Brooklyn Parent August 2018 by City Guide NY

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SCHOOL! • Weighing Your Educational Options • Create a Homework Hot Spot • ACT or SAT? • Easy Ways to Find Scholarships

How to Talk to a Baby HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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contents table of

august 2018

12 25

A Blended Family

How reluctantly raising my son in two homes turned out to be a blessing in disguise

Family Activities Calendar

Find something to do with your kids every day this month, from fairs and farmers’ markets to movies and crafts

back-to-school 16 Choices, Choices, Choices

18 Create a Homework Hot Spot 20 After-School Classes & Programs

Cash for College

Ten ways to ﬁnd scholarships, grants, and ﬁnancial aid online

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 5 Things to Know About Raising an Entrepreneur 11 Checking a Potential Nanny’s References 12 A Blended Family 36 The Different Ways to Talk to a Baby 38 A Tale of Two Tests 43 Party Central and Professional Services 44 Meet the Doctor 45 Family Resource Guide 45 Advertisers’ Index 46 Quotables

13 Pom Pom Hand Puppets

40 Cash for College

23 August Activities 24 Family Fun a Ride Away 25 Family Activities Calendar

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 16 Weighing Your Educational Options 18 Create a Homework Hot Spot 36 How to Talk to a Baby 38 ACT or SAT? 40 Easy Ways to Find Scholarships facebook.com/nymetroparents

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

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AUGUST 2018 • Vol.15 • No.1

raising kids editor’s note

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITORS: Anja Webb, Melissa Wickes

Back to School Before You Know It!

on’t hate me for stating the obvious: In just a few short weeks, these lazy, hazy days aren’t going to be so lazy anymore. Though technically it will still be summer, at least for a while, school (or “the S-word” as my daughters like to call it) will be back in session. Maybe you’ll be relieved, glad to no longer have bored children underfoot, demanding to be entertained or bickering with each other. Or perhaps like me you’ll feel as sad as the kids do, mourning the loss of blank-slate days and the endless possibilities that accompany them. It’s also fine to fall somewhere between these two extremes, wistful for all that delicious free time but glad your family will once again settle into a more predictable routine. If you’re the parent of a child in middle or high school, you know that kids in the upper grades have unique challenges. This month we’re tackling some of the major bigkid educational issues out there, offering guidance to help your year get off to a good start. Katelin Walling’s piece “Choices, Choices, Choices” on p. 16 examines the benefits of different types of schools, from public and parochial to charter and beyond, so you can determine what sort of environment will allow your child to ﬂourish. Of course, your home environment should be geared toward your student’s needs too! “Create a Homework Hot Spot” by Lambeth Hochwald (p. 18) shares easy ways to design a study space that will help your student buckle down and excel. And speaking of excelling, for parents of teens, the SAT and the ACT both loom large on the radar. Which test is best for your child to take? The expert insights in “A Tale of Two Tests” on p. 38 will assist you in coming up with the right answer. We’ll also help you tackle the exorbitant cost of higher education with “Cash for College” (p. 40). But don’t worry: We haven’t forgotten those of you with little ones. You’ll definitely want to read Melissa Wickes’ article, “The Different Ways to Talk to a Baby,” on p. 36. Child development pros share how to boost your little one’s speech development—and the way you may unintentionally be sabotaging it. And don’t miss popular kids’ musician Suzi Shelton’s essay (p. 12) about how raising a child under two roofs gave him a strong foundation. Wishing you lots of fun as you get in your last licks of summer!

REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan, Westchester); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Alana Coopersmith, Allison Ingrum, Dasha Kofman To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents

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wa because Eye Level symbolic picture . ing nn The backpack is a pla l their back-to-schoo get a jump start on

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Brooklyn Chil

Who: Brooklyn Children’s House What’s New: Open for 2018 school year enrollment. The school offers half-day, full-day, and extended-day care and education for children ages 2-5. The half-day care option is from 8:30am-12pm, the full-day care option is from 8:30am-3:30pm, and the extended-day program is from 3:30-6:30pm. The day care center and preschool is accepting applicants for fall 2018. All curriculum and materials involved in this Montessori program are intentional in the specific purpose of aiding the child’s individual development. All of the educators at Brooklyn Children’s House are trained in Montessori education, music, and dance curriculum for early childhood. Want More Info: 172 Herkimer St., Bedford Stuvesant; brooklynchildrenshouse@wonderschool.com; wonderschool.com/brooklynchildrenshouse

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Courtesy Mark Cuban, Shaan Patel, M.D., M.B.A., and Ian McCue

raising kids in the know

5Things to Know About Raising an Entrepreneur

››

By Melissa Wickes

oes your son love to sell lemonade on the corner of your street? Is your daughter always making duct-tape wallets and decorating her own jeans? If your child demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit, you should encourage him to pursue that. Here are five ways you can teach your child to be an entrepreneur, even as a kid, with help from Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and star of the hit TV show Shark Tank, Shaan Patel, M.D., M.B.A., founder of Prep Expert, an SAT and ACT prep company that was pitched on Shark Tank in 2016, and Ian McCue, a rising senior at UNLV and the founder of Spark Skill, a technology summer camp provider. All three co-authored Kid Start-Up: How You Can Be an Entrepreneur. Be supportive of your child’s ideas. While everyone’s path is different, the first step to starting a business is to get feedback from as many people as possible before spending any money, according to Dr. Patel. So, if your kid comes up to you with an idea she wants to kickstart, encourage her, give her honest feedback and advice, and make her excited about it! Entrepreneurs often have the fear that someone will ‘steal’ their idea, however chances are, even if someone wanted to ‘steal’ the idea, they won’t put in the time, effort, and passion that your child would. “Ideas are cheap, execution is the hard part,” Cuban says. Instill perseverance. When running a business, you are very rarely going to do everything right the first time, McCue says. Unfortunately, school-age kids are often programmed to think you have to. Teaching your child it is okay to fail can make him all the more successful. “You have to be willing to try a bunch of things and accept that only a few will work out. Be persistent,” McCue says. In teaching perseverance, you will also help your child know it may take time to get traction in a business. Dr. Patel suggests committing to an idea for six months to a year before deciding it may not be the best option. He also suggests being aware that 10

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

From left: Shaan Patel, M.D., M.B.A., Mark Cuban, and Ian McCue, co-authors of Kid Start-Up: How You Can Be an Entrepreneur

some businesses are simply seasonal and will not take off until they are ‘in season.’ “I launched Prep Expert in December, but because SAT and ACT prep doesn’t start until around May, it took about five months to get my first customer,” Dr. Patel says. Teach self-control. This is important because, when starting and running your own business, you regulate your own hours, no one is forcing you to work 9am-5pm at a desk, Dr. Patel says. By teaching your child self-control, even when she is a toddler being told to only eat one cookie from the jar that is filled, you are increasing the odds that your child will one day have a higher income, better relationships, higher SAT scores, and fewer issues involving drugs and alcohol. Encourage him to pursue his hobbies. It may seem unlikely that a kid can really be a master in anything. However, kids become infatuated with things they like, learning every facet of a game, a toy, a sport, an accessory trend, without even knowing they’re becoming experts. “My advice to all entrepreneurs is to start a business that you’re an expert in,” Dr. Patel says. “It’s pretty easy to narrow your ideas down to the things that you actually know and are good at. If you pick one of those things, this gives you a leg up.” Teach her to be a problem-solver. In a world where so many ideas have been thought of and so many inventions have been created, one might ask, where do you even begin brainstorming creative ideas? The co-authors of Kid Start-Up suggest looking at everyday problems, no matter how small, and finding a way to solve them. These challenges are familiar to us, making it easier to think of ways to fix them. Does your son’s phone constantly die before after-school activities? Does your daughter complain her backpack is the same as everyone else’s in the class? Encourage your kids to look to these seemingly small inconveniences for inspiration.

raising kids child care

Checking a Potential Nanny’s References ›› Courtesy Mommybites.com

fter a ﬂurry of nanny interviews, you’ve finally narrowed down a candidate that seems like the perfect fit for your family. Remember: This is someone to whom you’ll be entrusting your kids with in your absence, possibly for many hours at a time. You’ve got to have complete trust and confidence in her abilities, her decision-making skills, and her discretion. Here are four things to keep in mind when checking your potential nanny’s references: Don’t settle for just friends and family: If your nanny has any previous child care experience (and we certainly hope she does!), she should be able to provide you with at least two or three references that relate directly to the work she’ll be doing for you. Check more than one reference: Suppose you start calling the nanny’s references and to your surprise, you get a less-than-stellar review from a previous employer. Before you write the candidate off, it may be wise to check at least one additional reference. Why? Because like your mom always said, there are two sides to every story. Likewise, and perhaps even more importantly, continue checking references even if the first person you call gives your potential nanny a rave review. Ask open-ended questions: Rather than asking yes or no questions, be sure to ask questions that will require some thought and consideration on the part of the employer. Ask for specific examples of times the nanny has displayed a certain behavior, or how she acted in certain situations. Consider background checks: It only takes a few minutes on a site such as backgroundcheck.com to get a sense of your potential nanny’s criminal history. And if your nanny will be entrusted with a car in order to transport your kids from activities, school, and play dates, it’s a great idea to obtain her driving record from the local DMV.

Mommybites’ mom-generated nanny, babysitter, and nanny-share boards have been some of the most popular child-care resources in New York City since 2006. You can find nannies and babysitters as well as help them get new jobs. Join this community of moms and receive weekly parenting advice at mommybites.com/newyork.

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A Blended Family

Courtesy Suzi Shelton

raising kids voices

››

How reluctantly raising my son in two homes turned out to be a blessing in disguise By Suzi Shelton

hen my son was just 2 years old, his father and I decided to split up. We had tried for a while to make it work, but it was clear we would all be happier apart. For me, this meant our son would live with me full time in our Brooklyn apartment, and have visitation with his dad. For his dad, splitting up meant our son would split his time equally, and live in two homes. This wasn’t something I was ready to accept. There was no way this was going to work out. It couldn’t be in the best interest of our young son. Could it? A very wise family therapist told us, “Yes, actually, it could work out.” And yes, it could be a very happy and healthy way to raise our son. As long as we were both 100 percent onboard. So, I thought long and hard about it, and decided I would get onboard. For our son. At first, it was awful. I hated having to give up Sebastian (still a baby for God’s sake) for half of the week. And overnight! I would hand him over with his little Thomas the Tank Engine backpack with tears in my eyes and a pain in my heart. I would count the hours and then minutes until he came back to me, and I would hold him so tightly when he walked in the door. Except it wasn’t actually about me. It was about Sebastian and the fact that he deserved to have quality time with his Dad. We learned (through our family therapist) how to help Sebastian make this transition easier on himself, and on us. We learned to say things like, “I can’t wait to hear what you did at Daddy’s house,” instead of, “I’ll miss you so much!” And it became our new normal for our son to live in two homes. And have two beds and two sets of toys. And, eventually, two more parents. And Sebastian was fine with this. In fact, he was more than fine. He was happy.

Our blended family (from left): Sebastian (19), Julia (3), Emma (13), and Cole (10)

The thing I didn’t really anticipate with all of this was I would meet my now husband and have another child, and his Dad would marry and do the same, and those “extra” parents and children would be part of our family, too. Our modern family had expanded and grown and there was still quite a lot of love to go around. In fact, when Sebastian was in elementary school, he and his dad wrote a poem called “Mama’s House, Daddy’s House,” which we turned into a song that I put on my second album to share our message with the world…two homes but “one heart—filled with love.” Now almost 18 years later, Sebastian’s dad and stepmom are two of my closest friends. We still share raising Sebastian, and we share raising our other children, too. My 13-year-old daughter has her own drawer of clothes at their house, and their two younger children have the same at my house. My husband and I fondly call them our “stepchildren” since there really isn’t another word for it, and you know what? It works. Our 10-year-old stepson comes over regularly after school to “hang out” and get away from his 3-year-old sister. That same 3-year-old sister calls me “Mama!,” runs into my arms when I occasionally pick her up at preschool, and loves to come over and play with our dog, Penny. They both bring me so much joy. We all decided to spend holidays together instead of alternating Sebastian between the two homes. It’s much easier this way, and actually more fun. I feel like I have four children instead of two. And when I need them, I have three other parents I can count on instead of just one. I feel lucky. I never would have imagined (way back when) that things would have turned out this way, and to be honest, I can’t imagine it any other way now.

Suzi Shelton, an award-winning singer/songwriter for the playground set, has been writing, recording, and performing music for families for more than 15 years. She is the proud mama of two and stepmama of two more. Shelton has just released her fourth solo album and is currently working on her fifth season of Sing with Suzi videos on YouTube for her preschool fans. See and hear it all at suzishelton.com.

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

things to do

diy corner

Pom Pom Hand Puppets While we love the summer weather and perfect beach days, sometimes it’s just too hot (or rainy) to be outside with the kids. But keeping them cooped up inside all day without planned activities can sometimes drive us crazy. So pull out the pipe cleaners and hot glue gun to make these hand puppets—a project featured in Debbie Chapman’s “Low-Mess Crafts for Kids”—and then have the kids write and perform a show for you! Who needs a fancy puppet when you can use your hand?! Slide your middle finger into one of these pom pom hand puppets and use your fingers and thumb as the mouth. Hands can be surprisingly funny when you make them talk in a silly voice! Do you want another low-mess craft tip? Look for bags of short pipe cleaners to add to your craft stash. There are no scraps to worry about when you don’t have to cut anything. Try curling a short pipe cleaner into a spiral for one set of eyes. Or use sparkly pom poms to make eyelashes on another one. A small change can inspire a completely new personality for your puppet. Materials • 5 pipe cleaners, 6 inches long (or 3 full length pipe cleaners, cut in half) • 2 large pom poms • 2 small pom poms

1 2

• 2 medium googly eyes Tools • Low-temperature glue gun (make sure to ask a grownup to help when using)

Directions 1. Fold one pipe cleaner in half, then bend it into a “U” shape. 2. Spread apart the ﬂuff in one of the large pom poms. Add a small glob of hot glue into the opening, then press one of the pipe cleaner ends into the glue, pushing the ﬂuff of the pom pom back into place around the pipe cleaner. Repeat with the other end of the pipe cleaner with the second large pom pom. 3. Fold two pipe cleaners in half. Add a small dab of hot glue onto the small pom poms and press them onto the tip of each pipe cleaner half. These will be the antennae. 4. Attach the pipe cleaner antennae to the top of each of the large pom poms using a glue gun. 5. Bend the pipe cleaner antennae slightly so they curve. 6. Take the end of another pipe cleaner and fold the end by about ½ inch. Fold it by ½ inch in the other direction. Continue folding it back and forth, in opposite directions, until you get to the end. Repeat for the last pipe cleaner. These will be the puppet’s eyebrows. 7. Attach the eyebrows to the front of the large pom poms using hot glue. Then attach the googly eyes slightly over the top of the eyebrows, again using hot glue. 8. Your pom pom hand puppet is complete!

Reprinted from Low-Mess Crafts for Kids with permission from Page Street Publishing Co. Photography by Debbie Chapman.

BrooklynParent 13

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online extras Can’t get your teen up and going for school? Some think high schools should start later. Take a look inside the debate at ›› nymetroparents.com/later-start

Is your teen heading off to college? Find out about four conversations you should have with her to help her succeed at ›› nymetroparents.com/college-prep

Though many parents don’t realize it, they should be reading to babies as early as possible. Learn about the lifelong benefits of doing so at ›› nymetroparents.com/read-baby

Is homework necessary? Read more about this debate, and learn about what one Brooklyn school is doing instead at ›› nymetroparents.com/no-homework

inside

raising kids back to school

16 Choices, Choices, Choices: A look at the various school options available in the New York metro area 18 Create a Homework Hotspot: Ten ways to make a dedicated space for your child to successfully complete homework 20 After-School Classes & Programs: Find the perfect after-school program in Brooklyn.

Choices, Choices, Choices

››

The New York metro area provides families with a variety of school options, allowing you to choose the best one for your child. By Katelin Walling

e all worry about whether we’re making the best choices in raising our kids, and one thing most of us fret over is whether our children are getting the best education possible that is suited to their needs. In a lot of areas in the country, traditional district public schools may be the only option for kids. But living in the New York metro area, we are #blessed with an abundance of choices in addition to great public schools, from charter and independent schools, to magnet, international, and Catholic schools. While one school option doesn’t necessarily provide a better education than another, each type has pros and cons for every individual family. It’s up to you to determine which school setting best suits your child’s needs. Read on to learn more about charter, home, independent, international, magnet, and parochial schools.

Charter Schools

“The most important concept to get is that a charter school is a public school,” says Ian Rowe, CEO of Public Prep Network, a system of three nonprofit charter schools in New York City. But charter schools often have a specific focus, one that typically responds to a need articulated by public school families. Public Prep schools, for example, are all single sex (two schools for girls and one school for boys) and have a focus in STEM education. As with public schools, charter schools are tuition-free, though students have to apply for admission. Public Prep currently admits students via a lottery system due to high demand. Charter schools, though, tend to operate with fewer regulations than traditional public schools and can set their own curriculum. But there is typically an accountability system in which charters are evaluated each year to see if they are meeting the outcomes set by the state, Rowe adds. Plus, there is a renewal process every five years to determine whether the charter is able to continue. “So, there is a much greater accountability in return for the freedoms you have to operate as a charter,” Rowe says. 16

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Home Schools

There are numerous motivations for a family to decide to home-school their children, from religious and health reasons to a child’s learning style, aptitude level, or schedule (think child actors). There are also numerous options for home-schooling your child, whether you decide to take the lead in teaching, you enroll him in an online home-school program, such as the George Washington University Online High School, or you join a home-school community, such as Classical Conversations. Parents who decide to home-school rather than enroll their child in a physical school need to submit a letter of intent, an Individualized Home Instruction Plan, and quarterly reports by specific dates, according to the New York City Department of Education.

Independent Schools

Also known as private schools, independent schools are funded by tuition and charitable donations as opposed to taxpayer dollars. “It is independently funded for the most part and also independent from the state to a certain degree,” says Scott Nelson, headmaster of Rye Country Day School, a college preparatory day school in Rye. “For instance, we don’t follow the NYS testing program (regents testing program), so we have more independence as far as curriculum choices.” To enroll in an independent school, students have to fill out an application, parents and the student have an interview, and the student has to take an entrance exam, either the Independent School Entrance Exam or the Secondary School Admissions Test, according to Nelson. Though tuition is a factor in attending an independent school, many offer need-based financial aid. For instance, RCDS offers $5.5 million annually to 16 percent of students, Nelson says.

International Schools

A second private school option, international schools are typically multi-cultural and integrate those different cultures into everyday learn-

ing. “We have families who hail from all over the world…and we embrace their backgrounds,” says Emily Benson, director of admissions at International Academy of New York in Manhattan. “We celebrate different times of the year that are holidays for those different cultures, and if we don’t actually make a big celebration about it, we at least discuss it.” Many international schools are bilingual. IANY, for instance, teaches Mandarin and Spanish, and students spend almost 40 percent of their time interacting in those languages. “When we have a family coming from say Egypt, we might be studying Spanish or Mandarin, but we will ask that child how do you say this in Arabic,” Benson says of welcoming students’ cultures. “We encourage and embrace these other languages and we find that through the way we teach, our children are not only embracing different cultures...but they are also excited to share their home countries’ language and tradition.” As with other private schools, international schools have an application process, and some require testing while others do not. Many international schools also offer need-based financial aid.

Magnet Schools

Another tuition-free public school option, magnet schools are federally funded by competitive grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement. Over the past few years, the NYC DOE has won funding for 31 magnet schools across 12 districts in NYC, says Todd Levitt, senior director of magnet programs of NYC DOE. Due to the grants, the NYC DOE is able to offer specialized thematic programs, innovative curriculum, and diversified approaches to teaching, and provide professional development, partnerships, residencies, and extra funding to support special programs, he adds. These 31 schools have a STEAM/STEM component, and each school follows a theme (architecture, civic leadership, and global conservation to name a few). Partnerships are tailored to each school’s individual pur-

suits and include Columbia University, American Ballet Theatre, Lego, CUNY, NYIT, Apple Education, and Buck Institute of Education Project Based Learning. The grants allow magnet schools to have state-of-the-art technology, purchase new art and science supplies, and provide specialty rooms like broadcast studios and STEAM labs. Though public schools, the NYC magnet schools have an application process through the NYC DOE Office of Enrollment and the magnet schools, but there is no screening or testing involved in applying. For information about open houses and school tours happening in the fall, email JGallag@schools.nyc.gov or TLevitt@schools.nyc.gov.

Parochial Schools

Catholic schools are private schools that follow a traditional curriculum but with an added religious component. Students enrolled in a Diocese of Rockville Centre school, for instance, are taught in accordance with the New York state learning standards and take the same Regents Exams and SAT as public school students, but learning is infused with a religious curriculum directed by the Diocese, according to Gary Layton, director of marketing and enrollment for DRVC. “Because we are schools that are run by a religious institution, we take a more holistic view and aim to educate the mind, body, and spirit. It is not just about educating. It is about building character, instilling values. It is about the kindness, the respect they show each other. It is about doing for others through service projects” Layton says. Though the schools in the Diocese are Catholic schools, teach religion courses, and prepare students for their first Holy Communion and Confirmation, not all students practice Catholicism. Those that don’t practice are required to take and pass religion classes, but are not required to participate in religious events or sacraments. DRVC requires applicants to fill out admissions paperwork, and there is a “modest tuition” that is typically supplemented by the Diocese and the Parish that runs the school, Layton says.

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

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

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

• "Jump Start" Preschool Alternative Program (Ages 2-4)

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

• Seasonal Music + Arts Day Camps (3 - 8 years) • Birthday Parties (1 - 12 years) • Private/Group Piano & Violin Lessons (Beginners 4 years and up)

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.

319 4th Avenue @ 3rd Street • Brooklyn • 718-768-0800 www.umeumearts.com • info@umeumearts.com BrooklynParent 17

Create a Homework Hot Spot

››

Kids need a dedicated space to get their homework done. But what if the space you’ve carved out for them isn’t so ideal? Read on for some quick and easy fixes. By Lambeth Hochwald

f it seems like your kids find any excuse not to sit down and do their homework, it could be their workstation is lacking in the right light, the right inspiration, or even the right chair. “As parents, getting our kids to focus on homework can be a daily grind,” says Lisa Sugarman, a nationally syndicated opinion columnist and parenting expert. “But by creating a space that entices our kids to sit down and dig into their work, we’re setting them up for success without anyone kicking and screaming along the way. And that means less stress for us and for our kids.” It’s very important to pick a quiet spot without any distractions like TV, devices of any sort, and toys. “Tell your kids that it’s their spot to do their work,” Sugarman says. “Giving your kids ownership of their homework area is a really big deal to a kid. Next, always make sure to help them get invested in the space by encouraging them to help shop for the items they’d like and then set it up and get it organized together.” Now that you know why your kids need a dedicated homework station, read on as Annie Draddy, a professional organizer and co-founder of Henry & Higby, a professional organizing company in New York City, shares 10 ways to get your kids to actually sit down and get their work done—plus products that will help enhance their space. We promise that your kids will thank you later!

Make the space appealing.

Once you’ve carved out a room or space in your home that works for your child and is intended just for homework, make it aesthetically pleasing by adding decorative items such as a colorful accent rug, bookends, and a funky desk lamp that matches their personality. “It doesn’t matter if this spot is in a communal room of the home or a desk in their own room, provided it feels personal to them,” Draddy says. “Ultimately, the goal is to get them to work in a proper set-up with a table and chair instead of doing their homework on the couch. This way they establish good habits and 18

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

can properly work on their handwriting and other skills.” Desk Pick: Kids Navy Blue Campaign Desk, $399 (crateandbarrel.com)

Select a good desk chair.

The goal here: to select a desk chair that’s as comfortable as it is supportive. “You don’t want a lousy chair to be the reason that your kids are doing their homework in front of the TV,” Draddy says. Chair Picks: Rockin’ Roller Desk Chair, $149 (pbteen.com)

Make it easy to keep a shipshape desk.

Although it may seem obvious, keeping a trash or recycling can near your child’s desk is a win-win. “Not only will this encourage him to throw out old papers, but also—perhaps with a little coaxing—purge the garbage from his backpack on a regular basis,” Draddy says. Bonus points if you encourage your child to routinely empty that trash on her own as part of her chores. Trashcan Pick: Pink or Gray Trash Can, $39 (potterybarnkids.com)

Post important notices.

By hanging up a corkboard for your kids to pin papers, reminders, and a calendar, you’re keeping important information within sight. “This is a space that should be within reach of their desk so they can easily add/remove important items on a regular basis,” Draddy says. “It can also give them a chance to decorate and personalize their space—and maybe even sketch out a dream board, which will hopefully inspire them to keep using it!” Corkboard Pick: Zig Zag Cork Board, $12.99 (containerstore.com)

Keep supplies close at hand.

Stowing supplies within reach of your child’s desk is one of the biggest keys to your kid’s productivity. “There needn’t be twelve trips around the house looking for the tools they need to complete each project,”

Draddy says. It’s easy: Just keep pens, pencils, erasers, Post-Its, highlighters, three-ring binder paper, graph paper, rulers, and a pencil sharpener within easy reach. “If desk space is an issue, consider making your own mobile supply station that can be easily wheeled in and out of the space when it’s homework time,” she says. “A version of this caddy can also be made for the road if your children won’t always be home when it comes time for homework.” Caddy Pick: Acrylic Accessory Drawers, $12.99-$13.99 (containerstore.com)

life skill that will bode them well in life after school, too.” Timer Pick: Time Timer Original 8 Inch, 60 Minute Visual Analog Timer, $24.99 (amazon.com)

helps kids keep their notes organized whether on their desk or in their book bag,” Draddy says. Color-Coded File Pick: White, Pool Blue + Aqua Letter Size File Folders, $15 (poppin.com)

Encourage color-coding.

Behold the power of the in-box.

Color-coded file folders can be vital to keeping organized. Encourage your child to stow all science papers in a green folder, English compositions in their blue folder, French worksheets in a red folder, and so on. “This

With school comes tons of assignments and papers that need to stay organized. “Consider setting up an ‘in’ and ‘out’ bin where your kids can put assignments that need to be done and others that are already completed,”

Draddy says. “This makes it easier to remember that everything in the ‘out’ bin needs to be packed in their backpacks and returned to school the next day.” For papers your kids want to keep for future nostalgia, consider keeping these in bins. By doing this, your house will stay streamlined too. Storage Picks: Archival Album & Scrapbook Storage Box, $17.99 (containerstore.com) Lambeth Hochwald is a New York Citybased journalist covering trends, relationships, and life in New York City.

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Embrace your label maker.

It’s time to dust off your label maker and use it to help your kids stay organized. “Label everything on your supply containers/caddy,” Draddy says, adding that this includes recent tests, papers, and assignment sheets as well as bins containing supplies. “This will help teach your children how to maintain their space and hopefully put an end to the continuing cycle of them asking where to put their supplies when they are done with their homework,” Draddy adds. Label Picks: Simply Remarkable Reusable Chalk Labels, $9.95 or Brother P-Touch PTD 210 Easy-to-Use Label Maker, $24.99 (both on amazon.com)

Corral those cords.

As your kids get older, homework will often require the use of technology, whether that’s a laptop, iPad, or other plug-ins, all of which means cord and charging chaos. “Keep your kids’ homework space tidy from the cord clutter by using some of those ingenious products and hacks to help cables stay neat and handy for when it’s time to plug in and charge,” Draddy says. Cord Storage Pick: Cable Twisters, $9.99 (containerstore.com)

CBE

After School

KIDS

Center

2018 Fall Term REGISTRATION FORMS We start Wednesday, September 12th for the 2018-2019 season.

Come Enjoy Our Classes in:

Chess, Sewing, Swimming, Sports, Art, Video, Computers, Bit Bots, Hands on Science, Gymnastics, Theater and Much More! DIRECTOR OF YOUTH SERVICES Bobbie Finkelstein 718.768.3814 ext. 210

Congregation Beth Elohim (After School Programs) 274 Gar eld Place, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Time it right.

If assignments need to be timed, give your kids the tools to manage their own time by keeping a clock or timer on their workspace. “Setting time limits for each subject can help them stay on track,” Draddy says. “This is a BrooklynParent 19

AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES & PROGRAMS Blue School

241 Water St., Manhattan 212-228-6341 blueschool.org Blue School is an independent school for children ages 2 through eighth grade where academic mastery, creative thinking, and self- and social intelligence are dynamically balanced to instill a lifelong passion for learning. The campus in lower Manhattan is full of thoughtful classrooms, lab spaces for studio art, STEAM, science, music, and drama, as well as a gymnasium, wonder room, and outdoor roof and terrace. Blue School values exploration, play, creativity, self-awareness, family, and community connection. Our inquiry-driven approach makes space for bold collaboration and rich project work.

Brienza’s Academic Advantage Inc.

Several locations in Brooklyn and Staten Island Call for a location near you: 718-232-0114 brienzas.com Brienza’s Academic Advantage offers a wide variety of academic programs for students attending kindergarten through 12th grade. We specialize in reading and math tutoring along with TACHS, SHSAT, Regents, and SAT and ACT preparation. Our programs provide students with the opportunity to increase their skills and knowledge, enabling them to reach their full potential, and gain motivation and confidence. Programs offered include tutoring in all subjects, test preparation courses, Mandated Summer School programs, and SETSS (P-4) services to qualified students. Call our office to speak to one of our educational specialists.

Brooklyn College Preparatory Center for the Performing Arts

234 Roosevelt Hall, 2900 Bedford Ave. 718-951-4111 bcprepcenter.org For 40 years, The Preparatory Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College has offered private and group classes in music (piano, winds, percussion, brass, and traditional and Suzuki strings), theater (audition prep, acting, and musical theater), and dance (from ballet to hip-hop and beyond) for children and teens of all levels. Prep Center’s Teen Division also includes Live-Action Filmmaking and Beat-Making classes, focusing on the newest technologies in film and composition! Our professional teachers, well-known experts in their fields, encourage students’ growth at all levels. Call for fall program registration.

Brooklyn Music School

126 Saint Felix St. 718-638-5660 brooklynmusicschool.org contactus@brooklynmusicschool.org Brooklyn’s best after-school program, Arts Reaching Youth, offers a range of creative options with classes in music, dance, theater, and the performing arts, along with homework support and healthy snacks. Free after-school pickup from selected schools, and our location in Brooklyn’s

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

cultural district is convenient for families with kids in kindergarten-fifth grades from Brooklyn. Appropriate for children ages 5-12. When students participate in ARY they have the opportunity to join group music or dance classes, ensembles such as Rock Band or the orchestra, or develop musical theater skills.

Brooklyn Tennis Academy

718-745-7776 brooklyntennisacademy.com Brooklyn Tennis Academy is dedicated to assisting every tennis player, beginner and advanced alike. We are a local tennis center in Brooklyn dedicated to providing exceptional tennis lessons at an affordable price. Lessons are taught by professionally rated instructors. Indoor and outdoor sessions offered for ages 7-11 twice a week from 3:30-6pm. Six-to-1 child-to-coach ratio. Beginner and intermediate levels with instructional, fun curriculum that progresses week to week. Students must wear sneakers. Sibling discounts available upon request. Visit brooklyntennisacademy.com for more information or call 718-745-7776.

CBE Kids: Congregation Beth Elohim

274 Garfield Place, Park Slope 718-768-3814 congregationbethelohim.org bfinkelstein@cbebk.org CBE KIDS after-school program at Congregation Beth Elohim offers children a wide variety of enrichment classes and recreational activities in a safe and caring environment. We believe each child develops at his or her own pace. All of our enrichment classes are taught by teachers or experienced freelance artists. Some of our classes include art, video, sewing, jewelry, bit bots, Legos, instructional swim, circus arts, ballet, and theater. Our program is also available on-site at P.S. 295 and P.S. 39. Registration on a trimester basis is available online at cbebk.org/afterschool.

Dutch Total Soccer: Aviator Sports

3159 Flatbush Ave. 718-758-7500 facebook.com/dtsnewyork dts-ny.com Dutch Total Soccer NY Fall Skills Classes start again in September! Dutch Total Soccer runs specialized indoor soccer classes all year around for ages 18 months to 15 years. We focus on players’ overall development and specific skills required in today’s game. DTS classes will assist children’s development into multi-dimensional players that are comfortable in all situations on the field. DTS classes are held on weekdays and weekends at Aviator Sports Bay Ridge and Socceroof in Brooklyn, as well as multiple locations on Long Island. Information and registration at dts-ny.com.

Eye Level

Eye Level Sheepshead Bay 1605 Voorhees Ave. 718-891-5437, Veronica Verdino Eye Level Park Slope

150 4th Ave. 718-260-8100, Daisy Farrugia myeyelevel.com Many parents today are facing educational challenges and looking for answers to help their children succeed academically. Whether the immediate goal is early learning, remedial education, or academic advancement, Eye Level is the answer. Eye Level offers math and English programs for ages 3-14. Our instructors tailor a curriculum by understanding the learning abilities of the student. With ongoing guidance, each student will set attainable goals and learn at a comfortable pace. With each success, the student grows more self-confident, self-motivated, and self-directed in the quest for knowledge.

Joffrey Ballet School

434 Sixth Ave., 5th Floor, Manhattan 888-438-3808 joffreyballetschool.com The Joffrey Ballet School offers classes in Musical Theater, Hip-Hop, Jazz and Contemporary Ballet, and more. We specialize in dancers ranging in age from 2-18. We also offer superb adult evening dance fitness classes. The Musical Theater classes for kids are instructed by actual Broadway stars. Come and experience our more than 60 years of excellence in dance training. You will love the way we care for your child’s dance training. Come and grow with us.

Keylab

94 Luquer St. 718-576-3514 keylab.nyc info@keylab.nyc Keylab is the modern music school in Carroll Gardens that offers individually tailored lessons and upbeat, fun music classes for ages 5 to adult. We teach children how to read music, play an instrument, and write and record a song. Visit keylab.nyc to see and hear our students in action, take an online tour of the studio, and learn more about what Keylab has to offer your family. Call 718-576-3514 or email info@keylab.nyc for information. Unlock your child’s creativity and register for a class today!

Ume Ume Music + Arts

319 4th Ave., (between 2nd and 3rd streets), Park Slope 718-768-0800 umeumearts.com info@umeumearts.com Our name, Ume Ume, reflects the focus of our program and the importance of bringing everyone together (ume = you + me), as we create and learn about our world through the arts. Ume Ume implements a completely original curriculum through an arts-integrated approach to learning. We develop a young child’s familiarity with music, dance, and art while encouraging experimentation, exploration, and creative thinking. We offer daily drop-in classes, day camps, private and group lessons in violin and piano, birthday parties, and our all-new ‘Jump Start’ Preschool Alternative Program.

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Music, Theater, Dance & Filmmaking www.BCprepCenter.org bcpc@brooklyn.cuny.edu 718-951-4111 2900 Beford Avenue 234 Roosevelt Hall Brooklyn, NY 11210

Call/e-mail/visit our website for our class schedule and registration information

Teen Division I Classes for the Very Young I Private lessons I Weekly Performances

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 21

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Brooklyn Tennis Academy Located at McKinley Park 75th St. & Fort Hamilton Pkwy. » We offer Pee Wee Programs Ages 4-6 yrs. » Junior Programs, Ages 7-14 yrs. » Adult Beginner Clinics and Intermediate Adult Programs » All Programs are taught by Top Certiﬁed Professionals and we have absolutely the Best Prices in NYC! » We Offer programs on both weekdays & weekends

FALL TENNIS SPECIAL at McKinley Park Saturday • September 22nd for both Juniors and Adults

5 lessons for $100 If 2 people join you get a discount You don't need to spend a fortune to learn this great game!

Call 718-745-7776 BrooklynTennisAcademy.com

DUTCH TOTAL SOCCER SUMMER SKILLS CAMP 6 weeks of Soccer Camps – July 2nd through August 10th • Indoor and outdoor turf available • Weekly sign up possible • Junior half day camps ages 5-7 • Full day camps ages 8-15 • Advanced camps ages 8-15 • Late stay and bus service options available Dutch Total Soccer (DTS) Summer Camps offer a great balance between instructional training & games in which players are required to use the skills they have learned. DTS Summer Camps are open to boys and girls ages 5-15. 3159 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, yn, NY 11234 • 718-758-7500 NYdirector@dutchtotalsoccer.com | www.dts-ny.com | www.facebook.com/dtsnewyork

ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

Join

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 ! Join 718.576.3514 keyl ab.nyc

NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices.

94 LUQUER ST. BROOKLYN, NY 11231

NYMetroParents

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Get advance notice on activities,

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August where-to guide

Activities

Compiled by Samantha Neudorf

Summer is almost coming to a close and school is right around the corner, so it’s time to make the most of those last weeks of vacation! What better way to close the season than by doing something memorable with your family? There are many boat rides you can take around the New York metro area, and there’s nothing like being on the water on a hot summer’s day. August also means it’s berry-picking season, so visit a local farm to pick a variety of blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Alternatively, you can visit your local farmers’ market to see what’s in season for late summer. Finally, if it’s just too hot to be outside, you can always bring the family indoors for a round of bowling. Stay cool!

BERRY PICKING Demarest Farms 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale 201-666-0472; demarestfarms.com Open daily, 8am-6:30pm Pick your own peaches starting the end of July. Farm market with pre-picked seasonal fruits and vegetables for sale. Petting zoo on-site.

Kent Miller

things to do

BOWLING ALLEYS Brooklyn Bowl 61 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg 718-963-3369; brooklynbowl.com Hours: Monday-Friday, 6pm-close; Saturday-Sunday, 12pm-close Part concert venue, part bowling alley, families can stop by to play a game at one of 16 lanes with Family Bowl every weekend from 125pm on Saturdays and 12-6pm on Sundays. Find more>> nymetroparents.com/bowling

Find more>> nymetroparents.com/berries

BOAT RIDES

McCarren Park Greenmarket North 12th Street and Union Avenue, Greenpoint 212-341-3717; grownyc.org/greenmarket Hours: Year-round: Saturdays, 8am-3pm (weather permitting) Nestled between Greenpoint and Williamsburg, this market offers an assortment of meat, fresh milk and yogurt, honey, preserves, seasonal produce, eggs, and more. Also hear music from local artists, take home market recipes, see cooking demonstrations, and participate in family-friendly activities.

Freedom Cruises Sheepshead Bay 917-650-3212; 646-413-1643; freedomofny.com Rides: Cruise past the famous Coney Island and Brighton Beach Boardwalk and Amusement Parks aboard the Pink Lady for the Harbor Sightseeing Cruise. The boat will then cruise past the historic Norton’s Point lighthouse on your way toward New York Harbor. After gliding under the Verrazano Bridge, the Captain will bring the Pink Lady within 50 yards of the Statue of Liberty, where he will stop the boat for a few moments before heading back to Sheepshead Bay. Professional guides provide commentary while answering questions throughout the tour. A refreshment bar is open throughout the trips and serves beverages and light snacks. Hours: Through Labor Day: Saturday-Sunday. Call for cruise times. Cost: Prices and dates vary, call ahead for availability. Advance purchase of tickets is strongly recommended.

Find more>> nymetroparents.com/farmers-markets

Find more>> nymetroparents.com/boat-rides

FARMERS’ MARKETS

things to do

outbound

Family Fun a Ride Away

This sailboat at the Nyack Boat Charter fits up to 12 people.

Courtesy The Challenger Center

Courtesy The Nyack Boat Charter

In Rockland County, NYâ&#x20AC;Ś

Students can learn STEM skills through hands-on, fully immersive experiences.

The Challenger Center

The Nyack Boat Charter

Want to enjoy a beautiful family day out on the Hudson without buying a boat? Nyack Boat Charter allows you and the family take a 2-hour afternoon or sunset sail in a 54-foot sailboat. With purchase of boarding ticket, you can enjoy a complimentary, local craft beer or regional wine while the kids enjoy the sunset over Nyack. You can also extend the luxury by renting a private charter for a half day, full day, overnight, or multiple days. All charters include a captain and crew, tubing, and refreshments. Visit it: 11 Burd St., Nyack; 845-535-1675; nyackboatcharter.com

This hands-on, STEM learning center uses space-themed simulated learning and role-playing to bring STEM skills to life for students, teaching problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. All experiences are designed for middle school students, are led by trained Flight Directors, and occur in a fully immersive Space Station and Mission Control. This nonprofit education organization explores hands-on discovery opportunities that inspire students to pursue careers in these fields. This day trip is fun and exciting for the whole family while also serving as an integral learning experience. Visit It: 225 NY-59, Airmont; 845-357-3416; challenger.org

Courtesy The Castle Fun Center

Courtesy Ramapo Mountain State Forest

o and bey nd!

Ramapo Mountain State Forest offers beautiful views from numerous rock outcroppings and ledges.

Take a turn on a zip line overlooking Orange County, more than 100 feet in the air.

Ramapo Mountain State Forest

The Castle Fun Center

This new network of five loop trails provides unbeatable views, all while allowing visitors to get fresh air and exercise. This 4,269-acre sanctuary is home to birds and other wildlife species, thanks to the ponds, streams, marshes, and a large lake. Some trails even provide views of the New York City skyline, so you can get away from the city without feeling too far from home. Visit It: Oakland, New Jersey; Take Route 287 to exit 57, follow Skyline Drive; state.nj.us; 609-777-3373

This amusement park in Orange County just about has it all. From three go-kart tracks, laser tag, roller skating, and rides, to zip lining, rock climbing, and more! Bring the whole family, friends, or even a large group because the wide variety of activities ensures there will be something for everyone to do, from kids to seniors. Due to the wide variety of attractions, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to set aside a full day to explore. The Castle Fun Center also offers daily Skate Sessions, a party venue, and mini golf. Visit It: 109 Brookside Ave., Chester; 845-469-2116

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 Donald Zucker and Barbara Hrbek Zucker Ocean Wonders: Sharks! (No. 10 on our list).

AUGUST

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

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ents. ropar

WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

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

CALENDAR

Editor’s Hot Tickets

Smarty Pants

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Browse & Buy

On Screen, Special Needs

Crafty Kids

Movers & Shakers

The Great Outdoors, Smarty Pants

Mini Musicians, Fun Fairs & Festivals

Animal Lovers, Once Upon a Time

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!

Nostalgia Ride: To the Rockaways by Rail

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 11am-5pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Grab a seat on a beach-bound Nostalgia Ride heading to the Rockaways! Celebrate summer by taking 1930s R-1/9 vintage train cars on a trip from Court Street station in Brooklyn to Rockaway ParkBeach 116th Street in Queens. Ride the vintage train back to the city at the end of the afternoon, or stay late to enjoy the nightlife on Rockaway Beach before making your way home on your own. WHY WE LOVE IT: This unique chance to travel “back in time” for a day also the perfect setting to pack a family picnic and enjoy a great summer day at the beach! WANT TO GO? $50. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

We are Brooklyn: A Community Block Party FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 1-5pm WHERE: Ingersoll Community Center, 177 Myrtle Ave., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: Building on the long-standing legacy of summer block parties in Brooklyn, We Are Brooklyn will be an arts-filled event at which neighbors of all ages can come together to dance in the sunshine to DJs and live music, create collaborative artworks, access Fort Greene neighborhood cultural and social resources, and participate in games, sports, and creative workshops. WHY WE LOVE IT: This modern take on the classic block party will feature activities such as dance classes, screen-printing, mural-making, drumming, double Dutch, and more! WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. universitysettlement.org/us/programs/ingersoll.

3 26

Hindu Lamp Ceremony FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 4pm WHERE: Main Street Beach at Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

AGES: All WHAT: The Aarti ceremony is traditionally presented each morning and evening in order to convey gratitude and ask for protection from mother river. As we enter Hurricane season, decorate palm leaf lamps and set them to sail along the East River. Audience members are also invited to join in the traditional percussion ensemble led by Paulomm which accompanies the ceremony. Guest performing artists will also present their work. WHY WE LOVE IT: Celebrate the power of nature in a lovely ritual that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. WANT TO GO? 212-348-1400. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Nature at Night: Family Edition

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 9, 6-8pm WHERE: Prospect Park Audobon Center, Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Join Prospect Park Alliance for an evening stroll to see, hear, and learn about the mysterious urban wildlife in Prospect Park. In this 2-hour program, you will have a special behind the scenes look of the animal collection at the boathouse, then explore the park with an expert local naturalist. WHY WE LOVE IT: Bats, raccoons, insects, birds, and amphibians are among the nocturnal creatures you can expect to see during this special visit to Prospect Park. WANT TO GO? $10; $35 for a family of four. 718-287-3400. prospectpark.org.

Outdoor Films: ‘Ghostbusters’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 10, 6-10pm WHERE: Parade Ground at Governors Island, Ferries leave from Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park AGES: All WHAT: Who ya gonna call? Three parapsychologists (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis) are fired from their cushy Columbia University gigs and forced into the private sector. After a paranormal encounter at the New York Public Library, they set up

shop as spectral exterminators in an old fire house and begin chasing spooks, specters, and ghosts all over the city with unlicensed nuclear accelerators strapped to their backs. Get there by 6pm to enjoy pre-screening music by Theodore Jahng. WHY WE LOVE IT: Here’s the perfect summer setting to introduce a whole new generation of New Yorkers to this classic film. WANT TO GO? 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

Zen Zoo Yoga

WHEN: Through Aug. 18: Saturdays, 12-1pm WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Join Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks for this fun and mindful Shape Up NYC class for kids. The instructor will teach Asana yoga, which is based on animal forms and shapes. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids will love this silly and lighthearted approach to exercise inspired by their favorite zoo animals. WANT TO GO? $8; $5 children ages 3-5; free for children younger than 2. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

Super Science Saturday: Bubbles Big and Small

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 25, 11am-1pm WHERE: Staten Island Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island AGES: 9-12 WHAT: The physics of bubbles will be the subject as participants build wands to make giant bubbles and learn the secret of the square bubble. Registration recommended. WHY WE LOVE IT: Young and old science lovers alike will get a big kick out of this exploration of what goes into a bubble, and how to make it square! WANT TO GO? $10. 718-727-1135. statenislandmuseum.org.

Donald Zucker and Barbara Hrbek Zucker Ocean Wonders: Sharks!

WHEN: Through June 30, 2020: daily, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Aquarium, Surf Avenue and West Eighth Street, Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Explore the coral reef, wander through a shipwreck, and peer over the Hudson Canyon in this new exhibit all about sharks, open year-round. More than 115 species, including sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, and loggerhead sea turtles, live in this state-ofthe-art exhibit. WHY WE LOVE IT: This awe-inspiring shark exhibit will thrill young visitors, and is a great complement to the upcoming Shark Week on the Discovery Channel! WANT TO GO? $12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-265-3474. nyaquarium.com.

SUMMER ADVENTURE!

Exhibition: Impractical Jokers: Homecoming

WHEN: Through March 17, 2019: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Staten Island Museum at Snug Harbor, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Impractical Jokers: Homecoming explores the story of four longtime friends from Staten Island whose hidden-camera, comedic television show, Impractical Jokers, has become a pop culture phenomenon. See original costumes, props, and art created over the past seven seasons. View new interviews and episode highlights, and learn about behind-the-scenes production, including some secrets. Take a journey with the Jokers from high school hijinks to mainstream comedic success that all started on the shores of Staten Island. WHY WE LOVE IT: This exhibit features plenty of interactive surprises that will make visitors feel like they’re part of the show itself! WANT TO GO? $8; $5 seniors and students; $2 children ages 2-12; free for children younger than 2 and members. 718-727-1135. statenislandmuseum.org.

ColorLab

rotating programs that will feature the work and material inspirations of comtemporary artists. Learn about Afrofuturism through a toolbox containing books, materials, and prompts to guide creating. WHY WE LOVE IT: Inspired by modern African and African-American artwork, children will be given the tools and materials to create fascinating artwork of their own. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

WHEN: Through May 24, 2019: Thursday, 2-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: ColorLab is BCM’s new family art studio inspired by contemporary African-American, Afro-Caribbean, and African artists, with

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Pop-Up Audubon: Fishing and Birdwatching FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 12-5pm WHERE: Prospect Park, Prospect Park West, Parkside Avenue between Flatbush and Ocean avenues and Prospect Park South West, Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Join Prospect Park Alliance educators for free fishing clinics and birdwatching with the whole family! Participants learn about aquatic ecology and fishing safety, and will even get to collect their own bait. Then, participants of all ages can join alliance naturalists on a walk to identify up to 250 species of birds that pass through Prospect Park. Check online for schedule and location details. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8951. prospectpark.org.

Pop-Up Pool FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: daily, 10am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 150 Furman Road, Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: Take a dip in one of New York City’s coolest hidden gems, then relax on the beach after your swim. The pool is 30-by-50 feet in size, and maxes out at an easy 3½ feet deep—making it just right for families with smaller kids, too. Swimmers of all ages and levels are welcome to enter daily from 10am-6pm for 45-minute sessions. WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. brooklynbridgepark.org/events.

Summer Open House FREE

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 six no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Farmhouse Family Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 18, 11am-3pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Roll up your sleeves—it’s time to get your hands dirty! Explore the growing plants, learn how families can garden together, and taste fresh vegetables right from the ground! The farmhouse’s own gardener will also be around to teach some helpful tricks to nurture your own farms at home. Stop by for outdoor colonial games, seasonal activities, scavenger hunts, and more! WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

28th Annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Competition FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 18, 12-4pm WHERE: Coney Island USA, West 10th to West 12th streets, between Beach and Boardwalk, Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss the 28th annual sand-sculpting competition at Coney Island, where your castle-building skills will be put to the test! On-site registration begins at 12pm. WANT TO GO? 718-594-7895. coneyisland.com.

Free Carousel Rides FREE

WHEN: Aug. 2-30, Thursdays, 12-6pm WHERE: Prospect Park Carousel, 95 Prospect Park W., Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy free carousel rides on the historic Prospect Park Carousel every Thursday in August, funded by the New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. WANT TO GO? 718-399-7339. prospectpark.org. 28

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Sept. 30: Saturdays, 12-3pm WHERE: H.H. Biddle House, 70 Satterlee St., Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Explore this NYC landmark house built in the Greek Revival style and overlooking the Raritan Bay and Arthur Kill waterways. Explore the property’s adjacent terracotta garden, the beachfront, and grounds of this NYC historic treasure. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

BROWSE & BUY Smorgasburg

WHEN: Through Oct. 7: Sundays, 11am-6pm WHERE: Prospect Park, Breeze Hill, Ocean and Parkside avenues, Prospect Lefferts Garden AGES: All WHAT: Every Sunday, head to Breeze Hill in Prospect Park to take in some sun and enjoy delicious food from more than 100 local vendors. WANT TO GO? free admission. 718-928-6603. smorgasburg.com.

Farmer’s Market FREE

WHEN: Through Nov. 3: Saturdays, 11am-3pm WHERE: Wyckoff House Museum, 5816 Clarendon Road, East Flatbush AGES: All WHAT: Join the Wyckoff farm team as it shares its harvest with the community. Stop by and grab your veggies, fruits, herbs, seeds, and local crafts at affordable prices. WANT TO GO? 718-629-5400. wyckoffmuseum.org.

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: Grand Army Plaza is Greenmarket’s flagship Brooklyn market, and the second largest market in the program behind Union Square. View an array of farm fresh products and to participate in the programming and cooking demonstrations that take place every Saturday. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8945. prospectpark.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Toddler Art Adventures

WHEN: Through Aug. 1: Wednesdays, 3:30-4:15pm WHERE: Elite Minds Montessori, 117 Union St., Columbia Street Waterfront District AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Budding toddler artists will explore paint, crayons, oil pastels, collage materials, air-dry clay, and recycled sculpture in this process-oriented art class. Themes for projects include NYC, outer space, animals, and opposites. WANT TO GO? $28. 347-916-1433. privatepicassos.com/around-nyc.

Bookworm Bookends FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 9am-12pm WHERE: Home Depot Gowanus, 550 Hamilton Ave., Gowanus AGES: All WHAT: You and your child can build a set of bookworm bookends. Once your bookends construction is complete, you and your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. All Kids Workshop attendees must be accompanied by a parent or adult at all times. WANT TO GO? 718-832-8553. homedepot.com.

Underground Art: On Display in the Subway

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 5, 1-3pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: With hundreds of art installations scattered throughout NYC’s more than 400 stations, it’s one of the world’s largest public art galleries. Join guide Justin Rivers on a journey through time and space, telling the story of the NYC commuter—from Roy Lichtenstein’s subway rocket to the future down to Robert Fulton’s first steam ferry—all told through the art we pass in the transit system every day. WANT TO GO? $40. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Astronomy for Beginners FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 11, 12-1pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Create your own constellation viewers using everyday materials to gaze at the night sky. Attendance is limited to 25 guests. WANT TO GO? 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Kids Create: Digital Stills FREE

Creativity Lab

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Sundays, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights AGES: All WHAT: In this drop-in workshop, take inspiration from our galleries, experiment with materials, and learn artistic techniques. WANT TO GO? $16; free for children younger than 19. 718-638-5000. brooklynmuseum.org.

Build with Lego FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 31, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library: Dyker Library, 8202 13th Ave., Dyker Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy building with Lego and Duplo bricks and Keva planks! Create cars, planes, castles, gardens, and more; let your imagination soar! WANT TO GO? 718-748-6261. bklynlibrary.org.

Children’s Museum of the Arts Free Island Outpost FREE

WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm WHERE: Governors Island, ferries leave from Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park AGES: All WHAT: Visit the Children’s Museum of the Art’s Free Art Island Outpost for hands-on art making workshops and art-viewing experiences. 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.

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 24, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brooklyn Public Library: Kensington Branch, 4207 18th Ave., Kensington AGES: All WHAT: Kids Create: Digital Stills is for kids who want to try their hand at drawing with iPads. Participants will be able to use iPads to virtually finger-paint and digitally sketch. WANT TO GO? 718.436.0545. bklynlibrary.org/locations/kensington.

Totally Tots

Safety City

Transit Tots

WHEN: Through Aug. 30: Sunday-Thursday, 12:30-2:45pm WHERE: Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: The Jewish Children’s Museum hits the road this summer with a child-sized road course, complete with pedal go-karts and working traffic lights! Children will have to practice safe street behaviors both as drivers and as pedestrians, in order to be awarded a “Safety City” license! WANT TO GO? $13. 718-467-0600. jcm.museum.

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesday-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 is designed for the museum’s youngest visitors, and features nine different sensory play areas. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org. WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Thursdays, 10:15-11am WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 2-5 WHAT: Every Thursday, young train enthusiasts explore themes such as animals underground, the people and buildings of New York City, colors and shapes, and, of course, the city’s subways and buses. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17. 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org. ›› BrooklynParent 29

Drop-In Play

WHEN: Aug. 5-25, Saturdays, 10am-7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Come inside and cool off with drop-in art projects and play opportunities taking place on August weekends in the museum’s studio. Activities invite young artists to build fine motor skills, explore art-making materials, and learn how to make new friends in a communal play space. Feel the summer vibes at SPARK as we soak up the sun and celebrate the last warm days of the season. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Spark in the Park

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 3, 2-5pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Visitors of all ages develop their engineering skills as they engage in open block play with Imagination Playground blocks in the Plaza of Brooklyn Bridge Park. WANT TO GO? 212-348-1400. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Gotham Girls Summer Skate Camp (Week 1)

WHEN: Aug. 6-10, daily, 9am-3pm WHERE: The Crash Pad, 299 Scholes St., Bushwick AGES: 6-17 WHAT: Skaters will learn to skate and sharpen their derby skills in a multi-skill level camp designed to introduce the wonderful sport of roller derby and challenge current skaters. GGRD coaches will lead a weeklong intensive that will cover skating basics up to more advanced derby skills. Girls must have their own gear and water bottle. No skating skills are necessary, but participants must be able to make it around the track without holding onto walls or people. WANT TO GO? $65. gothamgirlsrollerderby.com/camp-spring-summer.

City Parks Foundation Get Up & Go FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 10, see website for registration and activity times WHERE: Parks across New York City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This twice-weekly program will keep youngsters active all summer with action-packed activities, including obstacle courses, relay races, kickball, frisbee, climbing, and golf. WANT TO GO? 212-353-9585. cityparksfoundation.org.

Double Dutch FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 15, Wednesdays, 7-9pm WHERE: Pier 2, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Furman and Clark streets, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Join Double Dutch Empire for Open Ropes, a weekly double Dutch jump rope session every Wednesday. Skilled instructors are on-hand to provide basic double dutch instruction in a fun block party environment. WANT TO GO? 718-802-0603. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Prospect Park Yoga FREE

WHEN: Aug. 2-23, select Thursdays, 7-8pm WHERE: Prospect Park Long Meadow, Grand Army Plaza entrance, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: Featuring Brooklyn’s finest yoga teachers, Prospect Park Yoga gives attendees a chance to try free, outdoor group yoga classes in a low-pressure, beautiful environment. Bring your own mat or towel, a bottle of water, and friends. All levels welcome. Please RSVP online! WANT TO GO? 718-965-8951. bendandbloom.com/rsvp. 30

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Basketball Clinic FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 28: Tuesdays, 5pm; Sundays, 12pm WHERE: Pier 2, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Furman and Clark streets, Brooklyn Heights AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Improve basic basketball skills with the Big and Little Skills Academy on Pier 2. Each clinic will include either yoga to enhance flexibility or flag football for agility training. WANT TO GO? 718-802-0603. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Boogie Woogie Nights FREE

WHEN: Aug. 1-29, Wednesdays, 5-8pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: The Staten Island Children’s Museum is open for free. Explore exhibits for 2 hours and then enjoy a dance program. Dancers demonstrate a specific cultural dance and invite museumgoers to learn new moves. WANT TO GO? 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Kayaking FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 30: Saturday-Sunday, 10am-2pm; Thursday, 5:30-6:45pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse at Pier 2, Furman and Clark streets, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Glide along the water while kayaking with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse at the Pier 2 floating dock. All levels are welcome and no experience is necessary. WANT TO GO? 718-802-0603. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Summertime Skating Rink

WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Monday-Thursday, 10am-5pm; Friday, 10am-9pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Mel’s Rink Governors Island, Ferries leave from Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park AGES: All WHAT: Made from a synthetic material designed for metal ice-skates, Mel’s Rink Governors Island will give New Yorkers the rare opportunity to skate during the summer months and is the first outdoor skating opportunity on Governors Island. WANT TO GO? $20; $15 children. 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

New York Road Runners Open Run FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 18: Tuesdays, 7pm WHERE: Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Open Run is a community-based initiative that empowers local volunteers to bring free weekly runs to local neighborhood parks all over NYC. All runs are directed by volunteers, and courses are usually between 2½-3 miles. Open to all ages, experience levels, walkers, strollers, and dogs. WANT TO GO? 718-222-9939. brooklynbridgepark.org.

The Buttons Weekend Sing-Along

WHEN: Through March 17, 2019: 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 that is sure to get both kids and grown-ups singing and dancing. WANT TO GO? $15; $5 per additional child. 718-388-3663. edamama.com.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS The 15th Annual New York Musical Festival

MINI

MUSICIANS Music in the Grove: Kids Concerts FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 8: Wednesdays, 10-11am; Sundays, 11am-12pm WHERE: Fort Greene Park, Washington Park Street, Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: Fort Greene’s popular kids concert series returns for its seventh season with hour-long performances by beloved local artists such as Hopalong Andrew, Rolie Polie Guacamole, Soul Science Lab, and more. WANT TO GO? 212-639-9675. fortgreenepark.org.

Music in Motion FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 25: Saturdays, 4pm WHERE: Bargemusic, Fulton Ferry Landing, Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: Bargemusic presents Music in Motion, a free family concert series that includes an hourlong performance and a Q-and-A session with the musicians. WANT TO GO? bargemusic.org.

Rock and Roll Playhouse with Face Painting FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30pm WHERE: Industry City, 254 36th St., Sunset Park AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy free family concerts with live bands and face painting with The Cheeky Chipmunk at Courtyard 1/2. WANT TO GO? 718-417-7362. industrycity.com.

Live at the Archway FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 20: Thursdays, 6-8pm WHERE: Archway Under the Manhattan Bridge, Water Street, between Adams Street and Anchorage Place, Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: Live at the Archway is Dumbo’s signature series, featuring dynamic musical performances, a pop-up gallery, and interactive art experience. WANT TO GO? 718-237-8700. dumbo.is.

WHEN: Through Aug. 5: daily, see website for times WHERE: Various locations, Theater District, Times Square AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This year’s festival has some family-friendly shows, including Between the Sea and the Sky; Pedro Pan; What’s Your Wish?; and The Gunfighter Meets His Match. WANT TO GO? $31.75 and up. 212-664-0979. nymf.org.

One Crown Heights FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 5, 11:30am-5pm WHERE: Jewish Children’s Museum, 792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Join the Brooklyn Children’s Museum in partnership with Project C.A.R.E, Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo, and a host of Brooklyn institutions for the third annual One Crown Heights Festival! Meet at the Jewish Children’s Museum at 11:30am and walk down Kingston Avenue to Brower Park at 12pm. Enjoy family fun, entertainment, kosher and non-kosher food, and more throughout this day-long event in Brower Park that celebrates unity and diversity in Crown Heights! BCM will also offer free admission all day. WANT TO GO? 718-467-0600. jcm.museum.

Fort Greene Summer Literary Festival! FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 18, 3pm WHERE: Roulette Intermedium, 509 Atlantic Ave., Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: Greenlight Bookstore is honored to partner with NY Writers Coalition and Akashic Books to present the 13th annual Fort Greene Summer Literary Festival! This year’s event is held at Roulette Intermedium, a venue and organization dedicated to new and adventurous art, and features young writers (6-18 years old) reading alongside published writers for an inspiring afternoon of literature. WANT TO GO? greenlightbookstore.com. ››

Lavender Blues Music & Movement FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Thursdays, 10:45-11:45am WHERE: Spark by Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 1 John St., Dumbo AGES: 3-5 WHAT: During this class, 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. BrooklynParent 31

History and Mysteries of Snug Harbor

WHEN: Through Sept. 22: Saturdays, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: The History and Mysteries of Snug Harbor tour brings you through an 83-acre site and reveals the history of this 19th-century campus alongside tales of strange occurrences and mysteries of the grounds every other Saturday. WANT TO GO? $10. 718-273-2060. snug-harbor.org.

SMARTY PANTS BCM Advocacy Lab Presents: Fundred Project

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 11, 1:30-2:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Join BCM and the Fundred Project as we explore what makes a healthy home and clean environment. Founded in 2010, the Fundred Project teaches about the dangers of lead contamination and helps children become advocates for lead-free futures. Through this 30-minute program, BCM kids will have the opportunity to build their own healthy homes and learn to advocate for a safer environment and leadfree world. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

Fantastic Tunnel Books

WHEN: Aug. 4-12, Saturday-Sunday, 1:30-2:15pm WHERE: New York Transit Museum, 99 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn Heights AGES: 5 and older WHAT: What do engineers discover as they dig underground to build New York’s newest train tunnels? Find out, and then create and illustrate your own fantastic book about what you imagine finding beneath Manhattan’s busy streets and ancient bedrock. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 2-17 and seniors 65 and older . 718-694-1600. nytransitmuseum.org.

Adaptive Gaming Arcade FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 26, 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 fun-filled afternoons of Minecraft, rumble patch controllers, Wii, and more. WANT TO GO? 718-230-2100. bklynlibrary.org/locations/central.

Native Voices: New England Tribal Families Exhibition

WHEN: Through Sept. 2: Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, 10am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-7pm WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Meet the Narragansett, Mashpee Wampanoag, Aquinnah Wampanoag, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy communities of New England through photographs, videos, and activities that invite you to participate in daily life and special events. Join us for this important and unique opportunity to learn about the history and modern life of indigenous communities through first-person narratives, oral history storytelling, large photo murals, hands-on activities, and evocative collection objects. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org. 32

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Waterfront Exhibition

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Historical Society Dumbo, 55 Water St., Dumbo AGES: All WHAT: Waterfront is an exhibition and multimedia experience for all ages that brings to life the vibrant history of Brooklyn’s coastline through stories of workers, artists, industries, activists, families, neighborhoods, and ecosystems. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 seniors and teachers; free for members and students of all ages. 917-775-4636. brooklynhistory.org/dumbo.

Holding History

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Sundays, 11am WHERE: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave., Crown Heights AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Children will learn about the history of artifacts from the museum’s collection through this tactical investigation and by relating them to their own lives. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-735-4400. brooklynkids.org.

Escher: The Exhibition and Experience

WHEN: Through Feb. 3, 2019: Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, 10am-7pm; Thursday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Industry City, 34 34th St., Building 6, Sunset Park AGES: All WHAT: Experience the mind-bending work of graphic illustrator M.C. Escher in this exhibition featuring more than 200 original works. Exploring the intersection between art, mathematics, science, and poetry, Escher’s works have fascinated and astounded generations of artists, architects, mathematicians, musicians, and designers alike. WANT TO GO? $20; $13 children ages 12-17; $6 children ages 5-11. eschernyc.com.

Friday/Saturday Drop-In

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 complex role-playing games that your kids and teenagers will love. WANT TO GO? $48. 718-788-1122. brooklyngamelab.com.

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.

ON SCREEN

SPECIAL NEEDS

Movies With a View: ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ FREE

Discover Gardening

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 2, 6pm WHERE: Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: The daughter of an orthodox Sikh in London rebels against her parents’ traditionalism and joins a football (soccer) team. The evening begins with The Avenue DJs and the short film War Paint, directed by Katrelle N. Kindred and curated by BAMcinématek. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Smorgasburg. WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. brooklynbridgepark.org/events.

WHEN: Through Aug. 22: Wednesdays, 10:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 900 Washington Ave., Crown Heights AGES: All WHAT: Drop in and practice gardening skills alongside Discovery Docents in the Hamm Children’s Learning Courtyard inside the Discovery Garden. Water and weed fruit and vegetable beds, plant a seed, and learn about what’s growing! Create a plant-inspired craft to take home. WANT TO GO? $15; free for children younger than 12. 718-623-7200. bbg.org.

A Summer Movie Under the Stars: ‘Space Jam’ FREE

Erwin Wurm: Hot Dog Bus FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 7-11pm WHERE: Prospect Park Long Meadow, Grand Army Plaza entrance, Park Slope AGES: All WHAT: The Looney Tunes seek out Michael Jordan to help them win a basketball match. Enjoy ’80s and ’90s R&B, hip-hop, and dance hits before the movie. Neighborhood partners will also provide on-site activities. WANT TO GO? 718-965-8951. prospectpark.org.

Movies Under the Stars Presents ‘Wonder’ FREE

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 13, 7:30pm WHERE: Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street, Cypress Hills AGES: All WHAT: Based on the New York Times bestseller, Wonder tells the incredibly inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time. WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nyc.gov/parks.

Coney Island Flicks on the Beach FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 20: Mondays, 7:30pm WHERE: Coney Island Boardwalk, Boardwalk and West 10th Street, Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: A giant 40-foot inflatable screen turns the beach at West 10th Street into an outdoor movie theater! Come on down and see great films representing a mix of modern, classic, and indie movies. Festivities begin at 7:30pm and screenings start at dusk. WANT TO GO? coneyisland.com.

Movies Under the Stars Presents ‘Coco’ FREE

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 27, 7:30pm WHERE: Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street, Cypress Hills AGES: All WHAT: Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the Land of the Dead. After meeting a charming trickster named Héctor, the two new friends embark on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nyc.gov/parks.

WHEN: Through Aug. 26: Saturday-Sunday, 12-6pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St., Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: This modified, vintage Volkswagen Microbus has been transformed into a bright yellow, overstuffed food truck from which free hot dogs will be served to visitors all summer, hinting at the gastronomic connections between the city’s most iconic street food and the artist’s Austrian homeland. See it at Pier 1 on Saturdays and Pier 5 on Sundays. WANT TO GO? 212-348-1400. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Shoprite Kidz Cook

WHEN: Aug. 1-31, Fridays, 12-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Children’s Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: NASA’s astronauts have strange cravings due to the change of atmosphere while in space. Discover some of their favorite foods and learn why they crave them in this tasty class! WANT TO GO? $8. 718-273-2060. sichildrensmuseum.org.

Wafels & Dinges Factory Tour

WHEN: Through Nov. 9: Fridays, 10am WHERE: Wafels & Dinges Headquarters, 264 Butler St., Gowanus AGES: All WHAT: Take a tour inside the Royal Dinges Factory, the commissary, production space and headquarters of one of New York City’s most popular street food brands. You’ll even get the chance to put your hands in some wafel dough, and cook your own fresh-made wafel in their custom-made irons. WANT TO GO? $25; $12.50 children ages 5-11; free for children younger than 5. 347-903-8687. dinges.nyc. ››

Regal Summer Movie Express

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Tuesday-Wednesday, see website for times WHERE: UA Sheepshead Bay Stadium 14, 3907 Shore Parkway, Sheepshead Bay AGES: All WHAT: Watch family-friendly movies for just $1, including Despicable Me, Storks, Iron Giant, and The Lego Movie. WANT TO GO? $1. 844-462-7342. regmovies.com/movies/summer-movie-express. BrooklynParent 33

Free Fireworks FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Fridays, 9:30pm WHERE: Coney Island Boardwalk, Boardwalk and West 10th Street, Coney Island AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a free fireworks show at Coney Island from high atop Deno’s Wonder Wheel on the Boardwalk. WANT TO GO? denoswonderwheel.com/fireworks.

Weekday Nature Exploration FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 30: Thursday-Friday, 12-4pm WHERE: Audubon Center at the Boathouse, Prospect Park near the Lincoln Road/Ocean Avenue entrance, Prospect Lefferts Gardens AGES: All WHAT: Join Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban audubon center in the nation. WANT TO GO? 718-421-2021. nycgovparks.org.

Coastal Cleanup

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Wonderful Wednesdays at the Carousel for All Children FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 8: Wednesdays, 10am WHERE: Willowbrook Park, Eton Place and Richmond Avenue, Staten Island AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Meet the Greenbelt’s early childhood educators at the carousel in Willowbrook Park. Then enjoy a nature activity and learn about upcoming programs throughout the summer and fall. WANT TO GO? 718-667-3545. sigreenbelt.org.

Summer Streets 2018 FREE

WHEN: Aug. 4-18, Saturdays, 7am-1pm WHERE: Between Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, along Park Avenue and connecting streets, Lafayette Street and Park Avenue up to 72nd Street, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: An annual celebration of New York City’s most valuable public space—our streets. Summer Streets opens nearly 7 miles of NYC’s streets for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. See website for locations and activity highlights. WANT TO GO? nyc.gov.

Nature Center Adventures FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 18: Thursday-Sunday, 3-4pm WHERE: Salt Marsh Nature Center, East 33rd Street and Avenue U, Marine Park AGES: All WHAT: Nature Center Adventures connect New Yorkers of all ages to the natural world. Nature Center Adventure programs include scavenger hunts, nature crafts and games, and getting up close and personal with nature center animals. WANT TO GO? 718-421-2021. nycgovparks.org.

Unicycling the Brooklyn Bridge FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 31, 2pm WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge, Park Row and Centre Street, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: This 13-mile ride across the Brooklyn Bridge to Coney Island is the beginning of the NYC Unicycle Festival. Unicyclists should be experienced in riding with traffic. A 26-to-36-inch tire is suggested. Less experienced riders are invited to participate in the Brooklyn Bridge crossing. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. The race begins on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge. WANT TO GO? 212-348-1400. nycunifest.com/brooklyn-unicycle-day. 34

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Oct. 3: See website for dates, 10am-12pm WHERE: Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: All WHAT: Coastal Cleanup volunteers give back to the community by helping us remove hundreds of pounds of trash from Pier 1 salt marshes and beaches. Volunteers ages 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian. WANT TO GO? 718-683-5600. brooklynbridgepark.org.

Governors Island Open Season

WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm; SaturdaySunday, 10am-7pm WHERE: Governors Island, ferries leave from Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park AGES: All WHAT: Hop on the ferry to Governors Island to enjoy lush landscapes, concerts, and free programming. WANT TO GO? $3; free for children younger than 13; free for all passengers Saturday-Sunday until 11:30am. 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

SHOW TIME!

Hip To Hip Theatre Presents Shakespeare In The Park: ‘King Lear’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 3, 7:30pm WHERE: Monument Steps at Fort Greene Park, Washingon Park Street, Fort Greene AGES: All WHAT: The aging King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their love for him. This spectacular tragedy pits good against evil as the exiled princess returns to claim the throne. Performances feature an interactive kids workshop 30 minutes before show time. WANT TO GO? 212-639-9675. fortgreenepark.org.

Plaza Theatrical Presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’ FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 6pm WHERE: Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street, Cypress Hills AGES: All WHAT: Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion as they come to life in this theatrical version of the classic film! WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nyc.gov/parks.

‘The Jungle Book’

WHEN: Through Aug. 19: Saturday-Sunday, 12:30pm and 2:30pm WHERE: Puppetworks, 338 6th Ave., Park Slope AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Enjoy an artful retelling of The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling’s Fables of India, as adapted for marionettes by Nicolas Coppola and Adam Kilgour. WANT TO GO? $11; $10 children. 718-965-3391. puppetworks.org.

ANIMAL LOVERS

ONCE UPON A TIME

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 5, 1-3pm WHERE: High Rock Park, meet in the parking lot located at the end of Nevada Avenue, Staten Island AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Dive in as educators from Greenbelt Conservancy explore sharks! Learn about these creatures and the important role they play in our oceans. WANT TO GO? 718-217-4685. sigreenbelt.org.

WHEN: Through Aug. 8: Wednesdays, 10:30am WHERE: Granite Terrace at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 3, Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Join The Brooklyn Public Library for a rollicking good time listening to stories, singing songs, and enjoying the breeze from the water. WANT TO GO? 718-624-4719. nycgovparks.org.

Shark Files FREE

Zoolympics

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 12, 12-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Learn about some amazing animal abilities and join the zoo in a few friendly games to test how you compare to the animal kingdom! Free giveaway to the first 100 children younger than 14. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 children ages 3-14; free for children younger than 3. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

Serpent Day

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 25, 12-3pm WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island AGES: All WHAT: Slither in for an afternoon with the zoo’s snake collection. Staff will display reptiles with presentations and demonstrations—outside of their glass tanks! Lots of snake feedings and opportunities to touch the snakes and take photos. WANT TO GO? $10; $6 children ages 3-14; free for children younger than 3. 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

Classic Mew-vie Night

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 17, 7:30pm WHERE: Brooklyn Cat Café, 149 Atlantic Ave., Cobble Hill AGES: All WHAT: Watch a classic movie along with the cats of the Brooklyn Cat Café as they nap soundly in your lap, or perhaps purr distractingly as you try to pay attention. Ticket price includes a snack and drink. Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. WANT TO GO? $20. 347-946-2286. catcafebk.com.

Calypso at the Zoo

WHEN: Aug. 1-31, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Prospect Park Zoo, 450 Flatbush Avenue, Prospect Park AGES: All WHAT: Visit the Prospect Park Zoo every weekend in August for a zoothemed West Indian carnival with steelpan and calypso music, carnival-inspired crafts, and of course, Caribbean culture. WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 718-399-7339. prospectparkzoo.com.

Touch Tank

Summer Reading Storytime FREE

Neighborhood School Reading Club FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 5:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore PLG, 632 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Lefferts Garden AGES: All WHAT: Kids are encouraged come with a recommendation from the books they’ve read. After everyone get a chance to share a book, a Greenlight staff member will make their own recommendations, and then select one book to read together as a group. WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

PLG Young Readers Book Group FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 5:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore PLG, 632 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Lefferts Garden AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Readers will enjoy Island of the Aunts by British author Eva Ibbotson. When the kindly old aunts decide they need help caring for creatures who live on their hidden island, they know adults can’t be trusted. What they need are a few special children who can keep a secret as big as a magical island. Pizza will be served and parents are welcome (but not required) to attend. WANT TO GO? greenlightbookstore.com.

Art and Storytelling

WHEN: Through Aug. 28: Tuesdays, 4-5pm WHERE: Stories Bookshop + Storytelling Lab, 458 Bergen St., Park Slope AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Looking for ways to keep your little one(s) busy? Head to Stories Bookshop + Storytelling Lab for an hour of arts and crafts and reading! WANT TO GO? $15; $10 siblings. 718-369-1167. storiesbk.com.

Saturday Author Story Time FREE

WHEN: Through March 17, 2019: Saturdays, 11:30am and 1:30pm WHERE: Greenlight Bookstore, 686 Fulton St., Fort Greene AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Authors and illustrators of picture books often visit on Saturdays to read from their new books, and neighborhood performers or the Greenlight staff sometimes read as well. WANT TO GO? 718-246-0200. greenlightbookstore.com.

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 real, 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: 3-12 WHAT: Join a museum educator for this popular live animal show. Learn about and touch an animal from the museum’s living collection. WANT TO GO? $11. 718-224-5863. brooklynkids.org.

Coming up next month: SEPT. 1-DEC. 17: The Snow Queen and The Emperor’s New Clothes at Puppetworks, Park Slope SEPT. 15-16: Brooklyn Book Festival Children’s Day at Metrotech Commons, Downtown Brooklyn SEPT. 23: Flatbush Frolic on Cortelyou Road, Flatbush

BrooklynParent 35

raising kids baby

Sponsored by

The Different Ways to Talk to a Baby There’s more than one method to building up your little one’s speech skills.

alking to your baby can be fun, but it’s not all fun and games. Everything you say to an infant (and even a toddler) inﬂuences the way and the speed at which he learns to speak. Narrating what you do every day, singing, reading, speaking in “baby talk,” asking questions, facilitating conversations, and virtually any noises you make when you are around your infant affects her speech development as well as other skills. In all, babies and toddlers need to hear more than 20,000 words a day, according to Krysti Maloney, M.S., CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist and supervisor at The Suffolk Center for Speech. Clearly you need to talk a lot to your little one. But how should you speak, exactly? Whether you use nonsense words like “ittle-widdle,” sing-song speech, or address her like she is a full-grown adult, each of these approaches has a different impact on your child’s speech development. Certain methods such as baby-babble may come more naturally, while tactics like narrating what you’re doing may feel forced or uncomfortable at first. However you talk to your baby, it is important to recognize the benefits and disadvantages of each method—and know when and how to use each. 36

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

››

By Melissa Wickes

Don’t Be Afraid of ‘Parentese’

Many experts have weighed in on the topic of baby talk, saying the best way to teach adult language to a baby is to speak to him as though he is a grown-up. However, ‘parentese’ (also known as infant-directed speech or ‘motherese’), a sing-song voice that puts emphasis on certain sounds, may be the best way to help a baby learn how to speak, according to a new Rutgers UniversityNewark study on infant-directed speech. Parentese refers to the ﬂuctuating speech patterns people use when speaking to babies, according to Corie Viscomi, M.A., CCC-SLP, director and speech-language pathologist at The Speech Studio in Chappaqua. While it may be second nature to speak to your baby in this cutesy, fun manner, you are actually facilitating speech development in doing so. This speech pattern makes it easier for babies to determine which words are the most important to the meaning of what you are saying because you are placing emphasis on the key words in the sentence. “Changing the emphasis, speed, and pitch is a very good thing for infants because it helps kids differentiate between your words and background noise,” Viscomi says. “Motherese tells babies

what words to pay attention to and breaks down speech a little more, and infants need that.” This form of speech will generally fade out gradually in accordance with the baby’s speech development, according to Viscomi, so there’s no need to determine a set time to stop speaking this way. While changing intonation and melody when speaking, using elongated vowels and consonants, and changing pitches, it is important to remember to speak with precise pronunciation and accurate grammar, according to Maloney. Part of speaking in parentese, according to Viscomi, is using a lot of repetition. Lisa Orban, mother of five and author of It’ll Feel Better when it Quits Hurting, found that using repetitive phrases such as ‘Who’s a good baby?’ or ‘Where’s the baby?’ were helpful in teaching her children to talk, but not accompanied by any sort of baby-talk. “I used conversational English with them throughout their infancy going forward and never ‘dumbed down’ my speaking around them,” Orban says. By the time her children entered preschool, Orban says they each had a far wider vocabulary than their peers and had an easier time determining words through context. “They also had a more nuanced understanding of humor and sarcasm, much higher than their age level,” she says. Still, Megan Carolan, mother and director of policy research at the Institute for Child Success in Jersey City, NJ, emphasizes the fact that using baby talk is okay. “Babies babble as they start finding their own abilities and they eventually try to imitate sounds,” Carolan says. “Cooing back and forth with them, especially when they are very little and just starting these noises, is a great contribution to their language development. It’s good to incorporate real words that they might hear more often (bottle, milk, crib, toy) alongside the cute versions like ‘baba.’ It doesn’t need to be one or the other.”

Avoid the Temptation of Telegraphic Speech

Telegraphic speech refers to the way children begin to speak—in shortened phrases, using only nouns and verbs, and omitting the “small words” such as adjectives and articles that make the sentence grammatically correct, according to Viscomi. Examples of telegraphic speech include “more cookie,” “mommy help,” and “doggie run.” “Parents can be tempted to speak the same way to toddlers, assuming that it is easier for them to learn language this way,” Viscomi says. “This is not the case! Young children learn language by hearing language, so it is important to model grammatically correct sentences but in a simple way.” Parents who use telegraphic speech more frequently tend to have children who know fewer words and take longer to learn to speak, according to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing. The study observed 55 parentchild pairs in which the children were on average 3 and 4 years old. While speaking this way to your young child may feel natural, it is not recommended, especially to children with delayed language development and autism spectrum disorder.

“Telegraphic speech won’t help the child learn grammar,” Viscomi says. “Kids can’t use proper grammar unless they’re hearing it. If you use the full grammatical structure of a sentence, young kids will be provided with a better language model.”

Facilitate Conversation, Don’t Interrogate

The more words a child hears a day, the better. But this doesn’t mean putting her in front of the TV or downloading apps on his iPad. Make conversation with your child, no matter her age or stage of development. It is important to keep interactions with a child at any age as lengthy as possible, but 1- to 2-year-olds often feel interrogated when we quiz them with a bunch of questions, according to Viscomi. One way to keep the conversation going without putting pressure on your young child is to make statements instead of asking questions. For example, try saying, “Oh, this cow looks hungry, I think it’s going to eat something” as opposed to “What animal is this? What does a cow eat? What does the cow say?” (This tactic is helpful with older kids and teens as well.) “With children who are beginning to exhibit babbling, I often suggest imitating the sounds you hear them make,” Maloney says. “A ‘conversation’ made up of pure baby-babble can be a helpful learning moment—your little one will start to learn the give-andtake of conversation and be more likely to imitate things he hears you say.” Talking about what you’re doing while you’re doing it may feel silly or seem uncomfortable, but it is actually the best and easiest way to incorporate language learning into the everyday lives of kids, according to Viscomi. This kind of learning provides kids with tangible models for new concepts and vocabulary they may not have been exposed to otherwise. “Babies take in so much well before they are able to respond,” Carolan says. “If you have your child in the stroller and you’re in the grocery store, talk about walking down the aisle, picking up pasta for dinner, etc.” Facilitating open-ended conversations even before children can respond fosters language engagement, according to Carolan. It is important to be conscious of the fact that a lot of conversations young children have with adults consist of instruction: “Don’t touch that,” “No,” “Put on your coat.” Instead of leading primarily with instruction, Carolan suggests creating scenarios in which children can choose between options, such as deciding which color sweatshirt they want to wear. This not only fosters a richer vocabulary and language skills, but also self-regulation skills, she says. Reading to, singing to, talking to, and having face-to-face interaction with your child is teaching him way more than you think. Reading is such a huge ‘life hack’ for fostering language development and literacy skills,” Carolan says. “I find that when I try to make up a story off the top of my head, I freeze up. However, keeping a book in the diaper bag is so helpful. Even if we don’t read it word for word, we talk about the pictures and what’s going on.” While the words we choose and the way we use them matter, “the most important thing to remember is to talk to your child,” Maloney says.

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. BrooklynParent 37

raising kids teen

A Tale of Two Tests

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The SAT and ACT for college-bound teens are more alike than different—but one may still be a better fit for your child. By Deborah Skolnik

f you have a teenager, she’s probably planning to take a standardized test for college admissions. And you almost certainly know there are two to choose between: the SAT and its slightly newer rival, the ACT. Both tests are operated by nonprofit organizations, follow a roughly similar format, and serve the same purpose: “It’s to try to estimate your potential college readiness,” says Tony DiGiacomo, Ph.D., of Novella Prep, an academic advising, college planning, standardized test prep, and tutoring company in Westchester and Fairfield counties. That being the case, could a child possibly score higher on one or the other? Is it a question even worth asking? The answer, say the people who know best, is yes. Though both tests assess scholastic skills, there are subtle differences between the two. We asked experts to share their thoughts and observations on the SAT and ACT and their design; use their insights to your child’s advantage.

um app that guides college-bound students with advice tailored to their interests and school goals. It should be no surprise, then, that the SAT more closely covers what public-school kids may learn in class. …does well with evidence-based questions. “One of the differences is the SAT allegedly gives you a little more information to use to answer some of their verbal questions,” Dr. DiGiacomo says. “Let’s say there’s a passage and a question—the ACT will tend to just ask the question, such as ‘the main character was courageous because…’ But the SAT will give you a line to look it up. They are pushing evidence-based textual understanding, the idea of being able to look it up and find it.”

The SAT is the older of the two tests, first administered to high school students in 1926. (Its letters, which originally stood for Scholastic Aptitude Test, now merely connote the brand.) But just because the SAT has a more extensive history, is it the better test for your kid? The answer: It depends. Your child may do better on the SAT if he…

…has a rich vocabulary. The often-perplexing analogy questions you may remember from your own days taking the SAT are a thing of the past. The reason? “This privileged understanding of vocabulary words wasn’t a way to understand a student’s skill level,” Dr. DiGiacomo says. The SAT creators “have worked very hard to de-emphasize this. If you grow up in a lower-income household, you may not hear the same vocabulary in the home. Even if you go to the same school as a wealthier student, your overall exposure to vocabulary may be limited. But your ability to interpret and defend an argument are learned in school.” That said, the SAT “does a bit more vocabulary [than the ACT] still,” Dr. DiGiacomo notes.

…attends a public school. Public schools follow the Common Core, a set of standards for teaching and testing math and English. And as it happens, “the person who revamped the SAT [most recently] was one of the key architects behind the Common Core curriculum,” says Greg Kaplan, a college counselor, author of Earning Admission and creator of CollegePath, a free and premi-

…is a big reader and can easily stay focused. “The reading comprehension portion on the SAT is much trickier,” Kaplan shares, so a kid who has a superior ability to pay attention to written material may distinguish himself on the SAT: “They take very boring, dense passages and use them as a pressure point to see who can get through it.”

SAT Savvy

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

…hasn’t yet taken Algebra 2 or trigonometry. Both the SAT and the ACT cover this material, Kaplan says, “but the SAT is a more even playing field. The questions are more complex, and they require more creative thinking than the ACT questions. If I have a student who is a year behind in math I tend to recommend the SAT. It’s easier to improvise.”

ACT Insights

The ACT (its initials originally stood for American College Testing but now, like the SAT, just signify the brand) is the newer standardized test, first offered in 1959. Your child may do better on the ACT if she… …tends to work quickly. If she prides herself on her ability to get through material speedily, and prefers doing so to poring over questions at length, the ACT may suit her. “The SAT offers thirty-three percent more time per question than the ACT,” Kaplan says. But there’s a catch, he adds: “The ﬂip slide of that coin is that the SAT questions are more complex and may require more thought and analysis.” …excels in science. The ACT has a discrete section called science. But, Dr. DiGiacomo adds, “the SAT is offering a science subscore now.” While the score isn’t based on a science section per se, it’s based on similar questions to the ACT science section—“math questions using vocabulary that implies an understanding of sciences, such as orbits and velocity. But they are really at the end of the day math questions,” he explains. …is math-minded “The ACT does cover a little more content than the SAT in mathematics,” Dr. DiGiacomo says—he tracks these subtle variations by creating a matrix of topical differences between the tests. If your child has studied math broadly and extensively, he may be better prepared for the multitude of math topics on the ACT. …likes the security of having a calculator by her side. “The SAT [math] has two parts—calculator and no calculator,” Dr. DiGiacomo says. By contrast, “the ACT lets you use the calculator for the entire test,” he notes. But don’t automatically assume this will always be the case: “Any given year, the College Board [which makes the SAT] and the ACT can change their policy,” he cautions. …is a stickler for grammar. “The ACT is a little more focused on grammar, punctuation, and syntax,” Dr. DiGiacomo says. “The SAT might focus more on a student’s writing style and use of evidence.”

The Power of Personal Preference

While the insights listed here can be helpful, nothing will inform your child better than first-hand experience. “I recommend for all students to take a real, released practice exam for both the ACT and the SAT. That way you’re comparing apples to apples,” Kaplan says. Use a convergence chart—there are many on the web— to determine on which test your child scored higher. “Eighty percent of students have a clear-cut preference,” Kaplan adds. “That difference is worth up to one hundred points right out of the gate.” And rest assured that colleges are fine with that: “There is not one college in the U.S. that prefers one [test] over the other,” Kaplan says. No matter which test your child decides to take, Kaplan recommends he start reading The Economist or The New Yorker. “They actually pull passages from those magazines in the reading tests,” he says. “Get familiar with the complexity of the language and the structure. Sometimes students like to prepare in a way that doesn’t involve a workbook. When you actually are studying but you don’t feel like it, I think that’s a win.” By making an informed choice, and properly preparing, your child can get a score that truly adds up to success.

We've got everything for a…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is Parents' Party Central—one—stop shopping for the best in:

H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale)

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pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…)

H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!)

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HILLSDALE • MONTVALE

SEPTEMBER 2012

NORTHVALE • NORWOOD • OLD TAPPAN • PARK RIDGE • RAMSEY • RIDGEWOOD • SADDLE RIVER/UPPER SADDLE RIVER • WALDWICK • WESTWOOD • WYCKOFF

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LongIslandParent Parent SPETEMBER 2012

Class Is In!

After-School Activities

✓ ❑ ✓ ❑

Resource Guide

✓ ❑ ✓ ❑

SLOW DOWN!

How to Manage Kids’ Schedules

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Back-to-School Resource Guide Pack a Smarter Lunch Ease the Morning Rush Advocate for Your Twins

What Makes a Good Mentor?

+ 174 Family

+ 130 Family Events

Events

(see our calendar, p. 32)

(see our calendar, p. 26)

Plus: Learning to Let Go

Vaccines at Every Age Plus: Journaling for Your Child

Where-To Guide: Berry Picking

•

Dinosaur Fun

Where-To Guide: Apple Picking • Outing: New York Hall of Science

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions BrooklynParent 39

family life finances

Cash for College

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If your teen puts in the work, she can graduate college with minimal debt. By Barbara Russo

ollege is expensive. Even with financial aid, many students still have to take out loans to help with tuition, books, and other costs that go along with achieving a higher education. This often leaves them in debt long after they’ve graduated. Fortunately, there are many scholarship opportunities out there. The U.S. Department of Education and universities give out billions of dollars in scholarship and grant money each year, according to Debt.org. Other organizations, including private corporations and nonprofit groups, offer scholarships too. This is all money that is given to qualifying students as gifts and does not need to be paid back. The term “qualifying” can mean many different things, depending on the scholarship’s criteria. A student doesn’t necessarily have to excel at sports or academics; scholarship opportunities are available to students from a variety of backgrounds and who have a wide range of hobbies or interests. There’s an abundance of information online about these opportunities, but it can be overwhelming. The good news is, we’ve spoken to some experts and compiled a list of 10 online resources that offer different kinds of scholarships and scholarship information. Keep in mind there are many more scholarship information sites out there. No matter your child’s age, it’s worth it to start looking early so you don’t miss any deadlines—and have time to gather as much information as possible. One important tip to keep in mind before you even launch your favorite Internet browser: Write down your child’s family background and academic statistics and achievements. Almost all of these sites will require this information for setting up profiles or applying for scholarships. “You go to these scholarship search engines, and they’ll want you to enter this specific information. They ask really specific questions about your family heritage and stuff, and that’s what they’re using in their algorithms,” says Kim Stezala, The Scholarship Lady® and author 40

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

of Scholarships 101: The Real-World Guide to Getting Cash for College. “If you just hop on the Internet and don’t have that information, it’s going to take you more time.” Now, on to our list:

Scholarships.com

One of the most popular and established scholarship search sites, it boasts more than 16 million registered users. Its free, quick profile format allows you to enter your child’s basic information to get instant match results to potential scholarship opportunities.

Fastweb.com

Owned by Monster.com, the site offers access to more than 1.5 million scholarships. It’s a free student-to-scholarship matching service that uses a quick profile format and also offers an array of college prep tools. Bonus: The site’s new Deals and Promos feature lists discounts available to students from major retailers, including Dell, J. Crew, and Ford.

Scholly

This is both a website (myscholly.com) and mobile app. Like the sites listed above, it uses the scholarship-matching platform to generate a list of scholarships suited for the individual user. The site was founded by Christopher Gray, who grew up in poverty in Birmingham, AL, and was able to win $1.3 million in scholarship money. His experience gave him the idea for Scholly, which has helped hundreds of thousands of students and families find more than $70 million in scholarship awards for college.

JLVCollegeCounseling.com

Founded by Jessica Velasco, a former college-admissions professional, the site provides free information about scholarships, college prep, admission, and financial aid. The scholarships are organized in lists with

deadlines for each month. There are also scholarships based on grade level, major, residence, hobbies, and religion. With 10 years of experience in higher education, Velasco knows how much work it takes to apply for scholarships and recommends students take the time to perfect each application. “Quality is always better than quantity,” she says. “Many times students get so caught up in sending out as many scholarship applications as possible and forget to make sure their applications are of the highest quality. In addition to proofreading applications...students must make sure their applications are unique.”

Cappex.com

Using the popular student-scholarship match system, the free site lists thousands of private scholarships. It also provides more than $30,000 in its own unique scholarships.

Niche.com

Applicants can search by category or get matched to scholarships by creating a quick profile. The site also offers information on college rankings plus an admissions calculator.

University Websites

In many cases, a college admissions office is given a budget it can use to give varying amounts of scholarships to incoming students based on merit factors such as high test scores, good grades, or talents. Money that comes this way is renewed all four years of schooling, but each school’s application process is different. “We want students to go on the school’s websites and in the top search window type ‘scholarships,’ and it will tell you, ‘here’s how we handle scholarships, here’s how we get them out,’” says Elizabeth Hartley, owner of Scholarship Gold Consulting. “A school’s website is one of their most powerful tools for scholarships.” Some universities, particularly prestigious ones, have endowments that can provide financial aid to students, Hartley adds. “Even if a family makes too much money to get aid to go to a local state school, they may be able to get money from a more elite school,” she says.

Googling for Dollars

Stezala recommends coming up with list of traits about your teen and family background—things that go beyond academics and can help uncover hidden dollars—and use these terms in your searches. “Is either parent or a grandparent part of the military or a veteran? And is anyone in your family a member of any kind of professional organization or civic group?” Stezala poses. “I find sometimes that students make the mistake of only doing Internet searches about themselves, so the keywords that they’re using aren’t going to peel back the layers of some of these smaller local scholarships that can really add up.”

Local Community Foundation Websites

Some of these manage what are called donor-advised funds, Stezala says. Donors who may not want to set up their own scholarship program will give their money to a community foundation, and it’s the foundation’s responsibility to collect applications and do the judging. “They are a great resource...even if they don’t give out scholarships, their websites might have links to local scholarships,” Stezala says.

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The Net Price Calculator

The net price refers to the amount a student pays after receiving scholarships and other financial aid that do not need to be paid back. Hartley recommends using net price calculators to find out what your estimated price tag for college will be. Searching online for scholarship money will take some time and patience, but it’s hard work that will ultimately pay off, both in savings and for your child’s education. Barbara Russo is a freelance writer who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the City University of New York. She enjoys playing guitar, following current events, and hanging out with her pet rabbits.

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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 that she can provide the most successful results for her patients.

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

dance

health

Wheel Fun Rentals.........................................................27

Joffrey Ballet School ......................................................14

Allergy & Asthma Care of Brooklyn..........................41, 44

camps

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Fidelis Care New York .....................................................3

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Park Slope Kids Dental Care......................................5, 44

Congregation Beth Elohim..............................................19

Brienza’s Academic Advantage......................................14

Pediatric Immediate Care...........................................7, 44

Brooklyn Family Orthodontics.........................................44

Dutch Total Soccer Brooklyn .........................................22 Key Lab NYC .................................................................22 Leif Ericson Day School...................................................7

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Smart Start.......................................................................9

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Congregation Beth Elohim..............................................19 Eye Level Learning Center: Corporate.............................5

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Leif Ericson Day School...................................................7

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

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BrooklynParent 45

raising kids quotables

How did you feel when you were chosen as a f inalist in our cover contest? “I was very happy and excited to be able to come.” —Daniella, 14, Suffolk

“Excited. I’ve never done this before and I think it’s really exciting.” —Brielle, 12, Rockland

“I felt great! I mean, I was excited for this!” —Chazz, 12, Manhattan

“Excited!” —Sophia, 4, Rockland

“I don’t know.” —Aaliyah, 4, Rockland

[Ran away] —Jaden, 3, Manhattan

“I felt excited because this is something I wanted to do for a while. I like acting and modeling and this stuff. So I was super happy when I found out I won.”

“I hope that you look at today, tomorrow, and the rest of your life seeking out the nothing moments. I hope we can all realize that the nothing moments are what we are going to be holding onto during our last few years. We aren’t going to care about how much money we made or how many small wonders we photographed. But we will remember the sound of our children’s’ laughter and how good we made people feel. I wish for you a lifetime of nothing.”

—Dillon, 11, Westchester

“I felt happy.” —Samantha, 6, Nassau

“I was excited.” —Scarlett, 4, Queens Check out our upcoming September issue to ﬁnd out who the Grand Prize winners are!

Thriving in College “Teens may think that heading off to college will be four years of partying. But what they might not realize is college can be one of the most stressful times of their lives. To ensure your teen is successful in college and beyond, spend the summer preparing him to effectively deal with stress, handle the anxiety that comes with it, and learn from it to reduce stress in the future.” —Licensed clinical psychologist Lata McGinn Ph.D., in an article entitled “How Can I Help Prepare My Teen for Stress in College?” Read the whole story at nymetroparents.com/college-stress

More NYMetroParents.com Highlights:

—Vera Sweeney, in a post entitled “The Nothing Moments” on ladyandtheblog.com

SUMMER FUN: See the top 100 summer activities in the NY metro region at nymetroparents.com/summer-100

“I start each day with the best intentions. I’m going to apply all those expert parenting tips I’ve read. I’m going to be present. Mindful. Patient. And…then the kids wake up.”

GIDDYUP: Where to go horseback riding in the NYC area (nymetroparents.com/horseback)

—Ilana Wiles, in a post entitled “A Day Inside Mom’s Brain,” on mommyshorts.com

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

GIVE A LISTEN: Podcasts to help you navigate parenting’s ups and downs (nymetroparents.com/podcasts) PLAY IT SAFE: Learn how to keep your family out of the ER in the summer months (nymetroparents.com/ summersafety)

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