BigApple Parent Auguat 2018

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Get Set for

SCHOOL! • Weighing Your Educational Options • Create a Homework Hot Spot • ACT or SAT? • Easy Ways to Find Scholarships

How to Talk to a Baby HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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contents table of

august 2018

12 27

A Blended Family

How reluctantly raising my son in two homes turned out to be a blessing in disguise

Family Activities Calendar

Find something to do with your kids every day this month, from fairs and farmers’ markets to movies and crafts

back-to-school 18 Choices, Choices, Choices

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20 Create a Homework Hot Spot 22 After-School Classes & Programs

Cash for College

Ten ways to find scholarships, grants, and financial aid online

raising kids

things to do

family life

6 Editor’s Note 8 Checking a Potential Nanny’s References 10 5 Things to Know About Raising an Entrepreneur 12 A Blended Family 14 Independent School Spotlight 38 The Different Ways to Talk to a Baby 40 A Tale of Two Tests 43 Professional Services and Open Houses 44 Party Central 45 Party Planner 45 Advertisers’ Index 46 Quotables

16 Pom Pom Hand Puppets

42 Cash for College

26 Family Fun a Ride Away 27 Family Activities Calendar

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions ON THE COVER ›› 18 Weighing Your Educational Options 20 Create a Homework Hot Spot 38 How to Talk to a Baby 40 ACT or SAT? 42 Easy Ways to Find Scholarships facebook.com/nymetroparents

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

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AUGUST 2018 • Vol.33 • No.7

raising kids editor’s note

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Deborah Skolnik MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling ASSISTANT EDITORS: Anja Webb, Melissa Wickes

Back to School Before You Know It!

D

on’t hate me for stating the obvious: In just a few short weeks, these lazy, hazy days aren’t going to be so lazy anymore. Though technically it will still be summer, at least for a while, school (or “the S-word” as my daughters like to call it) will be back in session. Maybe you’ll be relieved, glad to no longer have bored children underfoot, demanding to be entertained or bickering with each other. Or perhaps like me you’ll feel as sad as the kids do, mourning the loss of blank-slate days and the endless possibilities that accompany them. It’s also fine to fall somewhere between these two extremes, wistful for all that delicious free time but glad your family will once again settle into a more predictable routine.

If you’re the parent of a child in middle or high school, you know that kids in the upper grades have unique challenges. This month we’re tackling some of the major bigkid educational issues out there, offering guidance to help your year get off to a good start. Katelin Walling’s piece “Choices, Choices, Choices” on p. 18 examines the benefits of different types of schools, from public and parochial to charter and beyond, so you can determine what sort of environment will allow your child to flourish. Of course, your home environment should be geared toward your student’s needs too! “Create a Homework Hot Spot” by Lambeth Hochwald (p. 20) shares easy ways to design a study space that will help your student buckle down and excel.

And speaking of excelling, for parents of teens, the SAT and the ACT both loom large on the radar. Which test is best for your child to take? The expert insights in “A Tale of Two Tests” on p. 40 will assist you in coming up with the right answer. We’ll also help you tackle the exorbitant cost of higher education with “Cash for College” (p. 42).

But don’t worry: We haven’t forgotten those of you with little ones. You’ll definitely want to read Melissa Wickes’ article, “The Different Ways to Talk to a Baby,” on p. 38.

Child development pros share how to boost your little one’s speech development—and the way you may unintentionally be sabotaging it. And don’t miss popular kids’ musician Suzi Shelton’s essay (p. 12) about how raising a child under two roofs gave him a strong foundation.

Wishing you lots of fun as you get in your last licks of summer!

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raising kids child care

Checking a Potential Nanny’s References ›› Courtesy Mommybites.com

A

fter a flurry of nanny interviews, you’ve finally narrowed down a candidate that seems like the perfect fit for your family. Remember: This is someone to whom you’ll be entrusting your kids with in your absence, possibly for many hours at a time. You’ve got to have complete trust and confidence in her abilities, her decision-making skills, and her discretion.

Here are four things to keep in mind when checking your potential nanny’s references: Don’t settle for just friends and family: If your nanny has any previous child care experience (and we certainly hope she does!), she should be able to provide you with at least two or three references that relate directly to the work she’ll be doing for you.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Check more than one reference: Suppose you start calling the nanny’s references and to your surprise, you get a less-than-stellar review from a previous employer. Before you write the candidate off, it may be wise to check at least one additional reference. Why? Because like your mom always said, there are two sides to every story.

Likewise, and perhaps even more importantly, continue checking references even if the first person you call gives your potential nanny a rave review.

Ask open-ended questions: Rather than asking yes or no questions, be sure to ask questions that will require some thought and consideration on the part of the employer. Ask for specific examples of times the nanny has displayed a certain behavior, or how she acted in certain situations.

Consider background checks: It only takes a few minutes on a site such as backgroundcheck.com to get a sense of your potential nanny’s criminal history. And if your nanny will be entrusted with a car in order to transport your kids from activities, school, and play dates, it’s a great idea to obtain her driving record from the local DMV. Mommybites’ mom-generated nanny, babysitter, and nanny-share boards have been some of the most popular child-care resources in New York City since 2006. You can find nannies and babysitters as well as help them get new jobs. Join this community of moms and receive weekly parenting advice at mommybites.com/newyork.

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Courtesy Mark Cuban, Shaan Patel, M.D., M.B.A., and Ian McCue

raising kids in the know

5Things to Know About Raising an Entrepreneur

››

By Melissa Wickes

From left: Shaan Patel, M.D., M.B.A., Mark Cuban, and Ian McCue, co-authors of Kid Start-Up: How You Can Be an Entrepreneur

D

some businesses are simply seasonal and will not take off until they are ‘in season.’ “I launched Prep Expert in December, but because SAT and ACT prep doesn’t start until around May, it took about five months to get my first customer,” Dr. Patel says.

oes your son love to sell lemonade on the corner of your street? Is your daughter always making duct-tape wallets and decorating her own jeans? If your child demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit, you should encourage him to pursue that. Here are five ways you can teach your child to be an entrepreneur, even as a kid, with help from Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and star of the hit TV show Shark Tank, Shaan Patel, M.D., M.B.A., founder of Prep Expert, an SAT and ACT prep company that was pitched on Shark Tank in 2016, and Ian McCue, a rising senior at UNLV and the founder of Spark Skill, a technology summer camp provider. All three co-authored Kid Start-Up: How You Can Be an Entrepreneur.

Be supportive of your child’s ideas. While everyone’s path is different, the first step to starting a business is to get feedback from as many people as possible before spending any money, according to Dr. Patel. So, if your kid comes up to you with an idea she wants to kickstart, encourage her, give her honest feedback and advice, and make her excited about it! Entrepreneurs often have the fear that someone will ‘steal’ their idea, however chances are, even if someone wanted to ‘steal’ the idea, they won’t put in the time, effort, and passion that your child would. “Ideas are cheap, execution is the hard part,” Cuban says.

Instill perseverance. When running a business, you are very rarely going to do everything right the first time, McCue says.

Unfortunately, school-age kids are often programmed to think you have to. Teaching your child it is okay to fail can make him all the more successful. “You have to be willing to try a bunch of things and accept that only a few will work out. Be persistent,” McCue says. In teaching perseverance, you will also help your child know it may take time to get traction in a business. Dr. Patel suggests committing to an idea for six months to a year before deciding it may not be the best option. He also suggests being aware that 10

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Teach self-control. This is important because, when starting and running your own business, you regulate your own hours, no one is forcing you to work 9am-5pm at a desk, Dr. Patel says.

By teaching your child self-control, even when she is a toddler being told to only eat one cookie from the jar that is filled, you are increasing the odds that your child will one day have a higher income, better relationships, higher SAT scores, and fewer issues involving drugs and alcohol.

Encourage him to pursue his hobbies. It may seem unlikely that a kid can really be a master in anything. However, kids become infatuated with things they like, learning every facet of a game, a toy, a sport, an accessory trend, without even knowing they’re becoming experts. “My advice to all entrepreneurs is to start a business that you’re an expert in,” Dr. Patel says. “It’s pretty easy to narrow your ideas down to the things that you actually know and are good at. If you pick one of those things, this gives you a leg up.”

Teach her to be a problem-solver. In a world where so many ideas have been thought of and so many inventions have been created, one might ask, where do you even begin brainstorming creative ideas? The co-authors of Kid Start-Up suggest looking at everyday problems, no matter how small, and finding a way to solve them. These challenges are familiar to us, making it easier to think of ways to fix them. Does your son’s phone constantly die before after-school activities? Does your daughter complain her backpack is the same as everyone else’s in the class? Encourage your kids to look to these seemingly small inconveniences for inspiration.

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A Blended Family

Courtesy Suzi Shelton

raising kids voices

››

How reluctantly raising my son in two homes turned out to be a blessing in disguise By Suzi Shelton

W

hen my son was just 2 years old, his father and I decided to split up. We had tried for a while to make it work, but it was clear we would all be happier apart. For me, this meant our son would live with me full time in our Brooklyn apartment, and have visitation with his dad. For his dad, splitting up meant our son would split his time equally, and live in two homes.

This wasn’t something I was ready to accept. There was no way this was going to work out. It couldn’t be in the best interest of our young son. Could it?

A very wise family therapist told us, “Yes, actually, it could work out.” And yes, it could be a very happy and healthy way to raise our son. As long as we were both 100 percent onboard.

So, I thought long and hard about it, and decided I would get onboard. For our son.

At first, it was awful. I hated having to give up Sebastian (still a baby for God’s sake) for half of the week. And overnight! I would hand him over with his little Thomas the Tank Engine backpack with tears in my eyes and a pain in my heart. I would count the hours and then minutes until he came back to me, and I would hold him so tightly when he walked in the door. Except it wasn’t actually about me. It was about Sebastian and the fact that he deserved to have quality time with his Dad. We learned (through our family therapist) how to help Sebastian make this transition easier on himself, and on us. We learned to say things like, “I can’t wait to hear what you did at Daddy’s house,” instead of, “I’ll miss you so much!” And it became our new normal for our son to live in two homes. And have two beds and two sets of toys. And, eventually, two more parents. And Sebastian was fine with this. In fact, he was more than fine. He was happy.

Our blended family (from left): Sebastian (19), Julia (3), Emma (13), and Cole (10)

The thing I didn’t really anticipate with all of this was I would meet my now husband and have another child, and his Dad would marry and do the same, and those “extra” parents and children would be part of our family, too. Our modern family had expanded and grown and there was still quite a lot of love to go around. In fact, when Sebastian was in elementary school, he and his dad wrote a poem called “Mama’s House, Daddy’s House,” which we turned into a song that I put on my second album to share our message with the world…two homes but “one heart—filled with love.”

Now almost 18 years later, Sebastian’s dad and stepmom are two of my closest friends. We still share raising Sebastian, and we share raising our other children, too. My 13-year-old daughter has her own drawer of clothes at their house, and their two younger children have the same at my house. My husband and I fondly call them our “stepchildren” since there really isn’t another word for it, and you know what? It works.

Our 10-year-old stepson comes over regularly after school to “hang out” and get away from his 3-year-old sister. That same 3-year-old sister calls me “Mama!,” runs into my arms when I occasionally pick her up at preschool, and loves to come over and play with our dog, Penny. They both bring me so much joy.

We all decided to spend holidays together instead of alternating Sebastian between the two homes. It’s much easier this way, and actually more fun. I feel like I have four children instead of two. And when I need them, I have three other parents I can count on instead of just one. I feel lucky. I never would have imagined (way back when) that things would have turned out this way, and to be honest, I can’t imagine it any other way now.

Suzi Shelton, an award-winning singer/songwriter for the playground set, has been writing, recording, and performing music for families for more than 15 years. She is the proud mama of two and stepmama of two more. Shelton has just released her fourth solo album and is currently working on her fifth season of Sing with Suzi videos on YouTube for her preschool fans. See and hear it all at suzishelton.com.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Independent School Spotlight

欢迎

raising kids independent school spotlight

BIENVENIDOS

Courtesy Nord Anglia

WELCOME

Students at Nord Anglia are encouraged to learn through collaboration and problem solving challenges.

A Small-Village Feel in a Big-City Setting

Personalized instruction and extraordinary partnerships make Nord Anglia a standout school. ›› By Anja Webb Name of school: Nord Anglia International School, New York Grades: Pre-K to eighth grade Size of student body: 130

Bilingual. Multi-Cultural. Diverse.

Helping students gain the leadership skills, confidence, and compassion to contribute and thrive in today’s world.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Spanish and Mandarin tracks for limited spots in Nursery (age 3) - Grade 4.

Adding a grade each year through Grade 8.

- Financial Aid Available -

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Educational approach or philosophy: Nord Anglia follows the English National Curriculum and encourages students to take initiative in their learning. One way this is achieved is through a series of three annual challenges from MIT. Students are encouraged to think creatively about new STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) initiatives, such as the development of driverless cars. Children may, depending on their age, analyze all aspects of the concept, from how to code the vehicle’s software to the possible ramifications of such an invention, including job displacement. Torun Kirk, director of admissions and marketing, explains that every challenge is tailored to each students’ individual level of development. Younger children, for example, may explore technological advancements through Lego construction.

In addition to Nord Anglia’s partnership with MIT, the school has an extensive music program through Julliard. This curriculum focuses not only on instrumental performance, but also on music composition and improvisation. With keyboard instruction beginning at age 5, students are introduced to the basics of music theory through first-hand experience.

What makes the school unique: “Our teachers are exceptional, and if you asked any of our parents the same question, the first thing they will mention is the fact that our teachers are really doing personalized, individualized learning,” Kirk says. In addition to Nord Anglia’s partnerships with top universities, its staff is dedicated to customizing the learning experience of each and every student. Classes range on average from 10-16 students, making it easier for teachers to focus on each child personally. Of course, one of the unique perks of being a part of an international school is the international community. Along with experiencing the rich diversity created by having dozens of nationalities represented on Nord Anglia’s New York campus, students have the opportunity to collaborate with Nord Anglia students from across the globe, a community of more than 32,000 young people.

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things to do

diy corner

Pom Pom Hand Puppets While we love the summer weather and perfect beach days, sometimes it’s just too hot (or rainy) to be outside with the kids. But keeping them cooped up inside all day without planned activities can sometimes drive us crazy. So pull out the pipe cleaners and hot glue gun to make these hand puppets—a project featured in Debbie Chapman’s “Low-Mess Crafts for Kids”—and then have the kids write and perform a show for you!

Who needs a fancy puppet when you can use your hand?! Slide your middle finger into one of these pom pom hand puppets and use your fingers and thumb as the mouth. Hands can be surprisingly funny when you make them talk in a silly voice!

Do you want another low-mess craft tip? Look for bags of short pipe cleaners to add to your craft stash. There are no scraps to worry about when you don’t have to cut anything. Try curling a short pipe cleaner into a spiral for one set of eyes. Or use sparkly pom poms to make eyelashes on another one. A small change can inspire a completely new personality for your puppet.

Materials • 5 pipe cleaners, 6 inches long (or 3 full length pipe cleaners, cut in half) • 2 large pom poms • 2 small pom poms

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• 2 medium googly eyes Tools • Low-temperature glue gun (make sure to ask a grownup to help when using)

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Directions 1. Fold one pipe cleaner in half, then bend it into a “U” shape.

2. Spread apart the fluff in one of the large pom poms. Add a small glob of hot glue into the opening, then press one of the pipe cleaner ends into the glue, pushing the fluff of the pom pom back into place around the pipe cleaner. Repeat with the other end of the pipe cleaner with the second large pom pom.

3. Fold two pipe cleaners in half. Add a small dab of hot glue onto the small pom poms and press them onto the tip of each pipe cleaner half. These will be the antennae.

4. Attach the pipe cleaner antennae to the top of each of the large pom poms using a glue gun.

5. Bend the pipe cleaner antennae slightly so they curve.

6. Take the end of another pipe cleaner and fold the end by about ½ inch. Fold it by ½ inch in the other direction. Continue folding it back and forth, in opposite directions, until you get to the end. Repeat for the last pipe cleaner. These will be the puppet’s eyebrows.

7. Attach the eyebrows to the front of the large pom poms using hot glue. Then attach the googly eyes slightly over the top of the eyebrows, again using hot glue.

8. Your pom pom hand puppet is complete!

Reprinted from Low-Mess Crafts for Kids with permission from Page Street Publishing Co. Photography by Debbie Chapman.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

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Choices, Choices, Choices

››

The New York metro area provides families with a variety of school options, allowing you to choose the best one for your child. By Katelin Walling

W

e all worry about whether we’re making the best choices in raising our kids, and one thing most of us fret over is whether our children are getting the best education possible that is suited to their needs. In a lot of areas in the country, traditional district public schools may be the only option for kids. But living in the New York metro area, we are #blessed with an abundance of choices in addition to great public schools, from charter and independent schools, to magnet, international, and Catholic schools.

While one school option doesn’t necessarily provide a better education than another, each type has pros and cons for every individual family. It’s up to you to determine which school setting best suits your child’s needs. Read on to learn more about charter, home, independent, international, magnet, and parochial schools.

Charter Schools

“The most important concept to get is that a charter school is a public school,” says Ian Rowe, CEO of Public Prep Network, a system of three nonprofit charter schools in New York City. But charter schools often have a specific focus, one that typically responds to a need articulated by public school families. Public Prep schools, for example, are all single sex (two schools for girls and one school for boys) and have a focus in STEM education.

As with public schools, charter schools are tuition-free, though students have to apply for admission. Public Prep currently admits students via a lottery system due to high demand.

Charter schools, though, tend to operate with fewer regulations than traditional public schools and can set their own curriculum. But there is typically an accountability system in which charters are evaluated each year to see if they are meeting the outcomes set by the state, Rowe adds.

Plus, there is a renewal process every five years to determine whether the charter is able to continue. “So, there is a much greater accountability in return for the freedoms you have to operate as a charter,” Rowe says.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Home Schools

There are numerous motivations for a family to decide to home-school their children, from religious and health reasons to a child’s learning style, aptitude level, or schedule (think child actors). There are also numerous options for home-schooling your child, whether you decide to take the lead in teaching, you enroll him in an online home-school program, such as the George Washington University Online High School, or you join a home-school community, such as Classical Conversations.

Parents who decide to home-school rather than enroll their child in a physical school need to submit a letter of intent, an Individualized Home Instruction Plan, and quarterly reports by specific dates, according to the New York City Department of Education.

Independent Schools

Also known as private schools, independent schools are funded by tuition and charitable donations as opposed to taxpayer dollars. “It is independently funded for the most part and also independent from the state to a certain degree,” says Scott Nelson, headmaster of Rye Country Day School, a college preparatory day school in Rye. “For instance, we don’t follow the NYS testing program (regents testing program), so we have more independence as far as curriculum choices.”

To enroll in an independent school, students have to fill out an application, parents and the student have an interview, and the student has to take an entrance exam, either the Independent School Entrance Exam or the Secondary School Admissions Test, according to Nelson.

Though tuition is a factor in attending an independent school, many offer need-based financial aid. For instance, RCDS offers $5.5 million annually to 16 percent of students, Nelson says.

International Schools

A second private school option, international schools are typically multi-cultural and integrate those different cultures into everyday learn-

ing. “We have families who hail from all over the world…and we embrace their backgrounds,” says Emily Benson, director of admissions at International Academy of New York in Manhattan. “We celebrate different times of the year that are holidays for those different cultures, and if we don’t actually make a big celebration about it, we at least discuss it.”

Many international schools are bilingual. IANY, for instance, teaches Mandarin and Spanish, and students spend almost 40 percent of their time interacting in those languages. “When we have a family coming from say Egypt, we might be studying Spanish or Mandarin, but we will ask that child how do you say this in Arabic,” Benson says of welcoming students’ cultures. “We encourage and embrace these other languages and we find that through the way we teach, our children are not only embracing different cultures...but they are also excited to share their home countries’ language and tradition.”

As with other private schools, international schools have an application process, and some require testing while others do not.

Many international schools also offer need-based financial aid.

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Magnet Schools

Another tuition-free public school option, magnet schools are federally funded by competitive grants from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement. Over the past few years, the NYC DOE has won funding for 31 magnet schools across 12 districts in NYC, says Todd Levitt, senior director of magnet programs of NYC DOE. Due to the grants, the NYC DOE is able to offer specialized thematic programs, innovative curriculum, and diversified approaches to teaching, and provide professional development, partnerships, residencies, and extra funding to support special programs, he adds.

These 31 schools have a STEAM/STEM component, and each school follows a theme (architecture, civic leadership, and global conservation to name a few). Partnerships are tailored to each school’s individual pursuits and include Columbia University, American Ballet Theatre, Lego, CUNY, NYIT, Apple Education, and Buck Institute of Education Project Based Learning. The grants allow magnet schools to have state-of-the-art technology, purchase new art and science supplies, and provide specialty rooms like broadcast studios and STEAM labs.

Though public schools, the NYC magnet schools have an application process through the NYC DOE Office of Enrollment and the magnet schools, but there is no screening or testing involved in applying. For information about open houses and school tours happening in the fall, email JGallag@schools.nyc.gov or TLevitt@schools.nyc.gov.

Parochial Schools

Catholic schools are private schools that follow a traditional curriculum but with an added religious component. Students enrolled in a Diocese of Rockville Centre school, for instance, are taught in accordance with the New York state learning standards and take the same Regents Exams and SAT as public school students, but learning is infused with a religious curriculum directed by the Diocese, according to Gary Layton, director of marketing and enrollment for DRVC. “Because we are schools that are run by a religious institution, we take a more holistic view and aim to educate the mind, body, and spirit.

It is not just about educating. It is about building character, instilling values. It is about the kindness, the respect they show each other. It is about doing for others through service projects,” Layton says.

Though the schools in the Diocese are Catholic schools, teach religion courses, and prepare students for their first Holy Communion and Confirmation, not all students practice Catholicism. Those that don’t practice are required to take and pass religion classes, but are not required to participate in religious events or sacraments.

DRVC requires applicants to fill out admissions paperwork, and there is a “modest tuition” that is typically supplemented by the Diocese and the Parish that runs the school, Layton says.

Confidence Blooms at Chatty Child!

Does your child need extra support?

Boost academic, social and verbal skills to improve school success.

Chatty Child offers: l Individual & group treatment for speech-language, occupational and physical therapy l Socialization groups l InterAct Theatre + Therapy Lab™ – immersive workshop l Feeding and oral motor treatment l PROMPT therapy for apraxia of speech l Handwriting instruction l Sensory Integration therapy l Academic preparation For Speech, Occupational, Physical Therapy, we accept: l Department of Education Related Service Agreements (RSAs) l Early Intervention l Private pay with fully coded invoices for out-of-network insurance reimbursement.

At Chatty Child, our therapists provide quality care that is nurturing, innovative and creative. We work with the family to provide each child with a comprehensive treatment plan, while taking into account each child’s interests, strengths and goals. We are here to help your child reach his or her fullest potential.

Chatty Child’s state-of-the-art therapy center for children is conveniently located in lower Manhattan. Please come in for a tour to discover what we can offer your child and become a part of the Chatty Child family!

To register, or schedule a tour, private consultation or evaluation, email info@chattychild.com, call 347.491.4451, or visit www.chattychild.com.

325 Broadway - Suite 403 New York, New York 10007

BigAppleParent 19

Create a Homework Hot Spot

››

Kids need a dedicated space to get their homework done. But what if the space you’ve carved out for them isn’t so ideal? Read on for some quick and easy fixes. By Lambeth Hochwald

I

f it seems like your kids find any excuse not to sit down and do their homework, it could be their workstation is lacking in the right light, the right inspiration, or even the right chair.

“As parents, getting our kids to focus on homework can be a daily grind,” says Lisa Sugarman, a nationally syndicated opinion columnist and parenting expert. “But by creating a space that entices our kids to sit down and dig into their work, we’re setting them up for success without anyone kicking and screaming along the way. And that means less stress for us and for our kids.”

It’s very important to pick a quiet spot without any distractions like TV, devices of any sort, and toys. “Tell your kids that it’s their spot to do their work,” Sugarman says. “Giving your kids ownership of their homework area is a really big deal to a kid. Next, always make sure to help them get invested in the space by encouraging them to help shop for the items they’d like and then set it up and get it organized together.”

Now that you know why your kids need a dedicated homework station, read on as Annie Draddy, a professional organizer and co-founder of Henry & Higby, a professional organizing company in New York City, shares 10 ways to get your kids to actually sit down and get their work done—plus products that will help enhance their space. We promise that your kids will thank you later!

in a proper set-up with a table and chair instead of doing their homework on the couch. This way they establish good habits and can properly work on their handwriting and other skills.”

Desk Pick: Kids Navy Blue Campaign Desk, $399 (crateandbarrel.com)

Make the space appealing.

By hanging up a corkboard for your kids to pin papers, reminders, and a calendar, you’re keeping important information within sight. “This is a space that should be within reach of their desk so they can easily add/remove important items on a regular basis,” Draddy says. “It can also give them a chance to decorate and personalize their space—and maybe even sketch out a dream board, which will hopefully inspire them to keep using it!”

Corkboard Pick: Zig Zag Cork Board, $12.99 (containerstore.com)

Once you’ve carved out a room or space in your home that works for your child and is intended just for homework, make it aesthetically pleasing by adding decorative items such as a colorful accent rug, bookends, and a funky desk lamp that matches their personality. “It doesn’t matter if this spot is in a communal room of the home or a desk in their own room, provided it feels personal to them,” Draddy says. “Ultimately, the goal is to get them to work 20 August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Select a good desk chair.

The goal here: to select a desk chair that’s as comfortable as it is supportive. “You don’t want a lousy chair to be the reason that your kids are doing their homework in front of the TV,” Draddy says.

Chair Picks: Rockin’ Roller Desk Chair, $149 (pbteen.com)

Make it easy to keep a shipshape desk.

Although it may seem obvious, keeping a trash or recycling can near your child’s desk is a win-win. “Not only will this encourage him to throw out old papers, but also—perhaps with a little coaxing—purge the garbage from his backpack on a regular basis,” Draddy says. Bonus points if you encourage your child to routinely empty that trash on her own as part of her chores.

Trashcan Pick: Pink or Gray Trash Can, $39 (potterybarnkids.com)

Post important notices.

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE Keep supplies close at hand.

REACH. GROW. ACHIEVE.

Stowing supplies within reach of your child’s desk is one of the biggest keys to your kid’s productivity. “There needn’t be twelve trips around the house looking for the tools they need to complete each project,” Draddy says. It’s easy: Just keep pens, pencils, erasers, PostIts, highlighters, three-ring binder paper, graph paper, rulers, and a pencil sharpener within easy reach. “If desk space is an issue, consider making your own mobile supply station that can be easily wheeled in and out of the space when it’s homework time,” she says. “A version of this caddy can also be made for the road if your children won’t always be home when it comes time for homework.”

Caddy Pick: Acrylic Accessory Drawers, $12.99-$13.99 (containerstore.com)

Awaken your child’s potential through dance

Christopher Duggan

It’s time to dust off your label maker and use it to help your kids stay organized. “Label everything on your supply containers/caddy,” Draddy says, adding that this includes recent tests, papers, and assignment sheets as well as bins containing supplies. “This will help teach your children how to maintain their space and hopefully put an end to the continuing cycle of them asking where to put their supplies when they are done with their homework,” Draddy adds.

Label Picks: Simply Remarkable Reusable Chalk Labels, $9.95 or Brother P-Touch PTD 210 Easy-to-Use Label Maker, $24.99 (both on amazon.com)

Rosalie O’Connor

Embrace your label maker.

Now registering for the 2018-19 school year.

Corral those cords.

As your kids get older, homework will often require the use of technology, whether that’s a laptop, iPad, or other plug-ins, all of which means cord and charging chaos. “Keep your kids’ homework space tidy from the cord clutter by using some of those ingenious products and hacks to help cables stay neat and handy for when it’s time to plug in and charge,” Draddy says.

Cord Storage Pick: Cable Twisters, $9.99 (containerstore.com)

BalletAcademyEast.com BALLET ACADEMY EAST

1651 Third Avenue, 3rd floor New York, NY 10128

Time it right.

If assignments need to be timed, give your kids the tools to manage their own time by keeping a clock or timer on their workspace. “Setting time limits for each subject can help them stay on track,” Draddy says.

“This is a life skill that will bode them well in life after school, too.”

Timer Pick: Time Timer Original 8 Inch, 60 Minute Visual Analog Timer, $24.99 (amazon.com)

Encourage color-coding.

Color-coded file folders can be vital to keeping organized. Encourage your child to stow all science papers in a green folder, English compositions in their blue folder, French worksheets in a red folder, and so on. “This helps kids keep their notes organized whether on their desk or in their book bag,” Draddy says.

Color-Coded File Pick: White, Pool Blue + Aqua Letter Size File Folders, $15 (poppin.com)

Behold the power of the in-box.

With school comes tons of assignments and papers that need to stay organized. “Consider setting up an ‘in’ and ‘out’ bin where your kids can put assignments that need to be done and others that are already completed,” Draddy says. “This makes it easier to remember that everything in the ‘out’ bin needs to be packed in their backpacks and returned to school the next day.” For papers your kids want to keep for future nostalgia, consider keeping these in bins. By doing this, your house will stay streamlined too.

Storage Picks: Artists Loft Studio Portfolio, $42.99 (michaels.com) or Archival Album & Scrapbook Storage Box, $17.99 (containerstore.com) Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based journalist covering trends, relationships, and life in New York City.

BigAppleParent 21

AFTER-SCHOOL CLASSES & PROGRAMS Atlas Foundation For Autism

252 W. 29th St., 3rd Floor 212-256-0846 atlasforautism.org info@atlasforautism.org The Atlas Foundation for Autism houses the Atlas School as well as speech, OT services, music, after-school classes, and weekend social skills groups! Atlas is different in its approach to working within modalities that address communication, emotional and social thinking, as well as behavior and self-esteem! People are welcome to join from every developmental level to play, learn, and grow together as a community!

Ballet Academy East

1651 Third Ave. 212-410-9140 balletacademyeast.com Ballet Academy East, Young Dancer Division: unleashing children’s potential through dance.

Ballet Academy East is home to aspiring dancers of all ages in its Young Dancer, Pre-Professional, and Adult Divisions. BAE is internationally recognized for exceptional dance training and is the Upper East Side’s ballet school of choice. The accomplished faculty leads classes that nurture students’ physical and emotional well-being, build technical skills, and develop artistry. All classes feature two teachers and live piano accompaniment. Young Dancer Division: ages 18 months to 6 years; Pre-Professional and Enrichment Divisions: ages 6-19.

Barbizon

1384 Broadway, 17th Floor 212-239-1110 barbizonnyc.com The Barbizon School and Agency has been a landmark of NYC’s Garment District for more than 85 years. Brought into the 21st century, Barbizon of Manhattan provides a space for ambitious kids and teens to showcase their talent while developing professional skills and gaining industry experience.

As a successful agency and training program, we are continuously searching for new talent to add to our team of young professionals. Barbizon of Manhattan is your child’s place to shine!

Blue School

241 Water St. 212-228-6341 blueschool.org Blue School is an independent school for children ages 2 through eighth grade at which academic mastery, creative thinking, and self- and social intelligence are dynamically balanced to instill a lifelong passion for learning. The campus in lower Manhattan is full of thoughtful classrooms, lab spaces for studio art, STEAM, science, music, and drama, as well as a gymnasium, wonder room, and outdoor roof and terrace. Blue School values exploration, play, creativity, self-awareness, family, and community connection. Our inquiry-driven approach makes space for bold collaboration and rich project work.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Bright Kids Inc.

225 Broadway, Suite 1504 177 E. 87th St., Suite 402, Upper East Side 917-539-4575 bright-kids.com t.kelly@brightkidsnyc.com Bright Kids is a full-service tutoring and publications company specializing in test prep and enrichment tutoring. We focus on a high-quality service paired with advanced technology to produce an unforgettable experience. Bright Kids offers 1-to-1 options as well as small group classes and workshops. Each program typically begins with an assessment or diagnostic to determine a student’s strengths and areas of improvement. The evaluations team then uses the results of the assessment to help build a customized curriculum for each student.

The British International School of New York

20 Waterside Plaza 212-481-2700 x204 bis-ny.org info@bis-ny.org The British International School of New York is delighted to offer a varied after-school club program as well as a robust competitive sports program, which competes internally and against other schools in New York City. The breadth of clubs is designed to offer exposure to new skills and areas of interest, and to promote new friendships. The specific clubs offered vary from term to term to keep things interesting, and are designated by age to be most appropriate and enjoyable.

Children’s Museum of the Arts

103 Charlton St. 212-274-0986 cmany.org Children’s Museum of the Arts’ after-school program offers semester-long classes in a range of fine arts and media arts for young artists ages 5-15! Through weekly, immersive arts classes, children develop a portfolio of work as they explore a range of materials and art-making techniques. Teaching artists help your child develop their own artistic voice, refine their art techniques, and build critical-thinking skills.

Collina Italiana

1556 Third Ave., at 87th Street, Suite 603 212-427-7770 collinaitaliana.com info@collinaitaliana.com Set on the Upper East Side, our Italian classes allow children to benefit from a comprehensive approach to learning in an age-appropriate, inviting atmosphere. Classes for kids include Giardino dei Bambini (drop-off on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9am-12pm); Girotondo Giallo, Rosso, Blu, and Viola (ages 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9 and older); Italian Art and Yoga Workshops; and private and semi-private tutoring. Children share learned words and expressions through playful, skill-building activities such as games, songs, dances, and stories.

For all the bellissimi details on Collina Italiana, call today or visit collinaitaliana.com!

Cosmic Cubs

37 W. 65th St., 3rd floor 212-582-9304 broadwaydancecenter.com Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens’ 16-week Semester Program is offered in the fall and spring. Options are available Monday-Sunday.

Dancers of all levels and ages can register for Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theater, Jumps and Turns, Breaking, Acro, Lyrical, and Triple Threat! In addition to working on technique each week, our dedicated faculty strives to nurture and develop a young dancer’s creative side.

cosmiccubs.com support@cosmiccubs.com Cosmic Cubs apps are fun and engaging while teaching children 3 and older about the solar system and the 3 R’s, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Download Cosmic Cubs apps including Planet Puzzles, 3 Rs Puzzles, Rockitect, and Storymaker. Each small step can become a giant leap in learning! Blast off to a Cosmic Cubs galaxy of learning fun! Explore the universe with the Cosmic Cubs! Cosmic Cubs is KIDSAFE certified. Download Cosmic Cubs apps at the App store, Google Play, and Amazon. Download educational coloring pages at cosmiccubscoloring. com and visit cosmiccubs.com.

Chatty Child Speech & Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C.

The Diller-Quaile School of Music

Broadway Dance Center Children and Teens

325 Broadway, Suite 403 347-491-4451 chattychild.com info@chattychild.com Chatty Child Speech Therapy & Occupational Therapy, P.L.L.C., is a personalized therapeutic center in downtown Manhattan. We provide comprehensive speech-language and occupational therapy services. We are available to provide ST and OT evaluations, individual sessions, and group sessions. We accept DOE-RSAs, EI, and private pay for out-of-network reimbursement. Our therapists are highly experienced, caring, and passionate about creating a unique learning experience for each child. We have years of experience treating a variety of developmental delays. Come take a tour of Chatty Child!

Vanessa Cascio, registrar 24 E. 95th St. (between Madison and Fifth avenues) 212-369-1484 x11 diller-quaile.org; info@diller-quaile.org Learn to sing, or play the piano, guitar, harp, violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, French horn, or many other instruments. Founded in 1920, Diller-Quaile offers lessons, classes, and ensembles for elementary, middle, and high school students.

With a faculty of experienced, and caring educators and distinguished artists, Diller-Quaile develops the innate musicality in each individual, inspiring participation for a lifetime. Fall classes begin in September; visit diller-quaile.org to apply online.

Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Precollegiate Arts Schools. Email info@diller-quaile.org or call 212-369-1484 x 26.

East Village Dance Project at Abrons Arts Center

466 Grand St. 212-598-0400 abronsartscenter.org East Village Dance Project made the exciting move to Abrons Arts Center in January 2018. Now in its 22nd year, EVDP offers innovative dance classes in Modern, Ballet, and Pointe techniques. The schedule allows dancers the opportunity to plan a pre-professional regimen, or just attend one or two classes a week. EVDP is excited to announce a Performance Workshop class this fall. Students and professionals will create work together and culminate in an alternative Nutcracker production the week of Dec. 17 at La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theater.

Epiphany Community Nursery School

510 E. 74th St. 212-737-2977 ecnsnyc.org ECNS Etc., the new enrichment classes program of the long established UES preschool ECNS, is offering innovative and exciting classes this fall. Our fun classes, designed to challenge children’s minds and bodies, are perfect for those who are in half-day, part-time, or not in a formal school program. We have classes that include chess, gymnastics, parkour, Italian language, cooking, art, Lego build, and more. There is sure to be a class, or two or three, perfect for your child. Please visit our website for the full schedule.

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

FunFit Blooming Branches Specific Sports

Get Close to ‘La Bella Lingua’, without leaving Manhattan!

550 W. 110th St. 646-580-3758 funfitnyc.com info@funfitnyc.com FunFit Kids is running multiple sport-specific, after-school programs.

Little athletes can choose to enroll in tennis, golf, or both. Our skilled instructors use child-friendly exercises and equipment designed to teach the fundamentals, serving as a great introduction to each sport. Class progressively gets more complex as the athlete develops and builds his or her skill set. Both programs are adapted for indoors and all equipment is provided. We hope you join us!

FALL SESSION starts September 24th Private and Group classes available

Jodi’s Gym

244 E. 84th St. 212-772-7633 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 jodisgym.com Jodi’s Gym has been providing New York kids the highest level of fun and fitness for more than three decades! Its step-by-step, no-fail approach ensures that every child feels a sense of accomplishment. It offers gymnastics (ages 3-12), Ninja Challenge (ages 4-8), Game - On! (ages 3-5), parent-andchild gym, Music Together, summer and holiday break camps, free playtime and perks for members, private lessons, and the best birthday ever! continued on next page

››

Inquire about

- Giardino dei Bambini: Italian morning drop-off (Ages 2-4)

Adult Classes

- Girotondo Giallo e Rosso: Italian Playgroup (Ages 2-3, 4-5)

COLLINA ITALIANA

- Girotondo Blu e Viola: Reading and Writing In Italian (Ages 6-8, 9+)

1556 Third Avenue, @87th Street, Ste 603 New York, NY 10128

- Workshops on Saturdays - Private tutoring

Info@collinaitaliana.com

212.427.7770

For all the bellissimi details, call the Italian instructors TODAY!

5

yrs. of Fun, Frien ds, & Fitness !

York Preparatory School 40 West 68th Street, New York, NY 10023 • www.yorkprep.org York Preparatory School is a New York City independent school committed to guiding students in grades six through twelve to reach their maximum potential-intellectually, socially, and physically-and to prepare them for college and beyond. Compassionate educators creatively address the needs and interests of a diverse community, thereby appropriately supporting and challenging students as they progress through a traditional curriculum within a structured environment. York Prep encourages the development of lifelong learners who are responsible members of their community.

Studio for Film and Theatre & DENISE SIMON Acting & Coaching

T. SCHREIBER STUDIO 151 WEST 26 TH STREET

Grea t Pe rk s Fo r M em be rs

Nothing Else Even Comes Close!

Now Enrolling for our YOUTH ACTING PROGRAM Saturday Sessions Ages 8-11

Fo r K id s 9 mos to 12 yrs

Full Year/Semester Ages 12-16

tschreiber.org 212-741-0209

Gymnastics • Music • Playtime • Summer Camps School Break Camps • Ninja Challenge Jodi’s To Go • Best Birthdays Ever

www.jodisgym.com 25 Hubbels Dr. Mt. Kisco • 914.244.8811 244 E. 84th St. NYC • 212.772.7633 BigAppleParent 23

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

‹‹ continued from preivious page

ECNS

Joffrey Ballet School

• Positive Self Image • Curiosity • Creativity • Independence Over 42 years in business.

Preschool for ages 18 months to 5 years old

Classes for 1–8 year olds • Parkour • Gymnastics • Chess • Yoga

• Lego Build • Soccer • Music

Birthday Parties Fun, Fabulous and Out of This World Parties for Children 2–10 Years Old!

510 East 74 Street, NY, NY 10021 • (212) 737-2977 • www.ecnsnyc.org th

Register for New Fall Classes Now!

434 Sixth Ave., 5th Floor 888-438-3808 joffreyballetschool.com The Joffrey Ballet School offers classes in Musical Theater, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary Ballet, and more.

We specialize in dancers ranging in age from 2-18. We also offer superb adult evening dance fitness classes.

The Musical Theater classes for kids are instructed by actual Broadway stars. Come and experience our more than 60 years of excellence in dance training. You will love the way we care for your child’s dance training.

Come and grow with us.

Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy

917-270-7257 ktuga.com/weekly-classes mari@ktuga.com Join Kate Tempesta’s Urban Golf Academy to play golf! Starting Sept.

7, we have numerous options for your young golfer. Check out our weekly programs held in Central Park (ages 3 and older) or Premier Indoor Golf (ages 8 and older). We have classes on Saturday mornings too. Visit our website at ktuga.com/weekly-classes for more details.

The Little Gym

Want more parenting tips, tools & resources...

NYMetroParents.com Helping parents make better decisions

Be Social

44 E. 2nd St. 212-600-2010 nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/ new-york info@ny.nae.school Nord Anglia International School New York is a truly international school with a highly personalized approach to learning, for ages 2-14.

We recognize that all children are unique and as such, our classes are small enough to provide each child with a tailored and well-rounded academic and personal experience, where friends from all over the world are made for life. We enrich our curricula with world leading programs through our collaborations with Juilliard, MIT, and UNICEF, to give our students access to the latest thinking from the world’s leading educators.

Want more activities to do this fall…

NYMetroParents.com

217 W. 147th St. 212-226-0083 nationaldance.org caguirre@nationaldance.org National Dance Institute is a nonprofit arts education organization founded in 1976 by Jacques d’Amboise, New York City Ballet principal dancer.

Through school partnerships, workshops, and public performances, NDI uses dance as a catalyst to engage children and motivate them toward excellence. At the National Dance

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

Nord Anglia International School New York

2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor Speakitaly NYC (between 74th and 75th streets), 122 W. 27th St., Upper West Side 12th Floor 212-799-1225 212-603-9685 tlgupperwestsideny.com speakitalynyc.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and info@speakitalynyc.com Third avenues), Upper East Side Speakitaly NYC offers Italian lan212-787-1124 guage lessons for children ages 3 and tlguppereastsideny.com older. Our lessons are stimulating and 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale entertaining. Children have fun while 914-722-0072 learning because they feel at ease with tlgscarsdaleny.com their teacher. They are encouraged 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ to experiment with the language 201-445-4444 through engaging activities and start tlgwaldwicknj.com speaking Italian in a very natural The Little Gym is an exercise and moway while becoming familiar with tor development center for children, parents make grammar thatbetter they willdecisions apply in the offering gymnastic classes,Helping sports skills future. We are a center for the CELI development, dance, cheerleading, Be Social teens examination (ages 13-17) issued and karate classes for children ages

by Univ. per Stranieri di Perugia and 4 months to 12 years, in a loving, we follow the European Common non-competitive environment. QualLanguage Framework. ified instructors implement programs designed to build self-esteem and confidence. An emphasis on music T. Schreiber Studio for Theatre and Film and fun encourages both physical and 151 W. 26th St., 10th floor emotional growth. The Little Gym 212-741-0209 also offers summer camp, holiday tschreiber.org camp, Parent Survival Night, and info@tschreiber.org Awesome Birthday Bashes.

T. Schreiber Studio for Theatre and

National Dance Institute

24

Institute Center for Learning and the Arts, NDI offers classes that provide children the opportunity to experience the joy, rigor, and excellence of NDI’s award-winning arts education programs. Need-based scholarships are available for all center classes through an application process. Please call 212-226-0083.

Film in NYC has been preparing actors for careers in stage, film, and television since 1969. Under the guidance of celebrity child acting coach, Denise Simon, the studio is proud to offer a training program for young actors that inspires mastery of the craft and love of the art in a non-competitive environment. Actors ages 8-16 will build their acting technique through exercises, scene work, and monologue under the guidance of a professional acting coach in preparation for a professional career in show business.

AFTER-SCHOOL MARKETPLACE

Check out our golf programs for kids ages 3 to 12 in NYC!

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REGISTER TODAY for Summer Art Colony Day Camps & Fall After School Classes at CMANY.ORG! 103 Charlton St, NYC • 212.276.0986 • cmany.org

103 Charlton Street, NY, NY www.cmany.org

Galli Theater New York BIG OPENING IN TRIBECA SEPTEMBER 8th 2018 !

Galli Theater At GSM 74 Warren Street New York, NY 10007 212-731-0668

galliny@gmail.com gallitheaternyc.com

BIRTHDAY PARTIES • CAMPS • PERFORMANCES

BigAppleParent 25

things to do

outbound

Family Fun a Ride Away

This sailboat at the Nyack Boat Charter fits up to 12 people.

Courtesy The Challenger Center

Courtesy The Nyack Boat Charter

In Rockland County, NY‌

Students can learn STEM skills through hands-on, fully immersive experiences.

The Challenger Center

The Nyack Boat Charter

Want to enjoy a beautiful family day out on the Hudson without buying a boat? Nyack Boat Charter allows you and the family take a 2-hour afternoon or sunset sail in a 54-foot sailboat. With purchase of boarding ticket, you can enjoy a complimentary, local craft beer or regional wine while the kids enjoy the sunset over Nyack. You can also extend the luxury by renting a private charter for a half day, full day, overnight, or multiple days. All charters include a captain and crew, tubing, and refreshments.

Visit It: 11 Burd St., Nyack; 845-535-1675; nyackboatcharter.com

This hands-on, STEM learning center uses space-themed simulated learning and role-playing to bring STEM skills to life for students, teaching problem solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. All experiences are designed for middle school students, are led by trained Flight Directors, and occur in a fully immersive Space Station and Mission Control. This nonprofit education organization explores hands-on discovery opportunities that inspire students to pursue careers in these fields. This day trip is fun and exciting for the whole family while also serving as an integral learning experience.

Visit It: 225 NY-59, Airmont; 845-357-3416; challenger.org

Courtesy The Castle Fun Center

Courtesy Ramapo Mountain State Forest

o and bey nd!

Ramapo Mountain State Forest offers beautiful views from numerous rock outcroppings and ledges.

Take a turn on a zip line overlooking Orange County, more than 100 feet in the air.

Ramapo Mountain State Forest

The Castle Fun Center

This new network of five loop trails provides unbeatable views, all while allowing visitors to get fresh air and exercise. This 4,269-acre sanctuary is home to birds and other wildlife species, thanks to the ponds, streams, marshes, and a large lake. Some trails even provide views of the New York City skyline, so you can get away from the city without feeling too far from home.

Visit It: Oakland, New Jersey; Take Route 287 to exit 57, follow Skyline Drive; state.nj.us; 609-777-3373

This amusement park in Orange County just about has it all. From three go-kart tracks, laser tag, roller skating, and rides, to zip lining, rock climbing, and more! Bring the whole family, friends, or even a large group because the wide variety of activities ensures there will be something for everyone to do, from kids to seniors. Due to the wide variety of attractions, you’ll want to set aside a full day to explore. The Castle Fun Center also offers daily Skate Sessions, a party venue, and mini golf.

Visit It: 109 Brookside Ave., Chester; 845-469-2116

Ideas When You Need Them:

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Turn the page for details on ‘James and the Giant Peach, Jr.’ (No. 2 on our list).

AUGUST

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

EDITOR: WHITNEY C. HARRIS nyccalendar@davlermedia.com

CALENDAR

28

Editor’s Hot Tickets

29

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!

34

30

Smarty Pants, Special Needs 35

31

Crafty Kids

32

Movers & Shakers

33

Fun Fairs & Festivals

The Great Outdoors, On Screen Mini Musicians, Dance Party

36

Show Time!

37

Little Foodies, Animal Lovers

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the 10 events we consider can’t-miss—the ones we’re taking our own kids to. Consider it your cheat sheet to the best of what’s great this month!

1

Family Adventure Race FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 9-10am and 10-11am WHERE: Inwood Hill Park, Seaman Avenue and Isham Street, Inwood AGES: All WHAT: Timed races take place on an obstacle course featuring 12 activity stations. Team members must find each station and perform the required exercise together before advancing to the next station and a final dash to the finish line.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Your chance to do the javelin throw, jump rope, hurdles, mini climbing wall, and more.

WANT TO GO? cityparksfoundation.org.

‘James and the Giant Peach, Jr.’

2

WHEN: Aug. 3-4, Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm and 7pm WHERE: Beacon High School, 522 W. 44th St., Midtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Roald Dahl’s book is now a musical for the whole family to enjoy, starring the Wingspan Players in fifth-seventh grades.

WHY WE LOVE IT: The score is as wonderful as the story.

WANT TO GO? $10-$15. 212-586-2330. wingspanarts.org.

3

Kids Appreciation Day FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 5, 11:30am-1pm WHERE: SeaGlass Carousel at The Battery, Water and State streets, Lower Manhattan AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy live music by award-winning singer/songwriter Suzi Shelton and free face painting and balloon animals.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHY WE LOVE IT: Aside from the free entertainment, carousel tickets are just $5 each.

WANT TO GO? 212-344-3491. seaglasscarousel.nyc.

106.7 LITE FM’s Broadway in Bryant Park FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 16: Thursdays, 12:30-1:30pm WHERE: Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue, between 40th and 42nd streets, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Check out weekly open-air lunch-hour performances featuring the best Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Theater fans in the NYC area can expect musical numbers from hit shows such as Waitress, SpongeBob SquarePants, Beautiful, School of Rock, Wicked, and many more.

WHY WE LOVE IT: New this year, Disney on Broadway will take over Broadway in Bryant Park on Aug. 2 with performances from the hit shows Aladdin, Frozen, and The Lion King.

WANT TO GO? litefm.com.

4

Third Annual NYC Math Festival FREE

5

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 18, 10am-4pm WHERE: Fosun Plaza, 28 Liberty St., Lower Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Expect hands-on math exhibits, games, and intriguing puzzles and brainteasers.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Plus, there will be performances, group constructions of giant geometric sculptures, and the largest bagel-juggling event you’ve ever seen.

WANT TO GO? 212-542-0566. momath.org.

6

Summer on the Hudson: FlyNYC FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 18, 12-5pm WHERE: Pier 1, Riverside Park South, West 70th Street and Riverside Boulevard, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Kite kits are provided free for children (while supplies last), or bring your own favorite kite from home.

WHY WE LOVE IT: You’ll feel like you’re floating on air listening to music and watching kites soar!

WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

37th Annual Battery Dance Festival FREE

7

WHEN: Aug. 11-18, daily, 7-9pm WHERE: Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park, 20 Battery Place, Battery Park City AGES: All WHAT: BDF revels in the panoply of dance our city offers, with strong emphasis on the inclusion of diverse dance styles and an international roster of performers.

WHY WE LOVE IT: This year’s featured artists include the best of New York City as well as dancers from Botswana, Canada, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Spain, Turkey, and a collection of India’s greatest Kathak dancers.

WANT TO GO? 212-219-3910. batterydance.org.

8

Seeing Double

WHEN: Aug. 13-19, Monday-Friday, 12-5pm; SaturdaySunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Inspired by the paintings of Mai-Thu Perret, museum guests will create string rorschach prints with paint.

WHY WE LOVE IT: Children and parents alike will appreciate trying their hand at the beauty of symmetry.

WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 212-941-9198. cmany.org.

25th Annual Harlem Meer Performance Festival FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 2: Sundays, 2-4pm WHERE: Central Park, Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, 110th Street, between Fifth and Lenox avenues, Central Park AGES: All WHAT: Expect a variety of performances featuring multi-cultural music and dance, family-friendly entertainment, and more.

WHY WE LOVE IT: You’ll love the lakeside views, and there are plenty of chances to stop by one Sunday.

WANT TO GO? 212-860-1370. centralparknyc.org.

9

Hudson RiverKids FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 13: Mondays and Thursdays, see website for times WHERE: Pier 62, Hudson River Park and West 22nd Street, Chelsea; and Pier 25, West and North Moore streets, Tribeca AGES: All WHAT: From music to magic to interactive storytelling, this summer program brings twice-a-week performances to two different locations for family to enjoy. This month’s performers include The Pop-Ups, Suzi Shelton, Joanie Leeds, Mike Messer, and Penny Jones Puppets.

WHY WE LOVE IT: If you attend just one of the great offerings on the Hudson this summer, this one should be it because it’s dedicated to little ones!

WANT TO GO? hudsonriverpark.org.

10

WE CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FREE

Think a freebie has to be ho-hum? Don’t let the price tag (or lack of one) fool you. Here are the five no-cost events we’re excited about now. You’re welcome.

Le Carrousel’s Magique FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 5: Sundays, 2-3pm WHERE: Bryant Park’s Le Carrousel, Bryant Park, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: It’s fun for the whole family when the world’s best magicians perform fun-filled tricks for kids of all ages.

WANT TO GO? 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org/programs/le-carrousel-magique.

Black Love Fest NY 2018 FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 19, 12-5pm WHERE: Sugar Hill Children’s Museum, 898 St. Nicholas Ave., Sugar Hill AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy music performances, DJs sets, art installations, and art making workshops led by The Black School in promoting a cultural movement for Black love. There will be merchandise and food vendors too.

WANT TO GO? 212-335-0004. blacklovefest.org.

Discovery Walks for Families: Towering Trees FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 25: Saturdays, 10-11:30am and 1-2:30pm WHERE: Loeb Boathouse Express Café, The Ramble, East Drive and 75th Street, Central Park AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Bring your family for a guided walk and discover why Central Park is a sanctuary for plants, animals, and humans alike. Learn about the architecture, landscapes, and ecosystems of the park through handson exploration.

WANT TO GO? 212-310-6600. centralparknyc.org.

Free Kids Yoga FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 12: Wednesdays, 10-10:45am WHERE: Washington Square Park, 12 Washington Square North, Washington Square AGES: All WHAT: Kids can join in the yoga fun as they stretch and move to songs, rhymes, and more with Sacred Sounds Yoga.

WANT TO GO? 212-396-5873. nycgovparks.org.

Uni Project FREE

WHEN: Through Oct. 21: Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm WHERE: FDR Four Freedoms Park, 1 FDR Four Freedoms Park, Roosevelt Island AGES: All WHAT: Fun-filled weekends with offerings like a pop-up reading room, story hour, and a curated collection of books and hands-on materials.

WANT TO GO? 212-204-8831. fdrfourfreedomspark.org. ››

BigAppleParent 29

Lost British Forts of Long Island

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 23, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl St., Lower Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: When the Revolutionary War broke out and New York City had fallen in 1776, the British forces developed a network of forts along the length of Long Island. Author David M. Griffin will discuss the network of fortifications covered within his book.

WANT TO GO? $10. 212-425-1778. frauncestavernmuseum.org.

Pop Up Maker Space FREE

SMARTY PANTS Just Math: How Math Provides Fairness & Balance in the Courtroom FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 1, 4-5:30pm and 7-8:30pm WHERE: National Museum of Mathematics, 11 E. 26th St., Gramercy AGES: All WHAT: Take your seat as a member of the MoMath “jury” and make the best decision you can. Then find out what the math says about your conclusions.

WANT TO GO? 212-542-0566. momath.org.

Wet Water Lab

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 11am–2pm WHERE: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., East Harlem AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Compare pH levels of tap water and water from the Harlem Meer. Document your findings like a scientist to take home with you.

WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors and students; free for children 19 and younger. 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

Second Sunday Family Tours

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 12, 10:30am-12pm WHERE: Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Enjoy a family-oriented tour that incorporates conversation and creative hands-on gallery activities while exploring the exhibitions on view.

WANT TO GO? $20 per family (includes admission and tour for two adults and up to four children); $15 members; free for Family Members and Cool Culture families. 212-423-3500. guggenheim.org.

Chess Lecture and Simul Series: Grandmaster Susan Polgar FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 18, 11am-3pm WHERE: Chess & Checkers House, Mid-Park at 64th Street, Central Park AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Learn techniques from world-renowned chess experts. Then put your new skills to the test against a grandmaster while they challenge 30 participants—simultaneously!

WANT TO GO? 212-794-4064. centralparknyc.org.

Stroller Tours

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 21, 3-4pm WHERE: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Enjoy an interactive, stroller-friendly tour of current exhibitions led by museum educators, featuring touchable objects, art-making, and adult conversation.

WANT TO GO? $25 per stroller. 212-423-3500. guggenheim.org.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Aug. 26: Sundays, 11am-3pm WHERE: Pier 84, Hudson River Park, 555 Twelfth Ave., Midtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Tinker and learn by constructing solutions to marine-focused challenges.

WANT TO GO? 212-627-2020. hudsonriverpark.org.

Astronomy Live: The Grand Tour of the Universe

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 28, 6:30pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Brian Abbott and Jillian Bellovary guide you from Earth to the most distant objects in the observable universe.

WANT TO GO? $15; $13.50 seniors and students. 212-769-5800. amnh.org.

Ripley’s Relic

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: daily, 9am-1am WHERE: Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Times Square, 234 W. 42nd St., Midtown AGES: All WHAT: This 15-minute interactive experience will transform visitors into explorers, working together to unlock a series of puzzles.

WANT TO GO? $15. 212-398-3133. ripleysnewyork.com.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Youth Wheelchair Basketball Hosted by New York Rolling Fury FREE

WHEN: Aug. 5-26, Sundays, 1-3:30pm WHERE: Gertrude Ederle Recreation Center Accessible, 232 W. 60th St., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Learn how to play wheelchair basketball while scrimmaging against other wheelchair basketball players from the NYC area.

WANT TO GO? 646-632-7344. nycgovparks.org.

Autism Spectrum Tour: The Discovery Squad FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 1: Saturdays, 9-10am WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Families with members on the autism spectrum can attend a tour led by specially trained guides before the museum opens to the public.

WANT TO GO? 212-769-5100. amnh.org.

Access+Ability

WHEN: Through Sept. 3: Sunday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturdays, 10am-9pm WHERE: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This exhibit displays more than 70 products, projects, and services developed by and with people with disabilities.

WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors; $9 students; free for children younger than 18. 212-849-8400. cooperhewitt.org.

CRAFTY KIDS

BECAUSE THE RIGHT START MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE… APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2019/2020 NURSERY Ͳ 12th Grade

Moving Architecture

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 10:30-11:45am WHERE: The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, Battery Park City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn architectural designs and construct a tower using kinetic design WANT TO GO? $5. 212-945-6324. skyscraper.org.

Water All Around: Watercolor Painting

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 6, 11am-2pm WHERE: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., East Harlem AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn about bodies of water in NYC and create watercolor paintings.

WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors and students; free for children 19 and younger. 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

Join us for a private tour at our waterfront campus on East 23rd St and see just what makes BISͲNY so special…

On your visit spend some time with our remarkable students and staff, explore our impressive onͲsite facilities, and discover a worldͲclass and balanced education where there is space for both rigor and recess.

Family Afternoon: Sacred Fashion

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 12, 1-4pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Enjoy hands-on family fun around the theme Sacred Fashion.

WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.

Giant Drawings

WHEN: Aug. 13-17, Monday-Friday, 12-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Create your own drawing using a giant pencil.

WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 212-941-9198. cmany.org.

MORE THAN A SCHOOL, IT’S THEIR FUTURE. Call (212) 481- 2700 or visit www.bis-ny.org

Family Owned & Operated for 62 Years!

Modular Architecture Workshop

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 18, 10:30-11:45am WHERE: The Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, Battery Park City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Kids will design modular systems to create their own towers.

WANT TO GO? $5. 212-945-6324. skyscraper.org.

Sony Square Photo Walk Tour with Kenneth Hines Jr. FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 25, 11:30am-2:30pm WHERE: Sony Square NYC, 25 Madison Ave., Madison Square Park AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Receive tips on taking photos for beauty and fashion blogging.

WANT TO GO? 210-535-7728. https://eventbrite.com/e/ lifestyle-portrait-photo-walk-with-kenneth-hines-jr-tickets-45805663974.

Little Landscapes of North America

WHEN: Aug. 27-31, Monday-Friday, 12-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Explore the Great Plains, the Rockies, or the MesoAmerican Barrier Reef!

WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 212-941-9198. cmany.org.

P.S. Art: Celebrating the Creative Spirit of NYC Kids

WHEN: Through Oct. 21: Sunday-Thursday, 10am-5:30pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-9pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper East Side AGES: All WHAT: See the creativity of young artists and appreciate the city’s culture.

WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org. ››

New Jersey's Only Western Theme Park!

LIVE ACTION SHOWS • TRAIN, STAGECOACH & PONY RIDE MEET LEGENDS OF THE WEST • EXPLORE FRONTIER LIFE FAMILY FUN • AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

OPEN DAILY June 18th – Labor Day

OPEN WEEKENDS Labor Day – Columbus Day N

LESS THA M NY RS FRO

2H A CITY ARE FREE PARKIN G!

$5.00 OFF FAMILY OF 4 ADMISSION WITH PRINTOUT OR MENTION OF NYMETROPARENTS. OFFER EXPIRES COLUMBUS DAY, 2018 MAN

(973) 347-8900 WildWestCity.com 50 LackawannA Dr. Stanhope, NJ 07874 BigAppleParent 31

WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue at Hudson River Park, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Explore the enduring legacy of a legendary Broadway director and choreographer through an exciting live performance and expert discussion of how Robbins brought the sensibility of the streets alive on the stage.

WANT TO GO? $40. 212-843-9381. intrepidmuseum.org.

Citi Summer in the Square 2018 FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 9: Thursdays, see website for times WHERE: Union Square, 33 E. 17th St., Union Square AGES: All WHAT: Every Thursday during the summer stop by for a changing lineup of fitness classes, family-friendly activities and shows, live music and dance performances, and movie nights.

WANT TO GO? 212-460-1200. summerinthesquare.nyc.

MOVERS & SHAKERS Design Kids: Imagination Playground FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 1: Wednesdays, 11am-1pm WHERE: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St., Upper East Side AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Stimulate your child’s creativity and head to Cooper Hewitt to play at Imagination Playground, giant mobile construction blocks that children can use for creative play.

WANT TO GO? 212-849-8353. cooperhewitt.org.

Stand Up & Speak Out: Zine Making

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 1, 11am-2pm WHERE: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., East Harlem AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Discover key social movements, leading activists, and how ordinary New Yorkers have exercised their power to shape the city’s and the nation’s future in the exhibition Activist New York. Create a zine championing a cause you care about.

WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors and students; free for children 19 and younger. 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

‘All-of-a-Kind Family’ Walking Tour

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 5, 11am-12:30pm WHERE: Museum at Eldridge Street, 12 Eldridge St., Lower East Side AGES: All WHAT: What was it like to be a kid on the Lower East Side in the early 20th century? Find out as you follow in the footsteps of Ella, Henny, Sarah, Charlotte, and Gertie, the beloved sisters depicted in Sydney Taylor’s children’s classic.

WANT TO GO? $14; $8 students and seniors; free for children younger than 5. 212-219-0302. eldridgestreet.org.

Meet Adelaide Hermann, the Queen of Magic!

WHEN: Aug. 4-5, Saturday-Sunday, 12-1:45pm and 2:30-4pm WHERE: DiMenna Children’s Museum at New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park W., Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: See magicienne and scholar Margaret Steele pay homage to Madame Hermann with her tribute to historical illusions.

WANT TO GO? $21; $16 teachers and seniors; $13 students; $6 children ages 5-13; free for children younger than 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org/childrens-museum.

100th Birthday of Broadway Legend Jerome Robbins WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 9, 7pm 32

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

City Parks Foundation Get Up & Go FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 10: See website for registration and activity times WHERE: Parks across New York City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This twice-weekly program will keep youngsters active all summer with activities, including obstacle courses, relay races, kickball, frisbee, climbing, and golf.

WANT TO GO? 212-353-9585. cityparksfoundation.org.

Summer City Games

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 13, 11am–2pm WHERE: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., East Harlem AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Explore images from the collections while you try your hand at indoor and street games that have been played by New Yorkers for centuries.

WANT TO GO? $18; $12 seniors and students; free for children 19 and younger. 212-534-1672. mcny.org.

Washington & Hamilton in New York City

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 18, 11am-1pm WHERE: Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl St., Lower Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: American history comes alive on the streets where it happened as you find yourself in historic locations critical to the lives and partnership of Alexander Hamilton and George Washington.

WANT TO GO? $20. 212-425-1778. frauncestavernmuseum.org.

Story Time Yoga For Babies & Toddlers

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 20, 4-4:45pm WHERE: Prenatal Yoga Center, 251 W. 72nd St., #2F, Upper West Side AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Introduce your little one to the mind-body practice of yoga in this fun caregiver-child class geared toward babies and toddlers 6-36 months old. Listen to two stories, one active and one calming, to inspire a yoga journey while exploring breath awareness, yoga poses, and creative ways to find calm.

WANT TO GO? $30. 212-362-2985. prenatalyogacenter.com.

Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 25, Grounds open at 9:30am, events go on all day WHERE: USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park Road, Flushing, Queens AGES: All WHAT: The family day precursor to the US Open, will be jampacked with interactive games, facepainting, storytelling, and performances (TBA).

WANT TO GO? $10 and up. 718-760-6200. arthurashekidsday.com.

One Wheel the West Side FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 30, 10am WHERE: West Side and Central Park, Battery Park North at the start of the NYC Greenway, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: One-wheel riders will meet up in Battery Park and ride up the west side.

WANT TO GO? nycunifest.com.

The Cathedral School 319 East 74th Street, New York City

A Classical Education for the Modern World

Brookfield Place Tennis Open FREE

WHEN: Aug. 25-31, see website for schedule WHERE: Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey St., Battery Park City AGES: All WHAT: Cheer on corporate teams as they compete against each other.

WANT TO GO? 212-978-1698. brookfieldplaceny.com.

Join Us For A Private Tour Dynamic preschool program offering half-day and full day options Kindergarten through 8th grade co-educational day school with advanced curriculum

#TheSweatSessions FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 4: Tuesdays, 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm WHERE: Hudson River Park’s 14th Street Park, Tenth Avenue, between 14th and 15th streets, Meatpacking District AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Join the Meatpacking District for free fitness classes.

WANT TO GO? 646-640-3610. thesweatsessions.splashthat.com.

Apply Now LEARN MORE AND SCHEDULE A VISIT:

212.249.2840/admissions@cathedralschoolny.org/www.cathedralschoolny.org

for

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS The 15th Annual New York Musical Festival

WHEN: Through Aug. 5: daily, see website for times WHERE: Various locations, Theater District, Times Square AGES: 5 and older WHAT: This year’s festival has some family-friendly shows, including Pedro Pan; What’s Your Wish?; and The Gunfighter Meets His Match.

WANT TO GO? $31.75 and up. 212-664-0979. nymf.org.

Throwback Thursdays FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 9: Thursdays, 11am-7pm WHERE: Flatiron North Public Plaza, East 23rd Street, between Fifth and Madison avenues, Flatiron District AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy giant games and cornhole sets. Local businesses will join in on the fun to provide cultural education from 12-2pm on select Thursdays.

WANT TO GO? 212-741-2323. flatirondistrict.nyc/summer2018.

A Tradition of Excellence for Age 2 through Grade 8 www.TheEpiphanySchool.org (212) 473-4128

Dream! It’s a Family Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 25, 10am-1pm WHERE: The High Line, Tenth Avenue, between 15th and 16th streets, Chelsea AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Imagine the future with story time, music, art, and walking guides.

WANT TO GO? 212-500-6035. thehighline.org.

Positively 8th Street Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 11, 1-7pm WHERE: West 8th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: A celebration of 8th Street with music, food, and family fun.

WANT TO GO? 212-777-2173. greenwichvillage.nyc.

Hester Street Fair 2018 FREE

WHEN: Through Oct. 27: Saturdays, 11am-6pm WHERE: Hester Street Fair, Essex and Hester streets, Lower East Side AGES: All WHAT: Peruse handmade goods and food or participate in a workshop.

WANT TO GO? hesterstreetfair.com. ›› BigAppleParent 33

ON SCREEN ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’: An Anime Afternoon at Paley FREE

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 2018 Summer Playstreets Program FREE

WHEN: Aug. 1-9, Monday-Thursday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Various locations, see website for addresses, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and Sugar Hill AGES: All WHAT: The Police Athletic League is operating 15 Playstreets throughout the five boroughs this summer, in addition to offering sports leagues, including Cops & Kids teams, and summer day camps, serving nearly 10,000 children. Playstreets activities include fitness challenges, nutrition education, and basketball clinics and tournaments.

WANT TO GO? 212-477-9450. palnyc.org.

Summer on the Hudson: Underwater Neighbors of Riverside Park FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 11, 3-6pm WHERE: The Plaza at 66th Street in Riverside Park South, 66th Street and Riverside Boulevard, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Join the educators from Hudson River Sloop Clearwater to catch, observe, and identify fish and invertebrates.

WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Summer Streets 2018 FREE

WHEN: Aug. 4-18, Saturdays, 7am-1pm WHERE: Between Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park, along Park Avenue and connecting streets, Lafayette Street and Park Avenue up to 72nd Street, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Summer Streets opens nearly 7 miles of NYC’s streets for healthy recreation and encourages New Yorkers to use more sustainable forms of transportation. See website for locations and activity highlights.

WANT TO GO? nyc.gov.

Summer on the Hudson: Sun Gaze Sundays FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 23: Sundays, 12-4pm WHERE: Pier 1, Riverside Park South, West 70th Street and Hudson River Greenway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: The Amateur Astronomers Association and solargazing return with solar telescopes specifically designed to safely look at the sun and see sunspots and prominences under a summer sky.

WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Governors Island Open Season

WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-7pm WHERE: Governors Island, Ferries leave from Pier 6, Brooklyn Bridge Park and 10 South St., Manhattan, New York Harbor AGES: All WHAT: It’s time once again to hop on the ferry to Governors Island to enjoy beautifully lush landscapes and a calendar full of concerts and free programming.

WANT TO GO? $3; free for children younger than 13; free for all passengers Saturday-Sunday until 11:30am. 212-440-2200. govisland.com.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 1pm dubbed screening, 4pm Japanese subtitled screening WHERE: The Paley Center for Media, 25 W. 52nd St., Midtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Join The Paley Center for Media, GKIDS, and Anime NYC to celebrate Studio Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service, with a fun-filled afternoon of arts, crafts, and contests, with special prizes for all the winners.

WANT TO GO? 212-621-6780. paleycenter.org.

Bryant Park Movie Nights FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 10: Mondays, 5pm WHERE: Bryant Park, between 40th and 42nd streets and Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Bring a blanket and sit on the lawn to enjoy food, friends, and a film. This month, watch The Wiz, Thelma and Louise, and The Terminator. Lawn opens 5pm and film begins at sunset. Food items for sale curated by Hester Street Fair.

WANT TO GO? 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org.

2018 Summer Movie Series FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 10: Fridays, 8pm WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: Bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and blankets to view Ghostbusters and a community choice pick outdoors on a huge inflatable screen.

WANT TO GO? 212-925-2812. intrepidmuseum.org.

Central Park Conservancy Film Festival: ‘The Muppets Take Manhattan’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 17, 6:30pm WHERE: Central Park, Mid-Park at 69th Street, Central Park AGES: All WHAT: The Central Park Conservancy is teaming up with the Museum of the Moving Image and the Museum of the City of New York for the 16th annual Central Park Conservancy Film Festival.

WANT TO GO? 212-310-6600. centralparknyc.org.

Outdoor Movie Night: ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 19, 8pm WHERE: Randall’s Island Park, 20 Randall’s Island Park, Randall’s Island AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Watch Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13) under the stars!

WANT TO GO? 212-830-7722. randallsisland.org.

Summer on the Hudson: Pier 1 Picture Show FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 22: Wednesdays, 8:30pm WHERE: Pier 1, Riverside Park South, West 70th Street and Hudson River Greenway, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: This month, watch Coco, Summer Wars, WALL·E, and Up. WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Hudson RiverFlicks: Family Fridays FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 24: Fridays, 8:30pm WHERE: Pier 46, Hudson River Park, Charles Street and Hudson River Greenway, Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: Watch family favorites in your backyard! This month’s films include Paddington 2, Spice World, The Karate Kid (1984), and Coco.

WANT TO GO? 212-757-0981. hudsonriverpark.org.

MINI

MUSICIANS Start with Art and Music

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 3, 3:30-4:30pm WHERE: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., Upper West Side AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Move and sing while exploring art and music. This month’s theme is Fashion and the Imagination.

WANT TO GO? $25; $17 seniors; $12 students; free for children younger than 12. 212-535-7710. metmuseum.org.

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NYMetroParents

Sweet Spot Festival FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 3-9pm Get advance notice on activities, WHERE: West Harlem Pier Park, 125th and Marginal streets, Harlem AGES: All participate in group discussions WHAT: A family-friendly gathering of music lovers of all ages, featuring and receive special Reggae, Soulful House, and Disco. notices.

WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org.

Mad. Sq. Kids Concert Series FREE

www.facebook.com/nymetroparents WHEN: Through Aug. 15: Wednesdays, 10-11am WHERE: Madison Square Park, 24th Street and Madison Avenue, Madison Square Park AGES: All ACTIVITIES EVENTS MORE WHAT: Children can dance and sing-along to today’s top children’s artists.

WANT TO GO? 212-520-7600. madisonsquarepark.org.

SongWriting

WHEN: Aug. 23-26, Thursday-Friday, 12-5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Try out different genres, instruments, and lyrics.

WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 212-941-9198. cmany.org.

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NYMetroParents

FREE Family GetMusic advance

notice on activities, WHEN: Through Aug. 29: Tuesdays, 6-6:30pm participate in group WHERE: Pats Lawn in Inwood Hill Park, discussions West 218th Street and Indian Road, Inwood and receive AGES: Newborn to 5 special notices.

WHAT: Music is used as a vehicle for kids to learn about the world.

WANT TO GO? 212-569-4112. nycgovparks.org.

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DANCE PARTY NYMetroParents Young Dancemakers Company FREE

GetAug. advance notice on activities, WHEN: Wednesday, 1, 2pm WHERE: Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Upper West Side participate in group discussions AGES: All WHAT: Featuring choreography by NYC teens, with live music and colorand receive special notices. ful themes, this concert concludes with audience participation on stage.

WANT TO GO? 718-329-7300 x3358. youngdancemakerscompany.org.

Techno-Love Series with Cynthia Alberto

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 2, 6-8:30pm www.facebook.com/nymetroparents WHERE: The Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, Upper West Side AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The program begins with a 20-minute performance featuring 30 dancers, emphasizing the inclusive, communal nature of Alberto’s work.

WANT TO GO? Free with Pay-What-You-Wish Admission. 212-2997777. madmuseum.org.

Join

11th Great Jazz on the Great Hill FREE

NYMetroParents

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 4pm WHERE: Central Park Great Hill, Enter the Park at 106th Street and Central Park West, Upper West Side AGES: All Get advance notice on activities, WHAT: Co-presented by Jazzmobile and the Central Park Conservancy, Great in group Jazz on the Greatparticipate Hill features live music and swingdiscussions dancing in the park.

WANT TO GO? and 212-310-6600. receivecentralparknyc.org. special notices.

Mad. Sq. Music: Summer Nights FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 15: Wednesdays, 6pm WHERE: Madison Square Park, 24th Street and Madison Avenue, www.facebook.com/nymetroparents Madison Square Park AGES: All WHAT: Music from across the world comes together for this vibrant series of concerts. Experience NYC talent in genres from salsa to soul.

WANT TO GO? 212-520-7600. madisonsquarepark.org.

Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens Open House FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 25, 9am-5pm WHERE: Broadway Dance Center, 37 W. 65th St., 3rd floor, Upper West Side AGES: All WHAT: Visit Broadway Dance Center’s studios and check out a variety of 2018-2019 season class offerings. There will be free trial classes for ages 2-18.

Meet the teachers, engage in activities, and leave with a free goodie bag.

WANT TO GO? 212-457-0035. bdcchildrenandteens.com. ››

www.facebook.com/nymetroparents ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

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NYMetroParents

Get advance notice on activities, participate in group discussions and receive special notices.

www.facebook.com/nymetroparents BigAppleParent 35

FunikiJam’s Totally Awesome Summer!

WHEN: Through Aug. 26: select Sundays, 11am WHERE: Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47th St., Midtown AGES: 3-8 WHAT: The guitar-wielding Captain Jam and his live band of musicians, storytellers, and dancers take the stage and invite the audience to join a musical adventure around the globe, with a chance for kids to come up on stage to play a drum solo or sing in a microphone.

WANT TO GO? $30. 347-913-5267. funikijam.com/offbroadway.

‘Molasses in January’

SHOW TIME! Global Crossroads | Rubel FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 1, 6pm WHERE: Times Square Plaza, Broadway, between 42nd and 43rd streets, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: A rising star, singer, and songwriter performs his unique style of Brazilian indie-folk.

WANT TO GO? 212-768-1560. timessquarenyc.org.

‘Golly Gee Whiz!’

WHEN: Through Aug. 2: Tuesday-Thursday, 12pm and 2pm; Friday, 12pm; Saturday, 2pm, 4pm and 7pm WHERE: TADA! Youth Theater, 15 W. 28th St., 3rd floor, Chelsea AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Happyville’s residents are unmotivated and bored. Eager to make a change, a group of local children band together to re-establish Happyville as the optimistic town it once was.

WANT TO GO? $25; $15 children. 212-252-1619. tadatheater.com.

‘Red Riding Hood: The Musical’

WHEN: Aug. 4-5, Saturday-Sunday, 2pm WHERE: The 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side AGES: 3-12 WHAT: This 35-minute show will warm your heart, tickle your funny bone, and quite possibly make you very hungry for cake.

WANT TO GO? $18. 212-415-5500. 92y.org.

‘Chalk’

WHEN: Through Aug. 11: Saturdays, 2:30pm WHERE: Kraine Theater, 85 E. 4th St., East Village AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Chalk invites audiences into a hand-drawn world where imagination is made real and anything can happen.

WANT TO GO? $12; $5 for children younger than 12. 212-777-6088. horsetrade.info.

‘As You Like It’

WHEN: Aug. 10-12, Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 2pm; Sunday, 7pm WHERE: Beacon High School, 522 W. 44th St., Midtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Wingspan Ensemble’s production of As You Like It will balance the timeliness of strong female-centered stories with the timelessness of Shakespeare’s poetry.

WANT TO GO? $10-$15. 212-586-2330. wingspanarts.org.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: Wednesday-Thursday, 7:30pm; Saturday, 5pm WHERE: Theater Center, 210 W. 50th St., Midtown AGES: 9 and older WHAT: A charming historical-fiction musical that tells the story of struggling Italian immigrants who are swept up in the Boston Molasses disaster of 1919.

WANT TO GO? $58 and up. 212-921-7862. molassesinjanuary.net.

Gazillion Bubble Show

WHEN: Through Nov. 18: Check website for showtimes WHERE: New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., Midtown AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Experience mind-blowing bubble magic, spectacular laser lighting effects, and momentary soapy masterpieces that will make you smile, laugh, and feel like a kid again.

WANT TO GO? $45 and up. 212-239-6200. gazillionbubbleshow.com.

‘The Wizard of Oz’

WHEN: Through Nov. 24: select Saturdays, 3pm WHERE: Harlem Rep, Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 E. 123rd St., Harlem AGES: All WHAT: The classic musical is being performed by a multi-racial cast with a jazzy underscore and authoritative dramaturgy by representatives of the Yip Harburg Foundation.

WANT TO GO? $10 and up. 212-868-4444. harlemrepertorytheatre.com.

Story Pirates

WHEN: Through Dec. 15: select Saturdays and Sundays, 12pm WHERE: Arthur Seleen Theatre at The Drama Book Shop, 250 W. 40th St., Midtown AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Using stories submitted by children, the Story Pirates create outlandishly funny sketches and mini-musicals.

WANT TO GO? $35. 347-878-6798. storypirates.com.

‘Frankenstein’

WHEN: Through Dec. 17: Mondays, 7pm WHERE: St. Luke’s Theatre, 308 W. 46th St., Midtown AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Published in 1818, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is in its bicentennial year, and this musical honors its source material.

WANT TO GO? $20 and up. 212-246-8140. thefrankensteinmusical.com.

Disney’s ‘Frozen: The Broadway Musical’

WHEN: Through March 10, 2019: Tuesday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44th St., Midtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Following the success of the 2013 animated movie, Frozen the Musical expands on the story of two sisters, giving more time to the characters we’ve come to love.

WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 877-250-2900. seatsforeveryone.com/frozen.

LITTLE FOODIES Children’s Potions and Planting Tea Party

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 10-11:30am WHERE: The McKittrick Hotel, 530 W. 27th St., Chelsea AGES: 5-12 WHAT: A family-friendly brunch at the hotel’s rooftop garden hideaway, where parents and favorite stuffed animal are invited too.

WANT TO GO? $25. 212-904-1880. mckittrickhotel.com.

The Amazing Ice Cream Scavenger Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 4, 1:30pm WHERE: Slattery’s Midtown Pub, 8 E. 36th St., #3, Midtown AGES: All WHAT: A series of clues leads you around the city performing physical and mental challenges along the way, all in the name of ice cream!

WANT TO GO? $39. 718-344-8962. pogoevents.com.

PotLot Shabbat Dinners @ JCC Harlem

WHEN: Through Aug. 10: Fridays, 5:45pm WHERE: JCC Harlem, 318 W. 118th St., Harlem AGES: All WHAT: Head to the JCC’s outdoor space for an al fresco community gathering.

WANT TO GO? $10-$25. 646-505-5742. jccmanhattan.org.

FoodScapes

WHEN: Aug. 25-26, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Animate tiny people traversing a food landscape.

WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 212-941-9198. cmany.org.

Whole Foods Market Kids Cooking Summer Series

WHEN: Through Aug. 31: See website for class schedule WHERE: Whole Foods Market, various locations throughout Manhattan AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Kids will create fresh, flavorful recipes in these 45-minute classes.

WANT TO GO? See website for details. 718-406-7506. thecreativekitchen.com.

Camp Cookie Do FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 3: Sunday-Thursday, 12-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 12-11pm WHERE: Chefs Club Counter, 62 Spring St., Soho AGES: All WHAT: Delicious takes on classic childhood camp desserts, activities, and more.

WANT TO GO? 646-438-9172. chefsclubcounter.com.

ANIMAL LOVERS Evening Bat Walks in Central Park

WHEN: Through Aug. 3: Fridays, 8pm WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street, Upper West Side AGES: 7 and older WHAT: Walk with detectors that amplify the animals’ otherwise inaudible high-frequency chirps.

WANT TO GO? $40; $25 for children 12 and younger. 212-769-5800. amnh.org.

Animals of New York City Takeover!

WHEN: Aug. 6-10, Monday-Friday, 12-5pm WHERE: Children’s Museum of the Arts, 103 Charlton St., Greenwich Village AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Animate creatures of New York taking over the city, including cockroaches, pigeons, and rats.

WANT TO GO? $13; free for children younger than 1. 212-941-9198. cmany.org.

Nature Center Adventures FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 18: Thursdays-Sunday, 11am-12pm WHERE: Payson Center in Inwood Hill Park, Payson Avenue and Dyckman Street, Inwood AGES: All WHAT: Scavenger hunts, nature games, and getting up close with the animals.

WANT TO GO? 212-304-2277. nycgovparks.org.

Astrology Tours: Tibetan Divination and Your Future

WHEN: Through Aug. 22: Wednesdays, 6-6:45pm WHERE: The Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St., Chelsea AGES: All WHAT: Explore the roots of Tibetan Buddhist astrology, find out your zodiac animal, and learn to read the cosmic turtle illustration in the White Beryl room.

WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors and students; free for children 12 and younger. 212-620-5000. rubinmuseum.org.

Big City Fishing FREE

WHEN: Through Aug. 26: Sundays, 11am-3pm WHERE: Hudson River Park, Pier 84, 555 Twelfth Ave., Midtown AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Fish while engaging with environmental educators about river science topics. All the rods, reels, and instruction provided.

WANT TO GO? 212-627-2020. hudsonriverpark.org.

Hudson River Nature Walk FREE

WHEN: Through Sept. 30: Sundays, 9am WHERE: Hudson River Park, Christopher Street Fountain, Greenwich Village AGES: All WHAT: Learn about Hudson River Park’s wildlife by joining knowledgeable naturalists on guided nature walks along the park’s esplanade.

WANT TO GO? 212-627-2020. hudsonriverpark.org.

Coming up next month: SEPT. 9: West Side County Fair on Pier 1 in Riverside Park South, Upper West Side SEPT. 21: Square Dance in Bryant Park, Midtown SEPT. 28-OCT. 7: Machine de Cirque at New Victory Theater, Midtown

BigAppleParent 37

raising kids baby

Sponsored by

The Different Ways to Talk to a Baby There’s more than one method to building up your little one’s speech skills.

T

alking to your baby can be fun, but it’s not all fun and games. Everything you say to an infant (and even a toddler) influences the way and the speed at which he learns to speak.

Narrating what you do every day, singing, reading, speaking in “baby talk,” asking questions, facilitating conversations, and virtually any noises you make when you are around your infant affects her speech development as well as other skills. In all, babies and toddlers need to hear more than 20,000 words a day, according to Krysti Maloney, M.S., CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist and supervisor at The Suffolk Center for Speech.

Clearly you need to talk a lot to your little one. But how should you speak, exactly? Whether you use nonsense words like “ittle-widdle,” sing-song speech, or address her like she is a full-grown adult, each of these approaches has a different impact on your child’s speech development. Certain methods such as baby-babble may come more naturally, while tactics like narrating what you’re doing may feel forced or uncomfortable at first.

However you talk to your baby, it is important to recognize the benefits and disadvantages of each method—and know when and how to use each.

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

››

By Melissa Wickes

Don’t Be Afraid of ‘Parentese’

Many experts have weighed in on the topic of baby talk, saying the best way to teach adult language to a baby is to speak to him as though he is a grown-up. However, ‘parentese’ (also known as infant-directed speech or ‘motherese’), a sing-song voice that puts emphasis on certain sounds, may be the best way to help a baby learn how to speak, according to a new Rutgers UniversityNewark study on infant-directed speech.

Parentese refers to the fluctuating speech patterns people use when speaking to babies, according to Corie Viscomi, M.A., CCC-SLP, director and speech-language pathologist at The Speech Studio in Chappaqua. While it may be second nature to speak to your baby in this cutesy, fun manner, you are actually facilitating speech development in doing so. This speech pattern makes it easier for babies to determine which words are the most important to the meaning of what you are saying because you are placing emphasis on the key words in the sentence.

“Changing the emphasis, speed, and pitch is a very good thing for infants because it helps kids differentiate between your words and background noise,” Viscomi says. “Motherese tells babies

what words to pay attention to and breaks down speech a little more, and infants need that.”

This form of speech will generally fade out gradually in accordance with the baby’s speech development, according to Viscomi, so there’s no need to determine a set time to stop speaking this way.

While changing intonation and melody when speaking, using elongated vowels and consonants, and changing pitches, it is important to remember to speak with precise pronunciation and accurate grammar, according to Maloney.

Part of speaking in parentese, according to Viscomi, is using a lot of repetition. Lisa Orban, mother of five and author of It’ll Feel Better when it Quits Hurting, found that using repetitive phrases such as ‘Who’s a good baby?’ or ‘Where’s the baby?’ were helpful in teaching her children to talk, but not accompanied by any sort of baby-talk.

“I used conversational English with them throughout their infancy going forward and never ‘dumbed down’ my speaking around them,” Orban says.

By the time her children entered preschool, Orban says they each had a far wider vocabulary than their peers and had an easier time determining words through context. “They also had a more nuanced understanding of humor and sarcasm, much higher than their age level,” she says.

Still, Megan Carolan, mother and director of policy research at the Institute for Child Success in Jersey City, NJ, emphasizes the fact that using baby talk is okay.

“Babies babble as they start finding their own abilities and they eventually try to imitate sounds,” Carolan says. “Cooing back and forth with them, especially when they are very little and just starting these noises, is a great contribution to their language development. It’s good to incorporate real words that they might hear more often (bottle, milk, crib, toy) alongside the cute versions like ‘baba.’ It doesn’t need to be one or the other.”

Avoid the Temptation of Telegraphic Speech

Telegraphic speech refers to the way children begin to speak—in shortened phrases, using only nouns and verbs, and omitting the “small words” such as adjectives and articles that make the sentence grammatically correct, according to Viscomi. Examples of telegraphic speech include “more cookie,” “mommy help,” and “doggie run.”

“Parents can be tempted to speak the same way to toddlers, assuming that it is easier for them to learn language this way,” Viscomi says. “This is not the case! Young children learn language by hearing language, so it is important to model grammatically correct sentences but in a simple way.”

Parents who use telegraphic speech more frequently tend to have children who know fewer words and take longer to learn to speak, according to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing. The study observed 55 parentchild pairs in which the children were on average 3 and 4 years old. While speaking this way to your young child may feel natural, it is not recommended, especially to children with delayed language development and autism spectrum disorder.

“Telegraphic speech won’t help the child learn grammar,” Viscomi says. “Kids can’t use proper grammar unless they’re hearing it. If you use the full grammatical structure of a sentence, young kids will be provided with a better language model.”

Facilitate Conversation, Don’t Interrogate

The more words a child hears a day, the better. But this doesn’t mean putting her in front of the TV or downloading apps on his iPad. Make conversation with your child, no matter her age or stage of development. It is important to keep interactions with a child at any age as lengthy as possible, but 1- to 2-year-olds often feel interrogated when we quiz them with a bunch of questions, according to Viscomi. One way to keep the conversation going without putting pressure on your young child is to make statements instead of asking questions. For example, try saying, “Oh, this cow looks hungry, I think it’s going to eat something” as opposed to “What animal is this? What does a cow eat? What does the cow say?” (This tactic is helpful with older kids and teens as well.)

“With children who are beginning to exhibit babbling, I often suggest imitating the sounds you hear them make,” Maloney says.

“A ‘conversation’ made up of pure baby-babble can be a helpful learning moment—your little one will start to learn the give-andtake of conversation and be more likely to imitate things he hears you say.”

Talking about what you’re doing while you’re doing it may feel silly or seem uncomfortable, but it is actually the best and easiest way to incorporate language learning into the everyday lives of kids, according to Viscomi. This kind of learning provides kids with tangible models for new concepts and vocabulary they may not have been exposed to otherwise.

“Babies take in so much well before they are able to respond,” Carolan says. “If you have your child in the stroller and you’re in the grocery store, talk about walking down the aisle, picking up pasta for dinner, etc.”

Facilitating open-ended conversations even before children can respond fosters language engagement, according to Carolan. It is important to be conscious of the fact that a lot of conversations young children have with adults consist of instruction: “Don’t touch that,” “No,” “Put on your coat.” Instead of leading primarily with instruction, Carolan suggests creating scenarios in which children can choose between options, such as deciding which color sweatshirt they want to wear. This not only fosters a richer vocabulary and language skills, but also self-regulation skills, she says.

Reading to, singing to, talking to, and having face-to-face interaction with your child is teaching him way more than you think. Reading is such a huge ‘life hack’ for fostering language development and literacy skills,” Carolan says. “I find that when I try to make up a story off the top of my head, I freeze up.

However, keeping a book in the diaper bag is so helpful. Even if we don’t read it word for word, we talk about the pictures and what’s going on.”

While the words we choose and the way we use them matter, “the most important thing to remember is to talk to your child,” Maloney says.

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BigAppleParent 39

raising kids teen

A Tale of Two Tests

››

The SAT and ACT for college-bound teens are more alike than different—but one may still be a better fit for your child. By Deborah Skolnik

I

f you have a teenager, she’s probably planning to take a standardized test for college admissions. And you almost certainly know there are two to choose between: the SAT and its slightly newer rival, the ACT. Both tests are operated by nonprofit organizations, follow a roughly similar format, and serve the same purpose: “It’s to try to estimate your potential college readiness,” says Tony DiGiacomo, Ph.D., of Novella Prep, an academic advising, college planning, standardized test prep, and tutoring company in Westchester and Fairfield counties. That being the case, could a child possibly score higher on one or the other? Is it a question even worth asking?

The answer, say the people who know best, is yes. Though both tests assess scholastic skills, there are subtle differences between the two. We asked experts to share their thoughts and observations on the SAT and ACT and their design; use their insights to your child’s advantage.

um app that guides college-bound students with advice tailored to their interests and school goals. It should be no surprise, then, that the SAT more closely covers what public-school kids may learn in class. …does well with evidence-based questions. “One of the differences is the SAT allegedly gives you a little more information to use to answer some of their verbal questions,” Dr. DiGiacomo says. “Let’s say there’s a passage and a question—the ACT will tend to just ask the question, such as ‘the main character was courageous because…’ But the SAT will give you a line to look it up.

They are pushing evidence-based textual understanding, the idea of being able to look it up and find it.”

The SAT is the older of the two tests, first administered to high school students in 1926. (Its letters, which originally stood for Scholastic Aptitude Test, now merely connote the brand.) But just because the SAT has a more extensive history, is it the better test for your kid? The answer: It depends. Your child may do better on the SAT if he…

…has a rich vocabulary. The often-perplexing analogy questions you may remember from your own days taking the SAT are a thing of the past. The reason? “This privileged understanding of vocabulary words wasn’t a way to understand a student’s skill level,” Dr. DiGiacomo says. The SAT creators “have worked very hard to de-emphasize this. If you grow up in a lower-income household, you may not hear the same vocabulary in the home. Even if you go to the same school as a wealthier student, your overall exposure to vocabulary may be limited. But your ability to interpret and defend an argument are learned in school.” That said, the SAT “does a bit more vocabulary [than the ACT] still,” Dr. DiGiacomo notes.

…attends a public school. Public schools follow the Common Core, a set of standards for teaching and testing math and English.

And as it happens, “the person who revamped the SAT [most recently] was one of the key architects behind the Common Core curriculum,” says Greg Kaplan, a college counselor, author of Earning Admission and creator of CollegePath, a free and premi-

…is a big reader and can easily stay focused. “The reading comprehension portion on the SAT is much trickier,” Kaplan shares, so a kid who has a superior ability to pay attention to written material may distinguish himself on the SAT: “They take very boring, dense passages and use them as a pressure point to see who can get through it.”

SAT Savvy

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August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

…hasn’t yet taken Algebra 2 or trigonometry. Both the SAT and the ACT cover this material, Kaplan says, “but the SAT is a more even playing field. The questions are more complex, and they require more creative thinking than the ACT questions. If I have a student who is a year behind in math I tend to recommend the SAT. It’s easier to improvise.”

ACT Insights

The ACT (its initials originally stood for American College Testing but now, like the SAT, just signify the brand) is the newer standardized test, first offered in 1959. Your child may do better on the ACT if she…

Nanny Board

…tends to work quickly. If she prides herself on her ability to get through material speedily, and prefers doing so to poring over questions at length, the ACT may suit her. “The SAT offers thirty-three percent more time per question than the ACT,” Kaplan says. But there’s a catch, he adds: “The flip slide of that coin is that the SAT questions are more complex and may require more thought and analysis.” …excels in science. The ACT has a discrete section called science.

But, Dr. DiGiacomo adds, “the SAT is offering a science subscore now.” While the score isn’t based on a science section per se, it’s based on similar questions to the ACT science section—“math questions using vocabulary that implies an understanding of sciences, such as orbits and velocity. But they are really at the end of the day math questions,” he explains. …is math-minded “The ACT does cover a little more content than the SAT in mathematics,” Dr. DiGiacomo says—he tracks these subtle variations by creating a matrix of topical differences between the tests. If your child has studied math broadly and extensively, he may be better prepared for the multitude of math topics on the ACT. …likes the security of having a calculator by her side. “The SAT [math] has two parts—calculator and no calculator,” Dr. DiGiacomo says. By contrast, “the ACT lets you use the calculator for the entire test,” he notes. But don’t automatically assume this will always be the case: “Any given year, the College Board [which makes the SAT] and the ACT can change their policy,” he cautions. …is a stickler for grammar. “The ACT is a little more focused on grammar, punctuation, and syntax,” Dr. DiGiacomo says. “The SAT might focus more on a student’s writing style and use of evidence.”

The Power of Personal Preference

While the insights listed here can be helpful, nothing will inform your child better than first-hand experience. “I recommend for all students to take a real, released practice exam for both the ACT and the SAT. That way you’re comparing apples to apples,” Kaplan says. Use a convergence chart—there are many on the web— to determine on which test your child scored higher.

“Eighty percent of students have a clear-cut preference,” Kaplan adds. “That difference is worth up to one hundred points right out of the gate.” And rest assured that colleges are fine with that: “There is not one college in the U.S. that prefers one [test] over the other,” Kaplan says.

No matter which test your child decides to take, Kaplan recommends he start reading The Economist or The New Yorker. “They actually pull passages from those magazines in the reading tests,” he says.

“Get familiar with the complexity of the language and the structure.

Sometimes students like to prepare in a way that doesn’t involve a workbook. When you actually are studying but you don’t feel like it, I think that’s a win.” By making an informed choice, and properly preparing, your child can get a score that truly adds up to success.

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family life finances

Cash for College

››

If your teen puts in the work, she can graduate college with minimal debt. By Barbara Russo

C

ollege is expensive. Even with financial aid, many students still have to take out loans to help with tuition, books, and other costs that go along with achieving a higher education.

This often leaves them in debt long after they’ve graduated.

Fortunately, there are many scholarship opportunities out there.

The U.S. Department of Education and universities give out billions of dollars in scholarship and grant money each year, according to Debt.org. Other organizations, including private corporations and nonprofit groups, offer scholarships too. This is all money that is given to qualifying students as gifts and does not need to be paid back.

The term “qualifying” can mean many different things, depending on the scholarship’s criteria. A student doesn’t necessarily have to excel at sports or academics; scholarship opportunities are available to students from a variety of backgrounds and who have a wide range of hobbies or interests. There’s an abundance of information online about these opportunities, but it can be overwhelming.

The good news is, we’ve spoken to some experts and compiled a list of 10 online resources that offer different kinds of scholarships and scholarship information. Keep in mind there are many more scholarship information sites out there. No matter your child’s age, it’s worth it to start looking early so you don’t miss any deadlines—and have time to gather as much information as possible.

One important tip to keep in mind before you even launch your favorite Internet browser: Write down your child’s family background and academic statistics and achievements. Almost all of these sites will require this information for setting up profiles or applying for scholarships.

“You go to these scholarship search engines, and they’ll want you to enter this specific information. They ask really specific questions about your family heritage and stuff, and that’s what they’re using in their algorithms,” says Kim Stezala, The Scholarship Lady® and author 42

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

of Scholarships 101: The Real-World Guide to Getting Cash for College.

“If you just hop on the Internet and don’t have that information, it’s going to take you more time.”

Now, on to our list:

Scholarships.com

One of the most popular and established scholarship search sites, it boasts more than 16 million registered users. Its free, quick profile format allows you to enter your child’s basic information to get instant match results to potential scholarship opportunities.

Fastweb.com

Owned by Monster.com, the site offers access to more than 1.5 million scholarships. It’s a free student-to-scholarship matching service that uses a quick profile format and also offers an array of college prep tools.

Bonus: The site’s new Deals and Promos feature lists discounts available to students from major retailers, including Dell, J. Crew, and Ford.

Scholly

This is both a website (myscholly.com) and mobile app. Like the sites listed above, it uses the scholarship-matching platform to generate a list of scholarships suited for the individual user. The site was founded by Christopher Gray, who grew up in poverty in Birmingham, AL, and was able to win $1.3 million in scholarship money. His experience gave him the idea for Scholly, which has helped hundreds of thousands of students and families find more than $70 million in scholarship awards for college.

JLVCollegeCounseling.com

Founded by Jessica Velasco, a former college-admissions professional, the site provides free information about scholarships, college prep, admission, and financial aid. The scholarships are organized in lists with

deadlines for each month. There are also scholarships based on grade level, major, residence, hobbies, and religion.

With 10 years of experience in higher education, Velasco knows how much work it takes to apply for scholarships and recommends students take the time to perfect each application. “Quality is always better than quantity,” she says. “Many times students get so caught up in sending out as many scholarship applications as possible and forget to make sure their applications are of the highest quality. In addition to proofreading applications...students must make sure their applications are unique.”

Cappex.com

Using the popular student-scholarship match system, the free site lists thousands of private scholarships. It also provides more than $30,000 in its own unique scholarships.

Niche.com

Applicants can search by category or get matched to scholarships by creating a quick profile. The site also offers information on college rankings plus an admissions calculator.

University Websites

In many cases, a college admissions office is given a budget it can use to give varying amounts of scholarships to incoming students based on merit factors such as high test scores, good grades, or talents. Money that comes this way is renewed all four years of schooling, but each school’s application process is different.

“We want students to go on the school’s websites and in the top search window type ‘scholarships,’ and it will tell you, ‘here’s how we handle scholarships, here’s how we get them out,’” says Elizabeth Hartley, owner of Scholarship Gold Consulting. “A school’s website is one of their most powerful tools for scholarships.”

Some universities, particularly prestigious ones, have endowments that can provide financial aid to students, Hartley adds. “Even if a family makes too much money to get aid to go to a local state school, they may be able to get money from a more elite school,” she says.

Googling for Dollars

Stezala recommends coming up with list of traits about your teen and family background—things that go beyond academics and can help uncover hidden dollars—and use these terms in your searches.

“Is either parent or a grandparent part of the military or a veteran?

And is anyone in your family a member of any kind of professional organization or civic group?” Stezala poses. “I find sometimes that students make the mistake of only doing Internet searches about themselves, so the keywords that they’re using aren’t going to peel back the layers of some of these smaller local scholarships that can really add up.”

Local Community Foundation Websites

Some of these manage what are called donor-advised funds, Stezala says. Donors who may not want to set up their own scholarship program will give their money to a community foundation, and it’s the foundation’s responsibility to collect applications and do the judging.

“They are a great resource...even if they don’t give out scholarships, their websites might have links to local scholarships,” Stezala says.

The Net Price Calculator

The net price refers to the amount a student pays after receiving scholarships and other financial aid that do not need to be paid back. Hartley recommends using net price calculators to find out what your estimated price tag for college will be.

Searching online for scholarship money will take some time and patience, but it’s hard work that will ultimately pay off, both in savings and for your child’s education.

Barbara Russo is a freelance writer who holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the City University of New York. She enjoys playing guitar, following current events, and hanging out with her pet rabbits.

Professional services

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

LEGAL SERVICES ANDREW COHEN, ESQ., LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN

250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com; ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning, regardless of the size of your estate.

All clients are provided with high quality service at a reasonable cost.

SPECIAL NEEDS ANDREW COHEN, ESQ., LAW OFFICES OF ANDREW M. COHEN

250 W. 57th St., Suite 1216 212-244-0595 1100 Franklin Ave., Suite 305, Garden City 516-877-0595 amcohenlaw.com; ac@amcohenlaw.com The Law Offices of Andrew M. Cohen can help you achieve your objectives through careful special needs legal planning,

regardless of the size of your estate. All clients are provided with high quality

service at a reasonable cost.

LITTLE OPTICS INC.

192-07 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, Queens

53-15 Roosevelt Ave., Woodside, Queens 718-468-7500; hablamos Español littleopticsinc@yahoo.com We provide eyeglasses and professional eye care for children, including infants, and young adults. We also alleviate any self-esteem issues associated with the stigma of wearing glasses. When your child leaves Little Optics, rest assured they will feel confident.

THERAPY & COUNSELORS MR. SPEECH PATHOLOGY

347-399-4836 mrspeechpathology.com info@mrspeechpathology.com Eugene Chuprin is a bilingual (EnglishRussian) speech-language pathologist conducting evaluations and providing therapy in the New York City area. His specialty is treating pediatrics with language disorders, articulation disorders, and stuttering.

TUTORS & TEST PREP SCIENTIA TUTORING

Servicing Brooklyn and Manhattan scientia.brooklyn@gmail.com Experienced, understanding, compassionate, independent schoolteachers offer support for Spanish, Latin, French, English, essays, literature, physics, biology, chemistry, algebra, and geometry—all levels.

OPEN HOUSES 2018 Atlas Foundation For Autism

252 W. 29th St., 3rd Floor 212-256-0846 atlasforautism.org info@atlasforautism.org Class culture meets academic, behavioral, and sensory needs in an emotionally supportive environment.

Tour our 7,300-square-foot facility and meet with the Atlas team. Call or email to schedule a time.

Blue School

241 Water St. 212-228-6341 blueschool.org Admissions tours are held Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Please visit Blue School’s page on Ravenna to create an account and schedule a school tour.

The British International School of New York 20 Waterside Plaza 212-481-2700 x204

bis-ny.org; info@bis-ny.org Please call us at 212-481-2700 or email Carina at c.szabo@bis-ny.org to set up a time to meet and learn about our school. We look forward to meeting you!

Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens

37 W. 65th St., 3rd floor 212-582-9304 broadwaydancecenter.com Join us for an open house, Saturday, Aug. 25 from 9am-5pm. Free trial classes for ages 2-18.

Smarter Toddler Nursery & Preschool

101 John St. 212-766-3222 smartertoddler.net We invite all applying families to visit Smarter Toddler. Please complete the form on our website to receive detailed information about our program (including pricing) or to schedule a tour.

BigAppleParent 43

PartyCentral Your local guide to entertainers, party places, activities, and other resources.

PARTY ENTERTAINMENT CLOWNS.COM Proudly serving Westchester, Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx 516-577-0000; 718-971-5862 clowns.com We are a family-owned and -operated entertainment company, offering a wide range of party and entertainment services including clowns, inflatable bounce houses, characters, magicians, princesses, magic shows, face painting, and party concession rentals.

DAVE’S CAST OF CHARACTERS 914-235-7100 davescast.com Make your party a special one! Dave’s entertainment services include more than 100 costumed characters. From princesses and superheroes to pirates and tea parties, there’s something for everyone.

FROGGLE PARTIES 1732 First Ave., Suite 20955 646-480-0570 frogglepartytime.com frogglepartytime.com/video As seen on TV! We offer heaps of kids’ party packages from hilarious clowns and party performers, to mesmerizing magicians, puppet shows, balloon twisters, face painting, games, dancing, bubble parties, characters, super heroes, princesses, pirates, and fairies! Get a $20 discount when you quote NYMETRO. MYSTERY & MAYHEM 212-260-2295 mysteryandmayhem.com mitzvahzoe@aol.com Mystery & Mayhem offers hilarious, interactive, age-appropriate, dress-up mystery parties in which guests ages 8-18 become suspects in a crime. Choose from five mysterious, winning dramas, or a Nancy Drew, Sherlock Holmes, or Harry Potter theme.

PARTY PLACES BREAKAWAY HOOPS 646-776-2021 x0 breakawayhoops.com info@breakawayhoops.com Breakaway Hoops offers birthday packages for your child’s special occasion. Come celebrate the special day with us and we will make it memorable.

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BROADWAY DANCE CENTER CHILDREN & TEENS 37 W. 65th St., 3rd floor 212-582-9304 broadwaydancecenter.com Broadway Dance Center Children & Teens loves a good dance party! Your birthday dancer and guests are sure to love these birthday parties set in our beautiful, spacious studios. Choose a theme and party package. Come celebrate with us!

CHELSEA PIERS SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park Field House Registration Desk: 212-3366500 x6520 chelseapiers.com/youth Why cross the bridge for your next birthday party? Because Chelsea Piers parties are action-packed, entertaining, and hassle-free, with more sports, activities, and fun than any other party venue in NYC! CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE ARTS 103 Charlton St. 212-274-0986 cmany.org/about/birthdays-rentals/birthdays Art-filled parties begin with time to explore the museum’s hands-on workshops. Experienced teaching artists lead children in your choice of private workshop. Parties end with food and cake.

FUNFIT BLOOMING BRANCHES SPECIFIC SPORTS 550 W. 110th St. 646-580-3758 funfitnyc.com; info@funfitnyc.com FunFit parties are customized for the birthday child. Children will be entertained by participating in age-appropriate, high-energy, sport games and FunFit activities led by our expert coaches.

FUNFUZION AT NEW ROC CITY 29 LeCount Place (Exit 16 off I-95), New Rochelle Party Central: 914-637-7575, option 1 funfuziononline.com Calling all birthday superstars! You and your guests will be dazzled by a unique, interactive party experience!

GALLI THEATER NEW YORK At GSM, 74 Warren St. 212-731-0668 gallitheaternyc.com; galliny@gmail.com Party with the Galli Theater New York and experience the magic of live theater for your special event! Your child loves the theater and would love to be on stage? Allow your child to experience the most amazing theater party in town!

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

IMAX VR AMC KIPS BAY 15 570 Second Ave. amctheatres.com/imaxvr 2195@amctheatres.com Looking for a unique activity for that special birthday kid? Look no further: IMAX VR is a mind-shattering virtual reality experience center based at AMC Kips Bay 15. For more information, please visit our website.

INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM Pier 86, West 46th Street and Twelfth Avenue 646-381-5010 intrepidmuseum.org groupsales@intrepidmuseum.org Celebrate your child’s birthday with a one-ofa-kind party! The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum will captivate groups of all ages and interests. Choose from exciting themes, value packages, and customization options to create a birthday adventure they’ll remember forever!

JODI’S GYM 244 E. 84th St. 212-772-7633 25 Hubbels Drive, Mount Kisco 914-244-8811 jodisgym.com Kids run, jump, climb, tumble, slide, bounce, and giggle to their hearts’ delight at Jodi’s Gym, where action-packed parties and unmatched experience have won children’s hearts for 34 years.

JUST KIDDING AT SYMPHONY SPACE 2537 Broadway 212-864-1414 x289 symphonyspace.org/justkidding Just Kidding parties are artsy, imaginative, and fun, designed to make party planning easy and engaging! Through the show, kids have the chance to interact with Just Kidding artists creating a once in a lifetime birthday party experience.

KATE TEMPESTA’S URBAN GOLF ACADEMY 917-270-7257 ktuga.com/birthday-parties mari@ktuga.com KTUGA’s parties are customized to your child’s interests. Think Pirate Golf Fun to Princess Castle Chipping. Ideal for ages 3-8.

Select from different activities to highlight our golf games including storytelling, shadow screen play, and music and movement.

THE LITTLE GYM 2121 Broadway, 2nd Floor (between 74th and 75th streets), Upper West Side 212-799-1225 tlgupperwestsideny.com 207 E. 94th St. (between Second and Third avenues), Upper East Side

212-787-1124 tlguppereastsideny.com 777 White Plains Road, Scarsdale 914-722-0072 tlgscarsdaleny.com 28 Franklin Turnpike, Waldwick, NJ 201-445-4444 tlgwaldwicknj.com A private party at The Little Gym is a perfect way to celebrate your child’s next birthday. Gymnastics, games, obstacle courses, trampoline, sports, and music are tailored to your child’s interests!

PALISADES CLIMB ADVENTURE 4590 Palisades Center Drive, Level 4 of the Palisades Center, West Nyack 845-727-3500 palisadesclimb.com Palisades Climb Adventure offers the world’s tallest indoor ropes challenge course with 75 unique challenge elements. Our Sky Tykes kids’ ropes course is designed for ages 2-7. Both courses are available for birthday parties. Book your party today!

PIER 62 CAROUSEL Pier 62, Hudson River Park (by Chelsea Piers) 718-788-2676 pier62carouselnyc.com info@nycarousel.com Give your child the best birthday with our VIP Birthday Party Package at Hudson River Park’s whimsical carousel on the water!

ROBOFUN 2672 Broadway 212-245-0444 robofun.org; robofun@robofun.org Celebrate your next birthday making robots, video games, or animations with Robofun. Robofun birthday parties are the perfect combination of fun and creativity!

SEAGLASS CAROUSEL AT THE BATTERY Water and State streets 718-788-2676 seaglasscarousel.nyc/birthdays info@nycarousel.com Celebrate your next birthday at SeaGlass Carousel! VIP Birthday Packages start at $535 within your own exclusive party area.

Book online: seaglasscarousel.nyc/birthdays.

USTA BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing, Queens 718-760-6200 x0 ntc.usta.com Birthday party packages include 1 hour of court time with drills and games organized by our USTA Pro staff and 1 hour in a private room for pizza.

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Jodi’s Gym ...................................................................23

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Visit my website, or email:

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To Advertise Call 212-315-0800 BigAppleParent 45

raising kids quotables

How did you feel when you were chosen as a f inalist in our cover contest?

“I was very happy and excited to be able to come.”

—Daniella, 14, Suffolk

“Excited. I’ve never done this before and I think it’s really exciting.”

—Brielle, 12, Rockland

“I felt great! I mean, I was excited for this!”

—Chazz, 12, Manhattan

“Excited!”

—Sophia, 4, Rockland

“I don’t know.”

—Aaliyah, 4, Rockland

[Ran away] —Jaden, 3, Manhattan

“I felt excited because this is something I wanted to do for a while. I like acting and modeling and this stuff. So I was super happy when I found out I won.”

“I hope that you look at today, tomorrow, and the rest of your life seeking out the nothing moments.

I hope we can all realize that the nothing moments are what we are going to be holding onto during our last few years. We aren’t going to care about how much money we made or how many small wonders we photographed. But we will remember the sound of our children’s’ laughter and how good we made people feel.

I wish for you a lifetime of nothing.”

—Dillon, 11, Westchester

“I felt happy.”

—Samantha, 6, Nassau

“I was excited.”

—Scarlett, 4, Queens Check out our upcoming September issue to find out who the Grand Prize winners are!

Thriving in College “Teens may think that heading off to college will be four years of partying. But what they might not realize is college can be one of the most stressful times of their lives. To ensure your teen is successful in college and beyond, spend the summer preparing him to effectively deal with stress, handle the anxiety that comes with it, and learn from it to reduce stress in the future.”

—Licensed clinical psychologist Lata McGinn Ph.D., in an article entitled “How Can I Help Prepare My Teen for Stress in College?”

Read the whole story at nymetroparents.com/college-stress

More NYMetroParents.com Highlights:

—Vera Sweeney, in a post entitled “The Nothing Moments” on ladyandtheblog.com

SUMMER FUN: See the top 100 summer activities in the NY metro region at nymetroparents.com/summer-100

“I start each day with the best intentions. I’m going to apply all those expert parenting tips I’ve read. I’m going to be present. Mindful.

Patient. And…then the kids wake up.”

GIDDYUP: Where to go horseback riding in the NYC area (nymetroparents.com/horseback)

—Ilana Wiles, in a post entitled “A Day Inside Mom’s Brain,” on mommyshorts.com

46

August 2018 | nymetroparents.com

GIVE A LISTEN: Podcasts to help you navigate parenting’s ups and downs (nymetroparents.com/podcasts) PLAY IT SAFE: Learn how to keep your family out of the ER in the summer months (nymetroparents.com/ summersafety)

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