LongIslandParent SUFFOLK EDITION
AUGUST 2016
NYMETROPARENTS.COM
Making Melodies
All you need to know about kids’ music lessons
Behind the Thrills
PLUS: Find the best
after-school activities
How water parks keep everyone safe
Olympic Conversations Using the Summer Games to spark family discussions
WHERE TO PICK BERRIES
•
THE POWER OF PRESCHOOL
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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
LongIslandParent
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NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions
Contents
August 2016 ›› Features 14 Choose the Best After-School Activity for Your Child A flowchart to help you pick extracurriculars 16 It’s Music to Their Ears What you need to know about music lessons 20 Olympic Lessons How the Summer Games can spark important family conversations 22 Behind the Thrills A look at how water parks train lifeguards
20
40 Burgers Reinvented Three new takes on the grilled summer staple
44
43 Grilled Desserts? Yes, Please! Sweet treats to impress at your next barbecue
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44 The Power of Preschool Pre-K is much more than just play time 47 The Importance of Sleep Getting a good night’s rest does more than prevent cranky kids and tired parents
Connections 6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 11 Voices: Respecting kids’ fashion choices 13 NYMP Q&A: Allyson Downey talks thriving in your career while raising children
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Fun & Activities
Family Activities CALENDAR ››
27
12 Media Matters: Screen-Time Recommendations 12 DIY Corner: Mollusk Wind Chime 24 Outing: Prospect Park Zoo 27 Family Activities Calendar 38 Where-To Guide: Pick Your Own Berries
Directories 18 46 48 49 50
Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)
After-School Classes & Programs Preschools and Child Care Centers Meet the Health Care Professional Open Houses Advertisers’ Index
››
ON THE COVER ›› 16 Making Melodies 18 Find the Best After-School Activities 20 Olympic Conversations facebook.com/nymetroparents
@NYMetroParents
22 Behind the Thrills 38 Where to Pick Berries
44 The Power of Preschool
Visit NYMETROPARENTS.COM for family activities updated daily and more than 2,000 parenting articles!
Bridging Cultures and Building Community Through an Appreciation of the Arts
The Wyandanch Plaza Association presents
WYANDANCH plaza arts fair 2016
Bridging Cultures and Building Community Through an Appreciation of the Arts
FR E E N IO M AD I S S
#WyandanchPlazaArtsFair2016
Sol y Sombra,
e Flamenco, Argentin ce an D tin Tango, and La Performance by Sol y Sombra
––––––––
Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could
Perfor mance by Wyand anch’s own Venet t
es Cu ltura Work l shop!
WYANDANCH
& LESSONS!
plaza arts fair 2016 Meet T
raditCultures ional and Building Community Through an Appreciation of the as Bridging Arts terChef Junior
Haitian Dan ce Performanc e by
La Troupe
Zetwal
––––––––
Design a Community Quilt
–––––––– Arts & Crafts
M nt, Season 3 Contesta
PLUS: FOOD TRUCKS The Big Cheese Hush Bistro
& LESSONS !
AJ ––––––––
& COOKING DEMO!
Rolling Smoke Grill and more!
More to be announced...
For More Information, Visit WyandanchPlaza.org or Email Info@WyandanchPlaza.org This event is made possible thanks to a Destination Downtown Grant from the Suffolk County Office of Film and Cultural Affairs.
Join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag: #WyandanchPlazaArtsFair2016 Transit Plaza, 40 Station Drive, Wyandanch, NY 11798
For press inquiries, please contact kerry@kggpr.com
LongIslandParent
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AUGUST 2016 • Vol.8 • No.3
NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress
EDITOR’S NOTE
Our Activities, Our Passions
W
hen I was little, I took piano lessons, but practicing was always a struggle, and I quit after a year. Some years later, I got it in my head that I wanted to play clarinet, and took several years of lessons before transitioning to saxophone, which I played in my high school orchestra. Despite all this, playing music was a constant struggle for me, and practicing held little interest. I stuck with it because I liked the idea of being a musician—but never got much out of it. Still, I have always been fascinated by those who can produce beautiful sounds from a musical instrument. I didn’t know until recently that one of those people is on my staff here at NYMetroParents. As you can read on p. 16, Samantha Neudorf, our assistant editor, is a longtime violinist. In addition to giving us a glimpse into her own personal musical experiences, she shares all the information parents need to know before starting their kids on musical lessons. While my kids have not learned instruments, my two oldest daughters have over the years taken swim lessons, ballet, art, a couple of different kiddie music and movement classes, chess, after-school enrichment, gymnastics at two different neighborhood schools, and… I am sure I am missing something. Balancing all the factors—schedules, costs, other siblings’ needs, homework time, and the need for downtime—is a challenge we face annually as we prepare for a new school year. But it is important to us that our kids participate in activities outside school and find outlets for their creativity, athleticism, and passions. In this issue, you will find our comprehensive guide to local after-school classes (p. 18) and a fun quiz to help you narrow down the choices (p. 14). While my older two children focus on choosing their after-school activities for this year, my youngest will be heading to school for the first time (cue the tears). It’s three mornings per week, and despite having had two older kids attend local nursery schools, we still toured a few, spoke with directors, and had a hard time deciding where to send her. Sure, preschool feels like it’s mostly play, but there’s a lot more that happens there. To find out why it’s so important, check out our story on “The Power of Preschool” (p. 44). For my oldest daughter, gymnastics has become her biggest after-school focus. She’s psyched to watch the world’s best gymnasts compete this month in the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The games provide a great, laid-back opportunity to engage your kids in discussions about important topics. To help you get started, we offer a guide to sparking these family conversations (p. 20). With all the talk of after-school activities and back-to-school prep, let’s not forget that it’s still summer! Fire up the grill and try one of our fantastic burger recipes (p. 40) or browse our calendar to find the perfect sunny day family event near you (p. 27). And enjoy the remaining weeks until the kiddos board those buses for school once again. Michael Kress Editorial Director
DEPUTY EDITOR: Bethany Braun MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Catherine Patwell REGIONAL EDITORS: Karen Demeter (Fairfield, Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERNS: Megan Bailey, Lauren Diaz, Melissa Wickes
ADVERTISING SALES Big Apple Parent 212-315-0800; Fax: 212-271-2239 Jeunesse Jackson, Linda Pierce Queens Parent 718-878-4860 Annene Guertin, Ellen Klein Westchester Parent 914-397-0200 Nini DeLuca, Manager Randi Shulman, Merrill Sugarman, Mary Wender Brooklyn Parent 718-878-4860 Phyllis Crupi, Ellen Klein, Selene Rodriguez Rockland Parent 845-848-8021 Cara Roteman, Jim Russo Fairfield Parent 914-397-0200 Judy Samuels, Randi Shulman Long Island Parent, Nassau 516-883-4543 Joan Bergman, Manager, Dani Pollack Long Island Parent, Suffolk 631-472-5437 Lisa Herlihy, Karen Shapiro To Advertise: nympads@davlermedia.com DIR. OF OPERATIONS -- EVENTS: Rebecca Stolcz DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS: Ray Winn OPERATIONS COORDINATORS: Ray C. Guédez, Leonard Porter DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC: Heather Gambaro TRAFFIC MANAGER: Alexis Brower
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Anthony Diaz CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Jiyon Son DIGITAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Robert Reynolds GRAPHIC ARTIST: Oscar Osario
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Connect With Us Every Day Wherever and whenever you need parenting advice and resources, we are here for you. Find useful articles, local business directories, event listings, and much more 24/7 at nymetroparents.com, and connect with us at:
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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
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When your little angel thinks he’s a daredevil...
Better have a good pediatrician. Make sure your kids are covered.
Contact Affinity Health Plan at 866.247.5678 to obtain more information about Child Health Plus, a free or low-cost health insurance program sponsored by New York State for kids under the age of 19. To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855.355.5777.
AffinityPlan.org/CHP
LongIslandParent
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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS
nymetroparents.com/np-sp
Who: Cummings Family Dentistry What’s New: The family dental practice’s a new location in Huntington, which allows it to offer additional services. “Our practice was started with the mindset of treating the entire family,” says Johnasina L. Cummings, D.D.S.. “Whether the family had a special needs patient, a geriatric patient, a child, adult, teenager—we’re equipped to do all of that in the office.” The practice is also doing more orthodontic work in the office, as well as implants, extractions, and root canals. Want More Info: 42 High St., Huntington; 631-425-1650; cummingsfamilydentistry.com
Courtesy Cummings Family Dentistry
Family Dentist Office Moves to New Location in Huntington
Johnasina L. Cummings, D.D.S.
Who: Take Two Film Academy What’s New: A summer camp for kids and teens with an interest in video and media literacy. After a successful first summer, the academy will hold the summer camp again next year at The Southampton Center for Cultural Arts. Students learn every aspect of filmmaking including screenwriting, directing, acting, shooting, and editing. Camp is geared toward kids in fourth to 10th grade. There is no prior knowledge of filmmaking required, only a love for and interest in the art of film. Want More Info: 25 Pond Lane, Southampton; 917-546-6816; taketwofilmacademy.com
Courtesy Take Two Film Academy
Film School Launches Summer Camp in Southampton
Students practice filmmaking at Take Two Film Academy.
Who: Cousins Paintball What’s New: The location of the multi-sport facility, which offers paintball and golf as well as private events and parties. Cousins Paintball is now minutes from the Long Island Expressway and offers patrons Airball, Woodsball, and Scenario Fields, which are all supervised by professionally trained staff. The location has an on-site pro shop and food and drinks are available for purchase. Cousins Paintball is open weekends from 9am-5pm and private parties can be reserved seven days a week. Want More Info: 149 Edwards Ave., Calverton; 631-698-6230; cousinspaintball.com
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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
Courtesy Cousins Paintball
Paintball Facility Moves to Calverton
A group enjoys a round of paintball at Cousins Paintball.
off-broadway ILLUSIONIST
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UOTABLES Obviously, the goal of parenting is to raise well rounded human beings that are able to go off into the world and make smart decisions and have a life of their own, but the idea of my sweet boy not needing me as much really struck a chord in me today. —Allison Cooper, in a post entitled “When Independence Takes Over,” on her blog projectmotherhoodnyc.com
in an instagram 4+ hours. precisely what summer breaks are made of. #boys #childhoodunplugged #endlesssummer #summersixteen (Posted by @mommydelicious, aka Alicia Harper, who blogs at mommydelicious.com. The photo was taken at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6.)
WHEN MOM IS BOSS “I truly enjoy what I do on a daily basis and I’m unlocking the potential of the children in my community, making it a better place to live.”
in an instagram Ladies who lunch! #thisis6 #bff
—Natania Blumenkehl, in a post entitled “Tips for Balancing Life as a Mom and a Business Owner.” Read more at nymetroparents.com/mom-boss
(Posted by NYC mom @naomi_sixdegreesofmom, aka Naomi Schoenkin, who runs the private playdate community Six Degrees of Mom)
“There are a finite number of years when my voice will be louder than their friends, than magazines, than the rest of the world. So I hold tightly to this sliver of time. I take every opportunity I can to tell them that I think the world of them, that their bodies are perfect exactly the way they are, that they are beautiful and brilliant and creative and strong.” —Sarah Sandifer, in a post entitled “Why I Completely Overvalue My Kids,” on the site scarymommy.com
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MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: SAND & SURF: Find the best beaches near you at nymetroparents.com/beaches. LUNCH TO GO: Discover the perfect picnic spot at nymetroparents.com/picnic. FRACTURE OR SPRAIN? Learn how to tell the difference at nymetroparents.com/fracture-sprain. WAXY FUN: Plan your visit to Madame Tussauds New York at nymetroparents.com/madame-tussauds.
VOICES
Avoiding the Fashion Fight ››
Clothes are an expression of who we are—as my girls are well aware. I’ve learned to let go and respect my little fashionistas’ choices. By Jennifer Garry
M
y girls are fearless fashionistas. While their momma is perfectly content in a solid rotation of V-neck T-shirts, jeans, and TOMS that smell like they’ve been worn all summer, these daughters of mine treat getting dressed in the morning like a ceremony for the super fabulous. There is combing through closets. There are wardrobe changes. There are accessories. There are spritzes of perfume and lip gloss application and ballerina-like twirls in front of their fulllength mirror. Ellie, my 5-year-old, has even started quietly creeping out of bed like the bite-sized ninja she is and dressing herself fully (lip gloss, arm full of bracelets, and much more) before shaking me awake and asking in her best Valley girl voice if she looks beautiful. Where does a 5-year-old child pick up a Valley girl lilt in the first place?! As the start of a new school year barrels toward us, there is one thing I’m sure of: There is no way these opinionated ladies of mine will transition from the absolute freedom of summer to a rigid school-year wardrobe without a battle. Apparently, kids have their own personalities and opinions—I just wish someone had slipped me that memo when I was pregnant and daydreaming about what life with kids would be like. I’ve made it clear that there will be no makeup and there most certainly will be daily hair brushing by Mom. But the notion of me picking out their outfits and forcing them into submission? It’s not worth the struggle, even if that means Ellie shows up to kindergarten wearing fleece sweatpants with fluffy skirts and two completely different shoes with as many accessories as she can possibly pile on.
These girls already see their clothes as expressions of who they are. As long as it’s appropriate—meaning they’re not wearing four sweaters when it’s 80 degrees out or tank tops in the snow—why take that away from them? Who really cares if all of the colors and patterns clash violently and make me cringe? If they’re happy and confident, why do I care what anyone else thinks? Because, if we’re being honest, what other people think is the only real reason we battle with our kids over their mismatched hodgepodge outfits. But consider this: The clothes we wear tell a story. They are a form of self-expression, and allowing our children to show the world who they are and that they’re confident being that person is such an easy way to give them power. I consider it my job to let my girls shine—and I’d much rather allow them to express themselves freely and comfortably now, before I’m arguing with them about more permanent ways of expressing themselves later. Who am I to get in the way of them figuring out who they are and what they like? I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a struggle to get to the point where I can just let them be. In fact, it was really, really hard to let go of my control-freak tendencies and my desire to have my girls look like they came skipping from the pages of an expensive catalog. But I truly believe in the importance of teaching my girls that they can make the world a better place by being themselves. And as I watch them skip off in wild outfits of their choosing, I know that they’re confident and excited and feel like the best version of themselves. What more could a momma want?
Jennifer Garry is a freelance writer and Westchester mom. She writes about that ever-elusive struggle for balance on her personal blog, Cuddles and Chaos (cuddlesandchaos.com).
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Media Matters: TV
Terrific Trucks
Recommended Age: 3+ H H H H H
Network: Sprout A delightful series that follows the adventures of real dirt movers.
Screen-Time Recommendations
Mouk
Recommended Age: 4+ H H H H
Network: Xfinity A gentle preschool series that promotes cultural diversity.
Voltron, Legendary Defender
Recommended Age: 8+ H H H H
Network: Netflix DreamWorks updates this ‘80s toon in tense but fantastic form.
Roots
Recommended Age: 14+ H H H H H
Network: History The reimagined slave epic is violent but stirs worthy questions.
In Theaters Aug. 12: Pete’s Dragon Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices. Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org
Parents need to know that Pete’s Dragon (2016) is Disney’s remake of the classic 1977 live-action/ animated movie that looks to be a fantasy story for all ages. Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has told children tales of a boy and his dragon for years, but his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), a forest ranger, never believed him. Then she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley), a 10-year-old orphan who claims he lives in the woods with his pet dragon, Elliot, which sounds eerily similar to the dragon in her dad’s stories. With the help of 11-year-old Natalie (Oona Laurence), Grace sets out to find out the truth behind Pete, his supposed dragon, and her father’s stories. Given the source material, this looks like a strong choice for families.
See more at NYMetroParents.com/media
DIY CORNER BEACH CRAFT
Mollusk Wind Chime
A wind chime made from attractive mollusk shells will remind you of the seashore as it dances noisily in the breeze. When you visit the beach, search for shells that have a natural hole. Empty limpet shells, for example, may already have a neat, circular hole in the middle—made by the limpet’s predator—which means you can just thread the craft cord through the hole. Bivalve twin mollusks, such as mussels, cockles, and razor clams, are useful if the two halves of the shell are still attached to each other, because the cord for hanging each shell can be twisted and secured at the shell’s natural hinge. This means that you don’t have to tie a knot—how shellcrafty is this? What to Use: • 12 empty mollusk shells (such as limpets and bivalve mussels, cockles, or razor clams) • Bowl of warm, soapy water • Spray craft varnish (optional) • 12 lengths of colored craft cord, 10-12 inches in length • Colored plastic clothes hanger, driftwood, or stick • Large pieces of dulse (seaweed) (optional) What to Do: 1. Wash your selection of mollusk shells in a bowl of warm, soapy water and dry them carefully. 2. Spray the shells with craft varnish if you want glitzy shells, and leave to dry. 12
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3. Attach each shell to a length of craft cord by threading the cord through the natural hole and trying a knot at one end. You can also just tie the cord around the shell, but this won’t be as secure. If you’re lucky enough to have joined bivalve shells, simply twist the cord around the hinge. 4. Arrange the threaded shells attractively and then tie the other end of each cord securely around the lower bar of the clothes hanger. Make sure you space the cords so the shells will bounce into each other in the breeze. Attach a larger piece of dulse for added color if you wish. The color of the seaweed will fade over time. 5. Hang the finished wind chime in front of an open window or perhaps in the garden. Let Your Kids Go Wild Outside by Fiona Bird; Ryland Peters & Small, $19.95; rylandpeters.com. Photography by Dylan Drummond and Terry Benson
NYMP Q&A
Careers & Children ›› Allyson Downey experienced pregnancy discrimination at work and thought it was an anomaly. In doing research for her book, Here’s the Plan: Your Practical, Tactical Guide to Advancing Your Career During Pregnancy and Parenting, in which she lays the foundation to help you thrive in your career while raising children, Downey found that nearly one-third of women experienced some form of pregnancy discrimination.
Allison Hooban
By Katelin Walling
What are the most important things you want new mothers to take away from your book? I think the two biggest ones are speaking up for yourself and really building a professional support network, making as many connections as you can from the earliest point in your career. That is the network that is going to be there for you if you do run into problems like I ran into, but it’s also going to be there to help elevate your career if you don’t get into problems. What can mothers do to limit judgment from coworkers for having a different schedule? Every woman I talked to that was constrained by child care hours felt spectacular guilt every time she walked out of the office. Those women don’t want to talk about it because why would you want to bring up something that’s making you feel terrible? And the colleagues who are watching you walk out the door don’t want to bring it up because they don’t want to begrudge a mother’s time with her children. What no one is acknowledging is it’s making everyone unhappy. As hard and uncomfortable it can be, clearly tell your colleagues: I have to leave every day at 5pm for child care pickup. I hate walking out of here while all of you are still working. I am going to do everything I can to cram as much work into the 8 hours I am here, so you may see me decline meetings that aren’t absolutely critical for me to attend. State whatever accommodations you reasonably can make to ensure that you are able to stay on equal footing with your colleagues. What can men and women do to help change their work culture to be more accommodating to new parents? I think that we are at this really amazing point where there are all of these conversations happening in the media, and dozens of private companies are speaking up and talking about family leave. You can harness that energy and momentum. I think the most effective way to do that is to talk about why it’s good for your company. Talk in terms of the company’s ability to retain outstanding talent and its ability to recruit great talent because it’s progressive about family leave. Talk about all of the great press that companies are generating from the announcements they’re making about their new 16 weeks of paid leave for both men and women. ...It’s such an important signal that being a parent and taking care of a child is not women’s work. It’s work for parents.
There’s a story behind every smile… we’d like of part of yours!
Dr. Johnasina L. Cummings, D.D.S.
for Children, Adolescents, Adults & Special Needs Patients. New Patients Welcome!
Warm Friendly Environment On call 24 hours a day for emergencies Participating With Most Insurance Plans
42 High Street, Huntington
(631) 425-1650
www.cummingsfamilydentistry.com
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Choose the Best After-School Activity for Your Child With myriad activities available to children these days, it’s easy to get bogged down with all the options. Take this fun quiz to see which activity best suits your child. ››
Your child is a...
Social butterfly
Lone wolf
On the weekends your kid is...
Outside
Is he a picky eater?
No
Yes
Does he love being physical?
Yes
Sports
No
Your child is a ball of energy, so make sure you put it to good use. Team sports, such as basketball or soccer, are a great way to learn team work while also staying fit and active.
14
Your child’s dream job is...
Watching TV
Astronaut
Is she the leader of the pack?
Yes
What’s the first thing she does in the car?
Roll down window
The Arts
Turn on radio
Dance, drama, or a music class would be a great fit for your kid. She is creative and has a zest for life that just can’t be contained. You might have a potential triple-threat on your hands!
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
Her favorite subject is...
Science
No
President
Your child’s room is...
English
Is he smarter than you?
Yes
Academic Enrichment
Grades
Your smarty pants can’t get enough of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Many tutoring centers also offer enrichment classes, espeically during the summer. Get your Einstein learning all year long.
Clean
Messy
What’s more important?
Experience
Art Class
If your child is constantly drawing or painting at home, save yourself the mess and get him into an art class. Art is a great way for your little Picasso to express himself.
Long Island’s Premier Gymnastics Studio
Braces for Children & Adults ndly Environment e i r F d i K Newest video-game technology Flat screen TV’s in all rooms
Classes ages 2-18 for boys and girls Beginner to competitive Gymnastics, Tumbling, Agility Training 425 Oser Ave Suite 4C Hauppauge, NY 11788
Warm, Friendly Staff Insurance Accepted t s o M Experienced Assistants and Hygienists
We Work With Care Credit Flexible Hours: Monday-Friday & Some Saturdays
Contact: 631-273-8426 • www.artisticgymnastics.net
RANKED
Frank Ohman School of Ballet Train With a Master (Former soloist New York City Ballet)
ONE OF THE TOP 40 INVISALIGN ORTHODONTISTS IN THE COUNTRY
Classical Ballet Instruction in the tradition of George Balanchine • Home School of New York Dance Theatre • Year-Round Enrollment age 3 through professional levels • Presents Long Island’s Largest “Nutcracker” at Hofstra 60 Calvert Avenue, Commack, NY 11725 631.462.6266 www.ohmanballet.org
$300 Discount With this Ad Horizon Orthodontics 1150 Portion Rd Holtsville, NY 11742 (631) 698-2424 www.smilebracer.com LongIslandParent 15
Sophia Lee
Christian and Jessica Li of Manhasset perform at the Music Institute of Long Island’s Gala Concert at Carnegie Hall in June.
It’s Music to Their Ears
››
Your child wants to play an instrument—now what? We asked music instructors to weigh in on renting vs. buying, how to choose what to play, and the benefits of private and group lessons. By Samantha Neudorf
I
t was 1998 when I decided I wanted to play the violin. Only 5 years old, I was watching Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra on TV with my parents when a violin soloist named Vanessa-Mae came on stage to perform “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot opera, and her own piece called “Storm” on the electric violin. She swayed back and forth with her eyes closed, evoking a fiery passion with every note. I turned to my mom, mesmerized and inspired, and declared, “I want to do that.” After 12 years of violin and three years of viola lessons, I can firmly say that my life changed for the better. Science has proven time and again that children who play musical instruments do better in school. That’s because while playing an instrument the brain exercises motor, auditory, visual, and emotional responses all at once, making it the “most complex and demanding cognitive challenges that the human mind can undertake,” according to a study published in the journal Nature Reviews Neuroscience. Brain stimulation is just the beginning of the benefits of music. It also helps children focus better in school and grasp new concepts easily. Sophia Lee of Manhasset is the mother of two children— Christian, 8, and Jessica, 6—who take piano lessons at the Music Institute of Long Island, also in Manhasset. Both of them began taking lessons at age 4 and got started because they looked up to 16
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
Lang Lang, a Chinese concert pianist, and their grandmother, who also played piano. “Piano has also been a great method to be focused, structured, and has helped them academically with school,” Lee says. “[They have more] confidence [when] delivering presentations at school, and [it] has helped Jessica with dance, to be more artistic and graceful.”
Practice, Practice
Music lessons are a discipline because the only way to improve and advance is to practice, which can be hard if a child refuses to pick up her instrument regularly. “It’s a slow process, but kids have good days and bad days,” says Geri Kushner, director of the Music Institute of Long Island. “Not everybody is going to have an incredible day at a lesson and a practice at home. Slow and steady wins the race.” Whether parents want their children to play an instrument or a child chooses to, the child needs to first have an interest in learning about music. “If there is no interest, there is little chance that the child will study an instrument long-term,” says Karen Geer, executive director of the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in Park Slope. Geer suggests that if a child is not ready to play an instrument, she can join a pre-instrumental class to try out different ones and learn about rhythm, pitch, and tempo.
Selecting an Instrument
When choosing an instrument, it is important that the child gets a say in what he wants to play. After all, he is the one who will be practicing it. Some children may have an idea of what they want to play. If not, most schools offer trial classes. “We say you have to give it at least a semester,” Kushner says. “Otherwise you’re never really going to know.” Other schools may have community outreach programs, such as “instrumental petting zoos,” for kids to try out their options. Parents and kids can also sit in to observe classes. Summer camp programs can also be helpful for families to tour the schools without making any commitments. If your child is still undecided, Rachael Carson, director of Bach to Rock in Mamaroneck, suggests either trying out voice lessons or playing piano because they are the foundation for a lot of instruments. “We also emphasize to kids that if you pick an instrument, it doesn’t mean that this is the only instrument that you will ever play,” Carson says.
Renting vs. Buying
Most music instructors recommend renting an instrument if a child is just starting out—especially if she is young and can outgrow an instrument that fits her perfectly now. The only instrument that musicians recommend buying right away, if a family can afford it, is a piano because it is a timeless piece of furniture. “If you can get it in the beginning, you won’t have to worry about it again,” Kushner says. Otherwise, for piano players, a keyboard can suffice, as there are many decent ones available. Your music instructor can provide suggestions for affordable rental options. Carson strongly advises against buying instruments from eBay or other similar websites because they are poor quality, calling them “instrument-shaped objects.” “If your kid gets really serious and you bought an instrument that’s a beginner quality instrument, it’s going to end up hindering that child’s development on the instrument,” Carson says, adding that she did not buy her first violin until she was in high school. If your child continues to show an interest in playing his instrument years down the line, it could be worth investing in a high-quality instrument.
Musical Methods
Among the first decisions parents need to make when deciding on music lessons for their child is what teaching method to pursue. Many music teachers use the Suzuki method of teaching, developed by a Japanese violinist named Shinichi Suzuki, in which parents learn to play alongside their children. The child would take private lessons along with group classes. (This is the method that I studied.) Other methods include the Orff method, which engages kids in music using percussion instruments such as the glockenspiel or xylophone; and the Kodaly method, which enforces singing as the foundation of musicianship. Some music schools, such as Bach to Rock, offer the Suzuki method, along with their own curriculum for kids to learn a mix of classical, pop, and rock music. “Parents are surprised when they find out that a violin student can learn Katy Perry in addition to learning how to play ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ on the violin,” Carson says. “One comment that I get all of the time is, ‘I can’t believe how fun this is!’”
The Music Institute of Long Island offers Kindermusik classes for young children, a Germany-based curriculum designed to encourage musical play and movement.
Private vs. Group Lessons
Children may be enrolled in both private or group lessons—or a mixture of the two—as both are beneficial and provide different experiences for the student. Young children might consider starting off by taking lessons with one or two other students, then transitioning to a private lesson around age 7. Private lessons are highly encouraged because the teachers can better review the students’ techniques, and one-on-one instruction tends to instill in kids a sense of responsibility. Group lessons allow kids to play as an ensemble, which teaches them to play cohesively and perform together. For example, the Music Institute of Long Island performs at nursing homes and other venues as a way to give back to people in the community, as well as to build confidence in playing for an audience. Bach to Rock holds a Battle of the Bands competition for its rock band program, in which the kids have the responsibility to listen to the members of their group and play at the same tempo. If a child is very eager to play, it is possible that she can begin at age 3. Otherwise, age 6 or 7 might be more appropriate, as that is when children begin learning how to read and are more focused and physically developed. When sitting in lessons, Kushner advises parents to record their children using a video camera or tape recorder and to take notes to make sure that the child takes the corrections from class and applies them at home. “Everything takes time,” Kushner says. “We improve and sometimes we plateau, just like in everything else. But if they’re not putting in the time, they can’t expect to do fabulously.”
The Payoff
Something that most parents may be surprised to learn once their child begins music lessons is how much dedication and commitment is required. Just as a child might study over and over for a test, he must be ready to constantly practice his instrument to become more advanced. “If [children] take SATs, ACTs, math tutoring, English tutoring, and Kumon, [those teachers] expect them to work there,” Kushner says. “We expect them to work at a violin lesson or piano lesson, as well.” Parents can motivate and support their children by giving them words of encouragement. “The attitude of the parents, and just being ready to be a support and as enthusiastic as their kids, is important,” Carson says. As for me, my mom would encourage me to enter music competitions, and even though I only ever placed among the winners once in the 12 years I took lessons, the experience made me learn how to pick myself up from failure and move on. It was not until adulthood that I realized how valuable this was for me. Even if my parents and I butted heads when I did not want to practice, it disciplined me to refocus my energy to buckle down and chip away at improving, which showed that hard work and dedication can take you far. If it were not for music, I do not think I would have had the ambition and drive to push myself through Advanced Placement classes in high school, move 5,000 miles away from home for college, and make a living here in New York City, arguably the most competitive city in the world. All thanks to that unforgettable TV concert nearly 20 years ago.
LongIslandParent 17
AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES & PROGRAMS The Annual Directory of
County-wide resources to keep kids active & entertained when the school bell sounds
The All Star
96 Main Road, Riverhead 631-998-3565 theallstar.com events@theallstar.com The All Star in Riverhead has much to offer. Bowl over our 22 main lanes with black lights, cutting edge audio and visual system, and projection screens showing sports over our glow in the dark lanes. Bowling specials for the family to enjoy, bowling leagues for all ages, Special Olympic Bowling, and after-school bowling programs are just some of what we have to offer. Check out our website at theallstar.com for available times and pricing. For additional fun, explore our new games in our new arcade.
intervention experiences are provided within the framework of a multidisciplinary team. Their goal is to work collaboratively with families to build upon children’s strengths to enhance their skills and overall level of independence. Building Blocks’ personnel are respectful of the unique nature of each child and cognizant of creating educational opportunities that are mindful of individual strengths, weaknesses, and preferred learning styles.
Cummings Family Dental
425 Oser Ave., Hauppauge 631-273-8426 artisticgymnastics.net Gymnastics is the ultimate preparation for all other sports. Our sport requires strength and flexibility from every single muscle in the body. At Artistic Gymnastics, we combine the beautiful art of gymnastics with the superior knowledge of the growing body to make a safe and fun experience for all of our students. From the recreational gymnast to the competitive athlete, we help all of our students to be stronger, faster, and healthier.
42 High St., Huntington 631-425-1650 cummingsfamilydentistry.com cummingsfamilydentistry@aol.com Begin the school year with a confident, healthy smile! At Cummings Family Dentistry, we believe that a dentist and patient become a team. We spend time listening to understand your concerns and responding with the best treatment options for you. Patients are informed about dental problems and treatments, because informed patients make better decisions about their health and well-being. Our practice offers the personal commitment you look for from a dentist. Schedule your backto-school appointment with us today. There’s a story behind every smile...we’d like to be part of yours!
Building Blocks Developmental Preschool
East End PTPC Preventative Therapeutic Play Center
Artistic Gymnastics
29 Pinewood Drive, Commack 631-499-1237 bbdps.com Building Blocks’ offers a wide array of early childhood learning opportunities for children ages newborn to 3 years. Both parent-child groups and separation classes are available. Early
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170 Mill Pond Path, Westhampton 631-235-2146; 631-804-5728 eastendptpc.com lauren@eastendptpc.com ronni@eastendptpc.com We believe that all children learn best through play. We focus on each individual’s
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
unique abilities and needs to help them grow and maximize their learning potential. Therapists with more than 10 years of pediatric clinical experience, we offer physical and occupational therapy, sensory play, handwriting groups, children’s yoga, mommy and me classes, fitness, and nutrition. We instill fun, confidence, and strength in the children we treat. Our passion is to teach children to believe in themselves and their dreams despite any physical limitation they may encounter.
Fairy LiceMothers
2463 S. Long Beach Road, Oceanside 866-561-0492 1755 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park 679 Glen Cove Ave., Glen Head fairylicemothers.com fairylicemothers@gmail.com Back-to-school season is approaching and children have been playing head to head all summer. It is important to check your children before school starts. Fairy LiceMothers says, “Once a week, take a peek” by doing a quick 10-minute weekly combout with the MagicWand and MagicHalo Conditioner. Watch our comb-out video to learn how to check your children at fairylicemothers.com/lice_ treatment.html. Or schedule a headcheck at one of our three Long Island locations. Headchecks are normally $25 but mention this ad and get $10 off. Remember, advice is always free.
The Gateway Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County The Gateway School for the Performing Arts
215 S. Country Road, Bellport
631-286-1133 thegateway.org Since 1950, The Gateway has been Long Island’s home for high-quality arts education— both Robert Duvall and Gene Hackman began their careers here. More than 300 students each year, from Montauk to Manhattan, receive professional-level training at The Gateway School for the Performing Arts. The focus at Gateway is on providing training that will build technique while working toward a production. Whether it’s audition techniques, scene study, improvisation, or character development, students learn from professional teachers in a fun and social environment!
The Hagedorn Little Village School, Jack Joel Center for Special Children
750 Hicksville Road, Seaford 516-520-6000 littlevillage.org jon.feingold@littlevillage.org The Hagedorn Little Village School is a nonprofit school highly regarded for providing outstanding educational and therapeutic services for children with a wide range of developmental disabilities. HLVS provides year-round programs and services that include diagnostic evaluations and treatment, early intervention, a preschool, an elementary school, SEIT, and related services. Services provided on-site, and in homes, nursery schools, and day care centers include: speech, feeding, occupational, physical, and movement therapies; behavior management or Applied Behavior Analysis; counseling; and support groups.
Ohman School Of Ballet New York Dance Theatre
60 Calvert Ave., Commack 631-462-6266 ohmanballet.org office@ohmanballet.com Our school serves as a training ground for promising young dancers and offers the opportunity to learn classical ballet in the tradition of George Balanchine. Students are guided from first steps to advanced technique. The Early Childhood Program instills creativity, discipline, and a love for ballet for our students ages 4-6. Students explore the characters and music of various classical ballets, are introduced to classical ballet steps, create their own movements, and practice in costume. The school is a non-competition, non-recital school, focusing on proper classical ballet technique.
Picasso Kidz, Creative Art Studio For Children
72 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-261-5500 picassokidz.com picassokidzart@gmail.com Picasso Kidz is a children’s art studio for ages 2-17. We offer age-appropriate art classes by experienced NYS-certified art teachers dedicated to giving children a well-rounded art education. Children will be taught drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and collage in a caring and creative environment. Mommy and Me classes for ages 2-3, include creative play, easel time, story time, and art lessons. “Extraordinary Picasso” art classes are for children with special needs. These are smaller classes, taught by NYS-certified art teachers who have also been trained by Missing Piece Awareness.
Posey School
57 Main St., Northport 631-757-2700 poseyschool.com poseyschoolofdance@gmail.com Posey School offers dance classes for infants to adults, a Preschool Program, and our new art classes. We offer classes during convenient days and times, and a preschool program for boys and
girls ages 2-5 every day from 9-11:30am. Classes include Ballet, Contemporary-Modern, Jazz, Tap, Choreography, and Creative Movement. Based on nationally recognized criteria, our unique programs emphasize the artistic and cultural benefits of applying oneself in the arts. These benefits include acquiring and maintaining basic physical skills, as well as cognitive development in problem solving.
Prime Time Early Learning Center 270 Airport Plaza, Farmingdale 631-777-9090 primetimeschools.com/ farmingdale-day-care Prime Time Farmingdale’s before- and after-school program provides homework assistance, supervised play, computers, group games, and playground time in a safe, educational, and relaxed environment. There is ample opportunity for children ages 10 and younger to study, socialize, do homework, rest, or engage in play activities. Our Farmingdale center offers an environment that is safe and loving, with a staff that is well trained, highly motivated, and dedicated to each child’s well-being. Prime Time of Farmingdale is open Monday-Friday from 6:30am-7pm.
Tumbling Tunes
212 Laurel Road, East Northport 631-697-0140 tumblingtunes.com tumblingtunes@gmail.com Tumbling Tunes offers high-energy, fun, after-school activities for your kids ages 3-8. Every afternoon, we offer Drop and Shop Open Play during which kids can play in the gymnastics, music, craft, pretend play, book nook, or manipulative areas. Children as young as 6 months are welcome to stay with or without parents. We also offer structured gymnastics and art classes. Our experienced and friendly staff guarantees your child will have a great time while learning new skills and gaining confidence. Free trial classes.
Village East Gifted - Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road,
Pediatric Immediate Care, PLLC Pediatric Urgent Care Where Kids Come First ® www.pediatricimmediatecare.com
St. Patrick’s Youth Community
St. Patrick Church, Smithtown 631-724-1261 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net St. Patrick’s is a wonderful place for children and young people to be together, work as a team, have fun, learn, and grow. We are a community where there is something for everyone. St. Patrick’s Youth Learning Center offers tutoring for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. SAT preparation, study skills, and Catholic High School entrance exam classes are offered. St. Patrick’s Youth Sports Programs offers exciting team sports programs for ages 4-16. Our sports programs include Deck Hockey, Soccer, Basketball, Girl’s Softball, Boy’s Baseball, and Intramural Basketball.
Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Village East Gifted® is a highly rigorous, creative, and engaging academic enrichment program for gifted students ages 3-16. Its curriculum includes Latin, writing, geography, global studies, world history, STEM, advanced linguistics, SAT vocabulary enrichment, public speaking, art, and creative problem solving. Gifted pre-kindergarten (ages 3-4) is offered as well as parallel classes for bright children not classified as gifted. More than 400 students have enrolled in the program, all of whom have placed in the 90th percentile or higher on national tests with IQ scores between 130 and 155.
• CERTIFIED URGENT CARE CENTER by Urgent Care Association of America
• PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY CARE Hematology • Oncology • Pediatric Psychology COMPLETE PEDIATRIC & ADOLESCENT CARE
OPEN 7 DAYS Including Holidays 8am - 11pm
• Rapid Laboratory Tests • EKG • Digital X-Ray • Ultrasonogram • IV Hydration • IM Medications • Attention Deficit Disorder • Developmental Test • IVA & IMPACT Test
Certified Concussion Center
• Minor Surgeries • Splints / Casts • Allergy Injections • Inhalation Therapy • Pulmonary Function Test • Computerized Vision Test • Hearing Tests • CPR Classes • Pharmacy Service & More
We Speak Your Language:
English, Polish, Russian, Spanish, & Turkish
FREE FLU SHOTS & ALL SHOTS
Kid Friendly • Walk-ins Welcome • Most Insurance Plans Accepted
CONVENIENT LOCATIONS LINDENHURST • SMITHTOWN • BROOKLYN
150 East Sunrise Hwy.
631-956-PEDS
1077 West Jericho Tpke.
631-864-PEDS
698 Manhattan Ave.
718-389-PEDS
LongIslandParent 19
John Cheng/USA Gymnastics
Gabby Douglas, a 2012 gold medalist for Team USA, competes in the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, one step in her journey to this summer’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Olympic Lessons
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Watching the Summer Games together as a family can spark important discussions about your kids’ goals, values, and outlook on the world. By Melissa Kagan
S
ometimes the best, most in-depth conversations with kids happen while you’re all focused on something else, especially if your kids are relaxed and having fun while it happens. The Summer Olympics, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug. 5-21, offers a chance for your entire family to enjoy watching sports together—while providing plenty of opportunities to engage your kids in discussions about topics such as following their passions, setting and achieving their personal goals, and choosing role models. In addition to cheering on your favorite athletes, it’s a great idea to use the competitions themselves and the personal stories behind the athletes’ hard work getting to Rio to spur your kids to reflect on and discuss some of the issues and values on display. Take advantage of the time you spend watching the games by asking open-ended questions and see where the conversation takes you. Here are some potential conversation starters: What inspires you to work hard at something? Let’s face it: Not everybody is going home a winner. Most of these
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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
athletes will go home without medals, and that’s okay because the fact they made it to the Olympics at all should be reward enough. Is it the promise of a trophy or admiration from others that your kids want most? Or is it simply a personal goal or the satisfaction of improvement that drives them to push harder? Do you prefer team sports or individual sports? Why? You will have many opportunities to point out how everyone’s contribution is key to a team’s success while watching group sports such as volleyball, water polo, or basketball. Help kids make the connection between teamwork in sports and other collaborative efforts, such as group projects for school. On the other hand, viewing individual sports such as gymnastics or diving can also provide teaching moments about being your own toughest competitor and the opportunity each time you compete to beat your personal best. To achieve these results, you need a high amount of self-reliance, discipline, focus, and passion, all of which are on display at the Olympics and can provide fodder for discussion and inspiration.
Do you look up to athletes? Which ones, and why? What are the qualities that make an athlete a good role model? Not all athletes are responsible members of the community. Do your kids look up to professional sports figures because of their talent or because they contribute something to society, such as spearheading a charity or being the face of a cause? Keep in mind that many teens tune out authority figures—including parents or teachers—but a superstar athlete may be able to deliver a message of inspiration and hope to kids. How do you feel when you lose at a game or competition? Use the Olympics to talk about losing—and winning—gracefully. The emphasis on medals does not mean that winning is the most important thing. Watch the interviews with the various athletes and you’ll discover that they’re happy to be there, no matter what the outcome is. At some point during the event, you’ll witness athletes falling or fumbling, and yet they still persevere. You don’t see much foot stomping, storming away, or crying by the athlete who comes in fourth. Watch how the competitors react to winning and losing and how they treat their opponents and use this as an example for your kids to show the difference between good and bad sportsmanship. What do you dream you could do, and how do you think you can make that happen? Journalists covering the Olympics tend to focus on inspiring human-interest stories about athletes overcoming obstacles to reach their goals. These emotional stories can make watching an event all the more compelling and give you a chance to talk to your kids about perseverance. Kids often make a habit of trying an activity and then giving up when it doesn’t come easily to them or they aren’t excelling in it right away. Remind your children that Olympic competitors are not born; they are developed over years and years, through practice and more practice and even more practice. What are some other cultures that fascinate you or that you’d like to learn more about? Aside from the competitions themselves, the greatest part of the Olympics is watching how countries from all around the world come together to share in their common language of sports. Parents can use this as a starting point for conversations about embracing other cultures. It’s one of those rare moments when you are able to see citizens from around the world join together as they celebrate their unique strengths and talents. Use a globe or a map to see where the competitors are from and discuss a variety of topics, such as traditions, language, flags, and relating to people who are different. Conversations build connections. Expose your kids this August to different sports and their rules, and explore the concept of teamwork, the power of practice, the values and traditions of other cultures, and the different components of competition, including effort, losing, and winning. When you pause and listen, you can get to know so much about your children and they may even learn a thing or two about themselves. Melissa Kagan is the former editor-in-chief of the now-defunct lifetimemoms.com. She is currently a freelance writer whose work has been featured on Mommy Poppins, and in Westchester Magazine and Westchester Family. She lives in Pelham with her husband and two children.
St. Patrick
Youth Community FALL/WINTER 2016-2017 • Volleyball CALL NOW • CPR/AED for inrafotioorn regist details • Zumba • CYO Basketball • Fall Deck Hockey • Fitness Classes • Intramural Basketball
St. Patrick
Enrichment Center Dedicated to providing high-quality childcare with a secure environment where children can learn and grow.
• Before and After Care • Mommy & Me • Separation Program • Kindergarten Readiness Program • Enrichment Programs Ages 3-12 • Tutoring K-12th grade • SAT preparations • Study skills • Catholic High School entrance exams classes Contact Cindy at 631-724-1261 spyouth@optonline.net
Saint Patrick R.C. Church 280 East Main Street, Smithtown
www.stpatsyouth.com 631-360-0185
LongIslandParent 21
Courtesy Great Wolf Lodge
A lifeguard at Great Wolf Lodge measures a child to see which attractions would be safe for her at the water park.
Behind the Thrills
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It takes a dedicated and well-trained crew of lifeguards to keep everyone safe at a water park. Here’s how they do it. By Samantha Neudorf
“My name is Timmy. You may see me throughout the park today and you may see lifeguards rescuing me. When you see lifeguards rescuing me, it means they’re training to do their job better every day, so please applaud my performance when you see these rescues taking place.” Those are words you may have heard announced over the public-address system or posted on the walls at popular water parks across the country, and believe it or not, it’s a standard type of training for lifeguards. Timmy is a mannequin that looks like a little boy and is used as a form of training that takes place at water parks. A supervisor throws the mannequin into the water, and it is up to the lifeguards on duty to rescue it within a matter of seconds, as though it were an actual child drowning. “If [the lifeguards] don’t respond in time, the guards are retrained,” says Thatcher Robertson, corporate water park director of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in the Pocono Mountains region of Pennsylvania. “If it’s something that happens more than once, then we have to take a hard look at whether the guard needs to stay doing what they’re doing.”
Preventing ‘Deadly Sins’
Approximately 10 people in the U.S. die from unintentional 22
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drowning every day, and of this number, nearly two of them are children ages 14 and younger, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lifeguards, often teenagers themselves, are employed at swimming pools and beaches across the country to keep swimmers safe and help those who find themselves in trouble. Water parks face additional safety challenges, including very large crowds, children eager for thrills, and activities, such as fast-moving slides, that heighten the risks. This is why water parks insist on extra training and drills for their lifeguards, and many pay an extra fee to receive third-party audits. At Great Wolf Lodge and Camelback Resort’s Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark—both also in the Pocono Mountains—the water parks receive third-party audits from Ellis & Associates Inc., an aquatic risk management firm dedicated to drowning prevention and accredited by International Aquatic Safety and Risk Management Consulting. Kalahari Resorts uses the American Red Cross for its audits. Three or four times a year, these third-party auditors will arrive at the water parks unannounced and record the lifeguards with a video camera. The footage is reviewed and the auditors will tabulate scores for individual lifeguard performances, along with other tests, to calculate the overall facility performance score. If a lifeguard fails an audit test, whether it is from an external
Courtesy Camelback Resort
A SAMPLING OF NORTHEAST WATER PARKS auditor or from an internal test, she will be dismissed from her job and will be placed in a different department of the park or will be asked to leave. “It’s something that we’d call a ‘deadly sin,’ if you will,” says Bill Colavito, general manager of Great Wolf Lodge. “We’re talking about an audit where you would potentially put somebody at risk, and we can’t stand for that.”
Becoming a Lifeguard
To become a lifeguard at a water park, one must be at least 16 years old and first take the lifeguard training program, which is part instructional and part skills training. The instructional portion takes place online, and the skills training involves approximately 30 hours at the facility to go over swimming and rescuing skills, CPR, and more. After passing the written and swimming exams, the lifeguard is certified and will be placed into his assigned section of the water park. Whether stationed at the shallow kiddie pool or wave pool, all lifeguards have the same certifications and training. Lifeguards are required to participate in in-service training on a weekly basis to reinforce their swimming skills, and sit in pre-shift meetings to go over anything that needs to be discussed, mainly pertinent to water safety. “That’s what really keeps lifeguards sharp,” says Wayne Franks, director of water park operations at Camelback Resort. “Knowing that they have [the] responsibility of not only the guests that are in the park [and] are swimming in the pools… there’s that opportunity that it could be catastrophic, [and] that trains for that awareness.” Most water parks have between 100-200 certified lifeguards on staff, but the number who are on duty at any one time varies, depending on the size of the park. Though there can be a lot of lifeguards working at once, the most important factor is that they do not take their eyes off of the water. At Great Wolf Lodge, the director of aquatics sometimes sets down a glass of water during the interview process and asks the candidate to stare at it for five minutes straight. “Sometimes it just gives people the perspective of how important it is no matter what,” Colavito says. “Even if there isn’t anybody in the water, you’re still watching water, and that’s how important the job is.”
Shared Responsibilities
When taking children to water parks, safety is not just the lifeguards’ responsibility—it, of course, starts with parents. The number-one tip that experts emphasized is to provide constant supervision to your children. Franks advises parents to enroll children in swimming lessons to make sure they can keep themselves afloat while in the water. Franks and Robertson both suggested that kids should wear life jackets even if they are strong swimmers. Robertson also stresses that parents should not allow their children to go down waterslides if they do not meet the height requirements, no matter how tempting it may be to give in to kids’ entreaties to allow them to skirt the rules. “Their kids may not be tall enough to ride that ride now, but they will be,” Robertson says. “There are reasons for the rules that are there.”
The wave pool at Camelback Resort’s Camelbeach
Camelback Resort Tannersville, PA camelbackresort.com Located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, Camelback Resort is home to Aquatopia, the biggest indoor water park in the Northeast, along with Camelbeach, home to 37 rides, slides, and attractions, making it Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor water park. CoCo Key Water Resort Mount Laurel, NJ mtlaurelcocokey.com Coco Key Water Resort and Hotel has 55,000 square feet of water park, an arcade, and endless fun for the whole family. Great Wolf Lodge Scotrun, PA greatwolf.com/poconos With tons of slides, water games and activities, an arcade, spas, and more, Great Wolf Lodge has something for everyone. Mountain Creek Waterpark Vernon, NJ actionpark.com From Adventure Ridge to Wild River Canyons to Park Central, Mountain Creek Waterpark has tube slides, body slides, and even Canyon Cliffs, where you can jump off a 23-foothigh cliff into the crystal clear “mountain spring.” Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Pocono Manor, PA kalahariresorts.com/ pennsylvania
Kalahari is a 100,000-squarefoot indoor water park with a retractable roof, so you can bodyboard, stand-up surf, or take a ride on the Anaconda water roller coaster in any kind of weather. Rocking Horse Ranch Highland, NY rockinghorseranch.com The Rocking Horse Ranch is home to an 85-degree yearround indoor water park, complete with a 250-footlong Gold Rush Flume. Sahara Sam’s Oasis West Berlin, NJ saharasams.com Float down the Congo Bongo Adventure River, take a dip in the tropical warming pool, or race down the five-story-high water slides at Sahara Sam’s. Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park Queensbury, NY sixflagsgreatescapelodge.com Ride side by side with your family and friends on Glacier Run and Snow Shoe Falls, the tube-shaped water slides, take it easy on Tak-it-Eesi-Creek, or visit the beach and shallow activity pool designed just for young children. Split Rock Resort Lake Harmony, PA splitrockresort.com Split Rock is the perfect place for relaxing, dining, and of course indoor water fun at H2Oooohh! Water Park.
LongIslandParent 23
OUTINGS: Prospect Park Zoo
nymetroparents.com/outings
Explore Wildlife in the Heart of Brooklyn 1
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Julie Larsen Maher © WCS
Home to a plethora of exotic animals, Prospect Park Zoo serves as an escape from the racing city life for families. ›› By Megan Bailey
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1 You can see red pandas climbing trees or snoozing on branches on the zoo’s outdoor Discovery Trail. 2 A Jacob’s four-horn sheep lives in the zoo’s domestic Barn and Garden exhibit, where you can take a turn feeding grain to some of the animals. 3 The Australian dingo exhibit is also on the zoo’s Discovery Trail. 4 These tiny Juliana pigs can also be found in the Barn and Garden exhibit.
In the late 1800s, Prospect Park Zoo first operated a tiny menagerie with livestock and limited wildlife—sheep, cows, rabbits, birds—up until its first public opening in 1935. Since then, the zoo has made quite an impression on city residents. There is something for every animal-lover to enjoy, from sea lions to red pandas to baboons.
Year-Round Fun
If you decide to do a simple self-guided tour, there are five exhibits you should check out. Animal Lifestyles includes the nocturnal and furry Pallas’ cats, as well as birds, lizards, and fish. At Barn and Garden, you can feed animals grain as if it’s a normal thing to do in New York City. Here, you can see sheep, cows, horses, chickens, and two unique species of farm animals that are sure to be crowd-pleasers: a Zebu calf and three little Juliana pigs. In the outdoor Discovery Trail, you will find red pandas hanging on tree branches, a black-tailed prairie dog roaming around, and the North-American river otter exhibit. In the unique Hall of Animals exhibit, children can enjoy smaller 24
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
creatures, whether it’s a dwarf mongoose, dart frog, or Madagascar jumping rat. A visit to the zoo isn’t complete without stopping by the Sea Lion Court, a popular exhibit at the heart of the park. At the Discovery Center, children can interact with animals up close in a fun yet educational space. This can be through playing pretend as a veterinarian or utilizing any of the classroom and laboratory equipment available to learn about the art of zoology. The Discovery Center is open Saturday-Sunday, 11am-3pm.
Special Activities
At the Sea Lion Court, there is an opportunity to participate in Sea Lion Training Sessions, daily at 11:30am, 2pm, and 4pm. Guided tours are available for Scout troops, during which they will learn more about wildlife and environmental conservation, and can even earn the Prospect Park Zoo Patch. Teachers: If you are looking for an exciting and educational field trip, the Prospect Park Zoo is a great opportunity. You may bring groups on self-guided
tours, receive an official tour from a park guide, or participate in classes.
Annual Attractions
Prospect Park Zoo’s Summer Camp gives children ages pre-K to eighth grades the opportunity to explore wildlife in a weeklong session. This includes live animal encounters, creative art projects, interactive games, science experiments, exhibit visits and meeting zookeeper staff, role-play, and theatrical exercises. Campers are split into groups by age. Cost, session dates, and times vary for each group.
Details
Address: 450 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn Directions: Approximately a 1-hour, 15-minute drive from Huntington Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm; Saturday-Sunday and holidays, 10am-5:30pm Admission: $8; $6 seniors ages 65 and older; $5 children ages 3-12; free for children ages 2 and younger For more information: 718-399-7339 or prospectparkzoo.com
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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
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Turn the page for details on Goat on a Boat at Bay Street Theater Presents ‘Cinderella’ (No. 1 on our list).
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AUGUST CALENDAR
28 Editor’s Hot Tickets 30 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Show Time! 31 Animal Lovers 32 Crafty Kids, Mini Musicians WANT US TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT?
nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar
EDITOR: KAREN DEMETER suffolkcal@davlermedia.com
33 Must-Sees in NYC
34 Smarty Pants, The Great Outdooors 35 Once Upon a Time 36 Movers & Shakers, Special Needs 37 On Screen
1
EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 10 events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!
1
Goat on a Boat at Bay Street Theater Presents ‘Cinderella’
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 11am WHERE: Bay Street Theater, Bay and Main streets, Sag Harbor AGES: All WHAT: The story unfolds as the pages of a giant book open to reveal each beautifully painted setting. WHY WE LOVE IT: Set in the 18th century and featuring a dozen costumed marionettes, this production of Cinderella is a Tanglewood Marionettes showpiece. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-725-9500. baystreet.org.
Superhero Hocus Pocus FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 16, 5:30pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Soar with the magical caped crusader Ron Cain as he presents illusions featuring favorite superheroes. WHY WE LOVE IT: Children help Cain with tricks demonstrating the powers of popular figures such as Batman and Wonder Woman. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.
2
KidFEST: Lynn Trefzger: Comedy Ventriloquist
3 28
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 17, 5pm WHERE: John Drew Theater at Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton AGES: 3-12
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
WHAT: In this interactive program, audiences are treated to Trefzger’s vocal illusion talents which include a silly but lovable camel, a grumpy old grandfather, a feisty little girl, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: Trefzger and her trunk full of comical characters have performed for audiences worldwide and is a favorite performer aboard the Disney Cruise Line. WANT TO GO? $18. 631-324-0806. guildhall.org.
4
Heritage Trust 2016 Summerfest Concert FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 20, 1-9pm WHERE: Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a day filled with music and refreshments as well as a Chinese auction and various sponsor tables. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. WHY WE LOVE IT: Featured bands include Rock Nation, The Jukebox Explosion, and The Dog House Blues Band. WANT TO GO? 631-384-8900. msheritagetrust.org.
Back To School Children’s Victorian Tea Party
5
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 24, 1-2:30pm WHERE: Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington AGES: 5-8 WHAT: This fun program includes role-playing while teaching social skills and confidence. Children learn how to properly hold and cut with a knife and fork and practice setting the table. Registration required. WHY WE LOVE IT: Children can dress up and bring a favorite doll. WANT TO GO? $12. 631-427-5240. waltwhitman.org.
6
Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 27, 8am-5pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: With bagpipes, caber tossing, and highland dancing, the Scottish Games is one of the highlights of the season. WHY WE LOVE IT: It is believed that the games were begun by the ancient highland chieftains to help them select the strongest men for their armies. WANT TO GO? $20; $18 seniors; $8 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.
Tomato Fest!
WHEN: Aug. 27-28, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Garden of Eve Farm, 4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Judge the taste of 20 varieties of heirloom and traditional tomatoes, learn about tomato canning and growing, and enjoy tomato cuisine. WHY WE LOVE IT: What a wonderful (and tasty!) way to celebrate the season’s bounty! Pass the salt. WANT TO GO? $5. 631-722-8777. gardenofevefarm.com.
8
7
Pirate Fest
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 28, 12-3pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Join this swashbuckling celebration of all things pirate. Partake in fun games and nautical crafts. Door prizes will be awarded for costumes. WHY WE LOVE IT: If we didn’t love it, we might have to walk the plank! WANT TO GO? $8. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.
Sea-lebration and Birthday Party
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 11am-5pm WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: In partnership with the Whaling Museum to celebrate its 80th anniversary, celebrate at the hatchery with bubbles and sprinkler play, then visit the museum for cake, crafts, and birthday candle-dipping. WHY WE LOVE IT: Two for the price of one! And wonderful activities to enjoy the last days before summer ends. WANT TO GO? $8; $6 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 516-692-6768. cshfha.org.
Need a staycation?
ResouRces ARticles
9
10
So You Wanna Be a Puppeteer: Learning the Skills of Hand Puppets
WHEN: Aug. 8-Sept. 1; Monday-Thursday, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 9 and older WHAT: During a four-day workshop, children will learn how puppets can be used as a tool for expression and storytelling. WHY WE LOVE IT: After this workshop, puppets will be popping up in school projects and in imaginative play at home! WANT TO GO? $50 per week. 516-224-5800. licm.org. ››
Find everything you need, faster at
LongIslandParent 29
WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome. Open House FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 7-8pm WHERE: The Bridges Academy, 339 Snedecor Ave., West Islip AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Tour The Bridges Academy to learn about its innovative and academically enriched programs for toddlers through eighth grade. WANT TO GO? 631-358-5035. thebridgesacademy.net.
Chess Nuts FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 5-12 WHAT: For an hour, chess players develop strategies, sharpen their skills, and have fun playing the game. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
Free Summer Meals For Kids FREE
WHEN: Through Aug. 12: Monday-Friday, 11am-1pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Summer Food Service Program provides free, nutritious meals to help children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow when school is not in session. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
Family Fridays: The Creative Ministries Show FREE
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 19, 6:30pm WHERE: The Common Ground, Rotary Park between Gillette and Candee avenues, Sayville AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Enjoy familiar nursery rhymes with fun hip-hop songs and stories. WANT TO GO? 631-664-4230. thecommonground.com.
Toddler Dance Party FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 11-11:45am WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Come shake, shimmy, and dance up a storm at this toddler dance party featuring favorite songs. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.
SHOW TIME!
KidFEST: Buckaroo Bindlestiff’s Wild West Jamboree
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 5pm WHERE: John Drew Theater, Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton AGES: 3-12 WHAT: This action-packed Wild West extravaganza features classic frontier skills such as fancy lasso tricks, target bullwhip cracking, and a comedy knife-throwing act. WANT TO GO? $18; $14 children. 631-324-0806. guildhall.org. 30
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 5, 1:30pm WHERE: Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Joseph and Jeremiah, the wily con men, pose as court tailors to teach the clothes-obsessed king an important lesson: It’s not what’s on the outside that truly matters. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-928-9100. theatrethree.com.
‘Pinocchio’
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 5pm WHERE: John Drew Theater, Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton AGES: 3-12 WHAT: National Marionette Theatre’s adaptation is a faithful re-telling of this childhood favorite. WANT TO GO? $18. 631-324-0806. guildhall.org.
‘Punschi’
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 11, 11am WHERE: Bay Street Theater, Bay and Main streets, Sag Harbor AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Goat on a Boat’s production of Punschi mixes a puppet show and old-fashioned flea circus in this delightful performance. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-725-9500. baystreet.org.
‘The Amazing Max’
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 12, 10:30am and 1pm WHERE: The Gateway, 215 S. Country Road, Bellport AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This high-energy illusionist combines visual magic, comedy, and audience participation with uncanny skill. WANT TO GO? $12-$25. 631-286-0555. thegateway.org.
‘The Misadventures of Robin Hood’
WHEN: Aug. 5-13, Fridays, 11am; Saturdays, 11am and 2pm WHERE: Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Maid Marion, Friar Tuck, and the whole gang are here to thwart the evil Sheriff of Nottingham in this topsy-turvy take on the tale of Sherwood Forest. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-928-9100. theatrethree.com.
‘Annie Jr.’
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 20, 11am and 3pm WHERE: Patchogue Theatre, 71 E. Main St., Patchogue AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Ovations Dance Repertory Company and Director Orlando Pena presents Annie Jr. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-207-1313. patchoguetheatre.org.
KidFEST: BubbleMania: Comedy...With a Drip!
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 24, 5pm WHERE: John Drew Theater, Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton AGES: All WHAT: Witness a bubble spaceship take off into hyperdrive, a cube bubble, bubbles inside bigger bubbles, fog-filled bubble sculptures, and more. WANT TO GO? $18; $14 children. 631-324-0806. guildhall.org.
‘Curious George and The Golden Meatball’
WHEN: Through Aug. 28: Saturday-Sunday, 11am WHERE: Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown AGES: 3-8 WHAT: George goes on a mission to enter the Chef Pisghett’s meatballs in the world-famous Golden Meatball Contest in Rome. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-724-3700. smithtownpac.org.
‘Rapunzel’
WHEN: Aug. 6–Sept. 11; Saturdays, 11am; Sundays, 10:30am WHERE: John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Before the Prince and Rapunzel have their inevitable “happily ever after,” they will have to face the wrath of the witch and few other hilarious obstacles. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-261-2900. engemantheater.com/event/rapunzel.
ANIMAL LOVERS Meet the Breeds FREE
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 5, 7-8pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Come see Keeshonds, big furry dogs, and shoot hoops. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
My Reptile Guys
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 6, 2pm WHERE: Belmont Lake State Park, 625 Belmont Road, North Babylon AGES: All WHAT: This interactive show features 10 amazing reptiles and a petting zoo. WANT TO GO? $8 parking fee. 631-667-5055. nysparks.com.
Meet the Animals with Green Meadow Farms FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 9, 5:30pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Come see an exciting hands-on program featuring frogs, bugs, reptiles, fluffy chickens, bunnies, and baby animals. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.
Meet the Animals with Quogue Wildlife
WHEN: Aug. 4-25, Thursdays, 5:30pm WHERE: Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Educators from Quogue Wildlife Rescue return to present a fun and educational Meet the Animals for and up-close and personal view. WANT TO GO? $5 suggested donation. 631-283-0967. southamptonartscenter.org.
Petting Zoo FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 5:30pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Come meet the animals from the Suffolk County Petting Zoo. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.
KidFEST: Mutts Gone Nuts
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2pm and 5pm WHERE: John Drew Theater at Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton AGES: All WHAT: Nine rescue dogs perform tricks with frisbees, tightwire, dancing, and more. WANT TO GO? $18; $14 children. 631-324-0806. guildhall.org.
David Rosaire’s World-Famous Dog Show
WHEN: Through Sept. 5: daily, 12pm and 3pm WHERE: Long Island Game Farm, 638 Chapman Blvd., Manorville AGES: All WHAT: New this year is the addition of Chinese-themed costumes and production elements that celebrate the heritage of Mr. Rosaire’s pups. WANT TO GO? $16.95; $14.95 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 631-878-6670. longislandgamefarm.com.
Giraffe Encounter
WHEN: Through Sept. 5: daily, 11:30am WHERE: Long Island Game Farm, 638 Chapman Blvd., Manorville AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a short presentation, followed by the opportunity to feed the majestic animal from an elevated platform. WANT TO GO? $6 with admission: $16.95; $14.95 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 631-878-6670. longislandgamefarm.com. ››
Hatchling Turtle Day
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 20, 10am-3pm WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Meet recently hatched turtles. Enjoy refreshments and turtle-themed activities. WANT TO GO? $6; $4 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 516-692-6768. cshfha.org.
Calling Young Scientists!
WHEN: Aug. 15-25, Monday and Thursday, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Young scientists will dig into learning all about owls as they find bones and dissect an own owl pellet. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 for seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org. LongIslandParent 31
WHAT: Stop by the Children’s Department and have fun coloring together with your family. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.
Recycled Fairy Houses Workshop
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Picasso Kidz, 72 Broadway, Greenlawn AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Learn to make fairy houses out of recycled items. WANT TO GO? $35. 631-261-5500. picassokidz.com.
Back To School: Make A Dreamcatcher
CRAFTY KIDS Mommy and Me Workshop
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2-3pm WHERE: Picasso Kidz, 72 Broadway, Greenlawn AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Children enjoy an hour of fun process based art taught by certified art teachers. WANT TO GO? $25. 631-261-5500. picassokidz.com.
Wonderful Warhol
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 4, 1-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn about the life and work of Andy Warhol as you explore different crafts and activities inspired by this famous artist. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 for seniors 65 and older; free children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 1-2:30pm WHERE: Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Dreamcatchers were originally made by the children of Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee. To Native Americans, dreams were messages sent by sacred spirits. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $12. 631-427-5240. waltwhitman.org.
KidFEST: Hands-On Arts and Crafts Workshop
WHEN: Aug. 3-31, Wednesdays, 4-4:45pm WHERE: Boots Lamb Education Center, Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Make themed crafts each week, including puppets, a ceramic dog, and a bubble painting. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-324-0806. guildhall.org.
Wood Creature Sculpture Workshop
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 10am-11:30am WHERE: Picasso Kidz, 72 Broadway, Greenlawn AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Learn sculpt a creature out of wood. WANT TO GO? $35. 631-261-5500. picassokidz.com.
MINI
MUSICIANS
Studio on the Steps: Mandala Madness with Andrea Cote WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 4, 4:30pm WHERE: Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Participants will create printed mandalas. WANT TO GO? $5 suggested donation. 631-283-0967. southamptonartscenter.org.
Make Paint FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 11, 5-6pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Combine science and art by using natural resources to make paint and create a picture with that paint. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
Fun with Fruit FREE
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 12, 5-6pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Play with your food and create fun designs with fruits. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
Drop-In Coloring FREE
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 29, 2-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: Newborn to 5 32
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
Irish Tunes for Kids with Johnny Cuomo FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 5:30pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Clap your hands and stomp your feet! WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.
Lena and the Happy Clam Band FREE
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2-3 pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Dance along with Grabby the Crabby, laugh, and sing throughout this interactive concert. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
Mambo Loco FREE
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 5, 6:30-8:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: All WHAT: Mambo Loco brings the best of “Old School” Latin Music. Concert is outdoors so bring a blanket or chairs. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 7, 4:30pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Known as “country with a kick,” SixGun is the tri-state area’s premier country-rock band. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
CityBound
Must-Sees in N Y C Forrest Clonts
SixGun Outdoor Concert FREE
Live Concert: Josh & the Jamtones
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 11, 5:30pm WHERE: Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Josh & the Jamtones are an interactive, ultra-powered dance party machine. WANT TO GO? $5 suggested donation. 631-283-0967. southamptonartscenter.org.
Family Fridays: Joe the Singing School Bus Driver FREE
East End Trio FREE
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 7pm WHERE: Wildwood State Park, 790 Hulse Landing Road, Wading River AGES: All WHAT: The East End Trio plays music from the sixties to the aughts. WANT TO GO? 631-321-3510. nysparks.com.
Ray Watson with L.A. Blacksmith & Friends FREE
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 19, 6:30-8:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a variety of different music from cool jazz to funk and Motown. Bring a blanket or chairs. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.
Catch the next big thing in kids’ theater at FringeJR.
Tiny Thespians Don’t miss this year’s kid- and teen-friendly picks from The 20th Annual New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), the largest multi-arts festival in North America. A great chance to see the next big show before anyone else, the festival features a selection of fun productions for kids (FringeJR) and teens (FringeHigh). Previous hits include last year’s Commedia Rapunzel (pictured) that went on to become one of the most popular kids shows of 2015. Aug. 12-28; see website for schedule. Ages 5 and older. $18, $13 for children younger than 12 (only available in person). Various theaters, see website for locations. 917-745-3397. fringenyc.org. Courtesy NYC DOT
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 12, 6:30pm WHERE: The Common Ground, Rotary Park between Gillette and Candee avenues, Sayville AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Joe and his guitar strummin’ music are sure to please everyone. WANT TO GO? 631-664-4230. thecommonground.com.
Squeaky Clean Band FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 5:30pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Rock out to sounds of the fifties and sixties. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.
Summer Concert Series FREE
WHEN: Through Sept. 29: Thursdays, 7-8:30pm WHERE: Smith Haven Mall, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy Thursday nights listening to music, including a variety of cover bands playing your favorite classics. WANT TO GO? 631-724-8066. simon.com. ››
Did someone say giant water slide in Manhattan? We’re in!
The Slide’s the Limit Part block party, part hike, part urban beach, part bike tour, Summer Streets 2016 is not to be missed. For three Saturdays in a row, 7 miles of Manhattan’s streets will be closed off to traffic, giving you the chance to explore and enjoy a ton of fun activities including a giant zip line, food and drink, street art, and yoga. The best bit? The giant water slide! Aug. 6, 13, and 20; 7am-1pm. Age: All. Free. Between Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, along Park Avenue and connecting streets (as far as East 72nd Street), registrations required for Vita Coco Beach Slide, see website for details. nyc.gov. LongIslandParent 33
AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Artist Ruby Jackson leads a tour and discussion of the exhibit Aspects of Minimalism as well as an art project. WANT TO GO? 631-324-4050. guildhall.org.
Little Scientist
WHEN: Aug. 17-19, Wednesday-Friday, 10-10:45am WHERE: Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Learn about worms, build a boat, and journey into a desert habitat. WANT TO GO? 631-384-8900. msheritagetrust.org.
SMARTY PANTS Happy Birthday Melville!
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 1, 12-3pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate the birthday of the author of Moby Dick with ice pops. WANT TO GO? Free with admission: $8; $6 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.
Bubbles FREE
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 2, 11am-12pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Play with bubbles, learn about them through experimentation, and make a bubble blower. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
Creative Summer Fun: Seashell Still Life
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 8, 10am-12pm WHERE: Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Learn about marine mollusks, examine their shells, and paint a still life in acrylics. WANT TO GO? $25. 631-854-5579. vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Summertime Stargazers
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 11, 8:30pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Join members of the Astronomical Society of Long Island, a group of amateur astronomers and telescope makers, for skywatching. WANT TO GO? $8; $6 seniors; $3 children ages 7-17. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.
Energy Week
WHEN: Aug. 8-12, Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Get ready to tinker with various activities that explore different forms of energy. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 for seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
Kids’ Minimalism Workshop FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 18, 2pm WHERE: Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton 34
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Creative Summer Fun for Preschoolers: Rain Stick
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 22, 10am-12pm WHERE: Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Explore the wildlife dioramas, insect and bird collection, learn about the rainforest, and make a musical instrument. WANT TO GO? $25. 631-854-5579. vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Bee Amazed
WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 23, 1-4pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Discover the art of beekeeping, bee anatomy, and all the important contributions bees make to the planet. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 for seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
Lego Club FREE
WHEN: Aug. 11-25, Thursdays, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Have fun building Legos with your friends. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS National Friendship Day
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 7, 11am-5pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Bring in a friend to receive two-for-one admission. WANT TO GO? $8; $6 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.
Bug Safari
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 11am WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: All WHAT: Hunt elusive grasshoppers, butterflies, predatory insects, and other creepy, crawly creatures in the gardens. WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors; $5 children ages 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.
Wacky Water Wednesdays
WHEN: Aug. 3-31, Wednesdays, 11am-2pm WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Bring a towel and cool off under the hatchery’s lawn sprinklers. WANT TO GO? $6; $4 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 516-692-6768. cshfha.org.
Tots Cook
WHEN: Through Sept. 1: Thursdays, 11am-12:30pm and 2-3:30pm WHERE: Garden of Eve Farm, 4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Tour the farm to gather the things needed for a recipe and learn about how they were produced. Then, bring them back to the Farm Market and turn them into delicacies while learning simple ways to incorporate farm-to-table eating at home. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $15 per class. 631-722-8777. gardenofevefarm.com.
Nature Maker Space
WHEN: Aug. 29–Sept. 2; Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City AGES: All WHAT: Engage in gardening, nature fort building, and reconnect with the natural world. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 for seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.
ONCE UPON A TIME StoryTime Yoga FREE
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 4, 10-11:45am WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 2-5, adult WHAT: Bend, stretch, and read. Bring favorite book characters to life with yoga poses. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
Storybook Strolls: ‘The Ugly Duckling’ by Hans Christian Andersen
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 6, 12pm WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Enjoy a story of true beauty where the differences in nature make all things magnificent. WANT TO GO? $12; $10 seniors; $7 children ages 7-17; free for children 6 and younger. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.
Stories on the Steps: ‘The Day the Crayons Came Home’
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 11, 4:30pm WHERE: Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Gather on the front steps along with a storyteller for part two of the colorful crayon tale, The Day the Crayons Came Home, by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. WANT TO GO? $5 suggested donation. 631-283-0967. southamptonartscenter.org.
Sing-Along Storybook Jam Time
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 1-1:45pm WHERE: Blue Duck Bakery, E Main St., Riverhead AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Sing-along to some of the Award Winning Music Together Storybooks and make maracas that your child can use to dance and jam. WANT TO GO? 631-208-4003. lyricalchildren.com.
‘Fox Fables’
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 19, 4:30pm WHERE: Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Wonderspark Puppets presents Fox Fables: three classic stories about a clever fox who must outwit much bigger animals. WANT TO GO? $5 suggested donation. 631-283-0967. southamptonartscenter.org.
Seaside Story Time FREE
WHEN: Aug. 3-31, Wednesdays, 10am-12pm WHERE: The Fire Island Lighthouse, 1 Burma Road, Fire Island AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Book reading and activity for children. Meet on the terrace of the Keepers Quarters. Parent must stay with the child. WANT TO GO? 631-661-4876. fireislandlighthouse.com. ›› LongIslandParent 35
Open Play
WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Tuesday-Friday, 12:30pm and 4pm WHERE: Pixie Dust, 125 W. Main St., Bay Shore AGES: 3-8 WHAT: This is a social and creative playground for all children including children with special needs. WANT TO GO? $15. 631-647-8777. pixiedustbayshore.com.
Bagel & Bowl
MOVERS & SHAKERS
WHEN: Through Dec. 25: Sundays, 10am-12pm WHERE: The All Star, 96 Main Road, Riverhead AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Enjoy a bagel, juice, and two games of bowling. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-998-3565. theallstar.com.
Kiddie Fit FREE
WHEN: Through Aug. 1: Mondays, 10:30-11:15am WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Children will have fun when they combine developmentally appropriate academic skills and exercise. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
Zumba FREE
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 1, 5:30-6:30pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 9-12 WHAT: You don’t have to know how to dance when you try this Latin-inspired dance-fitness class, just have a good time. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.
Full-Day Anti-Bullying and Self Defense Camp
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 10, 9am-3pm WHERE: Modern Warrior, 711 N. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Get your kids ready for the new school year with this day of leadership, teamwork, fitness, and anti-bullying activities, plus a wealth of practical, age appropriate self defense techniques. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $35. 631-226-8383. modernwarrior.com.
Playgroup FREE
WHEN: Aug. 4-18, Thursdays, 10:30-11:30am WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: Newborn to 2 WHAT: Babies enjoy a variety of toys and play activities designed to help coordination, motor skills, language development, and social skills. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.
Soccer Woddlers
WHEN: Aug. 3-24, Wednesdays, 11am-6:45pm WHERE: Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Play games and sing songs while learning soccer skills to build self-esteem and confidence while improving gross motor skills. WANT TO GO? $50. 631-384-8900. msheritagetrust.org.
Ocean Olympics
WHEN: Aug. 5-26, Fridays, 2:30-4:30pm WHERE: The Whaling Museum and Education Center of Cold Spring Harbor, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: In honor of the summer Olympics, create, design and explore at Olympic Stations. Pack a lunch and play in the outdoor space, WANT TO GO? $8; $6 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org. 36
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SPECIAL NEEDS Art with a Partner Workshop for Children and Young Adults with Special Needs
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 7, 1-3pm WHERE: Art League of Long Island, 107 E. Deer Park Road, Dix Hills AGES: All WHAT: Using a multitude of mediums, each young person will go home every session with a completed craft project. WANT TO GO? $35. 631-462-5400. artleagueli.org.
Sensory Friendly Performance: ‘James and the Giant Peach’
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 11am WHERE: The Noel S. Ruiz Theatre, CM Performing Arts Center, 931 Montauk Highway, Oakdale AGES: All WHAT: Lights will remain on, the volume will be reduced, a sensory area will be available for breaks, coloring sheets, and stress sensory toys. WANT TO GO? $12. 631-218-2810. cmpac.com.
Sky Zone Cares
WHEN: Through Dec. 31: Mondays, 3-6pm WHERE: Sky Zone Deer Park, 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park AGES: All WHAT: The first Monday of the month, Sky Zone dials down the music, increases the staff ratio, and limits capacity. WANT TO GO? $16 per hour. 631-392-2600. skyzone.com/deerpark.
Special Olympics Bowling at the All Star
WHEN: Through Dec. 1, 2018: Mondays, 5pm WHERE: The All Star, 96 Main Road, Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Bowlers with special needs are invited to bowl on the main lanes and experience the arcade with the latest games. WANT TO GO? $10 for two games. 631-998-3565. theallstar.com.
ON SCREEN Movies Under the Stars: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ FREE
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 1, 8pm WHERE: Smith Haven Mall, Lifestyle Village, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Thirty years after the defeat of Darth Vader and the Empire, Rey, a scavenger from the planet Jakku, finds a BB-8 droid that knows the whereabouts of the long lost Luke Skywalker. WANT TO GO? 631-724-8066. simon.com.
Movies In The Moonlight: ‘Minions’ FREE
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 19, 8:15pm WHERE: Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai AGES: All WHAT: Bring a blanket or chair and come enjoy a great family event in the park watching Minions on a large screen. WANT TO GO? 631-384-8900. msheritagetrust.org.
Movies Under the Stars: ‘Inside Out’ FREE
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 22, 8pm WHERE: Smith Haven Mall, Lifestyle Village, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove AGES: 3-12 WHAT: After Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school. WANT TO GO? 631-724-8066. simon.com.
Coming up next month: SEPT. 2: Goat on a Boat: Bugaboo Revue at Southampton Arts, Southampton SEPT. 10: Carousel at Bayway Arts Center, East Islip SEPT. 17: 4th Annual Lego Building Contest & Exhibit at Educational & Cultural Center, Stony Brook
Movies Under the Stars: ‘Zootopia’ FREE
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 8, 8pm WHERE: Smith Haven Mall, Lifestyle Village, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove AGES: 3-12 WHAT: A rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist fox must work together to uncover a conspiracy. WANT TO GO? 631-724-8066. simon.com.
‘Naledi: A Baby Elephant’s Tale’
WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 5pm WHERE: Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This elephant’s jour ney of tragedy and triumph inspires laughter and tears, and reveals the remarkable inner life of an animal as complex as any human, and as iconic as Africa itself. WANT TO GO? $5 suggested donation. 631-283-0967. southamptonartscenter.org.
Movies Under the Stars: ‘Finding Nemo’ FREE
WHEN: Monday, Aug. 15, 8pm WHERE: Smith Haven Mall, Lifestyle Village, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove AGES: 3-12 WHAT: After his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out on a journey to bring him home. WANT TO GO? 631-724-8066. simon.com. LongIslandParent 37
WHERE-TO GUIDE
Pick Your Own Berries ››
Research by Melissa Wickes
Enjoy the sweet fruits of summer by picking your own berries at a local farm! Kids will love plucking fresh strawberries, blackberries, and even cherries straight from the bush. Many of these farms also have farm stands at which you can purchase pre-picked fruits, baked goods, and fresh juices. Want even more farm fun? Lots of our picks offer hayrides and activities to keep kids busy after they’ve collected their basket of fruit. Note that dates and availability are projected. We recommend calling ahead before visiting these farms.
Patty’s Berries and Bunches 410 Sound Ave., Mattituck 631-298-4679 pattysberriesandbunches.com pattysberriesandbunches@gmail.com Open daily, 9am-6pm (U-pick closes at 5:30pm) Pick your own strawberries in June; raspberries in July; blueberries July through mid-August; and blackberries through August. Seasonal pre-picked flowers and homemade ice cream for sale. Seven Ponds Orchard 65 Seven Ponds Road, Water Mill 631-726-8015 Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own raspberries and blackberries July-November, blueberries also available. Apple picking begins the end of August and continues through November. Also offers on-site market with baked goods and jams, children’s play area, and corn maze.
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Wickham Farms 28700 Main Road (Route 25), Cutchogue 631-734-6441 wickhamsfruitfarm.com Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-4pm; farm stand open daily, 9am-5pm; tours are available by appointment Monday-Friday. Pick your own raspberries and blueberries in July; raspberries, cherries, blackberries, and peaches through August; apples and pumpkins in September and October. (Note: Berry seasons may be early this year due to weather conditions.) Windy Acres 3810 Middle Country Road, Calverton 631-727-4554 Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own blackberries, peaches, and nectarines through August. Also has a farm
stand with pre-picked fruits and vegetables, jams, and pies.
Orange County Ochs Orchard 4 Ochs Lane (off Reservoir Road, Route 94), Warwick 845-986-1591 ochsorchard.net Open daily, 9am-5pm (subject to availability) Pick your own strawberries peaches, apples, blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and raspberries daily through October. Farm stand with pre-picked produce open 9am6pm daily.
Dutchess County Barton Orchards 63 Apple Tree Lane (County Route 7), Poughquag
nymetroparents.com/where-to 845-227-2306 bartonorchards.com Open daily, 9am-5pm Pick your own berries and garden vegetables from late July through mid-August. Onsite farm store with pre-picked produce, honey, jams and jellies, and more.
golf, hayrides, jumping pillow, and picnicking available, as well as an onsite store with pre-picked produce, ice cream, honey, maple syrup, jams and jellies, and more.
Greig Farm 223 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook 845-758-1234 greigfarm.com Open daily, 8am-8pm Pick your own blueberries and raspberries in July; blueberries and blackberries in August; apples and raspberries in September. Nursery and garden shop on-site. Kids can feed goats and visit the koi fish pond behind Grandiflora Nursery. The Hudson Valley Farmers Market at the Grieg Farm is open every Saturday, 10am-3pm, offering local vegetables, fruits, eggs, cheeses, meats, fish, flowers, and more from local Hudson Valley Farms.
Samascott Orchards 5 Sunset Ave., Kinderhook
Ulster County Jenkins-Lueken Orchards Route 299 West, New Paltz 845-255-0999 jlorchards.com Open daily, 9am-6pm Pick your own raspberries in mid-July and August; blackberries will be available in mid-August. Blueberries also available. On-site store with pre-picked veggies, local maple syrup, and snacks. Kelder’s Farm & U-Pick 5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson 845-626-7137 kelderfarm.com Open daily, 10am-6pm Pick your own blueberries, raspberries, red currants, blackberries, melons, grapes, apples, pumpkins, and a variety of vegetables through October. Petting zoo, mini-
Columbia County
518-758-7224 samascott.com Open daily, 8am-6pm; last admission is at 5:30pm. PYO strawberries and snap peas during early summer. Later on in the summer you can pick your own blueberries, raspberries,
cherries, peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins, peaches, apples, and more. On-site farm store with jams and ice cream. Visit Samascott’s Garden Market, 1 mile from the orchard, for farm produce and garden and nursery items.
Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/berries
Providing Services For Over 45 Years
The Hagedorn Little Village School, Jack Joel Center for Special Children (HLVS), is a not-for profit program that provides services for infants and children up to 11 years of age with learning language and social delays, motor impairments and autism with no direct cost to families: *Evaluations *Early intervention (Birth - 3) •SEIT *CSE Itinerant Services •ABA Home Programs
•Related Services: -Speech - OT/PT - Parent Training - Family Support Services
•Special Ed Classes: - Developmental Groups (2 -3) - Pre-School (3-5) - School-Age (5-11) - Inclusion
750 Hicksville Road Seaford, NY 11783 • 516-520-600 www.littlevillage.org
Funded and regulated by Nassau County (NCDOH) and Suffolk County (SCDOH) Department of Health, NYS, NYS ED Department Early Intervention (EI) and Committee for Preschool Special Education (CPSE) services are for children who have or are suspected of having a developmental delay or disability. Evaluations must be referred by NCDOH/SCDOH for EI and/or to the local school district for CPSE. Services are provided based on an individual child’s eligibility as established by NYS DOH and/or NYS ED department and local government at no direct cost to parents. Parents are responsible for fees/costs associated with childcare. LongIslandParent 39
FOOD & NUTRITION
Burgers Reinvented
››
Three recipes for when you need a new take on a barbecue staple at the end of the summer All-in-One Grilled Burgers
Why This Recipe Works: We love a burger that’s stacked high with add-ons, but we couldn’t help but wonder whether there was a way to take some of the “top” out of the toppings. We wanted to put the same bold flavors inside the burger instead. We started with some classic burger toppings: cheese, bacon, and mustard. Because the cheese and bacon added a good amount of fat to the meat, we switched from 80-percent lean ground beef, which is our usual favorite, to 90-percent lean for this recipe. We also found that we liked these burgers cooked until they were completely well-done. The additions to the meat kept it from getting dried out. We then went on to more adventurous flavor combinations using firm cheese and potent ingredients with minimal moisture (such as garlic, herbs, chiles, and powdered seasoning mixes). These burgers may not be piled high with colorful toppings, but one bite will prove that looks aren’t everything—it’s what’s inside that really counts.
Serves 4 We suggest cooking these burgers completely (to well-done); the extra ingredients tend to make them taste mushy if not cooked all the way through. If you like, toast the hamburger buns on the grill while the burgers rest. 8 slices bacon, chopped fine 1½ pounds 90-percent lean ground beef 40
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup) 4 teaspoons yellow mustard 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon pepper 4 hamburger buns 1. Cook bacon in 12-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp, 10-12 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel-lined plate. 2. Break ground beef into small pieces in bowl, then add cheddar, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and bacon. Using your hands, lightly knead mixture until combined. Divide meat into four equal portions. Working with one portion at a time, lightly toss from hand to hand to form loose ball, then gently flatten into 1-inch-thick patty. Press center of patties down with your fingertips to create ¼-inch-deep depression. 3A. For a charcoal grill: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, approximately 5 minutes. 3B. For a gas grill: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, approximately 15 minutes. Leave all burners on high. 4. Clean and oil cooking grate. Place burgers on grill and cook, without pressing on them, until browned and meat easily
Preventative Therapeutic Play Center releases from grill, 4-6 minutes. Flip burgers and continue to grill until browned on second side and meat registers 150155 degrees (for well-done), 4-6 minutes longer. Transfer burgers to platter, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve on buns.
A Play Center That Offers A Fun And Multi-Sensory Environment To Help Kids Learn And Grow Through Therapeutic Play.
Free Screening
s
Services include :but
Variations Ranch All-in-One Grilled Burgers Omit bacon, cheddar, mustard, and Worcestershire. Add 2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, 4 teaspoons powdered ranch dressing mix (from packet), and 2 minced garlic cloves to burger mixture in step 2. Tex-Mex All-in-One Grilled Burgers Omit bacon, cheddar, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Add 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, 4 teaspoons minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, and 4 teaspoons taco seasoning (from packet) to burger mixture in step 2.
Physical & Occupational therapy Yoga • Fitness • Nutrition Play & social groups Handwriting & Sensory integration treatment Reflex integration exercises Fine & gross motor play groups Summer camps & Birthday parties
170 Mill Pond Path
170 Mill Pond Path Westhampton, NY 11977 Westhampton, NY 11977 www.eastendptpc.com
Lauren Vihrachoff, MSPT, ATP lauren@eastendptpc.com • 631-804-5728 Ronni Krentzman MS, OTR/L ronni@eastendptpc.com • 631-235-2146
Italian All-in-One Grilled Burgers Omit bacon, cheddar, mustard, and Worcestershire. Add ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup chopped fresh basil, 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard, and 2 minced garlic cloves to burger mixture in step 2.
Grilled Southern Shrimp Burgers
Why This Recipe Works: A good shrimp burger should be first and foremost about the shrimp. Unfortunately, many shrimp burgers are more reminiscent of fish-flavored rubber patties or overseasoned bread balls than shrimp. We set out to develop a recipe for our ideal shrimp burger: moist, chunky yet still cohesive, and with seasoning that complements the sweet shrimp flavor but doesn’t overpower it. After early testing we decided we needed a combination of finely chopped shrimp to help bind the burgers, as well as some larger, bitesize chunks. We achieved this texture with help from the food processor. We wanted to use as little binder as possible, to avoid the soggy, mushy results we’d seen in other shrimp burgers that frequently used a combination of mayonnaise, egg, and breadcrumbs. We kept the mayonnaise for the much-needed moisture and fat it added but left out the egg and decreased the breadcrumbs. Some minced scallion and parsley, lemon zest, and a touch of cayenne pepper round out the flavor of our burgers.
Building Blocks is an Early Intervention and Preschool Program dedicated to educational excellence and committed to meeting the developmental needs of all young children. Services are provided at home, in the community, at daycare, or at our center as determined by the child’s IEP or IFSP.
EI & Preschool Autism Program • SEIT Services Family Training • Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy Complete Diagnostic Services
Special & General Education Classes EI Special Instruction • Parent Child Groups Toddler Separation Groups Building Blocks is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit agency and has been providing services to children from birth to age 5 years and their families for 30 years. To refer a child suspected of developmental delay please call Suffolk County DOH EIP at 631-853-3100 for children 0-3yrs; or the child’s school district for children 3-5 years of age. All authorized services provided to eligible children are funded through NYS & Suffolk County at no cost to families. BBDPS is an approved provider and evaluator of Early Intervention & Preschool special education services and is regulated by NYSED and NYSDOH.
Serves 4 Be sure to use raw, not cooked, shrimp here. Dry the shrimp thoroughly before processing, or the burgers will be mushy. Handle the burgers gently when shaping and grilling; if overhandled while being shaped, the burgers will be dense and rubbery, and if handled roughly during cooking, they will break apart. Serve with salad greens or toasted hamburger buns with tartar sauce. 1 slice hearty white sandwich bread, torn into large pieces ¼ cup mayonnaise 2 scallions, minced 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest ¼ teaspoon salt 1 /8 teaspoon pepper continued on next page ››
• Gymnastics & Music Classes • Mommy & Me • Drop & Shop • Birthday Parties • Craft Classes • Parents’ Night Out • Play Dates
FREE TRIAL
Ages 6 months to 9 years www.tumblingtunes.com 212 Laurel Road East Northport, NY 11731 631-697-0140
LongIslandParent 41
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Pinch cayenne pepper 1½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21-25 per pound), peeled, deveined, and patted dry Vegetable oil 1. Pulse bread in food processor to coarse crumbs, approximately 10 pulses. Transfer to small bowl. Do not clean food processor. Combine mayonnaise, scallions, parsley, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and cayenne in large bowl until uniform. 2. Pulse shrimp in now-empty food processor until some pieces are finely minced and others are coarsely chopped, approximately seven pulses. Add shrimp to mayonnaise mixture and gently fold until just combined. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over mixture and gently fold until incorporated. 3. Scrape shrimp mixture onto small baking sheet, divide into four equal portions, and loosely pack each into 1-inch-thick patty. Cover and refrigerate patties for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 hours. 4A. For a charcoal grill: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter three-quarters filled with charcoal briquettes (4½ quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, approximately 5 minutes. 4B. For a gas grill: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, approximately 15 minutes. Turn all burners to medium-high. 5. Clean and oil cooking grate. Lightly brush tops of burgers with oil, lay them on grill, oiled side down, and lightly brush other side with oil. Cook burgers, without pressing on them, until lightly browned and cooked through, 10-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through grilling. Transfer burgers to platter, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Mediterranean-Style Portobello Burgers
Why This Recipe Works: For a vegetarian burger with unbeatable meaty taste, we turned to grilled portobello mushrooms. Scraping out the gills avoided any muddy off-flavors, and marinating the mushrooms in a simple vinaigrette boosted their complexity. Cutting a shallow crosshatch into the caps not only allowed the portobellos to soak up more marinade, but it also prevented the skin from turning chewy while cooking. Before grilling, we mixed together some toppings that complemented the mushrooms’ Mediterranean flavor profile. A combination of chopped roasted red peppers, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and feta cheese made for a bright, briny accompaniment, and a quick basil-boosted mayonnaise promised a creamy component for our finished burgers. Keeping these two toppings close by, we grilled the mushrooms alongside ½-inchthick sliced red onions. Skewering the slices with toothpicks kept the onion rounds in place for tidy grilling and brushing them with the remaining marinade unified the flavors. Once the mushrooms had taken on plenty of rich char on both sides, we placed them on a platter and filled the gilled sides with the feta mixture. Returning to the grill, we gave the filled mushrooms a final blast of heat to warm them through and then toasted up sturdy Kaiser rolls. We assembled our flavor-packed finished product, stacking our stuffed mushrooms, sweet grilled onions, and some peppery baby arugula on top of our basil mayo–smeared buns. These burgers were perfectly rich, and juicy—no meat necessary.
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Serves 4 Our favorite feta cheese is Mt. Vikos Traditional Feta from Greece. If the mushrooms absorb all the marinade, simply brush the onions with olive oil before grilling them in step 4. 4 portobello mushroom caps (4 to 5 inches in diameter), gills removed ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced Salt and pepper 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup) ½ cup jarred roasted red peppers, patted dry and chopped ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, patted dry and chopped ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup chopped fresh basil 4 (½-inch-thick) slices red onion 4 Kaiser rolls, split 1 ounce (1 cup) baby arugula 1. Using tip of paring knife, cut ½-inch crosshatch pattern on tops of mushroom caps, 1/16 inch deep. Combine oil, vinegar, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in 1-gallon zipper-lock bag. Add mushrooms, seal bag, turn to coat, and let sit for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. 2. Combine feta, red peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes in bowl. Whisk mayonnaise and basil together in separate bowl. Push 1 toothpick horizontally through each onion slice to keep rings intact while grilling. 3A. For a charcoal grill: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, approximately 5 minutes. 3B. For a gas grill: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, approximately 15 minutes. Turn all burners to medium-high. 4. Clean and oil cooking grate. Remove mushrooms from marinade, reserving excess. Brush onions all over with reserved mushroom marinade. Place onions and mushrooms, gill side up, on grill. Cook (covered if using gas) until mushrooms have released their liquid and are charred on first side, 4-6 minutes. Flip mushrooms and onions and continue to cook (covered if using gas) until mushrooms are charred on second side, 3-5 minutes. 5. Transfer onions to platter; remove toothpicks. Transfer mushrooms to platter, gill side up, and divide feta mixture evenly among caps, packing down with your hand. Return mushrooms to grill, feta side up, and cook, covered, until heated through, approximately 3 minutes. 6. Return mushrooms to platter and tent with aluminum foil. Grill rolls cut sides down until lightly charred, approximately 1 minute. Spread basil-mayonnaise on roll bottoms and top each with 1 mushroom and 1 onion slice. Divide arugula evenly among burgers, then cap with bun Excerpted with permission tops. Serve. from Master of the Grill from America’s Test Kitchen.
FOOD & NUTRITION
Grilled Desserts? Yes, Please! ››
Prepare one of these sweet treats to wow the guests at your next barbecue. By Danielle Bennett
Blueberry-Lemon Cobbler
Makes: 8-10 servings • Prep: 30 minutes • Cook: 1¼ hours Cobblers are heartwarming to me, and they’re such a simple dessert to make—a bit of dough and some berries, peaches, or other fruit. Let it bubble away ’til golden and sumptuous. That’s it. Perfectly easy for anyone to do. Over the years, I have had countless varieties of cobblers at picnics, backyard bashes, and barbecue competitions. Play with different types of fruit—fresh or frozen—and make something you love. Sugared Lemon Slices 2 lemons, sliced ¼ cup granulated sugar Filling 6 cups fresh or frozen wild blueberries ¾ cup granulated sugar 1 lemon, zested and juiced ¼ cup water 3 tbsp. cornstarch Topping ¼ cup granulated sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 can (12 oz.) Texas-style or regular refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits) 2 tbsp. whole milk 1. Prepare your grill for indirect cooking and preheat it to medium-high (375°F to 450°F).
S’more Better Dip
Makes: 6-8 servings • Prep: 20 minutes • Cook: Approximately 45 minutes Everyone loves toasting s’mores over a campfire. But for a big crowd, it’s easier to make a tray of this s’more dip. You can dunk just about anything in the sweet treat, from fresh fruit, cake cubes, and cookies to salty pretzel sticks. I love using Skor toffee bits in this recipe, but feel free to add anything—chopped nuts, crushed cookies—to make it uniquely your own. Ingredients 2 cups milk chocolate chips 1½ cups heavy (whipping) cream 1 package (14½ oz.) graham crackers 15 jumbo marshmallows, halved ½ cup Skor toffee bits
2. For the Sugared Lemon Slices, sprinkle the lemon slices with sugar. Place on the cool side of the grill. Cook until the lemon slices are dried out and caramelized on top, approximately 45 minutes. Remove the lemon slices from the grill and set aside. Leave the grill on. 3. For the filling, mix together the blueberries, sugar, and lemon zest and juice in a 9-inch cast iron skillet. 4. Whisk together the water and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth. Add the cornstarch mixture to the blueberry mixture and stir well. 5. Place the skillet on the hot side of the grill. Watching closely and stirring often, cook until the mixture is bubbling and the juices have thickened, approximately 10 minutes. Move the skillet to the cool side of the grill. 6. For the topping, mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Arrange the biscuits on top of the blueberry mixture. Brush the biscuits with milk. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon and sugar. 7. Bake on the cool side of the grill until the biscuits are thoroughly cooked and browned on top, approximately 20 minutes. 8. Remove the skillet from the grill. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. 9. Garnish the cobbler with the Sugared Lemon Slices.
Directions 1. Mix together the chocolate chips and cream in a microwavesafe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high in 30-second increments, stirring after each one, until the chocolate chips are melted. Stir until smooth. 2. Prepare your grill for indirect cooking and preheat it to 300°F. 3. Arrange some of the crackers in a single layer in a 12-by-10inch disposable aluminum pan to cover the base of the pan completely. Pour the chocolate mixture evenly over the crackers. Top with marshmallow halves. Sprinkle with Skor bits. 4. Place the pan on the cool side of the grill. Cook until bubbling, 35-45 minutes. 5. Serve immediately with the remaining graham crackers. Excerpted from Diva Q’s Barbeque by Danielle Bennett. Copyright © 2016 Danielle Bennett. Photography Copyright © 2016 Ken Goodman. Published by Appetite by Random House, a division of Random House of Canada Ltd., a penguin Random House company. All rights reserved.
LongIslandParent 43
The Power of Preschool
››
Experts discuss the importance of early childhood education. It’s much more than just play time! By Melissa Wickes
K
ids play together, sit in a circle with their teachers and sing songs, eventually moving to the table for a snack. Maybe they discuss the weather outside or the calendar, or learn about letters and numbers. From the outside, you’d be forgiven for seeing preschool as a nice-to-have, rather than a necessity—and, for those not in public pre-K programs, a potentially expensive option at that. Indeed, some parents have argued that preschool is simply a glorified day care, that anything taught there can easily be learned at home. There is, however, more going on in that classroom than the untrained eye might observe. Educators and child development experts say that early childhood education offers kids advantages long after they leave the colorful walls of their preschool classroom and helps set them up for success in school and beyond. We’ve been hearing a lot about preschool from our political and educational leaders in recent years, as exemplified by New York City’s much-heralded push to provide universal pre-K. There is good reason that policymakers have zeroed in on this as an area where kids’ lives can be influenced for the better regardless of their backgrounds and situations. Research shows that the benefits of preschool are tangible and visible in more ways than one. Preschool not only provides more opportunities for children, it helps them learn how to face social interactions as well, according to Rina Patel, a former preschool teacher and director of the early childhood enrichment program Book Nook, which is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. There are, as a result, big differences between at-home learning and in-school learning. 44
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
“There’s a different expectation at home when there is a parent with a child versus a teacher with a child,” Patel says. “Children do naturally develop skills, but at home they are only exposed to a certain amount of materials, toys, or learning products. School is open to a whole different variety of learning materials from programs to class trips.”
Trained Teachers and Groups of Peers
Schools provide teachers who are professionally trained to be molding young minds and are equipped with certain skills parents alone may not have. An important aspect of in-school learning is instilling in kids the ability to interact successfully with other people. It may seem very straightforward, but getting along with others, especially at 2-4 years old, is not so easy. Being in a classroom with multiple children their own age allows children to develop social and emotional skills that cannot be learned solely at home, Patel says. At preschool, children become accustomed to being in group settings, separating from parents, and making decisions on their own—even if those decisions are as simple as, “Do I want to play with Legos or finger paint today?” All of the social experiences children undergo in preschool contribute to their overall confidence, according to Tovah Klein, Ph.D., author of How Toddlers Thrive and director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development. “People think of it as the ABCs and 123s, but it’s much, much more than that,” Dr. Klein says. “Children gain a lot of confidence by being able to handle themselves away from their parents and then reuniting with them later in the day.”
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Preschool classrooms also teach kids a great deal about resiliency and curiosity, according to Dr. Klein. Being able to handle disappointment and moving on from it, learning to be proud of your own work, and the ability to make decisions all play into a child’s curiosity and overall desire to learn.
Preparing Kids to Learn
Beyond the realm of confidence and social skills, going to preschool prepares children for life in various other ways, such as getting them ready to learn in school. This has become increasingly true in recent years as the kindergarten curriculum has been revamped. Today, skills such as reading are generally being taught earlier, prompting one study to ask, “Is kindergarten the new first grade?” With so much more expected of children at the kindergarten level, early education becomes crucial as preparation for the new rigors of kindergarten. Various studies have shown that early education programs for 3and 4-year-olds improve language skills, literacy, and mathematics. Attending preschool has been shown to improve children’s IQ, their receptive and expressive vocabulary skills, and early reading and math skills. By enrolling your child in a preschool program, you are preparing him to acquire academic skills that he will be expected to use as early as kindergarten, and offering him a head start in his academic career. Studies show that a crucial part of preschool education lies in stimulating interactions between students and their preschool teachers. By supporting their students emotionally and academically, teachers help children learn to develop skills, respond both verbally and physically, and enjoy learning. Young children often struggle with the transition from a play environment to a learning environment, which can cause a “learning anxiety,” or fear of learning, according to Patel. By introducing your child to this learning environment as early as preschool, you eliminate the anxiety as early as possible, preparing her for future learning.
Teaching Kids Routine
Preschool also helps children develop and understand the concept of a routine. The school day is structured, which helps acclimate children into a daily routine and a learning environment in a gentle and enjoyable way. Being accustomed to a routine helps children prepare for higher levels of grade school, college, and a professional life, according to Patel. “When I was in a kindergarten classroom with children who didn’t go to preschool prior to entering, they were experiencing social anxiety and learning anxiety simply because they didn’t know what to expect,” Patel says. “Preschool fills those separation and learning anxieties so your child has a better idea and is better prepared for the future.” In the process of preparing a child for a routine, parents likewise become accustomed to enforcing and sticking to that routine. The earlier you start bringing your child to a structured program such as preschool every day, Patel says, the earlier you learn the importance of an everyday routine for your child. An aspect that is also beneficial for parents is that the earlier you begin, the earlier you can decide what works for you and your child and what doesn’t. By sending your child to preschool, experts say, he will be provided the resources necessary for proper academic preparation, and social and emotional development. Plus, she will learn more about herself than she could ever do from your living room.
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EAST NORTHPORT 631-754-4424 www.longislandlutheran.org
LongIslandParent 45
PRESCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTERS Building Blocks Developmental Preschool
29 Pinewood Drive, Commack 631-499-1237; bbdps.com Building Blocks Developmental Preschool is a NYS-approved provider of special education preschool services, serving Suffolk County for more than 31 years. All of our special education classes follow NYS Learning Standards for preschool special education. The preschool curriculum encompasses pre-literacy activities, language development, math concepts, fine and gross motor activities, and peer socialization while incorporating each child’s specific educational plan. Individual goals are targeted through a multi-model approach to encourage success. Our staff has many years of experience in early childhood special education. Halfand full-day programs available.
Camps ‘R’ Us Where Summer Vacation Is Our Job
Locations in Baldwin, Bellmore, Farmingdale, Hicksville, Valley Stream, and West Islip 516-935-CAMP (2267) campsrus.org; info@campsrus.org Camps ‘R’ Us’ preschool campers enjoy a fun-filled first camp experience that offers a full day of enrichment for children ages 3 and 4. Our Tiny Tots Program is designed to complement the unique complexities of early childhood. Campers will acquire a greater ability to reason, plan, and remember through carefully selected activities designed to enhance their development. They begin to better understand common social conventions, as our staff initiates games based on
cooperative learning experiences, in which close group interaction is essential. Call now for early bird summer 2017 rates!
The Hagedorn Little Village School, Jack Joel Center for Special Children 750 Hicksville Road, Seaford 516-520-6000; littlevillage.org jon.feingold@littlevillage.org The Hagedorn Little Village School is a noprofit school highly regarded for providing outstanding educational and therapeutic services for children with a wide range of developmental disabilities. HLVS provides year-round programs and services that include diagnostic evaluations and treatment, early intervention, a preschool, an elementary school, SEIT, and related services. Services provided on-site, and in homes, nursery schools, and day care centers include speech, feeding, occupational, physical, and movement therapies; behavior management or Applied Behavior Analysis; counseling; and support groups.
Kenwal Day Camp
100 Drexel Ave., Melville 631-694-3399 kenwaldaycamp.com Our preschool program has use of the same facilities as older campers, taking into consideration the needs of younger campers and modifying the program accordingly. Counselor-to-camper ratio is 1-to-4. Preschool campers are given Red Cross instructional swim and free swim daily, with the opportunity for 1-on-1 instruction. Our preschool program maintains separate air-conditioned camp houses and playgrounds, where campers participate in arts and
Fall Registration Friday, Aug. 26th, 5-7pm Saturday, Aug. 27th, 10am-1pm Sunday, Aug. 29th, 9am-1pm
Ages 3 and up | Call for details
Arts Based Preschool
106 Vernon Valley Road, East Northport 631-754-4424 x224 longislandlutheran.org admissions@ludaynorthport.org LuDay’s preschool program serves children ages 2-5 in full- and half-day programs. Nursery classes emphasize learning through imaginative play and exploration as the means for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. Attention is given to the student’s continued development of language and self-expression skills. Preschool curriculum includes tools for mathematics and reading readiness, and is designed to build a solid foundation for future learning. The Kindersteps program provides an extra year of preparation for a child who has a late birthday or is not quite ready for kindergarten.
Posey School
57 Main St., Northport 631-757-2700; poseyschool.com poseyschoolofdance@gmail.com Posey Preschool is an arts-based early education program for the artistic soul. We have created a preschool for the young intellectual to learn in a nurturing and respectful atmosphere. Children will actively engage in the creative process, participating in various roles within the arts including, but not limited to, dance, music, theater, and visual arts. We offer affordable choices between two, three, or five days a week from 9-11:30am. Our
Prime Time Early Learning Center
270 Airport Plaza, Farmingdale 631-777-9090 primetimeschools.com/ farmingdale-day-care Prime Time Farmingdale offers an extensive pre-K program that prepares your child for their transition to school. Phonological awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking are emerging literacy skills we work on during the pre-K year. Prime Time also offers expert child care for ages 6 weeks through pre-K. Families are welcome to register for as little as 16 hours per week or for our full-time program that provides child care during any of our hours of operation. Prime Time of Farmingdale is open Monday-Friday from 6:30am-7pm.
St. Patrick’s Youth Community
St. Patrick Church, Smithtown 631-724-1261 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net The best-kept secret is now available to you! St. Patrick Youth Enrichment Learning Center is available for ages 2-5, Monday– Friday, during the school year. Flexible hours, days, and reasonable rates make this program an option for all. Music, reading readiness skills, and NYS standards are just some of the reasons to join. We offer arts and crafts, circle time number concepts, and free play. Playtime with Mommy and separation classes are also available. And the best part is, you only pay for the days you attend!
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Join us for fun & an excellent education in the Art of Dance
DANCE FOR ALL AGES Ballet Based Curriculum Jazz and Tap Contemporary Modern Classes for Teens and Adults Children’s Dance
57 Main St., Northport Village | 631-757-2700 www.poseyschool.com
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Long Island Lutheran Day School
goal is to integrate early childhood education with movement, art, and self-expression in a physically and emotionally safe environment.
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crafts, tumbling, mini-golf, circle games, go karts, parachute play, Junior Zip Line course, and karate, along with many sports activities tailored to meet their ability.
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
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The Importance of Sleep
››
Getting a good night’s rest does more than prevent cranky kids and tired parents. By Katelin Walling
S
leep. We all need it. But why is it so important? Sleep is a pillar of health, and is essential to human functioning. “Sleep is critical for health and well-being. While you sleep, your bodies are healing, your bodies are processing,” says Lisa J. Meltzer, Ph.D., Sleep Education Fellow for the National Sleep Foundation.
How Healthy Baby Sleep Impacts Babies
Dr. Meltzer says sleep is so important for babies because they develop in a number of different ways when they sleep: Physical Development: One of the first things to happen when a child falls asleep is the growth hormone is released. “Children literally grow in their sleep, as do teeth, which is why teething is so disruptive to sleep,” Dr. Meltzer says. “Increased duration of sleep is associated with those important outcomes that you get when you go to the pediatrician: weight gain, length, head circumference. Healthy sleep in the first year also lowers the risk for becoming overweight or obese in childhood.” Brain Development: When they’re sleeping, babies’ brains are constantly reorganizing and processing, which fosters better cognitive development. “It’s one of the most critical things that happen within the first year of life,” Dr. Meltzer says. “They’re learning to form new memories, they’re learning how to say words, and they’re learning important motor skills like crawling and walking.” Emotional and Social Development: Babies who don’t get enough sleep are fussy, cranky, and irritable. And science shows what every parent knows: A baby who sleeps more cries less. “Healthy baby sleep is related to better social skills and improved maternal-child interactions,” Dr. Meltzer says. “Healthy sleep during the first year serves as a protective factor to future problems in attention and learning during preschool.”
How Healthy Baby Sleep Impacts the Family
Other than being able to sleep for longer periods of time, healthy baby sleep is important for the family as a whole: Immune Systems: Our immune system fights off illnesses and infections when we sleep, which is important for babies and critical for exhausted parents. “Studies have shown that adults who regularly sleep less than 7 hours per night are three times more likely to develop the common cold, compared to adults who regularly get more than 7 hours of sleep per night,” Dr. Meltzer says. Less Depressed Mothers: “Science clearly shows that babies who learned to sleep by the age of 11 months have mothers who are less depressed when their child is age 2,” Dr. Meltzer says. “Moms who sleep better are happier and interact with their child more.” Healthy Family Functioning: Babies live within a family system. In order for that system to function at its best, the whole family needs healthy sleep. Plus, Dr. Meltzer says, parents who sleep more are more productive at work and are at less risk for driving-while-drowsy accidents. “By helping babies sleep, we help the families be at their best. I spend a lot of time talking about this with parents who come into my clinic, in particular mothers who say to me I feel guilty and selfish that I want my baby to sleep so that I can sleep,” Dr. Meltzer says. “That’s not selfish. Sleep is essential for health and well-being, and sleep deprivation is not a good thing.” Learn about the bedtime routine that is proven to make babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer at ›› nymetroparents.com/baby-sleep
LongIslandParent 47
Meet the Health Care
PROFESSIONAL
To be in this section, call 631-472-5437 or email nympads@davlermedia.com
Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics 1000 F Park Blvd., Massapequa Park 516-798-1111 62 Lake Ave. S., Suite A, Nesconset 631-360-PEDS (7337) 615 Montauk Highway, West Islip 631-661-PEDS (7337); ampediatricdental.com adelbergped@optonline.net
We are Drs. Adelberg, Montalvan, Bennet, Pistilli, Postel, Schecter, and Abraham. Our purpose is to provide outstanding dentistry in a child- and family-friendly environment. We treat your family like they are our own. All of our doctors are board-certified specialists and offer the most combined laser dentistry experience on Long Island. We want your visit to our office to be an extraordinary experience, that will make you say, “Wow!” Our three offices even look like a theme park. We hope to make your children love visiting the dentist.
Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Suffolk: 631-689-6858 • Nassau: 516-216-1791 Queens: 718-640-6767
Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, is owner and operator of Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. Along with her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and FEES—Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing—are also offered. There is a total of seven affiliated offices across Long Island, all participating with most major health insurance companies and offering evening and Saturday hours.
Pediatric Immediate Care 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) 698 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn 718-389-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com
Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County Dr. Mike Ioannou 2171 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 145, Commack 631-486-6364 3237 Route 112, Building 6, Suite 7B, Medford 631-320-0880 supermolar.com
Building Blocks Developmental Preschool 29 Pinewood Drive, Commack 631-499-1237; bbdps.com
Allied Physician’s Group Munira Husainy, M.D., F.A.A.P. 815 Hallock Ave., Suite A, Port Jefferson Station 631-331-7267 alliedphysiciansgroup.com
Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, as well as baby, camp, school, and sports physicals. Certified urgent care recommended by Urgent Care Association of America. Thirty years of dedication to our patients. The offices are open seven days a week including holidays, 8am-11pm.
Donna M. Charbonneau is the executive director of Building Blocks Developmental Preschool. BBDPS offers a range of programs and services to children from infancy through age 5. Currently staffed with more than 100 teachers, therapists, and paraprofessionals, including registered nurses as well as psychologists, speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, a physical therapist, and a developmental pediatrician. Early Intervention services are provided for children younger than 3, who have developmental delays. Building Blocks Developmental Preschool continues to ensure delivery of the highest quality educational services to all students.
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August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
Dr. Michael Ioannou, a native of Suffolk County, received his dental degree at the University of Connecticut - School of Dental Medicine, with a residency in pediatric dentistry from Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center. A friendly, patient dentist, Dr. Ioannou strives to make visiting the dentist a fun experience, all while providing exceptional dental care. He uses excellent behavioral management approaches, a child-friendly environment (TV and cartoons in all treatment rooms), and he sings to the patients! Dr. Ioannou currently participates with most insurance companies and has convenient evening and Saturday office hours.
Born and raised in the bustling city of Mumbai in India, Dr. Husainy finished medical school in India and completed her pediatric residency at NUMC East Meadow in 2006. She has been board-certified and a practicing pediatrician since 2007. She is currently a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She considers it a privilege to provide care and comfort to children during their formative years, believing that preventive care is critical to ensuring their well-being as they are growing.
Horizon Orthodontics-Island OrthodonticsDr. Scott Friedman 1150 Portion Road, #13, Holtsville 631-698-2424 islandortho.com
Dr. Scott Friedman received his doctorate of dental surgery and orthodontic training from New York University College of Dentistry. He has 33 years of clinical experience and a vast background in all phases of orthodontic treatment. Our practice’s top priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. Whether you’re an adult, adolescent, or child, our knowledgeable doctors and staff are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve: a healthy, beautiful one!
Cummings Family Dental 42 High St., Huntington 631-425-1650 cummingsfamilydentistry.com cummingsfamilydentistry@aol.com
Dr. Cummings believes that a dentist and patient become a team for treating an individual’s dental needs. She spends time listening to understand your concerns and responds with the best treatment options for you. She received her degree from Howard University College of Dentistry and received her post-doctoral training from University Hospital Stony Brook. Dr. Cummings is trained and experienced in providing dental care for patients with special needs, as well as complete dental care for the entire family. There’s a story behind every smile... we’d like to be part of yours!
OPEN HOUSES 2016 The All Star
96 Main Road, Riverhead 631-998-3565 theallstar.com events@theallstar.com Come to The All Star in Riverhead, meet with us to learn about our kids programs, sign up for Kid’s Bowling Leagues, and see what we have to offer!
Kenwal Day Camp
100 Drexel Ave., Melville 631-694-3399 kenwaldaycamp.com Visit Kenwal and meet with our directors, have questions answered, and tour the beautiful, 20-acre camp grounds. Receive huge savings with our early bird rates through Aug. 15.
Ohman School Of Ballet
New York Dance Theatre 60 Calvert Ave., Commack 631-462-6266 ohmanballet.org office@ohmanballet.com Now in it’s 36th year, the
Ohman School of Ballet is looking forward to its summer and after-school dance programs. Call to visit and schedule a free trial class!
Picasso Kidz, Creative Art Studio For Children
72 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-261-5500 picassokidz.com picassokidzart@gmail.com Visit Picasso Kidz to learn about our art classes for children of all ages. Classes now offered for children with special needs. Fall Parent and Me classes are forming now.
Posey School
57 Main St., Northport 631-757-2700 poseyschool.com poseyschoolofdance@gmail.com Join us for an open house Friday, Aug. 26, 5-7pm; Saturday, Aug. 27, 10am-1pm; Sunday, Aug. 29, 9am-1pm. Nutcracker auditions Saturday,
Aug. 27, 4-4:30pm (age 3-4), 4:30-5:30pm (age 5-9), 5:306:30pm (age 9 and older).
Prime Time Early Learning Center 270 Airport Plaza, Farmingdale 631-777-9090 primetimeschools.com/ farmingdale-day-care Visit Prime Time Farmingdale and meet with our directors. Learn about our Childcare, Preschool, and After-School programs for children ages 6 weeks to 10 years. Call us to schedule a tour.
St. Patrick Youth Community
St. Patrick Church, Smithtown 631-724-1261 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net The best-kept secret is now available to you! Visit St. Patrick’s Youth Community, meet with our directors, and learn about our exciting summer camp, sports programs, and educational programs.
Tumbling Tunes
212 Laurel Road, East Northport 631-697-0140 tumblingtunes.com tumblingtunes@gmail.com Tumbling Tunes: music, gymnastics, free play, art, enrichment camp, parties, and Parents Night Out. Come play! Newborn to 9 years. Call 631-697-0140 for a free trial class.
Village East Gifted - Enrichment Center for the Gifted Learner
Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Visit VEG and let your child join a demo lesson taught by our director. Learn about our gifted kindergarten, after-school enrichment, writing workshops, art workshops, and STEM/STEAM classes. Ages 4-18.
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ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS
East End PTPC............................................................. 41
MUSIC
Artistic Gymnastics........................................................ 15
Hagedorn Little Village School...................................... 39
Tumbling Tunes............................................................. 41
Tumbling Tunes............................................................. 41
Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech................. 25, 48
BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES
EDUCATION
Adventure Parks of Outdoor Adventures ...................... 25
Building Blocks Developmental Preschool.............. 41, 48
All Star Lanes (The)....................................................... 29
Hagedorn Little Village School...................................... 39
Picasso Kidz.................................................................. 25
LI Lutheran Day School at St. Pauls.............................. 45
PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING
Tumbling Tunes............................................................. 41
Posey School of Dance................................................. 46 Prime Time Early Learning Center................................ 45
CAMPS Artistic Gymnastics........................................................ 15 Camps ‘R’ Us................................................................. 37 Kenwal Day Camp........................................................... 9 LI Lutheran Day School at St. Pauls.............................. 45 Ohman School of Ballet................................................. 15 Prime Time Early Learning Center................................ 45 St. Patrick Youth Community......................................... 21
St. Patrick Youth Community......................................... 21 Village East Gifted........................................................... 2
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS
Gateway Playhouse......................................................... 9
PLAY SPACES Adventure Parks of Outdoor Adventures ...................... 25
RELIGIOUS LI Lutheran Day School at St. Pauls.............................. 45
SPECIAL EVENTS Wyandanch Plaza............................................................ 5
All Star Lanes (The)....................................................... 29 Gateway Playhouse......................................................... 9 Wyandanch Plaza............................................................ 5
Village East Gifted........................................................... 2
SPECIAL NEEDS Adelberg Montalvan - Massapequa Office.............. 48, 51 Building Blocks Developmental Preschool.............. 41, 48
FITNESS CHILD CARE / DAY CARE
Adventure Parks of Outdoor Adventures ...................... 25
Prime Time Early Learning Center................................ 45 HEALTH
Cummings Family Dental........................................ 13, 49 East End PTPC............................................................. 41 Hagedorn Little Village School...................................... 39
CLASSES
Adelberg Montalvan - Massapequa Office.............. 48, 51
Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech................. 25, 48
East End PTPC............................................................. 41
Affinity Health Plan.......................................................... 7
Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County......................... 3, 48
Picasso Kidz.................................................................. 25
Allied Physicians Group................................................. 48
Pediatric Immediate Care........................................ 19, 48
Posey School of Dance................................................. 46
Cummings Family Dental........................................ 13, 49
Picasso Kidz.................................................................. 25
Village East Gifted........................................................... 2
Fairy LiceMothers.......................................................... 45 Horizon Orthodontics .............................................. 15, 49
DANCE
Licenders....................................................................... 25
Ohman School of Ballet................................................. 15
Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County......................... 3, 48
Posey School of Dance................................................. 46
Pediatric Immediate Care........................................ 19, 48
SPORTS All Star Lanes (The)....................................................... 29 Artistic Gymnastics........................................................ 15 Camps ‘R’ Us................................................................. 37
DEVELOPMENTAL
HOME SERVICES
Kenwal Day Camp........................................................... 9
Building Blocks Developmental Preschool.............. 41, 48
Geico Insurance............................................................ 26
St. Patrick Youth Community......................................... 21
50
August 2016 | nymetroparents.com
Start the School Year Off with Fun
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