store only stocks packaged bread, you don’t need to make it yourself; look around for a local bakery and bring your own bag. Ristow’s blog has a great shopping directory (litterless.com/wheretoshop) to help you find low-waste alternatives. “Zero waste becomes a lifestyle—not a short-term project— when you let it simplify your life, not complicate it,” Johnson says. “It’s all about finding super-simple solutions that you can see yourself sticking to for life.” In her book, Johnson introduces five zero-waste rules: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot. Read on to discover how to implement them, as well as further tips to get you started. Refuse what you do not need, especially single-use items. Say no to the plastic bag, coffee cup, plastic fork, freebie pen, hotel shampoo, and toy at the dentist. This simple step will drastically reduce the waste you are bringing into your home. Then you can start working on what is already there. Reduce your belongings to make you more aware of what you are bringing into your home. Do you need three different types of moisturizer? Do you have a full closet but keep buying clothes? Do your kids play with all of their toys or could you donate some? Go slow and start with easy areas. You can then see where you need to make zero-waste swaps.

Recycle correctly. Don’t just put it all in and hope for the best. Approximately 77 percent of New Yorker’s trash could be recycled, donated, or composted instead, according to the New York City Department of Sanitation. Read your borough’s recycling rules carefully to avoid contaminating your collection (causing it to end up in landfill). NYC has an excellent program in place. With a little research you can find a home for most things, even if they can’t be left at the curb. Rot what you can’t recycle, reuse, or refuse. The simple act of composting will reduce your trash by 34 percent and you don’t need a garden to do it. Visit grownyc.org for more information about local collection and drop-off locations. Shop at a farmer’s market, which is a great way of reducing waste. You’ll buy more fresh produce, support local farms, and you can bring your own bags and containers. There are more than 50 farmer’s markets in NYC, visit grownyc.org or downtoearthmarkets.com to find one near you. Buy unpackaged foods. Once you get started, you’ll realize there are lots of options you aren’t using. Check out the bulk aisle of your local health food or grocery store, go to the bakery for your bread and cookies, get meats and cheeses from the deli counter, and stock up on lunch items at the salad bar. In some cases, you’ll even save money doing this. Find a bulk store near you with the Bulk Finder tool zerowastehome.com. Switch cleaning and beauty products. You don’t need five different cleaners and rolls of paper towels for a clean house. All you need is baking soda, vinegar, some soap, and old rags. In the bathroom you can switch to soap bars and refillable shampoo. There are now many companies offering refillable, package free products such as Brooklyn’s own Package Free Shop, set up by zero-waste blogger Lauren Singer of trashisfortossers.com. Focus on what’s important. “People think [zero waste] is about reducing your trash, but ultimately it actually translates into a simpler life: a life that is based on experiences instead of things and a life focused on being rather than having,” Johnson says. “For us, that’s what makes life richer.” The zero-waste lifestyle movement began in one woman’s kitchen in California and has grown into something with the power to influence corporations. In May 2019, eight of the biggest plastic polluting companies in the world, including Procter & Gamble and Unilever, will start trialing a new venture called LOOP, in which their products are shipped to consumers in refillable packaging that they then return. The future, we hope, is zero waste. Emma Steven is a British freelance writer living in Manhattan with her husband, two small kids, and two cats.

Switch to reusables. Bring a reusable coffee cup to the coffee shop, a lunch box to work, a handkerchief in your bag, and reusable bags to the grocery store. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to do this, just use what you have at home. Make produce bags and handkerchiefs out of old sheets and use glass jars to transport your lunch or wet food like meat and cheese from the store. Need to buy something? Reuse by buying second hand items. Go slow to avoid burn out and overwhelm. Ristow recommends replacing items one at a time, for a more sustainable change. “Start small, and start where you can make a big impact,” she says. “You don’t have to change everything at once. You’ll feel really good when you notice your small changes making a difference, which will motivate you to keep going.”

Academy of Early Education

Fall Enrollment UPK Summer Camp Late & Early Care Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play, children C lea

nd out why our preschool graduates are reading by the time they enter kindergarten. Open daily from 6:30AM - 6:30PM

412 Kings Highway • Brooklyn, NY 11223 718-627-7340 • www.TheLearningExperience.com Academy of Early Education

BrooklynParent 23

things to do

outbound

Family Fun a Ride Away By Melissa Wickes

Courtesy Discovery Museum

Courtesy Danbury Railway Museum

In Fairﬁeld County, CT...

Children can participate in a variety of hands-on activities, including spiking rails, with the help of an adult.

Kids will learn a variety of science-related topics in the many exhibits at the Discovery Museum.

Danbury Railway Museum

Discovery Museum

Visitors of The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor can engrave designs on a ‘fauxshaw keepsake box,’ which is a synthetic whalebone scrimshaw box.

The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor

Did you know whaling was once one of Long Island’s most important industries? This detailed and unique museum will teach your kids all about whaling and, just in time for Earth day, how the industry launched a conservation movement. Smell cooking blubber, stand under a sperm whale jaw, see models of ships, explore artifacts and tools used by whalers, view whale bones up close, and more! Visit It: 279 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island; cshwhalingmuseum.org; 631-367-3418 24

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Antarctica, the moon, physics, LED lights, circuits, and the Earth are just some of the topics the Discovery Museum covers in its many exhibits. Visitors can also sit back in the planetarium for a number of breathtaking shows including One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure, We Are Aliens, and The Skies Tonight. There’s so much to discover. Visit It: 4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport; discoverymuseum.org; 203-372-3521

Courtesy Greenburgh Nature Center

Courtesy The Whaling Museum & Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor

Located in a historic station and rail yard in downtown Danbury, this nonprofit museum is staffed solely by volunteers who teach its visitors all about railroad history through tours, train rides, and a collection of restored rolling stock. Take a 20-minute tour of the Rail Yard, climb aboard the 90-foot New Haven RR operating turntable, or go inside the Boston & Maine 1455 Steam Engine. Visit It: 120 White St., Danbury; danburyrailwaymuseum.org; 203-778-8337

and beyo nd!

The Native American Replica Village includes a life-sized wigwam, longhouse, dugout canoe, and hide drying rack.

Greenburgh Nature Center

As the weather begins to get nicer, get your family outdoors to the Greenburgh Nature Center for 33 acres of beauty and fun. Visit sheep, goats, and chickens in the barnyard; meet eagles, hawks, and owls; or see a life-sized wigwam, longhouse, and dugout canoe at Native American Village. The interactive experiences are endless and will connect your family to nature in new and exciting ways. Visit It: 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale, Westchester County; greenburghnaturecenter.org; 914-723-3470

Ideas When You Need Them:

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Turn the page for details on Get Up, Stand Up 2019 (No. 5 on our list).

APRIL

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CALENDAR 26

Editor’s Hot Tickets

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!

Crafty Kids,

Smarty Pants 31

Holiday Fun, Special Needs, The Great Outdoors

Mini Musicians

On Screen 29 WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar bkcal@davlermedia.com

Movers & Shakers, Show Time!

Fun Fairs & Festivals,

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the nine 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!

Macy’s Flower Show FREE

WHEN: Through April 7, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Macy’s, 100-104 W. 35th St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Journey to Paradisios gives visitors a glimpse of the cosmos reimagined through flowers and garden landscapes. WHY WE LOVE IT: Special in-store events include floral, food, and fashion demonstrations, and celebrity appearances. WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400. macys.com.

Little Orchestra Society: The Three C’s—Culture, Classical Music, and Composing!

WHEN: Sunday, April 7, 4:15-5pm and 5:15-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3 and older WHAT: This music and movement workshop connects famous children’s stories to everyday sounds, rhythms, and melodies. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids can experiment with new ways of selfexpression through singing, playing instruments, and creating sounds to represent ideas. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org. 26

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Family Time at BHS Dumbo: Changing Perspectives: Collage FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 10:30am-1:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society Dumbo, 55 Water St., Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: Visit Waterfront, a new exhibition and stay to enjoy a special morning for families with crafts and discoveries. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids can dress up like the women welders of the Brooklyn Navy Yard in WWII, touch and smell cochineal bugs and coffee beans, and film videos of themselves traveling back in time. WANT TO GO? 718-222-4111. brooklynhistory.org/dumbo.

2nd Annual Easter Bunny Hop FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 12-5pm WHERE: Bed Bath and Beyond at Liberty View, 850 3rd Ave., Greenwood Heights AGES: All WHAT: Visit the Easter Garden where you can meet the Easter Bunny and take your picture with him. Then enjoy an egg hunt at Industry City. WHY WE LOVE IT: Industry City will have music and dancing with Rock and Roll Playhouse, face painting, crafts, and chocolate eggs! WANT TO GO? 929-305-3821. bedbathandbeyond.com/brooklyn.

Get Up, Stand Up 2019

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2pm WHERE: BAM Fisher, 321 Ashland Place, Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This family-friendly concert celebrates the power of music and song, featuring a performance by Brown Rice Family. WHY WE LOVE IT: Don’t miss the workshop taking place right before the main event! WANT TO GO? $10. 718-636-4100 x1. bam.org.

‘Underneath A Magical Moon’

WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 2pm WHERE: Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Manhattan Beach AGES: 3 and older WHAT: This new play by international award-winning writer Mike Kenny reimagines the story of Peter Pan, as told by Wendy Darling. WHY WE LOVE IT: Meet the cast after the show too! WANT TO GO? Various prices. 718-368-5596. onstageatkingsborough.org.

Farmhouse Family Day: Earth Day Celebration FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 11am-3pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Learn how to care for plants and trees in honor of Earth Day. Arrive early to receive a tree from the New York Restoration Project. WHY WE LOVE IT: Families can explore the historic farmhouse and garden, create a seed art activity, try historic toys and games, and join in for a special community seed exchange. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

‘SNAP’

WHEN: April 12-28, see website for times WHERE: The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Playing with space and time this ensemble of South Korean illusionists will boggle minds! WHY WE LOVE IT: With impressive visual effects, Chaplin-esque comedy, and a running time of 70 minutes, this is an ideal family show. WANT TO GO? $17 and up. 646-223-3010. newvictory.org.

Donald Zucker and Barbara Hrbek Zucker Ocean Wonders: Sharks!

WHEN: Through June 30, 2020: daily, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Aquarium, 602 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: See the more than 115 species, including sand tiger sharks and sandbar sharks, that live in this state-ofthe-art exhibit. WHY WE LOVE IT: Sharks aren’t your thing? There are also rays, sea turtles, and other marine life that live right off the Coney Island Boardwalk. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-265-3474. nyaquarium.com.

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 seven no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Story Time: Celebrate Unicorn Day at Greenlight Bookstores FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, Various times WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Celebrate Unicorn Day with stories and music. WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

Senator Roxanne J. Persaud’s Easter Egg Hunt FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 11am-1pm WHERE: Canarsie Park, East 88th Street and Seaview Avenue, Canarsie AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy games and activities, light refreshments, free giveaways, and a guest appearance from the Easter Bunny. WANT TO GO? 718-649-7653. nycgovparks.org.

Self Care Pop Up: Special Needs Families and Supporters FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Learn how to use stress management techniques and fun self-love actions so you can maximize caring for your child with special needs. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

Family Workshop: Photography FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 11am-2pm WHERE: Gallery at BRIC House, 647 Fulton St., Boerum Hill AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn to use a digital camera and have fun taking photos. WANT TO GO? 718-855-7882. bricartsmedia.org.

Stomp, Clap & Sing with Suzi Shelton FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, April 23, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Join Suzi Shelton in this special performance. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

Free Spring Break Activities at IKEA FREE

WHEN: April 22-26, see website for schedule WHERE: IKEA Brooklyn, 1 Beard St., Red Hook AGES: All WHAT: Spend Spring Break with activities and make-and-take craft. WANT TO GO? 888-888-4532. ikea.com/us/en/store/brooklyn.

Spring Break in Prospect Park FREE

WHEN: April 22-26, Monday-Friday, 12-4pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Drive, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Join for nature education programs, ready-to-go kits of activities, animal encounters, bird walks, carousel rides, and spring cleaning. WANT TO GO? 646-393-9031. prospectpark.org. ›› BrooklynParent 27

Workshops

WHEN: April 1-30, Thursdays, 5-6:30pm (ages 8-13) and 6:30-8pm (ages 14 and older); Saturdays, 11am-1pm WHERE: Window Studio A Community Art Center In A Bed-Stuy Storefront, 356 Marcus Garvey Blvd., Bed-Stuy AGES: All WHAT: Explore a variety of media and techniques, including drawing, painting, collage, and mixed-media. WANT TO GO? $25. window-studio.com.

Transit Tots

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Thursdays, 10:15-11am WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Young train enthusiasts explore themes like animals underground, the people and buildings of NYC, colors and shapes, and more. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Little Artists

WHEN: Through April 2: Tuesdays, 10:35am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Explore art, experiment with materials, discover hidden objects from the BCM collection on scavenger hunt challenges, and create masterworks. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Family Workshop: Family Puppetry

WHEN: April 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, 1:30-2:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Create people-size “commuter” puppets and put on a parade on the New York Transit Museum subway platform! WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Creativity Lab

ColorLab

WHEN: Through May 24, 2020: Thursday, 2-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Learn about contemporary Afrofuturism through books, materials, and prompts to guide creating. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

ON SCREEN Brooklyn Screens: SOUNDS FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, April 2, 12pm WHERE: Brooklyn College- Screening Room 214, 2900 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: Expect a series of takes on American city space. WANT TO GO? 718-951-5000. brooklyncollegepresents.org.

BAMkids Movie Matinees: ‘Mirai’

WHEN: Sunday, April 7, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This film revolves around a young boy who embarks on an journey through his family’s past and future in an animated fantasy. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children ages 12 and younger. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

WHEN: Sunday, April 14, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Get messy, experiment with materials, and learn artistic techniques with a new project each month. WANT TO GO? $16; $10 seniors and students; free for guests younger than 19. 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

Play Ball Film Series at Nitehawk

Family Time at BHS Dmbo: Storytelling: Design and Make Your Own Book FREE

Kids’ Saturday Cinema Club FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 10:30am-1:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society Dumbo, 55 Water St., Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: Design and make your own book! WANT TO GO? 718-222-4111. brooklynhistory.org/dumbo.

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: April 13-21, see website for schedule WHERE: Nitehawk Cinema, 188 Prospect Park W., Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy baseball-inspired, kid-friendly films such as A League of Their Own, The Bad News Bears, and The Sandlot. WANT TO GO? $13. 718-782-8370. nitehawkcinema.com. WHEN: April 6-27, Saturdays, 10am-1:30pm WHERE: Industry City, 274 36th St., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Catch a free screening of a popular kid-friendly film, plus arts and crafts hosted by local community organizations. WANT TO GO? 718-965-6450. industrycity.com.

MOVERS & SHAKERS SHOW TIME! Storytime & Sensory Lounge

Tiny Tot Theater

Stomp, Clap & Sing with Bilingual Birdies FREE

‘Hitohana Hitosekai’ (One Flower One World)

Roll-a-Rama Tween Skate Extravaganza

School-Time Performance: Word. Sound. Power. 2019

WHEN: Through April 2: Tuesdays, 9:20am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Children explore their senses in this interactive class that includes song, storytelling, dramatic role-play, and an art project. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark. WHEN: Tuesday, April 9, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: You and your children learn new words while you sing-along to original hip tunes and your favorite traditional folk songs. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org. WHEN: April 6-13, Saturdays, 1pm WHERE: Dreamland Roller Rink at Industry City, 233 37th St., Sunset Park AGES: 7 and older WHAT: Expect a mix of contemporary and retro tunes, a red carpet where you can take roller disco photos, and dance floor events. WANT TO GO? $12 and up. 844-765-5758. dreamlandrollerrink.com.

Opening Day: Little League Parade FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Prospect Park Bandshell, 7th Avenue and 2nd Street, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: More than 1,000 youth league players will parade down 7th Avenue led by marching bands and civic leaders, to the Long Meadow Ball Fields, where ceremonial first pitches will be thrown to start the season. WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. prospectpark.org.

DanceAfrica at Weeksville Weekends FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 4pm WHERE: Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Ave., Stuyvesant Heights AGES: All WHAT: Each class focuses on dances, songs, and traditions from Africa. WANT TO GO? 718-756-5250. bam.org.

ShaJam Fridays FREE

WHEN: April 5-26, Fridays, 9:30-10:15am WHERE: JCC Brooklyn, 14 Hope St., Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join for music, dancing, stories, and snacks. WANT TO GO? 718-872-9445. jcc-brooklyn.org.

WHEN: Through April 4: Thursdays, 9:30am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Along with a storyteller/puppeteer from Spellbound Theatre you and your child will explore creative play, movement, and puppet making. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark. WHEN: Tuesday, April 9, 8pm WHERE: Triskelion Arts, 106 Calyer St., Greenpoint AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Moeno Wakamatsu creates and performs original dance works influenced by Japanese Butoh and her Buddhist upbringing. WANT TO GO? $18. 646-765-4773. vangeline.com. WHEN: April 4-12, Monday-Friday, 11am WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Some of the best hip-hop MCs and poets gather for this showcase. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

Events for Youth and Families: ‘Your Alien’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 1-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: A musical about a stranded alien who befriends a boy who finds him. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org.

‘Cinderella’

WHEN: Through April 14: Saturday-Sunday, 12:30pm and 2:30pm WHERE: Puppetworks Inc., 338 6th Ave., Brooklyn AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Watch the classic fairytale Cinderella performed by puppets. WANT TO GO? $11; $10 children. puppetworks.org.

‘Goldilocks & the 3 Bears’

WHEN: April 27-28, Saturday-Sunday, 12:30pm and 2:30pm WHERE: Puppetworks Inc., 338 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 3 and older WHAT: The classic story comes alive, thanks to this hand puppet adaptation. WANT TO GO? $11; $10 children; $9 groups of 20 or more. 718-965-3391. puppetworks.org. ››

The Buttons

WHEN: Through May 30: Thursdays, 3:30pm WHERE: Wild Was Mama, 272 Driggs Ave., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Check out this mom and baby boutique to hear original kids music. WANT TO GO? $10 per family. 718-576-3806. thebuttonsband.com.

New York Road Runners Open Run FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 18: Tuesdays, 7pm WHERE: Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Participate in free weekly 2½- to 3-mile runs, directed by volunteers. Open to all experience levels, walkers, strollers, and dogs. WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Summer just got WILD! Join us for an unforgettable, fun camp experience at our zoos or aquarium. • Daily explorations of our exciting exhibits • Up-close animal encounters • Explorations in the classroom and in nature Limited spots available.

WCS.ORG/CAMPS edu@wcs.org

Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo and New York Aquarium

BrooklynParent 29

SMARTY PANTS Baby Sign Language

WHEN: Through April 3: Wednesdays, 10:45am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Learn the basics of sign language, including numbers, colors, greetings, and family terms. Students can practice their new language skills through fun activities such as songs and games. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Spanish at Spark with Espenate!

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS The 2019 Brooklyn Folk Festival

WHEN: April 5-7, see website for schedule WHERE: Jalopy Theatre, 315 Columbia St., Red Hook AGES: All WHAT: This three-day event includes more than two dozen bands, vocal and instrumental workshops, a family-friendly square dance, and more. WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 718-395-3214. brooklynfolkfest.com.

Tuffy Tiger Family Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 11am-3pm WHERE: JJ Byrne Park, 4th Street at 5th Avenue, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Meet Tuffy and his pals! The first 200 kids receive a free goodie bag. There will be crafts, games, and other giveaways too. WANT TO GO? 718-578-8471. tuffytiger.org.

WHEN: Through April 5: Fridays, 10:45am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Through game-based interactions, children build cognitive, finegross motor, social, and artistic skills, and become accustomed to listening and speaking in Spanish. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Underground Heroes: New York Transit In Comics

WHEN: April 1-7, see website for schedule WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Drawing on satirical cartoons, comic strips, and comic books, Underground Heroes: New York Transit in Comics explores New York’s transit system through a range of visual storytellers. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17, seniors, and visitors with disabilities. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Day-Off-From-School Drop-In Programs: Spring Break

WHEN: April 6-27, Saturdays, 4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Walk across the gangplank of a renovated coffee barge for a family-friendly concert located at Fulton Ferry Landing. WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

WHEN: April 22-26, see website for schedule WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy drop-in museum programs including Puppets on Parade and History on Wheels. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17, seniors, and visitors with disabilities. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day with Sesame Street FREE

Aquarium Mornings With The Animals

Bargemusic ‘Music in Motion’ Family Concerts FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 27, 11:30am WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day and the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street with stickers, puzzles, photo ops, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival

WHEN: Sunday, April 28, 9-10:30am WHERE: New York Aquarium, 602 Surf Ave., Coney Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy early access to the aquarium while you create and play together. WANT TO GO? $30; $25 members. 718-265-3474. nyaquarium.com.

Opening Week: Science + You Exhibit

WHEN: April 27-28, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Sakura Matsuri, the garden’s annual cherry blossom festival, celebrates Japanese culture with a rich program of events. WANT TO GO? $15; $8 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

WHEN: Through April 28: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, 10am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Learn about health and nutrition, scientific tools, and the methods scientists use for problem solving, investigation, and experimentation. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

Earth Day 2019 Celebration in Prospect Park FREE

Friday Drop-Off

WHEN: Sunday, April 28, 1-4pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Drive, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy catch-and-release fishing, raptor demonstrations, volunteer cleanups, citizen science activities, arts and craft, and nature games. WANT TO GO? 646-393-9031. prospectpark.org. ›› 30

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Dec. 27: Fridays, 6:30-9:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Game Lab, 310 7th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Drop in for Dungeons and Dragons and go on a multi-month campaign with a band of adventurous kids each week. WANT TO GO? $48. 718-788-1122. brooklyngamelab.com.

HOLIDAY FUN

SPECIAL NEEDS

WHEN: Through April 2: Tuesdays, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Cortelyou Road Library, 1305 Cortelyou Road, Prospect Park South AGES: 13 and older WHAT: These workshops will help you customize a Seder for your family. WANT TO GO? $10 per workshop; $25 for all three. 718-282-1596. office@bshert.org.

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: 5-8, adult WHAT: Explore dance in a class specifically designed to support sensory, communication, movement, and learning needs. WANT TO GO? $25 family of two-three; $30 family of four- six. 718-624-8400. markmorrisdancegroup.org.

Unpacking Passover: Creating and Leading Your Own Passover Seder

Crossroads Easter Eggstravaganza FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 2-4pm WHERE: Owl’s Head Park, 68th Street and Colonial Road, Sunset Park AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy games, face painting, and a visit from the Easter bunny. WANT TO GO? 718-748-5950. crossroadsbrooklyn.com.

Easter Extravaganza Event FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 11am-3pm WHERE: Old Stone House & Washington Park, 336 3rd St., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: The event will include photos with the Easter Bunny, face painting, crafts, a parade, and an Easter Bonnet Contest. WANT TO GO? 718-614-2919. theoldstonehouse.org.

Brunch With the Easter Bunny

WHEN: Saturday, April 13, 9-11am and 12-2pm WHERE: Aviator Sports and Events Center, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Marine Park AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a full brunch buffet, photos with the Easter Bunny, cupcake decorating, crafts, and candy bags for kids. WANT TO GO? $34; $32 kids ages 3-12; free for children younger than 2. 718-758-7500. aviatorsports.com.

8th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm WHERE: FourFiveSix, 199 Richardson St., Greenpoint AGES: All WHAT: Bring your own basket and join an old-fashioned egg hunt! Take your picture with the Easter Bunny, and enjoy fun crafts, and music. WANT TO GO? $5-15. 347-335-0056. fourfivesix.nyc.

Easter Egg Hunt FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 12-3pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Hunt for Easter eggs, get your face painted, meet the Easter Bunny, enjoy refreshments, music, games, resources, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

Kids Paint Easter Egg-stravaganza

WHEN: Sunday, April 21, 3-5:30pm WHERE: Colors Effect, 1454 Saint John’s Place, Crown Heights AGES: 5 and older WHAT: There will be face painting, games, Easter items for the kids and more. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 347-921-1869. colorseffect.com.

Fort Hamilton Community Club Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt

WHEN: Sunday, April 21, 11am-3pm WHERE: U.S. Army Fort Hamilton, Community Club, 207 Sterling Drive, Dyker Heights AGES: All WHAT: Gather the family for an Easter Hunt for children and brunch. WANT TO GO? $40; $35 members; $20 children ages 4-12. 718-765-7368. hamilton.armymwr.com.

Mark Morris Dance Group Family Fun Series: Broadway Jazz

Spring Sprouts: An Event for Children with ASD

WHEN: Sunday, April 7, 11am-12pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: The museum will open an hour early so you can help with planting. WANT TO GO? $3 suggested donation. 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

CP Soccer for Kids With Cerebral Palsy FREE

WHEN: Through June 16: Sundays, 1-3pm WHERE: Cadman Plaza, Cadman Plaza East, New York AGES: 9-17 WHAT: A league for kids with cerebral palsy, hemiplegia, or TBI. WANT TO GO? 347-328-3390. cpsoccer.us.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Tilling Time FREE

WHEN: April 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Help plant the Lefferts Historic House garden. WANT TO GO? 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Mother Earth Powwow FREE

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 12-4pm WHERE: Sunset Park, 53rd Street and 8th Avenue, Sunset Park AGES: All WHAT: A powwow featuring indigenous music, dance, and art and crafts. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Arbor Day 2019 FREE

WHEN: Friday, April 26, 12pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audubon Center, 101 East Drive, Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Join for games, crafts, and an exhibit on Brooklyn’s last forest. WANT TO GO? 646-393-9031. prospectpark.org.

Girl Scout Earth Day Celebration

WHEN: Sunday, April 28, 11am-4pm WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Participate in a Citizen Science Project, meet animals, and more. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

Signs of Spring at the Zoo

WHEN: April 6-28, Saturday-Sunday, 10am WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Explore the zoo, play games, enjoy experiments, and more. WANT TO GO? $9.95; $7.95 seniors; $6.95 children ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com. ›› BrooklynParent 31

The Music of David Bowie for Kids!

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 11am WHERE: Industry City, 220 36th St., Suite #2-A, Sunset Park AGES: 3 and older WHAT:Games, movement, and stories and an opportunity to rock out. WANT TO GO? $12-$15. 929-293-4404. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

Free Music Class at Feed Dumbo FREE

MINI

MUSICIANS Silly Sing-a-Long

WHEN: Through April 2: Tuesdays, 11:45am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5 WHAT: A theatrical journey filled with instruments, puppets, and more. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

40th Biannual International Electroacoustic Music Festival FREE

WHEN: April 2-4, Tuesday-Wednesday, 7pm; Thursday, 8pm WHERE: Conservatory of Music Brooklyn College, Topfer Recital Hall, 2900 Bedford Ave., Williamsburg AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A collection of works presented in 360° Total Surround MegaSound. WANT TO GO? 718-951-5000. brooklyncollegepresents.org.

Big Trip!: A Musical Journey Around NYC

WHEN: Through April 4: Thursdays, 10:45am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Explore imaginary play through movement, instruments, and more. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Yo Re Mi Music and Movement

WHEN: Through April 5: Fridays, 9:30am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children will explore nature, culture, language, rhythm, and more. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Specializing In: • • • • • • • •

Harvard trained board certified pediatric and adult allergist

60 Plaza St. East | Suite 1L Brooklyn, NY 11238

Food Allergies Asthma Eczema Hay Fever Sinus Issues Recurrent Infection Hives Insect Allergies & much more! Same Day Same D & Evening E Appointments Available. Most Insurances Accepted.

& 311 Saint Nicholas Ave. Ridgewood, NY 11385

(347) 564-3211 • www.brooklynallergyDR.com

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, April 7, 9am WHERE: Feed Dumbo, 55 Water St., Dumbo AGES: 12 and younger WHAT: Participate in a kiddie music session with Dan the Music Man. WANT TO GO? 929-397-2716. feedprojects.com.

Earth Day Celebration with The Music of Earth, Wind & Fire

WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 11am WHERE: Industry City, 220 36th St., Suite #2-A, Sunset Park AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Jam out to the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. WANT TO GO? $12-$15. 929-293-4404. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

Music of Queen for Kids

WHEN: April 14-21, Sundays, 12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: Dance and sing to the music of Queen. WANT TO GO? $12. 929-293-4404. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

Blue Balloon Songwriting School’s Pitch and Mini-Showcase

WHEN: Sunday, April 28, 2-4:30pm WHERE: Pete’s Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: Listen to students perform longer sets of (mostly!) original material. WANT TO GO? $10. 917-789-1600. blueballoonschool.com.

Thursday Workshops with The Little Orchestra Society

WHEN: Through May 23: Thursdays, 3pm and 4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Discover cultures as you explore new sounds and songs. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

Bilingual. Multicultural. Diverse. Developing culturally astute and compassionate leaders with fluency in Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. Pre-Nursery (2’s) - Grade 8.

www.ianyc.org

Stuyvesant Heights Montessori

Emmanuel Montessori of Clinton Hill

Ages 2-5 Years Old

SUMMER CAMP 2019 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday, April 11, 2019

The Athletic Club June 24

- July 12th

Soccer • Track and Field · Tennis • Basketball

Broadway Babies July 15

- July 26th

Musical Theate • Puppetry • Acting · Costume & Set Design

Little Builders July 29

- August 9th

Build a bird house, Mini Bridge and a cardboard club house Explore blocks, Legos, and a variety of building materials!

A Chef’s Life

August 12th - August 23rd

Bake their own goods • Explore and create new recipes daily! Visit a restaurant and tour the kitchen • Create a cook book

Stuyvesant Heights Montessori 644 MacDonough St. Brooklyn, NY 11233 Email: Shmontessoriint@gmail.com Phone: (347) 295-1100 www.stuyvesantheightsmontessori.com Emmanuel Montessori of Clinton Hill 279 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238 Email: Emmanuelmontessori@ebc-ny.org www.emmanuelmontessoripreschool.com

Now g in Enroll g rin for Sp ! n Sessio

Weekly Sessions June 24-August 23 8AM-4:30PM

Ages 2-5 Years Old

Discover the power of family music making

SMART START Try a free class!

Bay Ridge • Bensonhurst • Midwood • Sheepshead Bay • Marine Park

musictogetherBR.com • 718-499-2866

Offering Morning, Afternoon, Evening and Weekend Classes

LOOKING FOR

GREAT DEALS?

Saving money on a New York City family day is easy! Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse.

Early Childhood Center, Inc. 8411 Fort Hamilton Pkwy. Brooklyn, NY 11209 718-921-1868 Fax 718-921-6713

FREE Full Day D.O.E. Pre-K For All! Our curriculum helps children understand and develop skills which will enable them to succeed and make sense of the world through:

Dramatic Play, Free Play, Outdoor Play, Arts, Crafts, Music and Movement while incorporating: Literacy, Math, Science and Social Studies Child Centered, Certified Teachers, Extended Hours, Year Round Care

BrooklynParent 33

OPEN HOUSES 2019 Hebrew Public

555 Eighth Ave. suite 1703 212-792-6234 hebrewpublic.org Join us for upcoming tour dates on Tuesday March 26 at 1pm at Harlem Hebrew, and Thursday March 28 at 1pm at HLA2.

The Learnatory

Camps for Older Kids Camp Kids ‘N Comedy at The Gotham Comedy Club

St. Joseph’s College, 245 Clinton Ave. 347-787-0435 thelearnatory.org; dthompson@thelearnatory.org Join us for an open house on April 13 from 12-3pm.

The Park Slope Day Camp

Ronny Schindler, executive director 718-788-7732 parkslopedaycamp.com Join us for an information session on April 6 and 13.

Stepping Stones Nursery School

245 86th St., Bay Ridge 718-630-1000 Stepping Stones-The Next Step 9321 Ridge Blvd. 718-630-1001 steppingstones86.com; steppingstones86@aol.com Join us for an open house on April 10 at 6pm at 245 86th St.

Trail Blazers

394 Rogers Ave. 212-529-5113 trailblazers.org; registration@trailblazers.org Join us for an information session in Brooklyn on the first Tuesday of every month. Please RSVP. Open houses at our overnight camp available on April 27, May 19, and June 15.

We’re learning step-by-step at...

208 W. 23rd St., Manhattan 212-877-6115 kidsncomedy.com info@kidsncomedy.com Camp Kids ‘N Comedy is for kids ages 10-18 who are bored with kayaks, sick of poison ivy, and allergic to everything. It is a summer camp for kids who are funny. They will learn to write and perform stand-up comedy, play improv games, and re-enact scenes from comedy sketches.

Mill Basin Day Camp

5945 Strickland Ave. 718-251-6200 millbasindaycamp.com Mill Basin Day Camp is dedicated to providing exciting and fulfilling camp experiences with fun, recreational, and safe activities for children entering pre-K through ninth grade. Attend an open house and please bring the whole family for a personal tour of the facility and discussion of the camp program.

New York Surf School

School Programs • Two Year Old Classes • Three Year Old Classes • Four Year Old Classes

After School Programs

Kindergarten through 5th grade

Full and Half Day Programs Available

Call Us or Come to Our

OPEN HOUSES Wednesday, April 10th at 6:00pm at At 245 – 86th Street Brooklyn NY 11209

School Session: September – June

Summer Session: July – August

Please call or email us to schedule a tour to view the school.

Nursery School

245 86th street • brooklyn, ny 11209 • p.718-630-1000 • f.718-630-1446

The Next Step

9321 ridge boulevard • brooklyn, ny 11209 • p.718-630-1001

steppingstones86.com • Steppingstones86@aol.com 34

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Rockaway Beach 718-916-5359 surflessonsnewyork101.com nysurf@gmail.com Kids, teens, and adult surf camp is available from June 17-Sept. 20 at Rockaway Beach, NYC. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced sessions are offered. Easy to reach from all parts of Brooklyn. Become part of the greatest lifestyle on earth! Surfing is one of New York’s best kept secrets.

The Park Slope Day Camp

Ronny Schindler, executive director 718-788-7732 parkslopedaycamp.com Campers in sixth-eighth grade go on daily trips, including zip-lining, canoeing, and adventure parks. Ninth and 10th graders interview for our Leadership Experience. This program is aimed at developing our youth in a fun,

professional setting and offers the opportunity to become CPR/ First-Aid certified.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Zoos and Aquarium

1-800- 433-4149 The Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx Central Park Zoo: 830 Fifth Ave., Manhattan Queens Zoo: 53-51 111th St., Corona Prospect Park Zoo: 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn New York Aquarium: 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn wcs.org/camps Summer just got wild! Send your animal lover to summer camp at the Bronx Zoo, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and the New York Aquarium! Campers will enjoy up-close animal experiences, special access to our amazing exhibits, and age-appropriate, hands-on STEM activities.

YMCA Summer Camps

ymcanyc.org/camp rho@ymcanyc.org The YMCA of Greater New York is one of the largest providers of camp programs in the city, with 70 Day Camp sites across five boroughs, a Sleepaway Camp upstate, and more than a century of experience giving kids the best summer ever! Where there’s a Y, there’s a way.

Young People’s Day Camp of Brooklyn

718-951-9732, 800-DAY-CAMP (329-2267) ypdc.com Since 1972, our family-run camp has provided safe, fun summers for thousands of youngsters, ages 4-15. Our philosophy is to “grow” children intellectually, physically, and spiritually in a fun environment. Activities include swimming, sports, arts and crafts, music, dance, natural science, academics, educational and recreational field trips, and special events.

CAMP MARKETPLACE

A SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS WHO ARE FUNNY. Why can’t we just spend our summers writing jokes, getting on stage, and making each other laugh? Wait, we can!! At Kids ‘N Comedy, you child will: • Learn to write and perform stand-up • Meet new people, • Hear from successful comics, • Play improv games, • Act out your favorite comedy sketches. Cap it all off with your own stand-up show at Gotham Comedy Club. No poison ivy, no canoeing. For kids & teens ages 10–18. Monday–Friday Noon–4 PM Campers can take 1, 2, or 3 sessions!

SUMMER CAMP 2019 Session 1 July 8–19 Session 2 July 22–August 2 Session 3 August 5–16

Photo by Nancy Adler

kidsncomedy.com 212-877-6115

WHERE THERE’S A Y

THERE’S A WAY

Summer SURF NEW YORK SURF SCHOOL PRESENTS

Mon-fri June 17 - Sep 20

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A Birthday Bash for Less

››

You don’t have to break the bank to throw a memorable party for your child. Party planners and parents who’ve been there share their top tips for keeping costs down. By Madeleine Burry

birthday and the accompanying party are a big deal for kids. That’s no surprise—after all, what’s not to love about cake and presents? Thanks to the Internet (and especially Instagram and Pinterest), you can find plenty of inspiration when it’s time to plan your child’s annual celebration. But some of those stunning decor, activity, and food options you’ll spot online require hours of painstaking work—and often, hefty price tags, too. It can be easy to DIY yourself to exhaustion or exceed your budget, but that’s not necessary. “Children will have fun no matter what,” points out Rehaab Zohny, director of operations at Gymtime Rhythm and Glues in Manhattan. If you’re on a budget (of time or money…or both), you can still throw a blowout party—we spoke with moms, dads, and party planning pros, to get their very best tips for hosting a birthday party that’ll deliver Instagram double-taps without breaking the bank.

Take advantage of your location.

If your child was born in a temperate month, you’ve hit the jackpot living in the New York metro area. “For twenty-five dollars, plus a processing fee, you can get a permit for various locations across NYC parks and dress the party to any theme you like,” says Manhattan mom Noelle Pileggi. That’s just one of many outdoor options. You can do a carousel party in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park (with wristbands that get kids unlimited rides), suggests Louise Simon, a Brooklyn mom of two. For years, Paul Lyren checked the calendar for Brooklyn street fairs scheduled near his son’s birthday—especially ones with bouncy 38

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

castles. “For a smoking ten-dollar bill you buy your kid a wristband that lets them bounce all day. So, a ten-kid party costs a hundred dollars, plus a cake and pizza, and you are out for under a hundred and fifty dollars!” Lyren says. You can also petition the city to close down your street, then rent a bouncy castle yourself, he adds. There are still plenty of options for kids born in colder months: try the skating rink, a bowling alley, or hand out a roll of quarters to each attendee at an arcade. Or, go DIY-free and head to a party destination. This can offer some real perks. For one, you don’t need to worry about setup—or cleanup, Zohny notes. Another option is to host at home. An indoor, at-home party means you won’t need to have a weather back-up plan.

Figure out a theme.

A theme really ties the party together, says Julie Ontaneda of My Classic Party, an event planning and styling company in Rye. That’s true even if it’s very simple, such as a color or your kid’s favorite things (think: unicorns, trucks, dinosaurs, or “favorites” for older kids), she says. “A theme allows for simple touches, like theme-named food items, that are Pinterest-worthy and memorable without breaking the bank,” Ontaneda says. Save more by going all out in only a few select areas, she recommends. You can also encourage guests to get involved, suggests Amy Spielholtz, a Manhattan mom. For her daughter’s birthday, the theme was The Enchantment Under the Sea Dance, and guests were encouraged to dress as their favorite Back to the Future character or sea creature. “We were surprised by how many people got into it and it made things so much more festive as a result,” Spielholz says.

Choose an activity.

An activity is often the priciest aspect of a party, Ontaneda says, so start there, then see what’s left in your budget. If you’re doing the event at a destination, this step may already be taken care of. If not, you can hire someone, or figure out a fun, age-appropriate activity. “When it comes to entertainment, do a treasure hunt. It can last a long time, the treasure can be things on the less expensive side, and the children will have a ball. Play musical chairs or musical statues—fun doesn’t have to be expensive,” says Lucy Harris, mom and CEO of Hello Baby Bump, which is based in Queens. In fact, doing too many activities, and overly complicated ones, can lead to a party that feels rushed and chaotic, Zohny says. “Keep it basic and simple for the best outcome,” she recommends. And remember: An activity can sometimes outlast the big event. “I wanted some type of activity, but I wasn’t looking to pay for an entertainer or rent equipment,” Spielholtz says—so for around a hundred dollars, she bought a ball pit holder and hundreds of balls online. She says she sees it as an investment—the ball pit is stashed at her daughter’s grandparents’ house for occasional play, and it will be available to use again at birthday parties for several years to come.

Trim your guest list.

It’s tempting to invite all your friends, along with your kid’s whole class. Resist! Keeping the guest list trimmed down means fewer decorations, fewer cupcakes, and fewer supplies, Harris says. “Keep the guest list small, figure out the maximum number you want, and talk with your child about who they want,” Harris says. But if you really crave a big bash (or if your kid’s school or day care requires that every kid get invited), “consider a joint party with a friend,” Ontaneda suggests. It’s “half the cost and double the fun!” Consider skipping paper invites, too, Harris urges, and opt for text messages and Facebook invites instead.

Beneﬁt from other parents’ parties.

Party supplies await on Facebook marketplace and local Facebook groups, says Kristin Fuerst, mom of two. “You can often find someone unloading their used (but perfectly fine) party stuff at a big discount, and you might be able to score some cool things you might not otherwise have been able or willing to spring for,” Fuerst says. “Lots of moms just want to help out another mom— or just get stuff out of the house and not in a landfill.” Let your friends lend a hand, too. Nearly any parent will understand that you don’t always have the space to stash endless chairs and other big items. Borrow items from friends and family, Harris recommends. And “when people offer to help out, there is nothing wrong accepting it. You will more than likely offer it back in return,” Harris says.

Birthday Party Directory Birthday Party Entertainment Clowns.com

Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000, 718-971-5862 clowns.com At Clowns.com, our goal is to create an unforgettable and memorable party experience for you and your family. We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals.

Birthday 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,adult’s Sip and Paint event, check our classes, or just walk in for spontaneous fun! 70 five-star reviews on Google and Yelp. Fun and creative packages for all ages.

BounceU

6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway (entrance on 67th St. and 9th Ave), 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-squarefoot indoor recreational facility with “YUGE” inflatable play equipment. Parties at BounceU are safe and secure, held in our clean and comfortable indoor stadium. We coordinate, set up, facilitate, clean up, and pack up.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Manhattan 646-381-5010 intrepidmuseum.org groupsales@intrepidmuseum.org Celebrate your child’s birthday with a one-of-a-kind party! The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum captivates groups of all ages and interests. Choose from exciting themes, value packages, and customization options to create an original birthday adventure they’ll never forget. Packages start at $30 per person.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park-Deer Park

111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park 631-392-2600 skyzone.com/deerpark deerparkinfo@skyzone.com The best birthday parties are always at Sky Zone, Deer Park, Long Island. We customize every birthday party to create your party, your way. We have themed parties and super hero parties. We offer Dodgeball, Foam Zone, Sky Slam, and endless jumping opportunities. Private trampoline courts are available.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Zoos and Aquarium

1-800- 433-4149 The Bronx Zoo: 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx Central Park Zoo: 830 Fifth Ave., Manhattan Queens Zoo: 53-51 111th St., Corona Prospect Park Zoo: 450 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn New York Aquarium: 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn wcs.org/birthdays Make your wildlife lover’s birthday an unforgettable experience with a party at our zoos or aquarium! Parties include park admission, a private party room with host, special animal guests, visits to our exhibits, and hands-on activities.

Create a keepsake item for memories down the road.

Photos are a big path to a memorable party for guests. But Harris suggests having guests craft and sign a keepsake item, too. It can be simple, like a canvas board with attendees’ handprints with their names below.

Don’t forget to enjoy yourself!

If you’re stressed, it’ll show. Same goes if you’re enjoying yourself. “If you’re having a good time, your guests will have a good time,” Zohny says. Bottom line: few people will remember the decor and cake. What’ll stick is if the event is fun. “Remember, it’s for the children! Make sure they are having fun and you are there every step of the party enjoying just as much as they are. They only turn this age once!” Zohny says. Madeleine Burry is a freelance writer and editor who has held staff positions at Parents. com, Scholastic, and About.com. Burry lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their cat.

BrooklynParent 39

raising kids baby

Potty Training 101

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Getting your kids out of diapers can be a frustrating—but ultimately rewarding—task. Here’s how to make the experience as smooth as possible. By Barbara Russo

otty training is a big step in your child’s development. It’s a very important milestone for both you and your toddler. But how do you know it’s time for your little one to make the transition from diapers to toilet? We spoke to some potty-training experts, and they agree that watching for the signs is key. “The biggest factor contributing to the success of potty training is the readiness of the child. The average age of readiness varies between twenty-two and thirty months,” says Devan Van LanenWanek, M.D., of Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park. “Some subtle signs that your kid wants to learn how to use the toilet are showing interest in other people’s bathroom habits and expressing disgust at their dirty diapers.” Additionally, your child needs to be able to hold her bodily functions, communicate her need to go, undress and redress, and wash her hands on her own, Dr. Van Lanen-Wanek says. So now that you’ve established a solid foundation of readiness, here are some tips to keep in mind for making the potty-training experience a smooth one for both you and your child. 40

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Don’t Force It

Pressuring your child to begin potty training before he’s ready can be disastrous. “One study found that initiation of toilet training before twentyseven months was not associated with earlier completion of toilet training success,” Dr. Van Lanen-Wanek says. “This suggests there is little benefit to starting before this age.” But if your child shows signs of readiness before, there’s no harm in starting then.

Don’t Get Frustrated

Keep in mind that the process of potty training can take a long time and have many ups and downs. “The average length of toilet training is six to seven months, tends to be longer for boys than girls, and also longer in first-born children than subsequent children,” Dr. Van Lanen-Wanek says. “Remember that every kid is unique and develops at their own pace.”

Be Consistent

Once you make the move from diapers, it’s important not to go back, says Wendy Goldstein, a teacher at the 92Y Parenting Center in Manhattan.

“Know that there will be accidents, and it’s not a big deal,” Goldstein says. “When a child does have an accident, it helps her understand what it’s like to be wet. The goal is to try to get her to understand what’s happening. Children don’t generally like the feeling of being wet, so this trains them for what their bodies need.” Jody Bernstein, another teacher at the 92Y Parenting Center, adds that when accidents do happen, encourage your child to help you clean up. “You may need to set aside some time to focus on toilet training for a weekend or holiday break,” Bernstein suggests. “Stay close to home as you work on this. Let your child be naked or wear just underpants.”

Make a Tool Kit

One of the biggest challenges of potty training is figuring out how to prevent accidents. They’re messy, time-consuming situations that no parent is thrilled to deal with. “To alleviate this, parents need to make sure they have all the supplies needed to be successful, as well as a clear plan of action before they begin, rather than the ‘let’s just wing it’ approach,” says Kaylee Sallak, founder of Parenting Made Joyful Lifestyle, and teacher of parenting classes at Buy Buy Baby. Sallak recommends the following supplies for your tool kit: • A small potty chair • An insert for the big potty • A squatty potty stool to go under a big potty • Thick cloth underwear • Lose pants that have no zippers or buttons • A timer • Potty books • Potty songs • Tangible rewards (like candy) • Cleaning supplies ready for messes • Plastic bags with you always • Spare clothes with you always And as for the plan of action? “It needs to be decided upon ahead of time and agreed upon by both parents and any caregiver so there is consistency across the board,” Sallak says. “Whatever approach is selected, it should be a solid three days of no plans whatsoever to focus completely on getting a strong start to potty training.”

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Bedtime Considerations

Nighttime should have special considerations, according to the experts. Craig Hammond, founder and CEO of Peejamas, functional pajamas designed to eliminate the need for nighttime diapers, recommends establishing a routine at night that includes going to the bathroom before bed and limiting fluid intake in the evening. “Parents don’t need to force their child to completely fast from water or fluids at night, but definitely start winding it down after dinner,” Hammond says. “This helps to limit fluid building in the bladder, potentially leading to a release during the night. Coupled with the routine of going potty prior to bed, this will help your child learn.” Hammond also recommends—if possible—not using a diaper at night, just as your child wouldn’t in the day time during potty training. “Putting a child back in a diaper during the night, is inconsistent and contrary to the daytime training recommendations,” Hammond says. “Of course, this can lead to potential messes, which there are solutions to avoid that, and may not be realistic for children with individual needs. But if you can do it, it is a much better way to help them really nail the nighttime phase of potty training.”

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Potty training your child can be fun and rewarding, but as with all things, should you have any concerns or questions, call your child’s doctor or health-care provider. Barbara Russo is a freelance writer who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications.

BrooklynParent 41

raising kids teen

Experts suggest taking cues from your environment to broach uncomfortable topics with your teens. For example, if characters in a show or movie you’re both watching are smoking or drinking, it’s an opportune time to talk to your teen about drugs and alcohol use.

Awkward Talks

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As our kids get older, it’s time to have conversations that make us uncomfortable. Here’s how to approach those topics—and get your teens to open up. By Lambeth Hochwald

f it feels like your heart-to-hearts with your teen have ground to a halt, take solace in the fact that this is par for the course. Blame it on the teenage brain that’s going through incredibly important changes that ultimately help prepare kids to function in the adult world, says Teodora Pavkovic, a psychologist and parenting coach in New York City. “Not only does this have a psychological impact, but a physical one, too, which can be really scary for kids,” she says. Get ready for these changes to take several years to shake out. “The brain won’t stop going through this rollercoaster of a ride until kids are about twenty-five and brain change stabilizes,” Pavkovic says. We asked top experts to sketch out what kids are going through at this age and offer some key tips for getting your child to actually open up and talk about even the most uncomfortable of topics.

Keep in Mind, It’s a Phase

The teenage years are the time when kids develop their own identity, says Stephanie Nilva, executive director of Day One New York, an organization in NYC that counsels survivors of intimate partner violence. “At the same time, their personalities haven’t been fully formed. Remember: It’s their role and responsibility to be testing boundaries, to be exploring, to be figuring out what their identity is.” 42

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Start Young

If your kids haven’t hit the teen stage quite yet, now’s the time to build trust with them. Then, when they’re older, make sure your overall concern for their health and safety comes first. “In other words, urge them to talk to you even if you’re upset that your teen violated an understanding you had,” Nilva says.

It’s Okay if Your Teen Prefers to Talk to Peers

Another change that comes with parenting teens is your kids may prefer to talk to their peers instead of you, says Amy Alamar, a parenting expert in Avon, CT, and author of The Parenting Project: Build Extraordinary Relationships with Your Child Through Daily Conversation. “It can be awkward to talk to your teen if the conversation feels forced or inauthentic,” she says. “It’s natural for teens to prefer to talk to their peers and keep some things private. That’s okay and healthy for your teen but don’t give up. You always want to keep working on better ways to communicate one-on-one with your teen.”

Be Direct About Hygiene

The best way to talk about almost anything with your teen is to be open and direct, Alamar says, and this comes into play, especial-

ly, with a topic such as personal hygiene. “Don’t beat around the bush,” Alamar says. “Of course, with hygiene and other touchy topics you’ll make the most impact if you broach it in a positive or lighthearted way and avoid sarcasm. ...Help your teen to see this is a state of humanity and not a reﬂection on who they are as a person.”

Speak Up About Vaping and Drugs

When it comes to the topic of alcohol, smoking, vaping, or drug use of any kind, you have two goals: Be clear about why you’re concerned and don’t shelter your child from the subject. “It’s better your child learns about risky behavior from you as it offers you the ability to share your values and expectations,” Alamar says. “It also shows your child that you are a trusted adult they can come to.” While this doesn’t mean you should avoid consequences, Alamar suggests the conversation should be more about the experience. “Your goal is to help your child to understand the real dangers and your concerns,” she says. “Listen to find out why your child chose to do this or is thinking about it...and help your child to find alternative behaviors and/or help him or her to feel comfortable coming to you.”

‘The Talk’ Looks Different from When We Were Teens

When it comes to talking about sex, the easiest tip is to use the environment around you for these conversations, like a a song you hear or a character from a film, Pavkovic suggests. “Ask your teen very open-ended questions,” she says. “The two most important things here are that one: they feel you are emotionally calm and stable while you speak to them, and two: they feel your respect for their subjective experience.” In other words, time your talk. “Don’t start these conversations…right after coming back from work exhausted or right after finding inappropriate texts on your child’s phone,” she adds. “You need to be the stabilizing factor for them.”

Be Supportive Even If You Don’t Like Your Child’s Friends

Remember: The core struggle for teens is their need to belong to their peer group, Alamar says. “This means you should try to support friendships as best you can so your child can learn to have intimate relationships and build trust outside of just the immediate family,” she says. “If you want to raise an independent adult who can sustain meaningful relationships, then you have to offer opportunities for your child to explore relationships—even ones you are suspect of.” If you judge your teen’s friends, she may take personal offense so tread lightly. “If you’re having trouble accepting your teen’s friends, consider inviting them to your home or see if you can get to know their families,” Alamar suggests. “In the end, your child is going to choose their friends, and the more you judge, the less likely they are to come to you with questions, concerns, or things to celebrate.”

Remember: You Won’t Have All the Answers

When you’re parenting during this phase, give yourself permission to be vulnerable, Pavkovic says. “Be kind to yourself by going into this phase knowing that you don’t know all the answers,” she says. “The important thing is to get the conversation going and to be able to say, ‘You know what, this is a tough one and I may not know what to tell you, but let’s talk it out anyway.’” It’s also key to keep your child’s strengths in mind. “This is your most powerful tool,” she says. “As you try to help them with each challenge they face, if you know their strengths you can coach them through using these strengths to resolve these issues.” No pressure, but the steps you take now will forever make a difference in your teen’s life “by teaching them how to help themselves once they are living out there in the world without you,” Pavkovic says. Lambeth Hochwald is a NYC-based journalist covering trends, relationships, and life in the city.

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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. 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.

Yelena Kogelman, M.D. Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology 4802 10th Ave. 718-283-7500

Dr. Kogelman is a highly respected board-certified pediatric endocrinologist who, as part of a team of experienced pediatric endocrine subspecialists, provides care for children and teens who have problems with growth, puberty, obesity, diabetes, hypoglycemia, and other disorders related to hormones and the glands that produce them. She also has expertise in transgender care. Dr. Kogelman provides the highest level of compassionate, family-centered care in an environment designed just for children.

Juan Kupferman, M.D., M.P.H. Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Nephrology & Hypertension 948 48th St., 3rd floor 6701 Bay Parkway, 4th floor 718-283-7500

Dr. Kupferman is a highly regarded, board-certified pediatric nephrologist and hypertension specialist. He is an accomplished researcher in the areas of hypertension, urinary tract abnormalities, and chronic kidney disease. He offers expertise in the diagnosis and management of children from infancy through late adolescence for disorders affecting the kidney and urinary tract, including hematuria, proteinuria, high blood pressure, urinary tract abnormalities, inherited kidney diseases, kidney stones, as well as clinical complications of chronic kidney disease.

April 2019 | nymetroparents.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.

Brooklyn Family Orthodontics Alexis K. Fermanis, D.D.S., M.S. 142 Joralemon St., 6B, Brooklyn Heights 73 8th Ave. at Union Street, Park Slope 718-395-6582 bkfamilyortho.com

Dr. Alexis Fermanis is an orthodontic specialist who practiced in Brooklyn for 10 years before starting Brooklyn Family Orthodontics in 2014. She is a native New Yorker and enjoys running and traveling in her free time. Dr. Fermanis believes that a beautiful smile makes a great first impression and she is passionate about providing that for her patients. She is active in her alumni societies and local dental organizations and regularly attends continuing education classes so that she can provide the most successful results for her patients.

Prema Ramaswamy, M.D. Maimonides Children’s Hospital Pediatric Cardiology 948 48th St., 3rd floor 6701 Bay Parkway, 4th floor 718-283-7500

Dr. Prema Ramaswamy is a board-certified pediatric cardiologist and chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Maimonides Children’s Hospital. Dr. Ramaswamy leads a dedicated team of highly trained pediatric cardiologists, providing comprehensive evaluation and management of children, from fetus to adolescent, with congenital heart disease, arrhythmia, and other heart-related problems. Maimonides offers state-of-the art technology and is accredited in Pediatric Transthoracic and Fetal Echocardiography. Dr. Ramaswamy focuses on not only treating the heart ailment, but also combating any fears and concerns the children and their parents might have.

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Art Fun Studio ........................................................... 39

Leigh Conner ............................................................ 14 Little Steps 1 Inc ....................................................... 15

sports NY Surf School ................................................... 13, 35 Young People’s Day Camps - Brooklyn .................... 47

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BrooklynParent 45

SpecialParent Courtesy Stella L. Spanakos

raising kids voices

I Will Not Fail This Child ›› How I turned a tragedy into opportunities for young adults with special needs By Stella L Spanakos

hen people ask what it’s like to have a child with special needs, my response is: It’s like dark chocolate, bittersweet. My beautiful, healthy, 9-pound baby boy was diagnosed with autism at age 3, from that day forward a revolving door of therapists came to our home every day until 6pm. To make matters worse, Nicholas never developed speech and started having seizures at age 17. When Nicholas was young, we wanted to believe he would “outgrow” autism, or science would find a “cure” for the diagnosis. But, as the years passed and reality set in, we started dealing better with the “what is” and “what needs to happen.” Three years before Nicholas was going to transition from high school to the real world, I started looking toward the next chapter of his life. What were his options? Day-hab, residential, supported employment? I visited many programs but started crying when I returned to my car after the tour. A tsunami of young adults on the autism spectrum would be transitioning in three years, with more going forward every year and New York state was most definitely not prepared. To discuss Nicholas’ future with my husband was painful. He could not accept that we had to carve out a different future for our son; one without a driver’s license, college, marriage, children, and grandchildren, but one that needed much thought and financial planning. Autism broke my husband’s heart, and then my heart was broken for a second time on June 7, 2010 when my husband boarded a business ﬂight to Vegas, suffered a massive heart attack, and died at the age of 55. Kobi Yamada wrote a book called What Do You Do with a Chance? The moral of the story is, when given a chance, you always take it “because it just might be the start of something incredible.” And that’s precisely what I did. I had an opportunity to make the worst day of my life become

Stella L. Spanakos with her son Nicholas, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3

the beginning of something incredible to help Nicholas, his classmates, and many others. I decided to close my husband’s business, sell everything, and use the proceeds from his life insurance to start the Nicholas Center and Spectrum Designs Foundation, both located in Port Washington. The Nicholas Center supports individuals with autism to lead full and productive lives in the community. Spectrum Designs Foundation is an apparel customizing business, specializing in screen printing, DTG (Direct to Garment), and embroidery. My co-founders, Nicole Sugrue and Patrick Bardsley, and I experimented with our first DTG machine in my barn and never looked back. The relationship between the Nicholas Center and Spectrum Designs is the perfect example of how businesses can work with agencies to support employees with intellectual disabilities. Eighty percent of individuals with disabilities are unemployed but very capable of work. We started with both organizations in the same building, and one DTG machine printing 75 T-shirts a day. I used to pray that I could pay the bills and support our payroll during our first two years but as the saying goes: “build it and they will come,” and so they did. At the close of 2018, just eight years after opening our doors, Nicholas Center serves 85 families with vocational and community experiences, and Spectrum Designs’ client list has grown to include Uber, Google, NYU Langone Medical Center, Northwell Health, St. John’s University Law School, Town of North Hempstead, and MTA Metro-North. Spectrum Designs has impacted the lives of 70 individuals and their families and created more than 15,000 paid hours of meaningful work for individuals with autism.

Stella L. Spanakos co-founded The Nicholas Center Ltd., where she is the director of development, and Spectrum Designs Foundation. For more information about the Nicholas Center and Spectrum Designs Foundation, or to help change the world “one t-shirt at a time,” visit nicholascenterusa.org or spectrumdesigns.org.

April 2019 | nymetroparents.com

Filled with Fun & Excitement! Boys & Girls, 4-14 • 2-8 Week Programs

Optional Extended Day • Operated by Licensed Teachers & Administrators • All Union Rates Accepted • Weekly Field Trips • Payment Plan Available • Sports with Instruction • Arts & Crafts And Much, MUCH MORE!

For More Information On An Upcoming Open House, Please Call 917-406-5621 or Email Denise Philp at denise@ypdc.com.

917-406-5621 • ypdc.com

BrooklynParent 47

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