Np 0917

LongIsland NASSAU EDITION

Parent SEPTEMBER 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Back to School!

After-School Activities • How much is too much?

• Find the best programs

10 Tips for Easy Meal Planning Save time, money, and stress

Gifted Kids Is my child a genius or just plain smart?

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

LongIslandParent

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A Private Practice With a Commitment To Personalized Women’s Health Care and Wellness

Introducing Dr. Karyn Wat Specializing in adolescent and mature women’s health care and obstetrics.

Multilingual - English, Spanish and Chinese

Welcome to Mesbah OB/GYN.

We are dedicated to providing the highest quality health care to women of all ages. In this day and age of large impersonal medical groups, our goal is to maintain a personal connection with our patients.

Specializing in minimally invasive and robotic surgery

Most major insurances accepted

877 Stewart Avenue Suite 3 Garden City, NY 11530 516-794-1500 www.mesbahobgyn.com

Caring for kids is what we do.

Calm, comfortable dentistry for children and special needs patients.

Serving three generations of satisfied - and relaxed families on Long Island

for Voting Us Best Pediatric Dental Practice

Ehrenman & Khan P E D I AT R I C D E N T I ST RY

Board Certified • Kid Approved

959 Brush Hollow Road • Suite 101 • Westbury, NY 11590 516.333.3033 • www.KidsTeeth4LI.com LongIslandParent

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NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

September 2017 ››

32

Features

16 Cover Stars Meet the finalists and winners of our 2017 cover contest.

18

18 Is My Kid a Genuis?

How to tell if your child is gifted, a prodigy, or just plain smart 22 Extracurricular vs. Extra Downtime When it comes to scheduling after-school activities, how much is too much?

48 10 Tips to Master Meal Planning Spend time once a week to create a menu, and you’ll save time, money, and stress.

50 Lunch Treats Made Healthier Four recipes for desserts you won’t feel guilty about sending to school.

62

22

52 Left Behind Tips to help your younger child cope when an older sibling goes to college

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 NYMP Q&A: Parenting expert Sarah Ockwell-Smith talks discipline.

62 Voices: The Lesson of the Pizza Bowl Fail

Fun & Activities

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

12 13 14 32 35 46

DIY Corner: Why Is the Sky Blue?

Media Matters: Homework Helping Apps Beat the Back-to-School Blues at LI Parents Day Outing: Roosevelt Island Family Activities Calendar Where-To Guide: Pick Your Own Apples

Directories

35

26 54 56 58 60 61

Back-to-School Directory Professional Services Party Central Meet the Health Care Professional Open Houses Advertisers’ Index

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

by Appaman (appaman.com)

››

ON THE COVER ›› After-School Activities: 22 How Much is too Much? 26 Find the Best Programs 18 Gifted Kids facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

48 10 Tips for Easy Meal Planning

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

LongIslandParent

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SEPTEMBER 2017 • Vol.9 • No.4

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling

EDITOR’S NOTE

DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Jamie Bonchick, Julia Hyman, Amanda Marrone

New Beginnings, New Routines

To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents

H

ere we are, another school year upon us! Some of you, I’m sure, are rejoicing at the return to routine, while others are probably misty-eyed at another summer ending.

I am somewhere in between, feeling wistful at the speed with which time passes yet excited for the opportunities my kids will face in the coming academic year—not to mention the comforting (for us parents, at least) return to a full and predictable schedule.

In our family, however, deciding on the kids’ schedules can be a challenge. There are so many after-school activities to choose from and my kids are excited about exploring multiple interests. There are times when I feel as if they are so busy with extracurricular programs they don’t have enough time for their homework or to study for tests—let alone to relax, play, and socialize. So for this back-to-school issue, we turned to the experts and asked: When it comes to after-school activities, how much is too much? In our seemingly over-programmed culture, the answer may surprise you (p. 22). And if you are looking for great programs in your neighborhood, check out or back-to-school directory (p. 26).

For some families, this time of year marks a more dramatic transition: a child leaving for college. It’s a momentous milestone, of course, but for a younger sibling still at home, it can bring challenges and difficult emotions. To help, we look at how parents can help their younger kids navigate the new realities at home (p. 52).

Also in this issue, meet our 2017 Kids Cover Contest finalists and winners (p. 16)! We received a record number of submissions this year, and choosing finalists from these amazingly cute kids was a challenge. I’m sure you’ll agree, though, that our finalists and winners are bursting with personality, flashing smiles that will light up our covers during the year ahead (including this month’s cover!).

Speaking of our magazine cover, you might have noticed something different: our new logo.

We love the sleek, updated look and are excited to show it off. And be sure to check out our website, nymetroparents.com, to see our just-launched redesign!

Lastly, if you’re looking for a great way to spend a Sunday this month, join us for Long Island Parents Day on Sept. 17. See p. 14 for more details on this fun, informative event for the whole family.

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

PRODUCTION

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

MARKETING

MARKETING MANAGER: Jaime Graham PUBLISHING & MARKETING MANAGER: Barbara Byrd

ACCOUNTING

CONTROLLER: David Friedman

ADMINISTRATION

Michael Kress Editorial Director

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

MOMMYBITES.COM

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Rebecca Dixon 917-572-9192

Davler Media Group davlermedia.com

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

Keep in Touch: 7 @nymetroparents nymetroparents.com September 2017 | nymetroparents.com 6editor@nymetroparents.com

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

Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

Patients will always see Dr. Elbaz to ensure consistency and build trust.

Dr. Rania Elbaz, DDS Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Columbia Dental School Graduate

The Personal Attention Your Child Needs and Deserves.

Participating with most major insurance plans.

Comprehensive Dental Care for Infants, Children, Adolescents and those with Special Needs.

Our office is a warm and kid-friendly environment that our patients look forward to visiting!

• Evening and Saturday appointments available • 24-hour emergency coverage for our patients • Sedation available when needed

1756A Merrick Avenue • Merrick • 516-547-1997 www.MerrickPediatricDentistry.com

Conveniently Located less than a mile south of the Southern State Parkway

LongIslandParent

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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

nymetroparents.com/np-np

Who: Music Together® Sing Shalom What’s New: Weekly music classes for families with children ages newborn to 5, which will roll out this month across Nassau County.

Music Together Sing Shalom classes are being introduced in partnership with The Jewish Education Project and local Music Together centers in NYC and Long Island.

“It is a cultural-based class for families who identify as Jewish, who have a Jewish partner, or perhaps are just interested in Jewish culture,” says Shariee Calderone, senior education consultant at The Jewish Education Project.

Classes will also be held in Manhattan and Scarsdale.

Want More Info: See website for locations; jewishedproject.org/ musictogethersingshalom

Courtesy Music Together Sing Shalom

The Jewish Education Project Launches Music Classes

In class, families will sing, dance, and play while being led by Jewish educators and trained Music Together teachers.

Registration is open for Stars of Tomorrow and other programs at M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym & Early Childcare Education Center.

Courtesy Mathnasium of Roslyn

Who: M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym & Early Childcare Education Center of Syosset What’s New: A theater arts program for children ages 3-16, which is scheduled to start Sept. 11.

M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym & Early Childcare Education Center of Syosset has partnered with Wendy Taubman’s Stars of Tomorrow, a children’s theater workshop, to offer programs such as song and dance, musical theater, improvisation, TV commercial auditioning, acting, and fitness.

Stars of Tomorrow has moved its entire base to M.A.T.S.S. of Syosset, so all of the new programs will be held at this location. This is the first year Stars of Tomorrow will be offering classes for children ages 3-4.

Want More Info: 171 Eileen Way, Syosset; 516-496-7765; customerservice@matsskidsgym.com; matsskidsgym.com/syosset

Courtesy M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym & Early Childcare Education Center of Syosset

Gym and Education Center Partners with Theater Workshop

Math Learning Center in Roslyn Heights Wins Award Who: Mathnasium of Roslyn What’s New: The Top 10 Single Center Owner award, which was presented to Mathnasium of Roslyn at the Mathnasium International Franchise Convention in July.

“The end goal is to help show that there are a lot of fun ways to enjoy math, learn to love math, and get ahead with math,” says Alan Flyer, who opened Mathnasium in Roslyn Heights in 2011.

The business serves students in the second through 12th grades.

Flyer hopes to bring new family math nights to elementary schools in the area this fall.

Want More Info: 217A Mineola Ave., Roslyn Heights; 516-4846284; roslyn@mathnasium.com; mathnasium.com/roslyn

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Mathnasium Center owner Alan Flyer (right) and assistant center director Suneet Jain accept the 2017 Award for Top 10 Mathnasium Center.

14480 GVS LIParent 8.17_Layout 1 8/24/17 1:51 PM Page 1

Where Every Child is Known and Inspired to Excel, to Lead, to Care

Superior Academics and emphasis at every age on character

education, athletics, performing and visual arts lead our graduates to excel in the top secondary schools and colleges nationwide. Visit our 40-acre campus to see why families from 30 Long Island school districts choose Green Vale as the foundation for their children’s education.

Open House Dates

Join us @ 9:00 am October 17 • November 15 • January 25 • April 12 Please contact the Admissions Office at 516.628.5146 or admissions@greenvaleschool.org

The GreenVale School Coed • Mommy & Me – 8th Grade • 250 Valentine’s Lane, Old Brookville, NY 11545

•

greenvaleschool.org

LongIslandParent

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UOTABLES Perhaps I shouldn’t be so surprised that the girl who desperately wanted to live in a world of her own—but ultimately chose reality—would become the mother to a child who doesn’t see the difference between the two.

—Kathy Radigan, in a post entitled “The Way My Special Daughter Told Me She Loves Me,” on her blog mydishwasherspossessed.com

in an instagram Summer reading is alive & well over here at #CampThirtymommy What are your little ones reading this summer? #AveryRoyce #LaylahJonelle (Posted by @thirtymommy, aka Scherrie D., who blogs at thirtymommy.com)

MOTHER-DAUGHTER WEEKEND

in an instagram after our school’s meet and greet picnic for the new students #iloveny #nyckids #friends #nyc #nycsummer #summer #childhoodunplugged #thisisourclassroom #nycpublicschools (Posted by @familyroadtraveled, aka Estée Pouleris, who blogs at familyroadtraveled.com)

“I once asked a friend who has three young boys, ‘Are you and your wife closer now that you have kiddos?’ He simply said, ‘Of course! It’s us against them.’ Now that I’m a mom, I know what he meant. It’s true.”

—Olivia Jeanette, in a post entitled “How Our Marriage Has Changed Since Having a Baby,” on her blog oliviajeanette.com

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

“Some days, nothing you do, or offer to do, is right.

My 14-year-old daughter, Amelia, a good kid by any definition, jumps out of the car before I’ve even come to a complete stop at the home of her BFF of the week, and doesn’t look back. She stiffens a little when I hug her, remarking, ‘Mom, you’re like really close to my face right now.’ Together time is now largely limited to mani-pedis—if she can bring a friend.”

—Christina Verceletto in “I Took a 14-Year-Old YouTube Addict to Niagara Falls.” Read the article at nymetroparents. com/mother-daughter-weekend.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: FREE FUN: Visit museums and zoos without paying (nymetroparents.com/free).

FAIRS & FESTIVALS: Where to go in the late summer and fall (nymetroparents.com/fairs) GO FOR THE GOLD: Check out our interview with Olympic Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas (nymetroparents/gabby-douglas).

FALL GUIDE: How to make the most of autumn (nymetroparents.com/fall-guide)

Allied Call Us First-August Ad_Allied Call Us First-August Ad 8/6/15 1:04 PM

NYMP Q&A

›› By Bethany Braun-Silva

Sarah Ockwell-Smith is a parenting expert and founder of gentleparentinginternational.com. She recently published Gentle Discipline: Using Emotional Connection—Not Punishment— to Raise Confident, Capable Kids.

Claire Moir Photography

Be Gentle

Herpes Your Baby Call Your and Pediatrician First

What are some misconceptions parents have about disciplining their kids?

There are three main misconceptions parents have around child behavior and discipline. One, far too many parents expect children to act like adults. They expect quite sophisticated thought processes and neurological regulation that children just don’t have yet because their brains are not fully developed. A good example is expecting a toddler to not tantrum or to be able to calm down in the middle of a tantrum. Toddlers tantrum because they have really poor emotion regulation skills.

They can’t control their emotions like we can as adults—they’re not being naughty, just being toddlers! Two, most mainstream discipline methods work on the presumption that kids need to be motivated to “do better.” In fact, most kids are motivated to do better. They don’t want to get in trouble or upset you. Most misbehave because they can’t do better. The motivation is there already, it’s the ability that is missing. Three, another problem with mainstream discipline is, it focuses strongly on punishing and shaming kids. The thing is, a major cause of poor behavior is a lack of self-esteem in kids. If they feel bad, they’ll act bad.

What tips do you have for parents when they feel they are about to lose their temper? I think it’s important that we have realistic expectations of our own behavior. Everybody screws up as a parent and everybody loses their temper sometimes, including myself. Stop trying to be perfect. Accept that anger and losing control are normal parts of life as a parent and it doesn’t mean that you’re not good at it! What is important is keeping a check on your own emotions. Being mindful of how you’re feeling, trying to reduce triggers and taking a break to recharge when you feel frazzled. When you feel that you just can’t take any more, you need an emergency break from your kids. Maybe a day with friends, going for a run—whatever it is that replenishes and relaxes you.

What’s your take on “time-outs?” Time-outs work on the idea that separating the child from yourself and their peers punishes them for their wrongdoing and makes them think about what they’ve done wrong. This time in quiet contemplation is meant to make the child behave more appropriately next time. Unfortunately, none of these assumptions are true. Young kids don’t have the brain development for such sophisticated thought, they don’t have a developed sense of empathy, they can’t think about future actions, and they can’t control their behavior anywhere near as much as adults think they can. Another huge problem with time-out is, kids often misbehave because they feel a disconnect with their caregivers.

It makes no sense that a child who is desperate for love and attention is further separated—it just makes them feel worse, which in time will make their behavior problems escalate.

Urgent Care is Not Always Many of you havethe seen or heard about the recent death of an Best Care!

18 day old baby girl following infection with Herpes Simplex

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Virus from a kiss.

It is important for us remember that this o one knows your child liketoyou, and no type of transmission to a newborn and extent of disease is an one can take care ofalso himimportant or her medically extremely rare occurrence.

It is to understand likeweyour pediatrician. how as parents can do our best to prevent HSV transmission.

There 2 typesdoctor of HerpesisSimplex infection; which Anare Allied on-call at allHSV-1 times usually causes cold sores and fever blisters on the mouth and we want to most hear from you. herpes. lips, andand HSV-2 which causes cases of genital According to the World Health Organization close to It is sometimes hard for parents to know if a70% of people under needs the age to of 50 infected HSV-1. sick child beare seen rightwith away, or ifApproxiit is mately 16% of people age 14-49 test positive for HSV-2.

okay to wait until morning to see the doctor that

Herpes in 3,500 babies in the United knowsaffects your about child 1best.

Most things can waitStates each year. Transmission to a newborn can occur either in utero until morning, and labor manyand times is a benefit (extremely rare), during birth,there or after birth.

During in waiting.

Call and we will help you figure labor or birth is the most common way that a newbornout can acquire virus.

After birth, parentchild. or another family member the the best treatment fora your or friend can pass the virus to the newborn as occurred in this case.

Unfortunately, most people and can shed the virus in their Emergency Room doctors Urgicare saliva without any symptoms, though sometimes they will have providers are unknown entities, many of whom a cold sore on their lips.

just don’t have our training or our resources.

Symptoms of HSV-1 in babies (seen 2-12 days after exposure):

pediatrician has your child’s complete • Your Fever Allied (100.4 or greater – rectally) • Poor feeding • Irritability history, including allergies, • medical Itching and/or burning around the mouth ormedications, lips (Does your child away andand beginconsults crying during breastfeeding, or when pastpull illnesses from specialists. the lips or mouth come in contact with an object, or when you This information paints a picture of your child touch them?) • Floppiness (of the body) • Redness of the gums allows us lymph to provide bestsores care.(on, inside or • that Swollen, tender glandsthe • Cold around the lips and/or mouth; may also occur on the face)

Call Us First & Let Us Help You.

Contact your doctor immediately if there are any signs of HSV Save your pediatrician’s phone your be infection in your baby. Remember that allnumber newbornsinshould phone – and have itin readily available seen by the pediatrician the first week of life. in your

wallet and at home.

For a listing of all of our offices and contact alliedphysiciansgroup.com details, visit www.AlliedPhysiciansGroup.com.

And, in cases of emergency, dial 911 first and Dr. Karen Lidoshore – Fuld, Pediatric Health Associates then call your pediatrician.

iPhone users download our FREE Symptom Checker App: AlliedPG

www.alliedphysiciansgroup.com / 866.621.2769 Allied Physicians Group has proudly earned Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

LongIslandParent 11

DIY CORNER SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Why Is the Sky Blue?

It’s a question all have asked. Let’s find the answer!

Time: 10 minutes Materials 1 clear drinking glass or small glass bowl Water Milk Spoon Eyedropper (optional) Bright flashlight Safety Tips and Setup Hints • A white LED flashlight works well with this lab, such as the flashlight in many camera phones.

• It helps to see the blue color in the water if the room is darkened as much as possible.

Instructions Step 1: Fill the glass or bowl with water until it is mostly full.

Step 2: Put a few drops of milk into the water, and stir the water with the spoon. You can use an eyedropper for this, but, if you do not have one, just carefully and slowly pour a few drops of milk from a spoon into the water. Do not pour the milk directly from the carton, as it will likely come out too quickly. Put a little bit of milk into a small bowl, and scoop a few drops into a spoon, then into the water.

Step 3: Shine the flashlight through the water. What color do you see? (The color will be fairly light.)

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE FUN Earth’s air is made of several gases. Most of it is nitrogen, about 78 percent, about 21 percent is oxygen, there is a little bit of a gas called argon, a little water vapor, and very small amounts of gases, such as carbon dioxide and others. While our eyes can’t see the individual bits of gases, called atoms or molecules, we can feel them when the wind blows. The amounts of these gases change depending on the seasons, the altitude, the weather, whether there has been a volcanic eruption, or other reasons, but these are generally the amounts we measure.

The light from the Sun is made of many colors, and we can see those colors when we split the Sun’s white light using a prism. When white light hits the gas molecules, most of the light—such as the reds, oranges, and yellows—is able to move its way through the molecules and pass to the ground to your eyes. However, the blue light is scattered around by the gases.

It is this scattered blue light we see as a blue sky. In this lab, the big particles of milk in the water acted like the particles of air, scattering the blue light from the flashlight. You can try playing with the amount of milk in the water and the type of flashlight until you get the easiest blue color to see.

Photography © 2016 David Miller, Miller Visual; text © 2016 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., by Michelle Nichols

Media Matters: APPS

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Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad , Android

In Theaters Sept. 22: The Lego Ninjago Movie Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices.

Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org

Parents need to know that The Lego Ninjago Movie is based on the funny, popular, actionpacked TV show about Lego ninjas. In this adventure, teenage warrior Lloyd (voiced by Dave Franco) must save his beloved land of Ninjago from evil warlord Garmadon (Justin Theroux), who just happens to be his father. With the help of his five friends and fellow ninjas—and under the guidance of Sensei Wu (Jackie Chan)—Lloyd sets out to defeat his bad-guy dad.

Expect bloodless action and fighting and possibly some crude humor.

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

Bring in your nearly new kid’s stuff, and we’ll pay you cash on the spot for all items accepted

Shoes and Accessories

• Casual and Dress Shoes • Sleepwear

WE ACCEPT ALL SEASON CHILDREN’S APPAREL All equipment and toys must be less than 5 years old and not be recalled

Furniture

• Changing Tables & Dressers • Bassinets & Cradles • Glider Rockers, Book Cases, Toy Boxes

Books and Toys

• Children’s Books • Infant-Preschool Toys • Outdoor Toys • Puzzles

Clothing

• Newborn to Size 14

(0-12 months must have tags)

• Play Clothes • Dresswear & Outerwear

Equipment • High Chairs & Swings • Gates • Pack N Plays , Bouncy Seats, Walkers, Exersaucers

LongIslandParent 13

Beat the Back-toSchool Blues at LI Parents Day ››

Fun activities for kids while Mom and Dad find out about after-school programs, doctors, and other useful resources

K

ids may drag their feet when they bid farewell to summer and return to school, but here’s something to cheer them up this month. Our annual LI Parents Day will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17, and aims to make back-to-school season fun and exciting. While kids participate in classes and activities, parents will meet with local businesses, including after-school programs and doctors, to help make the transition to a new school year easier.

This year, we also are introducing a new Special Needs Alley, a section dedicated to families of children with special needs.

At LI Parents Day, kids will play in a Kids Corner and participate in activities such as a live reptile demonstration, a Zumba class, a bounce house, a robotics demonstration, and much more!

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

While they’re busy having fun, parents can meet with more than 50 back-to-school exhibitors, including after-school programs, birthday party venues, special-needs providers, and health and wellness professionals.

Tickets are $10 per family, which covers two adults and as many as four children. Every family who attends will receive a free goodie bag filled with fun samples, courtesy of exhibitors and us, NYMetroParents!

LI Parents Day takes place from 11am-3pm at the Pratt Recreation Center at Long Island University, 720 Northern Blvd. in Brookville. For regular updates on exhibitors and the activity schedule, check liparentsday.com.

HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL

NEW THRILLS! NEW LAUGHS!

Holy Family School.

Making a difference one child at a time.

NEW YORK TO ITS CORE!

Students come from 31 Catholic parishes, 34 Long Island school districts to be a part of this one great school.

Our nurturing yet challenging environment educates the whole child, in mind, body and spirit. At Holy Family each child is known by name and loved for his/her God-given talents.

Holy Family students share love, understanding, compassion and kindness each school day.

Visit us online at www.hfsli.org or call (516) 938-3846 to arrange a tour.

17 Fordham Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801 516-938-3846 x 329

Dr. Angie Chin welcomes everyone to her new office in Port Washington!

• Newly Constructed Modern and Child-Friendly Office with Themed Treatment Rooms, iPads and Games in the Waiting Room, Movies and Cartoons Available During Treatment, Digital X-Rays, and Prize Box • Convenient Evening and Weekend Hours, and After Hours Emergency Care

Tiny Sparkles Pediatric Dentistry 164 Main St., Port Washington, NY 11050 (516) 888-9789 | www.tinysparkles.com

F EAT URI NG

NIK WALLENDA

LINCOLN CENTER OCTOBER 27 – JANUARY 7, 2018 F O R T I C K E T S : B I G A P P L E C I R C U S .C O M LongIslandParent 15

Cover Stars!

››

Meet the finalists and winners of our 2017 cover contest.

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icking finalists from 2,000 cute entries was quite the challenge for the staff here at NYMetroParents. But once we managed to narrow it down, we invited the finalists to meet for a photo shoot at PhotoOp NYC. All the finalists wore their best smiles and some seriously stylish clothes (thanks, Appaman!) and had a blast shooting with PhotoOp’s awesome photographers. (Unfortunately the 10th finalist was unable to participate.)

All of the kids did a great job posing for the camera, but at the end of the day it was 4-year-old Olivia from Nassau County and 11-year-old Victoria from Brooklyn who we selected as the grand-prize winners. Olivia and her family will enjoy a twonight stay at Kalahari Resort in the Poconos to celebrate her big win, while Victoria will receive a scholarship to Barbizon Modeling & Acting Studio. Plus, our Fan Favorite, Sydney, received a family pack of tickets to Sesame Place.

You’ll get to see more of these adorable kids in the coming months on our magazine covers!

c Sydney

Age: 5 Hometown: Bronx Sydney loves to dance and wants to be a dentist for kids when she grows up.

c

FAN FAVORITE

Olivia

GRAND PRIZE WINNER (YOUNGER THAN 6 CATEGORY)

Age: 4 Hometown: Nassau County Olivia loves to swim and wants to be an ophthalmologist when she grows up.

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Read more about winners and finalists and watch a super-cute video of them at nymetroparents.com/finalists.

September 2017 | the nymetroparents.com

c

Hudson

Age: 4 Hometown: Queens Hudson loves his Thomas trains and wants to be a sanitation worker when he grows up.

c

Sean

Age: 5 Hometown: Suffolk County Sean loves swimming and wants to be a firefighter, police officer, lifeguard, or astronaut when he grows up.

Emma

Age: 7 Hometown: Westchester Emma loves art and playing soccer and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

c

Sophie

Age: 9 Hometown: Manhattan Sophie loves to draw comics and play baseball.

c

c Cameron

Age: 6 Hometown: Manhattan Cameron loves learning and playing soccer.

Ian

Age: 10 Hometown: Rockland County Ian loves playing sports with his friends and studying math.

Victoria

Age: 11 Hometown: Brooklyn Victoria loves everything about Brooklyn and wants to be a teacher when she grows up.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER (6 AND OLDER CATEGORY) LongIslandParent 17

Is My Kid a Genius?

››

How to tell if your child is gifted, a prodigy, or just plain smart—and what to do about it By Amanda Marrone

A

ndi Stix, director of G-tec Kids, a program for gifted and talented students in New Rochelle, was teaching a math class about finding a pattern to discover the square root of any given number. The class eventually came up with a pattern, until one child proclaimed, “The pattern will work up until 10,000 and then fall apart.” Astonished, Stix says she asked how the child knew that, and he answered, “I can just see it.” He turned out to be right—a case of profound giftedness, or some may even say, a prodigy.

Every child has her own talents and all children are unique in their own ways. But when it comes to cognitive development and intelligence, how do parents and educators judge whether a child is more than just your average smart kid?

Identifying Giftedness

Giftedness can present itself in early childhood, according to the National Association of Gifted Children, which lists the characteristics of gifted children, such as an excellent memory, an unusually high vocabulary or sentence structure for their age, or a highly developed curiosity. However, there are different ways to classify and identify giftedness, since every child is unique.

There are many smart kids in the world; however gifted students make up only 6-10 percent of the population, according to the NAGC. Clinically, giftedness is defined as anyone with an IQ of 18

September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

130 or higher. If an IQ exceeds the 145-150 range, a person is considered profoundly gifted.

Some children are gifted at just about everything. “There are a small percentage of gifted kids who excel in every subject as well as most extracurricular activities,” says Tobi J. Phillips, president and founder of Village East Gifted, a program for gifted children with locations in Huntington Station and Roslyn Heights. “They are very rare, but I do see them.”

More frequently, though, giftedness presents itself in one particular field, such as music, art, or math. Therefore, one important factor in identifying giftedness is determining how a child is gifted. “Our curriculum follows Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, with the premise that students can be intelligent in different ways, such as cognitively, physically, mathematically, or musically,” Phillips says.

If your child is gifted in mathematics, for example, she will display extreme excellence and interest in the subject by doing puzzles and games and logic problems in her spare time, according to a Forbes article, “How to Tell If Your Child’s Gifted.” Children who are more profoundly gifted might even begin doing algebra before kindergarten.

Although there are tests to prove that a child is gifted rather than just bright, many experts in the field believe giftedness can be discovered without a test. Nevertheless, educators will administer tests

to see if a child is gifted, including the Stanford Binet (L-M), Wescher Intelligence Scale for Children, or general standardized tests such as the SAT. There are so many factors that come into play when determining whether a child is gifted, so it is important for educators and parents to see the child as a whole. Many kids can score very high on tests, but IQ is not the only factor when it comes to true giftedness, Stix says. The way a child challenges material and reacts to that material is where people see true gifted potential.

Stix, therefore, is not a fan of just using tests to judge giftedness. “I am very uncomfortable with the idea of testing giftedness because you are saying on that date, on that time, and that environment will the child present themselves to meet the standards of the school,” she says. “I think the most important thing I distinguish between a gifted child and a bright child is if the child is inventing, creating, producing, designing within whatever area of expertise or passion that they have.”

In the classroom, some gifted children choose to be very polite and helpful and become the teacher’s helper, Phillips says. Since these students are usually way ahead of their classmates academically, they become a mini teacher’s assistant, helping the teacher with anything.

Others quietly go along with their classmates so they can more easily assimilate with their peers, choosing to keep their giftedness a secret, Phillips says.

They remain middle-of-theroad behaviorally—not acting out and not being the teacher’s helper—while getting perfect scores on everything and not bragging about it. These children also tend not to answer all the questions, even though they know the answer, because they do not want to draw attention from their peers.

However, once gifted children are put into a gifted program where the other students are at their level,

their behavior can change.

Phillips tells the story of a child who was new to a gifted and talented program. He was accustomed to being the smartest child in the room and impressing everyone around him, including the adults.

When he entered the class on the first day, he stood up and said he can count to 20 in Spanish, and asked if he could recite it to the class. “I said I will be happy to listen to him continued on next page ››

Social Thinking in a Social World

Do you know this child?

Behavior Issues

Although gifted children are intellectually advanced for their age, many face unique social issues. High expectations and the pressure put on gifted children can lead to stress and anxiety, writes Jennifer Murdock-Smith in “Understanding the Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Children,” a 2013 article in Rivier Academic Journal. “Gifted children’s cognitive development also often occurs at a more advanced rate than social/ emotional development, which makes fitting in with peers difficult. This cognitive advancement can also have a corresponding high degree of moral development and sense for the need to follow rules, which can result in ‘bossiness’ and rigid behavior furthering affect peer relations,” Murdock-Smith writes in the article.

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when the class is over,” Phillips says. He was very quiet during the class, which Phillips says can be expected since he was now around other peers who might be more intelligent than him.

At the end of class, the student again asked if he could count in Spanish, but before he even began another child blurted out, “Well, I can count to 100 in Mandarin,” followed by another who said, “I can count to 100 in Romanian, Cantonese, and Sanskrit.”

The moral: It is important for gifted students to be around others of the same intellectual level, so they have the chance to be challenged in the classroom.

Beyond Just Gifted

What if a child’s cognitive level exceeds even giftedness? These children are extremely rare and present themselves with seemingly miraculous capabilities. These kids are generally known as prodigies.

“One definition of the term prodigy is a child who has achieved an appreciable measure of adult intellectual understanding in a particular field before he or she is out of the years devoted to secondary school education,” according to the article “Prodigies of Nature” by J.S. Jenkins in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

A prodigy will become of a master of a particular field at a young age. Mozart was considered a music prodigy and was able to identify pitch correctly and quickly without external reference by the age of 7—an extraordinarily rare ability, even for adults, Jenkins writes.

Stix, who also has worked closely with some prodigies, explains: “I think prodigies, the speed they integrate at is simply much faster.

The links they make in terms of integrating material is higher and their productions are most complex. It is a very difficult thing to raise a prodigy because emotionally they want to be their age level but cognitively they can be light years ahead of themselves.”

Prodigies often experience a lot of loneliness because other kids cannot connect with them, Stix says. Parents raising a prodigy need to try their best to try to get their child into programs to engage with others like them, she advises.

Raising a Gifted Child ResouRces ARticles ticles

Find everything you need, faster at

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Whether someone is bright, gifted, or even a prodigy, parents need to keep in mind that every child is still an individual and parents and educators must cater to what is in the best interest of that particular person. The most important factor in helping a child is trying to keep her brain stimulated, experts say.

“When a parent finds out that his or her child is gifted,” Phillips says, “I always recommend spending as much time as possible visiting science and art museums, reading classic literature and nonfiction books, traveling to historic destinations and arranging play dates with children of similar intellectual abilities and interests. If they are getting enrichment outside the classroom, they will be more patient with the standard curriculum.” For example, she continues, “If they’re in a classroom and they are assigned a book report on Charlotte’s Web, a parent should reach out to the teacher to allow the child to select a more advanced novel after she or he has completed the assignment based on Charlotte’s Web.” Whether it is signing the child up to be in a gifted and talented program or speaking to an educator to ensure the appropriate measures are taken within the regular school environment, it is important that giftedness is not ignored, experts agree. By enriching a child or putting him in a gifted program, a child will be given the tools to thrive.

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FOCUS ON: ME TIME

Experts say there are many benefits to children of participating in after-school activities—but that me time is also essential for kids’ healthy development.

Extracurriculars vs. Extra Downtime ›› When it comes to scheduling your kids’ after-school activities, how much is too much?

By Rosalind Muggeridge

F

or most of my childhood, my extracurricular schedule consisted of riding my bike to the local YMCA every Saturday morning for a swimming lesson. I’m pretty sure my mom and dad never asked themselves if they were scheduling too much or too little for me. And yet it’s a question parents these days seem to grapple with constantly.

I always thought finding the right balance with my own children would be clear, but I can’t deny the pressure I sometimes feel when I hear about my kids’ friends and their weekly schedules: acting class, guitar, gymnastics, tennis, dance, Mandarin. To shed some light on this issue, I turned to local experts who support parents as they navigate matters like this.

What the Research Says

To discuss the balance between scheduled activities and unscheduled me time for kids, it’s important first to ask: Are today’s kids actually overscheduled—or does it just feel that way?

A recent paper in the journal Social Policy Report reviewed the research and found more than 80 percent of American children take part in some extracurricular activity, including sports, lessons, or clubs.

Approximately 7 million of those are enrolled in after-school programs and many more participate in clubs and organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Girls Inc., according to the report.

Even though those numbers may seem high, the same report shows children and adolescents spend an average of only five hours per week participating in organized activities. So, although extracurricular activities get a lot of attention, other activities—screen time, chores, spending time with friends and family, working, and doing homework—occupy as much (and often more) time than organized activities. In other words, it may make more sense to worry about your child’s screen time than about the hours he spends at after-school programs.

There are, however, cases where overscheduling poses problems for 22

September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

kids. The same research suggests there may be a point of diminishing returns for a small number of young people with very high levels of involvement—meaning, some kids who participate in a multitude of extracurricular activities may see fewer advantages as they take on more and more. For instance, the educational benefits of playing sports seem to level off when kids participate in more than two competitive team sports.

Danis Copenhaver, M.D., F.A.A.P., a pediatrician at South Slope Pediatrics in Brooklyn, looks for telltale signs to make sure her young patients aren’t overscheduled. “I make a point to ask every patient and family about mealtimes and sleep,” she says. “A huge red flag for me is if meals are always eaten on the go and if bedtime is inconsistent or very late. In pre-teens and teenagers, I try and assess if they are enjoying the activities they are involved in. Sometimes they will answer honestly in the exam room and it’s the first time the parents are hearing about it. That can lead to a discussion about prioritizing time out of school for family, friends, sports, and activities.”

Overall, however, concerns about overscheduling seem to be overblown. Despite what we so often hear in the media, the research shows that only a small number of young people (between 3 and 6 percent) are very highly scheduled, spending 20 or more hours a week taking part in these activities. The same research also points to evidence that kids who participate in organized activities do better than those who don’t. These young people are more likely to have higher academic achievement, finish school, do well in college, be well-adjusted, smoke less, use drugs less often, and interact more with parents.

There are fewer overbooked young children now than there used to be, Dr. Copenhaver says. “Parents value and protect the free play time that these younger children need,” she adds, noting, however, that this often depends on the age of the child. “The pre-teen and teenage crowd tends to be more over-scheduled, due to the pressures of school and extracurricular demands.”

Even if kids may not, for the most part, be overscheduled, there are many studies emphasizing the pluses of unscheduled free time for children as well as adults. A 2012 report by Mary Helen Immordino-Yang of the University of Southern California showed that when we are resting, our brains are not actually idle and downtime is essential to many of our mental processes.

The report examined related research showing this relaxed time is an opportunity for the brain to make sense of what it has recently learned.

Kids need to play and explore, says Sharon Peters, who founded the Brooklyn-based marriage and family counseling practice Parents Helping Parents. She is a big proponent of building downtime into a family’s schedule. For more than 20 years, she has been supporting parents as they raise their children. She also draws from her own personal experiences as a mother of five children, several of whom have special needs. “All group settings or one-on-one lessons with a teacher are demanding in ways that individual time isn’t,” she says.

Young kids can’t simply roam the streets alone, Peters notes, but it’s essential to fit into their schedules the type of play that encourages exploration and independence. “A great way to incorporate this for younger children is finding a safe space for them to wander and make decisions on their own,” she says. Her comment rings true for me personally, as I’ve noticed my 2-year-old is at his most relaxed and engaged when he is wandering through Prospect Park in Brooklyn with me following a few feet behind him.

Downtime benefits kids of all ages, according to Dr. Copenhaver. “In younger children ages 2-5 unstructured play time encourages imagination and cooperation. It can also allow them time to rest and recharge, avoiding becoming overstimulated and cranky,” she says.

Me time also has specific ben-

efits for older children. “In school-aged kids, I find that non-scheduled downtime allows them to more deeply explore their likes and develop their talents,” Dr. Copenhaver says.

“Some kids develop a love of reading, others find that they still enjoy playing at the park, while others take the time to participate in preparing meals for their family.” She adds that in teens, stress levels decrease and sleep duration and quality usually benefit first from non-scheduled down time.

Finding the Right Balance

Given what we know about the positives of extracurricular activities and also the benefits of downtime, how do we go about finding what works for us? Here are some tips for ensuring your kids experience the right mix of enriching activities and nourishing downtime.

Create a schedule that works for your family. Because many children spend too much time using mobile devices and watching TV, the American Associa-

tion of Pediatrics recommends maintaining at least one hour of physical activity a day and limiting screen time to two hours a day, according to Melanie Wilson-Taylor, M.D., F.A.A.P., also of South Slope pediatrics.

“Oftentimes parents are busy with work or taking care of younger children and there can be pressure to make sure that kids are kept busy,” she says.

“Many parents often feel the need to compete and make sure their child has access to every continued on next page ››

Is your child gifted?

Enriching brilliant minds every day… in every way.

A

The Benefits of Downtime

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LongIslandParent 23

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE

LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH

FALL 2017 AND SPRING 2018 SATURDAY PROGRAM Oct 7th – Dec 16th and Feb 3rd – April 28th, 2018 for students entering grades K-8

Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?

LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 37th annual fall and spring program for gifted children. The fall

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The program is open to gifted children entering grades K-8 in September 2017. The program expands

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‹‹ continued from previous page

extracurricular activity in order to be a better candidate for the next level of school.”

Carefully consider what activities are right for your child. Dr. Wilson-Taylor recommends parents ask their child if she enjoys the activity and to consider whether there are true benefits—academic, social, personal development—in it. She cautions that sometimes the amount of time a child spends in an activity is reasonable but the type of activity may not fit the personality of the child. Parents should consider whether their child prefers group or individual activities, for instance, or whether the child will experience undue anxiety of performing in an end-of-year production or recital.

“Parents should also be mindful about how extracurricular activities affect the behavior and self-worth,” Dr. Wilson-Taylor says. “If the child is focused on always winning and values themselves based on their ability to succeed in the activity, caregivers should re-evaluate the importance of that activity.” One good rule of thumb she tells her patients: Due to a limited attention span, structured activities for children younger than 6 should be limited to 30 minutes at a time. Older children can tolerate activities that are an hour or two.

Look out for the red flags. According to Dr. Wilson-Taylor, temperament and age play a big part in judging whether a child is overscheduled. Some children like participating in activities outside of school or on the weekends and thrive on constantly doing something. Other children are homebodies or prefer unstructured activities. She cautions that “an overscheduled child has more tantrums prior to the activity, may take a long time to get ready, and may outright say ‘no’ to going. Older children may exhibit poor sleep patterns the night before in anticipation of participating in the event the next day. They also may seem more isolated from friends or family because they are always ‘doing something.’”

Parents should be concerned if they notice a child is clingier to caregivers, his grades are dropping, or her homework is getting squeezed into small gaps of free time—in the car, on the bus, waking up early before school. “If not attended to, young kids communicate discomfort one way or the other and raise the flag. This could be acting out in school or more tantrums at home,” Peters says.

Children may also exhibit stress-induced physical symptoms, some of which can mimic actual illness. “When a child’s day is scheduled down to the minute, they can become stressed, and sometimes manifest physical symptoms of that stress,” Dr. Copenhaver says. “Stomach aches, headaches, and fatigue are common symptoms that children present to my office with, and the problem is sometimes an overloaded schedule without enough down time.” In her practice, she also sees teens complaining of fatigue, and often finds out they are sleeping fewer than five hours a night because of their busy school and after-school schedules.

Trust your gut. “Like everything connected to parenting,” Peters says “this issue is very individual to each family.” Ultimately, she says, parents know their children—and since each situation and child is different, parents must rely on their instincts to decide when their child needs fewer after-school activities and more me time.

The bottom line: You probably don’t need to worry that your child is overscheduled or that the number of activities in which he participates will have a negative impact on him. However, me time remains an essential part of everyone’s life and plays an important role in children’s development—so make sure to schedule some unscheduled time into your child’s life regularly.

This is the second in a two-part series about the importance of downtime. To read last month’s article on me time for moms, see nymetroparents.com/mom-time.

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Back-to-School

The annual guide to schools, resources, programs, & activities for kids!

Act As If Etiquette & Protocol

718 Walt Whitman Road, Melville 561-889-4464 actasifetiquette.com A leader in teaching the social skills necessary to face everyday situations with grace, integrity, and confidence. We “partner with parents” who understand that in this highly competitive world, along with education, good manners are key to a child’s success. Offering fun, informative, engaging classes for children, teens, and young adults, with the content geared toward modern manners for modern times. Serving Scout troops, libraries, after-school programs, camps, groups, and individuals throughout the LI community.

Allied Physicians Group

3 Huntington Quadrangle, Melville 866-621-2769 alliedphysiciansgroup.com Allied Physicians Group is a partnership of more than 150 dedicated, caring physicians and 650 highly trained support staff, serving more than 180,000 patients throughout Greater New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, and beyond. When you bring your children to an Allied pediatric practice, you know they are getting the very best care.

Our doctors have access to resources, technology, and support that other stand-alone pediatric practices simply cannot offer.

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and younger, Wednesday nights we have Family Bounce Night, and Thursday nights are our All Ages Open Bounces. Sessions may be added or cancelled based on availability, so please make sure to call us at 631-777-5867 or go online to bounceu.com/ farmingdale-ny/calendar/ to reserve your spot!

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The schools are differentiated from their public counterparts by their integrated program of learning and living the Catholic faith and values. We help instill the moral values, self-respect, and study habits that go on to serve our students well as they continue their education, and for the rest of their lives.

ChiroMom

2874 Merrick Road, Bellmore 516-221-1212 mychiromom.com mychiromom@gmail.com Dr. Dana Walters is a chiropractor specializing in prenatal and pediatric care. Dr. Walters has practiced in a variety of areas, including Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and has brought her passion for helping families discover the benefits of chiropractic care to Bellmore as ChiroMom. ChiroMom offers chiropractic care utilizing techniques including immune boosting treatments, musculoskeletal and nutritional work, activator techniques, massage therapy, and lifestyle education. As a mom, Dr. Walters experiences first-hand how chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, birth, and childhood sets a solid foundation for greater health and well-being.

September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

The Coder School Syosset

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Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor 516-692-6768 cshfishhatchery.org steved@cshfishhatchery.org Join us for a fun-filled hour of nature activities (fish feeding included). Using live animals, crafts, stories and games, we guide you and your little ones through nature adventures sure to last a lifetime. Juice and snack available to all participants. Ages 2-5 at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium Pollywog Adventures program.

Catch & Keep Trout Fishing— spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your own fishing equipment or rent from the hatchery. Call us for details and registration information for Pollywog Adventures and fishing.

Countryside Montessori School

354 Lakeville Road, Lower Level, Great Neck 516-466-8422 cmsgn.com info@cmsgn.com Countryside Montessori School

was founded in 1998. We were founded with the aim of providing a high-quality early childhood education based on the philosophy, methods, and techniques developed 100 years ago by educational pioneer and Nobel Prize nominee Dr. Maria Montessori. Our children become responsible for their own learning and their own behavior. They learn to respect themselves and others. Everything in our school is designed to encourage and aid the child’s natural curiosity.

Dr. Michael Gruttadauria, The Center for Integrative and Innovative Therapies (The CIIT Center)

131 Sunnyside Blvd., Suite 100, Plainview 516-243-8660 theciitcenter.com Dr. Michael Gruttadauria leads the operations at an advanced treatment center for autism spectrum disorder called The CIIT Center.

The CIIT Center’s mission is to approach each child with autism as a total entity by enhancing the biomedical, neurological, nutritional, electrical, and immune system of each of our patients and combining this with occupational, physical, and speech therapies, along with applied behavioral analysis. Our comprehensive approach starts with identifying the underlying factors that may be holding the child back, not just treating their symptoms. This gives each child every opportunity to reach their potential.

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry

959 Brush Hollow Road, Suite #101, Westbury 516-333-3033 kidsteeth4li.com kidds@optonline.net Your child’s dental health is truly important to us! The most common childhood disease is tooth decay, but most cases are preventable with early dental care. Drs. Ehrenman and Khan have two years of pediatric specialty training including care for the child with special needs, behavior man-

agement, sedation, and hospital dentistry. Our expert care, gentle touch, and fun office environment make us the dentists of choice for your precious child. Call us today and discover why we were voted 2016 Best Pediatric Dental Practice on Long Island!

Eye Level Learning Center Williston Park

61 Hillside Ave., Williston Park 516-747-7700 myeyelevel.com Eye Level is a supplemental education program with a curriculum that is tailored to meet the needs of each individual student. We are the leading provider in supplemental education in the areas of math, reading, and writing. We enable students to realize their potential by bringing our instructional materials to the eye-level of your child and teaching them important skills they can take with them into their scholastic future and beyond. Call to schedule your free diagnostic placement test! 514-747-7700.

Fairy LiceMothers

2463 S. Long Beach Road, Oceanside 1755 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park 679 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head 866-561-0492 fairylicemothers.com fairylicemothers@gmail.com Back-to-school season is approaching and children have been playing head to head all summer. It is important to check your children before school starts. Fairy LiceMothers says “Once a week, take a peek” by doing a quick 10-minute weekly

comb-out with the MagicWand and MagicHalo Conditioner.

Watch our comb-out video to learn how to check your children at fairylicemothers.com/ lice_treatment.html. Or schedule a headcheck at one of our three Long Island locations. Headchecks are normally $25 but mention this ad and get $10 off.

Remember, advice is always free.

The Food Wizard for Kids

Serving all of Long Island 631-606-2680 thefoodwizardforkids.com info@thefoodwizardforkids.com The Food Wizard for Kids (a registered dietitian nutritionist) makes food and nutrition fun for the whole family. Available for speaking engagements at schools, PTAs, and libraries to help parents make mealtimes healthier, fun, and less stressful!

The Food Wizard for Kids also offers workshops for children to get kids discovering new foods (mainly fruits and vegetables) with fun activities including taste tests, art projects, and fun discussions about mealtime behavior!

Other services include family night dinners and healthy weight counseling for families.

Fusion Academy Woodbury

260 Crossways Park Drive, Suite A, Woodbury 516-364-5414 fusionwoodbury.com Fusion Academy Woodbury is a revolutionary, accredited, private middle and high school where positive relationships unlock aca-

demic potential. With one teacher and one student per classroom, Fusion teachers are able to personalize curriculum and teaching to students’ individual strengths and learning styles. Each campus includes a state-of-the-art recording studio, mixed-media art studio, and a Homework Café® at which students complete all homework before going home.

Connect with our campus by visiting fusionwoodbury.com.

Great Play of Syosset

180 Michael Drive, Syosset 516-364-1500 greatplay.com/syosset info@syosset.greatplay.com Our mission is for every child to develop a love of physical activity that will lead to an active, healthy, and confident life. Starting with our Great Start program (ages 6 months to 3½ years). Through “directed play” children build confidence, self-esteem, and social skills along with a strong physical foundation. Making them ready for our preschooler programs (ages 3½-5½). Through games and instruction, preschoolers continue to develop fundamental motor skills-along with sport skills, giving them all they need to progress into our school-aged programs (ages 4½-10), which offer a full range of fun programs.

Green Vale School

250 Valentine’s Lane, Old Brookville 516-621-2420 greenvaleschool.org The “Beginnings” Class at

Green Vale is a “Mommy & Me” experience. It offers the very young child (9-23 months) the opportunity for exploratory, interactive, and parallel play with their caregiver as well as their peers. Parents and caregivers enjoy connecting with other adults as the children become more comfortable in the classroom and start to experience what school is all about.

Our Beginnings class is led by Ginamarie Siciliano. Beginnings is offered Monday-Thursday, from 8:30–10am. Fees are: one day per week, $250; two days per week, $500; three-four days per week, $750.

Holy Family School

17 Fordham Ave., Hicksville 516-938-3846 x329 hfsli.org; mdoherty5577@hfsli.org Making a difference one child at a time. Students come from 31 Catholic parishes, 34 Long Island school districts to be a part of this one great school. Our nurturing yet challenging program educates the whole child in mind, body, and spirit. At Holy Family each child is known by name and loved for his or her God-given talents. Holy Family students share love, understanding, compassion, and kindness each school day. Full- and halfday nursery and pre-K, kindergarten through eighth grade, morning and after care, academic intervention and enrichment, after-school enrichment clubs.

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AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE CREAT IVE WAY T SPEND O YO CHILD UR 'S SPECI AL DAY!

Ages 2 thru HS! ENROLL NOW! FOR FALL ART CLASSES

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Holy Trinity Diocesan High School

98 Cherry Lane, Hicksville 516-433-2900 x151 holytrinityhs.org jgovernale@holytrinityhs.org Holy Trinity High School is a private, coeducational Catholic high school founded in 1966 drawing students from Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties. We seek to educate the whole person: mind, heart, soul, and body, and to motivate all students in the pursuit of truth and academic excellence, preparing them for future educational opportunities and service to both the church and the world. We offer a wide range of advanced placement and college-level courses. We are also nationally recognized for our athletics, performing arts, and fine arts departments.

Huntington Learning Centers

656 Sunrise Highway, Baldwin 516-867-4041 607 E. Main St., Bay Shore 631-968-5100 79-81 Westbury Ave., Carle Place 516-747-5600 Elwood Shopping Center 1928B Jericho Turnpike, East Northport 631-462-8900 Phillips Plaza 639 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook 516-568-1900 1506 Northern Blvd., Manhasset 516-365-4455 South Gate Shopping Center 49-34 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park 516-799-9500 Gateway Plaza 499-5 Sunrise Highway, Patchogue 631-289-4900 443 S. Oyster Bay Road, Suite B, 2nd floor, Plainview 516-681-0400 Smithtown Shopping Center 8 Miller Place, Smithtown 631-360-0422 huntingtonhelps.com Huntington Learning Center is an accredited, K-12th tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified teachers provide individualized instruction in phonics, reading, writing, math, science, study skills, and executive functioning skills.

Huntington also helps students prepare for the SAT, ACT, High School Entrance Exams, and other state and standardized exams.

Huntington students achieve results at all skill levels. According to one parent: “In just four months I have seen incredible

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improvements in Jessica’s grades and confidence. She actually went up two grade levels!” Huntington offers convenient 1-on-1 tutoring programs. Call today!

Key to My Art Inc.

10 W. Oak St., Amityville 631-608-9048 keytomyart.com info@keytomyart.com Key to My Art is an art studio that is owned and operated by a New York state-certified art teacher who believes that anyone can create art if they want to. We teach your child how to work with different materials and mediums, while using a variety of techniques and styles. Your child will learn to give critique and look at the work of their peers, as well as expand on their skills.

We offer art classes for all ages and abilities.

KIDZHITZ

304 Main St., Huntington 631-470-9788 kidzhitz.biz kidzhitz@gmail.com KIDZHITZ has been located in the heart of Huntington Village for nearly 10 years. Our music lesson programs are like no other. We have a state-of-the-art recording studio just for children along with lesson rooms for every instrument at every level. We uphold a high standard for all of our employees, which creates a positive and fun experience.

Please stop in for a free trial music lesson when you’re in town!

And check us out on Cablevision channel 20 every Saturday morning at 9:30am. Helping kids learn and grow through music!

Law Offices of Andrew Cohen

1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216, Manhattan 212-244-0595 amcohenlaw.com ac@amcohenlaw.com Andrew Cohen’s vast professional and personal experience has led him to become an author and frequent lecturer on special-needs planning. In order to legally protect loved ones with disabilities, a comprehensive estate plan must consider the following: eligibility for government benefits, a supplemental needs trust, guardianship proceedings, and the letter

September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

of intent. The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high-quality service at a reasonable cost.

Law Offices of Brad H. Rosken, P.L.L.C.

1772 E. Jericho Turnpike, Suite 2, Huntington 631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com School districts consult their attorneys, why shouldn’t you?

Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law. He’ll guide you, decipher lingo, and develop effective strategies. He’s also a New York state-certified impartial hearing officer who hears cases in New York City and Rockland and Westchester counties.

LIU Post Center for Gifted Youth

Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, director LIU Post, Brookville 516-299-2160 liu.edu/giftedyouth The Long Island University program for gifted children was established in 1979 in response to the increasing recognition of society’s special responsibilities for children with demonstrably superior intellectual ability. The Long Island University Center for Gifted Youth brings together two important elements of education for the gifted: extraordinary teachers recruited from leading high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools in the metropolitan area and university-level facilities. These two factors, combined with an administrative and psychological team schooled in the needs of gifted children, give the program at LIU Post unique strengths in producing positive benefits for young people admitted to the program.

Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Nassau: 516-216-1791 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Queens: 718-640-6767

Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, is owner and operator of Speech Pathology and Swallowing Disorder Services of Long Island. Along with her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and FEES—Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing—are also offered. There is a total of seven affiliated offices across Long Island, all participating with most major health insurance companies and offering evening and Saturday hours.

M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym & Early Childcare Education Center A Rainbow Of Programs Under One Roof!

2629 Grand Ave., Bellmore 516-221-1330 171 Eileen Way, Syosset 516-496-7765 matsskidsgym.com corporate@matsskidsgym.com Infant, toddler, and separation classes bridge development to a comprehensive early childhood education-nursery school-gym program. After-school classes provide movement, gymnastics, sports, and enrichment instruction for both our on-site center children and community school-age children (7 months to 12 years). Summer camp, holiday mini-camps, weekend birthday party, and Friday “Kids’ Night Out” events provide a year-round place to play and celebrate! Extended day available.

Full day care (3 months and older) available at our Syosset location. Diapers welcome.

Dedicated teachers and staff are NYS CPR- and first aid-certified.

Since 1985, A Rainbow of Programs to Play, Learn, and Grow!

Mathnasium Learning Centers

1759 Grand Ave., Baldwin 516-544-2525 414 Central Ave., Cedarhurst 516-569-1500 11 Great Neck Road, Great Neck 516-482-MATH (6284) 661 Old Country Road, Plainview 516-881-7997

1003 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-616-MATH (6284) 217A Mineola Ave., Roslyn Heights 516-484-MATH (6284) mathnasium.com Mathnasium Learning Centers, the nation’s leading math-only learning center franchise with centers throughout Nassau County, specializes in teaching kids of all ages math in a way that makes sense to them. Students go to Mathnasium year-round to catch up, keep up, and get ahead in math. Our experienced math tutors utilize our proprietary teaching materials and techniques, The Mathnasium Method™, to deliver a customized learning plan designed to address each student’s needs. Our instructional approach goes beyond traditional math tutoring to develop understanding and build a love for math.

Merrick Pediatric Dentistry

1756A Merrick Ave., Merrick 516-547-1997 merrickpediatricdentistry.com Dr. Rania Elbaz is a board-certified pediatric dentist. She earned her dental degree from Columbia University. She then completed her pediatric dental training at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School. Dr. Elbaz loves working with children and strives to create a warm and fun environment that children look forward to visiting.

Dr. Elbaz sees every patient in order to ensure the consistency that is so important to young children. The office welcomes and gives extra time and attention to patients with special needs. The office also participates with most major insurance plans.

Music Institute of Long Island

90 Community Reformed Church, Manhasset 516-627-7052 milimusic.com miligirls@aol.com Now in our 28th year, Music Institute of Long Island is “New York’s Premier Music School.”

Programs include violin, viola, cello, guitar, piano, voice, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and tuba. Instructions in Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods for ages 3-99, beginner-advanced. MILI offers Chamber Music, Theory, Sight Reading, NYSSMA, and college preparation. Students perform eight times annually at Steinway Hall, Carnegie Hall, and for charities.

First prize competition winners, soloists with orchestras. Outstanding faculty. Summer private lessons—all levels, all instruments offered June-August. Fall semester begins Sept. 8. Voted No. 1 Best Music School on the North Shore 2016 and 2017.

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE

Our students typically achieve

2+ GRADE LEVEL INCREASES

Music School of New York City

234D Jericho Turnpike, Mineola 516-515-0144 musicschoolofnyc.com info@musicschoolofnyc.com After six successful years in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, Music School of New York City has expanded to Long Island, bringing conservatory level training to students of any age or level of study. Blending old-world values and classical traditions, with an innovative teaching style designed for children of the 21st century, we are the friendlier version of the pre-college programs. With faculty from Juilliard and other top institutions, the best music training is now in your backyard.

Private lessons, group Suzuki, and music exploration classes are offered. Call today!

Music Together

Various locations Find the location near you: musictogetherli-queens.com While the big kids head back to school this fall, have some family-style, music-makin’ fun with your little ones. Once a week for 10 weeks, you’ll sing, dance, and play with your baby, toddler, or preschooler in a play-based, developmentally appropriate musical environment. Some centers even offer classes for the big kids, too! Founded in 1987, Music Together is a research-based program. Each family receives a CD/download set and songbook so you can continue the fun at home with the rest of the family. Find a location near you in Queens or on Long Island: musictogetherli-queens.com.

in 3 months.

Our program offers: Free consultation Comprehensive academic evaluation Personalized tutoring Highly qualified teachers Flexible payment options for all budgets BALDWIN

Tutoring

Reading - Writing - Math - Study Skills - Spelling Vocabulary - Phonics - Algebra - Geometry Trigonometry - Pre-Calculus - Calculus Earth Science - Biology - Chemistry - Physics

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SAT - PSAT/NMSQT - ACT - State Tests Advanced Placement (AP) - SSAT - ISEE SHSAT - TACHS - HSPT - GED - ASVAB

(516) 867-4041

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(212) 362-0100 (631) 289-4900 (718) 230-4600

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1.800.CAN.LEARN

©2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Independently Owned and Operated. SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) are registered trademarks of the College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of the College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. ACT is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. None of these entities endorses or was involved in the production of the program.*Offer valid for Academic Evaluation, new students only. Not valid with any other offer. Grade level results are based on cumulative average grade level increase in reading and math for 17,445 students from 2010 to 2014 using the full set of available student data.

p nU Sig day! o T

Music Together® Sing Shalom Not Just Art, Oyster Bay 516-922-8300 Mid Island YJCC, Plainview 516-822-3535 iSchool of Music & Art, Rockville Centre 516-442-2230 The Community Synagogue, Port Washington 516-883-3144

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A joyful, new music experience for your family—with a Jewish twist!

Plainview • Rockville Centre • Oyster Bay • Port Washington bit.ly/SingShalom Music Together Sing Shalom is offered in collaboration with The Jewish Education Project with funding by UJA-Federation of New York.

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Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Upper West Side, Manhattan 212-362-8800 Or Zarua, Upper East Side, Manhattan 212-452-2310 City Treehouse, Chelsea, Manhattan 212-255-2050 Imagine Swimming, Tribeca, Manhattan 212-253-9650 Evolution Enrichment Center, Lower East Side, Manhattan 212-375-9500 jewishedproject.org/ musictogethersingshalom singshalom@jewishedproject.org The weekly parent-child music classes are uniquely designed for families with young children (ages newborn to 5) using the internationally recognized Music Together® early childhood music education program, enriched with Jewish songs. Families will sing, dance, and play in a class led by a trained Music Together teacher and Jewish educator. Families will learn to interact musically with their child, while supporting their development, strengthening family relationships, and connecting with Jewish music. Music Together Sing Shalom is offered in collaboration with The Jewish Education Project, funded by UJA-Federation of New York.

Once Upon A Child

1089 Hicksville Road, Seaford 516-579-4200 onceuponachildseaford.com kndkidsouac@aol.com We buy and sell gently used and new kids clothing, furniture, equipment, and toys! We pay cash for an amazing array of gently used name-brand items. Each item brought into our store is individually examined and reviewed.

We will purchase gently used and new items that meet current style and safety standards. As the safety of children is our first priority, the Once Upon a Child service team will inspect all equipment and toys for recalls. You will then be offered payment on the spot for all items that meet our standards.

Our Lady of Mercy

520 S. Oyster Bay Road, Hicksville 516-433-7040 olmshicks.org Our Lady of Mercy School strives in the spirit of service and love to inspire our students to grow spiritually, academical-

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ly, and socially. Our goal is to enable all students to meet the challenges of the future through a strong faith-based academic program enhanced by extracurricular activities. A variety of early childhood classes, full-day kindergarten through eighth grade, before- and after-care programs are available. Weekday, evening, and weekend tours are available by appointment.

Physical Therapy Options P.C.

226 Seventh St., Suite 101, Garden City 516-747-1520 ptoptions.com Dr. Lisa Coors, P.T., D.P.T., is a physical therapist who provides PT services to both pediatric and adult patients. Physical Therapy Options has recently expanded the practice to include children who require physical therapy through the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). We offer pediatric services for a variety of conditions including Torticollis, gross motor delays, and toe walkers. The office is a friendly and warm environment.

The Reading/Writing Learning Clinic at the Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center of Hofstra University

131 Hofstra University, Hempstead 516-463-5805 hofstra.edu/rwlclinic Located at Hofstra University, The Reading/Writing Learning Clinic at the Joan and Arnold Saltzman Community Services Center is dedicated to providing literacy support to children and youth in a safe and supportive environment. Each class—taught

by New York state-certified teachers—incorporates students’ experiences with literacy in innovative ways to help them develop their strengths as readers and writers.

Personalized consultations offer parents advice about how to support their child’s literacy growth.

Individual or small group instruction is available. Evaluations are conducted by appointment only.

Premier Education Center: RoboMindTech

140 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho 25 Cuttermill Road, #4, Great Neck 718-264-7626; 516-418-6102 robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Science, technology, creativity,

September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

and L-E-G-O learning fun!

RoboMindTech is an award-winning STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education center that integrates the motivational effects of robotics, video game design, 3-D modeling, coding, and Lego® creative play into unique, hands-on curriculum designed to inspire young minds.

We offer after-school programs, on-site field trips and group programs, off-site school programs, birthday parties, and robotics competition training. Home to NYC FIRST Lego League and National World Robot Olympiad Champions. Call to RSVP for our open house!

RSM Russian School of Mathematics Mid-Island Y JCC, 45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview 2583 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn 516-551-6428 russianschool.com brooklyn@russianschool.com RSM Port Washington now has a new location! We are now located at MJCC in Mid-island! Recently featured in NPR and the Atlantic magazine as one of the key players in the “Math Revolution,” and ranked one of the best schools in the world by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, RSM helps children of all levels build a solid math foundation and develop their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Sign up for a free math evaluation today! Website: russianschool.com.

Sappo School

40 Kings Park Road, Commack 631-736-2146 sapposchool.com info@sapposchool.com Sappo School is a non-religious, private, college-preparatory school. Founded more than 20 years ago, Sappo School believes in a tailored learning approach to education. Students are taught using their individual strengths and interests. Because classes have a maximum of 15 students, teachers are able to get to know students and how they learn best. Focus is on project-based learning. Students learn by doing as well as listening, reading, or watching. Real world projects allow students to develop independent thinking and problem-solving skills. Creativity is enhanced through STEM computer programing courses, visual and performing arts programs.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School

2341 Washington Ave., Bellmore 516-785-5709 steas.com St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School is a middle states accredited parochial school for nursery through eighth-grade children providing a top quality education since 1992. We offer an early childhood program that consists of half-day nursery, half- and full-day pre-K and kindergarten, as well as Our Time, which is a transitional program for children age 2 with a parent. “SEAS” provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes language, music, art, computer technology, academic intervention services, sports, clubs, and after-school enrichment and care. At SEAS we learn and grow in respect, responsibility, and reverence.

Stars of Tomorrow

171 Eileen Way, Syosset 516-932-9173 stars-of-tomorrow.com “Stars of Tomorrow” was chosen for a very specific reason. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes hard work, discipline, and confidence. Students work with top instructors and are challenged. Classes are limited in size. Our students are prepared for auditions and our focus is on work and coaching, not costumes and glitzy productions. All shows are open classrooms in which every student is featured. Students are required to attend classes in a uniform shirt. This has been proven effective in eliminating competition and puts everyone on an even playing field especially when meeting industry professionals.

Steps to Socialization

13 S. Bayles Ave., Port Washington 516-767-0266 At Steps to Socialization, we understand that not all children process social information the same way. Our curriculum, designed for children through 12th grade, makes the hidden rules of daily social interactions simple and clear. Through targeted activities and role-play, your child will gain the communication skills needed to navigate the social world. Parents and caregivers are an integral part of the team.

We work together to reinforce the program at home and school.

Tower Talent

535 Broadhollow Road, Suite A2A, Melville 516-765-2400 towertalent.com towertalentclasses@gmail.com On-camera acting, modeling, and vocal coaching for kids and teens ages 4 and older. Build confidence, overcome shyness, and prepare your child for a future career in entertainment.

Local auditions with NYC talent agencies, management, and casting companies are held at our Melville location and are provided to students for potential jobs in commercials, TV, film, fashion shows, and print campaigns.

Attend special guest workshops and learn from working actors, models, and casting directors.

After school and on weekends. If your child has star quality, give us a call today.

Variety Child Learning Center

47 Humphrey Drive, Syosset 516-921-7171 Variety Child Learning Center at the Gallow School 72 Farmedge Road, Levittown 516-490-3301 vclc.org Variety Child Learning Center operates a child care center where “children play, learn, and grow together to become the best that they can be.” Licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services for young children ages 6 weeks to 5 years at VCLC’s Levittown site at the Gallow School, the center is open year-round, except for designated time off, from 6:45am-7pm. Lead teachers are certified teachers.

Registered nurse on-site from 8am-4pm. Email childcare@vclc. org or call 516-921-7171 for additional information.

Village East Gifted - Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner

Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Village East Gifted® is a highly rigorous, creative and engaging academic enrichment program for gifted students ages 3-16. Its curriculum includes Latin, writing, geography, global studies,

world history, STEM, advanced linguistics, SAT vocabulary enrichment, public speaking, art, and creative problem solving.

Gifted pre-kindergarten (ages 3-4) is offered as well as parallel classes for bright children not classified as gifted. More than 400 students have enrolled in the program, all of whom have placed in the 90th percentile or higher on national tests with IQ scores between 130 and 155.

AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES MARKETPLACE

Vincent Smith School

322 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington 516-365-4900 vincentsmithschool.org Located in Port Washington, the Vincent Smith School is a private, independent day school serving students in Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens counties in New York since 1924.

The school is well known for its programs for students in first through 12th grades with ADHD and learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory processing disorders, and language (expressive or receptive) processing disorders. Emphasis is placed on academic excellence, differentiated instruction, strong home-toschool connection, and college and career counseling in small supportive classes.

YMCA of Long Island

855-2YMCALI (296-2254) Locations: Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue ymcali.org/programs/?utm_ source=LI+Parent&utm_ medium=Web+Programs+ LP&utm_campaign=Programs tamar.simpson@ymcali.org YMCA of Long Island works daily to improve lives through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Each year, we serve more than 65,000 people island-wide of all ages and backgrounds. Our locations in Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Huntington, Holtsville, and Patchogue provide programs and services for youth, teens, adults, and seniors including stateof-the-art fitness centers, group exercise classes, youth and teen programs, pristine pools, family activities, preschool, before- and after-school programs, and summer day camp for children ages 3-15 of all interests!

MUSIC INSTITUTE OF LONG ISLAND Open to all ages & levels Suzuki & Traditional methods

All Instruments & Voice

Summer Lessons from Jun-Aug

OUTSTANDING FACULTY Voted # 1 Best Music School of the North Shore

FALL SEMESTER BEGINS SEPTEMBER 8TH Directors: Carol & Geri Kushner

90 Plandome Road, Manhasset, NY 11030 www.MiliMusic.com • 516-627-7052

www.notjustart.com 183 South Street Oyster Bay, NY 516-922-8300

Nurturing Creativity ®

music together ®• art • science classes • vacation camps • studio days • parties play groups • homeschoolers • scouts

Music Together® locations in Babylon, Bellmore, Garden City, Huntington, Manhassett, Massapequa, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Sea Cliff

Visit Us at

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OUTINGS: Roosevelt Island

nymetroparents.com/outings

Get Away Without Leaving NYC Explore historical sites, view art, and take a 4-minute tram to explore the island between Manhattan and Queens. ›› 2 Vanessa Petit

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1 Double rows of trees narrow and frame the triangular courtyard of The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park. 2 The Roosevelt Island Tramway takes visitors from Midtown Manhattan to Roosevelt Island in 4 minutes. 3 The Octagon Gallery serves as a lobby and art gallery inside a luxury apartment building; it originally greeted people entering the New York City Lunatic Asylum. 4 The Lighthouse was designated a New York City landmark in 1975. 5 The Fall for Arts Festival brings together artists and community members to paint large murals.

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oosevelt Island, the 2-mile-long strip of land between Manhattan and Queens, makes for a great family day trip.

Governor Nelson Rockefeller and Mayor John Lindsay named the island in 1973 in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Families can walk or bike along both sides of the island or take the Red Bus, free transportation around the island, up and down the middle of the island on Main Street to explore its numerous parks, take in amazing city views, and learn about historical sites.

Where Else Can You Ride a Tram in the City?

The kids will love taking the 4-minute tram ride to this storied island. With one swipe of a Metrocard at East 59th Street and Second Avenue (including a free transfer to the subway or MTA buses) the Roosevelt Island Tramway climbs to 250 feet above the East River and travels along the north side of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge (expect brief wait times due to maintenance work on both sides of the tram through the winter).

The F train has a stop at Roosevelt Island as well, and starting Aug. 29 visitors can reach the island via the NYC Ferry on the Astoria Line.

At the Roosevelt Island Visitor Center you can buy souvenirs, historical books about the island, and maps.

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See a Lighthouse and Enjoy Its Park

Completed in 1872 under supervising architect James Renwick Jr., the Lighthouse was built of stone quarried on the island by convict labor from the Penitentiary. It stands 50 feet tall on the northernmost point of the island and is surrounded by the East River. The Lighthouse was designated a New York City landmark in 1975, and its park includes grills and tables perfect for a picnic.

An Art Gallery With a Storied Past

South of the Lighthouse is the Octagon, first built in 1839, which originally served as the administrative center and main entrance to the New York City Lunatic Asylum—both Charles Dickens and Nellie Bly wrote about its stark conditions. After serving as a hospital and then being abandoned, the Octagon Gallery reopened in 2006 as the lobby entrance of a 500-unit residential luxury apartment building and home to a rotating art exhibit curated by the Roosevelt Island Visual Art Association. Now residents and visitors can enter the building’s original rotunda, framed by a spiral staircase, to experience the RIVAA exhibits.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, on the southernmost tip of the island, opened in 2012. It spans 4

Courtesy Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation

By Vanessa Petit

acres and celebrates the four freedoms that President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke of in his 1941 State of the Union speech: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Double rows of trees narrow and frame the triangular courtyard, which contains a bust of FDR, sculpted in 1933 by Jo Davidson.

The Four Freedoms Park Conservancy offers free public guided tours on the weekends, weather permitting, and events AprilOctober, including yoga in the park and playgroups for toddlers.

Family-Friendly Roosevelt Island Activities

Roosevelt Island’s diverse community is family-friendly and hosts many events. The Fall for Arts Festival on Sept. 23 brings together local and off-island artists to paint large murals tied to a central theme. Kid-friendly activities include art workshops, community mural panels to paint, and live music. Enjoy outdoor movies in the summer, a family Halloween Parade Oct. 28, and a year-round farmers’ market under the Roosevelt Island Bridge every Saturday.

Want to Go?

Address: 591 Main St., Roosevelt Island Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 15-minute drive from Garden City Hours: The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park is open April 1-Sept. 30, Wednesday-Monday, 9am-7pm, and Oct. 1-March 31, Wednesday-Monday, 9am-5pm Admission: FREE For more information: rioc.ny.gov

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BEST SUNDAY with the

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Fun Activities

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Ideas When You Need Them:

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

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Turn the page for details on LI Parents Day (No. 4 on our list).

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EDITOR: DEE SAUNDERS nassaucal@davlermedia.com

SEPTEMBER CALENDAR 42

On Screen, Mini Musicians

Show Time!

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Once Upon a Time, Must-Sees in NYC

Browse & Buy, Holiday Fun

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Crafty Kids, Smarty Pants

Fun Fairs & Festivals The Great Outdoors

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Movers & Shakers

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Little Foodies

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Editor’s Hot Tickets

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We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!

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EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the nine events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to.

Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

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‘Cirque du Soleil: OVO’

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Long Island Cruizin’ For A Cure Car Show

WHEN: Through Sept. 3: Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 4pm; Sunday, 1:30pm and 5pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented By New York Community Bank, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: 9 and older WHAT: When a mysterious egg appears in the midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives in this stunning acrobatic performance.

WHY WE LOVE IT: The acrobatics, choreography, and costumes are breathtaking and delightful.

WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 800-745-3000. nycblive.com.

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 10, 9am-3pm WHERE: Old Country Road West Exit - Wantagh Parkway, 1400 Old Country Road, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: A fun-filled day for car enthusiasts and families with entertainment, food court, a kids fun zone, vendors, and more. Exhibit to have more than 450 cars and vehicles, and Winthrop University Hospital to conduct free on-site PSA testing for early detection of prostate cancer.

WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s a great opportunity to help save lives!

WANT TO GO? $5; free children younger than 12. 888-542-7849. licruizinforacure.com.

Seward Johnson Exhibit

LI Parents Day

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WHEN: Through Sept. 4: Wednesday-Monday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: The exhibit will feature two of the artist’s most popular series: Celebrating the Familiar and Beyond the Frame, and will feature 32 individual pieces of Johnson’s work. These works focus on sculptural commentary about day-to-day life and Johnson’s love of nature and French Impressionism.

WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s a one-of-a-kind art exhibition.

WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors; $5 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

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WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 11am-3pm WHERE: LIU Post Campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: All WHAT: LI Parents Day is a fun day for the whole family! Kids can play in the Kids Corner and participate in fun, educational events. Parents can meet with exhibitors and professionals who specialize in family programs. Use the code “NYMP” for FREE tickets when registering online.

WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s discovery and fun all in one place, in one afternoon!

WANT TO GO? $10. 212-315-0800. liparentsday.com.

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NHL Preseason: New York Islanders v.

Philadelphia Flyers

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 1pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented By New York Community Bank, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale

AGES: All WHAT: The game will mark the first time the team has played in its former home since the conclusion of the 2014-15 season.

WHY WE LOVE IT: We missed them, and they’re back!

WANT TO GO? $27.50 and up. 800-745-3000. nycblive.com.

Village Day Fall Festival

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 24, 12-4pm WHERE: Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the fall harvest season with outdoor activities for children of all ages, including a petting zoo; pumpkin painting for budding artists; award-winning artisanal cheeses; farm picked vegetables; and other fun events.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Can’t wait for the hayride—it’s a bale of fun!

WANT TO GO? $20 per car. 516-571-7901. thesandspointpreserve.com.

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Long Island Fair

WHEN: Sept. 16-24, Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage AGES: All WHAT: Held each year at the historic Old Bethpage Village Restoration, the 175th edition of the Long Island Fair features family-friendly entertainment, arts and crafts displays, competitions, and educational exhibits.

WHY WE LOVE IT: It showcases the creative talents of Long Islanders from all walks of life.

WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors and children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5. 516-572-8400. lifair.org.

Heart & Seoul: Growing Up in Korea

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WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 30, Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: The growing popularity of all things Korean, from fashion and film to music and cuisine, called “Hallyu” (the Korean Wave) is on view when this exhibit rolls into LICM. You can “hang out” with Korean kids and “text” them questions about what life is like in Seoul.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Visitors are introduced to time-honored cultural values that are still an integral facet of 21st century Korean life.

WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

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Movements Dance Company of Jamaica

WHEN: Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Saturday, 7pm; Sunday, 4pm WHERE: York College, 94-45 Guy Brewer Blvd., Jamaica, Queens AGES: All WHAT: With an exciting mix of established favorites and new works, this promises to be one of the most powerful statements of the work of Movements Dance Company of Jamaica. Presented

by Jamstar Enterprises in celebration of Projects Jamaica “Arts Up! Jamaica” campaign.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A vibrant and distinctly Jamaican interpretation of modern contemporary dance.

WANT TO GO? $30 and up. 718-262-2840. yorkpac.com.

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE

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

Kids Workshop FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 2, 9am-12pm WHERE: Home Depot, 600 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Kids learn to build or create a useful, fun product. Workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, and instill a sense of pride and accomplishment.

WANT TO GO? 516-488-8500. homedepot.com.

Kidstock FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 16, 12-5pm WHERE: North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 W. Shore Road, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: An open-air family festival featuring musical entertainment that kids and parents can enjoy together.

WANT TO GO? $10 parking fee. 516-869-6311. northhempsteadny.gov.

Pride in Port Family Fun Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 16, 11:30am WHERE: Weber Middle School, Campus Drive and Port Washington Boulevard, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy carnival games, bouncies, sports activities, and refreshments.

WANT TO GO? 516-883-6566. pwguide.com.

Let’s Play Scrabble FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 18, 11am WHERE: Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbour Lane, Massapequa AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Come in and enjoy a game of Scrabble.

WANT TO GO? 516-799-0770. massapequalibrary.org.

Made with Love FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 11am WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Made With Love is a service-oriented group of knitters and crocheters who create hats, scarves, blankets, and other items for hospitals, shelters, and the military in a friendly atmosphere.

WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org. ››

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37th Annual Antique Motorcycle Show

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 11am-4pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens AGES: All WHAT: This show will include a display of various makes and models of motorcycles that have been out of production for 10 years or more. Music, farmhouse tours, hayrides, and food will provide fun for the entire family.

WANT TO GO? $7. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

Doo Wop Extravaganza

SHOW TIME!

Alexandra Silber: ‘After Anatevka’ Cabaret & Book Signing

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 9, 8pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: All WHAT: After playing the role of Tzeitel in the most recent Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof and previously playing Hodel in London’s West End, Alexandra Silber has written a book about what happens after Hodel leaves the stage. See this special hybrid of reading and performance—combining excerpts from the book with a curated song list.

WANT TO GO? $35. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.

‘Seth’s Big Fat Broadway Show’

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 10, 3pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: All WHAT: With perfect comedic timing, Seth Rudetsky, who has been a pianist and performer on dozens of Broadway shows and concerts, takes the audience on a journey to mock and deconstruct Broadway musicals, all with a little history and trivia thrown in for fun.

WANT TO GO? $35. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.

Vintage Antique Fun Car Show FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 10, 9am-3pm WHERE: Rock Hall Museum, 199 Broadway, Lawrence AGES: All WHAT: Car Show is open to any make vehicle 25 years or older, including classics, antiques, custom hot rods, and trucks.

WANT TO GO? 516-292-9000. toh.li.

Barry Manilow in Concert

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 14, 7:30pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented By New York Community Bank, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: All WHAT: Manilow’s show will feature his greatest hits along with songs from his new album, This Is My Town: Songs of New York. Every pair of tickets for these shows will include a physical CD of Barry’s new album.

WANT TO GO? $18.25 and up. 800-745-3000. nycblive.com.

‘I Am’ Dancers 3rd Annual Recital

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 16, 5pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss this recital during which dancing talent is put on display.

WANT TO GO? $25. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.

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WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6pm WHERE: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Dick Fox’s Fall Doo Wop Extravaganza features Lou Christie, The Skyliners, The Tymes, Shirley Alston Reeves (former lead singer of The Shirelles), Eddie Holman, The Del Satins, and The Knockouts.

WANT TO GO? $49.50 and up. 516-334-0800. thetheatreatwestbury.com.

Professional Bull Riders: Built Ford Tough Series

WHEN: Sept. 23-24, Saturday, 6:45pm; Sunday, 1:45pm WHERE: NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented By New York Community Bank, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: All WHAT: The world’s top 35 cowboys will confront the best bulls in the business in epic showdowns to claim the Buck Off The Island title.

WANT TO GO? $26 and up. 800-745-3000. nycblive.com.

The Art of Triumph Encore

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 26, 6:30pm WHERE: Madison Theatre at Molloy College, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Dance, photography, art, written expression, and music will all be used to tell stories of strength, perseverance, resiliency, and positive change.

WANT TO GO? $10. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.

ONCE UPON A TIME David Houston Performs: Mark Twain Telling Tales

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 10, 2:30pm WHERE: Coe Hall-Planting Fields, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: A lecture on the nature of comedy and wit, with notes on Twain’s early development as a writer taken from essays and stories, and fully dramatized readings of the short stories The Golden Arm, The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, and the famous white-washing scene from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

WANT TO GO? $5; free for children younger than 12. 516-922-8688. plantingfields.org.

Day Care Storytime FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 12, 10am WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy stories and songs. Call or visit to register.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 11am WHERE: Floral Park Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy an hour of singing, dancing, storytelling, and a craft with our friends from A TIME FOR KIDS, INC. WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

CityBound Must-Sees in

N Y C Courtesy Summer on the Hudson

Family Preschool Hour FREE

Bookworm Buddies

WHEN: Sept. 21-22, Thursday-Friday, 11am-1pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Celebrate reading this school year by creating your own bookworm buddy to read along with at home.

WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Storytime & Craft with Author Billy Bloom: ‘Walter & the Wallet’ FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 24, 11:30am WHERE: The Dolphin Bookshop, 299 Main St., Port Washington AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Walter Whippingdale is having the worst day of his life. Walter spots a wallet lying in the street…a wallet bursting with cash. Suddenly, his terrible day is about to change. But how?

WANT TO GO? 516-767-2650. thedolphinbookshop.com.

Tiny Tots Storytime FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 11am WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Stories, rhymes, songs, and a simple craft for little ones.

WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

‘Otto’s Special Pumpkin’ - Animated Storytime FREE

Experience fair fun without leaving the city.

A Little Bit Country Fill your Sunday afternoon with county fair fun in a city setting.

Summer on the Hudson’s West Side County Fair promises carnival rides and games, sideshow performers, local food and merchandise vendors, cotton candy, and more. See aerialists from the House Of Yes, laugh with host Ambrose Martos, and listen to live music from Mariti Garrett and Bette Smith, among others. Plus, you can bring clean, reusable items such as clothing, housewares, games, books, and toys that you no longer use and take home something that’s new to your family for free at the Stop ‘N’ Swap with GrowNYC. Sept. 10, 1-6pm (rain date: Sept. 17). Age: All. FREE. Pier I in Riverside Park South, West 70th Street, Riverside Park South. nycgovparks.org.

Meg Banks

WHEN: Sept. 16-Oct. 31, daily, 8am-6pm WHERE: Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: The story explores Otto’s relationship with friends Spider and Bat and the importance of respecting each other’s differences. Please bring donations of non-perishable food items for Long Island Cares.

WANT TO GO? 516-334-0066. hicksnurseries.com. ››

Pet a horse and have some fun at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show’s free family day.

Horsin’ Around Calling all equestrian fans! The Fourth Annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show will feature five days of diverse programming and daily exhibitions of different breeds and disciplines, concluding with a free family day packed with kid-friendly programming. Participate in hands-on interactions with horses, try your hand at hobby horsing (a competitive sport for children that involves a toy stick with a model horse head), and check out the first-ever dog agility class at Wollman Rink. Sept. 24, 12-3pm. Age: All. FREE. Wollman Rink, 830 Fifth Ave., Central Park. centralparkhorseshow.com.

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Neiman Marcus Family Sundays at the Museum

CRAFTY KIDS Maker Club: Marshmallow Constructions FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 5, 4pm WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join in to create fun contraptions with marshmallows.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org.

Teddy Bear FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 7, 11am WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Create your own teddy bear to celebrate Teddy Bear Day on Sept. 9.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org.

WHEN: Through Sept. 24: Sundays, 1pm WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Be inspired by the works in the galleries, and explore new art materials. Family Sundays allow children and the adults in their lives to take time to reconnect while talking about and making art together.

WANT TO GO? $12; $8 seniors; $4 children ages 4-12; $2 weekend parking fee. 516-484-9338. nassaumuseum.org.

Knit & Crochet FREE

WHEN: Sept. 11-25, Tuesdays, 1:30pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Angie Gallo guides you through the steps of learning how to knit and/or crochet. Bring your own project or choose from the many instruction books available.

WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

Mini Maracas

WHEN: Sept. 19-29, daily, 2:30-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Shake, rattle, and roll your way to create your own colorful maraca to take home.

WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Watercolor Painting

Grandparents Day Cards Make & Take FREE

WHEN: Sept. 11-Oct. 30, Mondays, 10am WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Enter the exciting world of watercolor painting with Julie Van Benthyusen. Bring an Arches Watercolor Pad, gray kneaded eraser, two plastic containers for water, and paper towels to the first class.

WANT TO GO? $12 materials fee with $16 library fee. 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

Plein Air Through the Seasons: Late Summer Flowers & Grasses FREE

SMARTY PANTS

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 9, 10am WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: All WHAT: Visit the Children’s Room and make a one-of-a-kind card for your grandparents.

WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 9, 10am-3pm WHERE: Coe Hall-Planting Fields, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Annie Shaver-Crandell is a visual artist whose fondness for fresh air and magnificent colors has brought her repeatedly to Planting Fields to paint out of doors.

WANT TO GO? $8 parking. 516-922-8688. plantingfields.org.

Maker Club: Keva FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 11, 4pm WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Play, build, and create with Keva planks.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org.

Dale a la Piñata

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Come decorate and take home a colorful miniature piñata in honor of Mexico’s Independence Day and Hispanic Heritage Month.

WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Pattern Wizardry

WHEN: Through Sept. 3: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This bilingual (English-Spanish) exhibit introduces the fundamentals of patterns as the building blocks of our natural and man-made world and as a critical developmental tool for children.

WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 516224-5800. licm.org.

Junior Engineers: Chemical Engineering FREE

Let’s Speak Italian FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 4pm WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Learn all about chemical engineering and then see chemical reactions in action.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org.

WHEN: Sept. 14-28, Thursdays, 11am WHERE: Floral Park Public Library, 17 Caroline Place, Floral Park AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Elena Florenzano returns to continue the conversation and the learning.

WANT TO GO? 516-326-6330. floralparklibrary.org.

The Roaring ‘20s Presented by Marilyn Carminio FREE

WHEN: Sept. 9-Oct. 28, Saturdays, 10am-12 WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Learn to play chess. Experienced players are also welcome.

WANT TO GO? $8; $2 per drop-in session. 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Get to know the brilliant men, beautiful jazz babies, champagne baths, and midnight revels spoken about in movie ads. Learn about the history, music, fashions, fads, and follies of the time and find out why our grandparents really said these were “the good old days.”

WANT TO GO? 516-767-6444. landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Brown Bag Lectures

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 14, 1pm WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Bring a sandwich and enjoy lunch with friends as museum docent Riva Ettus presents an informative talk on the art and artists included in the current exhibition. Afterward, join the 2pm public exhibition tour.

WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors; $4 children. 516-484-9338. nassaumuseum.org.

W.E.B. DuBois: A Man for All Times FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 16, 2pm WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A solo event that transports the audience into the world and mind of one of the greatest unsung heroes.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org.

Gallery Talk & Book Signing: Marc Rosen

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 1pm WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Marc Rosen, whose innovations in fragrance and cosmetics packaging design are celebrated in the exhibition Glamour Icons, meets with visitors in the gallery to discuss his work. Later, Rosen will sign copies of his book, Glamour Icons: Perfume Bottle Design.

WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors; $4 children. 516-484-9338. nassaumuseum.org.

Smithsonian Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 23, 11am-4:45pm WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Nassau County Museum of Art is participating in the annual Smithsonian Day of free admission to museums across the country. Visit the website to obtain the Smithsonian’s Museum Day Live! pass.

WANT TO GO? 516-484-9338. nassaumuseum.org.

Chess

LITTLE FOODIES Kids in the Kitchen

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 1, 1:30-2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Create tasty treats, take home recipes, and enjoy your creations.

WANT TO GO? $5 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Cooking: Craving Apple Brownies FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 14, 4pm WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Learn to make delicious apple brownies.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org.

Read, Cook, Eat: Greek FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 14, 2pm WHERE: Rockville Centre Library, 221 Village Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Choose a recipe from one of the cookbooks at the Reference Desk, prepare your recipe, and bring it to share at the meeting.

WANT TO GO? 516-766-6257. rvclibrary.org.

Cooking: Cheese Enchiladas FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 28, 4pm WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Tweens learn to make yummy enchiladas.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org. ››

Sketching in the Galleries

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 26, 1-2pm WHERE: Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Led by museum educators, this program will encourage visitors to slow down as they engage in a variety of drawing assignments that focus on the artists’ use of line, proportion, texture, and value.

WANT TO GO? $17. 516-484-9338. nassaumuseum.org.

LongIslandParent 41

MINI

MUSICIANS

ON SCREEN Kids Movie: ‘The Boss Baby’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 1, 2-4pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Kids will love this hilarious movie.

WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

Tricia’s Flicks: ‘Megan Leavey’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8, 2pm WHERE: Rockville Centre Library, 221 Village Ave., Rockville Centre AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Based on the true life story of a young Marine corporal whose unique discipline and bond with her military combat dog saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq.

WANT TO GO? 516-766-6257. rvclibrary.org.

‘Kong: Skull Island’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 22, 2pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: 9 and older WHAT: The show reimagines the origin of the mythic Kong in a compelling, original adventure.

WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

‘Dream Big: Engineering Our World’

WHEN: Through June 30: daily, 2pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: From the Great Wall of China and the world’s tallest buildings to underwater robots, solar cars, and smart, sustainable cities, this film celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small.

WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children with admission: $16; $13 children ages 2-17; free for children younger than 2. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

‘Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Secret Ocean 3D’

WHEN: Through June 30: daily, 11am and 1pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: A breakthrough look at a secret world within the ocean that is perhaps the biggest story of all: that the smallest life in the sea is the mightiest force on which we all depend. Cousteau invites viewers to dive into this whole new world that will leave them in awe of the beauty and diversity of the oceans.

WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children with admission: $16; $13 children ages 2-17; free for children younger than 2. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

‘Journey To Space 3D’

WHEN: Through June 30: daily, 12pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: A celebration of space exploration, a tribute to international cooperation in space research, and a vision towards a manned mission to Mars within a generation. Narrated by Sir Patrick Stewart.

WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children with admission: $16; $13 children ages 2-17; free for children younger than 2. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Family Fun Night-Strummin’ and Drummin’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 1, 6-7:30pm WHERE: Coe Hall-Planting Fields, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Bring a chair, blanket, and an outdoor picnic, and listen to music.

Bring glow sticks for after-dark fun.

WANT TO GO? 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.

Summer Concert: The Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 8, 7pm WHERE: Coe Hall-Planting Fields, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: With backgrounds in everything from traditional jazz to Klesmer and zydeco and influences that range from Phish to punk, the musicians you’ll find in this collective offer an enormous breadth and depth to bluegrass.

WANT TO GO? $30. 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.

International Music Nights Concert Series: Pakistani-American Night FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 10, 8pm WHERE: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, Merrick Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow AGES: All WHAT: Listen to the enthralling music of the Pakistani-American culture.

WANT TO GO? 516-572-0200. nassaucountyny.gov.

From Italy With Love FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 10, 2pm WHERE: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road, Franklin Square AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Join Salvatore Chiarelli and hear your favorite Italian songs.

Tickets are needed to attend the Sunday programs.

WANT TO GO? 516-488-3444. franklinsquarepl.org.

Music School Open House FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 16, 1-4pm WHERE: Grace Music School at Steinway & Sons, 505 Walt Whitman Road, Melville AGES: All WHAT: This open house includes student performances, refreshments, and school tours. All attendees will be receive music lesson discounts.

WANT TO GO? 631-470-9705. gracemusicschool.com.

AFRO-DYSIA-In Concert FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 23, 2pm WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt

AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with this high energy performance of Latin Jazz and Candombe.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org.

Mozart Orchestra of New York

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 23, 8pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville AGES: All WHAT: This all Beethoven concert includes Coriolan Overture, Piano Concerto No. 5 (Emperor), and Symphony No. 2 with music director Gerard Schwarz and Vladimir Feltsman on piano.

WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 516-299-3100. tillescenter.org.

Songs of The ‘20s and ‘30s with Kate Beckman FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2pm WHERE: Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: Get ready to tap your toes and bounce to music from the ’20s through the swing era with popular tunes such as “It Had to Be You,” “Swinging on a Star,” and “I Love a Piano.”

WANT TO GO? 516-767-6444. landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Music and Fun for Your Little One

WHEN: Sept. 18-Oct. 2, Mondays, 11am WHERE: Massapequa Public Library, 40 Harbour Lane, Massapequa AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Join in for 45 minutes of music and fun.

WANT TO GO? 516-799-0770. massapequalibrary.org.

HOLIDAY FUN Labor Day Weekend Concert: Banjo Nickaru & The Western Schooches FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 2, 6-7:30pm WHERE: Coe Hall-Planting Fields, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Bring a chair, blanket, and an outdoor picnic to enjoy country music and the beauty at Planting Fields.

WANT TO GO? 516-922-8678. plantingfields.org.

Labor Day Weekend Music Concert: Carolyn Harding FREE

BROWSE & BUY

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 2, 2pm WHERE: Roosevelt Public Library, 27 W. Fulton Ave., Roosevelt AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss this fun holiday concert.

WANT TO GO? 516-378-0222. rooseveltlibrary.org.

Westbury Farmers and Artists Market FREE

Tanker Weekend

WHEN: Through Sept. 24: Sundays, 9am-2pm WHERE: Piazza Ernesto Strada, Post and Maple avenues, Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Stock up on fresh produce, baked goods, pickles, breads, coffee, and honey, and check out the crafts, original art, jewelry, and music from local artists and artisans.

WANT TO GO? 516-400-2787. westburyarts.org.

Cunningham Park Farmers Market FREE

WHEN: Through Nov. 19: Sundays, 9am-2pm WHERE: Main Park House at Cunningham Park, 196-22 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, Queens AGES: All WHAT: At this market attendees will be able to meet the farmers and purchase local dairy, vegetable, fruit, and meat products, as well as baked goods and drinks.

WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

WHEN: Sept. 2-3, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-3pm WHERE: Museum of American Armor, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage AGES: All WHAT: The museum will honor America’s citizen soldiers who have served in the nation’s armor divisions by operating in the field a Cold War M48 Patton tank, a WWII Sherman tank, a Pacific theater Stuart tank, and other tracked military vehicles.

WANT TO GO? $12; $8 seniors and children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5. 516-454-8265. museumofamericanarmor.org.

Blue Star Museums FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 4: See website for museum times WHERE: See website for participating museums AGES: All WHAT: Blue Star Museums offers free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families.

WANT TO GO? 202-682-5606. arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

West Indian American Day Parade and Carnival FREE

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 4, 11am-6pm WHERE: Eastern Parkway, between Utica and Underhill avenues, Crown Heights/Prospect Heights, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: Tons of food vendors, parade floats, calypso and soca rhythms, steel drums, and stepping, plus some crazy costumes, make the West Indian American Day Carnival a vibrant celebration.

WANT TO GO? 718-467-1797. wiadca.com. ››

LongIslandParent 43

2017 World Maker Faire

WHEN: Sept. 23-24, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Featuring projects with social impact for good, health care and food, alongside the latest developments from core pillars of the Maker Movement such as microelectronics, 3-D printing, drones, robotics, and more.

WANT TO GO? $45; $30 children ages 3-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Summer Art and Craft Fair FREE

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALES Merrick Fall Festival and Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Sept. 9-10, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Long Island Rail Road Station-Merrick, Merrick Avenue and Sunrise Highway, Merrick AGES: All WHAT: These art and craft vendors sell handmade unique creations and hard-to-find, quality items. Enjoy fun, food, and entertainment.

WANT TO GO? 516-442-6000.

Grande Festa Italiana

WHEN: Sept. 6-10, Wednesday-Friday, 6-11pm; Saturday, 2-11pm; Sunday, 12:30-10pm WHERE: North Hempstead Beach Park, 175 West Shore Road, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: Sponsored by the John Michael Marino Sons of Italy. Long Island’s oldest and largest feast with rides, games, vendors, a famous pasta tent with homemade food, carnival fare, and fireworks on Sept. 9.

WANT TO GO? $30 rides wristband. 516-767-3123. marinolodge.org.

New Hyde Park Street Fair FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 16, 10am-4:30pm WHERE: Village of New Hyde Park, Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park AGES: All WHAT: Bring your family and meet neighbors and friends for a great time outdoors.

WANT TO GO? 516-330-2044. craftafaironline.com.

31st Annual Bellmore Family Street Festival FREE

WHEN: Sept. 14-17, Thursday-Sunday, 11am-6pm WHERE: Bellmore, 2700 Pettit Ave., Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: One of the largest street festivals on Long Island with carnival rides and games, live music and entertainment, a large craft area, expos, and more. Come meet Rex the Dinosaur and Ironman.

WANT TO GO? 516-809-5892. bellmorechamber.com.

25th Annual Italian Experience Festival

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 11am-5pm WHERE: Hofstra University South Campus, 1000 Fulton Ave., Hempstead AGES: All WHAT: The festival features food, vendors, handmade crafts, exhibits by cultural organizations, music, dance, poetry, and more for the entire family to enjoy.

WANT TO GO? $6; $5 seniors; free for children younger than 12. 516463-5067. hofstra.edu.

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sept. 1-24, Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Broadway Mall, 358 N. Broadway Commons, Hicksville AGES: All WHAT: Explore local arts and crafts at this mall-wide arts and crafts show.

WANT TO GO? 718-241-4630. broadwaymall.com.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Port Washington: Magical History Tours

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 3, 11am WHERE: Sunset Park, Town Dock and Main Street, Port Washington AGES: All WHAT: The Cow Neck Peninsula Society presents guided historical tours of the Port Washington waterfront. Learn about the shell-fishing industry, sand mining, local aviation, and the development of the waterfront. Reservations required.

WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors; $1 for children 12 and older. 516-3659074. cowneck.org.

Bluegrass, BBQ & Bourbon

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 10, 3-6pm WHERE: Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point AGES: All WHAT: Spend the afternoon with live music by Eastbound Freight Bluegrass Band, a barbecue with a family-friendly menu, free kids’ activities, and a bourbon tasting bar. Bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets and settle in for a fantastic country celebration with friends.

WANT TO GO? $30 per car. 516-571-7901. thesandspointpreserve.com.

Sensory Garden Sundays

WHEN: Sept. 3-Oct. 29, Sundays, 9am-5pm WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum, Coe Hall, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay AGES: All WHAT: Exciting new programming for families during which children will have the opportunity to see, taste, touch, smell, and listen to the wonders of the Sensory Garden.

WANT TO GO? $8 per car. 516-922-8668. plantingfields.org.

Mill Neck Manor House Tour

WHEN: Through Nov. 5: Sundays, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Mill Neck Manor House, 40 Frost Mill Road, Mill Neck AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Step back in time to experience and savor the mansion’s exquisite appointments and its 86-acre scenic estate overlooking the Long Island Sound. Learn about its history, the life of Lillian Sefton Dodge, and the Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf.

WANT TO GO? $25; $20 seniors; $15 students; $5 for children 12 and younger. 516-628-4243. millneckmanorhouse.org.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Art Auction & Cocktails Fundraiser

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 13, 6:30pm WHERE: Port Washington Yacht Club, 1 Yacht Club Drive, Port Washington AGES: Adult WHAT: The event is designed to support all the Rotary Club projects in the form of donations, gifts for auction or raffle, and art auction. There will be wine and refreshments, interesting art pieces for auction, and many desirable items for auction and raffle.

WANT TO GO? $20. 516-487-9392. rotaryclubofgreatneck.org.

Operation Safe Child ID Program FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2pm WHERE: Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Island Trees AGES: All WHAT: This free, wallet-sized ID card includes your child’s name, photo, biographical information, and fingerprints. You may elect to have your child’s data lined to the AMBER Alert system.

WANT TO GO? 516-731-2211. islandtreespubliclibrary.org.

Monarch Beach Walk FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 30, 9-11:30am WHERE: Jones Beach State Park, 1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh AGES: All WHAT: Join this walk along the barrier island, a migratory route for Monarchs during their journey south. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? parks.ny.gov.

Polo at Bethpage State Park

WHEN: Sept. 3-Oct. 8, Sundays, 3pm WHERE: Bethpage State Park, 99 Quaker Meeting House Road, Farmingdale AGES: All WHAT: Come and enjoy an afternoon of excellent polo games at Bethpage State Park. A treat for the whole family.

WANT TO GO? $5; $8 vehicle fee. 631-669-1000. bethpagepolo.com.

The Amazing Maize Maze Sponsored by Con Edison

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 8:30am WHERE: Jones Beach, 1000 Ocean Parkway, Field 5, Wantagh AGES: All WHAT: Participants will enjoy the non-competitive, 3-mile walk, along with free yoga, Hula-Hooping, and a silent disco to get their hearts pumping. Families can enjoy face-painting, crafts, carnival games, and information on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

WANT TO GO? 516-450-9104. longislandheartwalk.org.

WHEN: Sept. 23-Oct. 29, daily, 11am-4:30pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens AGES: All WHAT: Kids and adults alike will have fun finding their way out of this 3-acre corn labyrinth. The adventure begins with a “Stalk Talk” to prepare participants for the challenge of finding clues, solving puzzles, and making their way out of the maze.

WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children ages 4-11; free for children 3 and younger. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

Children’s Hope India Walk-a-thon

Open Bounce

Long Island Heart Walk FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 10am WHERE: Eisenhower Park, 1899 Hempstead Turnpike, Parking Field #1, East Meadow AGES: All WHAT: Children’s Hope India helps underprivileged children progress from poverty to prosperity, giving them a chance for a brighter future.

Proceeds from the walk will go toward scholarships to send children from shelters to summer camp.

WANT TO GO? $25; $20 in advance. 516-500-7244. childrenshopeindia.org.

WHEN: Through Dec. 28: 4:15pm WHERE: BounceU, 101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale AGES: 3-12 WHAT: The sessions include music, games, and of course, play time on the giant inflatable toys. Parents must remain on premises.

WANT TO GO? $12.95. 631-777-5867. bounceu.com.

Let’s Walk, Let’s Talk... Stepping Together to Prevent Suicide

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 17, 10:30am-1:30pm WHERE: Long Island Crisis Center, 2740 Martin Ave., Bellmore AGES: All WHAT: An opportunity for people from across Long Island to come together, walk as a community, and raise awareness for suicide prevention.

WANT TO GO? $25. 516-679-1111. longislandcrisiscenter.org/thewalk.

Coming up next month: OCT. 7-9: Oktoberfest Celebration at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow OCT. 22: Sleeping Beauty at Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington OCT. 29: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live: King for a Day! at Tilles Center, Brookville

LongIslandParent 45

WHERE-TO GUIDE

Pick Your Own Apples

››

Research by Amanda Marrone and Jaime Bonchick

Bite into crunchy, juicy, just-picked apples this month! A day trip to a local orchard yields fresh fruit to take home by the bucket, sweet pastries and baked goods (apple cider doughnuts, please!), and lots of kid-friendly perks, from hayrides to petting zoos. Grown-ups: Some farms even serve up hard cider and homemade wines!

Note: Dates are projected and availability is subject to change. We recommend calling ahead before visiting these locations. through Thanksgiving. Hayrides, 5-acre corn maze, wooden toys, and picnic area.

Farmers market with pre-picked fruits and vegetables, roasted corn, homemade pies, jams, and snacks. Call for availability.

Wickham’s Fruit Farms 28700 Route 25, Cutchogue 631-734-6441 wickhamsfruitfarm.com Apple picking through September into mid-October, Monday-Saturday, 9am4pm. Closed Sunday. Also offers U-pick blackberries and pumpkins. Hayrides in October on Saturdays and Columbus Day, 9am-4pm.

CONNECTICUT Fairfield County

Hank’s Pumpkin Farm 240 Montauk Highway, Water Mill Farm stand: 324 County Road 39, Southampton 631-726-4667; hankspumpkintown.com Apple and pumpkin picking early September through late October, daily, 9:30am-6pm. Corn maze, wagon rides, face painting, farm stand, and roasted corn shack with sweet corn, pies, doughnuts, candy apples, apple cider, and kettle corn.

Farm stand open through mid-September.

Hayden’s Orchard 561 Hulse Landing Road (near Wildwood State Park), Wading River 631-929-1115 Pick-your-own nectarines through late September, peaches through mid-October, and apples through late October. Call for availability. Open daily, 9am-5pm.

Lewin Farms 812 Sound Ave., Wading River

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Second location: Fresh Pond Avenue, Baiting Hollow 631-929-4327 lewinfarm.com Apple picking late August through early October, weekends, 9am-4:30pm. Pumpkin picking late September through October.

Farm open Monday-Sunday, 9am-5pm.

Milk Pail Farm & Orchard 50 Horsemill Lane, Watermill 631-537-2565 milk-pail.com Apple and pumpkin picking from Labor Day through late October, Friday-Sunday and holidays, 10am-5:30pm. The Country Store offers cider, doughnuts, muffins, pies, cookies, and more.

Seven Ponds Orchard 65 Seven Ponds Road, Water Mill 631-726-8015 Apple, pumpkin, winter squash, and raspberry picking, daily, 9am-6pm,

September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard, LLC 278 Leavenworth Road (Route 110), Shelton 203-926-1098 beardsleyscidermill.com Farm opens in September; check the website for exact opening date. Apple picking September through October, weekends, 10am-5pm. Cash or check only.

Dwarf apple trees for easy picking. Cider press on location. Farm store with apple cider and doughnuts, maple syrup, local honey, pumpkin cheesecake, fruit butter, jams, and jellies.

Silverman’s Farm 451 Sport Hill Road, Easton 203-261-3306 silvermansfarm.com Apple picking mid-August through midOctober, daily, 9:30am-4:30pm. Peaches available through mid-September and pumpkins available mid-September to October. Animal petting park, farm market, greenhouse, and tractor rides through October.

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Hartford County Dondero Orchards 529 Woodland St., South Glastonbury 860-659-0294 donderoorchards.com Pick-your-own peaches and plums through September; apples and pears through October, Monday-Friday, 9am5pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 8am-6pm, during the fall. Bakery with doughnuts, pies, and other baked goods. Greenhouse with flowers and mulch.

Easy Pickin’s Orchard 46 Bailey Road, Enfield 860-763-FARM (3276) easypickinsorchard.com Pick-your-own apples from late August through the end of October, along with pears and raspberries, MondayThursday, 9am-12pm (closed Tuesdays); Friday-Sunday, 9am-5pm. Vegetable and flower gardens available for picking and cutting. Cash or check only.

Karabin Farms 894 Andrews St., Southington 860-620-0194 karabinfarms.com Apple and pumpkin picking on weekends (Friday-Monday) September-October, 9:30am4pm. Store open daily with farm-raised beef products, chicken, pork, vegetables, and eggs available for sale. Call for updates on hours.

Rogers Orchards 336 Long Bottom Road, Southington 2876 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, Southington 860-229-4240 rogersorchards.com Apple picking Labor Day weekend through October, Friday-Sunday and holiday Mondays, 10am-5pm. Apple

cider doughnuts, pies, and local products available at on-site farm store; open daily, August through mid-May.

Litchfield County Averill Farm 250 Calhoun St., Washington Depot 860-868-2777; averillfarm.com Pick-your-own apples midAugust to Thanksgiving on a scenic family farm; pickyour-own pears through early October. Open daily, 9:30am-5:30pm. Pre-picked fruit, apple cider, hard cider, doughnuts, jams, jellies, honey, and flowers available on the farm through November.

Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm 461 Cornwall Bridge Road (Route 4), Sharon 860-364-0025 ellsworthfarm.com Apple picking Labor Day weekend through early November; call for hours. Blueberries and raspberries available for picking while they last. Family-fun hayrides, corn maze, and apple cider for tasting. Pre-picked fruit and vegetables, fresh-baked pies, fresh pretzels, apple cider vinegar, jam, honey, maple syrup, freshly ground peanut butter and cider doughnuts available for purchase. Interactive train display in store area.

Fundraiser

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Fall Festival October, 7th 10am – 4:30pm

ate Rain d, 14th r Octobe

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Admission: $6 Adult, $4 Children/Senior, Members Free

Kid’s Fishing Petting Zoo Games

Live Animal Encounters

Music Food

Visit www.cshfishhatchery.org! or Call 516-692-6768 ! for more details & events!!

March Farm 160 Munger Lane, Bethlehem 203-266-7721 marchfarms.com Apple and pumpkin picking September through October, daily, 10:30am-5pm. Farm market with homegrown fruits and vegetables. Bakery with cider doughnuts and other baked goods and specialty items. Picnic areas, animal yard, hayrides, corn maze, and farm hiking trails.

Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/apples LongIslandParent 47

Courtesy Katelin Walling

FOOD & NUTRITION

10 Tips to Master Meal Planning ››

Spend the time once a week to create a menu, and you’ll save time, money, and stress when it comes to cooking dinner. By Katelin Walling

O

nce a week when I was growing up, my parents would have my brothers and me go through our cookbooks and cooking magazines to each pick out one meal we wanted to try and write down the ingredients we needed to buy at the grocery store for that recipe. We also had to check to see what we had in the cupboards already to avoid purchasing ingredients we had on hand.

Now that I’m older and living on my own, I do the same, except I have to plan a meal for every day. So on Sunday mornings, I comb through my cookbooks, recipes torn out of magazines, and my favorite cooking blogs, and plan what I’m going to eat for the week.

Why? Meal planning saves me time and money, and it can for you, too. Plus, it will save you a lot of stress, says Ruthy Kirwan, creator of PercolateKitchen.com. “Speaking to other parents who were in my position where they’re tired and they’re stressed, and they’re coming home from a long day, the kitchen and cooking and figuring out what to make for dinner is the last thing they want to do at the end of a long day,” she says. “But if you sit down for maybe five to ten minutes at the start of the week, and you look at how your schedule is, figure out what’s in your kitchen already, and then work that into a plan…[it] can save you a ton of time and stress throughout the next seven days.”

Meal planning is a money-saver because “you’re not going to end up ordering in as much or doing takeout or going to whatever the closest store is that may not have the items [you need] on sale,” says Jessica Levinson, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N. It also cuts down on food waste, Levinson adds, whether it’s picking two meals that include fresh parsley so you’re not throwing any away (or composting it) or enjoying leftovers for lunch the next day.

Levinson also notes that meal planning helps to ensure you have healthy, balanced meals on the table each night, and that you have all the ingredients in the house to make those balanced meals.

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

My parents got me and my brothers involved with the mealplanning process as kids—we each had to choose a recipe for the week, and more ofte n than not, I helped ma ke it. Here, my dad and I are making his fam ous biscuits, a recipe I still make today.

I’ve been a practicing meal-planner for almost 20 years and consider myself to be a bit of an expert. Keep these tips in mind when starting out, and you, too, will be an expert in no time.

Tips for Successful Meal Planning

Don’t bite off more than you can chew (pun intended!). Both Levinson and Kirwan recommend starting out by planning meals for two to three days and doing what you typically do (order takeout, cook a frozen pizza, eat leftovers) for the rest of the week. “This way you’re not overdoing it and setting yourself up for something that you can’t stick to,” Levinson says. Once you have those few days down, you can add more and eventually plan out meals for the whole week.

In fact, Levinson suggests planning a night of leftovers. “If it’s a family favorite, your kids won’t be upset that they’re having baked ziti two nights in a row because some kids would have that every night if they could,” she adds.

Have your schedule for the week handy. Do you have to work late one night, do the kids have after-school activities that will run close to dinnertime, is it date night for you and your partner?

These are all things to take into consideration when planning meals for the week. “Be realistic about your abilities and the amount of time you have to cook, and when in doubt, don’t worry about eating leftovers or a frozen pizza,” Kirwan says.

Stockpile recipes. Levinson suggests creating a board on Pinterest to pin easy, quick weeknight meals so you have a go-to database of recipes. “Same with any cookbooks you have or recipes you pull out from magazines,” she says. “This way you’re not always having to come up with something new, but you have at your fingertips a group of resources to pull recipes from.”

Chain your meals, as Kirwan says. This is essentially building one meal off of another. For example, if you make chicken enchiladas for dinner one night, cook extra chicken to use in your Alfredo dish for the next night. This way, part of your dinner is already prepped and you save time. “People think it needs to be a brandnew item every evening, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be. In fact, if it is a brand-new item every evening, then it sets you up for failure from the get-go,” Kirwan says.

Keep your picky eaters in mind, but don’t make yourself crazy.

Meal planning helps cut your time in the kitchen, so planning separate meals for your picky eaters is counterintuitive. Kirwan says she makes sure to have at least one thing her 3-year-old daughter enjoys and will eat on the menu, as well as something new. “She doesn’t have to eat [the new food], but she gets comfortable seeing that it’s there,” she says.

And if your child only eats that one familiar thing, that’s okay, Levinson says. “Look at the week in full, and assuming that you have enough meals during the week that your kids do eat more of, if there’s one or two nights during the week that they’re not eating as much, it’s okay because it balances out,” she says.

Write it down. While you may be the type of person who prefers mental notes, writing out your meal plan will help it stick with you whether it’s on a special meal planning chart, a simple calendar, or a chalk- or dry-erase board. Plus, your kids (and partner) can look at it and see what’s for dinner rather than bugging you about it (and maybe take initiative to start cooking!).

Get the kids involved. Older kids, tweens, and teens can help pick out recipes to set up the weekly meal plan. “Let’s say it’s a family with three kids, so you could say, [Monday] is going to be Joe’s choice, and Tuesday night is James, and Wednesday night is the third child. Everybody can pick what they want as the meal for a night during the week,” Levinson says.

A way to get younger kids involved is to let them pick an item from the produce aisle they want to try and integrating it in a meal that’s already planned. “I usually recommend planning your menu and then basing your grocery list on the menu,” Levinson says. But if you take your kids grocery shopping, “I’m a big fan of saying, pick something from the produce aisle that you want to try, and they’ll pull something from the produce aisle,” which then needs to be integrated into one of the planned meals, she adds.

Don’t forget to get the kids to help you do the cooking. Kirwan says her daughter is obsessed with pizza, so Kirwan will roll out the dough and her daughter will help with adding the sauce and toppings. “The more active you get kids in the kitchen and feel like they’re a part of the meal planning process, the cooking process, I think you have a better chance of getting them to eat the things you made,” Kirwan says.

Take stock of what you already have in the refrigerator and pantry. Before sitting down to plan your meals for the week, check out what you have in your fridge that needs to be used before it goes bad and see what ingredients you already have in your cupboards. “So if I have a bunch of cilantro that I used the week before,” Levinson says, “I’m going to base at least one or two meals on where can I use that cilantro so it’s not going to go bad and I don’t waste my money on throwing out food.”

And, as Jessica Jones, M.S., R.D., C.D.E., and Wendy Lopez, M.S., R.D., say in their FoodHeavenMadeEasy.com blog post, “The Ultimate Meal Planning Guide,” once you have your grocery list (based off your meal plan for the week), check to see if you have any of those ingredients in your cupboards already. This way you’ll avoid buying items you don’t need.

Prep ingredients for all of your meals at the same time. “Chop all of your fruits and vegetables, cook your grains, wash your greens, and store in airtight containers,” Jones and Lopez say in their blog post. They also suggest investing in good food storage containers so your pre-prepped foods and meals don’t go bad.

Plus, ingredient prep time is also a good way to get older kids involved in the process.

Be flexible. Sometimes life gets in the way—whether it’s an unexpected meeting, delays on public transit, or a flat tire—so learning to take things in stride with meal planning will go a long way. “In those instances I try to teach people to learn how to pivot and have things stored in the freezer for those crazy busy days,” Kirwan says, or find a new way to use those ingredients, or just make the meal the following night.

As with all things in life: The more you practice, the better you’ll get, Levinson says. So don’t be too hard on yourself if the week’s menu doesn’t go exactly according to plan.

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LongIslandParent 49

All photos: Amy Neunsinger

FOOD & NUTRITION

Clockwise from left: Chocolate Hummus, Grain-Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake, White Bean Thaini Blondies, “Nutella” Bliss Balls

Lunch Treats Made Healthier ››

When the kids beg for sweets in their lunch boxes, here are four recipes for desserts you won’t feel guilty about sending to school. By Pamela Salzman “Nutella” Bliss Balls

Makes 12 • Vegan, DF, GF 1½ cups raw hazelnuts 1½ cups Medjool dates, pitted (about 12 dates) ¼ cup raw cacao powder ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon sea salt 1. Toast the hazelnuts: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pour the nuts onto a pie plate and toast for 10-15 minutes, or until skins blister. Remove from the oven and allow to cool; rub the nuts in kitchen towel to remove the skins.

2. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until the nuts are finely chopped and you have a well-combined mass

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

that is moist enough to roll into balls. Depending on your food processor, this could take a couple of minutes.

3. Roll the mixture, using your hands, to form 1½ - to 2-inch balls.

4. These can be eaten immediately, or refrigerate to firm them for a few hours. Store them in the fridge in a covered container for up to seven days.

Grain-Free Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Makes 1 8- or 9-inch square pan • Vegetarian, GF, DF This is probably the most popular dessert I have ever taught in a class.

My students consistently report back with success stories after serving this cake to their kids, at parties, and to their friends. After telling my son that this cake contained zucchini, he inhaled another piece and, with crumbs falling out of his mouth, declared, “I don’t even

care.” It’s that good. You can also bake the batter in regular muffins tins or mini muffins tins. Just watch the time, because regular muffins will likely take 20-25 minutes; and minis, 7-12 minutes, depending on the size of your tin. These also freeze amazingly well.

¾ cup DF semisweet chocolate chips 6 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut 6 tablespoons chopped pecans

Coconut oil for pan 1 cup creamy, unsweetened, unsalted almond butter, raw or roasted, or sunflower butter 1/ cup pure Grade A maple syrup or honey 3 ¼ cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder, regular or decaffeinated (optional) 1 large egg 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda 1½ cups shredded zucchini (about 2 small) 1 cup DF dark or semisweet chocolate chips ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square pan with butter or coconut oil and line with unbleached parchment paper.

2. In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the melted butter, white beans, tahini, eggs, muscovado sugar, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Process until smooth. Stir in ¼ cup of the chocolate chips.

3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

4. In a medium-size bowl, mix together the remaining ½ cup of chocolate chips and the shredded coconut and chopped pecans.

Spread evenly on top of the batter and press lightly into the batter.

5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake springs back when pressed in the center. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack before cutting. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to five days. Even more delicious cold.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8- or 9-inch square pan with coconut oil. If you want to remove the cake from the pan in one piece, line it with unbleached parchment paper as well.

2. In a large bowl, combine the almond butter, maple syrup, cacao powder, salt, coffee powder, if using, egg, vanilla, and baking soda until smooth.

3. Stir in the zucchini, chocolate chips, and nuts, if using.

4. Pour into the prepared pan and bake until just set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with dry crumbs. Do not overbake. A 9-inch pan will take about 30 minutes; an 8-inch will take about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.

TIP: Instant coffee powder enhances the chocolate flavor in baked goods. It is completely optional, though. There are coffee alternatives, such as Pero, which is a chicory and barley-based product with no caffeine. Pero is not gluten-free or grain-free, due to the barley. Do not use coffee grounds in place of instant coffee powder.

White Bean Tahini Blondies

Makes an 8-inch square pan • Vegetarian, GF, DF adaptable White bean blondies are the new black bean brownies! I know the ingredients seem a little bizarre, but I promise these bars taste nothing like white beans. They’re dense, lightly sweet, with the perfect amount of chocolate to satisfy my sweet tooth. But these blondies have gone high protein with legumes and sesame tahini pureed into the batter. Tahini is an amazing spread made entirely from sesame seeds. Besides being rich in protein and good fat, sesame seeds boast an impressive amount of calcium, about 88 milligrams in only 1 tablespoon.

4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter (not DF) or unrefined virgin coconut oil, melted, plus more for pan 1½ cups cooked white beans, or 1 (15-ounce) can, drained and rinsed ½ cup tahini, preferably raw 2 large eggs 2/ cup muscovado sugar or light brown sugar 3 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder ¼ teaspoon sea salt

TIPS: You can turn this into a light and fluffy cake by adding 1 tablespoon of coconut flour. Creamy almond butter can also be substituted for the tahini.

Chocolate Hummus

Makes 2 cups • Vegetarian, GF, DF I know what you’re thinking. Chocolate, yes. Hummus, yes. Chocolate hummus, not so sure. Stay with me. Hummus, which is made from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice, is, hands-down, my favorite dip. But I didn’t exactly throw chocolate into the pool, too.

Instead, this is a blend of chickpeas, raw cacao, and some high-quality sweeteners that transforms into an insanely delicious chocolate dip.

It’s creamy, chocolaty, and the perfect snack, since it’s high in protein, fiber, and good fats. I love an extra pinch of flaky salt on mine because chocolate and salt are BFFs! Serve with apple slices, celery sticks, or your favorite GF/DF crackers.

1½ cups cooked chickpeas, or 1 (15-ounce) can, drained and rinsed (or sub white beans) 2 Medjool dates, pitted 1/ cup unsweetened, unsalted, raw or roasted almond butter 3 ¼ cup pure Grade A maple syrup ¼ cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder ½ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract ¼ cup warm water 1. Place all the ingredients, except the water, in a food processor or high-speed blender. Process until smooth.

2. With the motor running, add the warm water and process until combined.

3. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Store leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Excerpted from Kitchen Matters: More than 100 Recipes and Tips to Transform the Way You Cook and Eat—Wholesome, Nourishing, Unforgettable by Pamela Salzman. Copyright © 2017. Available from Da Capo Lifelong Books, an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC, a subsidiary of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

LongIslandParent 51

Left Behind

››

In families with two children, an older sibling’s departure for college can spark mixed emotions in the younger child who remains at home. Here’s how to cope. By Bethany Braun-Silva

W

hen Queens resident Sarah Richard is asked if she will miss her little sister when Sarah leaves for college next year, the 17-year-old rolls her eyes and says, “Yeah, I’m going to miss that dork.” Although it is just about a year away, the Richard girls are already contemplating Sarah’s departure. The girls have lived across the hall from one another for the past 14 years, a fact that is on 14-year-old Rebecca’s mind when she says, “I’ll be sad, for sure, but I definitely want to visit.”

Even if it seems like your kids spent the past 15 years fighting over everything, this is an all-too-common feeling when one sibling leaves for college—especially for families with two children, where the younger one suddenly finds herself an “only child.” The sibling who remains at home can be left with a number of new emotions to deal with, not to mention a shift in the family dynamics and a much quieter house. These feelings can range from relief to abandonment, and will often fluctuate even after a new routine is put in place.

To help with the adjustment, we’re offering tips on how to help your younger child cope when his sibling goes off to college. (Families with more than two children will face their own unique issues when the eldest leaves home, but these tips are applicable to them as well.)

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Inclusion is Key

The college application process can go on for years. With the hustle and bustle of visiting colleges, filling out applications, writing essays, and ultimately choosing a college, your younger son or daughter may end up feeling like a background player in the family. Stephanie Richard, Sarah and Rebecca’s mom, suggests including younger siblings in the process from the very beginning.

“Ultimately both kids are going to eventually go to college,” she says. “We had our younger daughter create a list of questions for potential colleges while on tours for her older sister that were based on her specific interests.” This was a great way for her younger daughter to feel included in the process, Richard says, which was especially important since they dedicated quite a few family vacations to touring colleges.

Parents can also opt to involve the younger sibling in minor details of the process, suggests Gayle Sturmer, LCSW-R, who practices in Nyack and Tarrytown. “Letting children contribute to brainstorming transition suggestions is empowering for the child and allows them to be part of the launching process,” she says. “The non-college bound child sometimes gets lost in the excitement and/or anxiety about the transition for the collegebound child. Having both children involved in perhaps choosing

things for the dorm room, certainly with the big freshman move into the dorm, is great way to be inclusive.”

Long Island Speech & Myofunctional Therapy

Time for a New Routine

With one child out of the house, it is time not only to establish new family dynamics but also a new routine. Your younger child may take the transition in stride, reveling in being an “only child,” but others may struggle with it. “The key to making any transition easier for children and teens is to keep some things consistent and create some things together that are new, different, and tailored to the appeal of the younger sibling,” Sturmer suggests. Have the younger sibling decide what he wants for dinner, or what family movie she chooses to watch one night. He might get excited at the idea that there is no one there with whom he needs to negotiate these choices and that he can have his first choice pick more often now. Sturmer also suggests “creating new rituals” between parents and the child who is home. Pick a day to do something special after school, such as get frozen yogurt or go out to a favorite restaurant. “This is an opportunity to create a new dynamic between the parent and the child at home,” Sturmer says.

If your child is really struggling with loneliness, it’s important to recognize the things that have not changed, the appealing things that still exist, and to create new things, Sturmer says.

“Often children and teens have a view that can be distorted—an adolescent brain is working from a very different place than an adult brain—so it’s very important to try to gently acknowledge the loneliness and emphasize the things that challenge the negative thinking.” Remind younger children of all the benefits they have now that the older child is out of the house. These may include having the family car or other shared items to themselves, having more room in the house for sleepovers, and receiving more attention from parents.

Encourage Communication

If your younger child really misses having face-to-face time with her older sibling, have them schedule a digital date once a week. FaceTime or Skype is a great way to connect with your child who is away. Once a weekly date is established, this will give both siblings something to look forward to each week—after all, the child who is away at college may also be experiencing some level of homesickness, and this is a great way for her to reconnect with home. If video chat doesn’t work, “a quick text, an Instagram, Snapchat, or Facebook message goes a long way for children and adolescents. Regardless of our opinion of social media and technology, we are flooded with it and our children are tied to it. In this case, it can be used as an easy simulated ‘visit,’” Sturmer says.

Parents can also help their younger children connect to their older siblings by working on creating a care package together or making plans to visit as a family. When the older one is back from college, parents can arrange for “sibling-only” outings or even nights at home.

Having a child go off to college is an exciting time, but can also be fraught with a lot of different emotions for everyone in the family. “If a child (or parent) is feeling very challenged by the change in family dynamic and circumstance, consulting with a psychotherapist who is knowledgeable with this stage of life and the specific challenges the family members are experiencing is important. To wait until things escalate can be problematic and unnecessary. Sometimes just a simple consult can go a long way,” Sturmer says.

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Professional services

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DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Nassau: 516-216-1791 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Queens: 718-640-6767 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, along with her group of therapists, supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders.

RMG SPEECH PATHOLOGY RACHEAL MCINNES, M.A., C.C.C.-S.L.P., SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST 775 Park Ave., Suite 255-4, Huntington 631-372-4142 rmgtherapy.com Racheal Gardega McInnes, speech-language pathologist, is founder of RMG Speech Pathology.

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EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS STRATEGIC STAFFING WORKS Brooklyn and Long Island locations 631-649-6573 strategicstaffingworks.com strategicstaffingworks@gmail.com Offers workshops designed to help parents, family, and friends aid people with diverse abilities in their search for volunteer opportunities related to their field of college interest.

FOOD & NUTRITION THE FOOD WIZARD FOR KIDS Serving all of Long Island 631-606-2680 thefoodwizardforkids.com info@thefoodwizardforkids.com Making food and nutrition fun for the whole

54

family. Available for speaking engagements.

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SPECIAL NEEDS DR. ELLEN T RICHER, EDUCATION CLINICIAN & COUNSELOR Convenient Long Island Locations 347-668-3676; etrdream@aol.com We co-develop strategies to improve executive functioning, sensory processing, and social cognition challenges, and provide enrichment opportunities to engage and motivate highly capable yet underachieving children.

LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C. 1772 E. Jericho Turnpike, Suite 2, Huntington 631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law.

LIFE’S WORC THE FAMILY CENTER FOR AUTISM 1501 Franklin Ave., Garden City 516-741-9000 familycenterforautism.org

September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

The Family Center for Autism provides services and support for people with autism and their families.

Programs include insurance services, birthday parties, art, music, sports and culinary classes, camps, parent and sibling programs, social events, vocational programs, and behavior intervention.

LITTLE OPTICS INC. 192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, Queens 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens 718-468-7500; Hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses.

When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured that they will feel confident.

LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Nassau: 516-216-1791 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Queens: 718-640-6767 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, along with her group of therapists, supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders.

RMG SPEECH PATHOLOGY RACHEAL MCINNES, M.A., C.C.C.-S.L.P., SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST 775 Park Ave., Suite 255-4, Huntington 631-372-4142 rmgtherapy.com Racheal Gardega McInnes, speech-language pathologist, is founder of RMG Speech Pathology. Treatment areas include expressive and receptive language disorders, articulation disorders, fluency, voice disorders, auditory processing disorders, and feeding and swallowing disorders.

STEPS TO SOCIALIZATION 13 S. Bayles Ave., Port Washington 516-767-0266 Steps to Socialization was created to help children who have difficulty socializing. We teach children how to think socially, step by step. Working in

SPECIAL NEEDS EMPLOYMENT STRATEGIC STAFFING WORKS Brooklyn and Long Island locations 631-649-6573 strategicstaffingworks.com strategicstaffingworks@gmail.com Offers workshops designed to help parents, family, and friends aid people with diverse abilities in their search for employment and life-fulfilling volunteer opportunities.

THERAPY & COUNSELORS LOUIS E. MORA, PH.D., PSYCHOLOGIST P.C. 70 Glen Cove Road, Suite 201, Roslyn Heights 347-740-5690 lmoraphd.com Dr. Mora specializes in psychological testing. This includes neuropsychological testing, giftedness examinations, and evaluating for the presence of psychological disorders.

DR. ELLEN T RICHER, EDUCATION CLINICIAN & COUNSELOR Convenient Long Island Locations 347-668-3676 etrdream@aol.com We co-develop strategies to improve executive functioning, sensory processing, and social cognition challenges, and provide enrichment opportunities to engage and motivate highly capable yet underachieving children.

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Spark your child’s creativity and imagination! Art Buzz Kids offers family-friendly painting and craft classes for children of all ages. Our birthday party themes are designed to inspire and excite all children. @ PLAY AMUSEMENTS 229 NY-110, Farmingdale 631-815-5355 atplayamusement.com info@playamusement.com Have your next party at the newly renovated @ Play Amusements!

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CELEBRATIONS IN THE KITCHEN 63 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville 516-396-2193 celebrationsinthekitchen.com celebrationsinthekitchen@gmail.com The most unique, fun-filled, joyous event! We have created a true baking experience for everyone to enjoy, including cookie baking and decorating, cupcakes “from scratch,” muffin and scone baking, and brownies.

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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

and amphibians with an up-close animal encounter.

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THE FASHION CLASS 1812 Merrick Road, Merrick 516-246-2000 thefashionclass.com Learn from real fashion designers with a runway or sewing party this year in our 3000-square-foot, bright, sunny, and pink fashion studio! Guests can choose from a variety of our most popular sewing projects, or put on a full runway show!

GREAT PLAY OF SYOSSET 180 Michael Drive, Syosset 516-364-1500 greatplay.com/syosset info@syosset.greatplay.com We offer customized parties for ages 1-10. Your guests will have a blast and your child will receive All-Star treatment in our amazing Interactive Gym™.

KEY TO MY ART INC. 10 W. Oak St., Amityville 631-608-9048 keytomyart.com At Key to My Art, our children’s paint parties include all supplies from aprons to easels. The guest of honor picks the theme, we provide the instruction, and each guest leaves with a finished painting!

KIDZHITZ 304 Main St., Huntington 631-470-9788 kidzhitz.biz kidzhitz@gmail.com RockStar Parties at KIDZHITZ are like no other party. Children record their own song in our state-of-the-art recording studio, design their own CD cover, and perform for each other on our Main Street location stage.

THE LITTLE LADIES CLUB 246 W. Old Country Road, Hicksville 516-939-CLUB (2582) thelittleladiesclub.com party@thelittleladiesclub.com The Little Ladies Club has been providing glamorous makeover parties for girls since 1998! Her Majesty will be sure to receive the royal treatment!

LONG ISLAND AQUARIUM & EXHIBITION CENTER 431 E. Main St., Riverhead 631-208-9200 xH20 (426) 631-208-9200 x186 longislandaquarium.com Have an Aquatic Birthday Party at the Long Island Aquarium! Take a private tour of the aquarium, receive preferential treatment at our Submarine Simulator and Discovery Tower rides, and special seating at our Sea Lion Show!

LONG ISLAND SPORTS COMPLEX 103 Mill Road, Freeport 516-546-0900 longislandsportscomplex.com Long Island Sports Complex is your field of dreams! Long Island’s state-ofthe-art, climate-controlled, indoor turf field. Known to have the “greatest party on turf,” offering special sports or inflatable parties, and bubble soccer parties.

M.A.T.S.S. KID’S GYM & EARLY CHILDCARE EDUCATION CENTER A RAINBOW OF PROGRAMS UNDER ONE ROOF! 2629 Grand Ave., Bellmore 516-221-1330 171 Eileen Way, Syosset 516-496-7765 matsskidsgym.com corporate@matsskidsgym.com M.A.T.S.S. Kids’ Gym offers a rainbow of themes and activities that will make your child’s next birthday party the ultimate celebration of their special day!

MY GYM CHILDREN’S FITNESS CENTER 1320 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook 631-751-KIDS (5437) 128 W Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station 631-427-GYMS (4967) mygym.com/huntingtonstation mgym.com/stonybrook

My Gym parties include exclusive use of the gym, including a zip line, rock wall, trampoline, trapeze, climbing structures, and slides.

Instructors lead your guests through action-packed activities with theme options including Superheroes, Princesses, Mickey Mouse—any theme you want.

NOT JUST ART 183 South St., Oyster Bay 516-922-8300 notjustart.com create@notjustart.com Not Just Art has oodles of excellent music, art, and science parties for ages 1-12 and beyond. Choose from our treasury of super imaginative projects or use favorite themes and activities as a creative springboard.

516-767-7675 unlimitedsportsaction.com info@unlimitedsportsaction.com Unlimited Sports Action offers sports birthdays for ages 2 and older. Our parties offer 1 hour of sports and activities on a climate-controlled turf field, followed by 30 minutes of food, drinks, and birthday cake in a private room.

THE VILLAGE ARTIST 630 New York Ave., Huntington 631-271-0715 thevillageartist.com lori@thevillageartist.com Create art for your next birthday party! The Village Artist Fine Arts Center is proud to host your next birthday party. Enjoy a fun and creative time with your family and friends including an art project of your choice.

UNLIMITED SPORTS ACTION 30 Beechwood Ave., Port Washington

It’s Back To School

Get Healthy With ChiroMom · Innovative Chiropractic Care for the Whole Family ·Prenatal & Pediatric Care ·Prenatal, Infant, Child And Adult Therapeutic Massage · Nutrition & W eight Management · Specializing in treating children with ADD/ADHD 2874 Merrick Road· Bellmore, NY · 516-221-1212 (In Lakeview Plaza across from Mill Pond)

www.mychiromom.com

PHYSICAL THERAPY OPTIONS, PC Physical therapy for children by licensed physical therapists.

If your child needs PT through CPSE (Committee for Preschool Special Education) Call Us! Private Insurance also accepted

Is your child a reluctant learner?

We specialize in educating students with AD/HD and learning disorders including Dyslexia and other challenges.

Call TODAY for a Private Tour!

Academic Excellence • Differentiated Instruction College & Career Counseling • Social Emotional Learning Small, Supportive Classes

VINCENT SMITH SCHOOL 322 Port Washington Boulevard Port Washington | 516-365-4900 ext. 105 www.vincentsmithschool.org

226 Seventh Street - Suite 101 • Garden City, NY 11530

516-747-1520 • PToptions.com

Grades 1-12

RMG Speech Pathology Racheal McInnes, M.A. CCC-SLP

Licensed Speech Pathologists Specializing in Evalua�on and Treatment of:

Language Disorders • Auditory/Memory Processing Difficul�es Evalua�on and Treatment of Swallowing & Feeding Disorders Motor Planning Disorders • Voice Disorders • Fluency/Stu�ering Disorders Ar�cula�on Disorders • Diagnos�c Tes�ng to Substan�ate Needs Contact Us: 631-372-4142 • www.rmgtherapy.com 775 Park Ave. Atrium Suite 255-4, Hun�ngton, NY 11743

We are a Parochial School for Nursery through 8th Grade offering a comprehensive curriculum including Language, Arts, Music, Service, Clubs & After School Enrichment, Sports, & After School Care.

CALL FOR A TOUR TODAY!

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional School 2341 Washington Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710 • Phone 516-785-5709 • www.steas.com

LongIslandParent 57

Meet the Health Care

PROFESSIONAL To be in this section, call 516-883-4543 or email nympads@davlermedia.com ChiroMom 2874 Merrick Road, Bellmore 516-221-1212 mychiromom.com mychiromom@gmail.com

Dr. Dana Walters is a chiropractor specializing in prenatal and pediatric care. Dr. Walters has practiced in a variety of areas, including Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and has brought her passion for helping families discover the benefits of chiropractic care to Bellmore as ChiroMom. ChiroMom offers chiropractic care utilizing techniques including immune boosting treatments, musculoskeletal and nutritional work, activator techniques, massage therapy, and lifestyle education. As a mom, Dr. Walters experiences first-hand how chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, birth, and childhood sets a solid foundation for greater health and well-being.

Physical Therapy Options P.C. 226 Seventh St., Suite 101, Garden City 516-747-1520 ptoptions.com

Dr. Lisa Coors, P.T., D.P.T., is a physical therapist who provides PT services to both pediatric and adult patients. Physical Therapy Options has recently expanded the practice to include CPSE. We offer pediatric services for a variety of conditions including Torticollis, gross motor delays, and toe walkers. The office is a friendly and warm environment.

Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Nassau: 516-216-1791 • Suffolk: 631-689-6858 • Queens: 718-640-6767

Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, is owner and operator of Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. Along with her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and FEES—Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing—are also offered. There is a total of seven affiliated offices across Long Island, all participating with most major health insurance companies and offering evening and Saturday hours.

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry 959 Brush Hollow Road, Suite #101, Westbury 516-333-3033 kidsteeth4li.com kidds@optonline.net

Tiny Sparkles Pediatric Dentistry 164 Main St., Port Washington 516-888-9789 tinysparkles.com

Dr. Michael Gruttadauria, The Center for Integrative and Innovative Therapies (The CIIT Center) 131 Sunnyside Blvd., Suite 100, Plainview 516-243-8660: theciitcenter.com

Merrick Pediatric Dentistry 1756A Merrick Ave., Merrick 516-547-1997 merrickpediatricdentistry.com

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry cares for all of your child’s oral health needs in a fun, kid-friendly environment that includes iPads and chairside TV monitors. Drs. Ehrenman and Khan are dedicated and trained to ease dental anxieties for young children as well as patients with special needs. Their years of advanced training include hospital and sedation dentistry. Please visit kidsteeth4li.com to learn more about what Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry has to offer!

Dr. Michael Gruttadauria leads the operations at an advanced treatment center for autism spectrum disorder called The CIIT Center. The CIIT Center’s mission is to approach each child with autism as a total entity by enhancing the biomedical, neurological, nutritional, electrical, and immune system of each of our patients and combining this with occupational, physical, and speech therapies, along with applied behavioral analysis. Our comprehensive approach starts with identifying the underlying factors that may be holding the child back, not just treating their symptoms. This gives each child every opportunity to reach their potential.

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Dr. Angie Chin welcomes everyone to her new office in Port Washington. The office is modern and child-friendly with themed treatment rooms, iPads and games in the waiting room, movies and cartoons available during treatment, and digital animal X-rays. Dr. Chin’s practice philosophy is centered on promoting preventive care and helping parents and children develop a healthy and happy dental home. With her light-hearted approach and welcoming demeanor, kids of all ages have grown to truly love going to the dentist!

Dr. Rania Elbaz is a board-certified pediatric dentist. She earned her dental degree from Columbia University. She then completed her pediatric dental training at UMDNJ-New Jersey Dental School. Dr. Elbaz loves working with children and strives to create a warm and fun environment that children look forward to visiting. Dr. Elbaz sees every patient in order to ensure consistency that is so important to young children.

The office welcomes and gives extra time and attention to patients with special needs. The office also participates with most major insurance plans.

Allied Physicians Group Children’s Medical Group of Bayside and Plainview Thomas Capilupi, M.D. 26-11 Corporal Kennedy St., Bayside 718-224-6000 1171 Old Country Road, Suite 2A, Plainview 516-931-4343 childrensmedicalgroupny.com

Dr. Thomas Capilupi grew up in New York and attended Fordham University, graduating in 1983 with a B.S. He then went on to New York Medical College, graduating in 1987. Dr. Capilupi completed his internship and residency at North Shore University Hospital and has been practicing in Bayside and Plainview. He is a member of the Nassau Pediatric Society.

Kidds on Park Pediatric Dentistry - Dr. Jodi Guttenberg 111 N. Park Ave., Rockville Centre 516-678-7422 drjodiguttenberg.com info@kiddsonpark.com

Dr. Jodi Guttenberg and her board-certified associates have been treating the dental needs of children since 1995. Their training and experience allow them to provide the highest quality of care for children. The office is “full service” offering routine dentistry along with orthodontics, cosmetic procedures, laser surgery, and even sedation when necessary. The environment is welcoming for both children and their parents. They provide stress-free treatment for children of all ages and are experts in special-needs care.

Mesbah OB-GYN Women’s Health Care & Wellness 877 Stewart Ave., Suite 3, Garden City

516-794-1500: mesbahobgyn.com Michael Mesbah, M.D., is board-certified with more than 20 years of private practice experience.

His experience and expertise in obstetrics has made him one of the most respected physicians on Long Island. He has extensive training in gynecological surgery, and is a certified robotic surgeon. Karyn Wat, M.D., is multilingual in English, Spanish, and Chinese. She has been trained in general and high-risk obstetric care, as well as gynecological surgery. She is compassionate, dedicated, and knowledgeable in issues pertaining to teenagers, family planning, menstrual and hormonal abnormalities, and menopausal symptoms.

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Dr. Mora works with children and adults. He specializes in psychological testing, which helps improve diagnosing and treatment planning. Such testing includes neuropsychological testing, giftedness examinations, and evaluating for the presence of psychological disorders.

This includes evaluating for ADHD and possible consequences of head injury.

He has years of experience doing such testing with various populations. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology and postdoctoral education in forensic psychology from St. John’s University. He is also an adjunct professor of psychology at St. Francis College.

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LongIslandParent 59

LOOKING FOR

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OPEN HOUSES 2017 Grace Music School

Steinway & Sons, 505 Walt Whitman Road, Melville 631-470-9705 gracemusicschool.com info@gracemusicschool.com Grace Music School is hosting an open house in Melville on Sept. 16.

It will include student performances, refreshments, school tours, and more. All attendees will receive music lesson discounts.

Huntington Learning Centers

656 Sunrise Highway, Baldwin 516-867-4041 607 E. Main St., Bay Shore 631-968-5100 79-81 Westbury Ave., Carle Place 516-747-5600 Elwood Shopping Center 1928B Jericho Turnpike, East Northport 631-462-8900 Phillips Plaza 639 Sunrise Highway, Lynbrook 516-568-1900 1506 Northern Blvd., Manhasset 516-365-4455 South Gate Shopping Center 49-34 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park 516-799-9500 Gateway Plaza 499-5 Sunrise Highway, Patchogue 631-289-4900 443 S. Oyster Bay Road, Suite B, 2nd floor, Plainview 516-681-0400 Smithtown Shopping Center 8 Miller Place, Smithtown 631-360-0422 huntingtonhelps.com Join us for an open house on Sept. 6 or 7, from 10am-2pm at the Bay Shore, East Northport, Patchogue, Plainview, or Smithtown locations.

We've got everything for a…

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

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

H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!)

Kadampa Meditation Center Long Island

H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the

282 New York Ave., Huntington 631- 549-1000 meditationonlongisland.org Join us at our Family Open House! Sunday, Sept. 10, 11:30am-1pm.

Discover the secret tools for happy, stress-free parents and kids: meditation classes for kids, teens, and adults.

best presents for every age)

H At-Home Party Themes (think

pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…)

Premier Education Center: RoboMindTech

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

Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH

HILLSDALE • MONTVALE

SEPTEMBER 2012

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

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

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 60

140 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho 718-264-7626; 516-418-6102 robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Join us for a RoboMindTech Grand Opening open house and fall registration at our Jericho location on Friday, Sept. 15 from 7-8:30pm, Please email or call to RSVP.

September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Premier Education Center: RoboMindTech

25 Cuttermill Road, #4, Great Neck 718-264-7626; 516-418-6102 robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Join us for an open house and fall registration at our Great Neck location on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 4:30-6pm. RVSP via email or phone.

AD INDEX

NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY Metropolitan area!

BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES

Louis Mora, Ph.D..................................................................59

MUSIC

BounceU - Farmingdale.......................................................20

Physical Therapy Options...............................................57, 58

The Jewish Education Project..............................................29

The Coder School.................................................................13

Steps To Socialization..........................................................19

Music School of New York City ............................................27

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery........................................47

Variety Child Learning Center...............................................14

Music Together, LLC.............................................................24 Not Just Art...........................................................................31

Great Play of Syosset...........................................................31 Key to My Art........................................................................27

EDUCATION

Music Together, LLC.............................................................24

Countryside Montessori School............................................33

Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islanders..........................21

Diocese of RVC....................................................................64 Fusion Education Group - Woodbury...................................55

CAMPS The Coder School.................................................................13 Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery........................................47 Countryside Montessori School............................................33 Green Vale School..................................................................9 Key to My Art........................................................................27 LIU Center for Gifted Youth..................................................24 Mathnasium ..........................................................................5 Music Together, LLC.............................................................24 Not Just Art...........................................................................31

Green Vale School..................................................................9 Hofstra University / Saltzman Center...................................25

PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING Stars of Tomorrow................................................................25 PLAY SPACE BounceU - Farmingdale.......................................................20

Holy Family School...............................................................15

RELIGIOUS

Holy Trinity Diocesan High School.......................................47

Diocese of RVC....................................................................64

Huntington Learning Center.................................................29

Holy Family School...............................................................15

Law Offices of Brad H Rosken.............................................55

Holy Trinity Diocesan High School.......................................47

LIU Center for Gifted Youth..................................................24 Mathnasium ..........................................................................5 Music Institute of Long Island...............................................31

RoboMindTech......................................................................25

Our Lady of Mercy................................................................55

Village East Gifted................................................................23

RoboMindTech......................................................................25 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton .......................................................57

CHILD CARE / DAY CARE

Variety Child Learning Center...............................................14

Variety Child - Child Care.....................................................33

Village East Gifted................................................................23

Our Lady of Mercy................................................................55 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton .......................................................57 RETAIL Once Upon a Child...............................................................13 SPECIAL EVENTS Big Apple Circus...................................................................15 The Safe Center LI...............................................................49

Vincent Smith School...........................................................57 CLASSES

SPECIAL NEEDS

BounceU - Farmingdale.......................................................20

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT /

The Coder School ................................................................13

Allied Physicians Group.................................................. 11, 59

EVENTS / OUTINGS

Great Play of Syosset...........................................................31

Andrew M. Cohen, Esq.........................................................21

Big Apple Circus...................................................................15

Green Vale School..................................................................9

The C.I.I.T. Center..........................................................21, 58

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery........................................47

Hofstra University / Saltzman Center...................................25

ChiroMom.......................................................................57, 58

The Jewish Education Project..............................................29

The Jewish Education Project..............................................29

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry..............................3, 58

Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islanders..........................21

Huntington Learning Center.................................................29

Key to My Art........................................................................27

Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech........................53, 58

LIU Center for Gifted Youth..................................................24

HEALTH

Music Institute of Long Island...............................................31

Kidds on Park, Jodi Guttenberg, D.D.S................................59

Affinity Health Plan...............................................................63

Music School of New York City ............................................27

Law Offices of Brad H Rosken.............................................55

Allied Physicians Group.................................................. 11, 59

Racheal McInnes..................................................................57

Not Just Art...........................................................................31

The C.I.I.T. Center..........................................................21, 58

Louis Mora, Ph.D..................................................................59

ChiroMom.......................................................................57, 58

Tiny Sparkles Pediatric Dentistry....................................15, 58

Ehrenman & Khan Pediatric Dentistry..............................3, 58

Variety Child Learning Center...............................................14

RoboMindTech......................................................................25 Russian School of Mathematics...........................................59 Stars of Tomorrow................................................................25 Steps To Socialization..........................................................19 Village East Gifted................................................................23 DEVELOPMENTAL Allied Physicians Group.................................................. 11, 59 Andrew M. Cohen, Esq.........................................................21

Fairy LiceMothers.................................................................59 Kidds on Park, Jodi Guttenberg, D.D.S................................59 Racheal McInnes..................................................................57 Meshab OB-GYN..............................................................2, 59 Merrick Pediatric Dentistry................................................7, 58 Louis Mora, Ph.D..................................................................59

Vincent Smith School...........................................................57 SPORTS Great Play of Syosset...........................................................31 Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islanders..........................21 THEATRE

The C.I.I.T. Center..........................................................21, 58

Physical Therapy Options...............................................57, 58

Huntington Learning Center.................................................29

Steps To Socialization..........................................................19

Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech........................53, 58

The Safe Center LI...............................................................49

TUTORS

Racheal McInnes..................................................................57

Tiny Sparkles Pediatric Dentistry....................................15, 58

Russian School of Mathematics...........................................59

Stars of Tomorrow................................................................25

LongIslandParent 61

VOICES

The Lesson of the Pizza Bowl Fail ››

Accustomed to doing so much for her son, who has cerebral palsy, a mom realizes he’s old enough to start making some of his own decisions. By Ellen Seidman

M

ax snookered me into getting him pizza the other night.

I’d promised him frozen yogurt, but I hadn’t had time to eat dinner after I got home from work and said I wanted to grab a slice first.

“I want pizza!” he announced, even though he’d already had dinner. And so he had pizza as an appetizer for his dessert, or something like that.

Pizza is not an easy food for Max to eat; because it’s thick and chewy, it can pose a choking hazard. At home, we shred it with Tiny Bites Food Shears. When we’re out, I use a knife and fork then dump the pieces into a bowl for Max to scoop out, with a square of tacky Dycem, a non-slip material, beneath it for stability. And so I asked the guy at the counter for a fork and knife and carved up a slice. Just as I was about to slide the bits into a bowl, Max pointed to the paper plate.

“Max, it’s easier to eat from the bowl,” I pointed out.

“No!” said Max. He wanted to eat the pizza off the plate. So I slid it over to him, then watched in awe as Max speared the pieces and chewed them well.

As I sat there, it occurred to me that I don’t always know what

is best for Max, especially as he’s getting older—both because he is evolving, and because he can now tell me what’s best for him.

This is a hard thing to wrap your head around when you have done so much for your child over the years: the therapies, doing exercises at home, the specialist appointments, modeling how to move and talk and play, yet more therapies, pushing to get him into programs. So. Much. Pushing. And while there is only so much you can do to help your child develop, you take heart in knowing that you are doing everything within your powers.

And then one day you are in a pizza joint and discover that your boy is reaching the point where you realize he is capable of copiloting his present—and future. Yes, he has been voicing opinions and preferences for years, but he hasn’t had much to say about his physical challenges until now. And he is telling you what he wants and needs, and you should listen.

I have no idea what it feels like to have cerebral palsy and fingers that don’t easily bend. If Max is telling me that picking up pieces of pizza is easier done from a plate than a bowl, who am I to disagree?

And that, my friends, is the lesson of the pizza bowl fail—and win.

Ellen Seidman blogs at lovethatmax.com, where this essay first appeared. It is reprinted with permission.

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September 2017 | nymetroparents.com

When your little angel thinks he’s a daredevil...

Better have a good pediatrician.

Make sure your kids are covered.

Call 866.247.5678 (TTY 711) To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855.355.5777.

AffinityPlan.org/CHP LongIslandParent 63

LI Parent Back Cover Sept 2017:Layout 1 8/9/17 1:46 PM Page 1

What’s different about a Catholic education?

Children live up to our high expectations.

Rooted in kindness and respect, the ethos of a Catholic school emerges from the fact that the students know that God loves them and they are precious in His eyes. Students are accepted for who they really are. Uniforms remove many of the surfacelevel distractions of social status and peer pressure, and children learn that their value is not based on how others see them but on God’s always faithful love for them.

To learn more about Long Island’s Catholic Elementary Schools and to find a school near you, call 516-678-5800 x 258 or visit us online at www.LICatholicElementarySchools.org.