Queens Parent August 2016

QueensParent AUGUST 2016

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Making Melodies

All you need to know about kids’ music lessons

Behind the Thrills

PLUS: Find the best

after-school activities

How water parks keep everyone safe

Olympic Conversations Using the Summer Games to spark family discussions

WHERE TO PICK BERRIES

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THE POWER OF PRESCHOOL

OPEN HOUSE THURS., AUG 18th 5pm-8pm

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

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NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

August 2016 ›› Features 16 Choose the Best After-School Activity for Your Child A flowchart to help you pick extracurriculars 18 It’s Music to Their Ears What you need to know about music lessons 44 Olympic Lessons How the Summer Games can spark important family conversations 46 Behind the Thrills A look at how water parks train lifeguards

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48 Burgers Reinvented Three new takes on the grilled summer staple

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52 The Power of Preschool Pre-K is much more than just play time

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Connections 6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 14 Voices: Respecting kids’ fashion choices 15 NYMP Q&A: Allyson Downey talks thriving in your career while raising children

Fun & Activities

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12 Media Matters: Screen-Time Recommendations 13 DIY Corner: Mollusk Wind Chime 28 Outing: Prospect Park Zoo 31 Family Activities Calendar 42 Where-To Guide: Pick Your Own Berries

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

Directories

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After-School Classes & Programs Preschools and Child Care Centers Meet the Health Care Professional Open Houses Family Resource Guide Advertisers’ Index

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

by Appaman (appaman.com)

››

ON THE COVER ›› 18 Making Melodies 22 Find the Best After-School Activities 42 Where to Pick Berries

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@NYMetroParents

44 Olympic Conversations

46 Behind the Thrills 52 The Power of Preschool

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

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AUGUST 2016 • Vol.22 • No.2

NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress

EDITOR’S NOTE

Our Activities, Our Passions

W

hen I was little, I took piano lessons, but practicing was always a struggle, and I quit after a year. Some years later, I got it in my head that I wanted to play clarinet, and took several years of lessons before transitioning to saxophone, which I played in my high school orchestra. Despite all this, playing music was a constant struggle for me, and practicing held little interest. I stuck with it because I liked the idea of being a musician—but never got much out of it. Still, I have always been fascinated by those who can produce beautiful sounds from a musical instrument. I didn’t know until recently that one of those people is on my staff here at NYMetroParents. As you can read on p. 18, Samantha Neudorf, our assistant editor, is a longtime violinist. In addition to giving us a glimpse into her own personal musical experiences, she shares all the information parents need to know before starting their kids on musical lessons.

While my kids have not learned instruments, my two oldest daughters have over the years taken swim lessons, ballet, art, a couple of different kiddie music and movement classes, chess, after-school enrichment, gymnastics at two different neighborhood schools, and… I am sure I am missing something. Balancing all the factors—schedules, costs, other siblings’ needs, homework time, and the need for downtime—is a challenge we face annually as we prepare for a new school year. But it is important to us that our kids participate in activities outside school and find outlets for their creativity, athleticism, and passions. In this issue, you will find our comprehensive guide to local after-school classes (p. 22) and a fun quiz to help you narrow down the choices (p. 16).

While my older two children focus on choosing their after-school activities for this year, my youngest will be heading to school for the first time (cue the tears). It’s three mornings per week, and despite having had two older kids attend local nursery schools, we still toured a few, spoke with directors, and had a hard time deciding where to send her. Sure, preschool feels like it’s mostly play, but there’s a lot more that happens there. To find out why it’s so important, check out our story on “The Power of Preschool” (p. 52).

For my oldest daughter, gymnastics has become her biggest after-school focus. She’s psyched to watch the world’s best gymnasts compete this month in the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The games provide a great, laid-back opportunity to engage your kids in discussions about important topics. To help you get started, we offer a guide to sparking these family conversations (p. 44).

With all the talk of after-school activities and back-to-school prep, let’s not forget that it’s still summer! Fire up the grill and try one of our fantastic burger recipes (p. 48) or browse our calendar to find the perfect sunny day family event near you (p. 31). And enjoy the remaining weeks until the kiddos board those buses for school once again.

Michael Kress Editorial Director

DEPUTY EDITOR: Bethany Braun MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Catherine Patwell REGIONAL EDITORS: Karen Demeter (Fairfield, Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Megan Bailey, Lauren Diaz, Melissa Wickes

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

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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

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Who: Rose Academy of Ballet What’s New: Wiggle and Scribble, which offers children ages 15-32 months a chance to learn art, music, and dance while leaving them plenty of time to develop social skills through play.

“It’s a great way to prepare your children for preschool,” says Melissa Wilson, director and founder of the dance studio.

Wiggle and Scribble will be offered on Wednesdays, 9:30-11am, for a 17-week period beginning Sept. 14. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver. Registration is now available for the fall semester.

Want More Info: 70-11 Austin St., 2nd floor, Forest Hills; 718-520-0207; roseacademyofballet.com

Courtesy Rose Academy of Ballet

Forest Hills Dance Studio to Launch Toddler Playgroup

A teacher hugs a young student at the Rose Academy of Ballet.

Who: Little Atelier of Young Children What’s New: An after-school enrichment program for children in kindergarten through second grades.

Starting Sept. 6, students will learn about art, cooking, reading, and writing through various programs at the center. “Our reading and writing enrichment curriculum aligns with the New York State Common Core learning standards, and we have developmentally appropriate curriculum for each specific age group,” says So Yeon Son, program director.

Little Atelier is currently accepting applications for the 2016-2017 school year.

Want More Info: 39-14 210th St., Bayside; 718-423-4223; littleatelieryc.com

Courtesy Little Atelier of Young Children

Early Childhood Center in Bayside to Offer After-School Program

A classroom at Little Atelier of Young Children

Who: Clover Prep What’s New: The JEI program and FasTracKids will be added to the afterschool curriculum starting Sept. 8.

In the JEI program, students in kindergarten through third grades will receive one hour of homework help, then be tutored in math and English Language Arts.

With FasTracKids, kids ages 4-6 will study subjects ranging from astronomy and biology to earth science and economics.

Students can register in-person, online, or by calling Clover Prep.

Want More Info: 192-11 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows; 718-7407888; cloverprep.com

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Clover Prep

After-School Academic Program to Add Enrichment Curriculum

Students at Clover Prep’s afterschool program

When your little angel thinks he’s a daredevil...

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UOTABLES Obviously, the goal of parenting is to raise well rounded human beings that are able to go off into the world and make smart decisions and have a life of their own, but the idea of my sweet boy not needing me as much really struck a chord in me today.

—Allison Cooper, in a post entitled “When Independence Takes Over,” on her blog projectmotherhoodnyc.com

in an instagram 4+ hours. precisely what summer breaks are made of. #boys #childhoodunplugged #endlesssummer #summersixteen (Posted by @mommydelicioius, aka Alicia Harper, who blogs at mommydelicious.com. The photo was taken at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6.)

WHEN MOM IS BOSS “I truly enjoy what I do on a daily basis and I’m unlocking the potential of the children in my community, making it a better place to live.”

in an instagram Ladies who lunch! #thisis6 #bff

—Natania Blumenkehl, in a post entitled “Tips for Balancing Life as a Mom and a Business Owner.”

Read more at nymetroparents.com/mom-boss

(Posted by NYC mom @naomi_sixdegreesofmom, aka Naomi Schoenkin, who runs the private playdate community Six Degrees of Mom)

“There are a finite number of years when my voice will be louder than their friends, than magazines, than the rest of the world. So I hold tightly to this sliver of time. I take every opportunity I can to tell them that I think the world of them, that their bodies are perfect exactly the way they are, that they are beautiful and brilliant and creative and strong.”

—Sarah Sandifer, in a post entitled “Why I Completely Overvalue My Kids,” on the site scarymommy.com

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: SAND & SURF: Find the best beaches near you at nymetroparents.com/beaches.

LUNCH TO GO: Discover the perfect picnic spot at nymetroparents.com/picnic.

FRACTURE OR SPRAIN? Learn how to tell the difference at nymetroparents.com/fracture-sprain.

WAXY FUN: Plan your visit to Madame Tussauds New York at nymetroparents.com/madame-tussauds.

Behavior Therapy For Autism In Your Home Many health insurance plans are now required to pay for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in the treatment of autism. Children and adults with autism may be entitled to up to 20 hours per week or more of intensive behavioral therapies and ABA services.

At ABA Psychological Services, P.C., our treatment programs are designed to teach children and adults with autism a wide range of skills that are required for success in life.

Our Clinical Director, Dr. Tricia Moss, is a Doctoral-Level, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, as well as a New York State Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Behavior Analyst. Dr. Moss is a published author, and has served on the faculty of New York Medical College.

To find out whether your health insurance pays for these in-home services, please call us at 516-294-5000

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Media Matters: TV

Terrific Trucks

Recommended Age: 3+ H H H H H

Screen-Time Recommendations

Network: Sprout A delightful series that follows the adventures of real dirt movers.

Mouk

Recommended Age: 4+ H H H H

Network: Xfinity A gentle preschool series that promotes cultural diversity.

Voltron, Legendary Defender

Recommended Age: 8+ H H H H

Network: Netflix DreamWorks updates this ‘80s toon in tense but fantastic form.

Roots

Recommended Age: 14+ H H H H H

Network: History The reimagined slave epic is violent but stirs worthy questions.

In Theaters Aug. 12: Pete’s Dragon 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 Pete’s Dragon (2016) is Disney’s remake of the classic 1977 live-action/ animated movie that looks to be a fantasy story for all ages. Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has told children tales of a boy and his dragon for years, but his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), a forest ranger, never believed him. Then she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley), a 10-year-old orphan who claims he lives in the woods with his pet dragon, Elliot, which sounds eerily similar to the dragon in her dad’s stories. With the help of 11-year-old Natalie (Oona Laurence), Grace sets out to find out the truth behind Pete, his supposed dragon, and her father’s stories. Given the source material, this looks like a strong choice for families.

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

At Little Apple Preschool we believe that an early education is key to social, cognitive, and emotional success for a child. For this very reason we provide a well rounded creative curriculum that will allow for your child to flourish in things that he/she innately knows with the guidance of NYS Certified Teachers!

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

DIY CORNER BEACH CRAFT

Mollusk Wind Chime

A wind chime made from attractive mollusk shells will remind you of the seashore as it dances noisily in the breeze. When you visit the beach, search for shells that have a natural hole. Empty limpet shells, for example, may already have a neat, circular hole in the middle—made by the limpet’s predator—which means you can just thread the craft cord through the hole. Bivalve twin mollusks, such as mussels, cockles, and razor clams, are useful if the two halves of the shell are still attached to each other, because the cord for hanging each shell can be twisted and secured at the shell’s natural hinge. This means that you don’t have to tie a knot—how shellcrafty is this?

What to Use: • 12 empty mollusk shells (such as limpets and bivalve mussels, cockles, or razor clams) • Bowl of warm, soapy water • Spray craft varnish (optional) • 12 lengths of colored craft cord, 10-12 inches in length • Colored plastic clothes hanger, driftwood, or stick • Large pieces of dulse (seaweed) (optional) What to Do: 1. Wash your selection of mollusk shells in a bowl of warm, soapy water and dry them carefully.

2. Spray the shells with craft varnish if you want glitzy shells, and leave to dry.

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3. Attach each shell to a length of craft cord by threading the cord through the natural hole and trying a knot at one end. You can also just tie the cord around the shell, but this won’t be as secure. If you’re lucky enough to have joined bivalve shells, simply twist the cord around the hinge.

4. Arrange the threaded shells attractively and then tie the other end of each cord securely around the lower bar of the clothes hanger. Make sure you space the cords so the shells will bounce into each other in the breeze. Attach a larger piece of dulse for added color if you wish. The color of the seaweed will fade over time.

5. Hang the finished wind chime in front of an open window or perhaps in the garden.

Let Your Kids Go Wild Outside by Fiona Bird; Ryland Peters & Small, $19.95; rylandpeters.com. Photography by Dylan Drummond and Terry Benson

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107-06 71 st Rd, 2 nd Floor, Forest Hills, NY 11375 QueensParent 13

VOICES

Avoiding the Fashion Fight ››

Clothes are an expression of who we are—as my girls are well aware. I’ve learned to let go and respect my little fashionistas’ choices. By Jennifer Garry

M

y girls are fearless fashionistas. While their momma is perfectly content in a solid rotation of V-neck T-shirts, jeans, and TOMS that smell like they’ve been worn all summer, these daughters of mine treat getting dressed in the morning like a ceremony for the super fabulous.

There is combing through closets. There are wardrobe changes.

There are accessories. There are spritzes of perfume and lip gloss application and ballerina-like twirls in front of their fulllength mirror.

Ellie, my 5-year-old, has even started quietly creeping out of bed like the bite-sized ninja she is and dressing herself fully (lip gloss, arm full of bracelets, and much more) before shaking me awake and asking in her best Valley girl voice if she looks beautiful. Where does a 5-year-old child pick up a Valley girl lilt in the first place?!

As the start of a new school year barrels toward us, there is one thing I’m sure of: There is no way these opinionated ladies of mine will transition from the absolute freedom of summer to a rigid school-year wardrobe without a battle. Apparently, kids have their own personalities and opinions—I just wish someone had slipped me that memo when I was pregnant and daydreaming about what life with kids would be like.

I’ve made it clear that there will be no makeup and there most certainly will be daily hair brushing by Mom. But the notion of me picking out their outfits and forcing them into submission? It’s not worth the struggle, even if that means Ellie shows up to kindergarten wearing fleece sweatpants with fluffy skirts and two completely different shoes with as many accessories as she can possibly pile on.

These girls already see their clothes as expressions of who they are. As long as it’s appropriate—meaning they’re not wearing four sweaters when it’s 80 degrees out or tank tops in the snow—why take that away from them? Who really cares if all of the colors and patterns clash violently and make me cringe? If they’re happy and confident, why do I care what anyone else thinks? Because, if we’re being honest, what other people think is the only real reason we battle with our kids over their mismatched hodgepodge outfits.

But consider this: The clothes we wear tell a story. They are a form of self-expression, and allowing our children to show the world who they are and that they’re confident being that person is such an easy way to give them power. I consider it my job to let my girls shine—and I’d much rather allow them to express themselves freely and comfortably now, before I’m arguing with them about more permanent ways of expressing themselves later.

Who am I to get in the way of them figuring out who they are and what they like?

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a struggle to get to the point where I can just let them be. In fact, it was really, really hard to let go of my control-freak tendencies and my desire to have my girls look like they came skipping from the pages of an expensive catalog. But I truly believe in the importance of teaching my girls that they can make the world a better place by being themselves. And as I watch them skip off in wild outfits of their choosing, I know that they’re confident and excited and feel like the best version of themselves. What more could a momma want?

Jennifer Garry is a freelance writer and Westchester mom. She writes about that ever-elusive struggle for balance on her personal blog, Cuddles and Chaos (cuddlesandchaos.com).

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NYMP Q&A

Careers & Children ›› Allyson Downey experienced pregnancy discrimination at work and thought it was an anomaly. In doing research for her book, Here’s the Plan: Your Practical, Tactical Guide to Advancing Your Career During Pregnancy and Parenting, in which she lays the foundation to help you thrive in your career while raising children, Downey found that nearly one-third of women experienced some form of pregnancy discrimination.

Allison Hooban

By Katelin Walling

What are the most important things you want new mothers to take away from your book? I think the two biggest ones are speaking up for yourself and really building a professional support network, making as many connections as you can from the earliest point in your career. That is the network that is going to be there for you if you do run into problems like I ran into, but it’s also going to be there to help elevate your career if you don’t get into problems.

What can mothers do to limit judgment from coworkers for having a different schedule? Every woman I talked to that was constrained by child care hours felt spectacular guilt every time she walked out of the office. Those women don’t want to talk about it because why would you want to bring up something that’s making you feel terrible? And the colleagues who are watching you walk out the door don’t want to bring it up because they don’t want to begrudge a mother’s time with her children. What no one is acknowledging is it’s making everyone unhappy.

As hard and uncomfortable it can be, clearly tell your colleagues: I have to leave every day at 5pm for child care pickup. I hate walking out of here while all of you are still working. I am going to do everything I can to cram as much work into the 8 hours I am here, so you may see me decline meetings that aren’t absolutely critical for me to attend. State whatever accommodations you reasonably can make to ensure that you are able to stay on equal footing with your colleagues.

What can men and women do to help change their work culture to be more accommodating to new parents? I think that we are at this really amazing point where there are all of these conversations happening in the media, and dozens of private companies are speaking up and talking about family leave. You can harness that energy and momentum. I think the most effective way to do that is to talk about why it’s good for your company.

Talk in terms of the company’s ability to retain outstanding talent and its ability to recruit great talent because it’s progressive about family leave. Talk about all of the great press that companies are generating from the announcements they’re making about their new 16 weeks of paid leave for both men and women. ...It’s such an important signal that being a parent and taking care of a child is not women’s work. It’s work for parents.

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Most importantly, we make learning engaging and fun!

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Inquire about our free trial classes and take advantage of our free diagnostic test throughout August & September.

Come for a tour. Registration for fall 2016 is NOW open!

192-11 Union Turnpike | Fresh Meadows, NY 11366 718.740.7888 www.CloverPrep.com | info@cloverprep.com QueensParent 15

Choose the Best After-School Activity for Your Child With myriad activities available to children these days, it’s easy to get bogged down with all the options.

Take this fun quiz to see which activity best suits your child. ››

Your child is a...

Social butterfly

Lone wolf

On the weekends your kid is...

Outside

Is he a picky eater?

No

Yes

Does he love being physical?

Yes

Sports

No

Your child is a ball of energy, so make sure you put it to good use. Team sports, such as basketball or soccer, are a great way to learn team work while also staying fit and active.

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Your child’s dream job is...

Watching TV

Astronaut

Is she the leader of the pack?

Yes

What’s the first thing she does in the car?

Roll down window

The Arts

Turn on radio

Dance, drama, or a music class would be a great fit for your kid. She is creative and has a zest for life that just can’t be contained. You might have a potential triple-threat on your hands!

August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Her favorite subject is...

Science

No

President

Your child’s room is...

English

Is he smarter than you?

Yes

Academic Enrichment

Grades

Your smarty pants can’t get enough of reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Many tutoring centers also offer enrichment classes, espeically during the summer. Get your Einstein learning all year long.

Clean

Messy

What’s more important?

Experience

Art Class

If your child is constantly drawing or painting at home, save yourself the mess and get him into an art class. Art is a great way for your little Picasso to express himself.

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Sophia Lee

Christian and Jessica Li of Manhasset perform at the Music Institute of Long Island’s Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall in June.

It’s Music to Their Ears

››

Your child wants to play an instrument—now what? We asked music instructors to weigh in on renting vs. buying, how to choose what to play, and the benefits of private and group lessons. By Samantha Neudorf

I

t was 1998 when I decided I wanted to play the violin. Only 5 years old, I was watching Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra on TV with my parents when a violin soloist named Vanessa-Mae came on stage to perform “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot opera, and her own piece called “Storm” on the electric violin. She swayed back and forth with her eyes closed, evoking a fiery passion with every note. I turned to my mom, mesmerized and inspired, and declared, “I want to do that.” After 12 years of violin and three years of viola lessons, I can firmly say that my life changed for the better.

Science has proven time and again that children who play musical instruments do better in school. That’s because while playing an instrument the brain exercises motor, auditory, visual, and emotional responses all at once, making it the “most complex and demanding cognitive challenges that the human mind can undertake,” according to a study published in the journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience.

Brain stimulation is just the beginning of the benefits of music.

It also helps children focus better in school and grasp new concepts easily.

Sophia Lee of Manhasset is the mother of two children— Christian, 8, and Jessica, 6—who take piano lessons at the Music Institute of Long Island, also in Manhasset. Both of them began taking lessons at age 4 and got started because they looked up to 18

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Lang Lang, a Chinese concert pianist, and their grandmother, who also played piano.

“Piano has also been a great method to be focused, structured, and has helped them academically with school,” Lee says. “[They have more] confidence [when] delivering presentations at school, and [it] has helped Jessica with dance, to be more artistic and graceful.”

Practice, Practice

Music lessons are a discipline because the only way to improve and advance is to practice, which can be hard if a child refuses to pick up her instrument regularly.

“It’s a slow process, but kids have good days and bad days,” says Geri Kushner, director of the Music Institute of Long Island.

“Not everybody is going to have an incredible day at a lesson and a practice at home. Slow and steady wins the race.”

Whether parents want their children to play an instrument or a child chooses to, the child needs to first have an interest in learning about music. “If there is no interest, there is little chance that the child will study an instrument long-term,” says Karen Geer, executive director of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Geer suggests that if a child is not ready to play an instrument, she can join a pre-instrumental class to try out different ones and learn about rhythm, pitch, and tempo.

Selecting an Instrument

When choosing an instrument, it is important that the child gets a say in what he wants to play. After all, he is the one who will be practicing it. Some children may have an idea of what they want to play. If not, most schools offer trial classes.

“We say you have to give it at least a semester,” Kushner says.

“Otherwise you’re never really going to know.”

Other schools may have community outreach programs, such as “instrumental petting zoos,” for kids to try out their options.

Parents and kids can also sit in to observe classes. Summer camp programs can also be helpful for families to tour the schools without making any commitments.

If your child is still undecided, Rachael Carson, director of Bach to Rock in Mamaroneck, suggests either trying out voice lessons or playing piano because they are the foundation for a lot of instruments. “We also emphasize to kids that if you pick an instrument, it doesn’t mean that this is the only instrument that you will ever play,” Carson says.

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Renting vs. Buying

Most music instructors recommend renting an instrument if a child is just starting out—especially if she is young and can outgrow an instrument that fits her perfectly now.

The only instrument that musicians recommend buying right away, if a family can afford it, is a piano because it is a timeless piece of furniture. “If you can get it in the beginning, you won’t have to worry about it again,” Kushner says.

Otherwise, for piano players, a keyboard can suffice, as there are many decent ones available.

Your music instructor can provide suggestions for affordable rental options. Carson strongly advises against buying instruments from eBay or other similar websites because they are poor quality, calling them “instrument-shaped objects.”

“If your kid gets really serious and you bought an instrument that’s a beginner quality instrument, it’s going to end up hindering that child’s development on the instrument,” Carson says, adding that she did not buy her first violin until she was in high school.

If your child continues to show an interest in playing his instrument years down the line, it could be worth investing in a high-quality instrument.

Musical Methods

Among the first decisions parents need to make when deciding on music lessons for their child is what teaching method to pursue. Many music teachers use the Suzuki method of teaching, developed by a Japanese violinist named Shinichi Suzuki, in which parents learn to play alongside their children. The child would take private lessons along with group classes. (This is the method that I studied.)

Other methods include the Orff method, which engages kids in music using percussion instruments such as the glockenspiel or xylophone; and the Kodaly method, which enforces singing as the foundation of musicianship.

Some music schools, such as Bach to Rock, offer the Suzuki method, along with their own curriculum for kids to learn a mix of classical, pop, and rock music.

“Parents are surprised when they find out that a violin student can learn Katy Perry in addition to learning how to play ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ on the violin,” Carson says. “One comment that I get all of the time is, ‘I can’t believe how fun this is!’” continued on next page ››

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The Music Institute of Long Island offers Kindermusik classes for young children, a Germany-based curriculum designed to encourage musical play and movement.

Private vs. Group Lessons

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Children may be enrolled in both private or group lessons—or a mixture of the two—as both are beneficial and provide different experiences for the student.

Young children might consider starting off by taking lessons with one or two other students, then transitioning to a private lesson around age 7. Private lessons are highly encouraged because the teachers can better review the students’ techniques, and one-on-one instruction tends to instill in kids a sense of responsibility.

Group lessons allow kids to play as an ensemble, which teaches them to play cohesively and perform together. For example, the Music Institute of Long Island performs at nursing homes and other venues as a way to give back to people in the community, as well as to build confidence in playing for an audience. Bach to Rock holds a Battle of the Bands competition for its rock band program, in which the kids have the responsibility to listen to the members of their group and play at the same tempo.

If a child is very eager to play, it is possible that she can begin at age 3. Otherwise, age 6 or 7 might be more appropriate, as that is when children begin learning how to read and are more focused and physically developed.

When sitting in lessons, Kushner advises parents to record their children using a video camera or tape recorder and to take notes to make sure that the child takes the corrections from class and applies them at home.

“Everything takes time,” Kushner says. “We improve and sometimes we plateau, just like in everything else. But if they’re not putting in the time, they can’t expect to do fabulously.”

The Payoff

Something that most parents may be surprised to learn once their child begins music lessons is how much dedication and commitment is required. Just as a child might study over and over for a test, he must be ready to constantly practice his instrument to become more advanced.

“If [children] take SATs, ACTs, math tutoring, English tutoring, and Kumon, [those teachers] expect them to work there,” Kushner says.

“We expect them to work at a violin lesson or piano lesson, as well.”

Parents can motivate and support their children by giving them words of encouragement.

“The attitude of the parents, and just being ready to be a support and as enthusiastic as their kids, is important,” Carson says.

As for me, my mom would encourage me to enter music competitions, and even though I only ever placed among the winners once in the 12 years I took lessons, the experience made me learn how to pick myself up from failure and move on. It was not until adulthood that I realized how valuable this was for me.

Even if my parents and I butted heads when I did not want to practice, it disciplined me to refocus my energy to buckle down and chip away at improving, which showed that hard work and dedication can take you far. If it were not for music, I do not think I would have had the ambition and drive to push myself through Advanced Placement classes in high school, move 5,000 miles away from home for college, and make a living here in New York City, arguably the most competitive city in the world. All thanks to that unforgettable TV concert nearly 20 years ago.

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AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES & PROGRAMS The Annual Directory of

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A Child’s Place

32-20 108th St., East Elmhurst 718-565-2170 achildsplacetoo.com achildsplacetoo@gmail.com Our grade school and preschool camps offer daily trips, outdoor sporting activities, instructional and open swimming, gymnastics, bowling, arts and crafts, music, dance, Zumba, barbecues, and amusement parks. We welcome children in seventh grade and younger. A Child’s Place values each and every customer, and makes every effort to improve the quality of life in all children. We intend to foster vibrant communities and achieve better outcomes for families and children.

ABA Psychological Services, P.C.

Servicing Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties 516-294-5000 abapsychologicalservices.com ABA Psychological Services, P.C. is a private professional agency providing high quality, Applied Behavior Analytic therapy to children and adults of all ages who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Our goal is for individuals with autism to learn the skills necessary to reach their full potential by creating a treatment program that is specific to each person’s needs. Our clinical director, Dr. Tricia Moss, is both a doctoral-level board-certified behavior analyst (B.C.B.A.-D.), as well as a New York state-licensed psychologist.

All My Children Daycare and Nursery School

Various locations; call for information or check us online Queens: 347-708-7827 Brooklyn: 347-708-7827 Manhattan: 212-419-5416 allmychildrendaycare.com

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info@allmychildrendaycare.com All My Children Daycare is offering after-school care at all of our eco-friendly locations.

Your child will be fed healthy snacks, participate in enriching activities and play, and be cared for by our highly experienced and caring staff. Pick up your child as late as 7pm. Our Ridge Street Manhattan center offers DropZone services for hourly care. For more information, please contact AMC at info@ allmychildrendaycare.com or call 212-466-6262.

All Star Studios

108-21 72nd Ave. (4th floor), Forest Hills 718-268-2280 allstarstudiosnyc.com allstarstudios@gmail.com Sign up now for summer and fall classes—limited space available. All Star Studios program is designed to encourage and educate the students on how to increase flexibility, improve coordination, focus on muscle strengthening, build poise, and have fun. All instructors have experience in both teaching and performing, to teach students the skills needed to pursue a career as a true artist as well as the compassion to help push them toward their goals, build their self-confidence, and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle. Visit allstarstudiosnyc.com. The first class is free!

AppleTree Day Care Center

73-20 Bell Blvd., Bayside 718-264-1588 73-12 197th St., Fresh Meadows 718-217-6666 lichen.appletree@gmail.com AppleTree Day Care Center is committed to helping children succeed socially and academically through the use of developmentally appropriate

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practices. Our after-school enrichment program is focused on providing one-on-one homework help while also providing additional learning activities that build on what students are learning during the school day.

Belle Arti Center for the Arts, L.L.C.

108-10 72nd Ave., Forest Hills 718-261-2237 belleartiny.com directors@belleartiny.com Belle Arti Center for the Arts, L.L.C., in the heart of Forest Hills. New: group lessons for ages 7-10 for guitar, cello, voice, and drums. Belle Arti offers private lessons for piano, strings, woodwinds, guitar, voice, and drums for ages 4 and older. Musical Aurora, our unique music program for ages 2-5; Early Bird Rock 6 months–3 years; Leaping Larks Pre-Nursery for ages 1.9-3.

Drawing and Illustration with NY Times best-selling artist, John Stanisci for ages 8 and older! Visit belleartiny.com for more information.

Beyond Tutors

36-35 Bell Blvd., LL102, Bayside 347-407-2545; 929-381-1099 beyondtutors.com info@beyondtutors.com Beyond Tutors offers individualized educational plans for each student’s learning needs— socially, academically, emotionally, and physically. Our after-school, summer camp, weekend, and 1-on-1 programs are all differentiated. From reading, writing, and math to Chinese, chess, science, arts, and robotics, we help kids to develop character strengths, improve their cognitive skills, expand their creativity, build passion in learning, and become global citizens. It is a

platform for training the mind to think, and working collaboratively with peers. Call us for more information and a free trial lesson.

Clover Prep Learning Center

192-11 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-740-7888 cloverprep.com cloverprep@gmail.com Clover Prep Learning Center is the “best rated spot for learning” for students ages 2½-12, featuring FasTracKids and JEI Learning. We offer proven programs that deliver results for realizing each student’s maximum potential. Whether it’s critical thinking, gifted and talented test prep, math, reading, science, summer camp, after-school programs, or preschool alternative, we have the best programs for your child.

Most importantly, we make learning engaging and fun!

Cookie’s Kids - The Kids’ Department Store

Queens: 166-21 Jamaica Ave. (at 168th Street) 718-291-7700 Brooklyn: 265 Livingston St. 718-797-3300 510 Fulton St. 718-797-3300 982 Flatbush Ave. 718-287-2300 Bronx: 1534 Westchester Ave. 718-991-9500 576 Melrose Ave. 718-585-0800 cookieskids.com With back-to-school approaching, parents are learning that Cookie’s Kids, the Kids’ Department Store, is New York City’s premier school uniform supplier. It carries the largest

Enroll Now! selection of uniforms, from toddler to adult sizes, stocking quality brands such as French Toast, Nautica, Lee, and U.S. Polo Assn. Its knowledgeable staff can answer any questions about your child’s uniform needs, and provide information on custom embroidery and screen-printing options. Cookie’s also carries lots of school uniform-approved footwear from brands such as Nine West, Sperry, Hush Puppies, French Toast, Rachel, and Stride Rite.

Countryside Montessori School

354 Lakeville Road, Great Neck 516-406-3623 cmsgn.com csmontessori@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.

The DanceSource

98-11 Queens Blvd. (at 65th Avenue), Rego Park/Forest Hills 718-997-1278 dancesource.net info@dancesource.net The DanceSource welcomes new students to its established dance school in Rego Park.

We appreciate our students, and do our best to offer you a class that you value and want to return to. We strive to offer excellent core classes in ballet, tap, modern, and gymnastics.

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We also offer professional classes in belly dance, ballroom, hip-hop, Barata Nathyam, and Kathak. This is the reason our dancers stay with us for years. We welcome you for your first free trial lesson, and hope you’ll want to stay for more classes. Welcome to The DanceSource! 718-997-1278; info@dancesource.net.

First Shot Basketball School

718-275-7974 firstshotbasketball.com firstshotbball@aol.com First Shot provides a healthy, pressure-free environment teaching children ages 3-15 how to play basketball. Experienced, caring coaches work in small classes geared to specific ages and skills. Your child will learn the basics, sharpen his or her skills, understand the game, and come away feeling positive about his or her performance and playing with friends in the schoolyard. We teach the values of good sportsmanship, setting goals, and teamwork.

With lots of encouragement we build confidence and make basketball fun for everyone. Call 718-275-7974 for information and to register, and visit firstshotbasketball.com.

Hug Music, Creative & Nurturing Music Lessons for Everybody Music Lessons and Music Therapy

112-01 75th Ave., Lower Level, Forest Hills 718-487-4309 hugmusicny.com contact@hugmusicny.com Hug Music’s mission is to nurture a love for music by promoting students’ musical growth and important life skills.

We offer programs to all individuals including children with special needs. We offer various music groups and private and

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dyad lessons on piano, voice, guitar, and music therapy. Our popular groups include Hug Melody (ages 6 months to 4 years), Chorus Group (ages 4-7), and Music Therapy Social Skills group. Our original music therapy method, Musicreative, is especially effective for children with autism and ADHD to improve learning skills. Call to register today!

ISTEIN Education Center

107-06 71st Road, 2nd floor, Forest Hills 718-575-8877 isteinny.com info@isteinny.com ISTEIN after-school program is a different kind of extended day after-school program with featured music programs, Chinese language class, multi-interest activities, plus free school pick-up. Enrolling kindergarten-sixth grades only.

Our program is designed to not only help your children with their homework, but offer them the opportunity to expand their knowledge, create friendships, and have fun. We also offer rigorous academic enrichment in our State Test Prep (third-sixth grades), and Little Winner Program (kindergarten-second grade). Our staff is comprised of professional teachers and assistants whose goal is to make sure your child has a rewarding experience.

Just Wee Two

Bayside, Manhasset, Plainview, plus Brooklyn and Connecticut 516-433-0003 800-404-2204 justweetwo.com This specially developed program, for children ages 8 months through 3½ years and their parents, provides an environment that enables grownups to share the joy of a child’s early learning. Classes are limited to 10 children. Toddlers enjoy arts and crafts, creative movement, stories, and play time. Children develop a sense of confidence and increase their communication and social skills. We also offer partial separation, separation classes, and enrichment classes with an

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emphasis on reading readiness.

We are now registering for our fall session.

Kent Prep

194-11A Northern Blvd., Bayside 718-423-5757 kentprep.com Looking for a program that will help your child prepare for NYC’s Gifted and Talented Program? Kent Prep is an entrance exam specialist with more than 20 years of experience. From after-school enrichment to Saturday test prep programs, Kent offers programs tailored for every learning child. Register by Aug. 18 to receive an early registration discount! Call or visit kentprep. com for more information.

Kids Only Dental

104-60 Queens Blvd., B3, Forest Hills 347-389-1225 kidsonlydental.net kidsonlydental@verizon.net Kids Only Dental is a “kid’s only” dental practice committed to your child’s smile.

Our entire staff is dedicated to providing your child with the individualized, gentle care that they deserve. Now in our new, state-of-the-art offices, we’re able to accommodate more evening and weekend appointments. Please contact our Forest Hills office at 718-4597900 to schedule your backto-school appointments with Drs. Cheirif, Chin, Schneider, and Sing, and help your child start the new school year with a confident, healthy smile.

Little Atelier of Young Children Inc.

39-14 210th St., Bayside 718-423-4223 littleatelieryc.com info@littleatelieryc.com Little Atelier of Young Children is a dedicated early childhood program and offers preschool programs for children ages 3-5, and after-school enrichment programs for kindergarten-second grades. The after-school enrichment programs offer reading, writing, art, and mathematical thinking classes.

Each subject is designed in the

August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

developmentally appropriate way, and children will work in a small group with NYS-certified teachers. Please call or email for September registration and for information about the preschool program.

Little Optics Inc.

tors, Mathnasium guides students to develop and maintain the mathematics knowledge needed to succeed. Programs, including homework help and test prep, run year-round for students of all ages! Call us today for more information!

192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside 718-468-7500 hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants and young adults. Fitting children with glasses is a very different task than fitting an adult with glasses. Most children have serious medical issues such as strabismus (crossed eyes) or amblyopia (lazy eyes). When we fit a child with glasses we start a relationship with them, as we will consistently see them during the year for adjustments as well as prescription changes. We 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.

MKD School of Karate

Mathnasium Learning Centers Queens

8702 Grand Ave., Elmhurst 718-205-7508 92-22 Corona Ave., Elmhurst 718-606-1056 tutornina@hotmail.com We tutor kids in kindergarten to 12th grades. For the past seven years, we have provided quality education that helps kids excel in school. Our excellent, highly dedicated, and experienced tutors are very competent. We specialize in homework help and offer critical thinking and writing classes. We help improve skills in math, ELA, science, and social studies. We also have an intensive preparation program for ELA, math, and science, citywide and statewide exams.

We opened our second branch on Corona Avenue to serve our community better. Please call to find out more about the programs we run throughout the year.

43-17 Bell Blvd., Bayside 718-747-MATH (6284) 108-14 72nd Ave., Forest Hills 718-544-MATH (6284) Laguardia Center 43-32 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria 718-726-MATH (6284) 185-10 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-544-MATH(6284) mathnasium.com Mathnasium Learning Centers offer math-only educational programs for students of all ages in more than 600 centers worldwide. In a relaxed, homework-free environment, Mathnasium is where kids catch up, keep up, or get ahead in math and gain confidence in their math abilities. With a personalized curriculum, instant feedback, and proven, time-tested learning plans designed by experienced instruc-

72-26 Roosevelt Ave., floor 2, Jackson Heights 718-207-6220 646-335-6465 mkdkarate.com MKD School of Karate is a unique school offering classes, holiday camps, and summer camps to children from age 3 to teenagers and adults. There is a class for everyone, no matter the age or ability. We emphasize a strong foundation in discipline, techniques, conditioning, and perpetual self-growth. Students develop physical strength, resilience, improved posture, flexibility, and heightened reflexes.

Mentally, students cultivate a mental toughness, an “I can do this” attitude, self-control, and discipline, with spiritual awareness. Come delve into the art of karate with the MKD School of Karate!

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Noah’s Ark Preparatory

38-20 Bell Blvd., Bayside 718-279-4251 62-48 Mt. Olivet Crescent, Middle Village 347-335-0044 noahsarkschool.com noahsarkpreparatory@gmail.com Noah’s Ark Preparatory Inc. strives to create a learning environment that invites the fullest potential of each person’s gifts. Both nursery and pre-kindergarten classrooms are divided into distinct learning areas and foster in the children the love of learning.

The setting offers children the opportunity to teach themselves through their own discoveries. Noah’s Ark also offers an after-school program with bus service for ages 6-12, during which time will be spent building academic skills and addressing the needs of each individual student. For further information, please call the number above.

Performing Arts Conservatory of New York

35-57 89th St., Jackson Heights 718-639-1425 paconyschool.com info@paconyschool.com Performing Arts Conservatory of New York invites you to participate in its summer program. Children will be exposed to all of the school’s programs including music, art, dance, drama, and Spanish.

Students will also have free time to enjoy snacks and movies. Our outstanding artistteachers and active concert performers will help your children develop their artistic and musical talent. For more information, please call 718639-1425 or 917-774-3411, or visit paconyschool.com

Progressive Martial Arts

175-25 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows 718-461-0700 progressivemartialarts.com ks@progressivemartialarts.com Progressive Martial Arts offers classes every day of the week for kids ages 3 and older, in age-specific programs appropriate for kids’ developmental and

emotional stages. We teach important self-defense and martial arts skills, and fitness and health are key components to our curriculum. Our youth program is like no other, offering character development, discipline, and self-defense techniques that give each child a strong start in life. Call to find out more about our programs throughout the year.

Queens Botanical Garden

43-50 Main St., Flushing 718-886-3800 x218 queensbotanical.org rwolf@queensbotanical.org sross@queensbotanical.org Queens Botanical Garden offers hands-on discovery for children ages 4-14 throughout the month of August. From Children’s Garden (ages 4-10) to Junior Naturalists (ages 11-14), kids’ imaginations and knowledge

blossom as they plant and harvest vegetables and flowers, explore our engaging 39 acres, and prepare the food they’ve grown! Children are also introduced to sustainable gardening techniques such as composting, mulching, and recycling. Fall 2016 registration is also now open (including Garden Buds, a program for toddlers). Visit qbgkidprograms. eventbrite.com to register, or queensbtoanical.org to learn more. continued on next page ››

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Reflexion Dance & Fitness

26-80 30th St., B2, Astoria 347-280-8724 reflexiondance.com info@reflexiondance.com At Reflexion Dance & Fitness, we aim to teach dance technique, teamwork, fitness, and self-expression through movement to all of our students at any age. We provide professional instruction and also instill a passion and love of movement and health. Our season runs from September through June and we offer class packages as well. By offering dance and fitness classes for all ages, including ballet, hip-hop, Greek dance, and Zumba®, anyone at any age can step through our door and find a class they will love!

RoboMindTech S.T.E.M. Education Center Creativity, Science, Robotics & L-E-G-O Learning Fun

185-10A Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-264-ROBO (7626) robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Science, technology, creativity, 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!

Rose Academy of Ballet

70-11 Austin St., Forest Hills 718-520-0207 roseacademyofballet.com racademyofballet@gmail.com Our dance program allows students to develop dance technique, while always leaving space for personal creativi-

ty. Our ballet classes feature professional instruction and live accompaniment. Our level ballet and level tap students make up our student dance company, which has several performance opportunities each year. Established In 2006, Rose Academy of Ballet has a place for all who appreciate a fun, classical approach to dance training and dance education.

Classes include Tippy Toes (age 2), Pre-Ballet (ages 3-5), Level Ballet (ages 6-18), Wiggle Scribble Playgroup (ages 15-32 months).

Soccer Friends USA Inc.

106-06 Queens Blvd., 3rd Floor, Forest Hills 718-261-2403 347-756-2988 347-756-2568 (para Español) soccerfriendsusa.com soccerfriendsusa@hotmail.com Soccer Friends USA is a yearround soccer program for children ages 18 months to 16 years. We emphasize fun and learning in our full-service soccer school. We have fun-filled programs for our Queens community. We offer after-school programs, private groups, skill clinics, birthday parties, summer camps, futsal leagues, competitive travel teams, Spanish language learning classes, all-girls classes, and our ever-popular general classes. All programs are offered at the best indoor and outdoor locations in Central Queens year-round!

Steps to Socialization

13 South 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 roleplay, 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.

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.

Whitestone Lanes

30-05 Whitestone Expressway, Flushing 718-353-6300 whitestonelanes.net Whitestone Lanes is welcoming back all bowlers and party-goers for the fall and winter league season. We have leagues for everyone, for kids with our Walking Dead family league, to men’s, women’s, mixed, and seniors in the early morning, mid-afternoon, and of course every evening of the week. Call us for times and dates or go to whitestonelanes.net. We are also taking reservations for all children’s birthday parties, teen parties, and holiday corporate events.

We have a Vacation League on Tuesday nights! Everyone who joins wins a vacation!

QnsParents 7.3x4.7-2016(new)_Layout 1 7/15/16 4:03 PM Page 1

Summer Movies

Dance & Fitness

“make healthy a reflex”

Adult Dance & Fitness classes too!

Ballet • Tap Jazz • Acro Hip-Hop • Zumba Kids Competition Team

Plus classes exclusive to our studio

World Hop & All Boyz Crew

www.reflexiondance.com • (347) 280-8724 Reflexion Dance & Fitness

@reflexiondanceny

Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday August 17th August 24th August 31st

FREE ON ADMISSI Movies start at 8:00 pm Maspeth Federal Savings Parking Lot 69th St. & Grand Ave., Maspeth Bring Your Own Chair or Blanket Weather Permitting

(718) 335-1300 • MASPETHFEDERAL.COM We Treat You Like Family QueensParent 27

OUTINGS: Prospect Park Zoo

nymetroparents.com/outings

Explore Wildlife in the Heart of Brooklyn 1

2

3

Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Home to a plethora of exotic animals, Prospect Park Zoo serves as an escape from the racing city life for families. ›› By Megan Bailey

4

1 You can see red pandas climbing trees or snoozing on branches on the zoo’s outdoor Discovery Trail. 2 A Jacob’s four-horn sheep lives in the zoo’s domestic Barn and Garden exhibit, where you can take a turn feeding grain to some of the animals. 3 The Australian dingo exhibit is also on the zoo’s Discovery Trail. 4 These tiny Juliana pigs can also be found in the Barn and Garden exhibit.

In the late 1800s, Prospect Park Zoo first operated a tiny menagerie with livestock and limited wildlife—sheep, cows, rabbits, birds—up until its first public opening in 1935. Since then, the zoo has made quite an impression on city residents. There is something for every animal-lover to enjoy, from sea lions to red pandas to baboons.

Year-Round Fun

If you decide to do a simple self-guided tour, there are five exhibits you should check out.

Animal Lifestyles includes the nocturnal and furry Pallas’ cats, as well as birds, lizards, and fish. At Barn and Garden, you can feed animals grain as if it’s a normal thing to do in New York City. Here, you can see sheep, cows, horses, chickens, and two unique species of farm animals that are sure to be crowd-pleasers: a Zebu calf and three little Juliana pigs. In the outdoor Discovery Trail, you will find red pandas hanging on tree branches, a black-tailed prairie dog roaming around, and the North-American river otter exhibit. In the unique Hall of Animals exhibit, children can enjoy smaller creatures, whether it’s a dwarf mongoose, dart frog, or 28

August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Madagascar jumping rat. A visit to the zoo isn’t complete without stopping by the Sea Lion Court, a popular exhibit at the heart of the park.

At the Discovery Center, children can interact with animals up close in a fun yet educational space. This can be through playing pretend as a veterinarian or utilizing any of the classroom and laboratory equipment available to learn about the art of zoology. The Discovery Center is open Saturday-Sunday, 11am-3pm.

Special Activities

At the Sea Lion Court, there is an opportunity to participate in Sea Lion Training Sessions, daily at 11:30am, 2pm, and 4pm.

Guided tours are available for Scout troops, during which they will learn more about wildlife and environmental conservation, and can even earn the Prospect Park Zoo Patch.

Teachers: If you are looking for an exciting and educational field trip, the Prospect Park Zoo is a great opportunity.

You may bring groups on self-guided

tours, receive an official tour from a park guide, or participate in classes.

Annual Attractions

Prospect Park Zoo’s Summer Camp gives children ages pre-K to eighth grades the opportunity to explore wildlife in a week-long session. This includes live animal encounters, creative art projects, interactive games, science experiments, exhibit visits and meeting zookeeper staff, role-play, and theatrical exercises. Campers are split into groups by age. Cost, session dates, and times vary.

Details

Address: 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 30-minute drive from Flushing, or take the 7 train to the Q train to the Prospect Park stop Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday and holidays, 10am-5:30pm Admission: $8; $6 seniors ages 65 and older; $5 children ages 3-12; free for children ages 2 and younger For more information: 718-399-7339 or prospectparkzoo.com

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

A Reggio Inspired, Mandarin Immersion, Nursery & Preschool

NOW OPEN! OPEN HOUSE Sunday, August 14th 10 am - 2 pm Full & Half Day Options Children Ages 1 - 5 Healthy Meals Included Brand New Facility

REGISTER NOW FOR FALL 2016 Apply now for Fall 2016, Spots are filling up quickly!

Check in throughout the day!

With Life Cubby®, parents can log in and see photos and videos of their kids as well as view notes and teacher comments.

Call today to schedule a visit!

718-679-9909 klpreschool.com facebook.com/klpreschoolus 99-39 66th Avenue, Rego Park

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QueensParent 29

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30

August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

Ideas When You Need Them:

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

nymetroparents.com/register

Turn the page for details on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day (No. 6 on our list).

AUGUST

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

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nyme

com/c

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CALENDAR

32 Editor’s Hot Tickets

37 Show Time!

34 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!,

38 On Screen

39 Dance Party,

Movers & Shakers

Mini Musicians

36 Fun Fairs & Festivals,

Once Upon a Time WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: GAIL WARREN qpcal@davlermedia.com

40 Crafty Kids,

Smarty Pants

3

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

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

1

Mets vs. Yankees

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 1, 7:10pm WHERE: Citi Field, 126-01 Roosevelt Ave., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy America’s pastime and cheer on the Mets as they take on their cross-town rivals.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This one is for New York City bragging rights.

WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 718-507-8499. mets.com.

The Queens International Night Market FREE

2

WHEN: Through Aug. 20: Saturdays, 6-10pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Don’t miss this large, family-friendly, open-air night market, featuring small-scale cultural performances, entertainment, and independent vendors selling merchandise, art, and food.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This event celebrates the rich cultural diversity and heritage of New York City and Queens.

WANT TO GO? 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

3

Summer Kids Matinees: ‘Zootopia’

WHEN: Aug. 10-20, daily, 12pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 35-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: The latest comedy-adventure from Disney transports viewers to the modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia. See Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on the city’s police force, match wits with scam-artist fox Nick Wilde.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This film excels on so many levels that it stands with the finest of the Disney classics.

WANT TO GO? $12. 718-777-6888. movingimage.us.

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

4

Jazzmobile Block Party FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 25, 4-8:30pm WHERE: Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: This party is loaded with live jazz and children’s activities, and is sure to be a fun evening for the entire family.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A celebration so big that it shuts down 107th Street!

WANT TO GO? 718-478-8274. louisarmstronghouse.org.

Outdoor Movie Night: ‘Inside Out’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 26, 8-10pm WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, 20 Randall’s Island Park, Randall’s Island AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Head over to Randall’s Island for a movie under the stars. Bring your family and friends to an evening of free entertainment.

WHY WE LOVE IT: See Pixar’s latest blockbuster, featuring the voices of Amy Poelher and Mindy Kaling.

WANT TO GO? 212-830-7722. randallsisland.org.

5

6

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 27, 9:30am WHERE: USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park Road, Flushing AGES: All WHAT: The day features a ticketed Stadium Show and concert preceded by a free Grounds Festival, which includes interactive games, face painting, music and tennis clinics, and a chance to get an up close and personal look at the biggest stars of tennis.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This is the largest single-day, grassroots tennis and entertainment event in the world.

WANT TO GO? $10-$25 concert tickets; free for all other events. 718760-6200. arthurashekidsday.com.

7

Whale and Dolphin Adventure Cruises

WHEN: Aug. 3-31, Wednesday-Friday, 12-4pm WHERE: Riis Landing, Beach 169th Street and Rockaway Point Boulevard, Breezy Point AGES: All WHAT: Set sail in search of whales and dolphins by hopping aboard The American Princess for a wonderful adventure.

WHY WE LOVE IT: It promises to be an amazing afternoon.

WANT TO GO? $45; $35 seniors; $25 children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5. 718-474-0555. americanprincesscruises.com.

Is your child gifted...

or an undiscovered prodigy?

LIC Art Bus FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 11: Saturday-Sunday, 12-6pm WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: Designed to promote and connect LIC’s cultural institutions, the bus will stop at the entrances of Socrates Sculpture Park, The Noguchi Museum, SculptureCenter, and MoMA PS1. See website for schedule.

WHY WE LOVE IT: A great way to explore the wonderful art in western Queens.

WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org. ››

8

HEY JOEYS! Kids eat FREE!

Enriching Brilliant Minds Every Day...in Every Way

Enjoy a FREE Joey Entrée with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Joey entrée will be served with a beverage and “a Spotted Dog Sundae”.

Outback Steakhouse Bayside At Bay Terrace Shopping Center 718-819-0908 OUTBACK.COM Expires 12/31/2016 One certificate per party.

One FREE kids meal per adult entrée purchased.

Spotted Dog Sundae

Enroll Today in Summer Workshops Grades 1 to 7

www.VillageEastGifted.com 631-549-2313 QueensParent 33

Children’s Talent Show FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 3:30pm WHERE: Queens Library, Auburndale Branch, 25-55 Francis Lewis Blvd., Flushing AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Children can strut their stuff at this talent show, whether they sing, play a musical instrument, juggle, do card or magic tricks, tell jokes, or whatever else might amuse an audience. Prizes will be awarded.

WANT TO GO? 718-352-2027. queenslibrary.org.

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.

First Friday FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 5, 10am-8pm WHERE: The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Road, Long Island City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Art lovers can enjoy extended hours and special programming, including public tours led in English and Japanese. See website for program details.

WANT TO GO? 718-204-7088. noguchi.org.

26th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival FREE

WHEN: Aug. 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5pm WHERE: Meadow Lake at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 53-51 111th St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: A colorful Hong Kong tradition returns to New York, drawing more than 200 teams competing from around the world. This family-oriented sporting and cultural event features exciting racing, food, entertainment, and arts and crafts. See website for complete event schedule.

WANT TO GO? 718-767-1776. hkdbf-ny.org.

Community Conversation for Kids: A Conversation about Democracy FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 10am WHERE: Queens Historical Society at Kingsland Homestead, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This conversation will focus on the picture book I Can Do That! Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote, followed by a talk on how we can actively participate in our local, state, and national communities.

Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 718-939-0647. queenshistoricalsociety.org.

World’s Fair History Tour FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 11am WHERE: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Hear the stories behind the Unisphere, New York State Pavilion, Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo Aviary, the Carousel, and more.

Tours are led by Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s volunteer docents.

WANT TO GO? 718-352-1769. nycgovparks.org.

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

MINI

MUSICIANS Jazz at Socrates: Louis Armstrong Night FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 4, 6pm WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: Families and their children are encouraged to arrive early for a special Jazz for Kids with Joey Morant. Following the concert, students from LaGuardia Community College will host “Tours of the Sky” with an on-site telescope.

WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org.

SummerStage Kids: Divas 3 Music FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 4, 10:30am WHERE: Queensbridge Park, 41-05 Vernon Blvd., Queensbridge AGES: All WHAT: These divas blend sounds from gospel, blues, and jazz to create their signature sound. With unique backgrounds, quirky personalities and varied musical inspirations, Sonya Rogers, Grace Young, and Patricia Pope create an electrifying musical experience.

WANT TO GO? summerstage.org.

SummerStage Kids: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo FREE

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 8, 10:30am WHERE: Rochdale Park, New York Boulevard and 134th Avenue, Rochdale AGES: All WHAT: Combining the excitement of hip-hop with the magical world of childhood, this group is a one of kind standout star in the family music scene.

WANT TO GO? 212-360-1399. cityparksfoundation.org.

Yuhan Su Jazz Quintet: Mythology

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 12, 8pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 13 and older WHAT: After the release of her second album, A Room of One’s Own, Taiwan native and New York-based vibraphonist Yuhan Su has written a new series of compositions inspired by Kua Fu, a giant in Chinese mythology who decided to chase and catch the sun.

WANT TO GO? $16; $10 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Hot Jazz / Cool Garden

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 2pm WHERE: Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Jane Monheit pays tribute to jazz greats Louis Armstong and Ella Fitzgerald.

WANT TO GO? $18. 718-478-8274. louisarmstronghouse.org.

Bang on a Can Music Series: American Contemporary Music Ensemble

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 3-4pm WHERE: The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Road, Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: The American Contemporary Music Ensemble plays Philip Glass’ String Quartet No. 5 and Meredith Monk’s only string quartet Stringsongs, plus the premiere of a new cello piece by Caleb Burhans.

WANT TO GO? $10; $5 seniors and students; free for children younger than 12. 718-204-7088.

“From Carnegie Hall to Forest Hills, the Place to be for Music” The Best Music & Arts School in Forest Hills!

♫ Register Now ♫

Music with Darlene Graham FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 16, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Park, 76th Avenue and Springfield Boulevard, Douglaston AGES: All WHAT: Darlene Graham entertains children of all ages with her interactive and exciting performance.

WANT TO GO? 718-352-4793. nycgovparks.org.

SummerStage Kids: Shine & the Moonbeams FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 18, 10:30am WHERE: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Grand Central Parkway between 111th Street and College Point Boulevard, Flushing AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This group exploded on the children’s music scene in 2012 and has risen to the top of the genre. It brings the soulful melodies of family life along with rhythm and bass of childhood to the party.

WANT TO GO? 718-760-6565. nycgovparks.org.

NEW for Fall 2016!

Group Lessons for Ages 7 & Up! Guitar ▪ Voice ▪ Cello ▪ Drums

♫Private Lessons Ages 4 & Up! Piano ▪ Violin ▪ Viola ▪ Cello ▪ Guitar ▪ Clarinet Saxophone ▪Flute ▪ Recorder ▪ Voice ▪ Percussion Music Theory ▪ Composition ▪ Song Writing ♫Music & More for Toddlers!!

 Musical Aurora® for Ages 2-5 Free Sample Class Every Saturday!

Please call ahead to reserve your spot!  Early Bird Rock™ Ages 6 mos.- 3 years  Leaping Larks™ Pre-Nursery Ages 1.9-3.0 years

Drawing & Illustration

Ages 9 & Up W/ New York Times Best-Selling Artist John Stanisci!

Call Today for More Information! (718) 261-2237 108-10 72nd Avenue Forest Hills, NY ♦ www.belleartiny.com

Old Time Music Weekend

WHEN: Aug. 27-28, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Old Time Music Weekend offers guests the chance to hear music from 150 years ago.

WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5. 516-572-8400. nassaucountyny.gov.

Music in the Garden: ¡Retumba!

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 28, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 4350 Main St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: This multi-ethnic, all-female music and dance ensemble interweaves traditional rhythms and ancient melodies with its very own unique interpretation of the music and dance of Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean.

WANT TO GO? $6; $4 seniors and students; $2 children ages 4-12; free for children 3 and younger. 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org. ››

VER al DISCsO Botanic

Queen rden!

Ga s 2-10 Kids age NT, A DIG, PLEST! HARV

Fall Registration NOW OPEN Gardening Programs for Kids!

REGISTER TODAY:

qbgkidprograms.eventbrite.com

Queens Botanical Garden | 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, NY | 718-886-3800

QueensParent 35

Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 27, 8am-5pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: With bagpipes, caber tossing, and highland dancing, the Scottish Games is one of the highlights of the season.

WANT TO GO? $20; $18 seniors; $8 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS Dragon Boat Family Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 12-4pm WHERE: Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre St., Little Italy, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate and learn about the Dragon Boat Festival and find out what a poet, zong zi, and dragon boats have in common.

WANT TO GO? $10; free for children younger than 2. 212-619-4785. mocanyc.org.

ECOFEST FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 10am-6pm WHERE: Times Square, Broadway between 42nd and 44th streets, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: A day-long environmental event at which people can get information, get involved, find products, learn about services, and be entertained by people who care about the environment. Kids activities, food, and performances will also be on offer.

WANT TO GO? 212-496-2030. ecofest.com.

Family Fun Day FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 11am WHERE: Rego Center, 61-35 Junction Blvd., Rego Park AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Meet with Plex from Yo Gabba Gabba!, enjoy a bounce house, face painting, balloons, and more.

WANT TO GO? 718-275-2696. regocenter.com.

Fifth Annual LIC Block Party FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 20, 12-5pm WHERE: SculptureCenter, 44-19 Purves St., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: Features artist-led activities, live music and performances, an artists’ market showcasing affordable and functional art and objects, and family-friendly food options from local restaurants.

WANT TO GO? 718-361-1750. sculpture-center.org.

Annual Honey Harvest Festival

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 12:30-3:30pm WHERE: The Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate honey bees and all the hard work they do throughout the summer through educational and creative activities.

WANT TO GO? $6; $3 children; free for children younger than 3. 718359-6227. vomuseum.org.

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

ONCE UPON A TIME! Storybook Strolls: ‘The Ugly Duckling’ by Hans Christian Andersen

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 6, 12pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, Long Island AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy a story of true beauty in which the differences in nature make all things magnificent.

WANT TO GO? $12; $12 children ages 7-17; $10 seniors; free for children 6 and younger. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.

Hands on History: Fan-tastic Fun FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 6, 1-4pm WHERE: King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Literacy INC. will lead a reading of What We Wear: Dressing Up Around the World, followed by arts and crafts. Create and decorate fans inspired by the dress and grooming of the 19th century.

WANT TO GO? 718-206-0545. kingmanor.org.

Stories in the Garden: Creepy Crawlies and Worms

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 11am WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Hear nature tales about bugs.

WANT TO GO? $8; $2 children ages 6-18. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

Toddler Tales: ‘The Very Quiet Cricket’

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Park, 76th Avenue and Springfield Boulevard, Douglaston AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Join Cricket on a journey meeting other insects with Eric Carle’s classic artwork. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $21. 718-352-4793. nycgovparks.org.

Animal Tales: ‘Mister Seahorse’

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Park, 76th Avenue and Springfield Boulevard, Douglaston AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Eric Carle’s gorgeous pictures teach kids about daddy caretakers in the sea. The class will include a story, time with the animals, a craft, and a nature walk. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $21. 718-352-4793. nycgovparks.org.

Weekly Storytime FREE

WHEN: Aug. 4-25, Thursdays, 11am WHERE: Astoria Bookshop, 31-29 31st St., Astoria AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: A wonderful morning of stories and fun.

WANT TO GO? 718-278-2665. astoriabookshop.org.

Guerilla Storytime FREE

WHEN: Aug. 6-27, Saturdays, 2pm WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City AGES: 3-12 WHAT: These fun pop-up readings with real librarians offer families a chance to hear stories and sing songs in the park.

WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org.

Mother Goose Time FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Wednesdays, 11am WHERE: Douglaston Library, 249-01 Northern Blvd., Little Neck AGES: 2 and younger WHAT: Children and their caregivers enjoy a morning singing nursery rhymes, making music, and listening to stories. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 718-225-8414. queenslibrary.org.

Summer Reading Program FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: daily, see website for dates and times WHERE: Various Queens Library locations, Queens AGES: 5-12 WHAT: School’s out for summer! Enjoy a variety of stories, songs, crafts, and entertainment.

WANT TO GO? queenslibrary.org.

SHOW TIME!

Patty Cake Theater Presents ‘Mr. Amoeba and the Geos’ FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 6pm WHERE: Highland Park, Jamaica Avenue and Elton Street, Cypress Hills, Brooklyn AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Follow Mr. Amoeba and his students Cindy Circle, Stevie Square, and Tuttie Traingle, as they confront the Garbage eating Wizard who wants the whole world to drink soda and eat litter.

WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nycgovparks.org.

Shakespeare In The Park: ‘As You Like It’ FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 4, 8pm WHERE: Cunningham Park, 196-22 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows AGES: All WHAT: Shakespeare’s sparkling comedy about love, family, and identity is full of wit, music, and gender-bending fun. An interactive workshop for children of all ages, precedes each performance.

WANT TO GO? 718-729-8567. hiptohip.org.

‘The New York Spring Spectacular’ Starring The Radio City Rockettes

WHEN: Through Aug. 7: see the website for show times WHERE: Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Sixth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: The Rockettes return for a new show, celebrating the magic of New York in the summer. Featuring song and dance numbers set at iconic Big Apple landmarks.

WANT TO GO? $39-$130. 866-858-0007. radiocity.com.

Shakespeare In The Park: ‘Julius Caesar’ FREE

WHEN: Aug. 6-13, Saturdays, 7:30pm WHERE: Gantry Plaza State Park, 4-09 47th Road, Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: In this sensational political thriller, Shakespeare explores the tension between private loyalties and the public good, and unflinchingly questions the price of freedom.

WANT TO GO? 718-786-6385. hiptohip.org.

National Circus Project

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 19, 11:30am and 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Meet one of the talented performers for a solo circus showcasing a variety of circus skills, including juggling, stilts, unicycles, and clowning.

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

Maritime Marionettes Presents ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 20, 10:30am and 2pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 3-12 WHAT: This lighthearted presentation features marionettes, shadow puppets, music, and storytelling, and magically reminds us to appreciate what we have, and that it is how big we are on the inside that matters most of all.

WANT TO GO? $13; $8 children. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Plaza Theatrical Presents ‘Disney’s Aladdin Jr’

WHEN: Aug. 13-21, Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am and 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Get ready to take a soaring ride on a flying carpet filled with romance and adventure.

WANT TO GO? $12. 516-599-6870. plazatheatrical.com.

Mario the Magician FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 27, 1:30pm WHERE: Rosedale Library, 144-20 243rd St., Rosedale AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Enjoy a variety of magic tricks that encourage kids to discover their own artistic spirit.

WANT TO GO? 718-528-8490. queenslibrary.org.

FringeJR and FringeHigh

WHEN: Aug. 12-28, daily, see website for times WHERE: Various theaters, see website for locations, Lower East Side, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Don’t miss this year’s kid and teen-friendly picks from The 20th Annual New York International Fringe Festival, the largest multi-arts festival in North America.

WANT TO GO? $18; $13 for children younger than 12. 917-745-3397. fringenyc.org. ››

New York Musical Theatre Festival 2016

WHEN: Through Aug. 7: daily, see website for times WHERE: Various locations, Theater District, Times Square, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Every year, the New York Musical Theatre Festival showcases the best new musicals and musical theater talent in this three-week event. This year there are six family-friendly shows, including musicals about comic books, camp, and Tinkerbell.

WANT TO GO? $27.50. 212-664-0979. nymf.org.

QueensParent 37

ON SCREEN Children’s Movie: ‘The Good Dinosaur’ FREE

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 1, 3:30pm WHERE: Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St., Queens Village AGES: All WHAT: In an alternate timeline, the asteroid that would have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago passes safely over Earth.

WANT TO GO? 718-776-6800. queenslibrary.org.

Movies On The Waterfront: ‘Mary Poppins’ FREE

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 1, 8:30pm WHERE: Astoria Park, Shore Boulevard, Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: When the children of the wealthy and uptight Banks family are faced with the prospect of a new nanny, they are pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the magical Mary Poppins.

WANT TO GO? 718-728-7820. centralastoria.org.

Movie Across from Golden Pond: ‘Minions’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 5, 8pm WHERE: Crocheron Park, 35th Avenue and Cross Island Parkway, Bayside AGES: All WHAT: Trace the history of the Minions, who time after time are unable to find successful masters to serve. That is, until they encounter Scarlet Overkill.

WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Summer Kids Matinees: ‘Toy Story’ in 3-D

WHEN: Aug. 3-7, 12:30pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 35-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: The film that started it all for Pixar Animation Studios is now a modern classic as entertaining and irresistible as ever.

WANT TO GO? $12. 718-777-6888. movingimage.us.

This Frog: A Kermit Kompilation from ‘Sam and Friends’ to Stardom

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 1pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 35-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: If every dog has his day, why can’t a certain frog be similarly honored? The museum celebrates Kermit the Frog’s more than 60 years on the scene with a new compilation of his most memorable performances.

WANT TO GO? $12. 718-777-6888. movingimage.us.

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Queens Theatre and Lincoln Center Screenings FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 19: Fridays, 8pm WHERE: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 111th Street and 53rd Avenue, Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy outdoor screenings of some of the most impactful Lincoln Center performances, including George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet. See website for details.

WANT TO GO? 718-760-6565. queensthetre.org.

Movies on the Green FREE

WHEN: Aug. 3-24, Wednesdays, 7pm WHERE: The Shops at Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Ave., Glendale AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a summer night of family fun outdoors on the Center Green. Bring a chair or blanket and see website for full schedule.

WANT TO GO? 718-326-3300. shopatlaspark.com.

Outdoor Cinema 2016 FREE

WHEN: Aug. 3-24, Wednesdays, 7pm WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: Each film is paired with live international music and local food vendors representing each week’s featured country of origin, making for a diverse array of films, food, and music. See website for film titles and descriptions.

WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org.

Movies Under The Stars FREE

WHEN: Aug. 1-29, Mondays, 7:30pm WHERE: Buddy Monument in Forest Park, Park Lane South and Myrtle Avenue, Woodhaven AGES: All WHAT: Bring a blanket or low chair to watch a family-friendly movie under the stars. See website for full schedule.

WANT TO GO? 718-235-4100. nycgovparks.org.

Behind the Screen

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Wednesday-Thursday, 10:30am-5pm; Fridays, 10:30am-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am-7pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 35-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: The museum’s dynamic core exhibition features more than 1,400 historical objects, art works, video clips, and interactive experiences that show how moving images are made, marketed, and exhibited. Visitors can create their own short animations, star in their own Video Flipbook, experiment with sound effects, and film music.

WANT TO GO? $12; $9 students with ID; $6 children ages 3-12. 718777-6888. movingimage.us.

DANCE PARTY

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Lincoln Center Local Screening: Curtain Up! FREE

Peninsula Mini Golf FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 4, 5:30pm WHERE: Whitestone Library, 151-10 14th Road, Whitestone AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Go behind the scenes to experience the intensive training of ballet’s brightest future stars as they prepare for their vital end-ofyear performances.

WANT TO GO? 718-767-8010. queenslibrary.org.

SummerStage Kids: B-Love’s Hip Hop Jazzy Groove FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 11, 10:30am WHERE: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Grand Central Parkway between 111th Street and College Point Boulevard, Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Written, directed, and choreographed by Traci Bartlow, who is proficient in many styles of dance and uses African, jazz, and hiphop as a base for her choreography.

WANT TO GO? 718-760-6565. nycgovparks.org.

Dance It Out: A Fitness Workshop for Kids FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2:30pm WHERE: Long Island City Library, 37-44 21st St., Long Island City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This interactive dance fitness workshop encourages healthy habits and positive attitudes toward physical exercise.

WANT TO GO? 718-752-3700. queenslibrary.org.

Dance At Socrates FREE

WHEN: Aug. 6-20, Saturdays, 4pm WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: This program brings New York-based choreographers and their dancers to Socrates’ unique waterfront environment. Visitors can witness cutting-edge dance and movement in the making, then experience fully produced performances.

WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org.

Battery Dance Festival FREE

WHEN: Aug. 14-20, daily, 6:30-8:30pm WHERE: Robert F. Wagner Park, 20 Wagner Place, Battery Park City, Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: New York’s longest running public dance festival features dance companies from around the world with diverse dance backgrounds and styles. Enjoy international dance performances in the scenic setting of Wagner Park.

WANT TO GO? 212-219-3910. batterydance.org.

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 19, 4pm WHERE: Peninsula Library, 95-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach AGES: All WHAT: Play golf in the library, complete with scorecards, golf clubs, and golf balls.

WANT TO GO? 718-634-1110. queenslibrary.org.

Mounted Cowboy Shooting Match

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 21, 11:30am-1:30pm WHERE: Old Bethpage Village Restoration Fairgrounds, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Watch as New York’s original mounted shooting club, The Island Long Riders, dressed in Old-West attire, navigate a course on horseback while shooting targets. The show is based on the historical reenactment of shooting events held at Wild West Shows during the 19th century.

WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5. 516-572-8400. islandlongriders.com.

Long Island City YMCA: Summer Fitness Series FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 22: See website for schedule WHERE: Gantry State Park, 4-09 47th Road, Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: This fitness series offers Tai Chi and The Pound Workout, and introduces members of the LIC Waterfront and Gantry State to the many different programs that the Long Island City YMCA has to offer.

WANT TO GO? 718-786-8568. ymcanyc.org/lic.

City Parks Foundation Free Summer Sports FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 26: See website for registration and activity times WHERE: Parks around New York City, various locations across the five boroughs, New York AGES: 5-17 WHAT: This sports program provides tennis, golf, soccer, track and field, and fitness instruction with the use of equipment for more than 14,000 New York City children during the summer months. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 212-353-9585. cityparksfoundation.org.

Music and Movement

WHEN: Aug. 5–Sept. 2, Fridays, 1pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Musical instruments and sing-along songs get the youngest children’s bodies moving.

WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. ››

B-Boy Royale II

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 22, 7-10pm WHERE: Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place, East Village, Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Eight award-winning East Coast crews battling it out for a $5,000 grand prize at the city’s largest annual breakdance competition. Proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area.

WANT TO GO? $20; $15 children. 212-352-3101. mcdonaldsnytristate.com.

QueensParent 39

Make Your Own Wind Chime

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 2pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Create musical wind chimes from found objects with artist, Skip LaPlante. Bring something special from home to attach to your wind chime, other materials are provided.

WANT TO GO? $10; $5 children. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

Round and Round: Circles in Art FREE

CRAFTY KIDS Wonderful Warhol

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 4, 1-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn about the life and work of Andy Warhol as you explore different crafts and activities inspired by this famous artist.

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

Rocket Park Recess: Hack

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 5, 12-4pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: 5-8 WHAT: To hack is to be clever and creative, and to make things your own. Participants will meet creative hackers and learn new tools for putting their own stamp on different aspects of their lives.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Make It: Custom Stuffed Animals

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 6, 1:30-5pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Kids can learn how to sew while making a custom stuffed animal. Be the designer and maker of your very own fluff-filled friend.

Registration required.

WANT TO GO? $3 per adult-child pair with admission: $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Garden Creativi-TEA

WHEN: Aug. 2-9, Tuesdays, 1-3pm WHERE: The Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Bring the entire family for this afternoon summer art series complete with refreshing iced tea in the Voelker Orth Garden.

WANT TO GO? $3; $6 per family. 718-359-6227. vomuseum.org.

Art & Soul

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Put on your artist smock and come try your hand at miniature paintings.

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

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 10:30am WHERE: The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Road, Long Island City AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Parents can learn strategies for engaging their children during museum visits while exploring art materials and The Noguchi Museum galleries as a family. Registration required.

WANT TO GO? 718-204-7088. noguchi.org.

Saturday Sculpture Workshops FREE

WHEN: Aug. 6-27, Saturdays, 12-3pm WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Participants work with a different artist each week, exploring innovative art mediums and a variety of subject matter. See website for schedule.

WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org.

Tinker It Sundays FREE

WHEN: Aug. 7-28, Sundays, 1:30-3pm and 3:30-5pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Build, explore, and create with tinkering activities at this fun workshop.

WANT TO GO? 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Photo Transfers with Sandra and Andy

WHEN: Aug. 15-29, Monday-Friday, 10:30am-2:30pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Transform black and white images with color using a variety of materials to create your very own pop art poster.

WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 for seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

SMARTY PANTS

BioBus

WHEN: Aug. 6-12, Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm; Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Travel into worlds smaller than the eye can see aboard the world’s only state-of-the-art microscope facility housed on a solar-powered 1974 transit bus. Come on board for a carbon-neutral, hands-on tour of the microscopic world.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Energy Week

WHEN: Aug. 8-12, Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Get ready to tinker with various activities that explore different forms of energy.

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

Kids and Family Programs: Bug Safari

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 11am WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Hunt elusive grasshoppers, butterflies, predatory insects, and other creepy, crawly creatures in the gardens.

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

At the Seashore

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Park, 76th Avenue and Springfield Boulevard, Douglaston AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Junior Oceanographers will explore marine life and examine treasures from the sea including shells, puffer fish, and fish skeletons.

WANT TO GO? $21. 718-352-4793. nycgovparks.org.

Domes & Palaces: Constructing Science

WHEN: Through Sept. 11: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: View photographs by the art team Susan Gamble and Michael Wenyon, depicting panoramic scenes of observatories, weather stations, auditoriums, and halls of science, including NYSCI’s Great Hall.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors and children. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Going Places: The Technology of Transport

WHEN: Through Sept. 18: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 4701 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Budding aviators can fly a plane on a flight simulator, ride a mini hovercraft, and guide a blimp through sky hoops at this summer exhibition.

WANT TO GO? $15; $12 children and seniors. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Historic Trades Weekend

WHEN: Aug. 13-14, Saturday-Sunday, call for times WHERE: Old Bethpage Village Restoration Fairgrounds, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: Do you want to know how things were made 200 years ago?

Talk with the tradesmen showing off their craft and make a purchase.

WANT TO GO? $10; $7 children ages 5-12; free for children younger than 5. 516-572-8400. nassaucountyny.gov.

Coming up next month: SEPT. 3: Mets vs Washington Nationals Fireworks Night, Citi Field SEPT. 24-25: 34th Annual Queens County Fair, Queens County Farm SEPT. 25: Kew Gardens Community Arts Day, Kew Gardens

The Price is Right FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 18, 3pm WHERE: Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Parkway, Woodhaven AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Kids can test their game show skills.

WANT TO GO? 718-849-1010. queenslibrary.org.

Ghostbusters Experience and Ghostbusters: Dimension

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Monday-Thursday and Sunday, 9am10pm; Friday-Saturday, 9am-12am WHERE: Madame Tussauds New York, 234 W. 42nd St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Madam Tussauds has launched two experiences to celebrate the launch of thenew Ghostbusters movie. Experience scenes from the movie including a spooky NYC subway and a haunted mansion, then suit up in proton packs and see “cast members” up close.

WANT TO GO? $36.99-$57. 866-841-3505. ghostbusters.madametussauds.com.

KARATE

SUMMER CAMP REGISTER NOW July 5 – August 26 Ages 4-10

 9am-5pm Regular Day

 Early Drop off / Late Pick up  Low student to instructor ratio  Outdoor sports & indoor space  2, 3, or 5 days per week  Karate, Sports, Chess & Electronics, Personal Growth, Visual & Performing Arts

KARATE CLASSES  Registration open - Summer & Fall 2016  Free trial class, Small classes  Boys & Girls: Ages 3-18  Autism spectrum (Age 6+)

EMAIL dolly@mkdkarate.com  www.mkdkarate.com CALL or TEXT 718-207-6220 72-26 Roosevelt Ave, Floor 2, Jackson Heights NY 11372 QueensParent 41

WHERE-TO GUIDE

Pick Your Own Berries ››

Research by Melissa Wickes

Enjoy the sweet fruits of summer by picking your own berries at a local farm! Kids will love plucking fresh strawberries, blackberries, and even cherries straight from the bush. Many of these farms also have farm stands at which you can purchase pre-picked fruits, baked goods, and fresh juices. Want even more farm fun? Lots of our picks offer hayrides and activities to keep kids busy after they’ve collected their basket of fruit.

Note that dates and availability are projected. We recommend calling ahead before visiting these farms.

Long Island Patty’s Berries and Bunches 410 Sound Ave., Mattituck 631-298-4679 pattysberriesandbunches.com pattysberriesandbunches@gmail.com Open daily, 9am-6pm (U-pick closes at 5:30pm) Pick your own strawberries in June; raspberries in July; blueberries July through mid-August; and blackberries through August. Seasonal pre-picked flowers and homemade ice cream for sale.

Seven Ponds Orchard 65 Seven Ponds Road, Water Mill 631-726-8015 Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own raspberries and blackberries July-November, blueberries also available.

Apple picking begins the end of August and continues through November. Also offers on-site market with baked goods and jams, children’s play area, and corn maze.

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Wickham Farms 28700 Main Road (Route 25), Cutchogue 631-734-6441 wickhamsfruitfarm.com Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-4pm; farm stand open daily, 9am-5pm; tours are available by appointment Monday-Friday.

Pick your own raspberries and blueberries in July; raspberries, cherries, blackberries, and peaches through August; apples and pumpkins in September and October. (Note: Berry seasons may be early this year due to weather conditions.)

Windy Acres 3810 Middle Country Road, Calverton 631-727-4554 Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own blackberries, peaches, and nectarines through August. Also has a farm stand with pre-picked fruits and vegetables, jams, and pies.

Orange County Ochs Orchard 4 Ochs Lane (off Reservoir Road, Route 94), Warwick 845-986-1591; ochsorchard.net Open daily, 9am-5pm (subject to availability) Pick your own strawberries peaches, apples, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and raspberries daily through October. Farm stand with pre-picked produce open 9am6pm daily.

Dutchess County Barton Orchards 63 Apple Tree Lane (County Route 7), Poughquag 845-227-2306; bartonorchards.com Open daily, 9am-5pm Pick your own berries and garden vegetables from late July through midAugust. On-site farm store with pre-picked produce, honey, jams and jellies, and more.

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Greig Farm 223 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook 845-758-1234 greigfarm.com Open daily, 8am-8pm Pick your own blueberries and raspberries in July; blueberries and blackberries in August; apples and raspberries in September. Nursery and garden shop on-site. Kids can feed goats and visit the koi fish pond behind Grandiflora Nursery. The Hudson Valley Farmers Market at the Grieg Farm is open every Saturday, 10am-3pm, offering local vegetables, fruits, eggs, cheeses, meats, fish, flowers, and more from local Hudson Valley Farms.

Ulster County Jenkins-Lueken Orchards Route 299 West, New Paltz 845-255-0999 jlorchards.com Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own raspberries in mid-July and August; blackberries will be available in mid-August. Blueberries also available. On-site store with pre-picked veggies, local maple syrup, and snacks.

Kelder’s Farm & U-Pick 5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson 845-626-7137 kelderfarm.com Open daily, 10am-6pm Pick your own blueberries, raspberries, red currants, blackberries, melons, grapes, apples, pumpkins, and a variety of vegetables through October. Petting zoo, minigolf, hayrides, jumping pillow, and picnicking available, as well as an onsite store with pre-picked produce, ice cream, honey, maple syrup, jams and jellies, and more.

Columbia County Samascott Orchards 5 Sunset Ave., Kinderhook 518-758-7224 samascott.com Open daily, 8am-6pm; last admission is at 5:30pm.

PYO strawberries and snap peas during early summer.

Later on in the summer you can pick your own blueberries, raspberries, cherries, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, peaches, apples, and more. On-site farm store with jams and ice cream. Visit Samascott’s Garden Market, 1 mile from the orchard, for farm produce and garden and nursery items.

Fairfield County, CT Jones Family Farms 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton 203-929-8425 jonesfamilyfarms.com Open Monday-Saturday, 8am5:30pm, and Sunday, 8am-12pm Pick your own strawberries through early July and blueberries mid-July through late August. For blueberry season the farm is typically open Tuesday-Saturday, 9am5:30pm. Winery on-site; tasting room open ThursdaySunday, 11am-5pm. Call for daily updates and location.

Silverman’s Farm 451 Sport Hill Road (Route 59), Easton 203-261-3306 silvermansfarm.com Open daily, 9am-5pm Pick your own raspberries and blueberries in late June; apple picking begins Aug. 20 (late season). Call for updates. Pre-picked blueberries and raspberries available for purchase.

After School Tutoring Available

INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAM 2016!!!!!

SUMMER SCHOOL From June 27th to September 3rd (From 9:00 am - 3:00 pm) we offer group lessons of: Chorus, Music Theory, Chamber Music, Drama, Dance, Art, Introduction to all instruments, Spanish for Children, Musical Theatre and more...

MULTI-DISCIPLINE ART PROGRAM From Monday to Saturday we offer: One 30 min. private Instrumental lesson (Piano, Guitar, Drums, Woodwinds, Brass, Violin, Cello, Vocal, etc.) or 60 min. of group lessons (Art, Dance, Drama, Spanish for Children and more...) Every day 60 min. of Music theory or Chorus every day.

Pacony ADVANCE PIANO, GUITAR, DRUMS VIOLIN 35-57 89th St. AND VOCAL STUDIES Jackson Heights From Monday to Saturday we offer: NY 11372 One Private Instrumental lesson (30 or 45 min) and 60 (718) 639-1425 min. of Music Theory or Chorus every day. This program is (917) 774-3411 Ideal for students who seeking placement in High School www.paconyschool.com and College for Performing Arts Program info@paconyschool.com REGISTER NOW FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE PROGRAMS!

THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL

Established 1949 New Student

Small Classes Early Registration Discount by After School Program August 10th Early Morning Drop Off Separate floor for Kindergarten Smartboard Technology Foreign Language, Music, Art Large Gymnasium and Outdoor Playing Fields Extracurricular Activities: Sports, Drama, Piano

Affordable Tuition Accredited By The New York State Department Of Education

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

193-10 Peck Ave. • Fresh Meadows, N.Y. 11365 718-357-4747 • www.thenewhighlandschool.com

John Cheng/USA Gymnastics

Gabby Douglas, a 2012 gold medalist for Team USA, competes in the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, one step in her journey to this summer’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Olympic Lessons

››

Watching the Summer Games together as a family can spark important discussions about your kids’ goals, values, and outlook on the world. By Melissa Kagan

S

ometimes the best, most in-depth conversations with kids happen while you’re all focused on something else, especially if your kids are relaxed and having fun while it happens. The Summer Olympics, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug. 5-21, offers a chance for your entire family to enjoy watching sports together—while providing plenty of opportunities to engage your kids in discussions about topics such as following their passions, setting and achieving their personal goals, and choosing role models.

In addition to cheering on your favorite athletes, it’s a great idea to use the competitions themselves and the personal stories behind the athletes’ hard work getting to Rio to spur your kids to reflect on and discuss some of the issues and values on display. Take advantage of the time you spend watching the games by asking open-ended questions and see where the conversation takes you.

Here are some potential conversation starters: What inspires you to work hard at something?

Let’s face it: Not everybody is going home a winner. Most of these

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athletes will go home without medals, and that’s okay because the fact they made it to the Olympics at all should be reward enough.

Is it the promise of a trophy or admiration from others that your kids want most? Or is it simply a personal goal or the satisfaction of improvement that drives them to push harder?

Do you prefer team sports or individual sports? Why? You will have many opportunities to point out how everyone’s contribution is key to a team’s success while watching group sports such as volleyball, water polo, or basketball. Help kids make the connection between teamwork in sports and other collaborative efforts, such as group projects for school.

On the other hand, viewing individual sports such as gymnastics or diving can also provide teaching moments about being your own toughest competitor and the opportunity each time you compete to beat your personal best. To achieve these results, you need a high amount of self-reliance, discipline, focus, and passion, all of which are on display at the Olympics and can provide fodder for discussion and inspiration.

Do you look up to athletes? Which ones, and why? What are the qualities that make an athlete a good role model?

Not all athletes are responsible members of the community. Do your kids look up to professional sports figures because of their talent or because they contribute something to society, such as spearheading a charity or being the face of a cause? Keep in mind that many teens tune out authority figures—including parents or teachers—but a superstar athlete may be able to deliver a message of inspiration and hope to kids.

How do you feel when you lose at a game or competition?

Use the Olympics to talk about losing—and winning—gracefully.

The emphasis on medals does not mean that winning is the most important thing. Watch the interviews with the various athletes and you’ll discover that they’re happy to be there, no matter what the outcome is. At some point during the event, you’ll witness athletes falling or fumbling, and yet they still persevere. You don’t see much foot stomping, storming away, or crying by the athlete who comes in fourth. Watch how the competitors react to winning and losing and how they treat their opponents and use this as an example for your kids to show the difference between good and bad sportsmanship.

What do you dream you could do, and how do you think you can make that happen?

Journalists covering the Olympics tend to focus on inspiring human-interest stories about athletes overcoming obstacles to reach their goals. These emotional stories can make watching an event all the more compelling and give you a chance to talk to your kids about perseverance. Kids often make a habit of trying an activity and then giving up when it doesn’t come easily to them or they aren’t excelling in it right away. Remind your children that Olympic competitors are not born; they are developed over years and years, through practice and more practice and even more practice.

What are some other cultures that fascinate you or that you’d like to learn more about?

Aside from the competitions themselves, the greatest part of the Olympics is watching how countries from all around the world come together to share in their common language of sports.

Parents can use this as a starting point for conversations about embracing other cultures. It’s one of those rare moments when you are able to see citizens from around the world join together as they celebrate their unique strengths and talents. Use a globe or a map to see where the competitors are from and discuss a variety of topics, such as traditions, language, flags, and relating to people who are different.

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Conversations build connections. Expose your kids this August to different sports and their rules, and explore the concept of teamwork, the power of practice, the values and traditions of other cultures, and the different components of competition, including effort, losing, and winning. When you pause and listen, you can get to know so much about your children and they may even learn a thing or two about themselves.

Melissa Kagan is the former editor-in-chief of the now-defunct lifetimemoms. com. She is currently a freelance writer whose work has been featured on Mommy Poppins, and in Westchester Magazine and Westchester Family. She lives in Pelham with her husband and two children.

QueensParent 45

Courtesy Great Wolf Lodge

A lifeguard at Great Wolf Lodge measures a child to see which attractions would be safe for her at the water park.

Behind the Thrills

››

It takes a dedicated and well-trained crew of lifeguards to keep everyone safe at a water park.

Here’s how they do it. By Samantha Neudorf

“My name is Timmy. You may see me throughout the park today and you may see lifeguards rescuing me. When you see lifeguards rescuing me, it means they’re training to do their job better every day, so please applaud my performance when you see these rescues taking place.”

Those are words you may have heard announced over the public-address system or posted on the walls at popular water parks across the country, and believe it or not, it’s a standard type of training for lifeguards.

Timmy is a mannequin that looks like a little boy and is used as a form of training that takes place at water parks. A supervisor throws the mannequin into the water, and it is up to the lifeguards on duty to rescue it within a matter of seconds, as though it were an actual child drowning.

“If [the lifeguards] don’t respond in time, the guards are retrained,” says Thatcher Robertson, corporate water park director of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania. “If it’s something that happens more than once, then we have to take a hard look at whether the guard needs to stay doing what they’re doing.”

Preventing ‘Deadly Sins’

Approximately 10 people in the U.S. die from unintentional 46

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drowning every day, and of this number, nearly two of them are children ages 14 and younger, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lifeguards, often teenagers themselves, are employed at swimming pools and beaches across the country to keep swimmers safe and help those who find themselves in trouble. Water parks face additional safety challenges, including very large crowds, children eager for thrills, and activities, such as fast-moving slides, that heighten the risks.

This is why water parks insist on extra training and drills for their lifeguards, and many pay an extra fee to receive third-party audits.

At Great Wolf Lodge and Camelback Resort’s Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark—both also in the Pocono Mountains—the water parks receive third-party audits from Ellis & Associates Inc., an aquatic risk management firm dedicated to drowning prevention and accredited by International Aquatic Safety and Risk Management Consulting. Kalahari Resorts uses the American Red Cross for its audits.

Three or four times a year, these third-party auditors will arrive at the water parks unannounced and record the lifeguards with a video camera. The footage is reviewed and the auditors will tabulate scores for individual lifeguard performances, along with other tests, to calculate the overall facility performance score.

If a lifeguard fails an audit test, whether it is from an external

auditor or from an internal test, she will be dismissed from her job and will be placed in a different department of the park or will be asked to leave.

“It’s something that we’d call a ‘deadly sin,’ if you will,” says Bill Colavito, general manager of Great Wolf Lodge.

“We’re talking about an audit where you would potentially put somebody at risk, and we can’t stand for that.”

Becoming a Lifeguard

To become a lifeguard at a water park, one must be at least 16 years old and first take the lifeguard training program, which is part instructional and part skills training. The instructional portion takes place online, and the skills training involves approximately 30 hours at the facility to go over swimming and rescuing skills, CPR, and more. After passing the written and swimming exams, the lifeguard is certified and will be placed into his assigned section of the water park.

Whether stationed at the shallow kiddie pool or wave pool, all lifeguards have the same certifications and training. Lifeguards are required to participate in in-service training on a weekly basis to reinforce their swimming skills, and sit in pre-shift meetings to go over anything that needs to be discussed, mainly pertinent to water safety.

“That’s what really keeps lifeguards sharp,” says Wayne Franks, director of water park operations at Camelback Resort.

“Knowing that they have [the] responsibility of not only the guests that are in the park [and] are swimming in the pools… there’s that opportunity that it could be catastrophic, [and] that trains for that awareness.”

Most water parks have between 100-200 certified lifeguards on staff, but the number who are on duty at any one time varies, depending on the size of the park. Though there can be a lot of lifeguards working at once, the most important factor is that they do not take their eyes off of the water. At Great Wolf Lodge, the director of aquatics sometimes sets down a glass of water during the interview process and asks the candidate to stare at it for five minutes straight.

“Sometimes it just gives people the perspective of how important it is no matter what,” Colavito says. “Even if there isn’t anybody in the water, you’re still watching water, and that’s how important the job is.”

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Shared Responsibilities

When taking children to water parks, safety is not just the lifeguards’ responsibility—it, of course, starts with parents. The number-one tip that experts emphasized is to provide constant supervision to your children.

Franks advises parents to enroll children in swimming lessons to make sure they can keep themselves afloat while in the water.

Franks and Robertson both suggested that kids should wear life jackets even if they are strong swimmers. Robertson also stresses that parents should not allow their children to go down waterslides if they do not meet the height requirements, no matter how tempting it may be to give in to kids’ entreaties to allow them to skirt the rules.

“Their kids may not be tall enough to ride that ride now, but they will be,” Robertson says. “There are reasons for the rules that are there.”

QueensParent 47

FOOD & NUTRITION

Burgers Reinvented

››

Three recipes for when you need a new take on a barbecue staple at the end of the summer All-in-One Grilled Burgers

Why This Recipe Works: We love a burger that’s stacked high with add-ons, but we couldn’t help but wonder whether there was a way to take some of the “top” out of the toppings. We wanted to put the same bold flavors inside the burger instead. We started with some classic burger toppings: cheese, bacon, and mustard. Because the cheese and bacon added a good amount of fat to the meat, we switched from 80-percent lean ground beef, which is our usual favorite, to 90-percent lean for this recipe. We also found that we liked these burgers cooked until they were completely well-done. The additions to the meat kept it from getting dried out. We then went on to more adventurous flavor combinations using firm cheese and potent ingredients with minimal moisture (such as garlic, herbs, chiles, and powdered seasoning mixes). These burgers may not be piled high with colorful toppings, but one bite will prove that looks aren’t everything—it’s what’s inside that really counts.

Serves 4 We suggest cooking these burgers completely (to well-done); the extra ingredients tend to make them taste mushy if not cooked all the way through. If you like, toast the hamburger buns on the grill while the burgers rest.

8 slices bacon, chopped fine 1½ pounds 90-percent lean ground beef 48

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4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) 4 teaspoons yellow mustard 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 4 hamburger buns 1. Cook bacon in 12-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp, 10-12 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate.

2. Break ground beef into small pieces in bowl, then add cheddar, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and bacon. Using your hands, lightly knead mixture until combined. Divide meat into four equal portions. Working with one portion at a time, lightly toss from hand to hand to form loose ball, then gently flatten into 1-inch-thick patty. Press center of patties down with your fingertips to create ¼-inch-deep depression.

3A. For a charcoal grill: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash pour evenly over grill.

Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely.

Heat grill until hot, approximately 5 minutes.

3B. For a gas grill: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, approximately 15 minutes. Leave all burners on high.

4. Clean and oil cooking grate. Place burgers on grill and cook, without pressing on them, until browned and meat easily

releases from grill, 4-6 minutes. Flip burgers and continue to grill until browned on second side and meat registers 150155 degrees (for well-done), 4-6 minutes longer. Transfer burgers to platter, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve on buns.

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Grilled Southern Shrimp Burgers

Why This Recipe Works: A good shrimp burger should be first and foremost about the shrimp. Unfortunately, many shrimp burgers are more reminiscent of fish-flavored rubber patties or overseasoned bread balls than shrimp. We set out to develop a recipe for our ideal shrimp burger: moist, chunky yet still cohesive, and with seasoning that complements the sweet shrimp flavor but doesn’t overpower it.

After early testing we decided we needed a combination of finely chopped shrimp to help bind the burgers, as well as some larger, bitesize chunks. We achieved this texture with help from the food processor.

We wanted to use as little binder as possible, to avoid the soggy, mushy results we’d seen in other shrimp burgers that frequently used a combination of mayonnaise, egg, and breadcrumbs. We kept the mayonnaise for the much-needed moisture and fat it added but left out the egg and decreased the breadcrumbs. Some minced scallion and parsley, lemon zest, and a touch of cayenne pepper round out the flavor of our burgers.

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Serves 4 Be sure to use raw, not cooked, shrimp here. Dry the shrimp thoroughly before processing, or the burgers will be mushy. Handle the burgers gently when shaping and grilling; if overhandled while being shaped, the burgers will be dense and rubbery, and if handled roughly during cooking, they will break apart. Serve with salad greens or toasted hamburger buns with tartar sauce.

1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into large pieces ¼ cup mayonnaise 2 scallions, minced 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest ¼ teaspoon salt 1 /8 teaspoon pepper continued on next page ››

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›› continued from previous page

Pinch cayenne pepper 1½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21-25 per pound), peeled, deveined, and patted dry Vegetable oil 1. Pulse bread in food processor to coarse crumbs, approximately 10 pulses. Transfer to small bowl. Do not clean food processor.

Combine mayonnaise, scallions, parsley, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and cayenne in large bowl until uniform.

2. Pulse shrimp in now-empty food processor until some pieces are finely minced and others are coarsely chopped, approximately seven pulses. Add shrimp to mayonnaise mixture and gently fold until just combined. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over mixture and gently fold until incorporated.

3. Scrape shrimp mixture onto small baking sheet, divide into four equal portions, and loosely pack each into 1-inch-thick patty. Cover and refrigerate patties for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 hours.

4A. For a charcoal grill: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter three-quarters filled with charcoal briquettes (4½ quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, approximately 5 minutes.

4B. For a gas grill: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, approximately 15 minutes. Turn all burners to medium-high.

5. Clean and oil cooking grate. Lightly brush tops of burgers with oil, lay them on grill, oiled side down, and lightly brush other side with oil. Cook burgers, without pressing on them, until lightly browned and cooked through, 10-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through grilling. Transfer burgers to platter, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Mediterranean-Style Portobello Burgers

Why This Recipe Works: For a vegetarian burger with unbeatable meaty taste, we turned to grilled portobello mushrooms. Scraping out the gills avoided any muddy off-flavors, and marinating the mushrooms in a simple vinaigrette boosted their complexity. Cutting a shallow crosshatch into the caps not only allowed the portobellos to soak up more marinade, but it also prevented the skin from turning chewy while cooking. Before grilling, we mixed together some toppings that complemented the mushrooms’ Mediterranean flavor profile. A combination of chopped roasted red peppers, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese made for a bright, briny accompaniment, and a quick basil-boosted mayonnaise promised a creamy component for our finished burgers. Keeping these two toppings close by, we grilled the mushrooms alongside ½-inchthick sliced red onions. Skewering the slices with toothpicks kept the onion rounds in place for tidy grilling and brushing them with the remaining marinade unified the flavors. Once the mushrooms had taken on plenty of rich char on both sides, we placed them on a platter and filled the gilled sides with the feta mixture. Returning to the grill, we gave the filled mushrooms a final blast of heat to warm them through and then toasted up sturdy Kaiser rolls. We assembled our flavor-packed finished product, stacking our stuffed mushrooms, sweet grilled onions, and some peppery baby arugula on top of our basil mayo–smeared buns. These burgers were perfectly rich, and juicy—no meat necessary.

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Serves 4 Our favorite feta cheese is Mt. Vikos Traditional Feta from Greece.

If the mushrooms absorb all the marinade, simply brush the onions with olive oil before grilling them in step 4.

4 portobello mushroom caps (4 to 5 inches in diameter), gills removed ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced Salt and pepper 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup) ½ cup jarred roasted red peppers, patted dry and chopped ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, patted dry and chopped ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup chopped fresh basil 4 (½-inch-thick) slices red onion 4 Kaiser rolls, split 1 ounce (1 cup) baby arugula 1. Using tip of paring knife, cut ½-inch crosshatch pattern on tops of mushroom caps, 1/16 inch deep. Combine oil, vinegar, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in 1-gallon zipper-lock bag. Add mushrooms, seal bag, turn to coat, and let sit for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

2. Combine feta, red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes in bowl.

Whisk mayonnaise and basil together in separate bowl. Push 1 toothpick horizontally through each onion slice to keep rings intact while grilling.

3A. For a charcoal grill: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts).

When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, approximately 5 minutes.

3B. For a gas grill: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, approximately 15 minutes. Turn all burners to medium-high.

4. Clean and oil cooking grate. Remove mushrooms from marinade, reserving excess. Brush onions all over with reserved mushroom marinade. Place onions and mushrooms, gill side up, on grill. Cook (covered if using gas) until mushrooms have released their liquid and are charred on first side, 4-6 minutes. Flip mushrooms and onions and continue to cook (covered if using gas) until mushrooms are charred on second side, 3-5 minutes.

5. Transfer onions to platter; remove toothpicks. Transfer mushrooms to platter, gill side up, and divide feta mixture evenly among caps, packing down with your hand. Return mushrooms to grill, feta side up, and cook, covered, until heated through, approximately 3 minutes.

6. Return mushrooms to platter and tent with aluminum foil. Grill rolls cut sides down until lightly charred, approximately 1 minute. Spread basil-mayonnaise on roll bottoms and top each with 1 mushroom and 1 onion slice. Divide arugula evenly among burgers, then cap with bun Excerpted with permission tops. Serve. from Master of the Grill from America’s Test Kitchen.

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The Power of Preschool

››

Experts discuss the importance of early childhood education. It’s much more than just play time! By Melissa Wickes

K

ids play together, sit in a circle with their teachers and sing songs, eventually moving to the table for a snack. Maybe they discuss the weather outside or the calendar, or learn about letters and numbers. From the outside, you’d be forgiven for seeing preschool as a nice-to-have, rather than a necessity—and, for those not in public pre-K programs, a potentially expensive option at that.

Indeed, some parents have argued that preschool is simply a glorified day care, that anything taught there can easily be learned at home.

There is, however, more going on in that classroom than the untrained eye might observe. Educators and child development experts say that early childhood education offers kids advantages long after they leave the colorful walls of their preschool classroom and helps set them up for success in school and beyond. We’ve been hearing a lot about preschool from our political and educational leaders in recent years, as exemplified by New York City’s much-heralded push to provide universal pre-K. There is good reason that policymakers have zeroed in on this as an area where kids’ lives can be influenced for the better regardless of their backgrounds and situations.

Research shows that the benefits of preschool are tangible and visible in more ways than one. Preschool not only provides more opportunities for children, it helps them learn how to face social interactions as well, according to Rina Patel, a former preschool teacher and director of the early childhood enrichment program Book Nook, which is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. There are, as a result, big differences between at-home learning and in-school learning.

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“There’s a different expectation at home when there is a parent with a child versus a teacher with a child,” Patel says. “Children do naturally develop skills, but at home they are only exposed to a certain amount of materials, toys, or learning products. School is open to a whole different variety of learning materials from programs to class trips.”

Trained Teachers and Groups of Peers

Schools provide teachers who are professionally trained to be molding young minds and are equipped with certain skills parents alone may not have. An important aspect of in-school learning is instilling in kids the ability to interact successfully with other people. It may seem very straightforward, but getting along with others, especially at 2-4 years old, is not so easy. Being in a classroom with multiple children their own age allows children to develop social and emotional skills that cannot be learned solely at home, Patel says.

At preschool, children become accustomed to being in group settings, separating from parents, and making decisions on their own—even if those decisions are as simple as, “Do I want to play with Legos or finger paint today?” All of the social experiences children undergo in preschool contribute to their overall confidence, according to Tovah Klein, Ph.D., author of How Toddlers Thrive and director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development.

“People think of it as the ABCs and 123s, but it’s much, much more than that,” Dr. Klein says. “Children gain a lot of confidence by being able to handle themselves away from their parents and then reuniting with them later in the day.”

Preschool classrooms also teach kids a great deal about resiliency and curiosity, according to Dr. Klein. Being able to handle disappointment and moving on from it, learning to be proud of your own work, and the ability to make decisions all play into a child’s curiosity and overall desire to learn.

Preparing Kids to Learn

Beyond the realm of confidence and social skills, going to preschool prepares children for life in various other ways, such as getting them ready to learn in school. This has become increasingly true in recent years as the kindergarten curriculum has been revamped. Today, skills such as reading are generally being taught earlier, prompting one study to ask, “Is kindergarten the new first grade?” With so much more expected of children at the kindergarten level, early education becomes crucial as preparation for the new rigors of kindergarten.

Various studies have shown that early education programs for 3and 4-year-olds improve language skills, literacy, and mathematics.

Attending preschool has been shown to improve children’s IQ, their receptive and expressive vocabulary skills, and early reading and math skills. By enrolling your child in a preschool program, you are preparing him to acquire academic skills that he will be expected to use as early as kindergarten, and offering him a head start in his academic career.

Studies show that a crucial part of preschool education lies in stimulating interactions between students and their preschool teachers. By supporting their students emotionally and academically, teachers help children learn to develop skills, respond both verbally and physically, and enjoy learning. Young children often struggle with the transition from a play environment to a learning environment, which can cause a “learning anxiety,” or fear of learning, according to Patel. By introducing your child to this learning environment as early as preschool, you eliminate the anxiety as early as possible, preparing her for future learning.

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Preschool also helps children develop and understand the concept of a routine. The school day is structured, which helps acclimate children into a daily routine and a learning environment in a gentle and enjoyable way. Being accustomed to a routine helps children prepare for higher levels of grade school, college, and a professional life, according to Patel.

“When I was in a kindergarten classroom with children who didn’t go to preschool prior to entering, they were experiencing social anxiety and learning anxiety simply because they didn’t know what to expect,” Patel says. “Preschool fills those separation and learning anxieties so your child has a better idea and is better prepared for the future.”

In the process of preparing a child for a routine, parents likewise become accustomed to enforcing and sticking to that routine. The earlier you start bringing your child to a structured program such as preschool every day, Patel says, the earlier you learn the importance of an everyday routine for your child. An aspect that is also beneficial for parents is that the earlier you begin, the earlier you can decide what works for you and your child and what doesn’t.

By sending your child to preschool, experts say, he will be provided the resources necessary for proper academic preparation, and social and emotional development. Plus, she will learn more about herself than she could ever do from your living room.

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PRESCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTERS A Child’s Place

32-20 108th St., East Elmhurst 718-565-2170 achildsplacetoo.com achildsplacetoo@gmail.com Our grade school and preschool camps offer daily trips, outdoor sporting activities, instructional and open swimming, gymnastics, bowling, arts and crafts, music, dance, Zumba, barbecues, and amusement parks. We welcome children in seventh grade and younger. A Child’s Place values each and every customer, and make every effort to improve the quality of life in all children. We intend to foster vibrant communities and achieve better outcomes for families and children.

All My Children Daycare and Nursery School

Various locations; call for information or check us online Queens: 347-708-7827 Brooklyn: 347-708-7827 Manhattan: 212-419-5416 allmychildrendaycare.com info@allmychildrendaycare.com All My Children Daycare and Daycamp welcomes you to our eco-friendly locations throughout Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Your child will be fed healthy meals and snacks, and participate in enriching educational activities, art, and play, including water activities and trips in summer.

We offer the finest care by our highly experienced and devoted staff. Our Ridge Street Lower Manhattan center offers DropZone services for hourly care. For further information, visit allmychildrendaycare. com or call 212-419-5416 to schedule a visit.

AppleTree Day Care Center

73-20 Bell Blvd., Bayside 718-264-1588 73-12 197th St., Fresh Meadows 718-217-6666 lichen.appletree@gmail.com AppleTree Day Care Center is committed to helping children succeed socially and academically through the use of developmentally appropriate practices.

Starting from infancy all the way through pre-K, all of our

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students are provided with individualized learning experiences that stimulate their creativity and instill a love for learning.

Our teachers strive to provide a rich, supportive learning environment in which children can explore, discover, build, create, and grow academically, emotionally, and socially. We take pride in our programs and are committed to excellence in early childhood education.

Cambria Heights Christian Academy

220-12 Linden Blvd., Cambria Heights 718-712-7034 cambriaheightschristianacademy.com cambriaacademy.admn@gmail.com Cambria Heights Christian Academy is a Christian early education facility serving children ages 2-5 and operates from 6:30am6:30pm. We provide unique opportunities such as explorations, field trips, vacation bible school, arts and crafts, music, sports and recreation, summer day camp, and healthy meals.

Camps ‘R’ Us Where Summer Vacation Is Our Job

Locations in Baldwin, Bellmore, Farmingdale, Hicksville, Valley Stream, and West Islip 516-935-CAMP (2267) campsrus.org info@campsrus.org Camps ‘R’ Us’ preschool campers enjoy a fun-filled first camp experience that offers a full day of enrichment for children ages 3-4. Our Tiny Tots Program is designed to complement the unique complexities of early childhood. Campers will acquire a greater ability to reason, plan, and remember through carefully selected activities designed to enhance their development.

They begin to better understand common social conventions, as our staff initiates games based on cooperative learning experiences, where close group interaction is essential. Call now for Early Bird summer 2017 rates!

Clover Prep Learning Center 192-11 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows

August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

718-740-7888 cloverprep.com cloverprep@gmail.com Clover Prep Learning Center is the “best rated spot for learning” for students ages 2½-12, featuring FasTracKids and JEI Learning. We offer proven programs that deliver results for realizing each student’s maximum potential. Whether it’s critical thinking, gifted and talented test prep, math, reading, science, summer camp, after-school programs, or preschool alternative, we have the best programs for your child.

Most importantly, we make learning engaging and fun!

The Highland School

Countryside Montessori School

65-01 Kissena Blvd., Flushing 718-460-6366 70-44 Kissena Blvd., Flushing 718-880-1888 104-70 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills 718-997-1997 ivydayschool.com At Ivy Day School, we provide our decade-long standard of academic excellence to children ages 2-5. We envision students developing essential skills for a lifetime of achievements via fun, stimulating activities. We teach English, math, science, foreign language, social studies, music, and dance year-round, along with access to computer, art, and indoor playrooms.

In the summer, children will have an opportunity to attend various planned educational and recreational field trips. Your children are our priority and we strive to enrich their minds and bodies in a safe and nurturing environment.

354 Lakeville Road, Great Neck 516-406-3623 cmsgn.com csmontessori@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.

The Crayon Box Preschool

44-10 192nd St., Flushing 718-888-9341 crayonboxpreschool.com Children at The Crayon Box are encouraged to learn by doing. The curriculum is planned by creative and dedicated professionals.

Children experience the fun of learning by participating in activities designed to stimulate growth in a wide range of areas, including social and cognitive development, and gross and fine motor skills. Now offering a gymnastics program. We invite you to come see us and decide if The Crayon Box Preschool is right for your child’s first educational experience.

193-10 Peck Ave., Fresh Meadows 718-357-4747 thenewhighlandschool.com Highland is an independent, non-sectarian school serving pre-K through eighth grades in Fresh Meadows. All grades enjoy a well-rounded program, incorporating academics with specialty classes in gym, music, art, and computers. Early morning and after-school hours meet the needs for working parents.

The quality education allows students to reach their own levels of success in an enriching and nurturing environment.

Ivy Day School

Jack & Jill Nursery Schools

43-23 Colden St., Flushing 718-762-1218 Jack & Jill Nursery School II 68-05 Fresh Meadow Lane, Fresh Meadows 718-939-8687 jackandjillschools.com With Flushing and Fresh Meadows locations, Jack & Jill is celebrating 43 years of excellence in early childhood education. We are a family-owned and -operated preschool offering a genuine, caring, and nurturing homeaway-from-home environment

for children ages 2-5. Full-day or part-time classes available for ages 2, 3, and 4 with extended hours from 7:30am-6pm. We are proud to celebrate our free full-day UPK with the NYC Department of Education for children born in 2012 from 9am-3:20pm. If not yet registered, inquire about our waiting list for September UPK classes for kids born in 2012.

Kon Gen International Preschool

196-25 42nd Ave., Bayside 718-281-2338 Kon Gen International Preschool in Bayside serves children ages 2-5. Our new 20,000-square-foot child care facility is fully equipped with a professional dance studio, science discovery lab, outdoor play area, outdoor botanical garden, and individual piano rooms.

Our project-based curriculum is linked to STEM principles and engages children to explore, solve problems, and construct knowledge through hands-on investigations, including research, reflection, and response while building academic and life skills.

Offering free full-day Pre-K for All program, Gifted and Talented enriched curriculum, and child care for ages 2-3.

Kuei Luck Early Childhood Center

99-39 66th Ave., Rego Park 718-679-9909 klpreschool.com We are a brand-new preschool in the Rego Park-Forest Hills area—a Mandarin-immersion and Reggio-inspired school for children ages 1-5. We believe in developing independent thinkers and motivated learners through an inspiring child-led environment. Parents can log in and see photos and videos of their kids throughout the day, as well as view notes and teacher comments. Schedule your tour today to receive an application.

Please call to hear more about our program.

Little Apple Preschool

213-54 35th Ave., Bayside 718-838-9243 littleapplepreschool.com We believe the best way to stimulate both cognitive and physical development is through play! We immerse our children in a creative curriculum that allows for active

learning and discovery through art, music, dance, yoga, and nature. Our little ones get to explore tactile art, role-play, and sign language. Our summer program is full of outdoor and indoor activities to achieve a well-rounded learning experience immersed in nature. We have expanded our facility to accommodate current and new families, introducing a sensory gym, and two new classrooms.

Little Atelier of Young Children Inc. 39-14 210th St., Bayside 718-423-4223 littleatelieryc.com info@littleatelieryc.com Little Atelier of Young Children is a dedicated early childhood program and offers preschool programs for children ages 3-5, and after-school enrichment programs for kindergarten through second grades.

Through creative activities, the preschool programs explore a range of common curriculum areas (language, math, art, science, history) to elicit children’s deep and sustained inquiry in a state-of-the-art environment with NYS-certified teachers.

Please call or email for fall 2016 registration and also for information about after-school enrichment programs.

Noah’s Ark Preparatory

38-20 Bell Blvd., Bayside 718-279-4251 62-48 Mt. Olivet Crescent, Middle Village 347-335-0044 noahsarkschool.com noahsarkpreparatory@gmail.com Noah’s Ark Preparatory Inc. strives to create a learning environment that invites the fullest potential of each person’s gifts.

Both nursery and pre-kindergarten classrooms are divided into distinct learning areas and foster in the children the love of learning. The setting offers children the opportunity to teach themselves through their own discoveries. Noah’s Ark also offers an after-school program with bus service for ages 6-12 during which time will be spent building academic skills and addressing the needs of each individual student. For further information, please call the number above.

over 20 years experience

Private Tuition and Government Subsidized Programs.

Space Limited.

As low as $15/week

Call Today

allmychildrendaycare.com | 347-708-7827 Visit our blog at allmychildrendaycare.com/blog A Great Interactive Resource for Parents of Young Children

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Meet the Health Care

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

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

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

OPEN

HOUSES 2016 Hug Music, Creative & Nurturing Music Lessons for Everybody

Music Lessons and Music Therapy 112-01 75th Ave., Lower Level, Forest Hills 718-487-4309 hugmusicny.com contact@hugmusicny.com Hug Music will host open house registration on Saturdays, July 30 and Aug. 6 from 9am-3pm. Please contact us for more information.

Kon Gen International Preschool

196-25 42nd Ave., Bayside 718-281-2338 Please join us for our open house on Thursday, Aug. 18 from 5-8pm. Tour our facility, learn about or programs, and participate in classroom activities.

Kuei Luck Early Childhood Center

99-39 66th Ave., Rego Park 718-679-9909 klpreschool.com Mandarin-immersion and Reggio-inspired nursery and preschool for children ages 1-5. Please join us at our open house on Sunday, Aug. 14 from 10am-2pm.

Little Atelier of Young Children Inc. 39-14 210th St., Bayside 718-423-4223 littleatelieryc.com info@littleatelieryc.com

Join Little Atelier of Young Children’s upcoming open house on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 10am1pm. Tour the school and meet the teachers!

RoboMindTech S.T.E.M. Education Center Creativity, Science, Robotics & L-E-G-O Learning Fun

185-10A Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-264-ROBO (7626) robomindtech.com robomindtech@gmail.com Join us for an open house on Wednesday, Aug. 10 from 5:307pm. RSVP via email or phone.

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 Visit VEG and let your child join a demo lesson taught by our director. Learn about our gifted kindergarten, after-school enrichment, writing workshops, art workshops, and STEM/STEAM classes. Ages 4-18.

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TUTORING MATH 1+2=3 N.Y.S. Certified teacher who is patient and caring now tutoring math (all levels/all exams) I can help you pass any exam!

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AD INDEX

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

ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS DanceSource (The)....................................................... 45 Reflexion Dance and Fitness......................................... 27 BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES Land of Make Believe.................................................... 55 Outback Steakhouse - Bayside..................................... 33 RoboMindTech............................................................... 26 Whitestone Lanes.......................................................... 51 Soccer Friends, USA Inc............................................... 53 Progressive Martial Arts................................................. 21 CAMPS A Child’s Place Too........................................................ 29 All My Children Day Care.............................................. 55 All Star Studio................................................................ 47 Apple Tree Daycare....................................................... 49 Belle Arti Center for the Arts.......................................... 35 Beyond Tutors............................................................... 25 Cambria Heights Christian Academy............................. 51 Clover Prep Learning Center......................................... 15 Countryside Montessori School..................................... 47 Crayon Box (The).......................................................... 53 First Shot Basketball...................................................... 11 IStein............................................................................. 13 Ivy Day School............................................................... 17 Jack -N- Jill Nursery...................................................... 45 KENT Institute............................................................... 51 Kon Gen International Preschool..................................... 2 Kuei Luck Early Childhood Center................................. 29 Little Apple Preschool.................................................... 12 Little Atelier of Young Children INC............................... 51 Mathnasium - Queens................................................... 21 MKD Total Fitness Inc.................................................... 41 Noah’s Ark Preparatory ................................................ 20 Performing Arts Conservatory....................................... 43 Progressive Martial Arts................................................. 21 Queens Botanical Garden............................................. 35 RoboMindTech............................................................... 26 Rose Academy of Ballet................................................ 17 Soccer Friends, USA Inc............................................... 53 Village East Gifted......................................................... 33 CHILD CARE / DAY CARE A Child’s Place Too........................................................ 29 All My Children Day Care.............................................. 55 Apple Tree Daycare....................................................... 49 Cambria Heights Christian Academy............................. 51 Crayon Box (The).......................................................... 53 Ivy Day School............................................................... 17 Jack -N- Jill Nursery...................................................... 45 Kon Gen International Preschool..................................... 2 Kuei Luck Early Childhood Center................................. 29 Little Apple Preschool.................................................... 12 Little Atelier of Young Children INC............................... 51 Noah’s Ark Preparatory ................................................ 20

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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com

CLASSES Belle Arti Center for the Arts.......................................... 35 DanceSource (The)....................................................... 45 Highland Elementary School......................................... 43 Just Wee Two................................................................ 51 Mathnasium - Queens................................................... 21 RoboMindTech............................................................... 26 Village East Gifted......................................................... 33 DANCE All Star Studio................................................................ 47 DanceSource (The)....................................................... 45 Reflexion Dance and Fitness......................................... 27 Rose Academy of Ballet................................................ 17 DEVELOPMENTAL ABA Psychological Services.......................................... 11 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech................. 26, 56 Steps To Socialization................................................... 23 EDUCATION A Child’s Place Too........................................................ 29 All My Children Day Care.............................................. 55 Apple Tree Daycare....................................................... 49 Beyond Tutors............................................................... 25 Cambria Heights Christian Academy............................. 51 Clover Prep Learning Center......................................... 15 Countryside Montessori School..................................... 47 Crayon Box (The).......................................................... 53 Highland Elementary School......................................... 43 Jack -N- Jill Nursery...................................................... 45 KENT Institute............................................................... 51 Kon Gen International Preschool..................................... 2 Kuei Luck Early Childhood Center................................. 29 Little Apple Preschool.................................................... 12 Little Atelier of Young Children INC............................... 51 Mathnasium - Queens................................................... 21 Noah’s Ark Preparatory ................................................ 20 Village East Gifted......................................................... 33 FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS Cord Meyer Development.............................................. 60 Land of Make Believe.................................................... 55 Maspeth Federal Savings.............................................. 27 Outback Steakhouse - Bayside..................................... 33 Queens Botanical Garden............................................. 35 Wheel Fun Rentals........................................................ 29 Whitestone Lanes.......................................................... 51 FAMILY TRAVEL Land of Make Believe.................................................... 55 Wheel Fun Rentals........................................................ 29 FINANCIAL SERVICES Maspeth Federal Savings.............................................. 27

FITNESS First Shot Basketball...................................................... 11 MKD Total Fitness Inc.................................................... 41 Reflexion Dance and Fitness......................................... 27 Rose Academy of Ballet................................................ 17 HEALTH Affinity Health Plan.......................................................... 9 Kids Only Dental............................................................ 19 Little Optics Inc. .............................................................. 5 Northwell Health ........................................................... 49 ProHealth Dental Management, LLC............................... 7 Steps To Socialization................................................... 23 ABA Psychological Services.......................................... 11 HOME SERVICES Geico Insurance............................................................ 30 MUSIC Ivy Day School............................................................... 17 Just Wee Two................................................................ 51 Performing Arts Conservatory....................................... 43 Belle Arti Center for the Arts.......................................... 35 PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING All Star Studio................................................................ 47 Performing Arts Conservatory....................................... 43 PLAY SPACES Queens Botanical Garden............................................. 35 RESTAURANT/ FOOD SERVICES Cord Meyer Development.............................................. 60 Outback Steakhouse - Bayside..................................... 33 RETAIL Cookies Department Stores............................................ 3 Cord Meyer Development.............................................. 60 SPECIAL EVENTS Maspeth Federal Savings.............................................. 27 SPECIAL NEEDS ABA Psychological Services.......................................... 11 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech................. 26, 56 Steps To Socialization................................................... 23 Sports First Shot Basketball...................................................... 11 MKD Total Fitness Inc.................................................... 41 Progressive Martial Arts................................................. 21 Soccer Friends, USA Inc............................................... 53 Whitestone Lanes.......................................................... 51 TUTORS Beyond Tutors............................................................... 25 Clover Prep Learning Center......................................... 15 KENT Institute............................................................... 51

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