Westchester Family - April 2020

april 2020

westchesterfamily.com

52 Ways to Occupy the Kiddos at Home

Coronavirus

• Free Homeschooling Resources • DIY Hand Sanitizer

Autism Awareness New resources and expert tips

Healthy Foods

to boost your immune system

At Oasis I will...

Play, Learn & Grow Gain Confidence Be Part of a Unique Community Unplug & Connect with Nature Try New Things Build Lifelong Friendships Have Positive & Supportive Role Models

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SUMMER FUN FOR KIDS

WHAT

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WHERE

THORNTON-DONOVAN SCHOOL •www.td.edu 100 Overlook Circle • New Rochelle, NY 10804 • (914) 632-8836

WHEN

• Summer 2020 • Ages: 3-14

WHO

A staff of certified teachers and experienced counselors under the direction of Annemarie Licini-Paris, Administrative Assistant, Thornton-Donovan School.

RATES

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LTHORNTON-DONOVAN OOHCS NAVONOD-NOTSCHOOL NROHT ,e100 lcriC koolrevO 001 Overlook Circle, 4New 0801 Rochelle, YN ,ellehcNY oR 10804 weN 6Phone: 388-236(914) )419(632-8836 :enohP 6Fax 397-(914) 675 )4576-7936 19( xaF uwww.td.edu de.dt.www

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April 2020 | Westchester Family

3

contents

April 2020 volume thirty | number four

departments

6 Editor’s Note 7 Events & Offers 8 Mom Hacks DIY hand sanitizer

10 Spotlight: Special Needs

22 ASK THE SPECIALIST

Supplemental needs trust

24 LET’S GO

52 ways to occupy the kiddos at home

26 Education

Free educational resources

28 Family Eats

30 Last word

features 14

10 Top Tips for Choosing a Preschool Choosing a preschool for your child can seem overwhelming. Yet breaking down the task into bite-sized questions can help make the experience less daunting.

18 20

The Montessori Mind A trend toward mindfulness in education is sparking new interest in this century-old style of education, and new science is showing how this type of learning benefits today’s young minds.

Change Your Shirt, Change Their Future Spectrum Designs, a Port Washington-based company, provides viable work for young adults with autism. Good news, Spectrum is coming to Westchester!

APRIL 2020

WESTCHESTERFAMILY.COM

52 Ways to Occupy the Kiddos at Home

Coronavirus • Free Homeschooling Resources • DIY Hand Sanitizer

AUTISM AWARENESS

on the cover 24

52 Ways to Occupy the Kiddos at Home

26

Educational Resources

8

Hand Sanitizer

20

Autism Awareness

28

Healthy Foods

New resources and expert tips

HEALTHY FOODS

to boost your immune system

4

Healthy food for a strong immune system

Cover Photo: Getty Images

WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

Rainy day fun

advertising 12 16 17

Special Needs Directory Preschools Directory Montessori Directory

Coming Next Month STEM/STEAM learning is all the rage these days, from classroom studies to after-school classes to toys and homebased science projects. Learn why it’s important and what opportunities there are for your kids to explore these fascination subjects.

Plus … Westchester Family’s awardwinning searchable calendar for families and much more!

Look for it starting April 23!

“I feel important and loved for the person I am.

Here I feel like I matter, can make a difference in the community and the world. Everyone, no matter how shy, is valued in their own way.

It's impossible to fall through the cracks here. And at Oakwood we’re allowed to ‘fail out loud’ and given the support to bounce back up.”

Upper School Day & Boarding Programs (5 and 7-day) Middle School Day Program

Alice F, Cold Spring, NY

“Oakwood caters to what each individual student needs to learn their best.

“The community is so open and supportive, no matter what.

You can pretty much be whoever you want at Oakwood, be accepted, and meet people from all over the world.

It's really amazing!”

Spike K-R, Ulster Park, NY

On a picturesque coed campus, infused with nature, Oakwood Friends School, guided by Quaker principles, prepares students for lives of achievement, compassion and conscience.

For up-to-date info regarding

Middle & Upper Schools

Open Houses go to

OakwoodFriends.org/openhouse 22 Spackenkill Road, Poughkeepsie, NY For more info or to join us, write or call: Admissions@OakwoodFriends.org • (845) 462-4200

Discover!

OakwoodFriends.org April 2020 | Westchester Family

5

Editor’s Note

Spring Forward I write this letter as many schools in Westchester have closed. Libraries have cancelled their children’s programs and performance venues have shut their doors.

Life is changing daily.

This is life now, but it won’t be like this forever. It may take some time but we will spring forward with a new enthusiasm. In the meantime, we are going to wash our hands and stay with you.

This month we explore preschool education. Learn how to choose a preschool and get an inside look at what Montessori education is all about. If your child will be entering preschool now is the time to give it consideration.

September will be here before we know it.

Since April is Autism Awareness Month we’ve devoted several stories to celebrate and honor children with special needs.

Read about an amazing and heartwarming program that Bronxville Ballet School is offering ACDS Westchester, a preschool in Scarsdale for children with special needs.

Amy C. O’Hara, a partner with the White Plains law firm of Littman Krooks LLP who focuses her practice on special needs planning, guardianship, elder law and trusts

and estates, shares invaluable information on Special Needs Trusts. We are also happy to bring you news that Spectrum Designs Foundation is coming to Westchester. This amazing nonprofit organization provides employment to teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. Learn how they started, what they do, and how you can get involved.

Don’t miss our piece on outdoor rainy day fun. Kids may not be going to structured classes, but the outdoors is open! Don’t avoid the raindrops — embrace them. We tell you how.

We’ve also included other pieces to help you deal with a possible extended quarantine. Read about free educational resources that can help you get through these times, a DIY hand sanitizer, how to boost your immune system with good food, and 52 Ways to Ocuppy the Kiddos at Home!

Stay well, Jean Sheff Co-Publisher, Editor

CEO Joshua Schneps Group Publisher Clifford Luster cluster@schnepsmedia.com

Westchester Family WestchesterFamily.com Publisher Hester Aba hester@newyorkfamily.com co-Publisher/Editor Jean Sheff edit@westchesterfamily.com Calendar Editor Marissa Rodriguez calendar@westchesterfamily.com 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

We Won Again!

Westchester Family is the proud winner of five 2020 Parent Media Association awards, a national trade association of regional parenting media companies.

Our Calendar of Events took home a Gold Award! The judges praised the calendar’s strong navigational tools and the special appeal in our mix of listings. Our February cover also took home a Gold Award for what the judges called, “a compelling cover.”

We received a Silver Award for our Child Development & Parenting Issues column. The judges applauded our researchbased advice and our subject choices that they called “terrific and timely.”

We also won a Silver Award in the category Special Section Within a

President Victoria Schneps-Yunis

Publication for our Healthy 2020 Family: Our Pink Issue section.

The judges described it as a “supportive and essential guide.”

In the profile category, we took home a Bronze Award for Corrine Zola’s profile of Marissa Bernstein, co-founder of the Melissa & Doug toy company. Zola’s strong and insightful reporting was praised.

We are also proud to report that our sister magazines, New York Family, Queens Family, Brooklyn Family, Bronx/ Riverdale Family, were also winners!

Please recycle this magazine.

2020

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.

We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertising are available on an equal opportunity basis. Editorial submissions are welcome.

Westchester Family 1 Metrotech Center Brooklyn NY 11201

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© 2020 Queens Family Media LLC All rights reserved.

Share your feedback and ideas! Email us at edit@WestchesterFamily.com.

WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

events & offers

Win a Family Getaway!

Just 90 minutes from New York City, The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark presents a modern-meets-mountain family adventure, featuring 324 allsuite accommodations, eight distinct restaurants and bars, rejuvenating spa and fitness center, and an 80,000 sq. ft. indoor waterpark. Heated to a toasty 84 degrees year-round, New York’s biggest indoor waterpark delights underneath a transparent roof complete with more than 10 slides and water adventures boasting daring drops and gnarly waves, not-so-lazy river and indoor-outdoor pools. The adventure continues indoors with ropes course, rock climbing, arcade games, mini bowling, laser tag and VR experiences.

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BECOME A FOSTER PARENT

Children need a Foster Parent Like YOU!

April 2020 | Westchester Family

7

mom hacks

Hand Sanitizer Recipe If you can’t find a sanitizer that you like in the stores, or if there is any panic-buying or shortages, like we’ve seen in other countries, you can make your own at home!

Some recipes include aloe vera or other types of gel to moisturize your hands. We chose a recipe that includes the core ingredient, isopropyl alcohol, in order to make sure the alcohol content is high enough to kill germs, at least 60%, (nope — regular alcoholic spirits don’t have high enough alcohol content to do this job!).

Ingredients • 1 cup isopropyl alcohol (can be found at CVS) • 6-10 drops tea tree oil (optional) • Spritz bottle Pour all the ingredients into the bottle, close and shake well before use. If your hands become dry, allow the alcohol to dry and then use a moisturizer.

Preventative Measures Advice for keeping healthy — including a DIY hand sanitizer!

By Courtney Ingalls

W

ith the coronavirus in Westchester at the forefront of most people’s minds, parents are searching for ways to keep their families healthy. With hand sanitizer shortages across the county, we share how you can make your own.

Concerns about the spread of diseases, especially the coronavirus, are on the rise in all of New York. With flu and allergy season coming up this spring, many people are taking their health into their own hands and learning about ways to protect themselves from germs. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are flying off the shelves at many stores and have become a common item used in many public spaces.

Hand sanitizer does get rid of microbes on your hands, but it does not eliminate all types of germs. Germs such as the norovirus and Clostridium difficile, which cause

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

nausea and diarrhea, cannot be killed by hand sanitizer. To contain the spread of the coronavirus and other types of pesky germs, the CDC advises people to be mindful of how you’re taking care of yourself and others around you.

What are some preventative measures I can take?

Some measures you can take are very easy to incorporate into your daily routine to prevent the coronavirus in New York. Debra Spicehandler,M.D., co-chief of Infectious Diseases at Northern Westchester Hospital, says, “The most efficient way to prevent the spread of germs is simple hand washing with soap and water.” Washing your hands after you use the bathroom, prepare food, and after blowing your nose or coughing makes a big difference when it comes to the spreading of diseases.

People should be scrubbing their hands

Important notes: • Do not use Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) if you cannot find isopropyl alcohol. Methanol is highly flammable and toxic.

• Be careful when using your sanitizer due to the alcohol content.

• Keep sanitizer out of reach of young children as it can be dangerous if swallowed.

with soap for 20 seconds on the fronts and backs of your hands and on the webbing (humming the Happy Birthday song twice is a good way to keep track of time) before rinsing off your hands to make sure the germs are gone.

It’s better to then allow your hands to airdry if possible rather than touching a public paper towel dispenser.

Other small actions you can continue to do and encourage your kiddos to do are avoiding touching your eyes, mouth, or nose as well as covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, or coughing or sneezing into your elbow.

If you or someone you know is feeling under the weather, make sure to not be in close contact with them and have them stay home and recover or wear a mask when they go out in public.

What cleaning products are best for the disinfection of coronavirus?

Since the coronavirus is relatively new and it still being researched, there are no EPA registered disinfectants that are specific to the virus. However, there are household cleaning products that have been used against diseases like COVID-19.

“High-touch” surfaces such as counters, doorknobs, phones, and any surface that may have come in contact with bodily fluids should be cleaned regularly using household cleaning sprays or wipes. Make sure that you read the label instructions so you’re informed of the safe and effective use of the cleaning product.

There isn’t a place to wash your hands nearby? Hand sanitizer is an easy way to kill some germs People who are constantly on the go don’t always have the luxury of being close to a sink.

Many parents run into the problem of their kids putting their hands and fingers in their mouths, noses and eyes, even after

Many people are taking their health into their own hands and learning about ways to protect themselves from germs.

effective in killing germs and spreading them to others.

we have told them multiple times not to.

Having hand sanitizer in your pocket or bag will do the job of killing germs until you can wash your hands properly. This is especially important after leaving the subway for example, when you may have touched surfaces that a sick person could have touched.

There are many kinds of hand sanitizers to choose from, but Spicehandler recommends using an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol in order to be

What other kinds of alcohol can you use to make hand sanitizer?

If you cannot find isopropyl, you can look for ethanol (ethyl alcohol) which is also effective in killing microbes. If you do plan on using ethanol, you must make sure that the end solution is made up of 70% alcohol. Some industrial ethanol products do contain small amounts of methanol so please make sure that you do not use denatured ethanol for your hand sanitizers.

The immediate health risks for the American public are considered low for COVID-19 as of right now according to the CDC. Michel Cohen, M.D., from Tribeca Pediatrics says that there are no reported cases in New York City or New York State and data coming from China shows that kids are less susceptible to the virus than adults. Taking the preventative measures throughout your day against germs and making sure that you put your health first will ensure that you and your family will have a safe and happy year to come!

Give the Gift of Music!

Gift Certificates Available

Register for Spring/Summer 2020 Private Lessons • World Class Faculty Children & Adults • All Levels & Ages Piano • Woodwinds Brass • String Voice • Guitar • Drums Jazz • Suzuki Chamber Music & Orchestral Programs Group Music Classes for children with Special Needs provided by FunForCure, Inc.

453 White Plains Rd., Eastchester, NY 10709

961-3497 • www.crestwoodmusic.com Dr. Gines Didier Cano, Director April 2020 | Westchester Family

9

spotlight: special needs

Owner of the Bronxville Ballet School, Ana Dimas presents a young girl with her very own custom-made, sensory-friendly dance dress.

Dance for Joy! ACDS students with special needs receive ballet dresses

By Janine Clements

L

ove was in the air for a group of girls, ages 3 to 5, who attend ACDS Westchester, a preschool in Scarsdale for children with special needs. The girls gathered excitedly to perform their ballet routine, which was the culmination of a 10-week introduction to ballet program in partnership with Bronxville Ballet Not For Sale, a non-profit founded in 2019 by Ana Dimas, owner of Bronxville Ballet School. The organization provides free classes to children with special needs and to underprivileged kids as well. To the children’s delight they also receive a complimentary custom-made, ballet-inspired dress.

The adorable mini ballerinas, each accompanied by an aide or therapist, danced around the room to “Hooray for Chasse” by Marie Barnett and to music from the album “Fairy Tale Music” by Nina Miller. They followed the movements of Dimas, their

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

teacher, who is a classically trained ballet dancer with 25 years of experience. During the class, Dimas gave each child a bright pink, sensory-friendly ballet dress with a tulle skirt.

One by one, they put on their new dresses, their faces lighting up as they gracefully twirled around, proudly showing off their beautiful new outfit.

Before owning a dance studio, Dimas taught movement and music classes to autistic kids in the Readiness Program at the New York Institute for the Deaf and the Blind. Teaching these children had a huge impact on her and after deciding she wanted to do something where she could give back to the community, she set up Bronxville Ballet Not For Sale. “As well as giving free classes to those in need, I wanted to create ballet dresses that the children could wear every day,” says Dimas. “I want to give each kid the chance to feel like a princess and can keep the joy of dancing alive.” So far, they have given more than 200 of these specially made dresses

to children across New York, as well as to schools in Tanzania and Kenya.

ACDS Site Director, Rich Scotti, says, “We have 162 students at this preschool. They enjoy and need activities just like any other kid. We aim to provide them with the same kind of enrichment that other children get, all in one location. Our programs include art therapy, music therapy, and now ballet, which was introduced at the start of the school year.”

“Ana and Bronxville Ballet Not For Sale have brought so much joy to our school. The little girls look forward to ballet all week and after class happily dance down the halls back to class. The look of wonder and amazement on their faces when they received their dresses is something we will never forget.

We cannot thank Ana enough for generously sharing her love of dance with our students and look forward to a long partnership,” he continued.

At present, the ballet program is only available for girls at ACDS due to high demand, but the preschool plans to introduce it for boys in 2021. They also intend to incorporate a musical element with the goal of doing a recital at the end of next year.

Janine Clements is a Westchester-based freelance journalist.

April 2020 | Westchester Family

11

special needs Directory | Special Advertising Supplement

Achieve Beyond Pediatric Therapy & Autism Services Servicing all five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester 718-762-7633 631-385-7780 achievebeyondusa.com info@achievebeyondusa.com Achieve Beyond believes that early intervention services make a difference.

They provide pediatric therapy to children and students ages birth-21, aiding each child to reach their full potential through education, therapy and family support in over 30 different languages.

They offer initial screenings, parent or school consultations and comprehensive evaluations.

Their professional and licensed staff is committed to serving special needs children with physical and developmental disabilities/delays. Services are provided in home,

clinic, or community environments. They offer speech & language therapy, occupational and physical therapy, special education and more.

Autism Speaks Walk for Autism 888-288-4762 AutismSpeaks.org Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. Autism Speaks enhances lives today and is accelerating a spectrum of solutions for tomorrow.

Biondi Education Center 463 Hawthorne Ave., Yonkers 914-375-8969 risingground.org/program/ biondi-elementary-school Serving K-12th grades.

Their nurturing setting and individualized therapeutic support help students build their academic skills, grow their self-esteem, and learn to overcome frustration, all skills necessary for success. At Biondi they use evidence-based approaches to work with students, which allows them to continue their academic and emotional progress.

Certified teachers and teaching assistants, clinical psychologists, school social workers, speechlanguage pathologist and an occupational therapist support students at their elementary and secondary Schools. Contact Dr. Angela White, Superintendent, awhite@RisingGround.org.

Green Chimneys School

THE MORE YOU UNDERSTAND HER WORLD, THE MORE POSSIBILITIES YOU SEE. For Julia’s family, early screening for autism made a lifetime of difference.

Find out more at ScreenForAutism.org

© 2019 Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

Brewster Campus 400 Doansburg Road, Brewster 845-279-2995 greenchimneys.org/school Green Chimneys School is an accredited special education program for students in grades K-12 who need a highly structured and supportive setting. Therapeutic day and residential programs include an enriched curriculum for individualized academic, behavioral and emotional support, based in experiential learning.

An innovative naturebased approach integrates animal-assisted activities, horticulture and outdoor exploration into treatment and education programs for enhanced learning and development.

Kulanu Hebrew School at Scarsdale Synagogue 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale 914-725-5175 bit.ly/kulanufamilychild Serving students in grades 4-6 and accommodating a range of learning and social challenges including language-based learning disabilities and ADHD. The school features small class sizes and specialized resources along with full participation of children with special needs in Jewish learning and community life. This personalized environment focuses on your child’s needs.

Littman Krooks, LLP 399 Knollwood Road White Plains 914-684-2100 littmankrooks.com Littman Krooks Special Needs Planning and Special Education Advocacy Attorneys work for the empowerment of individuals with special needs. Planning for your child’s future can seem overwhelming but you do not need to face these tasks alone. Seeking the assistance of an attorney can be the best approach.

RockonMusicSchool 914-489-0520 RockonMusicSchool.com FB: RockonMusicSchool NOW IN ITS 3RD YEAR! This unique program employs fun original songs to build social confidence and foster creativity. Music specialist David Meyers brings his bag of instruments to YOUR HOME, for a handson approach to guitar, keyboard, drums and more.

Lessons are customized to your child’s interests and abilities. For more information check out the website or Call David Meyers for an available lesson time. See ad on page 13.

Green Chimneys School Helping Special Families Plan for the Future

Special Education Advocacy Special Needs Trusts Guardianship Transition Planning Special Needs Planning

www.littmankrooks.com greenchimneys.org

399 Knollwood Road ▪ White Plains, NY 10603 ▪ 914.684.2100 655 Third Avenue ▪ New York, NY 10017 ▪ 212.490.2020

Offering Clinic and Home Based Services for Behavioral (ABA) and Speech Therapy We are centrally located in Forest Hills, Queens and we also provide home based services throughout the 5 boroughs, Long Island, Hudson Valley and the Capital District.

We are in network with most major insurances and have private pay options available

Contact us!

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A Fun and Easy Way to Learn SPECIAL NEEDS MUSIC LESSONS IN YOUR HOME See our listing in the Special Needs Directory on page 12

RockOnMusicSchool.com DAVID MEYERS

914.489.0520 April 2020 | Westchester Family

13

10 Top Tips for Choosing a

Preschool

By Jean Sheff

C

hoosing a preschool for your child can seem overwhelming. Yet breaking down the task into bite-sized questions can help make the experience less daunting. Your goal is to find a preschool that suits your child and your family. What works for you might not be appropriate for another family.

Acknowledge that this is a very personal decision.

1. Know what your child needs If you have a child and are working or have other demands on your time some of your child’s care is going to need to be overseen by someone else. Determine if the preschool environment is right for your child. Hiring a sitter, nanny or selecting an au pair is an option if childcare is your concern. If you also want to provide socialization and educational opportunities preschool can help provide that.

2. Decide what you need Do you work outside the home, or have other obligations that require a full five-day program? Are you considering that a parttime morning or afternoon program would offer enough coverage for you? Or perhaps you are flexible, and the number of days and hours you require aren’t as critical. Along with these questions decide on the location area - in your town, closer to your work or your spouse’s work location? And of course, cost will be another important factor.

3. Is the preschool regulated?

Kathy Halas, executive director of the Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. a notfor-profit child care resource and referral organization says, “Preschool programs that operate sessions of under three hours are not required to be regulated or accredited by any outside agency, some may opt in but it is not a requirement.” It can get complicated.

Different programs are regulated and

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

Looking for Guidance?

Childcare specialists are available at no charge to help you find the right childcare and preschool program for your child.

Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. 313 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale, N.Y. 914-761-3456 childcarewestchester.org childcare@ccwny.org Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Child Care Specialists extend their hours to 7 p.m. on Thursdays to assist parents.

See the tab, Services, on their website for their recommendations.

accredited by different agencies, licensed childcare centers are regulated by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services while a pre-K program operated by a school district is regulated by the New York State Education Department. Halas recommends that parents inquire as to what regulatory body has licensed the school. She also invites parents to call the Child Care Council of Westchester where childcare specialists in the referral department can help identify if a specific school is regulated and accredited. They can also help you in your search for a program, find financial aid, and answer your questions - all for free. They can also help you determine if a particular program has had any outstanding compliance issues or complaints.

4. What type of preschool?

Are you looking for a program that is

structured or more open play-based? There are also several preschool educational philosophies to consider including Montessori and Waldorf. You might prefer a preschool with religious affiliation or one that is community based. Some parents prefer the cooperative approach, which can be a less expensive alternative and allows parents direct involvement with their child’s schooling. There are also preschools that offer language immersion, or international preschools that offer a bilingual education.

Match the school with your child. Keep in mind that more than one environment may work for your family.

5. Staff Ask about the qualifications, including education and experience of the staff. Halas advises parents not be overly impressed by the physicality of a school. “The single most important aspect in selecting a preschool is the connection between the staff and children,” she says. She also advises to inquire if the staff receives ongoing professional development, what the teacher to child ratio is, and if there is much staff turnover. Staff should also have CPR, first aid training, and policies for handling medical emergencies.

6. Safety and cleanliness Ask what actions the school takes to provide a safe and secure environment. Staff should be required to wash hands before and after diaper changes, and children should wash hands before meals or snacks, and after bathroom visits. Sanitation procedures are important.

7. Behavior management Otherwise known as discipline, how a school handles behavior is also critical. Halas advises parents to ask for the school’s policy handbook. “The handbook should explain exactly how behavior is addressed,” says Halas. “Behavior correction should not be

punitive in any way at all. Remember our children’s social and emotional growth is very important.”

8. Communication Ask if the school provides regular communication with parents and how communication is handled. Do they rely on emails, texts, or phone calls? Also ask what is best way for you contact them with concerns or questions.

realize that young children respond best to play-based programs. “We all want our children well-prepared for grade school but young children learn best in an experiential environment where they can use all their senses to learn about themselves and the world.” She advises parents not be concerned about academics. Studies continually prove that an emphasis on academics at this age contributes to childhood anxiety and youngsters that are turned off to school.

students and teachers. Are children treated with respect? How are disagreements between students handled? It is recommended that parents continue to drop-in even after enrollment. Make sure to drop by at appropriate times - maybe not nap time, but it’s a red flag if a school that doesn’t want you to drop by at all. As well, never forget that built-in guide that helps most parents through the little and big decisions of parenting — your gut!

9. Curriculum Halas advises parents to get a clear understanding about what the program is providing. She is adamant that parents

10. Visit A visit to the school is critical and some schools require it. When you go, observe if there are positive interactions between

Jean Sheff is editor of Westchester Family. She chose a variety of preschool programs for her daughter that matched her family’s needs at the time and found each had its benefits.

April 2020 | Westchester Family

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Brewster Campus 400 Doansburg Road, Brewster 845-279-2995 greenchimneys.org/school Green Chimneys School is an accredited special education program for students in grades K-12 who need a highly structured and supportive setting. Therapeutic day and residential programs include an enriched curriculum for individualized academic, behavioral and

emotional support, based in experiential learning.

An innovative naturebased approach integrates animal-assisted activities, horticulture and outdoor exploration into treatment and education programs for enhanced learning and development.

Mazel Tots Program Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale 914-723-3001 sstte.org/early-childhoodprogram A child-centered program that is developmentally appropriate for newborns to 4-year-olds. Their warm, nurturing, specialist-rich environment encourages children to grow socially, emotionally and intellectually. A Jewish component focuses on the study of holidays, traditions and family values. Parenting, toddler and preschool programs. Director, Jody Glassman. Assistant Director, Jocelyn Gross.

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The curriculum is designed to empower students to become independent, creative thinkers and confident achievers. Private, co-educational school, toddlers (18 months) through 8th grade. Schedule a private tour today!

220 Westchester Avenue West Harrison 914-607-7600 ktkorngold@cmteny.com montessorichildrensctr.com A year-round, full-time Montessori childcare facility, MCC offers authentic Montessori programs for children 3 months to 6 years old. Infant spaces available for July 2020 (infants 3-12 months) and for September (toddlers 18-24 months and three-year-olds). To signup for a tour and meet the director, call K.T. Korngold.

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18 MONTHS - 8TH GRADE

April 2020 | Westchester Family

17

Montessori

The

How this educational approach promotes mindful learning

By Malia Jacobson

Y

oung children aren’t usually known for intense concentration. Yet, kids are expected to bounce from one activity to another with the shortest of attention spans.

That’s why parents are surprised by what they see when they tour Eton Montessori School in Bellevue, Wash. Children as young as 3 happily engaged in independent, focused work for long stretches.

Parents are just as surprised by what they don’t see — no lecturing teachers prodding reluctant kids to complete assigned work.

“Our children are self-motivated. Our teachers don’t stand over them, telling them to be quiet and get back to work,” says Feltin, who founded Eton School in 1978. This ability to focus at a young age is a hallmark of Montessori education, but it’s revolutionary to parents who haven’t seen a Montessori classroom in action.

Montessori learning is hardly novel — Maria Montessori’s first school opened its doors in 1907. But a trend toward mindfulness in education is sparking new interest in this century-old style of education, and new science is showing how this type of learning benefits today’s young minds.

Mastering mindfulness In the past decade, organizations like Mindfulness in Education Network, Association for Mindfulness in Education, and Mindful Schools have sprung up, training teachers, hosting conferences, and producing research aimed at helping children become more focused, motivated, and intentional in the classroom.

Just what is mindfulness, exactly, and why

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

does it matter? MindfulSchools.org paints mindfulness as a deep, in-the-moment focus, characterized by self-awareness and internal motivation. In a world filled with chaotic distraction, advocates of mindfulness say it can be a salve for the conflict, impulsiveness, and stress that plagues modern students and schools.

Steven J. Hughes, Ph.D., APBdN, a pediatric neuropsychologist specializing in attention, concentration, planning, and organizing — a set of traits known as executive functions - defines mindfulness as “sustained positive engagement.” Other scientists refer to a “flow” state of prolonged, energized work that produces both calm satisfaction and profound joy in learning.

Whole body, whole mind Maria Montessori didn’t coin the term “mindfulness,” but she was an early advocate for sustained focus and internal motivation.

Her methods deliberately encourage intense concentration as the best context for early learning.

Montessori’s approach to motor development actually stimulates cognitive development and deep concentration, says Hughes. When children begin Montessori education at age 3 or 4, they work on motorskills activities such as sweeping, polishing silverware, and pouring. These aptly-named “practical life” activities prepare kids for greater independence and self-reliance in daily tasks, but there’s something bigger going on - the development of higher cognitive functions essential to concentration and attention.

Montessori tasks like wiping a table or washing dishes develop fine-motor

Mind

control, but they also activate areas of the pre-frontal cortex essential to executive function, which paves the way for greater concentration and focus, he says. “Maria Montessori wrote about the close relationship between cognitive development and motor development in 1949. Fifty years later, scientists made the same connection.” This whole-body approach is part of the reason numerous studies show that Montessorieducated children have an academic edge over children educated in traditional classrooms, he says.

Happy work: Environment, schedule, and shared focus One way Montessori promotes focus is through a carefully prepared environment, a key component of Montessori learning. In Montessori classrooms, specially-designed materials — from child-size brooms to lacing cards to counting beads - are prepared to be aesthetically appealing and accessible for young children; simplicity, beauty, and order are paramount.

“Montessori environments are designed to be attractive and appealing, and to allow children to make a choice. Children get to look around and choose what they want to do,” says Feltin.

This important act of choosing one’s own activity promotes sustained engagement, says Dee Hirsch, president of the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association and director of Discovery Montessori School in Seattle. Montessori-taught children choose their own work from a palette of developmentally-appropriate options that grow progressively more complex and challenging.

Montessori schools incorporate concrete learning goals into a child’s educational plan, but children are free to choose when and how to complete their work within a specified time frame. “That act of choosing is what allows a child to make a wholehearted commitment to their work. It’s what makes Montessori education child-centered,” says Hirsch. When children are motivated by their own interests, deep concentration is a natural result, she says, “Kids are choosing what they want to focus on.”

During a 90-minute work period, children can take their work through its beginning, middle, and end. Working through this natural sequence promotes competence and mastery; children can repeat

the activity as many times as they want, without being told to hurry up and move on to something else.

Though the terms focus and concentration conjure up images of a child working alone, mindfulness is not always a solo pursuit. Montessori-style learning helps kids learn the fine art of shared concentration by encouraging them to engage in tasks with a classmate or two — a critical skill in the age of teamwork.

Mindful together How does this Montessori-style mindfulness benefit children? Greater confidence, longer attention spans, and natural self-motivation are a few of the rich rewards, according to Feltin.

“What’s so wonderful is the confidence they gain. Their attention spans have been lengthened. They’re going to meet their academic goals, but they’ll do it more naturally because their motivation comes from within.”

But mindfulness isn’t something teachers can achieve for students — like every other outcome in Montessori learning, students have to work toward it themselves. “They’re not going to reach that state of mindfulness unless they get there themselves,” says Hirsch. “We can’t take them there, but we can go there with them.”

Malia Jacobson is a nationally published freelance writer specializing in parenting.

April 2020 | Westchester Family

19

Change Your Shirt, Change Their Future Spectrum Designs provides viable work for young adults with autism

By Jean Sheff

I

t was late at night when, on the recommendation of a friend, Westchester mom Alyson Rozner logged on the Spectrum Designs Foundation website. This nonprofit organization that offers work opportunities for young people with autism was new to her.

“Despite the hour, I spent an hour learning about their unique model, and I was very impressed,” she says. She even felt hopeful, something she hadn’t felt in a while.

Great need As any parent, who has a young adult with special needs knows, the time when your child ages out of their high school program can be stressful. Rozner, who has a 23-year-old son with special needs, was in search for a day program or adult opportunity for him. “Unfortunately, what is available falls short of what is currently provided for school-age children,” she says. Yet, Spectrum was offering special needs individuals a viable business opportunity and quality vocational training that would help provide young adults a full productive life. As a business professional and a mom, she sent the Port Washington, Long Island based company an email expressing how she wanted to explore such an opportunity with them in Westchester County. To her surprise, there was an email waiting for her in the morning.

Rozner visited Spectrum with her family and felt even more enthusiastic about what they had created. She found Spectrum Designs Foundation Co-founder and CEO Patrick Bardsley and the staff passionate in the very best way. Bardsley explained that Spectrum had spoken to other families who were interested in expanding the program to Westchester, but he never heard back from them. It’s under-

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

Courtesy image

Young adults learn concrete skills to prepare them for the work world. standable, it’s a huge undertaking and it can be overwhelming. Rozner was undeterred. “You will hear back from me,” she told him.

Grass roots Bardsley put Rozner in touch with another interested Westchester family. Their combined outreach into the local community garnered the support of several founding families and within two years they were ready to announce the opening of a Pleasantville facility that would be the duplicate of the Port Washington model.

“The community support is overwhelming,” says Rozner. The 8,000-square-foot facility, located at 199 Tompkins Avenue in Pleasantville is set to open this spring.

The model Bardsley describes Spectrum as a “human service agency that provides adult services,

primarily for ages 16 and up, with autism- related developmental disabilities.” In the United States today, one in 59 children born are on the autism spectrum. “The facts are that approximately 80% of young autistic adults are un- or underemployed,” points out Bardsley. “That leaves us with 500,000 working-age autistic adults in the next decade”. The business and social mission of Spectrum is to “help individuals with autism lead full and productive lives through the world of work”.

There are two components to the model.

Spectrum Designs, the business arm of the organization, partners with the Nicolas Center, the vocational training, job placement, and community integration organization. Students, who generally place out of their school district’s program at 21, can be engaged full time at the Nicholas Center. Here they learn concrete skills to prepare them for the work world. “The

Courtesy image

Young adults on the autism spectrum produce quality goods with the help of job coaches at Spectrum Designs.

Nicholas Center helps them in their journey to adulthood,” says Bardsley.

Through pre-vocational services young adults explore work experiences to explore what opportunities best match their interests, strengths, and abilities. The Center also offers skill training in travel, health and wellness, personal care, and safety. The goal is to equip young adults with the skills they will need to find the highest level of work in an integrated setting where they receive an at-or-above minimum wage salary.

Spectrum is comprised of three business, Spectrum Designs, Spectrum Bakes, and Spectrum Suds. All three divisions have been designed to fuel the operation through sales and all fundraising proceeds are devoted to growth and development.

Spectrum Designs creates custom apparel and promotional merchandise from a base of 100,000 items. One of their mottos, Change Your Shirt, Change Their Future, describes just how easy it can be to be part of the solution to employ young adults with autism. Their in-house graphic team can use existing artwork or create custom designs. Spectrum stands behind their product and offers a 100% happiness guarantee. They’ve worked with numerous companies including Northwell Health, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Uber, and Google.

Spectrum Bakes offers year-round, smallbatch toasted granola, granola bars, and gift packages that can be used for corporate gifts,

Learn more

Interested in learning more about Spectrum Designs Foundation?

Watch the feature documentary, This Business of Autism that can be seen on Amazon.com. The film features Temple Grandin, Patrick Bardsley, and Stella Spanakos.

You can also visit their website, spectrumdesigns.org.

party favors or just because. The Spectrum Suds division is a full-service, hyper-local boutique laundry service.

“These are businesses that have step-bystep, beginning, middle and end processes with clear concrete steps,” says Bardsley. “While there is room for creativity the structure suits our young adults,” he says.

The workweek at Spectrum is flexible offering 40 hours or less to accommodate each individual and there’s generally one job coach for every three workers and one-on-one training is available as well. “We have a 75% neurodiverse workforce,” says Bardsley.

There’s one misconception that Bardsley wants to set straight. “Many of our clients thought at first that our services were going to be more expensive with slower service,” he explains. “On the contrary, we offer quick, professional service and operate a sustain-

able business solution.” He makes it clear that Spectrum offers price-competitive and qualitydriven products and services.

Roots Bardsley recounts the story of how Spectrum and the Nicolas Center came to be. Stella Spanakos was widowed suddenly in 2010 and she was concerned about the future her young adult son, Nicolas, who has autism. Spanakos, who wanted to see her son with viable work, set out to open a company that would employ him, and as it turns out, many other young adults with autism. Driven by a need, she developed a solution to a situation that many other parents are also grappling with.

“Spectrum Designs and the Nicolas Center fulfills a huge need for many Westchester parents,” says Rozner. While she found positive daytime experiences for her son, there were no long-term options. “This foundation provides quality training and fully integrates the special needs community into the workforce with long-term potential,” says Rozner. It’s encouraging to know that Spanakos’ son Nicholas, now in his late 20s, is fully engaged in his work at Spectrum Designs.

It’s clear that Spectrum Designs Foundation and the Nicolas Center will raise the bar for opportunities for our young adults with special needs in Westchester.

Jean Sheff is the editor of Westchester Family.

April 2020 | Westchester Family

21

ask the specialist

Supplemental Needs Trust The essential planning tool for a child with special needs

By Amy C. O’Hara, Esq.

C

aring for a child with lifelong disabilities comes with many responsibilities. One of these responsibilities is ensuring your child is financially protected in the event they need to rely on government benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for support throughout their lifetime. In this situation, a supplemental needs trust is an essential planning tool necessary for your child.

What is it?

A supplemental needs trust, sometimes referred to as a special needs trust or SNT, is a type of trust that preserves your child’s eligibility for means-tested government benefits. Because your child does not have control over the assets in the trust, the assets are not counted as your child’s assets. Generally, there are two types of supplemental needs trusts: third party and first party.

Third party A third-party supplemental needs trust is funded with assets belonging to a person other than your child. In fact, no assets belonging to your child may ever be used to fund this type of trust. Third party SNTs are an ideal estate planning vehicle for you as a parent or other family members and friends who wish to leave an inheritance to your child. Not only will a third party SNT shelter an intended inheritance, it can provide for your child’s lifelong needs if funded with sufficient assets and managed properly.

With third party SNTs, there is no Medicaid payback required upon your child’s death; rather, the person creating the trust decides how the remaining assets are distributed.

First party A first-party supplemental needs trust is funded with assets or income that belong to your child. In order for the assets of this type of trust not to count for Medicaid or SSI purposes, federal law requires that your child must be under the age of 65 when the

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

trust is created and funded; the trust must be irrevocable and provide that Medicaid will be reimbursed upon your child’s death or upon the termination of the trust, whichever occurs first. Also, your child must be classified as disabled by the Social Security Administration and the trust must be administered for your child’s sole benefit.

Typical funding comes from child support, a personal injury settlement, or an outright inheritance from a well-meaning family member who did not understand that such a gift could disqualify your child from benefits.

The trustee With any supplemental needs trust, the trustee must be given absolute control over the distribution of the trust assets. Your child cannot demand distributions from the trust. Nor can your child have the authority to revoke or amend the trust; otherwise, the assets are counted as an available resource to your child causing a loss of government benefits. Further, the trustee should never give cash outright to your child because this

also would cause a reduction or loss of benefits. A few examples of what can be paid from the trust include medical expenses not covered by Medicaid, special therapies, recreational and cultural experiences, vehicles, clothing, sometimes food and shelter, and, for the most part, any services or items that enrich your child’s life.

Thoughtful consideration is a must in choosing the right trustee. In choosing a trustee, consider the potential trustee’s ability to be sensitive to your child’s disabilities; actively monitor any services provided; prudently invest trust assets; and utilize the trust assets for your child’s needs. A trustee can be your child’s guardian, if your child requires a guardian, family member, close friend, and/or a professional corporate trustee.

More than one trustee can serve at any given time. It is common to have both a professional and an individual serving as trustees together.

Supplemental needs trusts are complex and there are important considerations to keep in mind regarding public benefits, tax implications and the impact of the trust on your overall financial and estate plan. It is also essential for trustees to understand the terms in the written trust agreement. A legal professional experienced in special needs planning can ensure that the supplemental needs trust agreement meets the needs of you and your family and the trustee who will ultimately be responsible for administering it.

Amy C. O’Hara is a partner with the White Plains law firm of Littman Krooks LLP and focuses her practice on special needs planning, guardianship, elder law and trusts and estates.

Amy is Certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. She is President of the Board of Directors of Westchester Disabled on the Move and a Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Special Needs Alliance, a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting families with special needs planning. littmankrooks.com.

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April 2020 | Westchester Family

23

let’s go

52 Ways to Occupy the Kiddos at Home

By Jean Sheff

A

re you looking to keep the kiddos occupied at home? Here are some fun things to do for kids both indoors and out!

1. Build a fort with pillows, cushions, and blankets 2. Get out the arts & crafts 3. Build with LEGOs 4. Cook something yummy 5. Get out the board games 6. Make your own book 7. Play card games 8. Play hide-and-go-seek 9. Make a big box into a puppet theatre and put on a show 10. Play dress up 11. Get out the Play-Doh 12. Have a picnic lunch – blanket and all 13. Have a scavenger hunt 14. Line up chairs and take a pretend train ride –­ pack snacks for the journey 15. Read a book, or two, or three 16. Dance to music 17. Exercise – yoga and simple stretches are good 18. Set up the toy train set 19. Make a batch of slime 20. Watch a movie – remember the popcorn 21. Take a bubble bath with all the bath toys 22. Fill the kitchen sink and wash toys that can get wet 23. Have a tea party 24. Work on a puzzle 25. Play library. Line up all your books and take turns checking them out.

26. Play grocery store. Take clean items out of the recycle bin and make shelves of things to buy. Someone’s the cashier, someone else is the shopper.

27. Blow up balloons and play balloon tennis 28. Play with bubble wrap 29. Set up a bowling game in the hallway 30. Play Simon Says 31. Use your library card. Go online and

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

use some of the free resources from your public library. Hoopla: You can download digital movies, books, and games. Gale Courses: 300-instructor lead online courses. Tutor.com free online homework help. Learning 32. Express Library offers practice tests SAT, PASAT, ACT, AP, and more. Lynda.com online learning platform Check out the online resource section of your local library and other libraries too!

32. Look at old photos 33. Play karaoke 34. Line up collectibles. Line up all the toy cars, LEGOs dolls, stuffed animals, action figures, beanies (or whatever else your kids have plenty of) in a line – it might go all the way down the hallway. Then count them!

35. Take a hike around the neighborhood 36. Walk the dog

37. Jump in puddles 38. Take a bike ride 39. Get the scooters out 40. Play hopscotch 41. Play tag on the lawn 42. Gather rocks, pinecones, and leaves and take them home to use in craft projects 43. Play jump rope 44. Take photos of nature 45. Clean the garage and find old toys 46. Blow bubbles 47. Play with sidewalk chalk 48. Look for birds or bird nests with binoculars 49. Play Frisbee 50. Play a game of catch 51. Play follow the leader. Each leader has to walk a different way: hop, skip, tip-toe, giant steps or anything at all.

52. Keep a diary about your days at home ... these are exceptional times!

April 2020 | Westchester Family

25

Free

Educational Resources

Be prepared for a school shutdown with 10 options to keep kids learning without leaving home

By Donna Ladd

W

hile many parents haven’t wanted to entertain the “what if” idea that we may soon be home with the kids in quarantine due to the outbreak of the coronavirus — it has come to that. And this isn’t a seasonal break where we check off the days in our heads until they return to school (admit it — it’s nice when they go back to school). This is school limbo, and many of us will be treading new territory as we keep all sane and, most importantly, keep our kids on the learning path. Although we don’t know exactly how long schools will close at this moment, we have rounded up some free educational resources to keep kids occupied at home during the coronavirus outbreak.

PBS Kids For toddlers up to pre-K students, parents will love the collection of printables that are geared to support kids in learning. Kids can also hop on their favorite shows such as Wild Kratts and Dinosaur Train, where games are designed to enrich their education.

Sesame Street With a mission to help kids meet critical early development needs — the program many of us grew up on is still going strong and providing online content and shows every weekday morning. Many parents will attest that Sesame Street is still one of the best resources for the pre-K and kindergarten set, as well as kids with special needs. You’ll find video, games, and art projects online.

You may be home stuck with the kids, but we won’t tell anyone when you jump up when “Number of the Day” comes up.

DuckDuckMoose If you’re looking for some apps for the tablet, we recommend Duckduckmoose for the preschool to kindergarten set. Graphics and interface are engaging and easily accessible for children. From puzzles, maps, to fun

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

Helpful Tips:

Westchester Family contributor and homeschooling mom Denise Nicole (@abrooklybabe) shares tips to get through the day: • Get to know your child’s learning style and adapt to it. For example, if they are a better reader compared to other subjects, give them more reading lessons.

• When it comes to teaching kids math, keep in mind some kids do better with worksheets while others prefer math manipulatives or a combination of both.

• Just because you cannot go out you can still release all that energy with physical exercise like a dance party (Kidz Bop videos are great) or letting them do some fun dance videos on TikTok or yoga for the little ones. I like Cosmic Kids Yoga on youtube.

music apps where you can learn notes and rhythm, kids gravitate enthusiastically to this sister site of Khan Academy.

Metkids We recommend this resource for kids ages 5 and up. An extensive catalog of content, as well as a tool to partake in a virtual tour of the museum, will give kids a dose of art and culture. Kids can learn about a particular period or collection and explore art via the “Time Machine,” starting as early as 8000-2000 BC to present time with fun facts and videos.

ProjectGutenberg A free library of over 60,000 free eBooks that

include a children’s literature category where kids can download or read online classics like Little Women and Peter Pan. Nano Wrimo With only time on their hands, this site is for the young writer who is itching to write a novel … in 30 days. Common Core-aligned lesson plans from prewriting to publishing help kids to develop and fine-tune their writing skills. We love this resource for students who are up for using their imagination to create another world or simply tell their story. From lower elementary to high school.

Science Friday For elementary to high school students with lessons that engage through stories and podcasts. Segments in categories like Physics and Chemistry, Earth Science, Brain and Biology, and more will provide kids with a new way of seeing science.

The Activity Mom If you’re looking for actual paper lessons, this source is full of printables for kids from baby up. From a free toddler alphabet activity to a cool “Our Favorite” typing program geared towards homeschoolers.

Coolmath4kids Coolmath4kids is for kids from kindergarten to 6th grade. Kids can work on addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and fractions through online math games, quizzes, manipulatives, and more. For kids 13 and up, visit their sister site at coolmath. com.

Scholastic From Smile to Dogman, Scholastic provides many favorite books to our kids. Students can visit the Scholastic website for a wealth of educational activities from grades pre-K and up. Weaving in familiar stories and games for the kids will help when the fun of being home

has worn off, and delving into some familiar characters will add a bit of normalcy to the day.

Howstuffworks.com We all know kids can ask the craziest things.

But what if… gasp… you do not have the answer? Send them to Howstuffworks.com.

From How the Shamrock Shake Became McDonald’s Mintiest Legend (who knew!) to What’s the Difference Between a Mountain Lion and a Cougar? We can’t promise this site has the answer for everything, but it comes pretty darn close.

Staying Social If your school does not have a communication system set up, Google, in response to COVID19, recently announced that advanced Hangouts Meet and Google Classroom features are available for free to anyone who uses G Suite. This is an excellent way for an entire class or group of

classes to participate in a lesson simultaneously, or a video lesson can be accessed later. These features are usually available in the Enterprise edition of G Suite and in G Suite Enterprise for Education — available at no additional cost to all customers until July 1, 2020. The only caveat is that you do need to already be a G suite customer. There are three main plans: Basic ($6), Business ($12), and Enterprise ($25).

April 2020 | Westchester Family

27

family eats

Healthy Food

for a Strong Immune System

By Olga Uzunova

A

s cases of coronavirus multiply, it’s important to remember that one of the best forms of protection is prevention.

Enhance your immune system with wholesome food to stay healthy, feel good, and full of energy. We spoke with Stephanie Schwartz, a nutritionist from the New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, who gave us some useful tips on superfoods and immune boosters for the whole family.

“Eat the rainbow,” says Schwartz. It’s essential to have diversity in our meals, and there is no better season than this spring for fresh fruits and veggies. She says the colorful plants are rich in different vitamins that enhance our immune system and entertain the little ones as well. “You can give them green veggies one day, orange carrots on the next, and keep on mixing them in a rainbow.” Diversity is key to a healthy balanced diet with wholesome, nutritious food.

Fish is rich in Omega-3, while meat is full of iron and B-complex vitamins. Milk and dairy products are also packed with vitamin B, so make sure your child gets enough of these. Ms. Schwartz advises good hydration too. Children should drink a sufficient amount of water and milk as they are the best nutritious drinks with no added sugar.

Schwartz thinks all-natural ingredients are enough for a healthy diet, so there is no need for supplements, especially for the children. However, she advises parents to consult with their pediatrician if your child needs more vitamin D. This vitamin is hard to absorb from food, and some children might need a larger dose.

Last but not least, family eating should be a pleasure and not a quick drive-thru at a fast food restaurant. Try to find time to prepare yummy homemade meals or spend some quality time with the family at a nice restaurant.” Eating should be a pleasurable experience for the whole family and children

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

should enjoy it,” Schwartz says.

“Involve them in preparing meals and show them how much fun it can be.”

Please note that any change or new food in your children’s diet should be discussed with your pediatrician. This list of fruits and vegetables is not exhaustive for full healthy eating. Please consult a doctor or a nutritionist.

Broccoli Broccoli is bursting with nutrients and contains choline which is beneficial for your gut. Broccoli is supercharged with vitamins A, C, and E and minerals, as well as many antioxidants and fiber. It is one of the healthiest vegetables for your table.

Spinach Do you remember Popeye the Sailor and how the spinach made him strong? This plant really gives you superpowers! Spinach is rich in vitamins, numerous antioxidants, and beta carotene, which enhances the infection-fighting ability of our bodies.

Similar to broccoli, spinach is healthiest when cooked as little as possible or even eaten raw in a salad to retain its nutrients. Some nutritionists say light boiling enhances its vitamin A and allows other nutrients to be released from oxalic acid.

Kale This common winter vegetable is a regular ingredient in superfood dishes. The antioxidants strengthen your immune system and protect your body from diseases. You can add raw kale to your salad, prepare a healthy snack of kale leaf chips, mix it together with

almost any other green veggie, and make a healthy-tasting smoothie.

Bell Peppers Brightly colored bell peppers hold lots of vitamin A, which enhances your body’s mucosal barriers (easily damaged by infection). They’re also a rich source of beta carotene which supports your immune system. Beta carotene helps keep your eyes and skin healthy.

Blueberries These little fruits are loaded with vitamin C and potassium as well as other vital vitamins.

They are easily mixed in smoothies, baked oatmeal, or can be eaten as a snack.

These purplish berries are anti-inflammatory vitamin bombs that charge you with energy and strength.

Oranges You need to make sure that your body has plenty of vitamin C to help your body fight off infections. Your body can’t store vitamin C, so you need to try and include foods that are rich in vitamin C as often as possible. If you’re not a fan of oranges, then you could try eating more tomatoes, peas, and peppers, or drink lemon juice.

Papaya Papaya is another fruit rich in vitamin C. Scientists say you can find 200% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C in one papaya.

Papayas also contain a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory properties. Papayas provide your body with B vitamins and folate, all of which are beneficial for your overall health.

Kiwi Like papayas, kiwis are naturally full of essential nutrients, including folate, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts white blood cells to fight infection, while its other nutrients keep the rest of your body functioning properly.

April 2020 | Westchester Family

29

last word

Rainy Day Fun

OUTDOORS! 9 ways to play in the rain

By Jean Sheff

I

t’s been a long winter. There have been school closures, canceled activities, and way too much time spent cooped up in the house.

Yet, spring is here. It’s time to get outside and play! Don’t let April showers stop you from enjoying the outdoors. Put on your rain gear and then try these fun ways to play in the rain!

Let’s Play in the Rain Make an umbrella parade

Line everyone up and march in the rain. Take turns being the leader. Will you go through a puddle or cross a little stream?

Jump in the puddles

Puddles were made for jumping in. How big a splash can you make?

Catch raindrops on your tongue

Open wide and count the number of raindrops you can catch on your tongue.

Make mud pies

Use old pie pans or other containers and pack in the soft wet earth. Gather rocks, and leaves, and sticks to decorate the pie.

Catch water in containers

Set out different containers in different locations. Try and guess which one will fill the most. Then stick a ruler in each one to measure the rain.

Race leaves in moving water streams

On your mark, get set, go. Everyone chooses a leaf. Then line them up and see which leaf will travel the farthest down a stream of water.

Build a dam Play with water toys or bath toys in the puddles

Float your boat or rubber ducky in puddles.

Continue the water fun when you bring them inside to wash them with clean soapy water in the kitchen sink.

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WestchesterFamily.com | April 2020

Pretend you’re a beaver building a dam.

Gather twigs, and leaves, and small rocks and see if you can stop the flow of water.

Paint with mud

Dip twigs or an old paintbrush in the mud

and then paint a picture or write your name on the sidewalk or driveway. How long will it stay before the rain washes it away?

Jean Sheff, editor and co-publisher of Westchester Family, loves to sing and dance in the rain.

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