Westchester Family - May 2021

may 2021

WestchesterFamily.com

Let’s Hear it for

Moms!

Jenny Greenstein

on Your Soul Style, her family, and being a guiding light for her daughters

Time Together

Tips as kids return to socializing

Benefits of a

Bilingual Education

SHAHRAM RAZMZAN, MD

SUZANNE GREENIDGE, MD

DMITRY GERBER, MD

Riverdale-based Lillian Berdichevsky, MD, with new mom Diane F.

ROSALIE ALVARADO, MD

JANUSZ RUDNICKI, MD

EDWIN PAN, MD NOT SHOWN: Melissa Groves, MD Khaled Hassan, MD Sarla Khushalani, MD Luis Maturana, MD Molham Solomon, MD Vivian Sone, MD

914.964.4DOC

COMFORT

IN KNOWING I MADE THE E RIGHT CHOICE CHOI

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contents

May 2021

WestchesterFamily.com

pg. 18

pg. 12

pg. 28

FEATURES 14 | Crafty & Creative Getting kids back to connecting in the arts 22 | Bilingual Education What to know about how a second language can broaden your child’s skills and perspective 26 | Camps Are Back Summer camps share why they are excited for the upcoming season 28 | Jenny Greenstein - North Star Jenny Greenstein on family, Your Soul Style and being a guiding light for her daughters

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

Stories & columns 6 | Editor’s Note May Flowers

pg. 22

pg. 14

Directories 20 | STEAM Listings 24 | Bilingual Listings

8 | Ask The Expert Tips as kids get back to being social 12 | Mom Hacks 5 baby skincare brands we love 18 | STEM How to get kids to love coding

on the Cover Photo: Yumi Matsuo | yumimatsuostudio.com Makeup: Buffy Hernandez | buffysaintmarie.com Hair: Johnny Haeger | johnnyhaeger.com

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May 2021 | Westchester Family

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Editor’s Note

President Victoria Schneps-Yunis CEO Joshua Schneps

Westchester Family WestchesterFamily.com Publisher Clifford Luster cluster@schnepsmedia.com Executive Editor Donna Duarte-Ladd edit@westchesterfamily.com Digital Editor Katarina Avendaño Contributing Editor Serena Norr Digital Director Erik Bliss

Nina Gallo Photography

May Flowers The weather is warming, and we are starting to re-explore our city. Some of our kids are heading back to school and getting back to the swing of things by taking classes and seeing their friends. As kids start to get reacquainted, we have Tips for Kids Getting Back to Socializing (page 8).

Now that kids are back out or doing remote classes, we have an insightful piece on how we can reconnect our kids through art with our article on Crafty & Creative(page 14).

A year ago, we were planning this month’s

cover of Jenny Greenstein, North Star (page 28), her wife Dina, and their two young daughters. Of course, life for all of us shifted in ways we may have never thought would happen. Yet, in a sign that we are starting to get out and get back to our new normal, our vaccinated crew finally was able to visit Jenny and her family to shoot this month’s beautiful cover!

ADVERTISING SALES Account Managers LynnMarie Hanley lynnmarie.hanley@westchesterfamily.com Nina Spiegelman nina.spiegelman@westchesterfamily.com PRODUctION Art Director Leah Mitch production@schnepsmedia.com Production Staff Arthur Arutyunov, Connie Sulsenti DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION Roberto Palacios 718-260-4531

Please recycle this magazine.

Xo, Donna and New York Family Westchester Family (ISSN 1043-6774) is published monthly by Queens Family Media LLC. Please note that the advertisements in this magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows this magazine to be free to the consumer. Limit of one free copy per reader. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the Publisher. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

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ASK THE EXPERT

Tips as Kids Get Back to Socializing Vaccines, re-openings, and warm weather mean children are adjusting to time together again

BY DONNA DUARTE�LADD

T

he tantrums have been one for the books, in between remote classes or after a long day of Zoom — out of the blue; my eleven-year-old, who hasn’t had meltdowns since toddlerhood, displays emotional highs and lows. When the kids are finally around other kids, while joyous, it can also go from zero to 60 over the simplest things.

And the parents. I have seen outbursts and have been on the receiving end of a fellow parent’s outburst, while both sides wondering afterward WTF just happened?! It is as if we have all been stuck in the same house for a year.

Ahhh, yes, that is it, we have been in the same place for over a year. And now, as we slowly make our way back outside in the world, how can parents get their kids (and ourselves) back to socializing courteously and respectfully?

I touched base with Dr. Christina Johns, Senior Medical Advisor for PM Pediatrics, with tips on how kids can transition back to being social?

Has quarantine affected kids’ development?

While I think pediatricians and parents alike are very concerned that social develop-

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

ment has been delayed because of isolation, the reality is that kids are pretty resilient, so we’re hopeful they will bounce back once we emerge from the pandemic. That said, we currently don’t have enough long-term data to determine what developmental effects the pandemic will have on children, and we will be following that very closely in the years to come. Pediatricians are concerned because there is some data that suggests learning has slowed down, but the evidence-based answer is that we don’t know for sure yet.

Kids have either been glued to a tablet or have had limited time with friends; as New York re-opens, how can they transition into being social again?

My recommendation to parents is to ease in slowly. I wouldn’t recommend that kids who haven’t had social time go to a sleepover right away, for example. Instead, it’s a gradual transition. I suggest shorter playdates and one-on-one time to start, all the while reminding children to respect their peers’ physical space. Before getting back to socializing, bring up the discussion of sharing depending on the child’s age. I also suggest reminding them of other general

social norms, like manners and respect. It’s ultimately about easing in and gradually expanding from there. Always remember to be smart with outdoor playdates, structured playdates with activities to provide a format to help kids socialize easier.

How can a kid deal with misunderstanding and hurt feelings once they start having more face-to-face time? I see this more than ever with my oldest when he is on Zoom with friends, and one hangs up or loses their temper easily.

Role-modeling, the behavior you want to see in your child, is key. I also suggest scripting. In other words, talk to your child about how to navigate these kinds of situations before they actually happen, and you can arm them with strategies. I also recommend you ‘name the feelings’. Teach your child to say “you seem upset right now” to a peer, for example. Once it’s named and kids have a shared understanding of the situation, they can go ahead and try to resolve it. It doesn’t make sense, for example, to have a child apologize if they don’t know what they’re apologizing for because that may not be appropriate in the setting and doesn’t teach the strategies for conflict resolution for the future.

May 2021 | Westchester Family

9

ask the expert

What can a parent do if their child seems anxious or depressed as they get back to just being a kid but with all that it comes with (peer pressure, competitiveness, etc.)?

I would encourage parents to make sure they know what the truly concerning signs of depression and anxiety are in order to determine when it’s time to speak to a pediatric physician for help. Those signs can manifest in a child getting so anxious that they can’t get through their activities of daily life, their sleep schedule seems to be thrown off, they are completely disengaged, grades are dropping, etc. Those are real signs depression and anxiety have taken over, and that is the time to actively seek care. It’s a great idea to start with a pediatric healthcare professional as they can often help to screen the child and give you the best guidance on the next steps. If you don’t feel like your child is exhibiting any of these truly concerning behaviors, but they seem anxious, starting to slowly ease back into normal life may be the best way to move forward. People so badly want to resume pre-pandemic activities right away; however, any kind of expectation

“I suggest shorter playdates and one-on-one time to start, all the while reminding children to respect their peers’ physical space.” that getting back to that in the immediate will lead to disappointment. As a parent, setting up some small successes for a child can help them regain confidence, so they are less anxious about various situations going forward.

As for parents, how do we set good examples for our kids?

We practice what we preach. One thing that I encourage parents to keep in mind is the idea of balance. Try your best as a parent to set boundaries for yourself and do something that’s actually engaging and social during the day. If you’ve been working all day, sitting in front of a screen, give yourself a break and go outside to chat with a neighbor.

And, bring your child with you. If you start engaging in safe, social activities together, your child is more likely to pick that up and do it independently.

Dr. Christina Johns is the Senior Medical Advisor and Vice President of Communications for PM Pediatrics, where she provides evidencebased pediatric expertise for patients and families everywhere. A pediatric emergency physician and medical leader, Dr. Johns is board certified in both pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine.

Dr. Johns has contributed to Good Morning America, been featured as a medical expert on CNN and Discovery Health shows, hosted Clear Channel Radio’s medical talk show, Doctors Call, and served as a spokesperson for SafeKids Worldwide on behalf of child advocacy on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Johns is a mom of two, a son and a daughter, and resides with her family and their two dogs in Annapolis, MD. Visit Dr. Christina’s blog, Dear Dr. Christina, and on Instagram @deardrchristina, Twitter @DrCJohns, and Facebook @Dr. Christina Johns.

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mom hacks

5 Baby Skin Care Brands We Love

By Donna Duarte-LaDD

S

kin care for babies is growing every year. And while the products keep expanding and evolving, allowing parents to find the best product for their child, it can be a bit mind-boggling to know which ones are the right fit for your family.

We reviewed the many baby products sent our way and came up with a top 5 that we love, all for different reasons, but all do one thing — provide skin nourishment for your baby and beyond.

Tots by Babyganics Hair Care Babyganics newly launched skincare line, Tots by babyganics, tackles the toddler stage, you know, once the hair has grown in and curls, tangles become part of your growing babe’s hair. Dermatologisttested, this line helps calm and control flyaways while maintaining growing hair. We tried the 2-in-1 Curly Shampoo & Conditioner, $9.99, on a very curly hair prek’er. If you have a curly hair child, you know that post-bath is when their curls look the best and the following day, poof… gone.

The tots line, which consists of coconut oil, avocado, apricot oil, and chamomile extract, helps to moisturize and smooth out unruly hair. There is also a non-curly 2-in-1 version, and for the hair that tangles (what do they do to get so many knots in their hair?), the detangling spray is not heavy, leaving none of that sticky residue some products tend to do.

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

Mum & You Hypoallergenic Skin Care The Mum & You line, which is naturally derived, and vegan, focuses on mom and baby. We tested the Mums Touch Massage Oil, $9.99, a 2-pack of massage oils, one for the day and one for the night; the day oil includes organic jojoba and organic chamomile, which we tested on both ourselves and the kids. For the evening, after a bath, we used the sleepy night version — the oils went on super smooth, and within days our skin softened. As a mom bonus, we tested the Tummy Time (for mothers),$25, a firming and toning gel. The combination of sunflower seed and turmeric extract helps boost collagen and tighten the stomach area.

After a year of really not taking care of ourselves, these products felt like much-needed self-care for us, the moms, and the family.

Ever Eden Plant-Based We found ourselves going from giving the products a go on the kids — to full-on incorporating products such as nourishing baby cream and Foaming Baby Shampoo and Wash, $16, to our beauty routine. Our tester (the curly hair babe) loved the foaming wash because who doesn’t love foam? Pediatriciancreated with naturally-derived oat amino acids and coconut juice, and coconut water. We loved it for being super gentle and tear-free.

The product this editor is now sharing with her son is The Nourishing Baby Face Cream, $24, rich in moisture; it goes on those still brisk mornings on the kids and on mom as a night cream- rich hydration something many of us need after being home for months.

Baby Bum by Sun Bum PlantBased One of our favorite picks for SPF care, Sun Bum, has a well-curated baby skincare linebaby Bum. This is perfect for parents looking for plant-based baby skincare. Bubble baths are what nighttime routines are made of, and the Bubble Bath, $9.99, doesn’t mess around.

Ingredients of sea minerals like magnesium, calcium mixed with monoi coconut oil and banana, aloe, & white ginger make for one hydrating, moisturizing bubble bath. The Calendula Cream, $13.99, while perfect for a new baby, is also excellent for the entire family as the calendula flower mixed with lavender oil and shea butter nourishes as we all make our way outdoors again.

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Baby Dove by Dove for Eczema Care Baby Eczema, dry, flaky, itchy skin, affects babies and even big kids, mostly on their face, especially their cheeks. While stressful for parents, it is uncomfortable for a little one. Dove’s Baby Dove Derma Care Soothing Wash, $8.99, is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and made without dyes, parabens, phthalates, steroids, or sulfates. That is the technical stuff; what we love about it for baby is that it is super gentle and doesn’t dry out the skin. For relief from the itchiness, hydration is beneficial, and the Baby Dove Eczema Care Soothing Cream, $8.99, is a powerful moisturizer with patented technology that strengthens your babe’s skin.

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arts

Crafty & Creative How to reconnect our kids with their artistic sides

By Mia SalaS

N

ew York boasts some of the best art programs for kids, from dance to theater to music and everything in between.

But since the start of COVID-19, in-person art programs have come to a stop. And with work-from-home, school-from-home, and a whole lot of emotional stress on us with everything going on in the world right now, art-at-home hasn’t exactly been a priority.

Yet as things start to open up again as more people get vaccinated, it’s time to get crafty and creative again with your kiddos! Inperson after school and summer camp art classes are ready to welcome your child, and many art programs have developed lasting hybrid models to get your kids back into the arts. We’ve got the scoop on all-things arts in New York for kids: why the arts are important, how art programs have shifted since COVID-19, and the many ways to get your kids back to being creative!

First and foremost, even though art may not have been a top concern for us during the height of the pandemic, our brilliant New York art programs never stopped running!

“Making art never stopped! When the world shut down last year The Neighborhood Playhouse knew we had to keep the arts and children’s dreams alive. We started online classes very quickly. Students sing, dance, act, and write plays from home with guidance from our extraordinary teachers,” says Carmen Lamar Daehler, Neighborhood Playhouse Junior School Director. Although we may have been nostalgic for the days of in-person art, these programs found a way to continue art at home. “Since the pandemic, the kids enrolled in our String Music Program have experienced art straight from their living rooms, bedrooms and

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

haven’t missed a beat (no pun intended),” adds Chinita Pointer, President/CEO of Noel Pointer Music.

Even if your kids did stay creative during the pandemic, transitioning back into inperson art can be intimidating, especially for little ones who haven’t had much exposure to these sort of programs. Artistic Director of Play Group Theatre, Jill Abusch suggests: “I think that kids have to remember that, even though they might not have had an outlet for their creativity, they never stopped being creative! They are creative, and always will be. And once they get back into the theatre -- classes, rehearsals, performances -- they will start feeling creative again. That spark will be re-lit! It is ok to feel a little bit scared and hesitant, but it is so important to push through

those fears and get into the theatre.....and trust those creative feelings to be there when they do!” We couldn’t agree more. Think about all those times you watched your kiddos make up their own games at the park or turned the living room into a pillow-fort!

And as parents, we can have comfort in knowing that New York art programs continue to develop and shift to keep our families safe, healthy, and of course, creative.

“Now that we have learned best practices to conduct live, in-studio classes, Steffi Nossen is jumping into the summer and getting back into the studio!” says Shelley Grantham, Executive Director at Steffi Nossen School of Dance, “Our dance students, during the course of the pandemic, have pivoted through pre-recorded classes, online live

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arts

classes, outdoor dance and a new landscape of performing with site-specific locations and outdoor amphitheaters...Art and dance is naturally ever changing, adapting to the world around it. Steffi Nossen dancers have risen out of this challenging year and together we have found new ways of learning, exploring, growing, and expressing our inner artist through communication, collaborating, and creativity.”

You may be wondering: why is art so important for kids right now, anyway? Well, art encourages collaboration and creativity with other kids. Yes, athletic and academic after-school programs also bring kids together, but there is something unique about art in the way that it encourages self-expression and communication in a collaborative environment. “One of the hardest parts of the pandemic for artistic children has been the separation from like-minded peers. Being with other kids with shared artistic interest not only provides a comfortable space in which they can be themselves but also provides an exciting exchange of imagination and ideas,” explains Loren Anderson, Owner of Katonah Art Center.

Beyond the social aspect, art also instills self-confidence, improves mental health, and, in some cases, develops physical fitness.

“Supporting children’s social, emotional, and physical growth and well-being through the pandemic has been our first priority at Ballet Academy East,” says Julia Dubno, Founder and Director at Ballet Academy East, “The arts, and dance in particular, is a powerful way for children to have the opportunity to express themselves, interact with friends, stay physically active, and have fun! The best way to join back into class after a prolonged absence is to jump right in. Experienced teachers will know just how to encourage and inspire a young child who might feel tentative in their first class.” As Dubno notes, teachers will serve as an important part of the transition back into the arts for your kiddos. And once your little artists are back in-action, they’ll surely be reminded of just how rewarding art can be.

Now how exactly can your kids transition back into the arts? What kinds of programs are available and what might those classes look like? One option to get back into the swing of things is through music. “One of the best ways for kids to get back to the arts is to actively engage in music or other performing arts! Now that in person music lessons are safely available in addition to virtual, the personal interaction with a teacher in private

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

There is something unique about art in the way that it encourages selfexpression and communication in a collaborative environment. lessons or small classes creates a wonderful feeling of creative self expression and accomplishment. When children choose to play an instrument which has the sound they love, happiness is the result...For preschoolers and babies, exposure to hands on music making with age appropriate instruments such as bongos, ukuleles, shakers, small violins, xylophones are both fun and enriching,” explains Deborah Molodofsky, Founder and Director at Amadeus Music School.

If you’re totally on-board with music as a transition into the arts, then you may also want to check out Noel Pointer Music: “To get kids back to being creative, I’d suggest they sign up for our ‘String Music Program,’ especially this summer, where they’ll learn how to play an instrument, go on a fun trip, meet some really cool kids who are doing the same thing and develop skills that will enhance their academics,” says Chinita Pointer. We know how popular summer day and sleep away camps are, but as you look towards the summer, consider sprinkling in a bit of music, either through musical camps or classes, to get the creativity rolling again.

Another option to consider is to get back to being creative through dance! “Kids need to move and what better way to get back into the arts than dance? Let your child dance for joy with our fun, energetic approach,” says Roberta Humphrey, Owner of Dance for Joy, “Our ballet based programs allow students to progress at their own pace in a noncompetitive, developmentally appropriate syllabus. Start with BippityBop where 3-6 year olds explore the world of dance and have their own recital. Ballet classes start at age 7; also jazz, contemporary and modern.

Add performing in their Nutcracker or other performance opportunities and your child will shine!” We’re obsessed with the creative and oh-so-fun classes at Dance for Joy. We also appreciate how supportive the

New York dance community is, making the transition for your kids that much easier.

Shelley Grantham explains how dance classes are structured at Steffi Nossen School of Dance : “Arts programs such as the Steffi Nossen StoryBook and Summer Dance Camp offer a supportive environment where our youngest dancers will gain focus and a jumping off point to emerge from the isolation of social distancing to be more comfortable exploring their own creativity with friends. Older dancers are given the tools and technique to confidently expand their knowledge of diverse dance styles while using their own voices to create original dances.”

Yet another option for creativity in New York for kids is theater. After spending a lot of time cooped up at home, kids need to not only get creative again, but get social! And theater is definitely one of the best ways to push kids (safely and securely) out of their social comfort zone. “This year has been a different journey for everyone-- some kids have felt super creative in a variety of ways, and others have felt a total lack of creativity.

Right now, The Play Group Theatre is focusing on being a place where everyone can come together, wherever they’re at, and begin building back. We all love the theatre. We’re going to start from that place, and be patient with each and ourselves as we rediscover how we make art together,” says Jill Abusch.

And last, but certainly not least, is visual arts. If your little one can’t get enough of Crayola crayons and Scento markers, then visual arts may just be the perfect creative transition. “While home, some kids had the ability to experiment with art materials, within the limits of a home environment,” explains Loren Anderson, “In the KAC studio, kids will be use a wide range of materials while getting instruction in drawing, painting, pottery, cartooning and more. KAC instructors are all professional artists who teach the subjects that are their own passion. We are looking forward to sharing our wonderful space and getting back to creating art at KAC.” Let’s help our kids reconnect with the abundant art that New York has to offer. If we learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that our kids are flexible and adaptable, sometimes even more so than we are.

Whether they’ve been in formal art classes before, took part in art at school, or have little to no art experience, now is the time to introduce (or reintroduce!) your kids to their crafty and creative side.

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17

STEM

How to Get Your Kids to Love Coding

BY YUMIO SANEYOSHI

A

s parents, we want to expose our kids to as many intellectually stimulating and emotionally growing activities as possible.

When we see our friends’ kids taking a coding class, we immediately think – “should we be signing up our kid to be the next Mark Zuckerberg?” How exactly should we go about this?

From a fancy coding camp at Stanford University to free online resources, there are a myriad of choices that can be overwhelming.

Many think that coding is like learning addition and subtraction in math. Take a few lessons to learn what a loop is and how to write an if/then and you’re done. But memorizing the definition of a loop is useless unless the student uses it to solve a problem or task. Parents have a specific language in mind when they sign up their kids for coding lessons. They might say, “My office IT uses Python. I want my kids to learn Python.” But when it comes to kids learning to code, they first need to start by unlocking their passion for creation.

Learning Coding is Like Learning a Musical Instrument I often tell parents that learning coding is

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

like learning to play a musical instrument.

The most important criteria for choosing an appropriate instrument for your child should be the child’s enjoyment of playing that instrument. Just as a parent should not force a child to play the oboe because it will help them get into Stanford (it doesn’t), you should not force a particular coding language on a child because of some market demand for certain coding languages at a particular time.

The primary ingredient for success in coding education is motivation. While an adult might grind through coding boot camp with the promise of a high-paying job, kids are best motivated by inner joy. The most obvious inner joy is when hard work and patience is rewarded by their newly found ability to create something of value that can be shared with others. Inner joy is one of the most powerful motivations to overcome kids’ tendencies to give up when faced with a challenge.

I found that even the most technologically reticent child can be coaxed into spending a few hours per week working on code if they see that their efforts lead to creating a game or app that they can call all their own. We

have seen numerous eyes light up when they make their first simple calculator (as long as they can color the keys lavender and use Lobster font) or a little Javascript animation sequence that they designed to tell a story.

Through carefully curated projects and exercises, kids gradually pick up on the way to talk to the computer. They learn to channel all the great ideas they have about what they want to build into a structure that a computer can understand. Once the code language makes sense to them, nothing can stop them from creating the next great app or algorithm.

Teaching to Debug Beyond the basic concepts of coding like loops and conditionals, the most important thing for kids to learn is the ability to debug their own code. Once kids gain the self-confidence to debug their own code, like the proverb about teaching a man to fish to feed them a lifetime, you’ve taught them how to self-learn from the vast world of online resources for coding. No matter what programming language they need to learn, they will have the ability to overcome challenges with the assistance of billions of

online resources if they possess this critical skill.

You do not learn debugging by memorization. Debugging requires an understanding of how the computer thinks and how you must adapt your commands to conform to that thinking. Kids need to develop a “sense” for what works and what doesn’t in coding without trying to memorize the rules. They must think like a computer, not memorize ten different ways to write a for a loop. As anyone who has tried to talk to Amazon’s Alex or Google Home Assistant, the computer has a certain pattern that it recognizes, and it’s useless to try to plead it to understand how we think. We must adapt our commands into phrases that it can understand.

In Coding, Don’t Sweat the Details Some parents, especially computer programmers, want their kids to learn best practices in software development from the very beginning. I often discourage this approach. Software development best practices make sense for professional coders

The primary ingredient for success in coding education is motivation. While an adult might grind through coding boot camp with the promise of a high-paying job, kids are best motivated by inner joy. and those who already understand the consequences of certain coding patterns. It can be quite confusing and inexplicable for those just learning coding for the first time.

The child needs to possess some basic vocabulary to build up their computer program, but putting them together to accomplish the task should be entirely up to them. Let them discover the faults in certain approaches to problems so they can learn from their mistakes. Worrying about the most efficient way of doing something should only come after the student has gained enough experience to understand the need for such best practices.

It is cliche to expound that fact that coding opens so many doors. Almost all

our teachers who learned to code after they arrived in college wish they knew to start when they were still in grade school. Coding is a lifelong pursuit, even if you never become a professional software developer. Let coding become a tool to foster your kid’s inner joy.

Yumio Saneyoshi is the founder of Penguin Coding School, which teaches kids ages 6-18 everything from Scratch, Minecraft, Roblox, Javascript, Python, Java, Robotics, 3D Printing and Hands-On-Science. Penguin Coding School offers both online virtual and in-person classes throughout the year. Yumio worked in various software companies in Silicon Valley for 15 years before starting Penguin Coding School. He is a parent of two teenagers.

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STEAM Directory | Special Advertising Supplement

Crestwood Music Education Center 870 Scarsdale Ave, Scarsdale 914-961-3497 info@crestwoodmusic.com Crestwoodmusic.com New Location! For 35 years, offering private lessons in piano, guitar, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, drums and percussion instruments for students of all ages and levels. This world-class faculty will be providing this summer, a premier virtual/ online music education experience! One of the most comprehensive chamber music and orchestral programs in the tri-state area as well as our well-renowned Suzuki and Jazz programs will be resuming in-person for the fall 2021 semester. Private lessons and programs such as Musikgarten for toddlers ages 15 months to 3 years as well as for kids ages 3 to 5 will also resume in-person for the fall 2021.

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303 Central Park Ave, Scarsdale, NY 10583 914- 644-8100 TheDae.com The Digital Arts Experience is a STEAM learning center dedicated to presenting the latest digital arts tools to kids and teens in a hands-on, project-focused way. From day one, The DAE has been about more than just kids learning cool technology.

It’s been a safe space for tech-savvy youngsters to come together and geek out over shared interests. In addition to hosting summer camps and workshops in Scarsdale, The DAE offers online classes and clubs, in addition to virtual private lessons and birthday parties.

DAE offerings include computer programming/ coding, 3D modeling, graphic design, YouTube video production, game design, comic illustration, 2D and 3D animation,and more.

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

1501 Jerome Avenue, Bronx NY 718-758-5901 newsettlement.org/ community-center

The New Settlement Community Center, also known as NSCC, is excited to reopen its doors to the public on July 6th, 2021. They’ve been preparing all year for a safe reopening, and are thrilled the STEAM program, known as “Tech Crew”, is returning! Geared for ages 7 to 12, participants will learn primary coding languages such as HTML, Python, and Scratch, the concept of game design, and will create their own video game to share with friends and family. They will also be able to build robots from scratch and program simple commands.

For more information about NSCC, call them at 718-7585901.

Steffi Nossen School of Dance 216 Central Ave, White Plains, NY 10606 steffinossen.org 914-328-1900 Dance classes develop the tools to engage in exploration, precision, and the self-confidence to think creatively. Young Movers - interactive, exploratory classes for preschoolers focus on basic movement fundamentals: developing fine and gross motor skills, musicality, learning about shapes, levels, and dynamics and incorporating structured improvisation games encouraging creativity and self-expression. Our K-7th grade Core Program provides a clear dance pathway and goals. Dancers are exposed to diverse dance disciplines and styles absorbing the discipline of a dance class; they are encouraged to develop their individual creativity and work cooperatively toward group and personal goals. Our Pre-professional Program gives more serious students, grades 4-12, the opportunity to focus on technical and performance advancement.

Dancers develop respect for both self and others and the satisfaction of working toward long-term goals serving them well whatever road they take.

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21

Bilingual Education

What to know about this option that can broaden your child’s skills and perspective

By Mia SalaS

A

s New York parents, we’re all too familiar with the many options for school. We know how overwhelming (and time-consuming) it can be to research the different options and find out what would work best for your child. That’s why, we’re coming in clutch with your guide to allthings bilingual education!

If you’re considering sending your children to a school that has a bilingual program, then stop the oh-so-exhausting research process now and check out our brief (but informative, as always) summary about what to expect. Bilingual education has become increasingly popular in New York and beyond, so we’ve got the scoop on why that is and how some of these programs are structured. Read on to find out if bilingual education is for your family.

History of Bilingual Education in NYC Bilingual education has been around for quite some time now. Private schools each have their own founding stories, many dating back to the early 20th century. But as for bilingual programs in New York public schools, bilingual and ESL education appeared in 1974 following a lawsuit against the NYC’s Board of Education for failing to educate Puerto Rican students with limited English skills. Since the implementation of the Aspira Consent Decree, New York ESL and Bilingual programs have expanded to serve students speaking over 145 languages. While bilingual education began primarily as a way for kids who speak their native language at home to

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

learn English, it has since become attractable to parents of kids who already speak English natively. Why? Keep reading to find out!

Why Bilingual Education?

You may be wondering what all the hype is about bilingual education anyway. First and foremost, bilingual learning not only connects students with another language, but with that language’s culture as well. We all want to see our little scholars grow into well-rounded adults with a strong education, but we also want them to accept difference, celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and craft an open mind. Bilingual education shows kids from an early age that their own language and culture is not the only one, and it broadens their perspective from New York to the greater world in which we are all a part of.

Not only do kids develop more inclusive views early on, but bilingual education instills empathy. Think about this: your child is learning to speak both English and Italian.

All of their friends at school are too, but some of their friends in their neighborhood at home don’t go to a bilingual school. So your child has to think about this, and then decide to use English when communicating with these friends: in other words, they have to think about others before thinking about themself. While this quick decision-making process may seem trivial, it actually kick starts empathy, collaboration, and socialemotional skills from a young age.

And finally, studies have shown that bilingual education actually accelerates and improves many academic skills (that extend well beyond the classroom), such as reading levels, problem-solving, math competency,

creative thinking, and more. Part of this is because learning two languages at once sharpens their memory, but it’s also because learning two languages shows kids that there is more than one way to approach something.

Much like their decision to speak either language based on their situational context, they’ll likely look at challenges in the same way, whether that means coming up with multiple ways to build something STEMrelated or thinking about solving a math problem on a test in multiple ways.

Types of Bilingual Education Now that we’ve covered our bases on why bilingual education is so popular, let’s go over the types of bilingual education, because yes, there’s even subcategories within the categories when it comes to New York education.

Public vs. Private The first decision you have to make is whether you want to send your kids to a public or private bilingual school. Well, before that you should consider what foreign language you want your kids to learn. This is because public schools offer many EnglishSpanish programs, but if you’re looking for Italian, German, or French bilingual education, you’ll likely have more options with private schools. This isn’t to say that you can’t find programs with these languages in public schools: many public schools offer Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Italian, Bengali, French, and more. But the catch is that if you don’t live in that district, you’ll have to apply to attend that school.

As for private schools, your kids will likely have more focused attention on them

and their language learning because of the smaller number of students. Many bilingual private schools have two teachers in every classroom — one who natively speaks English, and the other who natively speaks the other language that the school teaches.

Both public and private schools have their pros, but if you are hesitant to browse private schools because of financial circumstances, be sure to check out their admissions pages

first. Many New York private bilingual schools offer generous financial aid and scholarships, so don’t let this deter you!

English as a Second Language vs.

Dual Language Does your child speak another language at home and you want them to learn English through school? If yes, then English as a Second Language (ESL) is the bilingual

education format that you’re looking for.

If your goal is for your child to learn two languages simultaneously (half instruction in one language and half in another language), then Dual Language is the right fit.

Hopefully this guide summed up bilingual education for you. If you’re considering sending your little one to a bilingual school, check out our round up of the Best Bilingual Schools in New York!

May 2021 | Westchester Family

23

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A combination of French and American traditions are hallmarks of school life, as are the arts, music, athletics, and community service; local and international trips; and 20+ club offerings. FASNY is the only school in the New York metropolitan area accredited to offer both the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma and the French baccalaureate. All students also graduate with a New York State high school diploma. New in September 2020: an International Program for grades 1-8, no previous French required.

50 Partridge Road, White Plains, NY 10605 914-948-6513 GISNY.ORG admissions@gisny.org Open a world of opportunities for your child with the bilingual Pre-K to grade 12 college preparatory program at German International School New York.Their rigorous curriculum with an emphasis on the sciences allows their graduates to earn the NYS High School Diploma and the German International Abitur, a globally recognized diploma, which facilitates access to universities worldwide. GISNY’s Pre-K and Kindergarten programs offer a bright, spacious, and nurturing environment, and with their Nature-Based Early Childhood Education Program the students enjoy exploring, learning, and playing outdoors on their beautiful 20-acre campus. Entering Pre-K or Kindergarten children are not required to speak or understand German and will build the foundation of being bilingual by first grade.

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Camps Are Back!

Camps will be back virtually and in-person this Summer, and many shared what they are excited about this season!

“We are beyond excited for new and returning campers to experience rock climbing and tennis in a fun, safe, and supportive environment.

We look forward to when we have campers that are new to the sport and realize how much fun they can have in rock climbing and tennis.

We love seeing the smiles on kids’ faces as they reach the top of the wall and hit the ball over the net, as they take on new challenges while building self-esteem, focus, confidence, and team-working skills.”

— Daniel Gruza, Camp Director, The Rock Club

“Young climbers of all ages will find adventure this summer at The Rock Club.

Campers will challenge themselves playing fun games, learning climbing techniques, and how to belay while building confidence, focus, and teamwork skills.

Tennis camp at The New Rochelle Racquet Club provides kids with a fun and engaging environment where they can excel at the sport of tennis, whether they have been playing for many years or are new to the game.”

“We offer private lessons in piano, guitar, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, drums and percussion instruments for students of all ages and levels. This world-class faculty will be providing this summer, a premier virtual/online music education experience! One of the most comprehensive chamber music and orchestral programs in the tri-state area.”

— Dr. Ginés-Didier Cano, Owner, Crestwood Music Education Center

“The DAE is about more than just kids learning how to code, animate, or build 3D models. It’s a safe space for tech-savvy kids to come together and geek out about the things that they love.”

—Rob Kissner, Founder & President, The Digital Arts Experience

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

— Dean Won, Camp Director, New Rochelle Racquet Club

“Our camp is special because it is the adventure and excitement of a big-kid camp with a focus on the needs of young campers. Our program, designed by educators and counselors, understand the developmental needs of children 2 – 6 and use their expertise to create engaging and age-appropriate experiences— sports, playground time, animal experiences, STEM, music, nature, gardening, yoga, water-play, and crafts are just a sampling of what’s in store.”

— Helen Berni and Stephany Olivieri, Camp Co-directors, River Friends Day Camp

“What is special about the Amadeus Musical Theater, Music and Arts camp is the happiness campers feel in our creativity and self-expression atmosphere. We nurture the talents of each child by teaching them to act, sing, dance, design and paint large sets, and perform in a show. Strong friendships are formed through shared interests. The camp is small so that individual attention can be paid to each child. Private and semi-private lessons in two instruments of a camper’s choice with Amadeus faculty also make our camp unique.”

— Deborah Molodofsky, Owner&Director, Amadeus Musical Theater, Music and Arts Camp

“The Harvey Summer Camp allows campers to create a schedule tailored to their interests. Young people can participate in sports, art, theater, music, circus arts, science, and robotics in a safe and nurturing environment. Our professional teaching staff encourages campers to explore, imagine, play, and create.”

— Vinny Alexander, Camp Director, Harvey Summer Camp

“Painting pottery is relaxing and promotes mindfulness as well as creativity. It is important for our kids to cultivate art after a year of living through a pandemic. With hundreds of pottery shapes at the store and online as well as an upcoming summer camp, we are ready to help our young customers get back to the joy of creating!”

— Aggie Shah, Owner, A Maze in Pottery

“KAC summer camp creates a space for children to find their inner artist and push their imaginations to the limit! Our week-long half-day specialty camp structure lets students have it all. In our welcoming studio spaces, kids of all ages discover and experiment, nurturing their creativity and finding their artistic voice.”

—Loren Anderson, Owner, Katonah Art Center Summer Camp

“The Play Group Theatre is a community of diverse young artists and professional staff in a warm, welcoming multi-theatre complex.

PGT delivers quality arts education in a joyful environment, providing conservatory training in a camp-like setting and allowing kids of all ages to do serious work while having serious fun.”

— Jill Abusch, Artistic Director, Play Group Theatre

“We’re excited to take full advantage of the beautiful outside space available to us at Fort Totten.

Watching our campers create lifetime bonds through our amazing programs will be rewarding, and we will be ensuring that children are in a safe environment. It’s important for kids to unplug and reconnect with peers.”

— Charles Giegerich, Camp Director, Bayside in Fort Totten Park, Oasis Day Camp, Queens

May 2021 | Westchester Family

27

North Star

Jenny Greenstein on family, getting back to work after the pandemic and being a guiding light to her two daughters

By Donna Duarte-Ladd

I

first met Jenny at a parenting press event back in my fashion editor days. I was a bit in a withdrawal phase as I was in the throes of therapy for my youngest son, who would later be diagnosed with ASD. I was not in the mood to chat it up.

Yet, I loved Jenny’s vibe immediately.

She had an outfit I coveted, and most importantly, she had this energy about her that was friendly and inviting. I found myself wanting first to know what she was wearing and to know about this ‘cool’ mom.

This was three years back; now I know more about Jenny and her beautiful family.

While she is undoubtedly one of the most stylish people I know, there is much more to who this human is. Married to her wife Dina for 9 years, they are parents to Viva, age 5, and Bloom, age 1.

While Jenny has an impressive work background, ten plus years working in the corporate fashion industry as a stylist and visual merchandiser, she founded Your Soul Style after a semester working on her master’s in Social Work. This, of course, does not surprise me as there is a deep empathetic quality about Jenny, who gets a mother’s journey and connects with where they are in life. She understands that as women and mothers, we have many layers to us. She isn’t trying to impose her style on you; she shares her wisdom and talent to help you connect with your personal style so that you can feel your best.

She is also a true activist for mothers, Black Lives Matter, and LGBTQ rights. And like many parents, she is coming off one crazy year, juggling family life and getting back to work.

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

The New York Family team recently visited Jenny, her wife Dina, and their beautiful girls. Read more about this ‘cool’ family.

The presidential election weighed heavy on you. You are married to your wife Dina and raising two young daughters. Can you share what was on the line for your family at this time?

When same-sex marriage became federally recognized under the Obama administration in June of 2015, it was a historical moment for our country, but personally a huge moment for our family. On that night while 9 months pregnant with Vida (our first daughter), we went to a celebration rally at Stonewall Inn and me, Dina and my giant belly were bursting with happiness knowing that our child would enter the world, never knowing anything except that her parents’ marriage was considered just as legitimate as anyone else’s. But ever since the 2016 election, I have worried that things could be reversed.

And in the four years of the Trump administration, constantly evaluated the “what if”.

The 2019 election exacerbated my fears with the supreme court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett and it was at that point that I really understood how vulnerable my relationship was and what could be taken from us. While I feel more at ease now since the election of President Biden, the future is still unclear.

Anything can happen. That said, I will continue to stay hopeful, and motivated to raise my kids to be changemakers in a world that could use more love and inclusivity.

Being in your home, I instantly felt the unity and a strong partnership between you and Dina. With a vibrant 5-year-old and an

active toddler, what lessons did you learn through lockdown that helps you and Dina in parenting your girls?

One thing I learned for sure is how capable and resilient we can be in the face of adversity. This goes for me, Dina and my kids too. For the first 6 months of the pandemic, like many, I felt overwhelmed. How was I to simultaneously manage my 5 year old with remote school and my (at the time) 8 month old? It seemed impossible and at the end of most days, I couldn’t actually believe I made it through another day. But, as time passed, and as Dina and I were able to strengthen our partnership and create necessary boundaries and structure in our day to day, somehow the system continued to function. Dina and I believe that in parenting we should hold space for all the feelings — every single one of them is valid. And in this crazy time, it’s important to stay mindful and considerate of each ebb and flow. But children need boundaries or else they feel like they are falling without a net. With the uncertainty of the world, what was most important for us was to ensure that our kids felt held — even if that meant just within the four walls of our home. A secure foundation and a strong attachment to family of origin is what I feel will set up our children for success.

In a recent Instagram post, you mention that while personal growth is hard, you grasp that we have to make the needed adjustments within ourselves. Could you share more on this?

Of course. I’m a huge advocate of personal growth, even when it hurts like hell and feels completely uncomfortable. I am sharply focused on how I can better myself and become a more conscious human being. This

is reflective in my personal and professional work. To me, becoming (and remaining) the most authentic version of yourself isn’t a box to ultimately check and be done with. It’s an ongoing process and takes commitment and dedication to (sometimes painful) introspection. But through this work emerges a deep awareness of how to strengthen the muscles that move us towards living in true alignment with all parts of our physical, emotional and mental being. Humans are so beautifully malleable and transformative. With all of the external influences in the world coming at us each day, we must stay aware and open to making the necessary adjustments so that we remain true to our authentic selves.

You are relaunching your business, Your Soul Style. Can you share with us all that Your Soul Style method encapsulates?

The Your Soul Style method is an integrative approach to style and mindfulness. I don’t believe one can exist without the other because style is a reflection of who we are at our core and an opportunity to authentically self-express. While this has always been my approach, during the pandemic, I completed my core life coach training at Coactive Institute. My certification begins this Fall which will coincide with the relaunch of YSS, and all of the tools I’ve acquired through my courses, combined with the experience of working with my clients in real time is informing the evolving Your Soul Style methodology. My approach is deeply personal and before we evaluate what my clients will wear, we first need to establish who they are. My clients are prompted with questions like, “What are your core values?”, “What inspires/influences you?”, “Are those influences positive or negative?” or “In what parts of your life do you feel stuck and how does this reflect what you wear?”. These are just a sampling of the questions we explore in our initial sessions, along with specific Your Soul Style exercises I’ve created for the discovery phase.

As we move further into the process of Closet Cleansing or Shopping/Styling, we continue to build from the inside out as opposed to the outside in because when all parts of our being are in alignment, empowered personal style can emerge. Based on the feedback from my clients, I know this is transformative and powerful work and I’m very proud to do it.

I’m super, super excited for what’s to come.

Stay tuned.

Photo by Yumi Matsuo

What are YSS stories?

A few months ago, I launched a series I May 2021 | Westchester Family

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had been mulling over for years called Your Soul Style stories. Within this feature on my IG @yoursoustyle, I highlight inspiring women and prompt two introspective questions about their personal style: “If your style had a personality, what would you call it?” and, “Since style is a way of silently communicating to the world who we are, what do you want your style to say about you?” My goal is to develop this series further and highlight the range of sensibilities that exist amongst us. We are all so diverse, dynamic and beautiful and I want to empower women to embrace all that authentically lies within. Style is about so much more than what we wear.

Drawing from your experience of dressing many body types and women in different phases in life. What are some of the key objectives moms should keep in mind as they start to go from lounge clothes (I am guilty of this) and into real clothes?

First and foremost, we are worthy. It can be difficult to remember after such an intense year of being in (literal) survival mode. Especially mothers who have been significantly impacted by this pandemic.

But each of us have been affected in our own ways, and whether it be because we were sick, lost a loved one, experienced weight gain, financial loss, losing a job, relationship or our own minds, this year has been deeply transformative.

So how do we re-emerge? How do we return to ourselves after losing ourselves? My answer: we do the work.

While there’s nothing wrong with athleisure, now would be a good time to elevate while also incorporating what has worked over the past year. We don’t need to dismiss the pieces that have sustained us but why not level up? I recommend moms set aside time and a budget to focus on how they want to embrace this next new normal space. Starting with a vision board is a helpful first step. Use pinterest, tears from magazines, your IG - whatever it takes, but start to tangibly visualize the direction you want to go. At the same time, I recommend evaluating your closet and doing a detox. On the other side of a transformation, we may look back in our closet, and feel disconnected from the person hanging up in there. Closet Cleanses are part of the initial steps I take with a new client to reset before moving forward. It’s not only necessary and cathartic to release the “older version” of ourselves but vital to create space for the newer one. Once you do both of these steps, it should help you

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WestchesterFamily.com | May 2021

Photo by Yumi Matsuo

to strategize a plan on what to shop for or the styling direction you want to go. If not though — call me. I’m here to help!

The month of May, as we know, shares Mother’s Day; what does being a mother mean to you?

Being a mother means being a guiding light and a north star to the little humans I

am raising. I don’t see my daughters as an extension of me, but rather their own people who I am supporting on their own life path.

Being their mother means that I need to simultaneously do the work on myself so I can show up even better for them. And while helping to nurture their own growth, I am also nurturing my own. If your children do better than you, you’ve done your job.

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