SEPTEMBER 2020
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HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
AFTERSCHOOL IS
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Remote Learning Success
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INSIDE
EDITOR Jeannine Cintron PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Michelle Yannaco TRAFFIC DIRECTOR Heather Gambaro ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Janine Mulé, Jodi Fatto, Desiree Cannone
SEPTEMBER 2020
8
PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Roselle Farina Hecht
Cover Kid Silvio Ribeiro
INFORMATION Advertising: 718.494.1932 Questions: info@siparent.com KEEP IN TOUCH
Apple Picking
Apple season signals the start of fall! Find out where to pick the freshest apples around.
ILPM siparent.com davlermedia.com facebook.com/siparent instagram.com/statenisland_parent twitter.com/siparent pinterest.com/siparent
12
Single Parenting in a Pandemic
Being a single parent is hard enough on its own. One recently separated mom shares her story.
14
Successful Remote Learning
It’s baaaack... Homeschool, that is. Two teachers share how to do it the right way.
Member of the Parenting Media Association (PMA)
24
Is Melatonin Safe for Kids?
Experts weigh in on whether or not children should take it for sleep.
fun stuff
6 Kid’s Furniture Contest 20 Family Calendar 28 Birthday Club ENTER YOUR CHILD AS PAGE 31
23-TIME AWARD WINNING MAGAZINE
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Staten Island Parent is published 12 times a year. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. The publisher of this magazine does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or writers.
16 Education 18 Afterschool Activities 30 Professional Services A DAVLER MEDIA GROUP BUSINESS DAVID L. MILLER CEO
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hello editor’s note
ARE YOU READY FOR FALL?
W
elcome to September, one that is bound to be unlike any other in years past. Whether your child is attending school one day per week, two days per week, or entirely from home, you’re probably going to need more than a trip to Staples to be prepared. My advice is to avoid feeling overwhelmed. I know, I know, easier said than done (I’m the queen of stress and procrastination, so I get it). But it might help to take some time to clear your head of your endless to-do list and engage in some good, old-fashioned fun whenever you can. You can start with apple-picking! We’ve rounded up the top spots nearby for a family day at the farm on page 8. Who doesn’t love a crisp, fall day in the fresh air? We’ve got plenty of them coming up, so break out the cinnamon-flavored candles and straw décor because if any season can take your mind off the back-to-school doldrums, it’s autumn. As you peruse our September issue, be sure to check out the article on page 14 on successful remote learning. It’s written by the authors of our monthly Dear Teacher column, so you’re getting advice straight from the source. And if you’re worried about fixing your child’s wacky sleep schedule, find out if the popular sleep aid, melatonin, is safe for your little ones on page 24. For those parents going it alone through these strange times, I’ve penned a personal essay on the effects of pandemic parenting for single moms and dads on page 12. Can you relate? As we start the 2020-2021 school year, I’d like to wish your family a happy, prosperous school year, on behalf of the entire Staten Island Parent team, of course. Good luck to all! GET NEWS, TIPS, AND Comments? Questions? HUMOR ALL MONTH LONG siparent.com/signup Suggestions? Don’t be shy! Email me at @siparent jcintron@siparent.com @statenisland_parent Editor, Staten Island Parent
Little Kids’ Homeschool FURNITURE GIVEAWAY with
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Chelsea Chair Set with Table & Snuggle Chair
This at-home set is perfect for your young remote learner. Little kids can do crafting and art or complete their homework at this gorgeous, two-tone desk, then settle into the soft foam chair for reading time. Ages 3+ 6 September 2020 • siparent.com
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APPLE PICKING FARMS
More fall fun can be found on SIPARENT.COM/FALL You’ll find apple & pumpkin picking farms, fall & Halloween events & more!
W
ith many indoor activities still closed, we’re more excited than ever to sink our teeth into apple-picking season. Your family can enjoy a day out in the open air, picking crisp, delicious apples, snapping picturesque family photos, and enjoying the fall weather. Here are some of the best local farms not far from Staten Island where you can pick your own autumn apples. Be sure to check each farm’s website ahead of time for information on Covid-19 safety procedures. You will likely need to make reservations or purchase tickets in advance.
Battleview Orchards
Riamede Farm 122 Oakdale Road Chester, NJ 07930 riamede.com
91 Wemrock Road Freehold, NJ 07728 battlevieworchards.com
Cider Mill & Orchards
19 King Street Oldwick, NJ 08858 melickstownfarm.com
Demarest Farms 244 Wierimus Road Hillsdale, NJ 07642 demarestfarms.com
Eastmond Orchards
169 County Road Colts Neck, NJ 0722 eastmontorchards.com
Stony Hill Farm 8 Route 24 Chester, NJ 07930 stonyhillfarms.com
Alina Marie Ferraro
Terhune Orchards
Giamarese Farms Lee Turkey Farm 155 Fresh Ponds Road E. Brunswick, NJ 08816 facebook.com/ GiamareseFarm
Hillview Farms
223 Meyersville Road Gillette, NJ 07933 hillview-farms.com
201 Hickory Corner Rd East Windsor, NJ 08520 leeturkeyfarm.com
Longmeadow Farm
561 Blairstown Road Hope, NJ 07844 longmeadowfarmnj.com
Melick’s Town Farm Califon Farm 472 County Road 513 Califon, NJ 07830 melickstownfarm.com
Prospect Hill Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road Princeton, NJ 08540 terhuneorchards.com
Von Thun’s
505 Ridge Road Monmouth Jct, NJ 08852 vonthunfarms.com
Wightman’s Farm
73 Clarks Lane 1111 Mt. Kemble Ave Milton, NY 12547 Morristown, NJ 07960 prospecthillorchards.com wightmanfarms.com
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EDUCATORS WEIGH IN ON CURRENT TOPICS
raising kids
Single Parenting, Pandemic Style BY JEANNINE CINTRON
Jeannine Cintron is the Staten Island Parent Editor and mom of two cute but crazy kids.
R
ight now, my house is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It’s the kind of silence most parents can only dream of experiencing before their children leave for college. It’s so quiet I can hear my own thoughts, listen to the second hand ticking away on the wall clock, pick up on the hum of the refrigerator motor. It’s almost hypnotic. And I hate it. Less than two hours ago, my head ached from the echoes of my kids fighting viciously with each other. They fight over everything: the remote, video games, a spot on the couch, the last Capri Sun. You name it, it’s the end of the world. My son wants my daughter to stop playing her music at full volume, my daughter wants my son to stop screeching at her just to get a rise. By the end of the day, my voice is sometimes sore from all the yelling I have to do because they don’t listen when I speak in normal tones. Sorry, parenting experts, but it’s true. When their dad’s around, they’re little soldiers, scurrying around cleaning up and avoiding arguments. But when I’m alone with them – which is all the time now -- it’s like talking to little walls. The minute my ex picks them up and the door slams shut behind them, I take a deep breath, close my eyes and enjoy the serenity of the moment. But that peaceful, zen-like feeling only lasts about 20 minutes. Slowly the silence turns deafening, an eerie reminder of how lonely being a single parent can be. My husband and I split up just a few months before the world exploded into a virus-ridden “new normal.” I got a brief, three-month long snippet of what single parenting was like in a regular, non-Covid world. While it definitely wasn’t easy, it was a whole lot different than it is these days. Pre-quarantine, I easily avoided those agonizingly quiet moments without the kids. I picked up as many extra shifts at my second job as I could; I occupied up my free time with girls’ nights out; I hung around late out after work; I dated here and there. I did whatever I could do to avoid my empty house, a four-walled reminder of my broken family. The kids and I spent those first few months however we wanted: playdates, the movies, the arcade, visiting family, the park if the weather was mild. Even if we were just sitting around at home, there was comfort in knowing we could pick and go wherever, whenever.
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LIPM And then came coronavirus. I thought my days of isolation ended years ago with postpartum depression. At least there’s some research on that. There haven’t been many studies on single parenting during a pandemic. Like all things 2020, there’s no instruction manual for this. Quarantine closed in on my kids and me like the doors of an elevator leading straight to hell. My days went from structured chaos to the world’s worst juggling act. I was working full time from home, homeschooling a sixth-grader and a third-grader, attempting to keep some semblance of a clean and functional home, while carefully mending the pieces of my kids’ broken hearts, still raw from the devastating news of their parents’ divorce. There was no escape for us during that time. No friends to visit, no family to cheer us up, no solution for the daily stresses existing outside the four walls of our home. I’d scroll through Facebook and see other well-meaning families playing board games, making TikTok videos together, going on nature hikes, boasting about the pandemic bringing them closer together. I should know better than to believe anything as it’s portrayed on social media. But when you’re in such a vulnerable state, it’s everything you can do not to turn off your phone and throw it out the window. My kids were bored and frustrated when we were together. And I was too. Then they’d leave with their dad again and I’d feel temporary relief, followed by guilt, then loneliness, and lastly depression (sprinkled with a little anxiety, of course). It was a vicious cycle, one that still repeats itself sometimes post- quarantine. Now that things are beginning to open up, there are brighter days ahead. We can visit friends and family again, the kids can play outside with neighbors, we can go to the beach or the park. We even took a vacation in July. As long as we follow the rules – wear the mask, social distance, etc. – the dark days of life indoors have ended. But the single parenting part remains. Pandemic or not, being a single parent is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. I’m doing my best, but it’s nowhere near my all. When you’re constantly pulled in several different directions at once, nothing gets 100% of your focus. I walk around in a constant state of guilt: mom guilt, work guilt, divorce guilt, money guilt, self-care guilt, laundry/dishes/ cleaning guilt, the list goes on. No matter how stressed I feel, I try my best to maintain a good relationship with my ex for the sake of my children. I’m very lucky because he’s a good dad and he tries just as hard to keep the peace with me. It’s not a perfect relationship, but it certainly helps us navigate the rough waters of co-parenting. For that I am very grateful. Now if only we could only put this Covid nightmare behind us completely. I think we’d all be grateful for that.
Anxiety, depression and relationship issues can range from restricting to debilitating. I offer individual, family and
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Remote Learning Success
T
BY PEGGY GISLER AND MARGE EBERTS
Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts are longtime educators and co-authors of Staten Island Parent’s monthly Dear Teacher column.
he COVID-19 virus is continuing to make it very difficult time to get the best possible education for children. In New York City, students will be learning remotely at least part time. There seems to be close to universal agreement that online education on the elementary level whether full- or part-time is not nearly as effective for children as being in a classroom. If your children are participating in online learning, there are things that you can do make learning more effective for them: • Parents need to work with their children to establish a structured daily routine for online learning especially if children are not in an online classroom with a teacher at definite times. • Parents or a caregiver will definitely need to sit and help younger children much of the academic day when they are online to make sure that they stay engaged. • Parents need to check online frequently to make sure that their children are turning in their assignments and have passing grades. • Make sure that children at all levels can access their online assignments and classrooms. • Children should use their computers in a room with limited distractions where you can observe frequently what they are doing. • Children should have all the necessary supplies that they will need for their academic day online right at their fingertips to avoid the disruption of getting up and looking for them.
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Teachers are still beginning to learn how to teach online lessons. And they vary greatly in their ability to present educational materials effectively to their students. Thus, students do not always stay engaged through an entire lesson. Since classroom education ended abruptly last year, your children probably have gaps in their education. Unfortunately, most classes are going to be beginning with the new grade’s curriculum. Even the best students may find it rough going at the start of this school year. Students in regular classrooms can seek help from their teachers and so can online students. However, both may need to find extra help through websites, their parents or tutors. It is imperative that you continue talking to your children about following the safety rules every day. This will help teachers focus more on educational activities rather than spending considerable time teaching and enforcing safety precautions. Have your children practice wearing masks at home. Check frequently that they, (especially the younger children) are wearing their masks correctly. Observe them wearing a mask from time to time to make sure that they are keeping their hands off the masks. It is equally important that younger children know how to wash their hands and/or use hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes. We suggest that you watch them do this before every meal to ensure that they are doing this correctly. As long as this COVID-19 pandemic lasts, parents and caregivers are going to need to give their children extra guidance so that they will get the best possible education.
Continue talking to your children about following the safety rules, which will help teachers focus more on educational activities rather than enforcing safety precautions.
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EDUCATION GUIDE
The new school year is here! Whether it’s your child’s first school or you’re looking to make a switch, now is the time to find the right educational insititution for your child.
Multiple Programs Wagner College Department For Lifelong Learning
631 Howard Avenue • 10301 718.390.3221 lifelong-learning@wagner.edu wagner.edu/lifelong-learning Programs: Friday after school & Saturday classes for ages 4 to 17. ACT Theater & Performing Arts, Architecture, Art, Business, Ceramics, Coding, Digital Art, Dungeons & Dragons, Esports, Magic The Gathering, Mindfulness, Photography, SHSAT/TACHS Test Prep, Filmmaking, Lego Robotics, Sign Language, Spanish, STEAM, Video Game Design.
Preschools & Day Care Bright Minds Academy
75 SkyLine Drive • 10304 877.826.2060 brightmindsacademysi@gmail.com bma.school facebook.com/brightmindsacademy_ instagram.com/brightmindsacademy_ Programs: Voucher and private pay accepted. Pick-up/ drop-off services. Fun educational curriculum, nutritious meals, certified teachers. Activities: Arts & crafts, sewing, baking, music, dance and more.
JCC of Staten Island
1297 Arthur Kill Road • 10312 718.475.5224 485 Victory Boulevard • 10301 718.475.5290 1466 Manor Road • 10314 • 718.475.5230 2221 Richmond Avenue • 10314 718.475.5100 sijcc.org Programs: Infant/Toddler Care–12 mos; ages 3 mos-2.8 yrs; 3, 4, 5 days/week 7am-6pm; extended hrs 7-9am & 4-6pm. Full Day 3K and PreK for All. Contact facility for specific programs. Activities: Literature, art, music & movement. Intro to Jewish culture and tradition. Indoor and outdoor play area. _____________________________________
Most Terrific Child Center 555 Tompkins Ave • 10305 718.273.0334 mtcdaycare@yahoo.com mtcdaycare.com facebook.com/most-terrific-childcenter-105004707711431
Programs: We are an early education center that provides free Full-day 3K and Pre-K programs for kids three and four years old. Activities: Children engage in a critical thinking and fun environment through arts and crafts, music and movement, learning technology, and science lessons. Gaining stronger social, problemsolving, and creative skills.
St. Joseph Hill Academy 850 Hylan Boulevard • 10305 718.981.1187 egregor@stjhill.org stjosephhillacademy.com
Programs: Pre-K3 – 8th grade. Aftercare available. Call for info. Alignment of ELA and Social Studies Curriculums, Project Based Learning including STREAM Pre-K to 8, Project Lead The Way Science Curriculum aligned with NGSS K to 8. Activities: Sports: Soccer, Swimming, Golf, Basketball and more to come. Clubs: Theater, Band, Chess, Fencing, Robotics, Computer Repair, Wacky Science, Hill Explorers, Creative Chefs, Story and Craft, Hill Herald, Book Club. _____________________________________
Tender Care Preschool
6581 Hylan Blvd • 10309 718.317.2849 or 2858 bquinn@mountloretto.org mountloretto.org/tender-care-preschool facebook @ tender care preschool Programs: Free full day UPK and 3-K, half & full days for 2 year olds. Summer Camp. Activities: Large playground & indoor gym, computers, library. French classes. Extended hours 7am-6pm. Sprinkler park on campus for Summer Camp. Located on the grounds of beautiful Mount Loretto. Plenty of parking.
16 September 2020 • siparent.com
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LIPM Zion Lutheran Preschool
505 Watchogue Road • 10314 718.981.3623 zlcpsdirector@zion505.org Ms. Linda Herman, Director zionlutheranpreschoolsi.com FB: zionlutheranpreschoolstatenisland Programs: Terrific 2’s, Thrilling 3’s, PreK for 4’s, Tiny-Totz: Parent/Toddler Interaction, Gigglez: all-day daycare, Zion Zummer Adventurez Camp. Varied attendance schedules are offered for children to best meet their needs and the needs of the families, ranging from 2, 3, & 5 day. This includes AM & PM class options. Activities: Providing a loving, learning Christian environment through a comprehensive, developmental program designed to help children acquire the basic competencies and skills for full development and social participation. Also assuring that the quality of the child’s experience is emotionally satisfying, personally meaningful, and provides a basis for future learning.
Special needs AHRC– Staten Island Preparatory School
23 Summit St. (formerly Our Lady Help of Christians) Staten Island, NY 10307 212.895.3386 john.goodson@ahrcnyc.org schools.ahrcnyc.org/sponsor/siprep Programs: Staten Island Preparatory School (SI Prep) is an NYSED approved private school for students with disabilities, primarily autism –preschoolers 3-5 and elementary 5-12. All of the children are placed by the NYCDOE’s Committee on Special Education and the Center Based Support Team. Activities: Students receive special education in small, structured classroom settings with high adult to student ratio. All therapies are provided as per IEP. School follows all state standards in ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Health and participates in NYS standard assessments or alternate assessments as warranted.
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JCC of Staten Island First Foot Forward
The Write Place
Programs: Special education preschool for ages 2.5-5. Full day. Center based & integrated classes. Related services. Transportation & tuition at no cost to eligible children.
Programs: Writing tutoring for: High school & college reading & writing assignments, application essays, resumes & cover letters, research, MLA & APA citations, and creative writing coaching. Activities: Custom one-on-one or small group tutoring for any struggling writer by an experienced college writing professor. Services: one-time or on-going meetings online or in-person.
1466 Manor Rd • 10314 1297 Arthur Kill Rd • 10312 2221 Richmond Ave • 10314 718.475.5225 sijcc.org
Activities: Multi-disciplinary evaluations. Speech & language, occupational, physical & play therapy. Movement & music. Mainstreaming. Parent support groups.
Tutors
Huntington Learning
2791 Richmond Avenue • 10314 718.494.8377 sta@hlcmail.com huntingtonhelps.com facebook.com/HuntingtonStatenIslandNY instagram.com/hlcstaten youtube.com/user/HuntingtonHelp
Staten Island, NY 10314 347.461.0135 thewriteplacecoach@gmail.com facebook.com/thewriteplacecoach instagram.com/thewriteplacecoach thewriteplacecoach.com
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Programs: Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible. Huntington Learning Center is the premier leader in supplemental education. Our certified tutors provide individualized instruction in all academic areas including homework help, SAT, ACT, standardized and entrance exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed in the classroom. _____________________________________
Resource Room Tutoring Center 534 Forest Avenue • 10310 718.873.5323 info@resourceroomsi.com resourceroomsi.com FB @resourceroomsi • IG @resourceroomsi Programs: Private tutoring for all academic subjects. K-12 and test prep including SAT, SHSAT, TACHS, Regents. S.T.E.M. Lego Robotics. In-person and online. Activities: Led and owned by licensed NYS teachers, Resource Room provides tailored individualized academic instruction for students of all ages, in all academic subject areas, with a personalized approach to student learning.
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raising kids
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM GUIDE
Looking to expand your child’s development after school? Here is a great place to start!
MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES
PERFORMING ARTS
SPORTS
JCC Explorers After School Program
Spotlight Theatre Performing Arts Academy
Team Real USA
1466 Manor Road • 10314 718.475.5284 LQuinn@sijcc.com SIJCC.org
Programs: Our after school program at the Bernikow JCC aims to educate the whole child through various activities that stimulate the mind, body, and spirit. Busing available from select schools. Open daily until 7pm. Activities: Academic support and homework help from DOE Certified Teachers, music lessons, sports & fitness classes, instructional swim, yoga and Zumba classes, chess and games, healthy choice cooking projects, STEAM activities, meditation, and more!
MUSIC Dorothy Delson Kuhn Music Institute of the JCC 1466 Manor Rd • 10314 718.475.5263 • sijcc.org
358 Forest Avenue Staten Island, NY • 10301 718.207.1128 SpotlightTheatreSI@gmail.com SpotlightTheatreSI.org
Programs: Spotlight Theater Performing Arts Academy offers classes, workshops, private lessons & performance opportunities for ages 4-18. Visit our website for more information about our fall offerings!
FIND MORE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS
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2298 Arthur Kill Road • 10309 347.979.4955 chris.teamrealusa@gmail.com teamrealusa.com facebook.com/teamrealusa instagram.com/teamrealusa youtube.com/channel UC8kWZoHNQpB84vc2tI1Qhkw Programs: Unlimited Kids MMA, Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu, Bootcamp Fitness, Muay Thai, MMA, Kickboxing - as well as Personal Training. We have different gym packages to accommodate the classes that best fit you, and family plans. Activities: Unlimited Kids MMA, Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu, Bootcamp Fitness, Muay Thai, MMA, Kickboxing classes. Bring a friend to Kids MMA Day, Bootcamp Fitness in the park, Yoga on the lawn, and more throughout the year.
Programs: Private music lessons taught by professional musicians. Piano, voice, guitar, violin, cello, all woodwind and brass. Early childhood music. Ensembles and chamber groups. Workshops for public schools. Activities: Students also take musicianship and theory class. They may participate in recitals held monthly. Scholarship and financial aid available for private lessons.
Brothers Darren and Jayce Ligotti heading off to one of their favorite afterschool programs
18 September 2020 • siparent.com
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LIPM ST. JOSEPH HILL ACADEMY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Providing a premier Catholic education, Pre-K to Grade 8, to the Staten Island community for 100 years.
Middle States Accredited
Mother Franciska Early Childhood Center Featuring 3 & 4 year old programs. Call for information.
Before & After Care Available
850 Hylan Blvd • SI, NY 10305 718.981.1187 x9136 • stjosephhillacademy.com
Fixing Up Your Home? Get great ideas, meet local contractors and save money in Staten Island Parent’s new Digital Magazine.
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ARE YOU A CONTRACTOR OR HOME IMPROVEMENT PROFESSIONAL?
Reach thousands of Staten Island families by promoting your business in the Fix Up My Home mini-magazine! Contact us at siparent.com/advertise-with-us for more information on this opportunity. September 2020 • siparent.com
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FAMILY CALENDAR
LOOKING FOR A LITTLE POST-PAUSE FAMILY FUN? GO TO SIPARENT.COM/UPCOMING-EVENTS HERE’S SOME OF OUR SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS.
GEEK OUT AT SNUG HARBOR
This outdoor convention celebrates geek culture and diversity in the community, featuring workshops, panels, video games, art from local artists, performances, cosplay contest and so much more. Special guest Rob Fury will run a My Hero Academia panel and host the cosplay contest. Event hosts will be enforcing strict CDC safety regulations. Day two is a virtual option for experiencing the convention from afar. Get your tickets at goasicon.com. Saturday, September 5, 11am-8:30pm: Outdoor Convention
DRIVE-IN MOVIE SERIES AT POUCH CAMP
IN N PERSO S EVENT
$40 entry fee per car includes choice of 4 snacks and 4 drinks. The lot opens at 7:30 and films start at 9pm. Go to camppouch.org/driveinmovie to purchase tickets. Saturday, September 12: The Sandlot Saturday, September 19: The Goonies Saturday, September 26: Back to the Future
AL VIRTU S EVENT
MICHAEL’S KIDS CLUB ONLINE
KIDS ONLINE BOOK DISCUSSION: POKÉMON GAME ON!
Your kids can attend free virtual crafting classes on Michaels.com Tuesdays & Thursdays at 4pm. Go to michaels.com/kidsclubonline for the full schedule. Upcoming classes include: Tuesday, September 1 - Yarn Bird Making (ages 6+) Thursday, September 3 - Night & Day Scene (ages 3+)
Calling all Pokémon fans! Join in an online talk about Pokémon and the non-fiction e-book Pokémon Game On! by Paige V. Polinsky! For children ages 8-12, along with a parent or caregiver via Google Hangouts Meet. Borrow the e-book online at nypl.overdrive. com/media/5273040. To register, go to nypl.org/events/programs/2020/09/04/kids-online-book-discussion-pokemon-game. Friday, September 4, 1-2pm
20 September 2020 • siparent.com
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MELATONIN FOR KIDS: IS IT SAFE? Experts weigh in on whether or not children should take it for sleep.
O
BY SHANA LIEBMAN
Shana Liebman is the features editor of NYMP. She’s a writer and editor who has worked for magazines including New York Magazine, Salon, and Travel & Leisure—and she is the mom of two energetic little boys.
ver the last few months, as school morphed into remote learning which then turned into a COVID19tainted summer, bedtime has taken a toll. Ever-changing schedules, plus perhaps excess screen time, has meant many kids (and adults too) are having trouble sleeping. And for many families, the go-to answer for readjusting to a normal bedtime is the over-the-counter natural
sleep-aid melatonin for kids. Indeed, melatonin is widely used, but is it safe for kids? WHAT IS MELATONIN?
Melatonin, a naturally occurring chemical in the body, is a special sleep-inducing hormone that helps regulate our sleep/wake cycles, Harvey Karp, M.D., pediatrician and author of the best-selling parent guides, Happiest Baby on the Block & Happiest Toddler on the Block, explains. “When it gets dark, our pineal gland (a tiny structure deep in the brain)
gets the O.K. to release melatonin, which makes us drowsy. Daylight sends the opposite signal: it tells the pineal gland to shut off the melatonin, so that we can be bright-eyed and energized,” says Dr. Karp. Unlike many sleep-aids, the Mayo Clinic reports, users are unlikely to become dependent on melatonin, have a diminished response after repeated use (habituation) or experience a hangover effect.
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Most medical organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), agree that melatonin is safe for short-term use in kids—although you should always consult a pediatrician before using it. Dr. Karp says that when it comes to dosage, generally less is better. “In some cases, a doctor might recommend melatonin for a toddler,” he says. “Typically, a standard dose for young tots is 0.5 to 1 mg, given an hour before lights-out.” Research has shown that upping the dosage doesn’t necessarily equal more sleep. Higher doses of melatonin (3 to 10 mg) tend to be reserved for children with medically related sleep issues, such as blindness, autism, or ADHD, Dr. Karp notes. He also points out that like many medications, melatonin has possible side effects including drowsiness, headache, dizziness, increased urination, bedwetting, and agitation.
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HOW LONG SHOULD KIDS USE MELATONIN?
While it’s safe for kids to occasionally take melatonin, the NIH cautions parents against long-term use. Because melatonin is not regulated by the FDA, it does not undergo the same rigorous testing and requirements for approval that prescription medication does. Dr. Karp says this makes it hard to guarantee the purity of the melatonin you buy. Pediatrician Rosemary Prince, M.D. of ProHEALTH Pediatric Urgent Care of Yorkville, agrees. “There are many variabilities in the ingredients and formulations of these over-the-counter products, so you don’t always know how much of what you might be taking,” Dr. Prince says. Another reason for caution: There are few large studies or long-term research into the effects of melatonin in kids, and a 2017 study found that there are multiple cases of supplement mislabeling.
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SHOULD PARENTS GIVE THEIR KIDS MELATONIN?
First and foremost, consult your pediatrician about using melatonin. She can recommend a trusted formula, the right dosage for your child, and when and how often to use. A pediatrician can also help treat underlying disorders that may be related to lost sleep or offer recommendations for various sleep solutions. Dr. Karp also advises parents to avoid melatonin until all other options are exhausted. “It’s not something you want to use after one bad night, for example. If your tyke is struggling with sleep, I’d recommend trying other methods (including a consistent routine, the use of sleep cues, and cutting off screens an hour before bed), before turning to a supplement,” says Dr. Karp.
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