Bp 0518 by City Guide NY

Brooklyn rooklyn Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM PARENTS.COM MAY 2018

Family Health Guide • Decode Your Baby’s Skin Rash • Medicine Cabinet Makeover • Surviving Teen Acne

10 Things to Tackle in Your New Home Insurance Gaps Most Families Have (And How to Fix Them Fast)

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

BrooklynParent

SUMMER GROWTH SPURT Usdan is an award-winning day camp for students ages 4-18 to explore music, dance, theater, visual arts, sports and more on our Long Island campus in the woods. JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY, MAY 20 Reservations required. Visit usdan.org/visit.

FOR $100 OFF NEW STUDENT TUITION USE PROMO CODE: BROOKLYN

ANNIVERSARY SEASON

WHEATLEY HEIGHTS, NY 1-844-824-9790 | USDAN.ORG #50YEARSOFU

BrooklynParent

contents table of

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

may 2018

10 32

health 14 Medicine Cabinet Makeover

5 Things Parents Need to Know About Keeping Kids Safe Online

Expert tips to protect your children on the Internet

Family Fun a Ride Away

Four venues to explore when you want to take a day trip to get out of the city

16 Decode Your Baby’s Rash 18 Nixing Zits & Boosting Self-Esteem

20 Food Allergies and Kids 21 Health Directory

New Home—Now What?

Now that you’ve found the perfect house for your family, there are things you‘ll want to take care of.

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Things Parents Should Know About Keeping Kids Safe Online 11 Bracing Ourselves 34 Camps-at-a-Glance Chart 42 Open Houses 43 Party Central and Professional Services 44 Meet the Doctor 45 Advertisers’ Index 46 Quotables

22 Sun Salutations

38 New Home—Now What?

23 Family Activities Calendar

40 Insurance You Need—But Might Not Have

32 Family Fun in Manhattan

NYMetroParents

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

13 Family Health Guide

38 10 Things to Tackle in Your New Home 40 Insurance Gaps Most Families Have

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

BrooklynParent

raising kids editor’s note

MAY 2018 • Vol.14 • No.10

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf ASSISTANT EDITOR: Melissa Wickes

Here’s to Your Health!

arenthood has taught me plenty—for instance, it’s possible for a child to get chicken noodle soup in her armpit. And, if deprived of enough sleep, a new mom may misplace her wallet for hours, only to later find it in the refrigerator. But the very earliest lesson that parenthood imparted to me was this: Babies don’t always look the way they do in diaper commercials—you know, all smooth and dewy and pretty. In fact, though I naturally thought that both of my daughters were beautiful as newborns, they were also kind of…well, pimply right at the beginning! As I soon learned, that’s common, as are many of our little ones’ bumps, scales, and splotches. Ever wondered if what you’re seeing is cause for concern? In this issue, Bethany Braun-Silva speaks with experts to decode all sorts of baby skin rashes (p. 16). Of course, infants aren’t the only ones with skin problems. Our focus on health continues with an article by Katelin Walling about teens’ acne and its effect on their psyche (p. 18). We share fixes that are more than skin-deep by explaining ways to buoy your kid’s self-esteem while battling those zits together. And once your child has gotten the proper acne medications, they’ll need to be safely stored. Learn how to keep your medicine chest in tip-top shape by reading Melissa Wickes’ article on p. 14. While you’re tackling that project, take a look around the rest of your house. If you’ve recently moved in, you won’t want to miss “New Home—Now What?” on p. 38. We reveal 10 fix-ups that can make any house, new or not, more beautiful, valuable, and enjoyable for its owners. You’ll want to protect everything in your home—including its residents—so be sure to also check out my article on p. 40 about important insurance policies that even careful families often overlook. Speaking of safety, take a minute to read our important story by Samantha Neudorf on kids’ food allergies, and what to keep in mind when you’re around a food-allergic child, on p. 20. Lastly take a look at my essay about my younger daughter’s scoliosis (p. 11) and the surprising way in which it changed us both for the better. And no, we haven’t forgotten that May is Mother’s Day! We’ve got a gift for the proud parent in you: a chance to get your child (the cutest in the world, natch) on the cover of one of our magazines. See the inside back cover for more details, and visit nymetroparents.com/cover-contest-info to see how to enter. Wishing you a beautiful month!

REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan, Westchester); Karen Lo (Brooklyn); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Cintia Feliz, Caitlin Sawicki To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents

ADVERTISING SALES

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

PRODUCTION

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

ACCOUNTING

Deborah Skolnik Editorial Director, NYMetroParents

CONTROLLER: David Friedman

ADMINISTRATION

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

MOMMYBITES.COM

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Rebecca Dixon 917-572-9192

Davler Media Group davlermedia.com

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

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

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

Boys & Girls Ages 4-14 Free Door-To-Door Transportation Sports Instruction, Arts & Crafts Weekly Educational Field Trips Weekly Instructional Swimming Experienced Professional Staff

OPEN HOUSE: Sat., May 12, 2018 10:00am - 4:00pm

@ URBAN EXPLORERS HEADQUARTERS Refreshments, free camp raffles & takeaways for the kids!

URBAN EXPLORERS

has over 40 Years of Day Camp Experience providing fun-filled, educationally sound programs geared toward a child’s learning & socialization. Each day provides new & exciting activities; each week new & exciting trips. Research shows that program diversity naturally enhances a child’s curiosity & innate ability to learn. This leads to our belief that the more children explore, the faster they discover themselves. If you live anywhere in Brooklyn, the Rockaways or near the Brooklyn-Queens border, we will gladly provide FREE door-todoor transportation.

COME WITH US & EXPLORE: • • • • • • • • • •

Museum Of Natural History Museum Of The Moving Image NY Hall Of Science Botanical Gardens Bronx Zoo Adventureland Amusement Park NY Mets DJ Dance Parties Movies White Post Farms

Lets Have FUN this summer! Call us to make your child an URBAN EXPLORER!

3832 Flatlands Ave • Brooklyn, NY 11234 718-951-9732 • www.urbanexplorers.nyc BrooklynParent

raising kids new places, new programs

Who: Allied Physicians Group What’s New: TytoHome, a “telehealth” system powered by TytoCare, which gives parents the convenience of a comprehensive medical exam for their children without leaving home. The device can be used to connect with your Allied doctor, without wait times, for many common conditions including ear infections and colds. The TytoHome exam kit includes a smartphone app and a hand-held examination tool to collect images and readings, which are sent to a pediatrician for review. “Our mission is quality care without walls, enhancing the lives of our patients and parents,” says Ric Santiago, chief information officer at Allied Physicians Group. Want More Info: myalliedtelehealth.com

Ariele Alon

Pediatric Physicians Group in Bayside Offers ‘Telehealth’ At-Home Medical Screenings

Ric Santiago, chief info

rmation officer at Alli

ed Physicians Group

Who: Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian What’s New: The museum’s interactive imagiNATIONS Activity Center, which will open May 17. Students will solve puzzles, perform experiments, and play state-of-the-art computer simulations. Students in preschool through high school can explore the Native-American culture through a variety of hands-on activities. “In this family-friendly, interactive space, visitors of all ages will explore Native scientific discoveries and inventions so ingenious many continue to affect the modern world,” says Gaetana DeGennaro, manager of the imagiNATIONS Activity Center. The museum will host its annual Children’s Festival May 19-20 in celebration of the grand opening of imagiNATIONS. Want More Info: 1 Bowling Green, Lower Manhattan; degennarog@si.edu; nmai.si.edu; 212-514-3700

an Indian seum of the Americ onian National Mu Courtesy Smiths

Children’s Interactive Center to Open at Smithsonian’s American Indian Museum

Challenge, an out the Cropetition an Young visitors try out Native-Americ ab s che tea t tha game interacti ve video ulture. farming and agric

Who: YMCA of Greater New York What’s New: A variety of summer programs, each of which will integrate health and wellness education. The new camp programs being offered this year are swim camps, science camps, performing art camps, and Teen Camp. All new programs aim to develop campers’ teamwork and self-confidence skills. Each program requires preregistration. The YMCA will focus on incorporating the Social and Emotional Learning Character Development (SEL) and Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) Healthy Living curriculums in all of its camp activities. Want More Info: Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA, 1121 Bedford Ave., Bedford-Stuyvesant; ymcanyc.org; 718-789-1497 8

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy YMCA of Greater New York

NYC YMCA to Offer New Programs and Health Curriculum This Summer

YMCA of Greater New York’s camps

help children build lifelong skills.

Academy of Early Education

Fall Enrollment Pre-K For All Summer Camp Late & Early Care Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play, children learn how to learn. Come find 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

ELEMENTARY DAY CAMP

(Entering K - 4th grade)

swim (on site pool), gymnastics, sports, maker’s space, art, nature, circus arts,

HA’GEEMNASIA

(Entering K - 4th grade) Unique Israeli-style Hebrew immersion camp. Activities include Israeli culture, art, dance, cooking, swimming, sports, and

MOVIN’ ON TRAVEL CAMP

Transportation Available

AWESOME CAMPS FOR AWESOME KIDS Congregation Beth Elohim welcomes campers from all backgrounds!

(Entering 4th – 9th grade) Independence in a safe and structured

Special events, program electives, three

LEARN MORE: CBEBK.ORG

CELEBRATING OUR 40TH SUMMER IN PARK SLOPE! For more information, please contact: Bobbie Finkelstein, Director of Youth Services

BrooklynParent

raising kids in the know

5 Things Parents Need to Know About Keeping Kids Safe Online ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva with Titania Jordan

nline safety has been at the forefront of many parenting conversations for quite some time. Between cyber bullying and scary challenges that somehow entice teens (Tide pods anyone?) keeping kids protected while they’re on the web is more challenging than ever. How do we monitor their activity without invading their privacy? How do we know if they are being bullied? Here Titania Jordan, chief parent officer of bark.us, an award-winning app that monitors kids’ activities online and alerts parents of potential dangers, shares five ways parents can help keep their kids safe online.

Use technology as a parenting tool. In addition to constant conversations and general awareness surrounding your children’s digital activity, there are tech tools made just for you to help keep your children safer online. Get to know the parental control options on the various devices and platforms your children interact with. This will keep them safe while both home and on-the-go. Next, look at what offerings your Internet, cable, or mobile service providers have. Utilizing the 4-digit pin is critical on Netflix, now that remotes are voice activated.

Be where they are. You wouldn’t send your child to a new school without first taking a tour, so don’t let your child download an app, play a game, or visit a website unless you (at the very least) know about it first. Google the name of the platform plus the word “dangers”, or review its rating on Common Sense Media. Even better, spend some time with it and get to know the ins and outs of the platform firsthand.

When in doubt, just say no. We have this powerful sixth sense called intuition that arguably gives us a leg up on any parenting situation. Tune into it and use it. If something doesn’t feel right, go with your gut. So many parents these days give in to their children because everyone else a) is doing it b) is playing it c) already has a phone d) has seen the series e) has downloaded it or f) fill in the blank. So what. Go against the grain. Childhood innocence kept a little longer = parenting win. I’m not saying keep your children in the dark ages, but only you know what is best for your family’s dynamic.

Have those difficult conversations. Often. Children as young as 6 are committing suicide, thanks to cyberbullying and the ability to Google how to take their own lives. Sexting, according to some school administrators, is the new first base. This is where we are as a society. So how do we fix it? As soon as your children are old enough to encounter content on a device, you need to talk to them about the importance of asking for permission before clicking on anything. Once they are older and more Internet independent discuss the concept of personally identifiable information, as nobody needs to know your child’s name, age, gender, address, school location, baseball league, or anything else that can lead predators right to where they are.

Media literacy is key. Especially in this day and age, we have to teach our children to not take everything they see online at face value. We have to encourage our children to look for multiple sources, realize that anyone can copy a photo (even of their friend!) and create a fake profile, and be responsible with the content they engage with and post online. They need to know about algorithms that are tailored to them based on their search history and browsing preferences, and remember that everything they post on the Internet, even in a private “disappearing” message, is a screen shot away from lasting forever and haunting them in the future.

As CPO, Titania Jordan is Bark’s resident factotum, her role spanning across product, design, copy, customer acquisition and education, and media relations. Jordan has tremendous experience at the intersection of families and technology, formerly serving as CMO at KidsLink, co-founder/CMO at Privet, and executive director of Band of Coders Girls Academy. She holds a BBA in Marketing, and enjoys painting and building some pretty sweet Lego cities with her family in her downtime.

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

raising kids voices

Bracing Ourselves ›› A straight-up look at the surprising way a mom was changed by her daughter’s scoliosis. By Deborah Skolnik

uh. I wasn’t expecting that,” the emergency-room physician said, frowning as he read the report from my daughter Genie’s chest X-ray. I shot a nervous glance at my pale, coughing 3-year-old. “So she has pneumonia?” I asked. “No, her lungs are clear—it’s just a cold. But there’s a note here saying that her spine is curved,” the doctor replied. I was glad Genie didn’t have pneumonia, but what did it mean that her spine was curved? I pictured a spine shaped like a question mark. Once Genie was better, we visited an orthopedist our pediatrician had recommended. She diagnosed Genie with scoliosis, an abnormal, side-to-side spinal curvature. The curve stood at 18 degrees; if it progressed to 20 degrees, Genie would need to wear a back brace for 23 hours a day until sometime in her teens. I prayed Genie’s curve would hold or improve. But a follow-up visit the next year brought devastating news: Her spine was now listing at 26 degrees. A brace-maker armed with a tape measure and clipboard was called in. Weeks later, we were presented with the hard, thick plastic shell that would encase my daughter’s torso for the next decade. You don’t mess with scoliosis. Left unchecked, it can cause profound problems, from visible deformity and chronic pain to heart and lung trouble. My husband and I knew we needed to treat Genie at once, but that didn’t make it any less agonizing to buckle our wiggly child into a bulky, inflexible contraption. And it wasn’t like I could tell her “lots of kids have this.” They don’t, especially not at age 4. In fact, Genie was the only child in our elementary school’s 100-plus-year history to wear a back brace to classes. Genie’s clothing covered the brace, but the outline of its front buckles was clearly visible through her clothes. The shoulder straps jutted upward, making her look like a pintsized linebacker. All I could think was that her new, slightly lumpy appearance was tantamount to social suicide. But something surprising happened: Genie stayed happy-

“

go-lucky, maybe because she was too young to feel selfconscious. She covered her brace in stickers and showed it off to her pals, acting like it was cool gear she was lucky to have. She took her brace in stride, and, following her lead, so did those around her. The years marched on. There was the occasional mean girl at camp or insensitive adult, but for the most part, people either disregarded Genie’s brace or were intrigued by it. When a performer at a medieval fair selected Genie to ride on his shoulders, he discovered her brace as he lifted her. “She has her own armor!” he roared to the crowd. Meanwhile, Genie was disarming me—stripping away the guilty awkwardness I’d long felt around people with visible differences. Because she didn’t view her brace as tragic, she didn’t view others’ medical equipment—or they themselves— as objects of pity. She’d say breezy hellos to people in wheelchairs, and coo over babies in headgear. Several years ago, she made a best friend at camp and told me everything about her—except that the girl had impaired mobility and used a walker. I didn’t learn about it until visiting day, when I witnessed Genie happily helping her pal get up a hill while singing to her. Why didn’t she tell me about the walker? I wondered. Then I realized it was because to her, it wasn’t worth a mention. I started to see that it wasn’t just Genie’s spine that needed help; my attitude toward people with disabilities needed some straightening out, too. I no longer avert my gaze from them, worried that they’ll see sorrow in my eyes. Instead, like Genie, I make a point of saying hi. I treat them the way I want people to treat Genie—the way I was supposed to have been treating them all along. Genie’s now 14, and her spinal curve is almost completely gone. The day is coming when she’ll leave her back brace behind for good, but I know the compassion she gained from her years of treatment will last a lifetime. She’s not just a kid with a straight back; she’s a person with real backbone. BrooklynParent 11

Where Happy, Healthy Smiles Dr. T. Francis Are Second Nature Board Certified Pediatric Dentist 150 Fourth Avenue (Between Butler St. & Douglas St.) Brooklyn, NY 11217 718-488-0200 www.parkslopekidsdental.com Tues 2-6 Wed 2-6 Thu 8-5 Fri 8-5 Sat 8-2 A Brand New, State-of-the-Art Pediatric Dental Office Participating With Most Insurances Latex-free Office

We understand the importance of creating a strong foundation for oral health early on, which is why we focus on making dental care fun for kids! When children enjoy their time here, they’re that much more likely to enjoy beautiful, healthy smiles for life!! By appointment only!!!! Call Today!

718-488-0200

PkSlpKidsDental

Pediatric Immediate Care, PLLC Pediatric Urgent Care Where Kids Come First

www.pediatricimmediatecare.com "30 Years of Dedication To Our Patients and We Are Still Growing” • CERTIFIED URGENT CARE CENTER by Urgent Care Association of America

• PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY CARE

Hematology • Oncology • Pediatric Psychology

• CERTIFIED CONCUSSION CENTER • COMPLETE PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT CARE

Kid Friendly • Walk-ins Welcome Most Insurance Plans Accepted We Speak Your Language: English, Polish, Russian, Spanish, & Turkish OPEN 7 DAYS Including Holidays 8am - 11pm CONVENIENT LOCATIONS:

LINDENHURST • SMITHTOWN • BROOKLYN

150 East Sunrise Hwy.

631-956-PEDS

1077 West Jericho Tpke.

631-864-PEDS

698 Manhattan Ave.

718-389-PEDS

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

• Rapid Laboratory Tests • EKGs • Digital X-Ray • Ultrasonogram • IV Hydration • IM Medications • Attention Deficit Disorder • Developmental Test • IVA & Impact Test • Minor Surgeries • Splints / Casts • Allergy Injections • Inhalation Therapy • Pulmonary Function Test • Computerized Vision Test • Hearing Tests • CPR Classes • Pharmacy Services & More

Certified Concussion Center

FREE FLU SHOTS & ALL SHOTS

online extras Everything’s blooming, and your child is sneezing, but does he have allergies or a cold? Find expert advice at ›› nymetroparents.com/allergies-or-cold

What really works to lower a fever in children? The answers may surprise you. Get the lowdown from a pediatrician at ›› nymetroparents.com/lower-fever

Kids’ snoring can seem cute, but it could spell trouble. Find out why at ›› nymetroparents.com/snoring

Some germs are actually beneficial to kids’ health. Learn the reasons at ›› nymetroparents.com/good-germs

inside

raising kids family health guide

14 M edicine Cabinet Makeover: It turns out you may not need everything you’ve been stocking up on. ecode Your Baby’s Rash: Find out 16 D if what you’re seeing on your infant’s skin is normal. ixing Zits & Boosting Self-Esteem: 18 N How you can help your teen clear her acne—and keep her self-esteem intact. 20 Food Allergies and Kids: What parents should know, and how to be more sensitive to those who are food-allergic. 21 H ealth Directory: Find health care providers in Brooklyn.

Medicine Cabinet Makeover

››

It turns out you may not need everything you’ve been stocking up on, so add this oft-forgotten area to your spring-cleaning list. By Melissa Wickes

ur medicine cabinets have become at-home mini drugstores and are often the first place we turn when facing a medical issue, sometimes even before turning to the doctor. As parents, we want to have a plethora of medications on hand in case of any emergency, whether it’s the flu or the imaginary boo-boo your little one has because she wants to accessorize with character Band-Aids. We’re right there with you: It’s comforting to know there are three bottles of children’s fever reducer within reach at all times. But every time we open the cabinet, we run the risk of an avalanche of cotton balls, cough drops, and painkillers falling on us, which doesn’t need to be the case! We’re here to help with advice from pediatricians and pharmacists to completely rethink what you need to have on hand, reorganize your medicine cabinet for safety reasons, and provide a little sanity when your kid gets sick.

Cabinet Clean Out

Doctors and pharmacists recommend cleaning out the medicine cabinet and taking inventory of the medications it contains once or twice a year. Check the expiration dates on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and properly dispose of those that are no longer safe to take. “The main problem with taking expired medications is decrease in efficiency,” says Eric Levene, M.D., a pediatrician at Allied Pediatrics in White Plains. “After the expiration date, the medicine won’t work as well, and you won’t be taking the right dosage because it will be less effective.” Eye drops, creams, and even cosmetics that are stored in the medicine cabinet can harbor different types of bacteria, so when in 14

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

doubt, throw it out. The irony of a medicine cabinet? Due to the moisture levels in your bathroom, it isn’t the best place for longterm medication storage, according to Joanna Tracy, Pharm. D., assistant director of Pharmacy at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital (NYU Langone). Most medications can be stored at room temperature, but you should always defer to the medication label when determining which conditions are best for storage. (Areas to never store your medications, though: the car or any other places subject to high temperatures.)

What to Have on Hand

Parents tend to buy a ton of medications to have on hand “just in case,” but this isn’t recommended, according to Dr. Tracy. While it can be anxiety relieving to have the comfort of a makeshift drugstore store readily available, this can actually do more harm than good. Having a ton of medications laying around raises the risk of kids getting their hands on medicines that can be toxic to them and ingesting expired medications, and creates overall clutter in a place where it is important to be organized. Additionally, over-the-counter medications, while helpful, often have active ingredients that provide the potential for incidental misuse and higher-than-recommended dosages, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Some ingredients found in OTC medications that can be harmful include dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant, and loperamide, an anti-diarrheal. These medications, when combined with other drugs such as alcohol and marijuana, are especially harmful because they can affect the brain in a similar way to opioids, according to NIDA.

“There have been reports of over-the-counter medications causing life threatening side effects in children under two,” says Dr. Tracy, so it is important to pay attention to what medications are safe to give your infant. In the case that you need to give your infant a pain reliever or fever reducer, it is safe to administer acetaminophen, but not ibuprofen. Though, Dr. Levene recommends herbal remedies, with mediation, for infants. “Herbal remedies are the standard for infants, however just because they are natural does not mean they are always safe,” Dr. Levene says. “Always consult with your physician and let them know everything you are using to treat your baby because some medications can interfere with herbal remedies.” For children younger than 6, you should refrain from administering cough medications, according to Dr. Levene. After age 6, saline sprays, ibuprofen pain relievers, and antihistamines such as Benadryl are generally okay, but you should always consult your doctor especially when children are at a young age.

Keep Kids’ Hands Off

When arranging the medications in your cabinet, keep in mind what you’re putting within reach of your little ones. Any and all medications should ideally be kept in a place where children cannot reach them and only adults should be able to distribute them. This is especially important for antidepressants and opioids. “If the medicine cabinet is in a place accessible to a child, for example a lower cabinet, then it is recommended that the cabinet be locked,” says Aimée Kahn, M.D., M.P.H., a pediatrician at Crystal Run Healthcare in West Nyack. Disposing of unnecessary medications properly guarantees your children will not access them. And that’s no small concern: The

nonmedical use of prescription drugs is a highly dangerous issue that is plaguing today’s youth. In fact, the rate of prescription opioid misuse is incredibly high and rapidly growing, according to the results of the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. In a series of studies involving 810 patients, more than twothirds of subjects reported having opioids left over after surgery, according to a report published by JAMA Surgery. Only 4-30 percent of those study participants actually planned to or had already disposed of the leftover drugs, and even fewer had followed U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines to do so properly. Remember: You should never flush any medications down the toilet or sink due to the risk of contaminating the water supply. With that said, when you’re done taking a medication but have some left over, properly discard of it and don’t leave it laying around for anyone to get their hands on it. The best way to do this is through a New York state-approved medicine drop off location, according to Dr. Tracy; visit health.ny.gov to find one near you. There are also scheduled U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration take-back days; find more information about these days in accordance with your area at takebackday.dea.gov. “The inquisitive nature of children is an amazing thing, and we as parents and caregivers should do our best to give them a safe environment,” Dr. Kahn says. “Young kids love to explore!” If you are cognizant of where your medication is from the day it is picked up to the day you’re done with it, the medicine cabinet doesn’t have to be a scary place.

NOW for our TACHS & SHSAT Prep Courses $150 Discount for early enrollment by 6/1/18!

Convenient location:

City/State & Entrance Exams (ELA, Math, ISEE, HSPT, SSAT)

8696 18th Avenue Brooklyn

BrooklynParent 15

Sponsored by

Decode Your Baby’s Rash

››

Find out if what you’re seeing on your infant’s skin is normal or if you should call a doctor. By Bethany Braun-Silva

inding a rash on your infant is fairly common given that baby skin is so sensitive. But as a new parent, “it can be difficult to determine the seriousness of a rash,” says Aimée Kahn, M.D., M.P.H., pediatrician at Crystal Run Healthcare in West Nyack. “Most rashes are not life-threatening, but if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or feeling sick, bring your child in to be seen by their doctor.” Common symptoms of a serious rash include oozing, pus, blisters, broken skin, pain, tenderness, bruising, or redness, Dr. Kahn says. A not-so-serious rash may be treated at home with emollients or can even be left untreated to clear up on its own. But “it is important to be aware of rashes that do not get better or appear to be worsening,” Dr. Kahn adds. “In these cases one should bring that child to see their pediatrician for an exam.” Here we explain the rashes and skin ailments that commonly affect infants, and give you insight as to when it’s time to call the pediatrician.

Cradle Cap

Most common in newborns, cradle cap appears as yellow, crusty, or greasy, scaly patches. It will generally show up on your baby’s scalp, but may appear on his eyebrows, ears, and neck. This is a harmless skin condition and should clear up on its own within a few months. However, it can be treated with a mild soap and a soft bristle brush to help loosen the scales. Call the pediatrician if the rash does not go away or gets worse; occasionally a baby may have a secondary yeast infection. “In some cases even cradle cap will require a prescription shampoo or lotion to be treated,” Dr. Kahn says. 16

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Contact Dermatitis

This will show up as a dry and bumpy or red and oozing rash and will only be present in areas where your infant has been exposed to an irritant, such as Band-Aids, soap, or laundry detergent. Contact dermatitis can be avoided by simply no longer using the product that is causing the trouble, and you can apply a mild anti-itch or cortisone cream to ease the symptoms until the rash clears up. Call the pediatrician if your baby has been exposed to a severe irritant such as poison ivy, as this may require treatment with an oral steroid or cortisone.

Diaper Rash

A diaper rash occurs when urine and stool act together to create an acidic environment that breaks down baby’s skin. Diarrhea can make diaper rash more frequent. A diaper rash shows up as redness or burn-like marks. Diaper cream should do the trick and can be applied with each diaper change. Call the pediatrician if your child has severe rashes with open sores that do not heal easily. “On occasion, diaper rash can become secondarily infected. If an area of redness becomes scaly and bumpy, it is possible that the skin has become infected with yeast, which requires a topical antifungal medication. Babies can occasionally experience bacterial infections, like impetigo [see next page], due to severe irritation,” says Katherine Miao, M.D., a medical director at City MD Metro North Region. If baby has large, soft, yellow fluid-filled blisters, a staph infection may have developed. See your doctor; this needs prompt treatment with oral antibiotics.

Eczema

It looks different in infants than it does in older children. When an infant develops an eczema rash, it typically appears on her cheeks, trunk, or scalp; the areas look red, scaly, and sometimes crusty. Call the pediatrician if the eczema gets worse despite treating with over-the-counter cream. Your child may have developed a bacterial infection, in which case antibiotics are necessary to clear it up. Eczema that isn’t getting better could also be the result of an allergy, especially to foods such as milk or soy. You may need to consult an allergist to find out the specific cause.

Hives

These flat or slightly raised blotches are usually caused by an allergy, most frequently to food or medicine. A telltale sign that the rash is a hive is if it fades in one area and reappears in another. To treat, use a mild antihistamine or remove whatever is causing the allergy. Call the pediatrician if your baby is having difficulty breathing, or has swollen eyes or lips in addition to hives. In fact, it is recommended you call 911 if any of these symptoms occur, as they are signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Impetigo

If your child develops yellow, crusty, oozing sores around his mouth, this may be a sign of impetigo. It’s caused by a staph or strep germ and can occur anywhere the skin has been broken and bacteria can enter. Call the pediatrician if you notice the symptoms listed above. Impetigo needs to be treated by a doctor either with antibiotics or a prescribed cream. If the outbreak does not go away after a few days of treatment, call the doctor again.

Infant Acne or Milia

Milia are tiny white bumps that appear under your baby’s skin. The bumps are normally present on the nose, chin, or cheeks and are caused by skin flakes trapped near the surface of the skin. Baby acne is red or white bumps on the forehead or cheeks, which are caused by hormones the baby receives from his mother at the end of pregnancy. Infant acne can be present when your baby is born or appear when she is 2-4 weeks old. Both milia and baby acne will disappear in several weeks and are harmless. You can care for your baby’s acne by washing his skin with warm water and a mild soap and by avoiding oils and lotions on the affected area. Call the pediatrician if the acne appears to be getting larger or appears swollen and is producing discharge. This could be a sign of a bacterial infection, which needs to be treated with antibiotics. From our sponsors: The mission of Allied Foundation is to impact and improve the health and well-being of residents within Allied Physicians Group’s geographical footprint, which currently includes Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk), Queens, Brooklyn, Richmond, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange. The Allied Foundation funds community-based strategies and initiatives, including Breastfeeding Support (toll-free Support Line: 866-621-2769; Breast Milk Depots), Community Education (free app—AlliedPG—and lectures about such topics as ADHD, managing food allergies, behavioral health, and infant CPR), Early Childhood Literacy (proud partner of Reach Out and Read and The BookFairies); and Community Service (Diaper Bank of Long Island). For more information, visit alliedfoundation.org.

Brooklyn s Premiere

S.T.E.A.M. Summer Camp Science • Technology • Engineering • Arts • Math

Rockin’ Robotics The Internet of Things Spa Science Coding XBox Game Design Candy Chemistry Minecraft & JavaScript

Play. Learn. Prepare. July 9 – Aug. 17, 2018 Grades 1st – 9th

Video Game Design & Anim. Culinary Science Virtual Reality You Tube Channel Prod. App Development Dance - Voice - Music Tutoring - Sports

The Learnatory at St. Francis College 180 Remsen St.

Brooklyn, New York

Limited Enrollment. Registration Now Open.

www.TheLearnatory.org

347-787-0435 BrooklynParent 17

Nixing Zits & Boosting Self-Esteem

››

In the unfair stage of puberty with changes happening all at once, here’s how you can help your teen clear her acne—and keep her self-esteem intact. By Katelin Walling

s a tween with the (seemingly) sudden onset of zits and blackheads clogging my pores, I devoured all the information I could find about acne, its causes (so I could avoid those factors to the best of my ability), and how to get rid of it once and for all. Because, really, who wants acne? I tried all the over-the-counter cleansers and spot treatments on the market. I convinced my mom to splurge and get me Proactiv. I was desperate to clear up my face because I was so self-conscious about breakouts—heck, I still am. In middle school, I got bangs to hide any zits on my forehead. In high school, I started dabbling in makeup to conceal blemishes. I still conceal breakouts with makeup, but the difference between now and then is I actually know what I’m doing with makeup— YouTube tutorials didn’t exist when I was in my early teens. The only thing that kept me sane was the fact that some of my close friends were also struggling with acne. Some tweens and teens might not be so lucky and escape serious self-esteem issues related to acne, especially when it comes to seeing the “perfect” pictures others are posting on social media. (Thankfully Facebook was in its infancy and only open to college students and Instagram didn’t exist when I was in high school, so I didn’t have pictures of people with clear skin flooding my feeds.) What’s encouraging, though, is a lot of celebrities are being real about their skin: Most notably, Lili Reinhart of Riverdale fame has been refreshingly honest about her battle with cystic acne. “The struggle is real, as they say,” says Rachel Nazarian, M.D., F.A.A.D., who dealt with acne in her late teens. Dr. Nazarian is a board-certified dermatologist, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and sees patients at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. The one thing I didn’t do as a teen, regrettably, was talk to a dermatologist to figure out the best course of treatment for my skin. 18

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

All About Acne

There are two categories of acne: inflammatory lesions, which are more likely to scar such as cystic acne (usually deep, bumpy, tender, red nodules) and non-inflammatory lesions, such as whiteheads and blackheads, which are less likely to scar unless the teen picks at them, according to Dr. Nazarian. Dietary factors may play a role in acne, but “it’s a pretty weak link at this point,” Dr. Nazarian says. There’s no hard evidence, but some studies have suggested dairy products containing natural growth hormones can stimulate over-oil production and cause pimples, and high-glycemic (sugary) and greasy, fried foods are also thought to be linked to acne, Dr. Nazarian explains. “But short of that, we know that most acne is actually just caused by a very normal reaction of the skin from internal hormones and chemicals in the body that can happen from stress, it can just happen from normal puberty, and certainly there are things that you can take [such as medications and supplements] that will absolutely cause acne, but that is not a regular cause,” she says. “There are so many different treatments now depending on what the patient comes in with and truly how they feel about it, how quickly they need it gone, how distraught they are,” Dr. Nazarian says, and a number of those treatments can be used at the same time. Topically, salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, peels such as glycolic acid, and a range of retinoids can be found over the counter or by prescription, according to Dr. Nazarian. Oral prescriptions include antibiotics such as doxycycline or minocycline, isotretinoin (more commonly known by the former brand name Accutane), as well as spironolactone, an option for females only, Dr. Nazarian says. Dermatologists also have tools, such as lasers and blue lights, they can use in the office.

One thing to keep in mind: The more your teen can do to prevent bacteria from clogging her pores, the better off her skin will be. Some easy things he can do are wash his face twice a day with a gentle cleanser but don’t over-scrub, change his pillowcase once a week, regularly wipe down his phone screen and headphone cords with an alcohol wipe, and use a facial cleansing wipe after playing sports or working out. While none of these will miraculously clear acne completely, each little step can help reduce the number of pimples she sees.

Supporting Self-Esteem

Puberty is an awkward phase of life, and you don’t have to be an expert to see that some teens are self-conscious or have self-esteem issues, says Sanam Hafeez, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist and founder and director of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services, P.C. in New York City. But there are things you, as parents, can do to prevent your teen’s self-esteem from dropping—and help improve it. “The longer acne lasts, the worse the emotional symptoms might be,” says Lindsay Macchia, Ph.D., associate psychologist at the Mood Disorders Center and Anxiety Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. So the first step she suggests is to take your teen to a dermatologist. The faster acne is treated, the more likely the teen is to not have feelings of low self-esteem and low self-worth. “I would encourage a parent to find a doctor who is very empathic and validating and understands that, yes, this is a skin condition, but it can also effect the tween or teen emotionally too,” she says. Additionally, parents should emphasize that they are part of their teen’s support system and validate his feelings. “If their self-esteem is starting to dip or they are starting to be concerned about their appearance…or what other people might be thinking of them or how they might be treating them, knowing that they can turn to their parents for support can go a very long way,” Dr. Macchia says. “Parents, sometimes in their years of experience and feeling that their problems are so much bigger than their teenagers’ problems, are dismissive,” Dr. Hafeez adds. But “dismissing them makes them feel alone and the only people they can turn to for help are people who are also now not taking them seriously and sort of undermining or downplaying their problem.” Listen to your teen and tell her, “I understand. It must be really hard. Would you like to go see a doctor or a dermatologist with me?” If you can talk to your teen, and spend time with him to help him feel heard and validated, acne or not, he’s going to feel a boost in his self-esteem because he feels important to those people who mean the most, Dr. Hafeez says.

When to See a Therapist

If your tween or teen suddenly changes her behavior—starts avoiding social activities such as parties, sports teams, after-school clubs, or school events; always covers or hides her face; seems more sad or irritable than usual; tries to skip school; or even verbalizes that she thinks she looks ugly—her self-esteem may be plummeting because of her acne, and it might be time to seek professional help. If you’re anxious about asking your teen whether he wants to see a psychologist, Dr. Hafeez suggests saying, “I’m here for you. I’m always willing to talk, but I don’t want to assume that I’m the answer to all of your problems. Maybe there are things you don’t want to tell me. I want you to be able to speak openly to someone who you feel isn’t going to judge you.” “Just giving them those options makes the child feel like their parent cares enough about doing something about this, and it’s not just about how they feel now. Teenagers can be brats and they can be ungrateful, but someday that teenager is going to look back and be appreciative of those things,” Dr. Hafeez says. BrooklynParent 19

family life food & nutrition

Food Allergies and Kids ››

What parents should know about food allergies in children, and how to be more sensitive to those who are food-allergic. By Samantha Neudorf

pproximately 15 million Americans have food allergies, whether it’s dairy, soy, egg, wheat, shellfish, or nuts. Food Allergy Awareness Week, which runs May 13-19, aims to shed light on this health issue by educating everyone about what they should know and keep in mind when they are around individuals with food allergies—especially children. One in 13 kids has food allergies, which is equivalent to nearly two kids per class in the United States. In an effort to help with this educational effort, we spoke to Susan Schuval, M.D., chief of the Division of Pediatric Allergy/Immunology at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and associate professor of clinical pediatrics at Stony Brook School of Medicine on Long Island. Read on for her insights into what parents should know about children’s food allergies and precautionary measures to take around others who may be in their children’s classes.

What do parents need to know about children with food allergies? Food allergies occur in 5-8 percent of children and may range from mild reactions such as hives to severe systemic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Although anyone can develop a food allergy at any age, food allergies are more common in young children, and may be outgrown over time. Milk, soy, egg, and wheat allergies are most commonly seen in young children, while adults are more likely to be allergic to fish, shellfish, peanuts, and tree nuts. In the past, strict avoidance of the offending foods was recommended to patients with food allergies. However, the success of recent clinical trials of food oral immunotherapy (OIT) has suggested that OIT may be an effective future treatment for food allergies. This involves inducing tolerance of allergenic foods via very slow introduction, starting at very low doses, and then gradually increasing over time, under the close care of an allergist. Though, OIT is currently not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Recent studies have also shown that earlier introduction of allergenic foods such as peanuts may prevent food allergies in high-risk infants. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has recommended earlier introduction of peanuts to infants, with evaluation by an allergist suggested for high-risk infants (those with eczema and peanut allergy).

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

How can you determine what food allergies your child has? Evaluation by an allergist is helpful in the diagnosis of food allergy. Children diagnosed with food allergies should see the allergist regularly for patient education, and to review use of the epinephrine auto-injector, a medication that may be lifesaving in children experiencing severe allergic reactions to foods. Yearly retesting is often recommended, as many children will outgrow their food allergies. Milk, egg, soy, and wheat allergies are commonly outgrown, while peanut allergies are outgrown in 20 percent of children and tree nut allergies in 10 percent of children over time. What can parents do to be more sensitive to a child with food allergies who may be in their child’s class? Some classrooms or schools may be “peanut-free” or “tree nutfree,” or may offer a “peanut-free table.” Parents may be asked to send in lunches or snacks without peanuts or tree nuts, and should be cognizant of these requests. Also, children without food allergies may bully children with food allergies, so teachers and parents should be aware of any such activities. How can parents better support their child who has food allergies? Food Allergy Research and Education offers numerous resources for food-allergic patients such as tips on home food preparation, dining out in restaurants, and dealing with food allergies at school. It also provides resources such as food allergy support groups for parents who may feel overwhelmed by their child’s food allergies. Family and patient education about avoiding food allergen cross-contamination and accidental food exposures is provided by the allergist. Meals should be customized for children with food allergies, and involving the child in grocery shopping and menu preparation may be helpful. Nutritionist evaluation may be needed in a child with multiple food allergies to ensure a healthy diet. What are some resources parents of children with food allergies can use to help them? Regularly scheduled visits with the allergist are important in monitoring a child’s food allergies and providing ongoing patient education. Online resources include FARE; the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Health Directory Allied Physicians Group

3 Huntington Quadrangle, Melville 866-621-2769 alliedphysiciansgroup.com The more than 120 physicians that comprise Allied Physicians Group are among the top pediatricians throughout Long Island, New York City, Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, and beyond. When you bring your children to an Allied pediatric practice, you know they are getting the very best care. Our doctors have access to resources, technology, and support that other, standalone pediatric practices simply cannot offer. Our doctors have more time for what matters most: you and your child! For more information, visit alliedphysiciansgroup.com or call us at 866-621-2769.

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 Brooklyn Family Orthodontics has two convenient locations in Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope. Dr. Fermanis and her team provide orthodontic care to children and adults using a variety of methods: removable retainers, Invisalign, metal braces, clear braces, and lingual braces (braces that go behind the teeth). Our goal is get to know our patients and understand their individual needs, so we can develop a treatment plan that fits their lifestyle and helps them achieve a beautiful smile!

Dr. Charlot Cascya - Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn

10 Plaza St. E., Suite 1E 311 Saint Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood 347-564-3211 brooklynallergydr.com Dr. Cascya Charlot is an award-winning, Harvard Medical School-trained physician who is board-certified in pediatric and adult allergy and immunology. She is the chief of

pediatric allergy at Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of Brooklyn in Park Slope and Williamsburg. She evaluates patients for a wide variety of allergic conditions including asthma, eczema, food allergies, sinusitis, and environmental allergies. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades including the prestigious Patients’ Choice “Most Compassionate Doctor” award in 2012 and 2013.

Park Slope Kids Dental Care

150 4th Ave. 718-488-0200 parkslopekidsdental.com At Park Slope Kids Dental Care, children who are first seen for a friendly examination and cleaning are able to enjoy the dental experience and build a bond of trust with us. A customized dental plan that includes prevention, growth development, and possible treatment is created to fit your child’s specific dental needs. We are committed to giving children the best possible experiences at our office to help set them up for a lifetime of good oral health.

Pediatric Immediate Care

698 Manhattan Ave. 718-389-PEDS (7337) 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly, walk-ins welcome, most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, babies, 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.

Grand Opening in conjunction with the museum’s Children’s Festival May 19 & 20 | Free admission A family-friendly, interactive space where the focus is Native innovations throughout history that shape the modern world. Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian One Bowling Green | New York City

BrooklynParent 21

Sun things to do

where-to guide

✿

Salutations

Compiled by Samantha Neudorf

Summer is within in our reach, and there’s no better way to help your kids to get their first tastes of summer vacation than to bring them to one of these exciting outdoor activities. Mini golf is a fun way for families to bond over a game. Zoos, nature centers, and botanical gardens are a great way to greet wildlife while soaking in some vitamin D, and if your children can’t get enough of animals, bring them to a nearby stable to ride horses (it’s the next best idea to getting them a pony!). But if your kids are not quite ready to meet a real horse, you can always bring them to a carousel in your area. Here’s hoping your May gets you and your family ready for summer!

CAROUSELS

✿✿

Jane’s Carousel Brooklyn Bridge Park at the East River, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges in the Dumbo section 718-222-2502; janescarousel.com Hours: May 14-Sept. 18: Wednesday-Monday, 11am-7pm Price: $2 per ride; $20 for 12 rides Named after artist and Dumbo resident Jane Walentas, the 1922 structure was refurbished and reopened in 2011. There are 1,200 lights and the carousel is settled into a pavilion designed by award-winning architect Jean Nouvel.

Julie Larsen Maher

Find more>> carousels in Brooklyn at nymetroparents.com/ carousels.

HORSEBACK RIDING Kensington Stables 51 Caton Place, Kensington 718-972-4588; kensingtonstables.com Offer English- and Western-style lessons for ages 6 and older in Prospect Park or a small indoor arena. Trail rides through Prospect Park are available for all riding levels. Find more>> horseback-riding stables in Brooklyn at nymetroparents.com/horseback-riding.

Visit Prospect Park Zoo’s sea lions in the Sea Lion Court and watch them do training sessions daily.

ZOOS, NATURE CENTERS, & BOTANICAL GARDENS

Aviator Golf Center 3200 Flatbush Ave., Marine Park 718-758-7500; aviatorsports.com/sports/golf Hours: Monday-Friday, 12-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 8am-8pm Price: $10; $7 children younger than 12. Replay rate: $5. This 18-hole, outdoor miniature-golf course has lush greens that mimic the center’s par-3 golf course. The center also has a driving range and offers golf lessons for all ages.

Wildlife Conservation Society’s Prospect Park Zoo 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Heights 718-399-7339; prospectparkzoo.com Hours (through Nov. 3): Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; weekends and holidays, 10am-5:30pm Admission: $8; $6 seniors; $5 children ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger Meet a troop of Hamadryas baboons and watch their antics; experience various types of animal habitats, including gardens and marshes; visit the Barn & Garden area, where you’ll find farm animals such as a sheep and alpaca; and watch some sea lions catch fish on the fly at 11:30am, 2pm, and 4pm daily in the Sea Lion Court.

Find more>> mini golf courses in Brooklyn at nymetroparents. com/minigolf.

Find more>>zoos, nature centers, and botanical gardens in Brooklyn at nymetroparents.com/zoos.

✿

MINI GOLF

✿

Ideas When You Need Them:

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

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on Lift Off! A Waterfront Kite Festival (No. 1 on our list).

MAY

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

nyme

com/c

ents. ropar

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: KAREN LO bkcal@davlermedia.com

CALENDAR 24

Editor’s Hot Tickets

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Animal Lovers

Smarty Pants, Special Needs

Crafty Kids

Movers & Shakers, Once Upon a Time

Mini Musicians, Browse & Buy

The Great Outdoors

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

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

Lift Off! A Waterfront Kite Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 12-2:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1, 2 Furman St., Dumbo AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This free family-friendly event on Pier 1 offers all ages the opportunity to watch their kites soar above the Manhattan skyline and enjoy special activities exploring the science of flight. The event will emphasize STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) concepts and outdoor adventures. WHY WE LOVE IT: Learn how to make your own kites, parachutes, and even rockets using a variety of materials and textiles! WANT TO GO? 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Best of BAMkids Film Festival 2018

WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 2pm WHERE: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: A selection of the most popular films from this year’s BAMkids Film Festival, including the “BAMmie” award winner for best live action short film The Autograph, directed by Mohit Modi. WHY WE LOVE IT: Watch the year’s best children’s films, from funny stories to groundbreaking tales of kids who face incredible challenges with bravery. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 for children 12 and younger. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

NYC Holi Hai – Spring Color Festival

WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 12-7pm WHERE: Governors Island, ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 AGES: All WHAT: Holi Hai on Governors Island is a celebration of colors, culture, spring, and diversity. Get messy in a sea of colors and enjoy attractions such as henna art, face painting, photo booths, color splashing, multi-cultural artisan booths, and food.

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHY WE LOVE IT: This colorful festival is a delightful excuse for the whole family to get messy—wear white for maximum impact! WANT TO GO? Free admission; register in advance for color packs. 212440-2200. nycholi.com.

Touch-a-Truck 2018

WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 11am-5pm WHERE: P.S. 295 Studio School of Arts and Culture, 330 18th St., South Slope AGES: All WHAT: At this unique street fair, NYC kids and their families get up close and personal with a variety of emergency vehicles, construction equipment, vintage vehicles, and other cool rigs. Plus, don’t miss the food trucks, bouncy houses, music, crafts, free activities, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: This activity-packed festival features all kinds of cool rigs to explore, from an authentic FDNY fire engine to a beautiful vintage bus, to a powerful tree trimmer vehicle. WANT TO GO? $8-$30. 718-965-0390. ps295touchatruck.weebly.com.

Mother’s Day Breakfast

WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 9-11am WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Participants will meet in the zoo before it opens, enjoy a light breakfast, meet an animal close up, and help prepare special treats for the some of the amazing animal moms. WHY WE LOVE IT: Connect with mothers from around the city—and around the animal kingdom—on this special day when we celebrate everything there is to love about moms! WANT TO GO? $50. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

Ideal Playground

WHEN: May 12-19, Saturdays, 11am-12pm WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Urban planner Aminah Ricks will lead a workshop to teach budding young architects how to dream up and design their own ideal playgrounds. Visitors will design a three-dimensional playground using found and recycled materials in new and innovative ways. WHY WE LOVE IT: Your child’s imagination will truly be brought to life in this hands-on class in which kids will build the playspace of their dreams. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

FamJam: Mosaic Making FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 11am-2pm WHERE: BRIC House, 647 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Inspired by Roman and contemporary mosaic artists, this FamJam session will have families learn how to design, glue, and grout mosaic tiles onto a wood panel. Using colorful glass tiles to create their own original patterns and symbols, families will work together to create a mosaic to take home and display as a collaborative work of art. WHY WE LOVE IT: Turn a multi-generational art project into an automatic family heirloom! WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. bricartsmedia.org.

Hey! Moms and Dads Look what we have for you

CLASSES

Bonus: Check out library of hundreds of expert written article

NANNIES & BABYSITTERS

Looking for one? We have tens of referred Nannies and Babysitters

Bonus: Do you want to help your Nanny find her next family? This is the best resource in NYC.

Party on Wheels

WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 9-11am WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy exclusive morning access to the museum with breakfast and birthday cake, crafts and dancing, conductor cab photobooth, face painting, model trains, and rides on vintage R1-9 subway cars right from the museum platform. WHY WE LOVE IT: This annual event benefits the museum’s education initiatives, including access programs for people with disabilities. WANT TO GO? $60; $40 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Check out our 45 minute online education classes, presented by leading experts.

JOBS

FOR MOMS

Let’s face it, Moms make great part time employees. Check out the jobs for companies looking specifically to hire a mom.

Bonus: If you are looking for an opportunity, you can post on mommybites.

Wild and Wooly Festival

WHEN: May 19-20, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4:30pm WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: All weekend long, learn about farming and farm life, and get involved with felt-making and some special wool activities. Zoo volunteers and wool experts will be on hand to answer any questions you have about wooly animals and their coats, and to give the sheep their annual haircuts. WHY WE LOVE IT: Just like you’re ready to throw your winter coat in the back of your closet, these sheep are ready for their spring outfits! WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children ages 3-12. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

Dream Machine Interactive Experience

WHEN: Through May 31: Thursday-Sunday, 10am-10pm WHERE: Dream Machine, 93 N. 9th St., Williamsburg AGES: All WHAT: Inspired by dreams and made for reality, Dream Machine is an interactive, hour-long experience featuring 10 rooms inspired by sleep and evoking experiences such as dreaming in black and white and floating on clouds. WHY WE LOVE IT: Where else will you be able to study your dreams while you’re awake? Grab this surreal opportunity to take a deeper look into your mind at rest. WANT TO GO? $38; free for children younger than 3. visitdreammachine.com. ››

EVENTS FOR YOUNG FAMILIES

Check our activities targeted just for you and your families.

Bonus: Local organizations can post their events on mommybites.com/newyork

Get on the list for newest offerings mommybites.com/newyork Connecting moms and moms-to-be with parenting resources, education, and support since 2006

BrooklynParent 25

ANIMAL LOVERS Pigeon Toes: Bird Walks

WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 10am and 2pm WHERE: Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park, Old Dock St., Dumbo AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join for bird-watching tours that highlight the many species of birds present in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Bring binoculars and comfortable shoes. WANT TO GO? Free admission; registration required. 212-348-1400. onassisusa.org/events/pigeon-toes-bird-walks.

Enrichment Tinkering Workshop

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 four no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Tree Giveaway FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 12-2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library - Crown Heights Branch, 560 New York Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Each year, the New York Restoration Project gives away hundreds of free trees to New Yorkers during the spring and fall. Plant a tree in your yard or community garden, and teach your family all about the lasting impact of a green thumb. WANT TO GO? 718-773-1180. bklynlibrary.org/locations/crown-heights.

Teen Night: ¡Libérate! FREE

WHEN: Friday, May 25, 5-7:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: 13-17 WHAT: May’s Teen Night explores the exhibition Radical Women: Latin American Art, 1960–1985 and is planned by the museum’s Teen Night Planning Committee. Get motivated by genre-breaking Latinx women artists of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s, see and create art, view artwork by teen artists, enjoy refreshments, win raffles, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

Family Fun Day Festival FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 27, 11am-4pm WHERE: Governors Island, ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 AGES: All WHAT: Held over Memorial Day Weekend, this outdoor festival features award-winning live music and theatrical performances, storytelling, arts and crafts, science and nature workshops, ice cream and snacks, a buildyour-own playground, and more. WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

Farmhouse Family Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 19 11am-3pm WHERE: The Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, Canarsie AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Bring the family to explore New York City’s oldest house. Seasonal activities inside the historic house and around the gardens include scavenger hunts, artifact investigation, gardening, self-guided exploration, and hands-on activities. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org. 26

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 2-4pm WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Step into the shoes of a zookeeper and watch as your tinker creation is introduced to the animals. Includes a live animal encounter. WANT TO GO? $50. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

Breakfast with the Animals

WHEN: Sunday, May 13, 9-10:30am WHERE: New York Aquarium, Surf Avenue and West 8th Street, Coney Island AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy a light meal, fun activities, and a visit to our coral reef exhibits. WANT TO GO? $45; $40 members. 718-265-3474. nyaquarium.com.

World Turtle Day

WHEN: Saturday, May 26, 12-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Learn about turtles, tortoises, and terapins in an educational afternoon that includes animal presentations and encounters, crafts, and games. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 children ages 3-14. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

NYC Audubon Summer Residence FREE

WHEN: May 5-Oct. 28, Saturday-Sunday, 12-5pm WHERE: Governors Island, Ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 AGES: All WHAT: This year’s nature center will feature displays on conservation, a children’s room with books and activities, bird-inspired artwork, and a studio space showcasing artists creating work inspired by Governors Island. Guests can borrow binoculars and participate in one of the guided bird walks. WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

Classic Mew-vie Night

WHEN: Friday, May 18, 7:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Cat Cafe, 149 Atlantic Ave., Cobble Hill AGES: All WHAT: Watch a classic movie with cats as they nap on your lap, or perhaps purr distractingly as you try to pay attention. Ticket includes a snack and drink. Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. WANT TO GO? $20. 347-946-2286. catcafebk.com.

Touch Tank

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 12:30-1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Meet and touch live sea creatures, such as starfish and sea urchins. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

Live Animal Adventure

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 4:15pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Learn about and touch an animal from the museum’s living collection. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

CRAFTY KIDS

Children’s Museum of the Arts Free Island Outpost FREE

DIY Windmill Planter Workshop FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 9am-12pm WHERE: Home Depot Gowanus, 550 Hamilton Ave., Gowanus AGES: All WHAT: Learn about the benefits of sustainable energy in this workshop. WANT TO GO? 718-832-8553. homedepot.com/workshops.

May 2018 Drop-In Play

WHEN: May 2-31, Saturday-Sunday, 1-5pm WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Activities build fine motor skills and explore artmaking materials. WANT TO GO? $15. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

WHEN: May 26-Oct. 31, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Governors Island, Ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 AGES: All WHAT: Young artists will be inspired and challenged to explore big projects utilizing found objects and traditional mediums. WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

Totally Tots

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, 10am-4:30pm; Thursday, 10am-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This pint-sized paradise features nine different sensory play areas. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

Transit Tots

Art Adventures!

WHEN: Through June 20: Wednesdays, 11:15am-12:15pm WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Explore art, experiment with materials, and create masterworks. WANT TO GO? $33. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

WHEN: Year-round: 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 New York City, and the city’s subways and buses. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Creativity Lab

Stay Small Art Club

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Sundays, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Take inspiration from galleries, get messy, and learn artistic techniques. WANT TO GO? $16; free for children younger than 19. 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

WHEN: Year-round: Thursdays, 9:30am WHERE: Edamama Cute Cuts & More, 568 Union Ave., Unit B, Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Little artists will explore a variety of art materials such as paint, paper, collage, and crafts, while developing social and cognitive skills. WANT TO GO? $15. 718-388-3663. edamama.com/classes. ››

Now Accepting Applications for the 2018-19 school year

2018-19 school year. We are also accepting applications for grades 10 and 11. At UFT we give all students the opportunity to achieve academic and personal excellence. We will graduate students who are fully prepared for a demanding college education and satisfying career. We will prepare students for meaningful lives as full democratic citizens in a free society.

Why attend UFT?

• • • • • •

College and Career Preparation Earn college credits through College Now at Kingsborough Community College College tours for all grades Uniform School Boys’ and girls’ sports through PSAL and charter leagues And much more!

www.theuftcharterschool.org

1-718-927-5540 BrooklynParent 27

MINI

MUSICIANS ‘KNOCK!’

WHEN: Through May 6: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:30am and 3:30pm WHERE: BAM Fisher, 321 Ashland Place, Fort Greene AGES: 3-5 WHAT: An innovative team of performers from South Africa turns pieces of forest wood into musical instruments and storytelling tools. This interactive experience will captivate the minds and ears of young audiences with original songs and totally unique acoustic arrangements. WANT TO GO? $15. 718-636-4100. bam.org.

Struttin’ With Some Barbecue

WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 3-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Music School, 126 St. Felix St., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: Brooklyn Music School presents an afternoon of burnin’ jazz and hot barbecue, a fundraising event featuring classic southern food and swinging jazz performances by the BMS Student Jazz Ensembles, the BMS Jazz Faculty Ensemble, and an appearance by jazz drummer Dr. Victor Lewis. WANT TO GO? $30. 718-638-5660. brooklynmusicschool.org.

RRPH Presents: The Music of Stevie Wonder for Kids

WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 11:30am WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl, 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy Stevie Wonder’s greatest hits from Motown and beyond during this fun, funky, and family-friendly show at the Brooklyn Bowl. WANT TO GO? $12. 718-963-3369. therockandrollplayhouse.com.

Music in Motion FREE

WHEN: Through May 26: Saturdays, 4pm WHERE: Bargemusic, Fulton Ferry Landing, Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: Bargemusic presents Music in Motion, a family concert series that includes a 1-hour performance and a Q-and-A session with the musicians. WANT TO GO? bargemusic.org.

Jazz for Kids: Oran Etkin’s Timbalooloo Duo Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, May 26, 11am WHERE: National Sawdust, 80 N. 6th St., Williamsburg AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Using games, stories, songs, and movements, children learn to express themselves by making instruments come alive and speak the language of music. Your little ones will get an immersive musical history lesson, featuring artists from Mozart to jazz legend Herbie Hancock. WANT TO GO? $20; $5 children. 646-779-8455. nationalsawdust.org.

Sing-Along with Ari the Singalong Guy

WHEN: Through June 29: Fridays, 11am WHERE: The Knitting Factory, 361 Metropolitan Ave., Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Ari leads kids in an interactive sing-along with a rock-show feel, filled with classic songs and a few easy-to-learn originals sprinkled in. WANT TO GO? $10 per family. 347-529-6696. aribrand.com.

Shabbat Songs and Stories FREE

WHEN: Through June 29: Fridays, 9:30-10:15am WHERE: Kings Bay Y at Fort Greene & Clinton Hill, 309 Grand Ave., Suite 1, Clinton Hill 28

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Wrap up the week and celebrate Shabbat. Families are encouraged to join for music, dancing, stories, and snacks. This event is open to all, regardless of background. WANT TO GO? 718-872-9445. fortgreeneclintonhilly.org.

Lavender Blues Music & Movement

WHEN: May 1-Dec. 31, Thursdays, 10:45-11:45am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Kids develop an understanding of rhythm and music, build awareness and control of their body, and develop social and coordination skills. WANT TO GO? $33. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

The Buttons Weekend Sing-Along

WHEN: Year-round: Saturdays, 11-11:45am WHERE: Edamama Cute Cuts & More, 568 Union Ave., Unit B, Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: The Buttons Band weekend sing-along features 45 minutes of original tunes, classic children’s songs, and oldies rock ‘n’ roll. WANT TO GO? $15; $5 per additional child. 718-388-3663. edamama.com.

BROWSE & BUY DanceAfrica 2018 Bazaar FREE

WHEN: May 26-28, Saturday, 12-10pm; Sunday-Monday, 12-8pm WHERE: BAM, Ashland Place and Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: DanceAfrica’s beloved bazaar returns, featuring more than 150 vendors from around the world. Celebrate the cultural heritage of Africa and its diaspora, and see the streets transformed into a global marketplace. WANT TO GO? 718-636-4100. bam.org/bazaar.

Smorgasburg

WHEN: Through Oct. 7: Sundays, 11am-6pm WHERE: Prospect Park, Breeze Hill, Ocean and Parkside avenues, Prospect Lefferts Garden AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy food from more than 100 local vendors. WANT TO GO? Free admission. 718-928-6603. smorgasburg.com.

Farmer’s Market FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Saturdays, 8am-4pm WHERE: Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park West and Grand Army Plaza, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: View an array of farm-fresh products and participate in the programming and cooking demonstrations that take place every Saturday. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8945. prospectpark.org.

SMARTY PANTS ‘Amelia and Her Paper Tigers’

WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 2pm WHERE: The Waterfront Museum, 290 Conover St., Red Hook AGES: All WHAT: Amelia and Her Paper Tigers is a fun-filled look at the life of Amelia Earhart. Two explorers embark upon a journey they are not likely to forget through comedy, music, audience participation, and circus arts. WANT TO GO? $13-20. 718-624-4719 x11. waterfrontmuseum.org/events/performances.

Songs For Extraordinary People

sized Kapla Planks and Magnatiles, as well as artist James Paulius’ houseshaped wooden blocks and pegs from his installation Sky Village. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

Waterfront Exhibition

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesday-Thursday, 11am-6pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society Dumbo, 55 Water St., Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: An exhibit and multimedia experience for all ages that brings to life the vibrant history of Brooklyn’s coastline. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 seniors and teachers; free for members and students of all ages. 917-775-4636. brooklynhistory.org/dumbo.

WHEN: Through June 3: Saturdays, 4pm WHERE: Barbès, 376 9th St., Park Slope AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Author and composer Michael Hearst, along with his five-piece band, presents this highly geeky A/V presentation of some of the most fascinating individuals in the world every first Saturday of the month. WANT TO GO? $10 suggested donation. 347-422-0248. barbesbrooklyn.com.

Friday/Saturday Drop-In

French for Little Ones

SPECIAL NEEDS

WHEN: Through June 22: Fridays, 10:45-11:45am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This language discovery class is designed for babies and toddlers. Through song, play, and movement children and caregivers become familiar with vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $33. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Spanish at Spark with Espáñate!

WHEN: Through June 22: Fridays, 9:30-10:30am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Children will build Spanish speaking skills as well as fine motor, social, and artistic skills through games and music. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $33. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Immigrants: The Roots of Innovation FREE

WHEN: Through June 30: Saturdays, 12-3pm WHERE: Conference House, Hylan Boulevard and Satterlee Street, Staten Island AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This exhibit highlights narratives of important pioneers in the fields of maritime navigation and communication, so people today can understand how our ancestors started making the world “smaller” slowly but surely over centuries by learning how to travel vast oceans. WANT TO GO? 718-869-6327. conferencehouse.org.

Train Operators Workshop

WHEN: Through June 30: Saturday-Sunday, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Drop by the computer lab to take control of a NYC subway car and operate it over virtual miles of track in an incredibly realistic game. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-694-1792. nytransitmuseum.org.

Brooklyn Block Lab and Studio

WHEN: Through June 30: Thursday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Visitors of all ages develop their engineering skills as they engage in open block play with large Imagination Playground blocks and table top

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Friday-Saturday, 6:30-9:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Game Lab, 310 7th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Drop in for Dungeons and Dragons and other role-play games. WANT TO GO? $48. 718-788-1122. brooklyngamelab.com.

Fun on the Farm: An Event for Children with ASD FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 11am-12pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: An exclusive event for children with autism. The museum will open an hour early for families to learn how wool was once used on a Flatbush farm. Brush the wool with carding paddles, spin yarn using a drop spindle, and make a felt rag doll stuffed with wool to take home with you. WANT TO GO? 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Adaptive Gaming Arcade FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 1-4pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library - Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Get your game on and join in for an afternoon of Minecraft, rumble patch controllers, Wii, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org/locations/central.

Memorial Day Potato Planting: An Event for Children with ASD FREE WHEN: Monday, May 28, 11am-12pm WHERE: Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Lefferts Historic House will open an hour early to accomodate children with ASD and their families, who are invited to help plant this year’s potato crop. Families are invited to bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds, and the event will feature extra sensory-based activities for a wide range of preferences. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 718-789-2822. prospectpark.org.

Sensory Room Family Hours

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, 2-4:45pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: In this inclusive space, children of all abilities can explore their senses. The Sensory Room is a welcoming environment for children on the autism spectrum. WANT TO GO? $9; $1 for children 1 and younger. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org. ›› BrooklynParent 29

ONCE UPON A TIME Meet Maira Kalman! Square Dance Sunday Book Signing FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 11am-1pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library - Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: Meet Maira Kalman to celebrate her new book Cake and the re-issue of her children’s books about Max Stravinsky. Enjoy music by The Ebony Hillbillies, cake tastings, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org/locations/central.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Family Fun Series: Hip-Hop

WHEN: Saturday, May 5, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: You will learn a hip-hop routine and freestyle with your own moves. WANT TO GO? $25 for a family of 1-3; $30 for a family of four to six. 718-624-8400. mmdg.org/family-classes.

Learn to Ride FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 12-3pm WHERE: Lincoln Terrace Park, Eastern Parkway and East New York Avenue, between Rochester Avenue and Portal Street, Crown Heights AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Bring a bike, child, and helmet to learn how to ride a two-wheeler using the “balance first” method. WANT TO GO? 718-804-7077. bike.nyc/education/programs/learn-to-ride-kids.

The Little People Party Open Play

WHEN: Through June 1: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm WHERE: The Backyard, 196 N. 14th St., Williamsburg AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: The giant, enclosed, Astroturf-covered field is decked out with games and toys for kids, and the bar sells refreshments for the adults. WANT TO GO? $20. 646-707-4372. facebook.com/thelittlepeopleparty.

Mini Monkeys Learn and Play Group FREE

WHEN: Through June 25: Wednesdays, 9-11:30am WHERE: Monkey Do! Yoga, 279 3rd Ave., Gowanus AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Storybooks, integrated movement and mindfulness, language development, art, and music are all part of the weekly enrichment activities. WANT TO GO? 347-987-3797. monkeydoyoga.com.

Block Party Exhibit

WHEN: Through June 30: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Hang out on the stoops at this celebration with street games, “grilling”, and getting to know your neighbors. Features photographs by Anderson Zaca, who has been documenting block parties in New York since 2005. WANT TO GO? $11; free for children younger than 1; pay as you wish on Thursdays, 2-6pm. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

Carousel for All Children

WHEN: May 5-Oct. 7, see website for dates, 11am-5:45pm WHERE: Willowbrook Park, 2 Eton Place, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Head over to the park on opening day from 12-4pm for Cinco de Mayo festivities. WANT TO GO? $2 per ride. 718-667-2165. sigreenbelt.org. 30

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Author Storytime: ‘Sakura’s Cherry Blossoms’ with Misa Saburi FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 10:30am WHERE: Stories Bookshop + Storytelling Lab, 458 Bergen St., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Illustrator Misa Saburi is back to share Sakura’s Cherry Blossoms, an exploration of a little girl’s experience immigrating to a new country. WANT TO GO? 718-369-1167. storiesbk.com.

Mother’s Day Storytime FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 11am WHERE: Barnes & Noble, 106 Court St., Downtown Brooklyn AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join us for a special storytime featuring I’ve Loved You Since Forever by Hoda Kotb and Everthing Is Mama by Jimmy Fallon. Activities to follow. WANT TO GO? 718-246-4996. bn.com.

Author Storytime: ‘Once Upon A Zzzzz’ with Maddie Frost FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 10:30am WHERE: Stories Bookshop + Storytelling Lab, 458 Bergen St., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: What happens when an author snoozes and an illustrator takes over? WANT TO GO? 718-369-1167. storiesbk.com.

Tiny Tot Theater

WHEN: Through June 21: Thursdays, 12-1pm WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Along with a storyteller/puppeteer from Spellbound Theatre, explore creative play, movement, and puppet making. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $36. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Drop-in Art, Poems, and Stories

WHEN: Through June 25: Mondays, 4pm WHERE: Stories Bookshop + Storytelling Lab, 458 Bergen St., Park Slope AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids read a book and make a craft. The story and project change each week, and kids will explore a range of subjects, styles, and materials. WANT TO GO? $15. 718-369-1167. storiesbk.com.

Saturday Author Story Time FREE

WHEN: Year-round: Saturdays, 11:30am and 1:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Authors and illustrators often visit to read from their new books. Neighborhood performers or the Greenlight staff sometimes read as well. WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

Drag Queen Story Hour

WHEN: Saturday, May 12, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: A storytime program celebrating the uniqueness of all families. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Family Owned & Operated for 62 Years!

Family Camping FREE

WHEN: May 11-12, Friday-Saturday, 7pm-7am WHERE: Blue Heron Nature Center, 222 Poillon Ave., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Create lasting memories with the whole family by camping. Participants are chosen by lottery, which begins May 2. Register online. WANT TO GO? 212-306-1311. nycgovparks.org.

Peepers: Learning About Nature for Two-Year-Olds

WHEN: May 3-31, Thursdays, 9:45-10:15am WHERE: Greenbelt Nature Center, 700 Rockland Ave., Staten Island AGES: 2, adult WHAT: Through hands-on activities, crafts, and stories, participants will become familiar with the sights and sounds of the forest. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $3. 718-351-3450. sigreenbelt.org.

First Discoveries for Toddlers

WHEN: Through June 1: Fridays, 9:30-11:30am WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Plant a seed, touch a wriggly worm, read a story, or create a nature craft at Discovery Garden activity stations. Activities rotate seasonally. WANT TO GO? $15; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

Family Discovery Weekends

WHEN: Through June 3: Saturdays, 10am-12pm; Sundays, 1-3pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 990 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Experiment, learn, and play together in the Discovery Garden. Hands-on stations throughout the garden encourage families to explore nature together. WANT TO GO? $15; $8 students and seniors; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

New Jersey's Only Western Theme Park! LIVE ACTION SHOWS • TRAIN, STAGECOACH & PONY RIDE MEET LEGENDS OF THE WEST • EXPLORE FRONTIER LIFE FAMILY FUN • AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Come Join the Fun! OPEN WEEKENDS MAY 5th, Including Memorial Day, thru JUNE 17th

OPEN DAILY

OPEN WEEKENDS

June 18th – Labor Day

Labor Day – Columbus Day

LESS THA NY RS FROM

2H CITY AREA FREE PARKIN G!

$5.00 OFF FAMILY OF 4 ADMISSION WITH PRINTOUT OR MENTION OF NYMETROPARENTS. OFFER EXPIRES COLUMBUS DAY, 2018

(973) 347-8900 WildWestCity.com 50 LackawannA Dr. Stanhope, NJ 07874

Wild Waterfront

WHEN: Through June 20: Wednesdays, 10-11am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Nature-lovers will explore Brooklyn’s waterfront and learn about the local plant and animal life. This spring, students will also explore Spark’s special waterfront oyster estuary with the Billion Oyster Project. WANT TO GO? $33. 718-852-2470. brooklynkids.org/spark.

Governors Island Open Season

WHEN: May 1-Oct. 31, Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-7pm WHERE: Governors Island, Ferries leave from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 AGES: All WHAT: Ferries will be free for all during the first week of the season. WANT TO GO? $3; free for children younger than 13; free for all passengers Saturday-Sunday until 11:30am. 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

Coming up next month: JUNE 2: Annual Red Hook Fest at Erie Basin Park, Red Hook JUNE 3: Conservation Celebration at the Staten Island Zoo, Staten Island JUNE 16: Bring the Cool: Express Yourself! Family Festival at Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Heights

Serving the Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope communities of Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn Family Orthodontics is proud to provide quality care and individual attention to our patients in a modern, state-of-the-art facility Orthodontic Specialist for Children and Adults Brooklyn Heights: 142 Joralmon Street | Suite 6B Park Slope: 73 8th Avenue (at Union Street) T: 718-625-2299 E: info@bkfamilyortho.com W: bkfamilyortho.com

BrooklynParent 31

things to do

outbound

Family Fun a Ride Away

The historic mill and bridge at the Philipsburg Manor

Courtesy Margaret Fox Photography

Courtesy Bryan Haeffele

In Westchester Countyâ&#x20AC;Ś

Katonah Museum celebrates Spring Family Fun Day with traditional Persian dance performances.

Katonah Museum

Philipsburg Manor

The formerly thriving farm, milling, and trading center owned by a family of Anglo-Dutch merchants is now a beautiful landmark for hands-on activities of the 18th century. Learn about foodways, textile production techniques, and medicinal practices of the colonial Philipsburg inhabitants in the activity center. There are plenty of fun ways to get involved and learn about what life was like in colonial Philipsburg. Visit it: 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; 914-366-6900; hudsonvalley.org

This non-collecting institution rotates exhibitions every year to explore different aspects of culture and tradition. Stop by the KMA Learning Center which is a fun activity space for children of all ages to enjoy art projects that coincide with annual exhibitions, create art, and learn about culture through puzzles and games. KMA Community Days offer unforgettable cultural experiences for the whole family that coincide with the annual art exhibition. Visit it: 134 Jay St., Route 22, Katonah; 914-232-9555; katonahmuseum.org

Courtesy Land of Make Believe

Courtesy J. Rozell/ NYS Parks

o and bey nd!

Children can meet live animals at the Jones Beach Nature Center.

Children can ride on the Thriller Roller Coaster at this family-friendly amusement park in Hope, NJ.

Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center at Jones Beach State Parks

Land of Make Believe

Explore and learn about various marine habitats including the South Shore Estuary Reserve, the seashore, and the dune environment when the Jones Beach Nature Center opens at the end of May. Enjoy a beautiful day by the ocean to see the plants and animals that inhabit the dune environment. Inside the nature center, kids can meet live marine animals, walk through the butterfly garden, and even dig up whalebones in the Discover Bone Cove. Visit it: Jones Beach Island, Wantagh; 516-780-3295; parks.ny.gov 32

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

This family favorite amusement park is having its grand opening Memorial Day Weekend. Rides and attractions include the action river ride, the brand-new Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, and the Buccaneer Pirate Ship and wading pool. The newest ride, The Scream Machine 360, will be introduced at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand opening. The Land of Make Believe has been entertaining families for 60 years with its fun rides, shows, waterpark, picnic area, and more. Visit it: 354 Great Meadows Road, Hope, NJ; 908-459-9000; lomb.com

SPECIALTY CAMP MARKETPLACE

THE BIBLE SPEAKS ACADEMY NCE IE Summer Enrichment Program TECHN SC

MA HE TI

ARTS

I NG

MAT

OPEN HOUSE: SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018 2:00PM For more information visit our website

GINE

WE OFFER Computer Literacy, 3D Modeling, Web Design, Animation, Spa Science, Academic Enrichment and MORE

A TEAM PLAYER: Works well with others, collaborating with others to produce or create something new and wonderful.

OGY

A BUILDER: Has a good memory, notices emerging patterns, and can apply basic principles to new materials.

SAugust 17, 2018 July 9, 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; T S OL

A VISIONARY: Has a creative mind, is a thinker and a planner.

s t e a m sScience c i e n c e tTechnology e c h n o l o g y Engineering e n g i n e e r i n g Arts a r t s m at h e m at i c s Mathematics

THE BIBLE SPEAKS CHURCH, Home of THE BIBLE SPEAKS ACADEMY 5205 Foster Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11203 Phone: 718 629-4559 Website: www.tbsbrooklyn.org E-mail: info@tbsbrooklyn.org

BrooklynParent 33

Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp aviatorsports.com

8 8 8

Brooklyn College Preparatory Center for the Performing Arts bcprepcenter.org

8 8

8 8 8

8 8

Camp Clio campclio.org

8 8 8

8 8

Camp Huntington camphuntington.com

8 8 8

8 8 8 8

Camp Maritime campmaritime.com CBE Kids Camps cbebk.org

8 8 8

8 8

8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Chelsea Piers Summer Sports Camps chelseapiers.com

8 8 8 8 8

Dyker Heights FasTracKids ftkny.com

8 8

FasTracKids ftkny.com

8 8

FasTracKids of Sheepshead Bay ftkny.com

8 8

Keylab keylab.nyc

Leif Ericson Day Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Summer Creative Arts & Music Program ledsny.org

8 8

Mill Basin Day Camp millbasindaycamp.com

8 8 8 8

8 8

Park Slope Day Camp parkslopedaycamp.com

8 8 8 8

8 8

Russian School of Mathematics Brooklyn russianschool.com Smart Start Early Childhood Center Inc. smartstartecc.com STEAM Careers in Park Slope parkslopesummercamp.com Stepping Stones steppingstones86.com STREB Inc. streb.org 34

Dance

Arts & Crafts

8 8

8 8 8

Bushwick Montessori bushwickmontessori.org

Special Needs

Music

Academic Enrichment

Day Trips

Swimming

Sports

8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Brooklyn Music School brooklynmusicschool.org

Theater

STEAM/Robotics

PROGRAMS: Half-Day

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Lunch

Transportation

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

8 8 8 8 8

8 8

8 8 8

8 8 8 8 continued on page 36

SPECIALTY CAMP MARKETPLACE

N U F ER HERE

S M T R M A T U S S BROOKLYN’S MUSIC EDUCATION CHOICE

FOR T ODAY ’S MODERN FAMILY Fun and exciting group piano, music composition & production, and performance/band classes for ages 5 to adult.

enroll today !

2018

718.576.3514

94 LUQUER ST. BROOKLYN, NY 11231

keyl ab.nyc

SUMMER

CAMP

6-13 YEARS 9:30AM - 4:30PM

WEEK 1:

EARLY BIRD PRICING AVAILABLE Register by May 18 & Save!

JULY 9-13

WEEK 2:

JULY 16-20

WEEK 4: JULY 30AUG 3

WEEK 5: AUG 6-10

WEEK 6: AUG 13-17

$675 per week STREB Lab for Action Mechanics

51 North 1st street, Brooklyn, NY 11249 PH:718-384-6491 WEB: www.streb.org EMAIL: info@streb.org

CHELSEA PIERS SUMMER CAMPS The Area’s Best Youth Sports Day Camps for Ages 3 -17 years. Transportation from Brooklyn. Golf • Performance Golf • Ice Hockey Acceleration Hockey • Ice Skating • Gymnastics Basketball • Elite Soccer • Sports Academy Ninja + Parkour • Urban Adventure for Teens

chelseapiers.com/camps BrooklynParent 35 BP 1-2p Camp 5-18.indd 1

4/6/18 4:01 PM

The Bible Speaks Academy tbsbrooklyn.org

8 8

The Learnatory thelearnatory.org

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Treasure Island treasureislandmyclassroomconnection.com

8 8 8 8

Ume Ume Music + Arts umeumearts.com

8 8

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts usdan.org

Wildlife Conservation Society: Prospect Park Zoo wcs.org

Dance

Arts & Crafts

Special Needs

Music

8 8

8 8 8

8 8

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

YMCA Summer Camps ymcanyc.org

8 8

Wildlife Conservation Society: New York Aquarium wcs.org

Williamsburg FasTracKids STEAM Careers Camp campwilliamsburg.com

8 8 8 8

8 8

Urban Explorers Day Camp urbanexplorers.nyc

Academic Enrichment

Swimming

Sports

The Learning Experience thelearningexperience.com

Young People’s Day Camp ypdc.com

Theater

STEAM/Robotics

PROGRAMS: Half-Day

Flexible Scheduling

Extended Hours

Lunch

Camp Guide

SERVICES:

Day Trips

from page 34

Transportation

›› continued

8 8 8 8 8

8 8

8 8 8 8 8

SPECIALTY CAMP MARKETPLACE

www.campmaritime.com

718 . 3 3 2 . 4 8 5 9

DISCOVER • PROTECT • INSPIRE Bronx Zoo

NYC’S FIRST AND ONLY ALL WATER

ADVENTURE CAMP

JUNE 25 - AUGUST 31 | CHILDREN AGES 8-14 • SAILING • BOATING • WINDSURFING • KITE BOARDING • STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING

• KAYAKING • SCUBA DIVING • SURFING • SNORKELING • FISHING

3000 Emmons Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11235

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Queens Zoo

Summer just got WILD! Join us for an unforgettable experience that includes age-appropriate, hands-on STEM activities, up-close animal encounters, and exhibit explorations! Call 1-800-433-4149 or email edu@wcs.org for more info!

New York Aquarium

Visit Us at NYMetroParents.com

Central Park Zoo

Prospect Park Zoo

SPECIALTY CAMP MARKETPLACE

YMCA

SUMMER CAMPS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

eventh S r u O nd Year a g din Expan ion iss Our M

Camp Clio

a seriously fun place for adopted children... Youths and Teens Camp Clio

(Ages 9 - 12)

July 1 to July 21, 2018 (1, 2, or 3 weeks) Held at Camp Claire Lyme, CT

Camp Clio Teen

(Ages 13 - 16)

July 1-6 or July 7-13, 2018 (1 or 2 weeks) Held at Middlesex County Camp Moodus, CT

NEW YORK CITY’S YMCA

ymcanyc.org/camp

SMART START PARK SLOPE’S ULTIMATE MUSIC AND ARTS EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN NEWBORN TO 12 YEARS OLD

• Group Music + Arts Enrichment Classes (6 months - 7 years)

• Drop-in Classes Open Play, Story Time, Sign-a-Long, Baby Art Classes & Baby Rhythm-Makers

Our name “ume ume” reflects the focus of our program and the importance of bringing children together (ume = you + me) as we create and learn about our world through music and the arts.

• Seasonal Music + Arts Day Camps (3 - 8 years)

• Birthday Parties (1 - 12 years)

• Private/Group Piano & Violin Lessons (Beginners 4 years and up)

319 4th Avenue @ 3rd Street • Brooklyn • 718-768-0800 www.umeumearts.com • info@umeumearts.com

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 37

family life home

New Home—Now What? ››

Now that you’ve found the perfect house for your family, there are a few things you’ll want to take care of in the first year. By Barbara Russo

ongratulations...You just closed on your new home! The mortgage is set up, you’ve got the keys, and the family is all moved in. What should you do next? Well, the most stressful parts of buying a house are over, from filling out piles of paperwork to packing (and unpacking). But there’s still some settling-in work that needs to be done to make your house feel like a home. We’re talking about more than just hanging pictures or finding a place for everything. To get you started, we spoke to experts and created a list of 10 things you should do in the first year to help set a strong foundation for an enjoyable home-owning experience now and in the years to come.

First Things First...Change the Locks!

You received the keys to your new house at the closing, but do you know how many people have copies? Changing the locks should be one of the first things you do after moving in, according to Anthony Marino, a licensed associate real estate broker based in southwest and downtown Brooklyn. “You would be surprised how many people don’t change the locks. They get the key at closing and think it’s the only copy, but meanwhile the previous family had five kids and everyone’s got keys,” he says.

Reassess Your Homeowners Insurance

It’s often necessary to have insurance in place even before making your home purchase. Many banks require new homeowners to roll their mortgage, insurance, and taxes into one payment each month. After about six months, once you’re comfortable and have gotten to know your house, it’s a good idea to take another 38

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

look at your policy. “If you need to change things throughout the year—maybe you got too much or too little coverage—then go back to the insurance company and tell them what you need, and they should be able to work with you,” Marino says. Special insurance is required if you’re in a flood zone; it’s not the same as homeowners insurance. “We know now from Hurricane Sandy, in certain parts of the city, we’re more susceptible to floods than we previously thought,” Marino says.

Update Your Address

You have a new address now, so make sure you officially change it. Updating your address on your driver’s license through the DMV is a good first step to help streamline your mail service, but Marino recommends contacting utility and other service companies directly to let them know where you now live. “They don’t care who’s on the bill. They only care if someone is paying it,” Marino says. “And if it’s not paid, they will turn off your gas, they’ll turn off your electric, and you’ll be responsible for it and not even know.”

Make Over the Kitchen and Bathroom

A well-built, fully functional, and structurally safe house is no doubt important, but many new homeowners choose to renovate the two most lived-in rooms: the kitchen and bathroom. “It’s one of the first things people do, even if the house is move-in ready,” Marino says. “I’ve seen people take a perfectly good kitchen and renovate it. It’s all about taste.” Maintaining and updating your kitchen and bathrooms can also add instant value and purchasing appeal if you ever decide to sell your home.

Paint, Paint, Paint

Giving your new home a fresh coat of paint is an instant and easy way to freshen it up. “When you paint the house, it smells new and it feels like it’s yours,” Marino says. Colors making a splash in 2018 home décor include turquoise, rich yellows, and earth tones, according to Elle Decor.

Are You a Parent or Caregiver with a Young Child Facing

Behavioral, Social or Anxiety Challenges?

Focus on the Floors

If you purchased a carpet-lined house, you might consider pulling it up. Not only is hardwood flooring a popular trend, it can also be healthier and cleaner. Carpets can hold allergens and dirt you can’t see, according to Tommy Meyers, a flooring technician based in Middletown. “It might look clean on the surface, but things like animal urine and spilled drinks will soak into padding like a sponge,” Meyers says. “Steam cleaning won’t work either—it only cleans the surface and looks good for about a week. As people walk on it, the carpet begins to soak up dirt from the padding.” If having carpet under your feet gives you a cozy feeling, consider laying down an area rug. It’s cheaper than carpeting a whole floor, and when it’s time for a new look, you can roll it up and store it away.

Repair the Roof If Needed

Banks don’t require you to get a home inspection when taking out a mortgage, but it’s a good idea to get one so you know what problems exist before you purchase the house. Roofing is very important to look at, according to Meyers. “An inspector can climb on the roof to look for leaks and check to see how good the shingles are. They’ll go in the attic and check for water damage,” he says. If your inspection report comes back showing problems with the roof, improvement costs can be negotiated before you make the purchase. Just be sure to fix the problems either before or as soon as possible after moving in so they don’t get worse or cause catastrophic damage.

Don’t know what the problem is? Don’t know where to turn? in collaboration with

DOHMH-Thrive NYC introduces the

OHEL EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM OHEL in collaboration

Key Aspects of the Program

with parents, teachers

n Assessment & transformative intervention

and caregivers

n Specially trained therapists and counselors n Clinical treatment, behavioral intervention

provide children with

and parent support services.

a solid foundation for

Helping You, Help Your Child

happiness and successes

n Build increased resilience

in school and in life. All services provided at EARLY CHILDHOOD TREATMENT CENTER Tikvah at OHEL Clinic 2925 Kings Highway Brooklyn, NY

NO FAMILY AY TURNED AW OF REGARDLESSOR COVERAGETO TY ILI AB PAY

n Better manage emotions

n Develop healthy relationships

All treatment completely confidential and covered through insurance or Medicaid & Thrive NYC

ALWAYS ON CALL

1-800-603-OHEL www.ohelfamily.org access@ohelfamily.org

LIVE HELP ONLINE

CONFIDENTIAL RESPONSE

This project is funded by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene through a contract with Public Health Solutions.

Clean Your Clothes Dryer

If your new home came with a clothes dryer, be sure to clean out its lint screens and ducts. This not only freshens it up, it saves you money and prevents a fire from occurring. Each year, 2,900 clothes-dryer fires are reported and cause an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This is also good reason to clean your dryer’s lint screen before and after every load of laundry. Lint can build up behind the dryer, so check there too.

Look at Your Landscaping

A house with curb appeal is nice to come home to every day. Depending on how big your property is, you can either stock up on the equipment you need to care for your yard, or research a reputable landscaping company in the area. Ask your new neighbors what landscapers they recommend. This could also be a good time to make friends in the neighborhood, which brings us to the last item on our list.

Have a Party!

After most of your first-year work is done, it might be fun to kick back and celebrate. Hosting a house-warming party is a great way to get to know your neighbors. “These are people you will possibly be spending the next 30 years of your life living next to. Get to know them, get to know the restaurants and local businesses,” Marino says.

QueensParent

SALES OPENING

Maintaining and updating your house over the years is a rewarding ex• WEBSITES MAGAZINES SOCIAL MEDIA EMAIL perience, and a great way to •help build home equity.•As most real estate experts will say, a home should always be gaining value, and send resumé to dmgsales@davlermedia.com that’s something to take pride in after putting in much work and care over the years.

NYMetroParents.com

Barbara Russo, a freelance writer with a bachelor’s degree in communications from the City University of New York, enjoys playing guitar, following current events, and hanging out with her rabbits.

BrooklynParent

SALES OPENING MAGAZINES • WEBSITES • SOCIAL MEDIA • EMAIL send resumé to dmgsales@davlermedia.com

NYMetroParents.com BrooklynParent 39

family life finances

Insurance You Need—But Might Not Have ››

These policies can shield you from financial headaches, and even devastating losses. Isn’t it time you learned more about them? By Deborah Skolnik

ne evening a few years ago, Gerri Sanders* returned from work to an unexpectedly messy home. “Our housekeeper Susannah was supposed to have come by, but nothing had been straightened up,” she says. A few minutes later, Susannah’s son called with awful news: While Susannah had been cleaning the Sanders’ home, she’d climbed a ladder to reach a cobweb and had fallen, breaking her leg. Fortunately, she’d managed to call an ambulance. “I was very worried about Susannah,” says Sanders, a mother of two in Scarsdale. “Then I also started worrying that she’d sue us and we’d lose everything, because she’d gotten hurt on our property while working for us. I didn’t sleep all night.” In the morning, Sanders called her insurance company and got some reassuring news: Among the family’s various policies was workers compensation, a type of insurance that provides wage replacement and/or medical benefits to workers hurt on the job. Susannah’s fall would be covered. “I was so relieved, I cried,” Sanders says. Insurance isn’t something people spend a lot of time thinking about until they need to use it. While Sanders got lucky, many people find 40

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

out too late that they are underinsured or not covered at all for their or their employees’ illnesses, accidents, and other adverse events. Don’t be one of them! We asked experts what kinds of policies families typically overlook but may need—read on for their advice, and check with your insurance agent to determine which plans are right for you. Disability insurance for both parents. “The most important insurance, statistically, is long-term disability coverage,” says Lou Cannataro, founder of and partner at Cannataro Park Avenue Financial. “We’ve got over a twenty-five percent chance of getting sick or hurt at some point in our lives and not being able to work.” Don’t count on your workplace disability insurance (if you have it at all) to provide you as much as you’ll need—typically these policies only cover a portion of your lost wages. Life insurance for a non-working spouse. You likely have life insurance for the family breadwinner, but how about the at-home parent (if there is one)? “It’s a no-brainer,” Cannataro says. “That non-working spouse is extremely important,” he stresses, even

though he or she isn’t earning a salary. Think of what would happen should the at-home parent pass away, he explains: “Would the working parent be able to be in the seven o’clock meeting at work? Who would be taking care of the kids at home? It’s a phenomenal expense.” A life insurance policy will help cover the cost of sitters, drivers, and others. “Also if there are insurance proceeds to pay off mortgages and fund college education, then there is less pressure on the working spouse to earn that higher income,” Cannataro says. Workers compensation insurance. Being a parent often means having workers, such as cleaners or nannies, in the home. As Sanders learned, workers compensation insurance can help protect against claims domestic employees may bring for accidents on the job. (These accidents, by the way, don’t have to be in your residence—a worker could file a claim if he gets hurt while walking your dog around the neighborhood, for instance.) “It will cover hospitalization or medical care and replaces some of the income the worker may lose for not being able to work,” says Guy Maddalone, a licensed insurance broker and founder of GTM Payroll Services and GTM Employment Benefits. In fact, families in New York that hire an in-home nanny for 40 or more hours per week are required to carry workers’ compensation. “The penalties for being out of compliance are steep,” Maddalone warns. “A family can be fined as much as two thousand dollars for every ten days that they did not have workers compensation coverage. On top of that, if their nanny does get hurt on the job, the family may be liable for medical expenses and lost wages.” Worth noting: If you hire a nanny to work 40 hours per week, even for just one week, you need to have workers compensation insurance in place for the entire year. Disability insurance for domestic employees. This insurance is also mandatory if you have a full-time domestic employee, Maddalone says. It covers employees for things that happen while they’re officially employed that prevent them from working, but that occur outside of work. Some examples: An employee hurts her back while at home, or is pregnant and needs to leave the job to have her baby. (Household employees are also eligible for New York’s Paid Family Leave program, which provides a portion of their wages for six weeks if they must take a leave for qualified reasons, such as the birth of a child.) Many homeowners insurance policies won’t be able to add on workers compensation or disability insurance, Maddalone notes—you may need to go to another carrier to get these.

treatments? The answer is a resounding “maybe.” If you have enough money put away that a $1,000 or $1,500 bill won’t be damaging to your finances, you probably don’t need it, says Jason Hargraves, managing editor of InsuranceQuotes.com. Another factor to consider is your pet’s age: “If your pet or pets are in rather good health and young, it probably isn’t necessary. If they’re older and have had health issues, it might be worthy of consideration,” Foguth says. Before signing on the dotted line, “find out what is covered and what the process is for you to be reimbursed,” Hargraves says. “Some kinds of procedures may not be covered, or it might take months for you to get paid back—make sure you know forward and backward what is insured.” Trip insurance. You’ve planned a family trip, but what happens if someone gets ill, your luggage gets lost, or you have to come home early due to an unforeseen circumstance? “Travel insurance for a family vacation is a good idea as long as you know exactly what it does and doesn’t cover, and that coverage matches up with your needs,” Foguth says. (A policy may not cover a flare-up of a preexisting condition, for instance.) And before you purchase a policy, “look at what you already have. Sometimes your credit card will cover you for trip cancellation,” Foguth points out. Theater ticket insurance. It’s no secret that theater tickets for the family are expensive. What you might not know, though, is they’re insurable, generally for about $20 or less. Is it worth it? “First ask yourself if you could resell the tickets if you couldn’t go at the last minute,” Hargraves says. “And make sure what the insurance would pay out and the process of paying it out. But I would certainly go for it if it will give you peace of mind.” *Name has been changed.

Auto insurance for a nanny or other household employee. “Add your nanny to your insurance policy if she will be regularly using your car,” advises Michael Foguth of Foguth Financial Group. “If she uses it only on rare occasions, you might not need to.” (Ask your insurer.) If your nanny uses her own car on the job, “ask to see a copy of her auto insurance policy, and make sure that it hasn’t lapsed,” Maddalone recommends. An umbrella policy. This policy protects you when the rain really falls, so to speak. “Umbrella insurance provides for additional coverage beyond that of your homeowners and car insurance,” says Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance. If someone is hurt in a car accident you’ve caused and sues you for a million dollars, for instance, your umbrella policy will help cover the amount that’s beyond the limits of your auto insurance. “An umbrella policy also protects you for other types of circumstances that you never had insurance for—for example, if you’re skiing and you accidentally run into another skier who then sues you,” Maddalone says. Pet insurance. If you’re like many people, you probably consider your pet part of the family. So does it pay to have health insurance for your furry friend in case he needs surgery or other expensive

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

BrooklynParent 41

OPENHOUSES 2018

Mitzvah Market magazine

Aviator Sports and Events Center

3159 Flatbush Ave. Jason Vasquez, Youth Programs director 718-758-7510 jason@aviatorsports.com Jenna Jones, Hospitality Department manager 718-758-7549 jenna@aviatorsports.com aviatorsports.com/summer-day-camps Join us on Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 20 for an open house! Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp open house from 11am-3pm. Dutch Total Soccer Summer Camp open house from 3-6pm.

Your Source for Ideas & Inspiration

Camp Maritime

3000 Emmons Ave., Sheepshead Bay 718-332-4859 campmaritime.com Join us for our Grand Open House on April 29, and additional open houses on May 13 and 20 and June 3 and 10.

Get Your FREE Copy Your single source for:

Mıtzvah Market 2017-2018

MITZ

+ Mitzvah

COM VAHMARKET.

Your CHECKLIST, Budget Worksheet and TIMELINE

g Entertainers g Caterers

CBE KIDS CAMP Elementary and Travel camps

274 Garfield Place, Park Slope 718-768-3814 cbebk.org/camp bfinkelstein@cbebk.org Please call for a personal tour and to learn more about our programs.

g Favors g Photographers g Invitations and more...

. FREE COPY

The Park Slope Day Camp

Dance With Me:

TOP

Mother & Son

er Father & Daught Songs •••

MY BAT MITZVAH IN ISRAEL

DRESS CODE TRENDS •••

•••

MITZVAH PROJECTS:

All Inclusive:

N HOW TO PLAds

Great Ideas to Give Back

Questions

a Special Nee Service

PERTS TO ASK THE EX

Y FOOD ALLERG

freedom

Ronny Schindler, executive director 718-788-7732 parkslopedaycamp.com Join us for an Outdoor Open House on Saturday, May 12 from 1-3pm at the Prospect Park Picnic House.

Urban Explorers Day Camp

❒ I want a free copy of the 2018 Mitzvah Market magazine

38-32 Flatlands Ave. 718-951-9732 urbanexplorers.nyc admin@urbanexplorers.nyc Join us for an open house on May 12, from 10am-4pm.

Name

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

Address City

State

Phone

Zip

Davler Media Group Fax: 212.271.2239 • Call: 914.290.4716 Email: Distribution@davlermedia.com 498 Seventh Ave., 10th Floor New York, NY 10018 42

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.org Join new families interested in learning more about Usdan. Meet with our admissions counselors and tour the campus. Refreshments, warm drinks, information, and 2018 registration available. Sunday, May 20 from 11am-2pm.

PartyCentral PROFESSIONAL Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources. PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals. PARTY PLACES AVIATOR SPORTS AND EVENTS CENTER 3159 Flatbush Ave. 718-758-7551 aviatorsports.com/birthday-parties Aviator Sports and Events Center has 12 birthday party options for kids. From pool parties to ice-skating, there are parties for every season! BOUNCEU 6722 Fort Hamilton Parkway (entrance on 67th Street & 9th Avenue), Dyker Heights 347-450-5867 bounceu.com/brooklyn-ny BounceU, the premier birthday party and play experience in all of Brooklyn. We’re a 30,000-square-foot indoor recreational facility with “YUGE” inflatable play equipment. CHELSEA PIERS SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park, Manhattan Field House Registration Desk: 212336-6500 x6520

chelseapiers.com/youth Why cross the bridge for your next birthday party? Because Chelsea Piers parties are action-packed, entertaining, and hassle-free, with more sports, activities, and fun than any other party venue in NYC! FAIRYTALE ISLAND 7110-3rd Ave. 646-667-9096 facebook.com/fairytaleislandplayground icecream124@hotmail.com Fairytale Island provides a high quality, safe, and amazing indoor space for hosting birthday parties. This environment will also encourage social, emotional, language, cognitive, and physical skill development. INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Manhattan 646-381-5166 intrepidmuseum.org Celebrate your child’s birthday with a one-of-a-kind party! The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will captivate groups of all ages and interests. Choose from exciting themes, value packages, and customization options to create a birthday adventure they’ll remember forever! KIDS ‘N ACTION 1149 McDonald Ave. 718-377-1818 kidsnaction.com steven@kidsnaction.com Fun and thrills are what your kids will have at Kids ‘N Action. Kids never get bored enjoying our thrilling indoor roller coaster, amusing winding train, exciting go-karts, and action-filled arcade games. Parties include unlimited soft play and rides.

SERVICES

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS 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. SPECIAL NEEDS LITTLE OPTICS INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, Queens 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens 718-468-7500; Hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants, and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident. THERAPY & COUNSELORS MR. SPEECH PATHOLOGY 347-399-4836 mrspeechpathology.com info@mrspeechpathology.com Eugene Chuprin is a bilingual (English-Russian) speech-language pathologist conducting evaluations and providing therapy in the New York City area. His specialty is treating pediatrics with language disorders, articulation disorders, and stuttering.

We treat:

• Food Allergies • Asthma • Eczema • Hay Fever • Sinus Issues • Recurrent Infections • Hives • Insect Allergies & much more! Board certified pediatric & adult allergist.

Same Day and Evening Appointments Available. Most Insurances Accepted. 10 Plaza Street East Suite 1E Brooklyn, NY 11238 & 311 Saint Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11385

(347) 564-3211

www.brooklynallergyDR.com BrooklynParent 43

Meet the

Health Care Professional 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

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

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

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

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.

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

Want to know the best

activities for families? Subscribe to our family activity

email newsletter

NYMETROPARENTS.COM/REGISTER 44

May 2018 | nymetroparents.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.

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 to her patients. She is active in her alumni societies and local dental organizations and regularly attends continuing education classes, so she can provide the most successful results for her patients.

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

dance

Allied Foundation............................................................19

Ume Ume Music & Arts..................................................37

Streb...............................................................................35

Brooklyn Family Orthodontics...................................31, 44

Wildlife Conservation Society ........................................36

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts....................................2

Park Slope Kids Dental Care....................................12, 44 Pediatric Immediate Care.........................................12, 44

camps Bible Speaks Church (The)............................................33 Camp Clio.......................................................................37 Camp Maritime...............................................................36 Chelsea Piers.................................................................35 Congregation Beth Elohim................................................9 FasTracKids Brooklyn / Staten Island............................33 Keylab.............................................................................35

developmental Mr. Speech Pathology....................................................41

music

YMCA of Greater New York............................................37

Keylab.............................................................................35 Llingsworth Music...........................................................43

education Bible Speaks Church (The)............................................33

FasTracKids Brooklyn / Staten Island............................33 OHEL Children’s Home & Family...................................39 Mr. Speech Pathology....................................................41

Park Slope Day Camp....................................................48

The Learning Experience - Brooklyn................................9

Rab’s Country Lanes........................................................3

UFT Charter School........................................................27

Smart Start.....................................................................37 Streb...............................................................................35

family entertainment / events / outings

The Learnatory...............................................................17

Land of Make Believe.....................................................41

Urban Explorers Day Camp..............................................7

Llingsworth Music...........................................................43

Wildlife Conservation Society ........................................36 YMCA of Greater New York............................................37

Mommybites.....................................................................9 Smart Start.....................................................................37

classes Brienza’s Academic Advantage......................................15 Chelsea Piers.................................................................35 Keylab.............................................................................35

performing arts / acting Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts....................................2

religious Bible Speaks Church (The)............................................33

retail Llingsworth Music...........................................................43

National Museum of the American Indian.......................21 OHEL Children’s Home & Family...................................39 Rab’s Country Lanes........................................................3 Wild West City................................................................31

child care / day care

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts....................................2

Brienza’s Academic Advantage......................................15

Mill Basin Day Camp........................................................5

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts....................................2

Ume Ume Music & Arts..................................................37

special needs Mr. Speech Pathology....................................................41 OHEL Children’s Home & Family...................................39

Wildlife Conservation Society ........................................36

sports family travel Land of Make Believe.....................................................41 Wild West City................................................................31

Camp Maritime...............................................................36 Chelsea Piers.................................................................35 Mill Basin Day Camp........................................................5 Streb...............................................................................35

fitness

Urban Explorers Day Camp..............................................7

Camp Maritime...............................................................36

YMCA of Greater New York............................................37

Mill Basin Day Camp........................................................5

Rab’s Country Lanes........................................................3

tutors

Smart Start.....................................................................37

health

Brienza’s Academic Advantage......................................15

Ume Ume Music & Arts..................................................37

Allergy & Asthma Care of Brooklyn..........................43, 44

FasTracKids Brooklyn / Staten Island............................33

BrooklynParent 45

raising kids quotables

What has been your favorite Mother’s Day memory? “It’s corny, but my first Mother’s Day as a mom is my favorite. We had just brought Luke home a few weeks before and honestly the day had slipped my mind, but luckily not my husband’s. He surprised me with flowers and breakfast in bed where the three of us stayed all morning. It was the best!” –Mary Hass, New City

“I told my mom I was pregnant with my first child on Mother’s Day 10 years ago. It was way before those viral videos…but my mom’s reaction was so great, I wish I’d filmed [it]. I could have started the trend much earlier.” –Grace Skinner, Bayside, Queens

“Because I was adopted, Mother’s Day was always pretty bittersweet for me. I’m looking forward to making new Mother’s Day memories with my son, but not until next year. I’m not due until July!” –Marisa Beyer, Tribeca, Manhattan

in an instagram Motherhood is a new chapter in life so make sure it’s a fabulous one! (Posted by @scoutthecity aka Brooklyn mom and fashion blogger, Sai De Silva)

Do you remember that time? It is that odd stage of pregnancy when everyone swears by a certain method or book. I found it really overwhelming then. I stayed away then. Once, we found a stack of pregnancy books and swore we’d read them and eventually, just let them compile with the stack of unreadables. I’m sure they were insightful and beautiful, but my personal comfort in parenting is in just gut-feeling and asking questions with real-life living role-models. –LaTonya Yvette in a post entitled “On Following The Gut-Feeling,” her blog latonyayvette.com

May 2018 | nymetroparents.com

“My husband’s mom passed when he was very young, so he never really celebrated. He’s more than making up for it now with me, and we always make sure to commemorate his mom in the process. Every Mother’s Day has been my favorite.” –Cheryl H., Park Slope

“My favorite Mother’s Day memory was last year with my girls and my mother and grandmother. It was so special to see all four generations together.” –Julia Romanov, Piermont

Go For It! “Let me sleep in. To be able to wake up as late as I want would be awesome. Since this rarely happens, I’d appreciate it more than you could ever know. What this means for you, darling husband, is waking up when the kids wake up and making sure they understand that I’m not to be disturbed until I’ve decided to come out of my sleeping chamber.” –Alice Currah in an article entitled “What Mom Really Wants for Mother’s Day;” read the whole thing at nymetroparents.com/ what-mom-wants.

More NYMetroParents.com Highlights: CRAFTS FOR MOM: Make it a flowery Mother’s Day with these crafts (nymetroparents.com/mothers-day-crafts). SAIL AWAY: Where to go catch a boat in the NYC area (nymetroparents.com/boat-rides) UNDER THE SEA! Discover a marine life paradise at Atlantis Bahamas (nymetroparents.com/atlantis). SPRING IN NYC: Check out all the fun NYC has to offer in the spring (nymetroparents.com/nyc-spring).

s t n e r a P o r t NYMe

D L I H C R IS YOU ? D I K R E V A CO le

Bigent Par BER

PTEM

•

PARE ETRO

• Find the Perfect Camp for Your Child

Is st plai or ju

P ING

AREN

TS M

AKE

BET

TER

DEC

ISIO

st Birth ds 2017 Tren of

HELP

ING

PARE

NTS

MAK

E BETT

C ER DE

NTS.C

HELPIN

G PARE

recipe ance s, The s Circ Big Appl us Is e Bac k

HEL PIN G PA

REN

TS M

Parent

AKE

BETT

ER D

ECIS

ION

Island S

SUFFOLK EDITION

NYMETROPAREN PARENTS TS.COM .COM

MARCH 2018

Camp Planner!

• How Camp Preps Kids for College • Find Your Child’s Dream Camp NEW! Camps at a Glance • Transportation • Lunch • Flexible Hours • More

Don’t Tell!

BETTER DECISIONS

EDITI ON

A be hin at wh d-the y it’s -scen ‘bette es loo r tha k n eve r’

ns Long e

The 5 Big of Girlh Secrets ood

with special needs

SSAU

.CO

ay Fu

CISIO

Choosin Guardia g Your Kids’ n

Abilities, Not Disabilities A new NSapproach to kids ISIO HELPING PARENTS MAKE

Holid

TTER DE

Fam Life ily

SpecialParent

Kids

TROPA RE

NTS

Tree Nutcr and me norah & Ha acker nukka perfo lightin gs, rm h

KE BE

• Why Babies Need • The Hot Books Tech Tren • Shou d in Lear ld Scho ning ol Star t Later?

15 questions to ask Plus: Kids and eating disorders

, Hau ies mazes corn een activit Hallow

NTS MA

• Wa shing • Cru ton, D.C., ises that with • Wh lea kids y Niaga teens wil ve from NYC ra Fal l lov e ls

Educ a Spec tion ial

Amazing kids who started their own nonprofits

!, oses Bo er hou nted and oth

ties

arent

NYME

Choosing the Right Doc

ns, re! , unicor Emojis ns, and mo Shopki

G PARE

ETRO PARE 20

m Va ily Gu cation ide

ne Par

Q P uee

JANUAR Y 201 8

Changing the World

hing Teac ills Sk ence Life nal intelligy

HELPIN

NOVEMBER 2017

7 Hottdeay

• Emotio ial literac • Financ

Do Google Home and Alexa Make Kids Rude?

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Milesto

Ignore s Month ing Happ y as a Coup le—Challe nges and 5 Easy All to a Clean Steps er, Gree ner Home

Westchester

TS.C

Tips for

Spe

Parent

Pare

• Keep

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

klan Rocnt HEL

DECE

• Myth

Virtual Assistants vs. Manners

NYM

BLOW OUT!

Special

cial Autism Parent Aware nes s to

How Infants Learn Affection

ids d K nius Gifmytechild angesmart?

PAREN TRO

Baby Love

the

tim Save stress and

NYME

Lon

Par gIsla ent nd Fa

NTS.C

BIRTHD

NEW! Camps at a Glance • Transportation • Lunch • Flexible Hours • More

d sy s for Ea 10 Tip anning , Meal Pl e, money

7 ER 201

TROPA RE

2018

• Why Campers Make Better Students

ities Activ ? ool much r-Sch is too ms Afte w much st progra be Ho

OCTOB

APRIL

CAMP SPECIAL!

k to Bac ool! Sch • Fin

NYME

FEBRUARY 2018

NYM

•

Paren t

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

.CO

NTS

2017

Brook lyn

Bergen Rockland Parent

p Ap

Ax Your Taxes

NTS MA

KE BE

TTER DE

Deductions Even Smart Parents Miss

CISIO

End Bad Behavior

In ONE Surprising Step

HELPING PARENTS

MAKE BETTER DECISIO

3 Easy Steps to Enter: 1. Go to nymetroparents.com/covercontest or facebook.com/nymetroparents 2. Select your favorite photo of your child (ages 2-16) 3. Upload the photo (.jpg or .png) (Every entry will be automatically reviewed by Barbizon talent scouts)

Prizes for Winners

r e n in

★ Family Vacation at Woodloch Pines ★ Barbizon Scholarship & Photo Shoot ★ Tickets to Sesame Place Contest runs 4/23 – 6/11/18 Promotional Partners:

G 7 1

For a complete list of rules: nymetroparents.com/covercontestrules

d n a r

i Oliv

W ty n e u riz Co

m fro

a ass