Rockland Parent February 2020 by City Guide NY

Rockland Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

FEBRUARY 2020

CAMP COUNTDOWN • Month-by-month planning timeline • Camp comparison chart

YouTube & Kids

Safe streaming practices for families

Ask DadandBuried

Should I get my kid an iPhone?

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RocklandJournalNews_73x96_Cardio(Sobolev).indd 1

1/10/20 1:53 PM

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RocklandParent

inside

february 2020

Original photo by Sarah Merians Photography & Video Company (sarahmerians.com) Clothing courtesy Macy’s Backstage (macysbackstage.com)

16 YouTube & Kids Safe streaming practices for families

20 Dental Health by the Numbers What you need to know to keep kids’ smiles healthy

22 Camp Countdown A month-by-month timeline to plan for the summer

40 Discovering Diversity 9 books for kids in honor of Black History Month

42 Keeping the Peace How to reduce conflict when your kids share a room

COLUMNS 6 Editor’s Note 9 News: What’s happening in the community 12 Advice: Ask DadandBuried 14 Mommybites: Registry Secrets 46 Last Word: What do you really want for Valentine’s Day?

THINGS TO DO 25 Family Activities Calendar 38 Outing: Day Trip, Anyone?

RESOURCES 24 Camp Chart 37 Meet the Health Care Professional 43 Professional Services

44 Party Central 45 Party Planner & Advertisers’ Index

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

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

SUMMER 2020 TRANSPORATION

the fun begins here.

jccrocklandcamps.org

June 29-Aug 21

845.501.4100 jccrockland.org/dkecc JCC Rockland, 450 West Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY 10994

RocklandParent

editor’s note

Looking Ahead

re you dreaming of summer yet? We’re excited about the thought of the cold giving way to warmer days ahead, filled with beach days, family vacations, and summer camp. You may think it’s too early to consider your child’s summer plans when it isn’t even spring yet, but the experts disagree. In fact, the American Camp Association recommends attending camp fairs now if you’re in search of a new summer program for your child. Plus, a number of camps offer discounts for early registration! For other camp planning tips, turn to p. 22, and be sure to check out the camp comparison chart on p. 24 to help you choose the best camp for your child. Another thing we’re excited about? The redesign of NYMetroParents.com! We spend a lot of time thinking of ways to help you make the best decisions for your family, and we streamlined our site to make it even easier! Don’t worry: You’ll still find the same great articles, hundreds of things to do on any given day in our calendar, and the top resources in your community. Speaking of the Internet, did you know YouTube is the most-used online platform among tweens and teens? Regardless of how old your children are, you’ll want to check out “YouTube & Kids” on p. 16. It outlines how you can better keep your kids safe when they’re streaming videos, limit the inappropriate content they have access to, and improve their media literacy. And if you’re looking for things to do during the long Presidents Day weekend or midwinter recess, be sure to browse the family activities calendar on p. 25 and the roundup of area day trips on p. 38. Here’s to hoping Punxsutawney Phil doesn’t see his shadow!

Katelin Walling Editorial Director Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

FEBRUARY 2020 • Vol.13 • No.5

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Katelin Walling PRODUCTION EDITOR: Melissa Wickes FEATURES EDITOR: Shana Liebman ASSISTANT EDITOR: Jacqueline Neber CALENDARS CALENDAR COORDINATOR: Whitney C. Harris EVENT RESEARCHERS: Kristina Johnson, Shara Levine DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke

ADVERTISING SALES

Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800 Jeunesse Jackson, Manager Lauren Alperin Meirowitz, Managing Director Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Manager Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Lauren Anchin, Meredith Perl, Merrill Sugarman Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Long Island Parent 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager Lisa Herlihy, Gayle Sherman To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents To Submit News: nymetroparents.com/submitnews

STATEN ISLAND PARENT

EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Roselle Farina-Hecht 718-494-1932

MOMMYBITES

MANAGING DIRECTOR: Lauren Alperin Meirowitz 646-736-3609 EDITOR: Jennifer Rojas

OPERATIONS

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

DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATOR: Elvins Cruz, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro MARKETING SERVICES MANAGER: Erin Jordan TRAFFIC COORDINATOR: Victoria Cocivera

PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR | PUBLISHING MANAGEMENT: Anthony Diaz DIRECTOR | DIGITAL CONTENT: Silvia Balu

MARKETING

Meet This Month’s Cover Kid! Our cover star is 4-year-old Zachary from Queens—a finalist in our 2019 Cover Kids Contest! It’s a family tradition: His sister Emily was the winner of our 2014 cover contest! A huge thanks to Macy’s Backstage for Zachary’s outfit, and an even bigger shout out to Sarah Merians of Sarah Merians Photography & Video Company (sarahmerians.com) for the great photo! Want to know when the 2020 cover contest opens? Sign up for our newsletter at nymetroparents.com/newsletter!

ASSISTANT MARKETING MANAGER: Anastasiya Borunova

FINANCE

CREDIT MANAGERS: Rosa Meinhofer, Dan Finnegan

Davler Media Group davlermedia.com

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

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

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February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

Dan Norman Photography

news

Tickets are on sale now for Trolls Live!, which will be at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden June 13-14.

A Troll-Tastic Time This hair-raising, interactive extravaganza will delight your little Trolls lover.

Warm up your singing voice: Trolls Live! is going on its first-ever live tour. What’s more, Vstar Entertainment Group and the Madison Square Garden Company recently announced our favorite Trolls are making a stop at the Hulu Theater at MSG! Poppy, Branch, Guy Diamond, Cloud Guy, Fuzzbert, and more Trolls friends will come to life on stage to save their beloved Hug Time. There will be singing, dancing, glitter, and plenty of hugs, along with special effects and plenty of surprises. Kids will love to sing-along to their favorite Trolls songs—and be enchanted by all-new songs! Trolls Live! will run June 13-14 with three performances each day, and tickets are currently on sale. Find out more details at nymetroparents.com/trolls-live.

RocklandParent

Danielle Guenther Photography

news

A Day to Indulge Celebrate World Nutella Day on Feb. 5 by serving your kids toast topped with the chocolatey, hazelnut spread for breakfast. Just don’t let them see you sneak it by the spoonful or else it’ll be gone in a flash!

Liquid Gold Want to know how maple syrup is made (we’re talking the 100-percent pure liquid gold)? Head over to The Nature Place Day Camp in Chestnut Ridge to learn all about maple trees, then head outside to tap sap, boil it down, and taste the syrup over ice. Saturday, Feb. 29, 12-1pm and 2-3pm. Find more maple sugaring events at nymetroparents.com/ maple-sugaring.

Judgement-Free Zone 64% of parents said they’d most like to see mom shaming go away in 2020, according to a survey by Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. Now that’s a trend we can get behind.

“Hold on a Sec,” from Danielle Sapienza’s Best Case Scenario series, which depicts real, raw, crazy moments of parenthood

Celebrating the Chaos of Parenting

anielle Sapienza is a NYC-based lifestyle photographer (@danielleguentherphotos) and artist who celebrates the chaos of parenting. Her photos are original and often hilarious—family scenes we can find humor and delight in imagining. As the mother of a 10-year-old and a newborn, she’s inspired by the energy of those little people that run our daily lives with such power, enthusiasm, and emotion.

How would you describe your images?

What’s the best parenting advice you ever received?

I capture the raw, real, crazy moments we have as parents, when we feel as if our heads are spinning. The children love to be involved in the rebellious fun, and everyone gets to act the scene! I also adore photographing families and documenting them in their everyday setting, whether that’s indoor at home, or out on the street in the hustle of NYC. Our lives seem to pick up speed when we have children, and these little moments are soon forgotten. Photography is so special in the sense that we can always look back at these memories and we never forget.

“Just keep them alive. That’s all that matters.” It’s pretty true! As parents we have so much information floating around about every topic, it can make us INSANE! I try not to compare to other parents, and just go with what works. The hardest part of being a parent is trusting that you’re a good parent.

Amy Schumer for sure. She’s so real. Any parent that can be as honest, raw, and real as her...sign me up!!

Read more from Sapienza at nymetroparents.com/danielle.

Connect with us facebook.com/nymetroparents

Which famous parent would you like to have dinner with and why?

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

@nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

New Places, New Programs Helping Individuals with Special Needs Make Friends Making Authentic Friendships, an interactive web app that launched in August, is for any individual with special needs who may feel like he is having trouble making friends he can relate to. The app is designed like a game, based on geolocation, diagnosis, age, and interests— plus conversation prompts will be provided to stimulate conversation. The child the account is for must be 13 or older, and the app is moderated for safety, so any inappropriate messages will be flagged and blocked. Parents can use the app to connect with people on their child’s behalf if desired. makingauthenticfriendships.com.

Individualized Academic Help for All Kids As of Nov. 4, 2019, students in Rockland and Bergen counties can receive immediate, expert tutoring services to fit their needs and schedules. WhizKidz Tutoring offers standard tutoring for pre-K to college students, executive function coaches, test prep coaches, special educators, speech and language therapists, social and life skills coaches, and college essay writing specialists and college counselors. Parents will receive reports of sessions, and tutors are open to speaking with teachers and attending IEP or 504 meetings if needed. 914-200-3512; whizkidztutoring.com.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Super Bowl Snacks While we don’t know who’s huddling up for Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2, one thing’s for certain: You’ll need snacks. We’re serving up plenty of family-friendly, healthy—and even a few vegan—options over at nymetroparents.com/ football-snacks. We’re talking spinach garlic dip, sriracha chorizo deviled eggs, barbecue chickpea sliders, and more. And, hey, if you’re just watching for the commercials, the half-time show (Hello, JLo and Shakira!), and food, more power to you!

Game Day Fun for Kids

I’m glad this isn’t as good as it’s gonna get, there’s so much more goodness in raising you. #motherhood —Posted by @transparentcitymama Want to see your child in our magazine? Tag us on Instagram (@nymetroparents) for a chance to be featured!

Keep the kids having fun with these craft, game, and dessert ideas! Warmup: Make paper pompoms to cheer on your team by cutting various colored tissue paper into small strips and having kids tape them to the ends of paper towel or toilet paper rolls. Regulation play: Look for objects during the game starting with letters of the alphabet. To make it challenging, designate a section of the alphabet to each quarter. Half-time entertainment: Make Super Bowl sundaes! Set up a station where kids can create their own sweet treat with toppings, sprinkles, sauces, and ice cream. Visit nymetroparents.com/ football-party for more ideas.

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Ask DadandBuried My son is 11 and says everyone in his class has an iPhone. I wasn’t planning on getting him one for several more years, but it sounds like he’s feeling left out and possibly bullied for not having one. Should I just buy him an iPhone or continue to resist? —Julianna B., Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

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February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

he struggle is real. I have a 9-year-old, and while not everyone in his class has an iPhone, some kids already do. We’re holding fast to our “no smartphone yet” policy, but it gets trickier every year. When he turns 12 or 13, we’ll be hard-pressed to deny him. Kudos to you for getting this far! At that age, there are some good reasons to consider giving in, although I’m not sure bullying is a great one. Peer pressure is rarely a good reason to do something, and we certainly don’t want to let the bullies win! That said, smartphones are a necessary evil, and as your kid gets older, the positives—for him and you—will eventually outweigh your reservations. I’m dying to have a way to communicate with my son when he’s on the bus, or to remind him to turn in a permission slip. I also need him to have his own Spotify account; I don’t want our future robotic overlords to think I worship Imagine Dragons! The fact is, smartphones are going to be a part of our kids’ lives for the foreseeable future. They see friends with them, and no doubt see their parents using them, which makes withholding one increasingly difficult. (If someone tried to take away my smartphone, it would get ugly fast. Just ask my wife!) The good news is there are services that can help monitor his activity and restrict certain apps and websites. If you wish, you can basically turn the phone into—gasp!—an actual phone. (For an example, check out Gizmo.) That way you can get the benefits of easier communication with your son and he can still feel like one of the “cool kids.” I would start signaling your capitulation but tie it into some kind of reward-based scheme. Make him earn the thing. And then get him his own Spotify account. Our advice column features the wise, humorous commentary of Mike Julianelle (aka @DadandBuried), a 40-something influencer with a popular podcast who lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two kids.

HAVE A QUESTION FOR DADANDBURIED? Send it to editor@nymetroparents.com with the subject “DadandBuried’s Advice.”

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mommybites

Registry Secrets

Veteran moms share what to keep in mind when creating your wish-list, so you don’t get overwhelmed. By Christina Vercelletto

reating a successful baby registry can drive you a little crazy. You need the hindsight of a veteran mom to know what you really need—but you’re a rookie! To make the process a little easier, we spoke to moms who have learned the hard way about how to get the job done right. There is no ultimate authority on what you will need. While your best friend, who has a 1-year-old, might swear by the latest and greatest bottle warmer, “essential” is a highly subjective concept when it comes to baby gear. For example, fancy diaper pails and front carriers or slings are hated as much as they are loved. Better to tap the wisdom of all your new mom friends, then compare their lists to look for commonalities. Cast a wide net. Instead of registering at one store, set up a Pinterest board with images that link back to the respective shops. You can pin anything, including cleaning and spa services, meal deliveries, and handmade goodies on Etsy. Consider throwing in things like newmom yoga pants, wall art for baby’s room, or a new laundry basket. Ask that your shower invite include the link to your board. Divide and conquer. Creating a registry is an exhausting process—a solid 4 hours is not uncommon. Consider splitting the job into two sessions, with one devoted to the two items that most demand a clear head: the stroller and car seat. Include different price ranges. Those who aren’t invited to your shower—say a co-worker or your parents’ neighbor—will need under-$15 ideas, so check out board books, baby hats, bath toys, and those fun stickers (1-month, 2-month, etc.) that go on a baby’s shirt for photos throughout the first year. Entice friends and family to buy the functional items. Most shower guests don’t want to give a nasal aspirator or a vaporizer, which, while necessary, don’t make the gift-giver feel warm and

fuzzy. Take advantage of the “add a note” option that many registries let you attach to individual items and say something like: “I’d feel so much better if I had this on hand, knowing I could do everything possible to comfort my little one when he gets sick.” Some items in the store aren’t online, and vice versa. If you’re in a brick-and-mortar and can’t find an item, check the website for it and add it online. Don’t bother registering for outfits and blankets. If there is a particular swaddle or coming-home outfit you have your eye on, go for it. But beyond that, rest assured that you will receive plenty of teeny clothes and impossibly soft, pastel blankets—both before and after baby arrives. Think ahead. After this windfall, you’re on your own paying for all the accoutrements this kid will need. There’s no shame in adding a snowsuit or swimsuit sized a year (or two!) ahead, a toddler bed, or even a big kid booster car seat to your list. The scanning gun is addictive. To avoid registering for stuff that will lure gift-givers away from what you really need and/or want, make a list before you go, and stick to it. If you’re tempted to make an exception, sleep on it. You can always add it later online. You will be able to shop after the baby comes. Despite the horror stories you’ve heard about life as a new mom, you will leave the house. So please, don’t obsess over whether or not you’ve ticked off every single little thing you might possibly need. Registering for gift cards (or diapers, for that matter) is not tacky. It’s smart and will probably be a relief to a handful of your nearest and dearest. And you can use gift cards to acquire those necessary items that nobody will buy, no matter how gamely you talk them up in the “notes” section. Nursing pads, anyone?

Mommybites’ nanny boards only feature postings from nannies’ current families. You can rely on their recommendations. If you need a nanny or babysitter, visit Mommybites.com. 14

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

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& Kids This corner of the Internet can be a scary place, but there are ways to protect your kids. By Jacqueline Neber

t’s one of the biggest challenges facing parents today: How do you keep your kids safe online while still letting them explore? And YouTube is ground zero for this issue. In the last few years, we’ve heard about YouTube’s scandals—including Logan Paul filming a man who hanged himself in Japan or the debilitating work-lives of YouTube employees in the Philippines. At the top of the most-dangerous list is the inappropriate content readily available for, or even strategically aimed at, kids. Even though there is plenty of G-rated entertainment on YouTube, it’s no mystery why many parents are concerned about what their kids are viewing.

YouTube Kids allows parents to create profiles for their children, based on each child’s age, in an effort to limit inappropriate content.

Tackling the Tube There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with this issue, says Jill Murphy, vice president and editor-in-chief of Common Sense Media. One of YouTube’s biggest problems is the inability to control a child’s search results. “Searching YouTube is essentially like searching Google,” Murphy says. “The results are not only looking to offer you accurate information on what you’re looking for, but also suggest some unrelated, but often tempting, things to watch. With so much content and so many options, it can be hard for any age to stay focused.” One helpful option for families is YouTube Kids—launched in 2015—which allows parents to create profiles for their children who are preschool-age through 12 years old. Each type of kids account is designed to offer certain content: creative, playful, and exploratory videos for ages 4 and younger; songs, cartoons, crafts, and more for ages 5-7; and gaming, science, music, and more for ages 8-12. YouTube admits it cannot filter out all inappropriate content or manually review all videos, but parents can turn off the search function or only allow their kids to see videos that Mom and Dad approve. Despite these filters, Murphy says, there is still no guarantee your child will be 100-percent protected from questionable content because YouTube doesn’t delineate age guidelines for content consumption. For example, related videos that appear on your child’s screen are based on what he gravitates toward, and there are no safety precautions for those. Younger kids tend to love room tours, vlogs, and “unboxing” videos—in which YouTubers 16

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

show off the products they receive from brands—but there is no way to guarantee these are age-appropriate. The best way to strive for safety, Murphy says, is to discuss content-viewing guidelines with your kids. Many parents overhear their child watching something they don’t like, run over, and demand it all be shut down, she says. A better approach is to encourage open conversation. “Sit down, watch a few videos with your kid, and have conversations about what is or isn’t appropriate. Start media literacy at a young age,” she says. “Include [your kid] in your boundary- and rule-setting because, otherwise, it’s quite enticing for a kid to [watch] what they’re not supposed to watch.” Another tip is to watch the videos by content creators who your kids like, and who might be posting things your child shouldn’t see, Murphy adds. Understand why your kid wants to watch these videos and continue having conversations about them. (It’s also worth noting that creator videos are basically infomercials, so you might want to discourage this consumerism.) Keep in mind that some content creators post for shock value, which can have serious consequences for your kids. Ariella Toeman, a mom of three in Westchester County, watches YouTube together with her 8- and 10-year-olds. The kids are not allowed to freely browse, but her 12-year-old has a computer at school and a phone is his hand and can access the Internet anytime, Toeman says.

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“We talk a lot about watching things that are appropriate. Once you see things, you can’t take them back out of your memory. You can’t take back those visuals—they stay with you forever,” she says. “So, we say, if things feel a little bit awkward, we don’t watch them. If things make us feel bad, we don’t watch them. If they feel weird, if we don’t really understand them, they’re not for us.”

Third Party Controls “I swear no one at Google has kids—but [YouTube] is the primary source of truth for kids,” says Doug Crawford, director of curriculum at Protect Young Eyes, an advocacy and education organization based in Michigan. (YouTube is a subsidiary of Google.) While YouTube offers a restricted mode (turned on in the user’s profile) for parents to control what kids see, “YouTube’s controls are configured differently on different devices, making it difficult for parents to always get it right, and then it’s hard to lock things in without some third-party parental control solution like CleanBrowsing, Mobicip, or Covenant Eyes,” he explains. While YouTube can be a great source of learning material, Crawford says parents need to keep in mind that its search function is inherently unsafe for kids—even if they’re watching kid-friendly content. Watching YouTube on restricted mode is the only method he recommends for kids. continued on next page

GLSW

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continued from previous page

World’s Tallest Indoor Ropes Challenge Course!

“Don’t tell me for a minute that YouTube doesn’t love kid content and will do everything it can to keep lots of it going, all while pushing the limits of child safety,” he says. Murphy agrees that YouTube doesn’t make it easy for parents to set parameters—so you need to get creative in figuring it out. She encourages parents to look to the parental controls on their kids’ devices before turning to third party systems. Plus, kids will always try figure out passwords and get around locks, Murphy points out. There are even TikTok channels dedicated to showing kids how to do so. For some kids, Murphy concedes, third-party parental controls might be necessary. For example, if your child has trouble distinguishing inappropriate content or if you suspect he might be the victim of cyberbullying, there is no shame in using third party parental controls or checking his search history. Set these boundaries if you need to, she continues, but try not to use them as a substitute for real conversations with your kids.

“

Sit down, watch a few videos with your kid, and have conversations about what is or isn’t appropriate. Start media literacy at a young age.

YouTube Isn’t the Enemy—Necessarily

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February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

”

Adults use Google to find what they need to know, while kids turn to YouTube, Crawford explains. The site is so pervasive that 82,248 videos are watched every second as of Jan. 15 (this stat is updated daily), according to internetlivestats.com. Protect Young Eyes’ surveys of high school students reveal that when given the option to choose their No. 1 online activity, teens choose YouTube over social media and gaming at a 3-to-1 ratio. Among tweens and teens, YouTube is the most-used online platform—not Instagram or Snapchat, as parents might believe. Murphy points out that because many parents didn’t have this technology growing up, they might be reluctant to let it into their kids’ lives. And parents’ lack of familiarity prevents them from understanding how important YouTube is as a social lifeline for kids. Despite all of this, YouTube doesn’t have to be an enemy. “All of their friends are talking about [YouTube]. Kids have devices at school. They’re going to watch it at school… so eliminating it without taking the time to talk about why something bothers you or hearing from your kid about why it’s appealing to them is not necessarily a path Common Sense [Media] would recommend,” Murphy says. “Teach your kids to live with it, rather than shutting it off.” Toeman, like many parents, acknowledges the struggle: “I’m trying to raise my children in an open-minded, realistic way that accepts technology as part of our lives, but doesn’t love it—which is a hard balance.”

Come Make Art With Us! Blue Rock School’s New Summer Arts & Play Program

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Tons of activities for the KIDS

To take a tour of our 5-acre wooded property, and learn more about this joyful and imaginative place where children ages 4 to 10 explore:

It’s Government Day too! Learn from Staff all about our County!

save the date

over 150 Booths & Displays

July 6th - 30th

Musicians Face Painting Craft Tables Demonstrations and More!

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Contact the

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national children’s dental health month

Dental Health

by the

is the amount you—um, we mean the Tooth Fairy—leaves on average in our area, according to Visa’s Tooth Fairy Calculator (a free app in the iTunes app store), which tells you what other children in similar family situations are getting under their pillows.

Numbers

40%

of children ages 3-6 use too much toothpaste, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The age at which it’s recommended that kids stop sucking their thumbs to avoid future oral health issues that will require orthodontics, according to Larissa Davids, D.D.S., orthodontist and owner of Rego Park Orthodontics in Queens

The age at which a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste should first be used by a child, according to Marita Smith, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist at Smith’s Little Smiles in Pomona. For children younger than 3, a rice-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste should be used.

is how often the American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush—or more frequently if bristles are visibly matted or frayed.

is the number of times teeth should be brushed each day, according to the CDC. Before any teeth come in, wipe your baby’s gums with a soft clean cloth after the morning feeding and right before bed to wipe away bacteria—and get your child used to the habit, says Renuka Bijoor, D.D.S., who practices at Briarcliff Pediatric Dentistry in Briarcliff Manor. Once teeth start to come in, brush with a soft, small-bristled toothbrush.

44%

3 months

of U.S. children will have at least one cavity by kindergarten, according to Children’s Dental Health Project (cdhp.org).

6 months

is how long you or your child should go between dental visits, says Marc Adelberg, D.D.S., who practices at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry, which has four locations on Long Island.

The age at which your child should have her first dental exam

2 minutes

is the length of time teeth should be brushed for. You can either get a fun timer for your child, or look for an electric toothbrush, like Quip Kids (getquip.com), which has a timer built in.

( Looking for a pediatric dentist for your kids? Visit nymetroparents.com/health. ) 20

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

U P CO MI N G

BREAK CAMPS

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RocklandParent 21

summer camp

Camp Countdown! A month-by-month timeline to get your child (and you!) ready for summer camp By Jess Michaels

t’s not too early to think about summer camp! If you are considering day or sleepaway camp, there are ways to research and plan for camp throughout the year. The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey suggests the following month-by-month timeline with ways to plan for your child’s summer camp experience.

October and November Attend open houses. Many camps have open houses and fall festivals that provide opportunities to see the camp facilities and get a feel for the camp. It is also a good opportunity for you to get to know the camp director and ask questions about the camp philosophy and program while in the camp setting. Search for camp with your child. Take some time to look over a camp’s website, brochure, and video together. They will give you and your child a sense of what a particular camp is like. Most camp websites have photo slide shows, videos, virtual tours, and maps, which will give you a glimpse of the camp and the camp program. The more involved your child feels in the decision of choosing a camp, the more successful the camp experience will be. Look for camp early for savings. If you’ve already decided on a camp for your child, don’t wait to register. Many camps offer early-bird discounts. Registering early can be a real savings for parents—and it ensures your child won’t be shut out of the camp program he wants. Ask

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

the camp if it offers payment plans, which can make it easier to pay for camp. Some camps also allow you to prepay the camp season and will give you a significant discount.

December and January Talk to camp directors. Speaking with the camp director and asking some key questions is a good way to find out about a camp’s philosophy and see if it matches your own. Get to know the camp director through phone calls, correspondence, and in person. Make sure to give the director an accurate picture of your child and what your specific goals are for her camp experience. Make camp part of holidays. Instead of purchasing another toy for your child, make camp a holiday gift. Prepare your child for overnights. If you are considering sleepaway camp, schedule sleepovers with friends and relatives and make sure these overnights are successful. If your child feels panicked and needs to come home in the middle of the night, he may not be ready for sleepaway camp.

February and March Schedule home visits and attend camp fairs. These are both good ways to get to know a camp director and a camp program. Ask about the camp’s mission statement and what type of child is successful at camp. Camp fairs bring dozens of camps to a community and provide parents the opportunity to speak 1-on-1 with many different directors in one day. Often times, a camp director will come to you for a home visit, which allows you to get to know the director and for the director to get to know your family.

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April and May Share positive messages. As camp approaches, talk to your child about the camp program and the activities she will be participating in. Let your child know you are confident in her ability to have a successful camp experience.

June Pack together. If your child is going to overnight camp, pack together. Your child will feel more secure if he knows what he is bringing to camp. Use this time talk with your child about how much fun camp is going to be. Mail a letter to camp. Send a letter to sleepaway camp, so your child has a letter the first day she is at camp. Let her know how much fun she is going to have at camp.

July and August Camp season is here!

Jess Michaels is the director of communications for the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey. She believes every child should have a summer camp experience.

RocklandParent 23

Coupe Theatre Studio Nanuet coupedance.com

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CIT

Nature/Petting Zoo

Challenge Courses

Travel

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Summer Arts and Play Program West Nyack bluerockschool.org Vickiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dance Studio New City vickistudio.com

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February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

R A D N E CAL

Y R A U R B FE

2 WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?

nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar

rpcal@davlermedia.com

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for details Turn the page Live Dinosaur World

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 26 Editor’s Hot Tickets 27 NYC Events Worth the Trek 28 Educational Activities 30 Get Active 31 Special Needs

32 Little Makers 34 Fairs, Festivals, & Markets

Nature Lovers 36 Theater, Concerts, & Movies

EDITOR’S

T O H TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the February 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! Teatown Hudson River EagleFest

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 9am-4pm WHERE: Croton Point Park, 1 Croton Point Ave., Croton-on-Hudson AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the return of the bald eagle with live bird-ofprey shows, children’s activities, food trucks, and more—all in heated tents! WHY WE LOVE IT: The bald eagle’s return to the Hudson Valley after being on the brink of extinction is one of the great conservation success stories of our time. WANT TO GO? $25; $22 in advance; $15 children 6-11; $13 children 6-11 in advance. 914-762-2912 x110. teatown.org.

Greenberg’s Great Train & Toy Show WHEN: Feb. 8-9, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Meadowlands Expo Center, 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ AGES: All WHAT: The show features hundreds of tables of trains and accessories for sale, operating exhibits, activities for kids, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s the largest and longest-running model train and collectible toy show in the country! WANT TO GO? $10 Saturday; $9 Sunday; free for children 11 and younger. 630-290-1962. trainshow.com/secaucus.

Dinosaur World Live WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 9, 1pm and 4pm WHERE: Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Grab your compass and join intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. WHY WE LOVE IT: Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favorite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! WANT TO GO? $15-$39. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.

Abraham Lincoln: From Railsplitter to President FREE WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 9, 2-2:45pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville 26

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

AGES: All WHAT: Learn about Abraham Lincoln’s honesty, love of family, thirst for education, sense of justice, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Parents and kids alike will be fascinated by this dynamic presentation. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

‘Pete the Cat’

HOT TICKET

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 10, 4pm WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown, NJ AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Groovy, rockin’ Pete the cat sets out to turn the lives of a super square family upside down in this far out, fun adventure based on the popular book series. WHY WE LOVE IT: This relaxed performance will have lights up, modified sound, a quiet room in addition to the ability to get out of your seat. WANT TO GO? $12-$15. 973-539-8008. mayoarts.org.

‘Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza’ WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 16, 2pm WHERE: The Old Nyack High School Auditorium, 131 N. Midland Ave., Nyack AGES: All WHAT: See world-famous, master bubble wrangler Jeff Boyer, as he takes bubbles to the max with big bubble flair! WHY WE LOVE IT: This ArtsRock performance is sensory-friendly, which is an experience with a relaxed, inclusive environment for all—designed to accommodate individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities and the families and professionals who support them. WANT TO GO? $18. artsrock.org.

The Laurie Berkner Band WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 22, 3pm WHERE: McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ AGES: Newborn to 5

WHAT: The Laurie Berkner Band will be back at McCarter this year for another great rockin’ concert! WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids will instantly recognize her from programs like Noggin, Jack’s Big Music Show, and Sing It, Laurie! WANT TO GO? $25-$40. 609-258-2787. mccarter.org.

2020 Progressive™ Insurance World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition WHEN: Feb. 27-March 1, Thursday, 1-8pm; Friday, 12-8pm; Saturday, 9:30am-7pm; Sunday, 9:30am-5pm WHERE: Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern AGES: All WHAT: Families can spend the day comparing and shopping newly released and hard-to-find products for their outdoor needs, plus enjoy a variety of free educational seminars and attractions for all ages and skill levels. WHY WE LOVE IT: Kids can learn all about boating, kayaking, fishing, and more! WANT TO GO? $13; $3 ages 6-11. 973-337-6395. suffern.sportshows.com.

Small Wonders: 44th Annual Holiday Exhibition WHEN: Through March 1: Wednesday-Friday and Sunday, 12-4pm WHERE: Historical Society of Rockland County, 20 Zukor Road, New City AGES: All WHAT: See custom dollhouses decorated and furnished down to the tiniest details, from period wallpaper, area rugs, and lamps to food in the kitchen. WHY WE LOVE IT: Sunday admission includes a guided tour of the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House. WANT TO GO? $5. 845-634-9629. rocklandhistory.org.

Kids Week WHEN: Feb. 15-22, daily, 10am-5pm WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, W. 46th Street and 12th Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Join all week long for live animal shows, pop-up planetarium shows, maker spaces, live performances, and so much more! WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission: $33; $31 seniors; $24 children ages 5-12. 212-245-0072. intrepidmuseum.org.

‘The Gustafer Yellowgold Show’ WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 22, 11am WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: 5 and younger WHAT: Kids will love Gustafer Yellowgold and his friends—a Pterodactyl, an eel who loves socks, and countless others! WANT TO GO? $14-17. 212-864-5400. symphonyspace.org.

‘Sesame Street LIVE!: Let’s Party!’ WHEN: Feb. 14-23, see website for showtimes WHERE: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Seventh Avenue at 32nd Street, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Learn new songs and sing along to familiar favorites with Oscar and Cookie Monster; build a snowman with Elmo, and more! WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 212-465-6741. msg.com.

NYC Events

WORTH THE TREK Thunderbird American Indian Dancers’ in Concert!

WHEN: Through Feb. 2: Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 3pm and 8pm; and Sunday, 3pm WHERE: Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., East Village, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: There will be dances, stories and traditional music from Native Peoples of the Northeast, Southwest and Great Plains regions. WANT TO GO? $15. 212-254-1109. theaterforthenewcity.net.

Chinese New Year Family Festival WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 2, 12-4pm WHERE: China Institute: Downtown, 100 Washington St., Financial District, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Kick off the Year of the Rat, with a lion dance followed by New Year-themed workshops and activities including dumpling making, lantern-making, treats, and more! WANT TO GO? Free to enter; some events require fees. 212-744-8181. chinainstitute.org. RocklandParent 27

Pre-School Story & Craft FREE WHEN: Feb. 6-13, Thursdays, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library, 25 Flywheel Park W., Piermont AGES: 3-6 WHAT: Join Ms. Nancy to listen to some books, meet new friends, and make an easy craft. WANT TO GO? 845-359-4595. piermontlibrary.org.

Lego STEM Challenge FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 15, 1:30-2:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Complete the Lego challenge cards to become a Lego STEM expert. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

READ to a Dog FREE

Educational Activities Code-a-Pillars and Code & Go Mouse Mania FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 1, 1:30-2:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Arrange and rearrange Code-a-Pillars and Go Mouse Mania to follow the maze you create. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

READ to a Dog FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 1, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Sign up for a 15-minute session to read to a dog! Registration is open for everyone. WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

Florence and Josephine FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 4:30-6pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Learn about African-American performers Florence Mills and Josephine Baker, and create a colorful collage inspired by artist Christian Robinson. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Mother Goose Time FREE WHEN: Through Feb. 26: Wednesdays, 11-11:30am (no session Feb. 19) WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 1½ and younger WHAT: This program is a gentle way to introduce your baby to story time with simple books, rhymes, and songs. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org. 28

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 3-4pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Sign up for a 15-minute session to read to a dog! Registration is open for everyone. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Once Upon a Time: Storytime with Cubetto, The Friendly Robot FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2-3pm WHERE: Finkelstein Memorial Library, 24 Chestnut St., Spring Valley AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Your children will be captivated by a winter story, and then they will learn how to move Cubetto from place to place on a story map. WANT TO GO? 845-352-5700. finkelsteinlibrary.org.

Tuskegee Airman Craft FREE WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 20, 4:30-6pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn about the Tuskegee Airmen and make airplane crafts. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Storytime with Special Guest Jacob! FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1:30-2:15pm WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Jacob will be at the library with his guitar and sing some fun songs! WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997. newcitylibrary.org.

Sensory Play FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: All WHAT: Sensory fun with explorative and interactive play for all ages! Families welcome. WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

Tales and Tunes FREE WHEN: Feb. 3-25, Mondays, 11-11:30am and 7-7:30pm; Tuesdays, 11:30am-12pm (no session Feb. 17) WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3 and younger WHAT: Stories, fingerplays, songs, and bubbles! For walkers and their adults. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Hogwarts Book Club WHEN: Through Feb. 27: Thursdays, 7-8pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 8-13 WHAT: Discuss the stories and adventure of Harry Potter and his days at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Dr. Seuss Birthday Party WHEN: Friday, Feb. 28, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Families are invited to celebrate children’s books and share a love of reading! Enjoy the magic of the Astonishing Andrew and have some birthday cake too. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997. newcitylibrary.org.

Playtime Storytime WHEN: Feb. 7-28, Fridays, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Join the library for fun on Fridays! Stories and songs, sensory story time with cool activities, fun with non-fiction, and more! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Pre-School Story & Craft WHEN: Feb. 27-March 26, Thursdays, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library, 25 Flywheel Park W., Piermont AGES: 3-6 WHAT: Join Ms. Nancy to listen to some books, meet new friends, and make an easy craft. WANT TO GO? 845-359-4595. piermontlibrary.org.

Angry Birds Universe: The Art and Science Behind a Global Phenomenon

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WHEN: Through April 19: Tuesday-Friday, 9:30am-4pm; SaturdaySunday, 9am-5:30pm WHERE: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Jersey City, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Explore different concepts in science, tech, engineering, arts, and math in an extreme hands-on environment! WANT TO GO? $30.99; $27.99 seniors 62 and older; $24.99 ages 2-12. 201-200-1000. lsc.org. RocklandParent 29

Movers and Shakers: Escape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2-3pm and 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: Finkelstein Memorial Library, 24 Chestnut St., Spring Valley AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Mr. Lemoncello, the librarian, has closed the library for the evening, but he forgot to check the area where you and your friends were working. Can you break out in time for dinner? WANT TO GO? 845-352-5700. finkelsteinlibrary.org.

Get Active! Sensory Play FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: All WHAT: Sensory fun with explorative and interactive play for all ages! Families welcome. WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

Story Time Boogie FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1pm WHERE: Shooting Star Dance Center, 403 Broad St., Bloomfield AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: During Storytime Boogie, books will be brought to life through dance and other movement, as well as other movement activities that go along with the theme. WANT TO GO? eventbrite.com/e/story-time-boogie-february-june2020-tickets-60720342178?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

Gaming Hour FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 3-4pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 6-12 WHAT: Play Nintendo Switch on the big screen! WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Zumbini FREE WHEN: Through Feb. 13: select Thursdays, 11-11:45am WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 1-4 WHAT: Children will love this super fun music and movement class! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org.

Minecraft in the Maker Space FREE WHEN: Through Feb. 18: Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30pm WHERE: Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway, Nyack AGES: 6-10 WHAT: Build amazing Minecraft worlds with your friends on the library’s laptops! Space is limited to 8 players. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-358-3370. nyacklibrary.org. 30

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

Minecraft Club FREE WHEN: Feb. 1-22, Saturdays, 12-2pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Play Minecraft at the library with other teens. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Unplugged Play FREE WHEN: Mondays, Feb. 10 and 24, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Play all kinds of board games. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Gaming Hour FREE WHEN: Feb. 4-25, Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 6-13 WHAT: Play the Nintendo Switch and the PS4 on the big screen! WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

Yoga for Children FREE WHEN: Feb. 5-26, Wednesdays, 4:45-5:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Learn some basic poses with yoga instructor Sara Gallmann. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Friday Fun FREE WHEN: Feb. 7-28, Fridays, 4-5pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 5-13 WHAT: Different programs every week: Builder’s Club, games, 3-D fun with 3-D pens, PS4, Code Club, Science Squad! WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdl.org.

Candy Land: Life Size FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30am-12:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 3-8

WHAT: Play a round of life-size Candy Land, with you as the game piece. Win a sweet treat when you finish. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Public Skating Sessions WHEN: Through March 1: see website for schedule WHERE: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Bear Mountain Ice Rink State Park, Bear Mountain AGES: All WHAT: Break out your skates, or rent a pair for the day, and enjoy the outdoor Bear Mountain Ice Rink. WANT TO GO? $5; $2 non-skaters and seniors; free for children 4 and younger; $5 skate rentals. 845-786-2701. bearmountainicerink.com.

Lipson Family Coaching

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Introduction to Yoga with Eleonora Lvov FREE WHEN: Feb. 4-March 10, Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Learn basic poses and breathing techniques; suitable for all levels. Please bring a yoga mat. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Dungeons & Dragons FREE WHEN: Feb. 5-March 11, Wednesdays, 6-7:45pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Join the library’s expert Dungeon Master on awesome adventures! Beginners welcome! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

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GREAT DEALS?

Laurie Berkner Sensory-Friendly Solo Acoustic Concert WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 22, 11am WHERE: McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Laurie Berkner will be back at McCarter this year with a special solo acoustic sensory-friendly performance. WANT TO GO? $15. 609-258-2787. mccarter.org.

Saving money on a New York City family day is easy!

Sensory Storytime FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 22, 10-11am WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy stories, music, movement, and playtime in a safe and accepting environment. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997. newcitylibrary.org.

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Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse. RocklandParent 31

Jr. Chefs: Stories & Cooking: Valentine’s Kisses FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 1:30-2:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Make a sweet Valentine’s Day treat using candy kisses. Register online or in person at the Children’s Desk. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

LEGO Sunday FREE WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 9, 2-3pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 4-10 WHAT: Drop-in and build! WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Little Makers Tween Corner: Bottle Cap Magnets FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Using bottle caps, clip art, and other decorative materials, make a bottle cap magnet for your refrigerator or locker. In-person registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Paint It FREE WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 5:30-6:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Learn how to use watercolors and develop your own artistic vision. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Making Interactive LED Greeting Cards WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 6-7:45pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Make interactive LED-lit cards to celebrate Valentine’s Day (or the wintertime) using pre-made templates. In-person registration required. WANT TO GO? $5 deposit refunded after class. 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Library Lovers Month FREE WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 6, 6-7pm WHERE: Dennis P. McHugh Piermont Public Library, 25 Flywheel Park W., Piermont AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Drop in to make special bookmarks that will be given out to library patrons all month. WANT TO GO? 845-359-4595. piermontlibrary.org.

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

Wee Craft Together FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 5-5:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughtes Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 2-4 WHAT: Make a fun craft together! These crafts are designed to help young children develop their fine motor skills. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Valentine’s Craft FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6-7pm WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Make a Valentine and enjoy some stories. Adult caregivers must attend with child. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997. newcitylibrary.org.

String Things FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 4-5pm WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: 7-12 WHAT: Kids will create fun projects with colorful string. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997. newcitylibrary.org.

Teen Fun with Chocolate FREE WHEN: Friday, Feb. 14, 5-6:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Make fruit kabobs dipped in chocolate, chocolate bowls, chocolate dipped pretzels, chocolate hearts, and more. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Family Luau FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2:30-3:30pm WHERE: New City Library, 220 N. Main St., New City AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Listen to music and stories, play games, and make a craft. WANT TO GO? 845-634-4997. newcitylibrary.org.

Mix It Up FREE WHEN: Tuesdays, Feb. 11: ages 5-8, 4:30-5:15pm; Feb. 18: ages 9-12, 4:30-5:15pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Chocolate-dipped treats, fruits, other candy, and even pretzels! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Saturday Morning Drop-in Storytime FREE WHEN: Feb. 1-22, Saturdays, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Stop by for stories, songs, and a craft for families. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

• KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES • Adult’s Night Out • Specialty Items for Every Holiday • Paint & Go-Same Day • Glaze & Fire Mon., Tues. & Wed. 930am-300pm Tues. & Thurs. 700-930 Friday Kids Classes 300-500

Teen Crafternoon: Perler Beads FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 22, 3-4pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Arrange the plastic beads to create a cool design, then iron them to make it permanent. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

American Modernism: 20th Century Influencers in Rockland FREE WHEN: Through Feb. 23: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; SaturdaySunday, 1-4pm WHERE: RoCA Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S. Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: The exhibit presents art by luminaries who lived in Rockland County from the 1910s through the 1960s. WANT TO GO? 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org.

Smarty Pants: Let it Snow, Let it Snow! A Winter STEAM Event FREE WHEN: Feb. 4-25, Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Finkelstein Memorial Library, 24 Chestnut St., Spring Valley AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Children will use science and arts and crafts materials to complete a winter project. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-352-5700. finkelsteinlibrary.org.

Ramsey Farmers Market WHEN: Through March 29: Sundays, 10am-2pm (closed Feb. 16) WHERE: Eric Smith School, 2 Monroe St., Ramsey AGES: All WHAT: Find something new every week from local farmers, bakers, and more. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. ramseyfarmersmarket.org.

A Lavishly Illustrated Children’s Story of Friendship and Overcoming Obstacles

Tilly... A Deer’s Tale (BASED ON A TRUE STORY)

Follow the adventures of a rescued baby deer. Share Tilly’s courage and valiant recovery. Call 914-764-5564

to schedule a free Tilly Event for schools, libraries & hospitals Available at Barnes & Noble, Walden Books and at Amazon.com For books preview and sale, visit us at:

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Pediatric Speech Therapy Clinic · Fun, individualized speech plan for each unique child · Articulation & phonological individual and group therapy · Speech and language delay · Specializing in orofacial myofunctional therapy Sandra Gotthardt (tongue thrust) M.S., CCC-SLP, TSSLD · Mommy, Me & Speech ASHA Certified Speech Therapy Classes Language Pathologist · Affordable group therapy registration available

NOW YOU’RE TALKING

43 South Liberty Drive, Stony Point nowyouretalkingspeech.com 845-533-5544 RocklandParent 33

2020 Progressive™ Insurance World Fishing & Outdoor Exposition WHEN: Feb. 27-March 1, Thursday, 1-8pm; Friday, 12-8pm; Saturday, 9:30am-7pm; Sunday, 9:30am-5pm WHERE: Rockland Community College, 145 College Road, Suffern AGES: All WHAT: Families can spend the day comparing and shopping newly released and hard-to-find products for their outdoor needs, plus enjoy a variety of free educational seminars and attractions for all ages and skill levels. WANT TO GO? $13; $3 ages 6-11. 973-337-6395. suffern.sportshows.com.

Palisades Farmers’ Market

Fairs, Festivals, & Markets Iron Chef Competition FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2-4:30pm WHERE: Albert Wisner Public Library, 28 Railroad Ave., Warwick AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Contestants will be given a basket of ingredients to use to create something delicious. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-986-1047. albertwisnerlibrary.org.

Panel Discussion: Artists and Intellectuals of South Mountain Road FREE WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 1pm WHERE: RoCA Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S. Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: All WHAT: A discussion about the new exhibition exploring preeminent artists from all disciplines and how they brought Modernist thinking and ideas to Rockland County and American masterpieces to the world. WANT TO GO? 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org.

New Jersey Boat Sale & Expo WHEN: Feb. 13-16, Thursday, 12-8pm; Friday, 12-8pm; Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: New Jersey Expo and Convention Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy free seminars, boating safety classes, and a Kids Cove with activities for little boaters! WANT TO GO? $10; free for youth 16 and younger. jerseyboatexpo.com. 34

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through March 28: Saturdays, 9am-2pm WHERE: Palisades Community Center, 675 Oak Tree Road, Palisades AGES: 3 and older WHAT: The Palisades Indoor Winter Farmers’ Market has everything you need to make delicious seasonal meals with music and a kid’s craft table most Saturdays. WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods. 845-359-3988. palisadesfm.org.

nature lovers Animal Ambassador of the Month WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 1, 11-11:30am WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the animal ambassador of the month! WANT TO GO? $5; $2 members. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Seasonal Scavenger Hunt WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2-3pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Families will receive a set of clues to independently solve nature riddles along Tenafly Nature Center trails. WANT TO GO? $20 per family; $5 individual; free for members and children younger than 2. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Owl Prowl WHEN: Feb. 8-9, Saturday-Sunday, 7-9pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Wildlife Education Center, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall-on-Hudson AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn which species of owls may be found in the area before setting out on a guided after-dark walk, during which an educator will use a calling device to try and coax owls into the area for you to hear! Registration required. WANT TO GO? $15; $10 members. 845-534-7781. hhnaturemuseum.org.

Full Moon & Owl Prowl WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 9, 6-7:30pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join a Tenafly Nature Center Environmental Educator for a short introduction to owls. Afterwards, the group will venture outside in search of nocturnal feathered friends. Pre-registration is required. WANT TO GO? $10; $5 members. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Perfect Pairs in Nature WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 15, 10am WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join educators in exploring some of the different animal mating behaviors and unique courtship rituals across the animal kingdom. Meet one (or more!) animal ambassadors and enjoy building a craft. WANT TO GO? $10; $8 children; $7 members; $5 children members. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

Nature Story Time WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 15, 10-10:30am WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 3-7 WHAT: Families with children will enjoy a nature-themed story and a visit from one of the center’s animal ambassadors. Animals may include snakes, frogs, turtles, owls, or a hawk. WANT TO GO? $5; free for members. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

WHAT: Join educators as they prepare for the season with a special program which culminates with you tapping your very own maple tree! Prepaid registration required. One tree per family. Trees are limited! WANT TO GO? $20; $15 members; $15 children; $10 children members. 845-534-5506. hhnaturemuseum.org.

Maple Sugaring WHEN: Feb. 2-23, Sundays, 12:30pm, 2pm, and 3:30pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Learn how to make fresh, warm maple syrup, a sweet treat for all to taste. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. WANT TO GO? $30 per family; $15 per TNC member family; $10 individual; $5 TNC members; free for children younger than 2. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Ski, Snowboard, and Tubing Season WHEN: Through March 15: Monday-Thursday, 2-8pm; Friday, 1-10pm; Saturday, 8:30am-10pm; Sunday, 8:30am-8pm WHERE: Campgaw Mountain, 200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing for all abilities with short life lines and uncrowded trails. Equipment rentals and instruction available for all ages. WANT TO GO? See website for rates and packages. 201-327-7800. skicampgaw.com.

ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

Great Backyard Bird Count at Tenafly Nature Center WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 15, 10-11:30am WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 10 and older WHAT: Participate in this important citizen science project to tally the birds who live at TNC. WANT TO GO? $6; $3 members. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Animal Story Time WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 15, 11am-12pm WHERE: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Help the animals get through the winter by warming their day by reading them a story! WANT TO GO? $2 suggested donation. 201-568-6093. tenaflynaturecenter.org.

Maple Tree Tapping WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 16, 10am-12pm WHERE: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum’s Outdoor Discovery Center, 120 Muser Drive, Cornwall AGES: All

Join

NYMetroParents Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices. www.facebook.com/nymetroparents ACTIVITIES

RocklandParent EVENTS MORE35

WHAT: See a documentary film about the amazing gravity-defying dancers Fayard and Harold Nicholas. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

‘Li Liu Acrobat’ FREE WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 16, 2-3pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: All WHAT: See the acrobatic performance of world-renowned acrobat Li Liu. Families welcome! Registration required. WANT TO GO? 845-786-3800. hkdpl.org.

Theater, Concerts, & Movies ‘Mudbone and Friends’ WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 1, 7:30pm WHERE: RoCA Rockland Center for the Arts, 27 S. Greenbush Road, West Nyack AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Mudbone’s performances take you on an American musical journey from the late 19th century when bluegrass met the blues, through to present day. WANT TO GO? $25; $20 in advance. 845-358-0877. rocklandartcenter.org.

How to Raise Cavity Free Kids with Dr. Jonathan Gellis FREE WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 9:30-10am and 10:30-11am WHERE: South Orangetown Middle School Family Engagement Center, 160 Van Wyck Road, Blauvelt AGES: 3-12 WHAT: This interactive session features a puppet show and fun tips you and your child can use to ensure a healthy smile for life! WANT TO GO? 845-359-1763. smilemorekidz.com.

‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ in Concert WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2pm and 7:30pm WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Watch the complete film unfold as the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ legendary score live. WANT TO GO? $26 and up. 800-466-5722. njpac.org.

Drum Tao: ‘2020’ WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 8, 3pm and 7:30pm WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Drum Tao’s pulse-pounding performances blend highly physical, large-scale drumming with precision choreography, beautiful costuming, and dramatic, innovative stage design. WANT TO GO? $49-$69. 800-466-5722. njpac.org.

Movie: ‘The Nicholas Brothers’ FREE WHEN: Monday, Feb. 10, 6-8:30pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Main Library, 10 W. Ramapo Road, Garnerville AGES: All 36

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

‘Blippi Live!’ WHEN: Monday, Feb. 17, 2pm and 6pm WHERE: Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Blippi Live! is set to bring the vivacious, energetic, and educational children’s character from the screen to the stage for an all-ages extravaganza. WANT TO GO? $29.50 and up. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.

Family Movie FREE WHEN: Mondays, Feb. 10 and 24, 5pm WHERE: Haverstraw King’s Daughters Public Library, Village Branch, 85 Main St., Haverstraw AGES: 4-12 WHAT: Join the library for a fun family movie! WANT TO GO? 845-429-3445. hkdpl.org.

‘Philadanco!’ WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 7pm WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, NJ AGES: All WHAT: Philadanco! kicks off its 50th-anniversary celebration with electrifying dance that explores powerful themes of contemporary social justice. WANT TO GO? $35-$45. 800-466-5722. njpac.org.

New Shanghai Circus WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 8pm WHERE: Bergen Performing Arts Center, 30 N. Van Brunt St., Englewood, NJ AGES: All WHAT: If it’s humanly possible—and even if it seems as if it’s not—these acrobats, jugglers, and contortionists do it with spectacular flair! WANT TO GO? $29-$59. 201-227-1030. bergenpac.org.

Books on the Move & Jazz in the Stacks FREE WHEN: Feb. 12-May 6, see website for dates and times WHERE: Various Public NJ Libraries AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a performance by Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens after NJPAC Teaching Artist Wincey Terry reads Nighttime Symphony, written by Christopher Myers and illustrated by Kaa Illustration, or Chato’s Kitchen, written by Gary Soto and illustrated by Susan Guevara. WANT TO GO? 800-466-5722. njpac.org.

Meet the

Health Care Professional Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., suite 307, Suffern 845-918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com dentalwellness@optonline.net

Clemente Orthodontics 603 S. Route 304, New City 845-638-6646 60 W. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 201-447-2888 clementeorthodontics.com

Dr. Alpert is excited to offer drill free, needle free dentistry with the Solea CO2 Laser. Her practice offers comfortable cosmetic dentistry for the entire family including implants and full mouth reconstruction if necessary. Dental Wellness of Suffern provides natural, effective, quality dental care to make your visit as enjoyable, comfortable, and relaxing as possible. A parent herself, Dr. Alpert enjoys working with children who are apprehensive about the dentist, creating a fun environment with magic tricks, a wall mural, and a Find the Dental Helpers game.

At Clemente Orthodontics, our patients receive the benefit of experience, quality, and energy that comes with a multigenerational team. Dr. Michael Clemente and his daughters, Dr. Nicole Clemente and Dr. Marissa Clemente, work together seamlessly to care for your orthodontic needs. They run a state-of-the-art practice with digital X-rays, private treatment rooms, impression-free Invisalign, and a highly experienced staff. They are an Invisalign Super Elite Premier provider, offering Invisalign and Invisalign Teen as treatment options. Consultations are complimentary.

Marita Smith, D.D.S. Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry 5C Medical Park Drive, Pomona 845-414-9626 smithslittlesmiles.com drsmith@smithslittlesmiles.com

Crystal Run 2 Centerock Road, West Nyack 845-348-1100 crystalrunhealthcare.com

Dr. Marita Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist dedicated to providing excellent dental care for children from infancy through adolescence in a warm and friendly environment. As a mother of two, Dr. Smith knows how important it is for a child to be comfortable and stressfree during their dental visits. Dr. Smith places great focus on prevention and her goal is to keep your child’s smile healthy! Most insurances accepted. Evening and Saturday hours and 24-hour emergency service available. Se Habla Espanol.

Crystal Run Healthcare is a premier multispecialty group medical practice with more than 400 providers, offering the convenience of Primary Care and nearly 50 medical specialties. Our state-of-the-art West Nyack facility offers patients easy access to quality health care with more than 20 medical and surgical specialties, including Adolescent Medicine, Pediatrics, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, including Urogynecology. Our innovative facility boasts an Infusion Center, Urgent Care, diagnostic testing services, on-site laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, and women’s imaging. Crystal Run also has offices in Haverstraw, Stony Point, and Suffern.

Bobby Crohn, D.D.S. Monroe Dental Office 400 State Route 17M, Suite 2, Monroe 845-782-0189 monroedentaloffice.com monroedental@optonline.net

Smile More Kidz Meet Your Smile Team 140 Oak Tree Road, Tappan 845-367-7782 smilemorekidz.com

Dr. Crohn graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with a degree in biology. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University at Buffalo in 1992, and he completed his general practice residency at Danbury Hospital in 1993. Dr. Crohn has done extensive additional training in implant dentistry including training with Dr. Nick Elian at Vistara Institute, DentalXP Symposiums, and training at Zimmerman Institute. Dr. Crohn is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He offers state-of-the art treatment including on-site cone beam 3-D imaging.

At Smile More Kidz, we are part of a local tradition of providing children with the very best that dentistry has to offer in a friendly, comfortable setting. Our entire team understands how children develop and learn and make sure nervous kids feel comfortable and respected. We welcome special needs patients, and offer 8am–7pm and Saturday appointments so patients don’t have to miss school for their care. We believe in building a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles by making every visit to our office a fun and informative experience.

RocklandParent 37

Courtesy Howe Caverns

outing

Day Trip, Anyone? 5 family weekend getaways that aren’t too far from home Go spelunking at Howe Caverns in Cobleskill in Schoharie County for a look at a 6-million-year-old cave in upstate New York.

ome say you never know what you’ll find in your own backyard. The saying holds true for our proverbial backyard, where there is much to explore and discover with the family. Since many schools in our area have a long weekend for Presidents Day (or even a week off of school!), we’ve put together a list of some worthy attractions just outside your local radius.

Baseball Hall of Fame 25 Main St., Cooperstown, NY 888-425-5633 • baseballhall.org Hours: Daily, 9am-5pm; Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day: daily, 9am-9pm Admission: $25; $20 seniors ages 65 and older; $15 children ages 7-12; free for children ages 6 and younger At this mecca for fans of the great American pastime, you can relive the history of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and women in baseball, and take in the new display of historic baseball cards. Kids can visit the Sandlot Kids’ Clubhouse, an interactive educational area devoted to Little Leaguers who want to learn about the big league. There are also special events throughout the summer, including the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.

Nearby Attractions • Just 3 miles outside Cooperstown is the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, where you can take a tour, feed the ducks and geese on the pond, and relax while the kids play in Tractorland. • Take the 8-mile drive out of town to Glimmerglass State Park, where you’ll find beaches, picnic areas, camping sites, hiking, and nature trails. 38

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

Crayola Experience 30 Centre Square, Easton, PA 610-515-8000 • crayolaexperience.com/easton Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm Admission: $22.99 ($19.99 online); free for children 2 and younger Discover the magic of color with 25 attractions at Crayola Experience. Kids can explore four floors of family fun to create custom crayons and markers, bring their drawings to life on the big screen, star in their own coloring pages, paint with melted wax, or “doodle in the dark” on an interactive floor. Grab a colorful concoction from Café Crayola and take home one-of-akind souvenirs from the official Crayola Store.

Nearby Attractions • Take a tour of ancient underground caverns, then come back to the surface to picnic, hike the nature trails, and shop for gemstones at Lost River Caverns.

Dinosaur State Park 400 West St., Rocky Hill, CT 860-529-8423 • dinosaurstatepark.org Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-4:30pm Admission (for exhibit center): $6; $2 children ages 6-12; free for children 5 and younger Pack your sunscreen for a day of outdoor adventure. For a small fee, visitors can mine for gems and fossils or make their own cast of a dinosaur footprint. The Discovery Room includes a Connecticut Geologic Treasures exhibit, Life Through Time Fossil exhibit, and more.

Nearby Attractions • Visit The Children’s Museum for hands-on science and nature exhibits, a wildlife sanctuary, movie screenings, and planetarium shows. • Soar over to the New England Air Museum to learn about the science and history of flight, take a cockpit tour of a vintage aircraft, virtually fly an aircraft, and view more than 65 aircrafts. • See one of the largest collections of antique carousel pieces at The New England Carousel Museum, then take a spin on the Bushnell Park Carousel.

Howe Caverns 255 Discovery Drive, Cobleskill, NY 518-296-8900 • howecaverns.com Hours: Friday-Sunday, 10am-3pm Traditional Tour: A 90-minute walking tour with boat ride: $25; $21 children ages 12-15; $13 children ages 5-11. Family Flashlight Tour: A 2-hour tour with flashlights and headlamps offered on Sunday evenings (for ages 5 and older): $45; reservations required. Lantern Tour: A 2-hour tour with lanterns on Friday and Saturday evenings (for ages 16 and older): $45; reservations required. Signature Rock Discovery Tour: A 2½-hour spelunking tour that reveals a portion of the cave that was closed for more than 100 years (for ages 14 and older): $155; reservations required. Journey more than 150 feet below the Earth’s surface, where you’ll take a tour of an underground cavern 6 million years in the making. You’ll see stalactites and stalagmites, limestone formations, and the underground Lake of Venus. Above ground, Howe High Adventure activities include a four-tower zip line, ropes course, rock wall, air jumper, and gem mine at the Howe Caverns Mining Company. The H2OGO Ball gets visitors rolling down a hill in a 12-foot inflatable ball filled with 5 gallons of water. With a café and motel on premises, visitors can turn their day trip into a weekend getaway.

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Please Touch Museum 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 215-581-3181 • pleasetouchmuseum.org Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm Admission: $19.95; $16 parking Explore two floors of interactive exhibit zones including Roadside Attractions, Wonderland, River Adventures, and the Imagination Playground. The museum encourages touching the exhibits as a means of learning. Other programs include story time, music and movement, STEM activities, and theatrical experiences designed with tiny tots in mind.

Nearby Attractions • Visit The Betsy Ross House to experience colonial Philadelphia and “meet” the woman who sewed the first American flag. • The Franklin Institute hosts daily exhibits, shows, and demonstrations in the spirit of Benjamin Franklin’s passion for science and technology. • Stop by the Philadelphia Zoo to meet nearly 1,300 animals, ride the carousel or PZ Express train, take a ride on the Zooballoon, and steer a swan boat. • Take a tour of Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell at Independence National Historic Park.

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black history month

Discovering Diversity 9 books for kids that explore significant moments and important figures in black history By Kirsten Clodfelter

o matter how big they get, reading with my kids remains one of my favorite activities. And while reading together helps us feel close, it’s also a valuable tool for starting big conversations. Sometimes books provide a mirror, and we see ourselves reflected in a story’s pages. Other times books offer a window—a lens through which we’re able to see characters and experiences that might otherwise be unfamiliar or even inaccessible to us. As a white parent, I have a responsibility to help de-center my kids from every narrative—to give them more windows. Filling our shelves with books that feature protagonists of varying races, identities, or backgrounds is only one small step toward these larger conversations, but I hope they’re helping my daughters pave the way for a more inclusive future. In honor of Black History Month, here are nine books—for kids ages 3-17—by black authors that explore significant historical moments and important black figures. And, of course, these books are also great reading during any other month of the year.

A is for Activist Inspire preschool readers with this ABC board book by Innosanto Nagara. The rhyming and alliteration will keep young learners engaged while sharing a message that calls children to action in support of justice and equality in their communities. (Ages 3-5; Triangle Square; $11.95)

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History This New York Times bestseller from authorillustrator Vashti Harrison features 40 kid-friendly biographies of black women who impacted history. The project began with a series of posts Harrison shared to her Instagram (@vashtiharrison) during Black History Month, before growing into the wildly popular book it is today. (Ages 4-10; Little, Brown Young Readers; $16.99)

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

Hidden Figures This picture book by Margot Lee Shetterly, adapted from her New York Times bestselling book (and a popular movie), tells the true story of four black women with STEM talents who changed the course of history, and helped launch the first humans into space during their time at NASA. (Ages 4-10; HarperCollins; $17.99)

A Girl Named Misty In this compelling biography from the American Girl series, young readers will learn the journey of the talented Misty Copeland, who made modern history when the American Ballet promoted her to principal dancer—the first black woman to hold the title in the company’s history. (Ages 7-10; Scholastic; $4.99) Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History Looking for a companion to Harrison’s beautifully written children’s book debut? Dive into her most recent book, Little Legends, for more engaging, compelling, and accessible primers on some of American history’s most exceptional black men. (Ages 4-10; Little, Brown Young Readers; $10.99)

Mitzvah Market magazine

Young, Gifted and Black In one- and two-page vignettes, this brightly illustrated book illuminates 52 exceptional black figures from the past and present, including such greats as Maya Angelou, W.E.B. DuBois, Langston Hughes, Nina Simone, Beyoncé Knowles, Simone Biles, Shirley Chisolm, and Serena Williams. (Ages 7-10; Wide-Eyed Editions; $23.99)

March (Books 1-3) In this award-winning and intimate graphic novel trilogy, Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) shares his firsthand account of key events during the Civil Rights Movement. He approaches complex subjects in a way that’s accessible and meaningful, making this series a must-read for middle- and high-school students looking to learn more about black history. (Ages 13 and older; Top Shelf Productions; $14.95-$19.99)

Your Source for Ideas & Inspiration Get Your FREE Copy Your single source for:

A Child’s Introduction to African American History: The Experiences, People, and Events That Shaped Our Country Young readers with an interest in history and culture will enjoy this one by Jabari Asim, which focuses not only on key figures but on significant events that shaped America—from the slave trade to today’s Black Lives Matter movement. (Ages 10-15; Black Dog & Leventhal; $19.99)

Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March Learn about a significant milestone during the Civil Rights Era from someone who lived it. This memoir, by Lynda Blackmon Lowery, brings history to life as she recounts her time as the youngest protestor in the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery in support of voting rights for African Americans. (Ages 12-17; Speak; $9.99)

Kirsten Clodfelter is a Midwest-based freelance writer, the co-founder of Rise Marketing Inc., and a mom of three. Learn more at kirstenclodfelter.com or follow her on Instagram: @icanmotheranyway.

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kid’s life

Keeping the Peace How to reduce conflict and foster strong sibling relationships when your children share a room By Jaimie Seaton

e can’t all live in luxury duplexes or spacious houses. In fact, the vast majority of New Yorkers in the metro area live in small apartments, which means families have to get creative with how they use their space—and siblings might have to share a room. Laura Markham, Ph.D., founder of Aha! Parenting and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings, advises parents start by explaining the situation. Tell your children: “We do need you to share a room with your brother/ sister. I realize that’s asking a lot of you, and I want you to always feel like you can come and talk to me if you get upset by anything. And we’ll put on our thinking caps and find a way to solve whatever the problem is.” There are bound to be ups and downs, so Dr. Markham shares 10 tips for reducing conflict in a tight space.

Expect bumps and don’t give up. There will be a transitional time when you first put your kids together, so expect difficult nights and have a back-up plan. If your baby is used to sleeping with you, first move her to a crib in your room. When she moves to the elder sibling’s room, and if she cries excessively, move her to the living room for the night so the elder child can sleep. Put sleep first. If you’re moving a baby into an older sibling’s room, make sure the baby can sleep through the night so he’s not waking the older child. Consider using a white noise machine to help both children sleep. Start during vacation. If you are transitioning baby or simply putting two siblings together for the first time, try to make the change over a

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

long weekend or vacation when everyone can sleep in and there is less pressure. Let young children share a bed. When your youngest child is old enough to sleep safely with a sibling, push two twin mattresses together on the floor. This can be a great way to foster closeness, and when the children get older and want their own bed, you can pull the beds apart. Secure their treasures. We want to teach our kids to share, but they should also have a place where their prized possessions (such as a model they built or a favorite book) are just theirs. Have a locked cabinet where each child can store their treasures. This is especially important when one of the siblings is a toddler or young child who may not understand boundaries. Designate the bedroom a quiet space. Sometimes one child needs more downtime than the other. Defining the bedroom as a quiet place and relegating louder activity to family spaces can go a long way toward a peaceful home. Create separate spaces. The most common reason kids have a hard time when they share a room is privacy. Set up play tents or bed canopies with curtains, so each child can feel they have their own cocoon. With older siblings or siblings of different genders who need even more privacy, divide the room in half using bookcases or even a sheet to create a temporary wall. Validate their feelings. If your kids want privacy, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong. Your children shouldn’t be made to feel disloyal to each other if they want space. Let them know it’s okay.

Professional Services Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals

TUTORS & TEST PREP WhizKidz Tutoring LLC

Serving Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen counties, and Long Island 914-200-3512 whizkidztutoring.com emaltz@whizkidztutoring.com WhizKidz Tutoring provides top notch tutoring services for students of all ages. You can count on us to help boost your child’s confidence in school, develop a healthy relationship with learning, and improve grades across every subject.

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Work to solve conflicts. If kids are having an irreconcilable difference, some family counseling might be in order. If you have teenagers who are at each other’s throats, counseling can help to uncover the underlying issues. It can also help them develop the ability to communicate safely and express their needs. If all else fails, separate them. If you absolutely have to, consider giving the living room to one of the kids, or the parents, until the living situation changes (the older child goes to college or you move to a larger space). Dr. Markham also urges parents to be flexible— you’re not going to be able to set up the situation and leave it until your kids move out or you’re able to move to a home or apartment with more rooms. Communicate frequently with your children and make adjustments according to what works best for them. And remember, sharing a room is teaching your children to be resilient and adaptable—and they’ll likely grow up to be better sleepers.

Jaimie Seaton has been a journalist for more than 20 years and is a former foreign correspondent for Newsweek. Her essays and reported stories on divorce, parenting, dating, and a wide range of topics have been featured in the Washington Post, New York Magazine, Parents and many other publications. Follow her on Twitter @JaimieSeaton.

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Characters On Call Serving Rockland & Bergen Counties

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Accessible/ Sensory-Friendly

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Abrakadoodle Art Studio Hillsdale, NJ abrakadoodle.com

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Fudgie the Clown & Mystic the Magcian Serving Rockland & Bergen Counties fudgietheclown.com

Inflatable Party Adventures Serving Rockland County & Northern New Jersey inflatablepartyadventures.com

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Manhattan intrepidmuseum.org

Jill’s Ceramics West Nyack jillsceramics.com

New City Bowl & Batting Cages New City

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Now You’re Talking Birthday Parties Stony Point nowyouretalkingspeech.com

Palisades Climb Adventure West Nyack palisadesclimb.com

SweetGuy Ice Cream Truck Serving Rockland & Bergen Counties sweetguyicecream.com

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics Nanuet tumble-beegymnastics.com

Twisted Creations Bubble & Balloons Serving NY, NJ, & CT twistedreations.net

Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park South Hackensack, NJ urbanairparks.com

Vicki’s Dance Studio/ Kreative Kids New City vickisdancestudio.com

West Rock Indoor Sports Nanuet westrockindoor.com

February 2020 | nymetroparents.com

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index acrobatics / gymnastics

dance

home services

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 15

Coupe Theatre Studio.................................................. 12

HUSH Electrical Corp. ................................................. 29

birthday / partyservices

Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio ........................... 21

Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.............................. 7 Jill’s Ceramics ............................................................. 33

developmental Now You’re Talking Speech Therapy ............................ 33

performing arts / acting Coupe Theatre Studio.................................................. 12 Jill’s Ceramics ............................................................. 33

Palisades Climb Adventure .......................................... 18

education

Rockland Parent Party Planner..................................... 45

Blue Rock School ........................................................ 19

play spaces

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 15

German Language School Westwood .......................... 17

Urban Air Adventure Park.............................................. 3

JCC of Rockland ........................................................... 5

West Rock Indoor........................................................ 21

Kumon-Ridgefield Park ................................................. 8

restaurant / food services

camps Camp Ramaquois ....................................................... 23 Coupe Theatre Studio.................................................. 12 German Language School Westwood .......................... 17 Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio ........................... 21 Lindgren School & Camp Holiday Craft Fair.................. 21 Mosholu Montefiore Community Center ....................... 8 Palisades Country Day Camp ...................................... 15 Rockland Center for the Arts ....................................... 17 West Rock Indoor........................................................ 21

child care / day care JCC of Rockland ........................................................... 5 Kreative Kids & Vicki’s Dance Studio ........................... 21 Mommybites............................................................... 39

classes

Lindgren School & Camp Holiday Craft Fair.................. 21

Palisades Center ......................................................... 13

Palisades Country Day Camp ...................................... 15

retail

family entertainment / events / outings

Palisades Center ......................................................... 13

ArtsRock of Rockland ................................................. 29

Tilly...A Deer’s Tale....................................................... 33

Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum............................... 7

special events

Palisades Center ......................................................... 13 Palisades Climb Adventure .......................................... 18 Rockland Youth Bureau .............................................. 19 Urban Air Adventure Park.............................................. 3

ArtsRock of Rockland ................................................. 29 Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.............................. 7 Rockland Youth Bureau .............................................. 19

fitness

special needs

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 15

ArtsRock of Rockland ................................................. 29

health

Lipson Family Coaching............................................... 31

Clemente Orthodontics ............................................... 37 Crystal Run Healthcare............................................ 2, 37 Dental Wellness of Suffern..................................... 37, 48

Now You’re Talking Speech Therapy ............................ 33 Smile More Dentistry .................................................. 37 Spots OT..................................................................... 23

Lipson Family Coaching............................................... 31

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 15

German Language School Westwood .......................... 17

New City Dental.......................................................... 31

JCC of Rockland ........................................................... 5

Now You’re Talking Speech Therapy ............................ 33

sports

Jill’s Ceramics ............................................................. 33

Ramapo Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery. P.C. .............. 19

Kumon-Ridgefield Park ................................................. 8

Smile More Dentistry .................................................. 37

Rockland Center for the Arts ....................................... 17

Smith’s Little Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.................. 21, 37

tutors

Tumble-Bee Gymnastics............................................... 15

Spots OT..................................................................... 23

Kumon - Ridgefield Park ............................................... 8

Palisades Climb Adventure .......................................... 18 West Rock Indoor........................................................ 21

NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY metropolitan area! RocklandParent 45

last word

What do you really want for Valentine’s Day?

“Every Valentine’s Day I want those around me to feel loved, so I usually don’t think about what I want. I guess in a perfect world where I get what I want, I would ask for what I request on my birthday, Christmas, etc.: a nap. That’s really all I want. Just a nap. A nice long nap.” —Jason Greene (@thejasongreene), Manhattan

“To me, there is nothing more romantic or sentimental than feeling loved and appreciated. To be really noticed for all the invisible work moms do daily. I don’t need any physical presents, but I do love experience gifts. A family activity, a date night, concert, cooking class, comedy show, or a play are always top on my list.”—Katy Winter (@katys_organized_home), Westchester County “A whole 24 hours of silence—a night to sleep, a morning to only think about myself. And, then, after 24 hours of silence, I want sex. Because to have good sex you need a peaceful, uncongested mind, and that is hard to do when you’ve been jumping from mom-mode to entrepreneur-mode all day.”

“I want a day of f, at home . with no kids And a box of chocolatesns.”

—Pamela Pekerman (@pamelapekerman), Manhattan

rsky Quee

— Margot Luba

“A nice bottle of red wine, good dark chocolate, and my kids to stop interrupting for one second so I can have an actual conversation with my husband.” —Jessica Reese, Westchester County

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@nymetroparents

As we just moved into a new house, I’m dreaming of pretty linens (napkins and placemats) for our new table and all the parties I am hoping to plan but may never get around to doing so.” —Lisa Miller, Brooklyn

“I want an experience— something that feels special and maybe a little lavish… something I can get out of my mommy clothes for!” —Stella Leo (@StylishlyStella), Manhattan

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! NYMetroParents.com is parents' Party Central—one-stop shopping for the best in: H Party Places (for the trendiest, newest, or most classic locale) H Entertainers (clowns, balloon twisting, magicians, spa parties & so much more!) H Gift-Giving (from charitable ideas to the best presents for every age) H At-Home Party Themes (think pirates, princesses, superheroes, Harry Potter…) H Planning Help H Tips & Tricks from the Pros (…and parents who’ve been there!) Bergen•RocklandParent NORTH

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30% OF KIDS ARE SCARED TO VISIT THE DENTIST. NOT ANYMORE.

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Dental Wellness of Suffern Sherri Alpert, D.D.S. 2 Executive Blvd., Suite 307, Suffern (845) 918-1801 dentalwellnessofsuffern.com