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Queens Parent NYMETROPARENTS.COM NOVEMBER 2017

Changing the World Amazing kids who started their own nonprofits

Choosing the Right Doc 15 questions to ask Plus: Kids and eating disorders

SpecialParent

Abilities, Not Disabilities

A new approach to kids with special needs

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

QueensParent

180 East 79 St. Suite # 1C New York, NY 10021

114-20 Queens Blvd, Suite CS2 Forest Hills, NY 11375

Committed to providing neuropsychological and educational assessments to the children of NYC for over ten years. Our director, Dr. Sanam Hafeez, is a highly sought after expert in the field of child development and learning and a faculty member at Columbia University. She is a regular medical guest and expert contributor to the CBS news shows, Dr. Oz Show, Nancy Grace, Fox and Friends, WebMD, Yahoo! Health and Parenting, Glamour, Women’s Health Magazine and more.

Who We Help: • Learning disabilities • Autism Spectrum Disorders • Developmental Disorders and Delays • Depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, mood disorders, etc

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The greatest superpower is the power to inspire.

We see the same three things in the children we treat at every Cohen Children’s location: bravery, courage and determination. That inspires us to look at childhood cancer differently. Our researchers are developing treatments personalized at a cellular level, because the smallest detail can have the biggest impact. See why we’re inspired at Northwell.edu/CohenHeroes Cohen Children’s Medical Center is a nonprofit hospital supported by the people and the communities we serve.

QueensParent

NYMetroParents

Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

November 2017 ››

Features

14 15 Questions to Ask a Pediatrician How to find the best doctor for your family’s needs

16 Kids Making a Difference These five young adults launched their own nonprofits. Here’s how—and how your child can, too. 22 Thanksgiving Desserts Kids Can Help Make Amanda Grant shares recipes from Kids in the Kitchen that are perfect for children to help bake. 36 Does My Child Have an Eating Disorder? Three experts share what to look out for, the physical and mental health risks, and getting your child the help she needs. 42 Focus on Your Abilities When your child with special needs starts to feel discouraged, let him read this, or use this as a guide, to help him through it.

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 13 NYMP Q&A: Jess Shatkin, M.D., M.P.H., talks adolescent angst. 50 Voices: Growing Up with a Brother with Special Needs

Fun & Activities 12 20 24 25 35

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

DIY Corner: Making Snot! Where-To Guide: Volunteer with Your Kids Outing: Long Island City, Queens Family Activities Calendar Where-To Guide: Ice-Skating

Directories

46 47 48 48 49 49

Professional Services Party Central Meet the Health Care Professional Open Houses Family Resource Guide and Party Planner Advertisers’ Index

Original photo by PhotoOp NYC (photoopnyc.com) Clothing provided by Appaman (appaman.com)

››

ON THE COVER ›› 14 Choosing the Right Doc 16 Changing the World 36 Kids and Eating Disorders 42 Abilities, Not Disabilities facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

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

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QueensParent

NOVEMBER 2017 • Vol23 • No.4

NYMetroParents nymetroparents.com

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress

EDITOR’S NOTE

MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf

Season of Gratitude

ike many parents, I struggle to instill in my kids a sense of caring about the world around them and empathy for those less fortunate than we are. I see glimmers of hope occasionally, such as when we attended a political rally as a family or when my kids decide to donate some of their toys to charity. But sparking in our children a sustained sense of responsibility for other people and for the welfare of our planet is a daunting job. So it was with a mix of awe and envy that I read Julia Hyman’s report about amazing local kids and teens who went beyond caring and even volunteering to actually found nonprofit organizations, allowing them to have a much broader and longer-term impact than they could on their own (p. 16). If you have a budding social entrepreneur on your hands, you’ll also find tips for kids who want to start their own charities. For the rest of us, we offer a guide to local organizations at which families can volunteer this holiday season (p. 20). As we head into Thanksgiving and then December holidays, food—and lots of it— will be front and center at our family gatherings. It’s a time to feast and indulge, but we also need to be conscious of the fact our attitude and behavior toward food sends a message to our kids. For too many young people, food turns into its own struggle, leading to potentially serious health problems. Katelin Walling tells us what parents need to know about kids and eating disorders, from preventing them to recognizing the signs, to treating them when they happen (p. 36). When health problems do strike our kids, it’s essential we have a trusted pediatrician to turn to. For our family, that’s been a huge comfort and help in times of crisis. If you’ve got doubts about your doctor—or are expecting your first child and seeking a pediatrician—Bethany Braun-Silva offers 15 questions to ask that will help you find the right match (p. 14). For those kids with ongoing special needs, the barrage of specialists, therapists, tutors, and doctors can sometimes feel overwhelming and, I am sure, demoralizing. To help combat those feelings, check out our feature about focusing on kids’ abilities, rather than their disabilities (p. 42). And then see what that looks like by reading Amanda Marrone’s heartwarming essay on growing up with a brother who has special needs (p. 50). This issue marks my last one as editorial director here at NYMetroParents, and in this season of gratitude I want to say thank you to all of you, our readers, for being part of our community of parents and enriching my time here. I leave you with wishes for a happy Thanksgiving filled with gratitude and blessings!

REGIONAL EDITORS: Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Whitney C. Harris (Manhattan); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Jordan Laird To Submit Events: nymetroparents.com/submitevents

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Keep in Touch: 7 @nymetroparents nymetroparents.com November 2017 | nymetroparents.com 6editor@nymetroparents.com

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NEW PLACES, NEW PROGRAMS

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Who: St. Agnes Academic High School What’s New: A health sciences program with a new lab space, which was unveiled in September. In the fall session of Futures in Medicine, 20 competitively selected St. Agnes students learn from Northwell Health Nurse Educators. The goal is to grow the program into a certified nursing assistant program, according to Kathleen Gaughan, assistant principal of student life. With support from Northwell Health and Henry Schein, The Maureen M. Fritch ’78 Health Science Lab is equipped with exam tables, hospital beds, CPR mannequins, blood pressure monitors, defibrillators, AED simulators, and fully stocked medical carts. Want More Info: 13-20 124th St., College Point; 718-353-6276; stagneshs.org

Courtesy St. Agnes Academic High School

Catholic Girls School Launches Health Sciences Program

The Maureen M. Fritch ‘78 Health Science Lab is fully equipped for St. Agnes Academic High School’s health science program, Futures in Medicine.

Who: Gersh Academy @ West Hills Day Camp What’s New: Increased integration opportunities for campers with special needs on campus and in the community, starting summer 2018. Gersh Academy @ West Hills Day Camp is a camp for children on the autism spectrum and who have other neurobiological disorders. Gersh Academy, a school for children on the autism spectrum, located in West Hempstead, began its partnership with West Hills Day Camp in 2009. Held on West Hills Academy’s campus, the camp gives children on the autism spectrum in kindergarten to 12th grade the opportunity to experience a traditional summer camp while receiving the support they need. Want More Info: 21 Sweet Hollow Road, Huntington; 631-427-6700; gershsummerprogram.com

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Gersh Academy @ West Hills Day Camp

Summer Camp to Expand Programming for Children with Special Needs

Gersh Academy @ West Hills Day Camp provides a traditional summer camp experience for children on the autism spectrum.

Social Thinking in a Social World

Do you know this child?

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UOTABLES As Marlowe grew from a baby to a toddler, I thought a lot about structure and discipline. About the dichotomy of allowing our children to be children, but also having behavioral expectations that they are aware of in order to create a structure that allows them to blossom and mature and learn. —Eva Amurri Martino, in a post entitled “Disciplining a Toddler,” on her blog happilyevaafter.com

in an instagram How city kids get to their recital. #DDF #ddfrecitals2017 #citykid #mta #subway #dance (Posted by @thebrooklynmom, aka Vanessa Muskopf, who blogs at thebrooklynmom.com)

WHEN FAMILY IS FAR

in an instagram My two champions!! Lately these two have been really pushing each other’s buttons. The arguments happen every hour on the hour, and it gets a bit out of hand. They have mastered it, and I honestly truly believe they do it out of enjoyment!? They are competing with each other a lot more— to be “better” or for everyone’s attention. It’s been tough, something really difﬁcult to watch over & over throughout the course of the day. But I also try and remind myself that this is normal sibling stuff, and they absolutely adore each other no matter how much they annoy each other #brothersforlife #bestfriends #momlife #momstruggles #motherofboys (Posted by @mommygorjess, aka Jessica Salazar, who blogs at www.mommygorjess.com)

“I find myself getting depressed about the state of the world, wondering if I made a mistake bringing kids into it, wondering if anything I do even matters. But when the world feels like too much, I have to remind myself to focus on the way I can make a difference—especially because it’s been right in front of me all along, right here at home.” —Chaunie Brusie, in a post entitled “What Can We Do When The World Is Falling Apart? We Can Keep Showing Up,” on mom.me

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

“Coping with distance can be tough. The good news is that there are lots of ways to keep geographical distance from putting real emotional distance between your kids and their relatives.” —Cora Waring, in an article entitled “Wish You Were Here!: How to Keep Kids Close to Distant Relatives;” read more at nymetroparents.com/distant-relatives

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: A SPIN ON THANKSGIVING SIDES: Give favorites a ﬂavorful makeover at nymetroparents.com/thanksgiving-sides. NURTURE GRATITUDE: Learn how to teach kids to be thankful at nymetroparents.com/thankful. ENJOY FALL FOLIAGE: Discover where to go leaf peeping at nymetroparents.com/leaf. NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM: Get tips for applying to NYC high schools at nymetroparents.com/high-school.

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QueensParent 11

DIY CORNER Health Experiment

Making Snot! To understand more about what snot is (and to gross out your friends), make some fake snot and then ﬁnd out why you should never sneeze into your hand.

You will need: Kettle 2 small bowls 3 packets of unﬂavored gelatin Fork ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) corn (golden) syrup Green food coloring Vaseline Glitter 1. Ask an adult to help you heat water in a kettle until it is very hot, but not quite boiling. Pour half a cup of the almost boiling water into a bowl and sprinkle on the three packets of gelatin. Stir the powder in with a fork and then leave to soften for 5 minutes. 2. Put the corn (golden) syrup into another bowl. 3. Stir the gelatin mix with a fork until all the lumps have gone and then slowly add it to the corn syrup until your mixture looks like snot. Use a fork to stir it, as it will pull out long strands of snot. Add a few drops of green food coloring to make it even more disgusting. This looks like snot because it is made of the same ingredients as snot—protein, sugar, and water. They are different types of protein and sugar, but snot has a very similar chemical make-up.

STEP 1

STEP 4

4. Now wipe a very thin smear of Vaseline onto a door handle that everyone in your family uses a lot. Sprinkle a thin layer of glitter all over it—it should stick to the Vaseline. Don’t tell anyone. 5. After a while get everyone to check their hands to see if there is glitter on them. Become a detective and check other places to find how far the glitter has spread. Imagine that you had cold and had sneezed into your hand and then opened a door. The bacteria and viruses from your snot would have been wiped onto the door handle. The next person who opened the door would have got it on their hands and spread it further and probably caught your cold. This is why you should never sneeze into your hand—unless you are going to wash it straight away!

Excerpted from My First Book of My Body ($14.95) by Susan Akass and Frances Butcher, photography by Terry Benson, with permission of CICO KIdz.

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 5

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NYMP Q&A

Adolescent Angst

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››

By Bethany Braun-Silva

Jess Shatkin, M.D., M.P.H., leads the educational efforts of the NYU Child Study Center and recently wrote Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe. What is it about adolescents that make them want to take risks? We have known forever that adolescents act at times impulsively or irrationally. The confusing thing is, when you talk to them 1-on-1 or even in a classroom, they’re totally rational and are able to explain their thoughts and feelings. They are able to tell you whether it’s a good idea to do something or not to do something. They don’t make bad decisions because they can’t think them through. Part of it is the brain and all the disconnects from the frontal cortex and the emotional center. Kids feel passion, they can feel love, anger, envy, desire. You can control it when you are in your 20s much better than you can at 15, so there is a lot of unbridled passion. There is also a lot of dopamine in the brain that is higher than it will ever be. The intrigue of sex, the excitement of being on a roller coaster, the excitement of driving 100mph, the excitement of jumping off a roof into the pool—that is more exiting than it will ever be again, and teens are just driven by that thrill. How can parents be cognizant of the risks their children take or may want to take? The way we address risk is knowing our kids, knowing their friends, knowing their friends’ parents, spending time with our kids. Kids who have parents that spend time with them and who are available to them take fewer risks. They talk to their parents about the risks they are thinking of taking, they talk to their parents about their friends who are taking risks, and they see their parents as a reliable source of information and counsel. Parents who aren’t around, who aren’t engaged in the process, who don’t ask their kids about sex, who don’t ask their kids about drugs, who don’t just listen and hang out and let their kids chatter about whatever they want to chatter about, those parents don’t know what’s going on with their kids and their kids don’t come to them. By the time you find marijuana in your kid’s dresser, it’s pretty late, quite honestly. Are there any trends in this behavior and how has risky behavior evolved over the years? Things are pretty much the same in that the three top killers of young adults ages 13-25 are accidents, suicide, and homicide. Suicide has increased, and that has to do with social networking and with all of the access we have to constantly knowing what everyone else is thinking about us or the message they are trying to send about how great they’re doing or how wonderful their life is. You see this very clearly with this FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) thing kids talk about. It is a very real thing, and new imaging studies of the brain show when a kid is left out, they feel pain in the brain in the same areas as when they experience physical pain. If you are left out of a group, your brain feels like you are being burned or hit hard. Kids will do a lot to avoid that physical pain; they will take a lot of risks to be part of the group.

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NYMetroParents.com QueensParent 13

15 Questions to Ask a Pediatrician

››

A good pediatrician is an invaluable resource—here’s how to find the best fit for your family’s needs. By Bethany Braun-Silva

s soon-to-be parents can imagine, and current parents know, having a trusted pediatrician is monumentally important. When you’re expecting, the checklists of tasks to be completed before baby comes home are already substantial, but nevertheless, it’s important to take the time to vet different pediatricians in order to find the right doctor for your family, location, and needs. And, since your baby will need to be seen by a doctor within the first week of birth, it’s important to find the right fit before baby arrives so you’re comfortable and confident at appointments. If you’re past that stage, there are many reasons why you might be considering switching pediatricians, from the practical concerns such as office hours or location to worries about fit and approach. So whether you’re expecting your first child or looking to switch pediatricians for your kids, we’ve come up with a list of 15 questions to guide you on your journey to finding the right doctor. 1. Is the practice in a convenient location? It’s one thing to strap your week-old baby in a carrier and hop on the subway for a few stops, but it’s quite another to lug a stroller up and down those subway stairs or call a car service to get you to the opposite end of town. A convenient location might not be the 14

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

most important requirement, but it sure does help should your child need an urgent sick visit or if you will be traveling solo or with more than one kid. 2. Is the pediatrician board-certified? If the doctor is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, that means she has passed a specialized exam in pediatrics. Additionally, if the doctor is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics the letters “FAAP” will appear after her name. This means she has met established standards for providing child health care. 3. What’s his child-care ideology? What are his thoughts on breast-feeding? Co-sleeping? Circumcision? These are all important things your pediatrician can help you with. You might also want to find out his philosophies on sleep training, potty training, and discipline. If your thoughts don’t align, this can make for some challenging visits. 4. How long does a typical check-up last? This is something you can get an idea of during a prenatal visit with a pediatrician, should you choose to have one. Does the doctor

take her time? Does she give you an opportunity to ask all of your questions? It is best that you don’t feel rushed during appointments. New parents are especially exhausted and overwhelmed and it’s important they feel at ease at the pediatrician’s office. 5. Is it a group or solo practice? If it’s a solo practice you will be seeing the same pediatrician each time you visit, although you should ask who covers for him while he’s away. If it’s a group practice you might be scheduled with different pediatricians or nurse practitioners each time you are there. Consider what’s important to you: seeing the same pediatrician every time, or the accessibility that can come from multiple doctors on staff. 6. Does the pediatrician have a subspecialty? Certain pediatricians have subspecialties, such as advanced training in allergies, behavioral issues, endocrinology, or psychiatry. This might be something to consider if there are pre-existing conditions that run in your family. 7. What is the doctor’s stance on vaccinations? While the topic of vaccinations can be a bit touchy, you’ll want to get clear before you commit on what the doctor’s opinion is regarding the timing of vaccinations. Some practices offer a gradual vaccination schedule, if that’s something you might be interested in, while others will only stick to the standard schedule. 8. Can you get a same-day sick visit? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve called my son’s pediatrician needing an appointment for that same day. I have never been denied, and it has been a source of great relief for me and my family. Not all doctors offer this service, so if urgency is important to you, make sure this is an option. 9. Does the office offer evening or weekend hours? If you’re a working parent, it will be difficult to get your child to well visits, never mind sick ones, during regular working hours. Extended and weekend hours can be a lifesaver for some parents. 10. What’s the wait time? You’ll probably experience some wait time in any doctor’s office, but if the office is consistently behind schedule that can be a real issue. Waiting rooms are notoriously germy and full of not-sohappy-kids. Visit prospective offices and check out the wait time for yourself, or ask a parent who’s there. There’s nothing worse then a room full of crying kids waiting to get shots.

13. What is the practice’s emergency protocol and hospital affiliation? If your child has a serious accident or allergic reaction, you will need to know your pediatrician’s protocol for handling these emergencies. Does she make house calls? Will he visit children if they end up in the ER? If the practice has a hospital affiliation, find out about its reputation and if it’s close to where you live. Ask how the hospital works in conjunction with the pediatrician’s office and if it allows parents to stay in the room overnight with admitted children. Hopefully this will be something you never have to experience, but it’s good information to have nonetheless. 14. Does the practice accept your insurance? Find out what plans the office accepts and whether your plan is one of them. Also, it’s a good idea to have some knowledge of all the plans they accept in case your insurance changes. If the practice does not accept your insurance, find out if it offers payment plans or a sliding scale for certain services. 15. What is your gut feeling? This is a question for yourself, not the pediatrician, but an important one nonetheless. This doctor will be a very important part of your child’s life for years to come. Ultimately you want to find someone who you trust and feel comfortable with. After all, he will be a key player in your child’s health and development.

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11. How does the office look? Is the place clean? Are there toys and books for your child to play with? Because you might spend at least a few minutes waiting to be seen, it’s best to have an office that is appealing to kids. Some offices even provide patients with separate waiting rooms for sick and well kids—something to consider. 12. Can you call with questions? Is there a number to call if you have a simple question regarding your child’s health? Sometimes issues are small enough they don’t warrant a trip to the office. You want to make sure your office has a number you can call that will connect you to a doctor, nurse, or nurse practitioner on staff. This is also an important after-hours feature as well.

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33 - 16 79th Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 Tel: (718) 335-6363 | www.gardenschool.org QueensParent 15

Courtesy the Klein family

Courtesy the Ladybug Foundation Hannah Taylor started The Ladybug Foundation when she was 8.

Jake and Max Klein, founders of Kids That Do Good, pose at a school event.

Kids Making a Difference

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These young people were so dedicated to improving the world they launched their own nonprofit organizations. Here’s how they did it—and how your child can, too. By Julia Hyman

hen Hannah Taylor was 5, she saw a man searching through a dumpster on the street. She was sad, angry, and kept asking herself, Why? For the next year, that man seemed to be all she could think about. He inspired her to learn everything she could about homelessness. After educating herself, Taylor, who grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, took action to help make sure no one else would have to live like that man did. With her parents’ help, at age 8 she founded the Ladybug Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money for and awareness about poverty and homelessness. Her motto: “Share a little of what you have and care about each other always.” “I’ve always lived an incredibly fortunate life,” Taylor, now 21, says. “Always had a bed to sleep in, food to eat, and love and care. I didn’t realize that anybody in Canada had to live a homeless life. It hit me right in the gut. I think that everyone has a moment like that in life. A striking realization that you just cannot let go and forget about. For me, this was it.” Starting a nonprofit organization is difficult to do at any age, involving a lot of planning and researching, not to mention inevitable challenges implementing even the best-crafted plans. To become a registered nonprofit in the United States, founders need to do their homework about the legal requirements. They’ll need to create a mission statement and business plan, establish an executive board, file for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and more. The process can take multiple years and hit unexpected snags at any point—and that’s aside from the difficulties any individual

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or group faces in tackling massive problems such as poverty or climate change. We spoke to several teens and young adults who have successfully navigated these challenges and created their own nonprofit organizations that are still thriving today. They told us how they did it and offered advice for how other kids can follow in their footsteps and make a lasting difference of their own by starting their own nonprofit groups. Since starting her organization, Taylor has spoken about its work at conferences, schools, and to whoever would listen. Because of her age, her efforts weren’t always successful, and she says many people challenged or doubted her along the way. Taylor recalls a difficult moment when she spoke at a conference and a man stood up and asked, “Do you think that is going to work?” She responded, “Well it’s a good place to start”—and he came back with, “It will work when pigs fly.” A few months later, she received a letter in the mail from that same man from the conference. He wrote that every day he would pass someone asking for change on the street. “After learning about Ladybug, a voice in his head would tell him to stop and ask how he is,” Taylor says. He ended up having an hour-long conversation with the man asking for change. His views on that man and those living in poverty changed as a result. “Along with the letter came a cast-iron pig with wings,” Taylor says. “It’s a challenge that you end up learning from. The only way to overcome it is to keep working and hope that you change

someone’s mind and hope that they show care and love in another way.” When starting a nonprofit, there always will be challenges and struggles along the way, but there are also going to be moments when the founders realize their work is changing lives. For Taylor, that moment happened when she was 10. She was on a tour of a homeless shelter so she could understand more about the people who use it. Kids from the shelter would join in on the tour and play with Taylor. “There was one girl, about 15 years old, who was quiet and hung back the whole time,” Taylor says. “Right when I was about to leave, she snuck through a crowd of people and hugged me. She had tears in her eyes and said, ‘Before today, I thought nobody loved me, and now I know you do.’” For Taylor, it’s essential to see past the challenges and remain focused on the mission, the purpose for which a young person is starting a nonprofit in the first place. “If things get hard or overwhelming or you are facing self-doubt, just remember your job as a change-making leader, and that is to create hope in other people,” Taylor says.

Kids That Do Good

Max and Jake Klein, 15-year-old twin brothers from Edgewater, NJ, have always loved helping those in need. They spend their birthdays raising money for charities instead of receiving presents. However, every time they wanted to volunteer, they were turned down because of their age. They didn’t want other kids to feel the same way they did, so they decided to do something about it. When they were 12 years old, Jake and Max founded the nonprofit organization Kids That Do Good. It’s an online platform that helps children of all ages find charities where they are able to volunteer. The website allows you to filter your search by age, location, religious affiliation, and cause. There is also a “Donate” option for people to help support their organization. “When people donate money, we hold it in our account until the end of the month and then donate that money directly to the Charity of the Month,” Jake says. Max and Jake insist they are just normal kids. The boys go to camp, participate in specialized clubs, and attend a business academy, all while still maintaining their organization. “Our board of advisors helps us make sure organizations we put up on our website are true charities, they help us search things, and they look at information from different angles than we do,” Max says. The Kleins started out by raising funds for organizations in their town that needed help, but Kids That Do Good has now grown to encompass charities nationwide. In 2015, a fire in Avalon, NJ, displaced 200 local families. Right away, Max and Jake decided to create a website to raise funds for those families. “Everyone responded really quickly and we had such a large outcome that we brought in over $200,000 that we divided up and gave to the families that were affected by the fire,” Jake says. The boys hope to keep Kids That Do Good up and running for a long time. When they move on to college, they hope to influence other young adults to do good as well. “We want kids to learn that giving back should be a part of everyday life, not just something that they do on a yearly basis when their parents tell them to,” Jake says. “For anyone that is starting their own website or organization, keep going at it and never give up,” he advises. “Because it could end up being a big thing and you should never give up on your dreams.” continued on next page ››

ADVICE ON STARTING A NONPROFIT— FROM KIDS WHO’VE DONE IT Hannah Taylor, the LadyBug Foundation If you are a young person who is interested in making a difference, you have to try a bunch of new things. Join organizations that people around you think are amazing or that you learn about in class. Often times, trying new things has to happen outside of your comfort zone. Once you find that thing, learn as much about it as you can. People talk about how knowledge is power, but I think that knowledge is only powerful when you turn that knowledge into understanding. I think the next step is that yes, one person can make a difference, but together we can make an even bigger difference. Jake and Max Klein, Kids That Do Good If you find something you care about, you will be excited to do it. You will be looking forward to it, and you will also need to ask your parents to help with some of it. Kids aren’t going to be the ones to contact the IRS to become a 501(c)(3) organization, so that will have to be put up on the parents’ end. Instead of just having a lot of kids involved, you should also have grown-ups so you are diversifying the age groups you have. Make sure you have people that will help you in starting your charity because we have had people help search things, build our website, and more. Always get opinions so you have something else to refer to. Cory Nichols, C the Difference: Cory Cares The one thing I’d say to all kids is that there is no idea too small, and you should go for anything you believe in. That was my mindset at 12 and I think it would be totally different if I did it now than at 12. You can’t really see the obstacles or what can go wrong. You just see the possibilities and that is what brought me to where I am now. You don’t know how good it feels to give back until you do it and giving makes yourself feel so much better. I know how I feel once I walk out of the food pantry, to see the shelves go from empty to notso-empty. I’ll never be able to fill up a pantry by myself, but just seeing the impact that you do make, makes you feel so good about yourself. Teagan Stedman, Shred Kids’ Cancer It can be difficult to get your own community involved with your efforts, but sometimes there is a ton of support through your events and by getting your friends to volunteer. There is a lot of variability as to how readily people will support your cause, but I think the biggest thing is to be persistent and to be sort of loud in trying to get your community on board. Try to plan very well. So if you’re trying to hold a fundraising event, make sure you market a lot. That can be a difficult thing to learn, making sure you know how many people you can get to come to your event, try to go around and get sponsorships and things like that. Social media is definitely the most powerful tool for getting the word out. You have to really try and keep your expenses low. We’ve had events that weren’t that successful, even just with the fundraising aspect. Even though you might be successful in engaging people and raising awareness, be aware because the expenses really hinder your efforts a lot. Venues and services from private people are really hard to control, which is one of the bigger challenges in fundraising. QueensParent 17

Courtesy Cory Nichols

Courtesy Shred Kids Cancer

‹‹ continued from previous page

Oceanside teen Cory Nichols with some of the food that will go toward stocking local food pantries

A Bar Mitzvah Project Expands

After watching the documentary Hard Times: Lost on Long Island, Cory Nichols, then age 12, didn’t like knowing there were kids at school who rely on food pantries for their meals. The Oceanside resident decided to devote his bar mitzvah project to raising funds to stock the local food pantry for an entire year. That’s when C the Difference: Cory Cares was born. Today, Cory is 17 and C the Difference: Cory Cares, is a registered nonprofit organization. It has a junior advisory board made up of kids ages 12-18. The organization “shops and stocks,” Cory says. “We shop for food in the supermarket and then we stock the pantry shelves with food.” C the Difference: Cory Cares usually stocks five food pantries per month. It holds events to raise funds, such as Halloween for the Hungry, during which volunteers ask people to donate food to pantries that will be picked up at a later date. Cory says he loves to hang out with friends, play sports, and act in shows. It wasn’t easy for him to start his organization. He had to plan, prepare, and ask for help. “I had my idea and what I wanted to do. I think it all started because I asked for help,” he says. “You need to have your strength in terms of standing by what you believe in and knowing what you want to do, but you also need to be ready to ask someone to help you get to where you want to go.” Raising money to buy food and then stocking food pantries takes dedication and makes a difference, but actually seeing where the food goes and who benefits from it drives home to Cory the importance of the work his organization does. “In the five years I have been doing this, I never really saw where and to who the food was going to,” he says. “But then when I was volunteering, I actually watched the people who were with me put food together into the bags for the people who were walking in and out to receive them. ...Just seeing where everything that I have done is going and seeing that it is going to the right place and making a 18

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Teagan Stedman, second from left, presents a check from his nonprofit, Shred Kids Cancer, to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

difference is one of the biggest eye openers for what I started.” You never know who is going to be there to help you, Cory says. The willingness of the people who wanted to help surprised him. “There is always that worry that I’m not going to raise enough money, that no one is going to volunteer, but then as soon as I gave people the opportunity to, they were so helpful,” he says.

Kids Fighting Kids’ Cancer

When Teagan Stedman was 8, his friend Alex Berson was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Instead of just saying “get well soon,” Teagan searched for things he could do to support the fight against pediatric cancer. Not many organizations would allow an 8-year-old to volunteer in hospitals, so he did the only thing that made sense to him—he started his own. Teagan and Alex both loved music, so what better way to show support than by raising money through music? He decided to plan a concert, a battle of the bands, with different children performing. He says he wanted to literally “shred kids’ cancer,” which is how he came up with the name of his nonprofit organization. Shred Kids’ Cancer has now been around for almost nine years. It continues to hold battle of the bands and other events to raise money and awareness. Originally from California, Teagan, now 17, moved to Avon, CT, and has continued running his organization there. One of the biggest challenges for him was his age. To get sponsorships and be taken seriously was a struggle because he was so young when he started. “Trying to become a nonprofit was difficult, especially when you have so little knowledge of that world,” he says, adding that the Internet was the biggest help in figuring it out. Teagan loves to play the guitar, spend time with his family, and work in the lab on his research project. He spent his summer working on drug delivery and cancer research. He says he realized

even the smallest things you do can make a difference when Children’s Hospital UCLA was granted a clinical trial. Noah C. Federman, M.D., a doctor at the hospital, was treating one of the “shredheads,” as the children helped by Shred Kids’ Cancer have come to be known. “Dr. Federman told me that the funding we gave was really crucial to their clinical trial because it was the funds that got the ball rolling on their progress, and eventually got them to their million-dollar grant that pushed the clinical trial through,” Teagan says. “That was something that really showed me how that what we were doing was important and actually making some sort of a dent.” Shred Kids’ Cancer is also working to help kids launch their own start-ups or clubs that will be connected to and partner with the larger organization. Its leaders are setting up a program to give kids guidance so they can be more equipped to start their own organizations. “We really want to be a resource to help guide kids through this process,” Teagan says. “We want kids to set up their own events, awareness campaigns, or clubs at school, or anywhere to benefit pediatric cancer research.” Julia Hyman, a former NYMetroParents editorial intern, is in her senior year at Pennsylvania State University.

HOW TO START A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

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Do your research. There can be a lot of challenges that come with starting a nonprofit organization, so make sure you create a plan and identify everything you need to about your specific organization.

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Build a solid foundation. You need to build a structure for your organization. Think about who is going to be involved, what you need to do, when you should start, etc.

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Incorporation and state forms. Each state has different laws and protocols for starting a nonprofit, so be sure to research your particular state and ask the appropriate agencies if you have questions. Filing for federal tax-exempt status. Does your organization have the appropriate legal paperwork? To be considered for exemption, the IRS must recognize you as a trust, a corporation, or as an association. Ongoing compliance. In some states, local governments require you to complete additional filings to be recognized as tax-exempt. Make sure you check with your local legal counsel to ensure you have all of the initial filing requirements. How to Incorporate a Nonproﬁt • Choose a name for your organization, but make sure to check your state’s laws for naming a nonprofit. • Create a board of directors, along with operating rules. • Decide on a legal structure—is your organization going to be a trust, corporation, or association? • Hand in your incorporation paperwork—you must file all the proper paperwork and pay a small filing fee to your state. • Apply for tax-exempt status—the IRS provides guidance and instructions on how to apply for this status. • Get necessary licenses and permits—did you get all of the necessary licenses and permits that you need to comply with federal, state, and local rules?

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WHERE-TO GUIDE

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Volunteer with Your Kids

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Research by Jordan Laird

Gear up to give back with our guide to volunteering with your kids! Projects big and small require lots of hands, and there are tons of local organizations that rely on the selflessness of volunteers to make sure that these resources continue to contribute to the Queens community. Volunteering with your kids is a great way to teach important, lifelong values of giving to others, and helps little ones realize the impact that one person can have on the entire world. Please call ahead to confirm volunteer requirements and details before heading out to serve others!

Feed the Hungry

At Citymeals On-Wheels, an organization that provides food and company to the elderly housebound in New York City, you can volunteer once or sign up for a longer commitment. Volunteers younger than 16, accompanied by an adult, can help hand-deliver meals. All prospective volunteers must submit an application along with two references and attend an orientation / training session prior to beginning their volunteer work. For more information, call Sheila Clay at 212-687-1234 or email sheila@citymeals. org; to download a volunteer application, visit citymeals.org/volunteer.

Get Empowered

The Youth Empowerment Program of Puppetry Arts (YEP!) is an arts- and civics-based youth development that empowers students ages 10-18 to be stronger, proactive, and responsible citizens while building interactive relationships with each other and the community. YEP! provides projects such as group art programs, mentoring, professional support, youth-led community outreach, and volunteerism. Student ages 16 and older can volunteer at community events. Students 20

younger than 16 can volunteer with their parents as a family at community events. Partnering with NYC schools in all five boroughs, YEP! targets teenagers from all backgrounds with special efforts for those that live within environments that lack significant role models or positive reinforcement from family or community. If your school or organization is interested in participating in YEP!, email Tim Young at info@puppetryarts.org. Puppetry Arts also offers internships, administration assistant positions and many more volunteer opportunities for all ages; visit puppetryarts. org for more information.

Go Green

Alley Pond Environmental Center engages volunteers along with college and high school-aged interns (ages 14 and older) in community service through assistance with animal care, outside work, educational programs, and special events. APEC provides guidance, training, and supervision, as well as a sense of commitment and sensitivity to environmental issues. Contact volunteer coordinator Venus Hall at 718-229-4000 x205 for opportunities, or visit alleypond. com/volunteers.html for more information. 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston.

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GrowNYC’s environmental education program implements a service-learning model: Students go out into their communities to make real changes in the areas of conservation and alternative energy. Common activities include tree planting, during which students learn about habitat restoration and why trees are important to our ecosystem, along with watershed maintenance, during which students learn how they can help keep watersheds clean and ensure the city has healthy drinking water. Students can also become part of the Greenmarket and Youthmarket and Learn it, Grow it, Eat it (LGE), which promotes cooking and various community outreach opportunities. GrowNYC does not formally accept volunteers younger than 18, but middle school and high school students throughout the five boroughs can get involved through programs in their schools. If your child’s school is interested in getting involved with this program, contact Diante Webb at 212-788-7900 or poleas@ grownyc.org. grownyc.org. Partnerships for Parks helps New Yorkers work together to make neighborhood parks thrive. The public-private program has a diverse, growing network of dedicated park volunteers and groups and it provides opportunities for them to celebrate their parks (such as volunteering for It’s My Park Day), become more effective leaders in their communities, and work with government officials to affect decisions about their parks. There are various volunteer opportunities for all age and interest levels. For more information, visit cityparksfoundation.org, call 212-3601399, or email info@cityparksfoundation.org. Queens Botanical Garden offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for adults and teens. Whether you like getting your hands dirty in the soil, prefer office work, or savor the excitement of special events, there are opportunities for every interest. Volunteers are interviewed and placed according to the garden’s needs, and training is provided. High school students can enroll in a summer volunteer program at the Children’s Garden.

To apply, email education@ queensbotanical.org. Visit queensbotanical.org to sign up for various opportunities or for general volunteer opportunities, contact a volunteer coordinator at volunteer@queensbotanical. org. 43-50 Main St., Flushing.

Keep Someone Company

At local nursing homes, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers, an afternoon of your time can make all the difference to someone. Volunteers can just sit and chat with residents or organize a fun activity. For volunteer opportunities at the Steve and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, apply online at northwell.edu. Volunteers can assist patients in the playrooms or at bedside. They can also greet visitors and help out in the gift shop. Volunteers ages 14 and older can only do so during the summer program. Contact Christine Hauff,

coordinator of volunteer services, at 718-470-3258 or chauff@northwell.edu. 269-01 76th Ave., New Hyde Park.

Lend a Hand at the Stable

Kids ages 16 and older can get involved with GallopNYC, which brings the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding to kids and adults with developmental, emotional, social, and physical challenges. Volunteers can help with lessons, supporting riders by leading their horses and providing encouragement; lend a hand with stable work; or participate in fundraising and special programs. Volunteers sign up for two hours a week for multiple weeks. No experience is needed as training is provided. GallopNYC offers its programs at four locations: Bronx Equestrian Center, 9 Shore Road, Bronx; Bowling Green at Prospect Park, 397A Coney Island Ave., Brooklyn; GallopNYC Forest Hills, 8803 70th Road, Forest Hills; and

Sunrise Stables, 80-89 Linden Blvd., Howard Beach. Sign up to volunteer at gallopnyc.org/ how-to-help/volunteer, by calling 646-233-4507, or emailing volunteer@gallopnyc.org.

Make a Wish Come True

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York (metrony.wish.org) grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Children in kindergarten through 12th grade can participate in Kids for Wish Kids, a program that develops project ideas to fundraise for Make-A-Wish. Volunteers don’t need to raise enough to sponsor a whole wish, but every little bit helps a wish come true. A bake sale, pajama days, car wash, read-a-thon, or penny drives are all great ways to start raising money. Make-AWish will provide balloons,

buttons, banners, and other MAW items to sell. For Kids for Wish Kids, contact Kathie Lombardi at 516-944-6212 x141. For other volunteer opportunities, contact volunteer services coordinator Amanda Lantz at 516-944-6212 x130, or alantz@metrony.wish.org.

Serve Your Community

March is Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross provides relief to individuals affected by disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Parents and kids age 14 and older can help with mailings, hand out flyers at fundraising walks, help with fundraising events, or come up with their own projects to raise money. Teens ages 14-18 can start or join a Red Cross Club at their high school. For more information, visit redcross.org/ny/new-york/ volunteer. 877-733-2767.

Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/volunteer

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FOOD & NUTRITION

From left: What’s-in-Season Fruit Crumble, Toffee Apple Tarts, and Mini Fruit Pies

Thanksgiving Desserts Kids Can Help Make ››

Amanda Grant shares pie, crumble, and tart recipes from ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ that are perfect for children to help bake.

e love when our kids help us out in the kitchen, and what better time to get them involved than preparing the Thanksgiving feast? While having them underfoot on the big day might not be the best option, try baking Thanksgiving dessert with them the day before, when you’re not stressed about getting the turkey in the oven on time and preparing a dozen side dishes. What we love about these recipes from Kids in the Kitchen by Amanda Grant is they are geared toward different age groups and help each specific age group develop important cooking skills, which are noted within each recipe. Happy cooking!

Mini Fruit Pies (ages 3-5)

Ready-made puff pastry dough is just right for these mini fruit pies. When you are rolling pastry, it is much easier to roll one small piece at a time instead of rolling one large piece, which is why I have broken the pastry into four pieces. These pastries taste delicious and are good for packed lunches, at snack time, or for desserts. If you choose to use big dried fruits like mango or apricots, you will need to use scissors to cut them into small pieces first. To make 16 mini pies you need: Ingredients: Small piece of butter, about the size of 2 pieces of chocolate, melted (ask an adult or older child to do this), plus a little extra 20 tablespoons (11/3 cups) dried fruits 1 teaspoon mixed spice 22

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

12½ oz. puff pastry dough A little flour for sprinkling A little demerara sugar for sprinkling Equipment: scissors, parchment paper, baking tray, mixing bowl, spoon, rolling pin, 2 pennies, round cutter about 2¼ inches across, table knife, pastry brush Skills: mixing, rolling pastry, cutting circles, brushing, using oven 1. Turn the oven on to 350°F. Cut a piece of parchment paper big enough to cover the baking tray. Put the melted butter, dried fruits, and spice in a mixing bowl and mix with a spoon. 2. Break the pastry in half, then break each piece in half to make 4 pieces. Sprinkle a little flour on the work surface. Flatten one piece of dough with a rolling pin until it is about the same thickness as 2 stacked pennies. 3. Take the cutter and, starting at the edge of the dough, push it down to cut out circles. Keep going until you have used up all of that dough. Roll out another piece of dough and cut out circles. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Using a teaspoon, spoon a little fruit mixture onto the middle of each circle. Bring the edges of the circle up together to seal the mixture inside. There should be no gaps in the pastry! 4. Turn the parcels over and flatten slightly with your hand. Using a table knife, carefully cut two or three short slits in the top of each pastry—this will let the steam escape when the pastries are baking.

5. Put them on the baking tray. Dip a pastry brush in a little melted butter and brush over all the pies. Sprinkle with sugar. Ask an adult to help you put the tray in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. They should look golden!

What’s-in-Season Fruit Crumble (ages 5-7)

One of the first things my mom taught me to make was a crumble. It’s a great way to learn how to rub butter into flour. Once you know how to do this you can have a go at making pastry. You can sprinkle this crumble mix on top of so many different fruits. Try to choose fruit that is in season—if you are not sure what that is, ask the person working in the produce section of the supermarket or go to a local famer’s market. Berries are easy to use as you don’t need to chop them first. For 4-6 people you need: Fruit filling: Seasonal fruit e.g. 15 plums or about 1 lb. 4 oz. fresh or frozen berries or about 12 peaches or nectarines 4 tablespoons orange juice 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 level tablespoon plain / all-purpose flour Crumble topping: 1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons plain / all-purpose flour 1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces 2 handfuls oats (or muesli if you prefer) 4 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground mixed spice / apple pie spice or ground cinnamon Equipment: cutting board, small paring knife, spoon, 2 small or 1 large ovenproof dish Skills: rubbing butter into flour, cutting with knife, mixing with spoon, sprinkling topping 1. Turn the oven on to 350°F. To make the fruit filling, use the bridge-cutting technique to cut the plums in half: on a chopping board, make a “bridge” with a thumb and finger of one hand and hold the plum. Hold a small paring knife in your other hand and put the blade under the bridge, then cut downwards firmly. Move the plums around as you cut to avoid cutting through the stone. Take out the stones. 2. Put the plums into two small or one large ovenproof dish. Pour the orange juice over the plums, add the sugar and flour, and mix with a spoon or your hands. 3. To make the crumble topping, put the flour into a bowl, add the butter and rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until it looks like fine breadcrumbs. This can take a few minutes. Add the oats, sugar, and spice and mix with your fingers again. 4. Spoon the mixture over the top of the plums. Ask an adult to help you put the dishes into the oven using oven mitts. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping is crisp, the plums are soft, and the fruit juices are bubbling up around the edges.

Toffee Apple Tarts (ages 7-11)

These tarts are so enjoyable to make that the boys who came over to my house to make them for this book asked to make some more in between taking the photos. Once you know how to make pastry dough, you can make so many different pies, cheese straws, small tarts, big tarts, and lots more. To make 24 little tarts you need: Sweet pastry / pie crust dough: 1 stick unsalted butter, chilled 1¾ cups plain / all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon sugar 1 egg yolk 1-2 tablespoons cold water Filling: 6-8 eating apples 12 toffee sweets / candies Equipment: table knife, mixing bowl, clingfilm / plastic wrap, parchment paper, two 12-hole cupcake tins / pans, rolling pin, round cutter about 3 inches across, cutting board, oven mitts Skills: cutting, rubbing butter into flour, lining tart tins / pans, sharing fillings, bashing with rolling pins, using oven 1. Use a table knife to cut the butter into small pieces and put into a mixing bowl with the flour. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until it looks like fine breadcrumbs. This can take a few minutes. 2. Add the sugar, egg yolk, and water and stir the mixture together with the table knife until it comes together and you can form a ball with your hands. Wrap the pastry in a piece of clingfilm / plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes this will make it easier to roll out. 3. Turn the oven on to 350°F. Using a scrap of parchment paper, rub a little butter inside the holes in the cupcake tins / pans. Break the pastry into four pieces. Sprinkle a little flour on the work surface, then roll out one piece at a time. Dip the cutter in flour, then cut out 24 circles. Gently press the circles into the holes of the pans. 4. Use the table knife and a cutting board to cut the apples in small pieces, avoiding the core in the middle. Divide the pieces between the pastry cases / dough crusts. 5. Put the toffees on a solid work surface and gently bash with the rolling pin to break into pieces. Scatter the pieces evenly over the apples. Using oven mitts, put the pans in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the toffee has melted and the apples are cooked.

Excerpted from Kids in the Kitchen ($19.95) by Amanda Grant, with photography by Susan Bell, with permission of Ryland Peters & Small.

QueensParent 23

OUTINGS: Long Island City

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5 Reasons We Love Long Island City

Culture, street art, and scenic views abound along the East River. ›› By Sabrina Sooknanan 2

Courtesy RESOBOX

Sabrina Sooknanan

Courtesy Chop Em Down Films/Zane Meyer

1 Top To Bottom is a unique public mural project by talented street artists on a three-story building south of the Queensboro Bridge in Long Island City. 2 The Pepsi-Cola sign, a relic from a past bottling facility, shines bright near Center Boulevard and 46th Avenue, overlooking Gantry Park. 3 Children participate in the Amigurumi workshop at RESOBOX, in which they make stuffed crocheted animals.

ocated across the East River from Manhattan in the borough of Queens, Long Island City is a fun place to explore with the family. The neighborhood is known for its increasingly diverse community, thriving public art projects, and kid-friendly piers and skating rinks.

Different Cultures

While Queens consists of the most culturally diverse demographic among the boroughs, Long Island City exemplifies culture diversity in its people and in its food. Explore Japanese culture at RESOBOX, an all-in-one art gallery, café, and activity center that offers cultural classes in Japanese cooking, manga drawing, Japanese ink painting, and more. A vibrant restaurant scene— including Mexican hotspot Casa Enrique—further represents LIC’s diverse cultures.

Street Art History

Long Island City was once home to the 200,000-squarefoot graffiti mecca 5 Pointz NYC, an aerosol art museum that was whitewashed in November 2013 and demolished a year later. Fortunately street art murals were revived in 2015 by Arts Org NYC with Top To Bottom, a public mural project that showcases a vibrant union of colors and shapes by talented street artists on a three-story building south of the Queensboro Bridge in LIC.

Scenic Views

Take in an amazing view of the New York City skyline by visiting Gantry Plaza State Park. Located in Hunter’s Point, LIC, this waterfront park offers a stunning panoramic view and

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

peaceful piers. And we can’t forget about a famous city landmark overlooking Gantry Park: the Pepsi-Cola sign, which once rested on top of the soda company’s bottling facility. In 2001, the Pepsi plant was torn down and today you can see the sign light up in red in front of a high-rise apartment building near Center Boulevard and 46th Avenue.

Art Programs at The Noguchi Museum

On the first Sunday of every month The Noguchi Museum offers Open Studio for families with children ages 2-11. Led by museum educators, families can enjoy the galleries and make art based on their experiences. Arts for Tots is offered on select Saturdays and Sundays so families with children ages 2-4 can view the galleries while exploring art materials. The Noguchi’s collection includes sculptures, drawings, models, and designs. Enjoy free admission the first Friday of every month.

Ice-Skating Year-Round

City Ice Pavilion offers public ice-skating sessions on select weekdays and weekends. It offers holiday camps, group lessons, and youth hockey. You can also check out Long Island City’s ICE, which offers a wide range of opportunities, from elite personalized training to the Future Islanders Program, eight introductory hockey-training sessions for children ages 5-8 led by former New York Islanders Arron Asham and Radek Martinek.

Want to Go?

Directions: Approximately a 40-minute subway ride from Flushing For more information: nymetroparents.com/lic

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Turn the page for details on GingerBread Lane (No. 7 on our list).

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nymetroparents.com/submitevent UPDATED DAILY AT nymetroparents.com/calendar EDITOR: GAIL WARREN qpcal@davlermedia.com

NOVEMBER CALENDAR

Editor’s Hot Tickets

Crafty Kids

We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!

Smarty Pants, Holiday Fun

Show Time!

Movers & Shakers

Fun Fairs & Festivals, Little Foodies

Mini Musicians, On Screen

The Great Outdoors Special Needs

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

Our calendar is full of great ideas. First, here are the eight 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!

NY Philharmonic Ensembles

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 5, 3pm WHERE: LeFrak Concert Hall, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Enjoy an intimate connection between listeners and the individual talents that make up the orchestra. Experience the passion and personality of the performers in an early work of Beethoven. WHY WE LOVE IT: World-class entertainment in the heart of Queens. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 718-997-3800. kupferbergcenter.org.

Ball In The House

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11, 8pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Following in the path of classic harmony groups, these artists mix the sounds of pop, R&B, and even hip-hop music, providing this five-member veteran vocal band with an eclectic song set. WHY WE LOVE IT: Expect to hear a mix of old school, top 40, ’90s boy band, and Motown music. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 718-631-6311. visitqpac.org.

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

‘Interactive Meistersinger’ by Opera Pomme Rouge

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 12, 3pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: This family-friendly interactive opera will be an experience of three-dimensional scenes through the integration of audience and performers. WHY WE LOVE IT: The audience’s seats will be part of the stage set, so they can take part in the drama. WANT TO GO? $5; free for students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

91st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 23, 9am-12pm WHERE: Parade begins at Central Park West and 77th Street, Sixth Avenue, Upper West Side and Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: This year’s parade promises all the awesomely soaring balloons including Hello Kitty, Ronald McDonald, Elf on the Shelf, and Charlie Brown, to name a few, plus marching bands, performers, and floats that families love. WHY WE LOVE IT: What better way to get out of the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning? WANT TO GO? 212-494-4495. macys.com/parade.

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Disney On Ice Presents ‘Dare To Dream’

WHEN: Nov. 15-26, Thursday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented By New York Community Bank, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, Long Island AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Celebrate what’s possible as the adventures of five daring Disney heroines spark the courage inside all of us. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s the kind of performance that yells, “Yes, you can!” and we love it. WANT TO GO? $25 and up. 800-745-3000. nycblive.com.

‘A Very Electric Christmas’

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 26, 1pm and 3pm WHERE: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Santa’s helpers are putting the final touches on presents as a young bird names Max and his family head South for the winter. As he tries to make his way home, his adventure begins when he encounters friendly caroling worms, dancing poinsettias, Nutcracker soldiers, mischievous mice, and an evil Rat King. WHY WE LOVE IT: This delightful holiday production will make children wide-eyed with delight. WANT TO GO? $14. 718-760-0064. queenstheatre.org.

GingerBread Lane

WHEN: Nov. 11-Jan. 14, 2018: Monday-Friday, 9:30am5pm; Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: Marvel at homemade gingerbread houses made entirely of edible gingerbread, royal icing, and candy. GingerBread Lane has won the Guinness World Record for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 for the largest gingerbread village. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s truly good enough to eat! WANT TO GO? $16; $13 seniors, students, and children. 718-6990005. nysci.org.

16th Annual Holiday Train Show FREE

WHEN: Nov. 16-Feb. 4, 2018, daily, 6am-8pm WHERE: Transit Museum Gallery Annex & Store, Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Kids can watch in awe as little Lionel trains roll along a 34-foot-long, two-level track that looks just like a mini NYC with a nearby countryside. The scenery even includes its very own North Pole. WHY WE LOVE IT: There are some really cool vintage train cars on display. WANT TO GO? 212-340-2583. nytransitmuseum.org.

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. Beyond the Pow-Wow FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 2pm WHERE: Queens Village Library, 94-11 217th St., Queens Village AGES: All WHAT: Award-winning children’s author S.D. Nelson brings the culture of the Lakota people center stage; Chief Dwaine Perry discusses the proposed oil pipeline that threatens the sacred areas of the Ramapoul Lunaape Reserve; and the National Alliance of Native American Dancers perform with Wolfsmoon Medicine Drum. WANT TO GO? 718-776-6800. queenslibrary.org.

Long Island Chrysanthemum Show FREE

WHEN: Nov. 4-5, Saturday, 12-5:30pm; Sunday, 11am-3:45pm WHERE: Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: See the array of chrysanthemums grown by members of the Long Island Chrysanthemum Society. WANT TO GO? 516-334-0066. hicksnurseries.com.

Birthday Open House FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 12, 2-5pm WHERE: My Gym Fresh Meadows, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Suite 310, Fresh Meadows AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Kids will enjoy sampling of birthday activities and themes. Discounts and raffles will be offered, and one family will win a Grand Celebration party. WANT TO GO? 718-380-4599. mygym.com.

Annual Treasure Sale FREE

WHEN: Nov. 11-12, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Holy Family Catholic Academy, 74-15 175th St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: New and used items, refreshments, and food will be for sale. WANT TO GO? 718-969-2124. holyfamilyca-freshmeadows.org.

Santaland FREE

WHEN: Nov. 24-Dec. 24, daily, 9am-9pm WHERE: Macy’s, 151 W. 34th St., 8th floor, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Visitors will wander through a 13,000-square-foot Christmas Village filled with holiday treasures. After meeting Santa, guests can buy a photo package. Visits are by reservation only this year. WANT TO GO? 212-494-4495. macys.com/santaland. ›› QueensParent 27

‘Pinkalicious’

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, 2pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Pinkalicious loves all things pink, from fairy dresses to cotton candy, and especially pink cupcakes. But when Pinkalicious eats one cupcake too many, she turns pink herself. What will she do? WANT TO GO? $15. 718-631-6311. visitqpac.org.

Fall for Kunqu

SHOW TIME! ‘Aesop’s Fables’

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 2pm WHERE: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre, Long Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: With the help of Aesop and his faithful dog Moral, Jim and his partners share the famous fables. WANT TO GO? $15 and up. 516-323-4444. madisontheatreny.org.

‘The Wonderful Wizard of Song’

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 5, 3pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: All WHAT: This exceptional jukebox musical, featuring the classic songs by the iconic Oz composer Harold Arlen, is hosted by the composer’s son Sam Arlen. The show takes the audience on a journey tracing Harold’s career, seamlessly moving through the Cotton Club era to his Hollywood years, culminating with his time on the Great White Way. WANT TO GO? $40. 718-631-6311. visitqpac.org.

‘Petra and the Wolf’

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, 1:30pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Carefully curated by Kunqu Society, the program showcases a colorful and entertaining selection of music, singing, and dramatic pieces from the Kunqu repertoire to celebrate fall. There will be English subtitles. WANT TO GO? $16; $10 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

‘Frida Libre’

WHEN: Nov. 16-19, Thursday, 7:30pm; Friday, 8pm; Saturday, 2pm and 8 pm; Sunday, 2pm WHERE: Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Flora Martínez presents her unique vision of the magical world of one of the most influential women in Latin American history. Frida Libre explores Frida Kahlo’s art, her success, her passion for politics, and her complex relationship with Diego Rivera. Her rich, fascinating story is told through dialogue and song, under the musical direction of José Reinoso. WANT TO GO? $20-$42. 718-760-0064. queenstheatre.org.

‘Mouse on the Move’

WHEN: Nov. 4-25, see website for dates and times WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Two adventurous mice are ready to explore the world beyond their little mouse-hole. They decide to go to the moon because they believe it is made entirely of delicious, mouth-watering cheese. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 5, 2pm WHERE: Kingsborough Community College, The Leon M. Goldstein Performing Arts Center, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Inspired by the Prokofiev classic Peter and the Wolf, with captivating large-scale puppetry and live music, this original work introduces the mischievous but fearless Petra, the granddaughter of the fabled Peter. When a wolf threatens her home and animal friends, her adventures become a showcase of bravery and compassion. WANT TO GO? $12. 718-368-5596. onstageatkingsborough.org.

‘Paw Patrol Live!’

‘The Same Day’

WHEN: Nov. 30-Dec. 3, Thursday-Friday, 7pm; Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm WHERE: Kupferberg Center For The Performing Arts, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Features world premiere choreographic works by the internationally renowned faculty members of the dance program at Queens College. The works are performed by the talented students of the Department of Drama, Theatre and Dance, and embrace diverse forms of dance including modern, contemporary and African. WANT TO GO? $10-$16. 718-997-3800. kupferbergcenter.org.

WHEN: Nov. 2-10, Thursday-Friday, 7pm WHERE: LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City AGES: 13 and older WHAT: On a ship, a grandfather and his grandson lie caught in the same time loop that plagues marginalized people everywhere, from refugee camps to major cities. Their endless return is a brutal, cruel, yet often hilarious version of today’s present global condition. WANT TO GO? $15. 718-482-5151. lpac.nyc. 28

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Nov. 24-26, Friday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Kings Theatre, 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush, Brooklyn AGES: All WHAT: It’s the day of the Great Adventure Bay Race between Adventure Bay’s Mayor Goodway and Foggy Bottom’s Mayor Humdinger, but Mayor Goodway is nowhere to be found. Ryder summons Marshall, Chase, Skye, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma, and the newest pup Everest, to rescue Mayor Goodway and run the race in her place. WANT TO GO? $19 and up. 718-856-5464. kingstheatre.com.

Migrations: The QC Faculty Dance Concert

MOVERS & SHAKERS Seasonal Garden Tours & Activity Table FREE

WHEN: Nov. 4-5, Saturday-Sunday, 1-4pm WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Explore seasonal garden highlights with the knowledgeable staff on a tour from 1-2pm. Plus, check out the activity table every weekend from 2-4pm. WANT TO GO? 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.

TCS New York City Marathon FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 5, 8:30am WHERE: NYC’s five boroughs AGES: All WHAT: Thousands will run and millions will watch! Spectators can view from many different parts of the five-borough course, which runs from Staten Island to Brooklyn, through Queens and the Bronx, and on into Manhattan’s Central Park. WANT TO GO? tcsnycmarathon.org.

Music and Movement

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 8, 11:30am WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy creative movement exercises and interactive sing-alongs that get little bodies moving to the rhythm. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Girls Basketball Clinic FREE

WHEN: Through Nov. 10: Fridays, 5-7pm WHERE: Lost Battalion Hall Recreation Center, 93-29 Queens Blvd., Rego Park AGES: 13-17 WHAT: Instructors will teach participants the basic rules and fundamental skills of basketball in preparation for a 2018 winter basketball tournament. WANT TO GO? 718-393-7370. nycgovparks.org.

My Gym Open House FREE

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 10, 9:30-12:30pm and 4-6:30pm WHERE: My Gym Fresh Meadows, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Suite 310, Fresh Meadows AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Enjoy samples of the new ballet, preschool prep, sensory play, ninja warrior, and gymnastics classes for kids. Enrollment specials and giveaways all day. WANT TO GO? 718-380-4599. mygym.com/queens.

Keep Calm and Practice Yoga

WHEN: Nov. 4-11, Saturdays, 9:15am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Book a spot and bring your mat! Certified master yoga instructor Mike Mancini will lead these hour-long yoga sessions, using an adaptable approach suitable for beginner to experienced students. WANT TO GO? $16. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

7th Annual Kids Turkey Trot

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 23, 9am WHERE: Long Island City YMCA, 32-23 Queens Blvd., Long Island City AGES: All WHAT: Activities will include a mini dance class, warm-up and stretches, pictures with the turkey, a post-race dance, and an awards celebration during which trophies and medals will be given to participants. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $15; $28 for families with up to three children. 718-392-7932. ymcanyc.org/lic.

Public Skating

WHEN: Through Dec. 23: Monday-Friday, 9am-5:15pm; Friday, 7-9:50pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-4:45pm; Saturday, 8-9:50pm WHERE: World Ice Arena, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 131st Street and Avery Avenue, Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Whether you’re lacing up skates for the first time, or you’re an experienced skater, participants will love ice-skating at the World Ice Arena. WANT TO GO? $6 weekdays; $9 weekends; $5 skate rental. 718-7609001. worldice.com.

Public Ice-Skating

WHEN: Through Feb. 28, 2018: Monday-Tuesday, 10am-2:30pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 10am-11pm; Sunday, 10am-9pm WHERE: Wollman Rink, 59th Street and Central Park South, Central Park, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: This outdoor rink offers an amazing view of the Manhattan skyline, plus a skating school, a hockey program, and birthday party offerings on the ice. Check out the nearby carousel for $3 a ride in between skates. WANT TO GO? Monday-Thursday: $12; $5 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger; Friday-Sunday and holidays: $19; $9 seniors; $6 for children 11 and younger. 212-439-6900. wollmanskatingrink.com.

Bank of America Winter Village

WHEN: Through March 4, 2018: daily, 8am-10pm WHERE: Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: The park becomes a winter wonderland with an outdoor iceskating rink (free entry!), a European inspired open-air market for holiday shopping, rinkside dining, and even an observation deck full of games and art supplies. WANT TO GO? $20 skate rental. 212-768-4242. bryantpark.org.

Ice-Skating Season

WHEN: Through April 1, 2018: daily, 8:30-12am WHERE: The Rink at Rockefeller Center, 600 Fifth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Take a skate around the outdoor rink before stopping by the many shops and restaurants at Rockefeller Center. Skate lessons are offered as well. WANT TO GO? $25; $15 seniors and for children younger than 11. 212332-7654. therinkatrockcenter.com. ››

QueensParent 29

Musica Reginae Chamber Players

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, 7:30pm WHERE: The Church in the Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills Gardens AGES: All WHAT: An evening of enchanting and beloved chamber music works for piano and strings including works by Schubert, Schumann, Bloch, and Gerber. Performers to include Barbara Podgurski on piano, Cyrus Beroukhim on violin, and Junah Chung on viola. WANT TO GO? $20; $10 students; free for children 12 and younger with an adult. 718-894-2178. musicareginae.org.

MINI

MUSICIANS Flushing Town Hall Monthly Jazz Jam

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7-10pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Jazz Jams are a fun way for artists to hone their skills and jam with their peers. The house band is led by saxophonist Carol Sudhalter. All are welcome to participate or listen, regardless of instrument. WANT TO GO? $10; free for students and jamming musicians. 718463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

NEA Jazz Masters: Celebrating 100 Years of Dizzy and Monk

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 3, 8pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 13 and older WHAT: Celebrate 100 years of jazz icons Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk, featuring NEA Jazz Masters Kenny Barron on piano, Jimmy Heath on saxophone, Jimmy Owens on trumpet, Jimmy Cobb on drum, Lew Tabackin on saxophone, and Rufus Reid on bass. WANT TO GO? $42; $20 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org.

An Evening With Gladys Knight

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 9, 8pm WHERE: LeFrak Concert Hall, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Don’t miss an unforgettable performance from one of Motown’s leading ladies. WANT TO GO? $39 and up. 718-997-3800. kupferbergcenter.org.

Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert: Jason Danieley FREE

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 12, 3pm WHERE: LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Whether performing in a Broadway musical or as a soloist, Danieley dazzles e. He made his Broadway debut in the 1997 revival of Bernstein’s Candide, winning a Theatre World award. WANT TO GO? 718-482-5151. lpac.nyc.

Astoria Big Band: Memories of Jazz in Queens

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 17, 8pm WHERE: Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing AGES: 13 and older WHAT: The Astoria Big Band presents the music of Queens’ greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Jutta Hipp, Big Nick Nicholas, Sarah McLawler, Clark Terry, and Jimmy Heath. WANT TO GO? $16; $10 students. 718-463-7700. flushingtownhall.org. 30

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Debby Boone: ‘Swing This’ with The Diva Jazz Orchestra

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 3pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Debby continues to grow her reputation as a singer of the Great American Songbook, with her release of Reflections of Rosemary, an intimate tribute to her late mother-in-law Rosemary Clooney, and with her new big band show Swing This, a tribute to Las Vegas in the ’60s. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 718-631-6311. visitqpac.org.

‘Dances of the World’

WHEN: Through Nov. 26: Friday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 4pm WHERE: Thalia Hispanic Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy dance and live music with Colombian Dance Company Cali Salsa Pal’ Mundo. WANT TO GO? $40; $37 seniors and students. 718-729-3880. thaliatheatre.org.

Winter Chorus FREE

WHEN: Nov. 6-Dec. 18, Mondays, 4pm WHERE: Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Join the winter chorus for seven weeks of singing. WANT TO GO? queenslibrary.org.

Toddler Music FREE

WHEN: Nov. 1-Dec. 20, Wednesdays, 10:15am WHERE: Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Parkway, Woodhaven AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: There will be songs, instruments, crafts, marching, and dancing. WANT TO GO? 718-849-1010. queenslibrary.org.

ON SCREEN Family Film Friday FREE

WHEN: Nov. 3-17, Fridays, 3pm WHERE: North Hills Library, 57-04 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy two different family film screenings: The Emoji Movie on Nov. 3 and Cars 3 on Nov. 17. WANT TO GO? 718-225-3550. queenslibrary.org/north-hills.

School’s Out Family Film Series FREE

WHEN: Nov. 7-24, Tuesday and Friday, 1:30pm WHERE: Hillcrest Library, 187-05 Union Turnpike, Flushing AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy this series of films when school is out. Watch Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie on Nov. 7 and Cars 3 on Nov. 24. Light refreshments are permitted for this program only. WANT TO GO? 718-454-2786. queenslibrary.org.

AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Join us each week as we read childhood classics and introduce new favorites; followed by a take-home, book-inspired craft. WANT TO GO? $3 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Museum Makers: Designing With Data Super Cinema Saturday FREE

WHEN: Nov. 4-25, Saturdays, 2:30pm WHERE: Forest Hills Library, 108-91 71st Ave., Forest Hills AGES: 5-12, adult WHAT: Watch Sing on Nov. 4; Max 2: White House Hero on Nov. 18; and Cars 3 on Nov. 25. WANT TO GO? 718-268-7934. queenslibrary.org.

The Jim Henson Exhibit

WHEN: Year-round: Wednesday-Thursday, 10:30am-2pm; Friday, 10:30am-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11:30am-7pm WHERE: Museum of the Moving Image, 35-01 35th Ave., Astoria AGES: All WHAT: This experience features nearly 500 artifacts from Jim Henson’s remarkable and unparalleled television and film career, and his transformative impact on popular culture. WANT TO GO? $15; $11 seniors and students with ID; $7 children ages 3-17; free for children younger than 3. 718-777-6888. movingimage.us.

‘Dream Big: Engineering Our World’

WHEN: Through June 30: daily, 2pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: From the Great Wall of China and the world’s tallest buildings to underwater robots, solar cars and smart, sustainable cities, this film celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small. WANT TO GO? $6; $5 children with admission: $16; $13 children ages 2-17; free for children younger than 2. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Coloring Club FREE

WHEN: Nov. 1-3, Wednesday and Friday, 12pm WHERE: Mitchell-Linden Library, 31-32 Union St., Flushing AGES: Newborn to 2, adult WHAT: Coloring pages will be provided. WANT TO GO? 718-539-2330. queenslibrary.org.

Hands-On History: Braids and Buttons FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 1pm WHERE: King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica AGES: All WHAT: Create jewelry inspired by styles from the Colonial and Victorian eras. WANT TO GO? 718-206-0545. kingmanor.org.

stART (Story + Art)

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 9, 11:30am WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island

WHEN: Through Nov. 16: Thursdays, 3:30pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: 5-8, adult WHAT: Kids and their families will explore the museum’s exhibits through the eyes of scientists. Ask questions, collect data, uncover patterns, and design and create your own exhibit. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 children, students, and seniors. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Children’s Workshop: Create a Potted Turkey

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 17, 4pm and 6pm WHERE: Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury, Long Island AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Decorate a clay pot and place a colorful croton plant in it. WANT TO GO? $10 per child. 516-334-0066. hicksnurseries.com.

Family Art Project: Cornhusk Dolls

WHEN: Nov. 18-19, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate corn and harvest time. Listen to Native-American tales and hear about the power of a talking stick. Then tie, weave, and shape dried husks into a single, cornhusk doll or corny doll family. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200.

Messy Afternoons

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 25, 3:30pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: We’ll be up to our elbows in oobleck, clean mud, and slime for the type of artistic activities that everyone loves. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Family Art Project: Natural Weavings

WHEN: Nov. 25-26, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-1pm WHERE: Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx AGES: All WHAT: Gather fall leaves, cones, pods, and seed heads. Weave them together with other materials from the gardens and meadows to create a decorative wall hanging celebrating the bounty and beauty of the season. WANT TO GO? $8; $4 children. 718-549-3200.

Family Holiday Crafts FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 21: Thursdays, 6:30pm WHERE: Laurelton Library, 134-26 225th St., Laurelton AGES: All WHAT: Families can create memories and holiday crafts. WANT TO GO? 718-528-2822. queenslibrary.org.

Lego Hour FREE

WHEN: Nov. 4-Dec. 30, Saturdays, 3pm WHERE: Woodhaven Library, 85-41 Forest Parkway, Woodhaven AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Come to the library and join in on the Lego fun. WANT TO GO? 718-849-1010. queenslibrary.org. ›› QueensParent 31

AGES: All WHAT: Have fun learning about interesting critters at this pay-one-price event. Admission includes the Birds of Prey show, Frogs, Bugs, & Animals show, hayrides, animal feeding, and pony rides. WANT TO GO? $9. 718-347-3276. queensfarm.org.

Science Rocks! FREE

WHEN: Nov. 6-20, Mondays, 3:30pm WHERE: Peninsula Library, 92-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway AGES: 5-12 WHAT: An after-school project featuring STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) experiments. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 212-360-8114. nycgovparks.org.

SAMRTY PANTS UNIS Queens Open House FREE

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 2, 6-7pm WHERE: United Nations International School, 173-53 Croydon Road, Jamaica Estates AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Parents who are interested in applying for kindergarten-eighth grades for the 2018-2019 academic year are invited to visit this Queens campus to learn more about the curriculum and take a tour. WANT TO GO? 718-658-6166. unis.org.

Queens Then & Now, Through the People of Color Lens FREE

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 3, 5pm WHERE: Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica AGES: All WHAT: Editor, writer, and diversity advocate Jennifer Baker will lead a panel discussion tracing the migration of people of color in Queens County. This discussion will also cover the broader racial history and demographics of the region. WANT TO GO? queenslibrary.org.

The Science Playground

WHEN: Through Nov. 11: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; SaturdaySunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: All WHAT: The nation’s largest science playground features 60,000 square feet of exhibits for children of all ages. Slides, seesaws, climbing webs, a water play area, drums, mirrors, sandboxes, and more allow kids to explore science by playing. WANT TO GO? $5 with admission: $16; $13 seniors and children ages 2-17. 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Think Tank: When Pumpkins Fly

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 12, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 7-9 WHAT: Children will explore their inner scientist with this fun filled hands on experimenting class. They will be challenged to form a hypothesis based on the materials of the day, then draw conclusions based on their experimentations. WANT TO GO? $24. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Wildlife Weekends

WHEN: Nov. 4-12, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm WHERE: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Escape Room Skills FREE

WHEN: Nov. 1-22, Wednesdays, 4pm WHERE: Broadway Library, 40-20 Broadway, Long Island City AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn to decipher secret codes, create and reveal invisible messages, and solve riddles and tricky logic puzzles during this four-week program. On the last week, kids can put their new skills to the test at an Escape Room and Puzzle Party. WANT TO GO? 718-721-2462. queenslibrary.org.

Mandarin Classes for Preschoolers FREE

WHEN: Through Dec. 4: Mondays, 3:30pm WHERE: North Forest Park Library, 98-27 Metropolitan Ave., Forest Hills AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Bilingual Birdies will teach 45-minutes classes in English and Mandarin with live music, movement, dance, puppetry, and games. WANT TO GO? 718-261-5512. queenslibrary.org.

Gulliver’s Gate

WHEN: Through Dec. 31: daily, 9am-10pm WHERE: 216 W. 44th St., Times Square, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Artists from eight countries took part in building this miniature world, featuring cities from across the globe, all built to scale. You can even pay to have your body scanned and become part of the exhibit. WANT TO GO? $36; $27 seniors and for children 12 and younger. gulliversgate.com.

HOLIDAY FUN Let’s Talk Turkey

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 5, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Get ready for Thanksgiving by learning about these finefeathered friends. Examine turkey feathers, share a turkey tale, take a nature walk looking for local birds, and meet a ring-necked dove. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Balloon Inflation Event FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 22, 3-10pm WHERE: Theodore Roosevelt Park, West 79th Street and Columbus Avenue, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Watch the big balloons fill up before they make their Thanksgiving Day trip through the heart of Manhattan. WANT TO GO? macys.com/parade.

school about the application process, deadlines, requirements, and school life. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights with Crafts and Indian Classical Kathak and Folk Dance FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 1:30pm WHERE: Glen Oaks Library, 256-04 Union Turnpike, Glen Oaks AGES: 5-12, adult WHAT: Henna hand painting workshop with Anowara Ahmed, and kathak: a North Indian form of storytelling through classical dance. WANT TO GO? 718-831-8636. queenslibrary.org.

The I Love Chocolate Fest

Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 25, 6pm WHERE: The Shops at Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Ave., Glendale AGES: All WHAT: Santa will be there to light the tree! Featuring entertainment, free giveaways, and milk and cookies for the kids. WANT TO GO? 718-326-3300. shopatlaspark.com.

‘A Christmas Carol’

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 26, 3pm WHERE: Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside AGES: All WHAT: Gather the whole family together and come join Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley, and Mr. Humbug himself, Ebenezer Scrooge, for an amazing theater experience. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 718-631-6311. visitqpac.org.

‘George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker’

WHEN: Nov. 24-Dec. 31, Thursday-Sunday, see website for show times WHERE: David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan AGES: 5 and older WHAT: From Swan Lake to sugarplum fairies, the music of Tchaikovsky rings beautiful and clear in this classic holiday performance. Watch ballerinas flit across the stage in a magical world where mischievous mice besiege a battalion of soldiers and a blizzard leads to an enchanted Land of Sweets. WANT TO GO? $40 and up. 212-496-0600. nycballet.com.

‘Christmas Spectacular’ Starring the Radio City Rockettes

WHEN: Nov. 10-Jan. 1, 2018, daily, see website for times WHERE: Radio City, 1260 Sixth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan AGES: All WHAT: Combining the old with the new, the Christmas Spectacular takes audiences on a choreographed journey from Santa’s workshop at the North Pole, to the streets of Manhattan, to a beautifully classic Living Nativity. WANT TO GO? $35 and up. 212-247-4777. rockettes.com/christmas.

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALS High School Fair FREE

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 1pm WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Middle school students and their parents are invited to explore different New York City high schools, specialized and not, and the opportunities offered. Students can talk with representatives from each

WHEN: Nov. 4-5, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, Long Island AGES: All WHAT: More than 50 chocolate exhibitors will be in attendance, plus additional exhibits with wine, crafts, giveaways, and other unique Aartisanal treats. Attendees will receive complimentary tickets for 10 guaranteed samples. WANT TO GO? $12; $8 seniors and children ages 5-12; free for children 4 and younger. 631-488-0521. ilovechocolatefest.com.

LITTLE FOODIES APEC Adventure Time: Apples, Apples, Apples

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 1:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: Newborn to 2, adult WHAT: Taste different kinds of apples and make an apple star painting. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $18. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Kids in the Kitchen

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 10, 11:30am WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Little chefs use real cooking tools (with some help from adults) to make easy, yummy, kid-friendly snacks from start to finish. WANT TO GO? $5 with museum admission: $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Young Chefs Give Thanks Once Again!

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 9-12 WHAT: Young Chefs will “shop” for goods in the APEC market and together create Thanksgiving baskets filled with groceries for the less fortunate to enjoy over the holidays. They will also learn how to cook zucchini pancakes and garlic bread to enjoy with a cup of warm apple cider. WANT TO GO? $30. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Kidz Kitchen: Squaklicious Dishes

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Kids will create a fine dining experience using quail eggs. They’ll try their hand at quail egg quiche and a quail egg-inspired summer salad. WANT TO GO? $22. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com. ›› QueensParent 33

THE GREAT OUTDOORS APEC’s Annual Fall Family Pajama Party

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 3, 6:30pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Enjoy quality family time while being drawn in to bedtime stories from a storyteller. Wear your pajamas, bring a sleeping bag, and enjoy a bedtime snack. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $16. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Book Talk: Kevin Fitzpatrick

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 5, 2:30pm WHERE: Queens Historical Society at Kingsland Homestead, 14335 37th Ave., Flushing AGES: 13 and older WHAT: In his book, World War I New York: A Guide to the City’s Enduring Ties to the Great War, Kevin C. Fitzpatrick places New York among major cities that contributed to the war effort. The book covers locations of monuments and memorials, as well as places in the city where the war was active. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-939-0647. queenshistoricalsociety.org.

WANT TO GO? $6; $4 seniors and students with ID; $2 children ages 4-12; free for children younger than 4. 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.

Tall Ships & Pirate Tales with Sciencetellers FREE

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 28, 4pm WHERE: Middle Village Public Library, 72-31 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village AGES: All WHAT: Set sail on a thrilling action-packed adventure about a crew of quirky pirates marooned on a deserted island. WANT TO GO? 718-326-1390. queenslibrary.org.

SPECIAL NEEDS ASD: Dino Hunt

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: 5-8, adult WHAT: Become a junior paleontologist and uncover the secrets left behind by dinosaurs. Hands-on science experiments and sensory-rich projects in workshops specially designed for children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents and siblings. WANT TO GO? $16; $13 children, students, and seniors. 718-6990005. nysci.org.

‘Mouse on the Move’ Relaxed Performance

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2pm WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 3-8, adult WHAT: Author Jackie Azua Kramer will read her book The Green Umbrella aloud to families. Program includes interactive live animal presentation and book signing. WANT TO GO? $5. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 12, 2pm WHERE: Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, Long Island AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Two adventurous mice are ready to explore the world beyond their little mouse-hole. Visitors will be able to use a number of fidget items, noise-reducing headphones, and other helpful materials when needed, as provided by the museum. WANT TO GO? $13; $12 seniors 65 and older; free for children younger than 1. 516-224-5800. licm.org.

Toddler Tales: Apples and Pumpkins

ASD: Playdough Robots FREE

Meet the Author Story Time

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 3-5 WHAT: Celebrate fall flavors with this colorful book and enjoy some tasty fall snacks. Encourage a child’s love of reading by listening to a nature related story especially chosen for the littlest nature lovers. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Little Naturalist Storytime: Owl Babies

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 19, 10:30am WHERE: Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Come enter the wonderful world of nature. Class will include a story, time with our animals, a craft, and nature walk. WANT TO GO? $21. 718-229-4000. alleypond.com.

Storytime & Craft

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 26, 2-3:30pm WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Parents can bring their little nature lovers to QBG for a relaxing afternoon featuring nature-inspired stories, followed by a botanically themed craft activity. 34

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 18, 10:30am WHERE: New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., Corona AGES: 5-8, adult WHAT: Design and build a funky robot using playdough and recycled electronic parts. Join us for hands-on science experiments and sensory-rich projects in workshops specially designed for children with autism spectrum disorder and their parents and siblings. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 718-699-0005. nysci.org.

Coming up next month: DEC. 10: 30th Annual Holiday Historic House Tour at various locations across Murray Hill, Flushing, and Corona DEC. 10: The TEN Tenors: Home for The Holidays at Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Flushing DEC. 26-28: Holiday Open House at Queens County Farm Museum, Floral Park

WHERE-TO GUIDE

Ice-Skating

nymetroparents.com/where-to

››

Research by Kathryn Sheridan

Time to lace up your skates and practice your figure eights! Winter is upon us and local rinks are ready to have you on the ice. Whether you’re just learning to skate or a total pro, ice-skating is fun for the whole family. Plus, if you don’t land that jump you’ve been working on, you can always cheer up with a cup of cocoa at many ice rink concession stands. As always, call ahead to verify hours and prices before your ice-skating outing. The Rink at Rockefeller Center Fifth Avenue between 49th and 50th streets, Rockefeller Center 212-332-7654 212-332-7655 for reservations therinkatrockcenter.com Hours: Oct. 7-April 2018: daily: 8:3012am, with occasional half-hour cleaning sessions throughout the day. Group rates and skate lessons available. Price: $25-32; $15 children younger than 11 and seniors. $12 skate rental. Riverbank State Park 679 Riverside Drive, Hamilton Heights 212-694-3642; nysparks.com/parks/93 Hours: Opens November; see website for times Admission: Prices were not confirmed at the time of publication

Indoor Rinks

MANHATTAN

City Ice Pavilion 47-32 32nd Place (between 47th and 48th avenues), Long Island City 718-706-6667 cityicepavilion.com Hours: Year-round: Wednesday, 123:50pm; Sunday, 11:40am-2:20pm. Price: $7 Wednesday; $10 weekends and holidays. $6 skate rental. Bring your own helmet.

Outdoor Rinks

World Ice Arena 131-35 Avery Ave., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing 718-760-9001; worldice.com Hours: Year-round: Monday-Thursday, 10:30am-5:15pm; Friday, 9am-5:15pm and 7-9:50pm; Saturday, 12-4:45pm and 8-9:50pm; Sunday, 12-4:45pm. Opens at 11am on summer weekdays. Price: $7 weekdays; $10 weekends (starting Friday at 7pm) and holidays, including school vacation weeks. $6 skate rental.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park 40th-42nd streets between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Midtown 917-438-5166 citipondatbryantpark.com Hours: Oct. 28-March 4, 2018: daily, 8am-10pm Price: Free; $20 skate rental. Lasker Skating Rink North end of Central Park, near 110th Street and Lenox Avenue, Harlem 917-492-3856 laskerrink.com Hours: Oct. 28-March 18, 2018 (weather permitting): Monday-Thursday, 10am4pm; Friday, 10am-4:50pm and 6-11pm; Saturday, 1-11pm; Sunday, 12:30-4:30pm. Price: $8.50; $2.25 seniors; $4.50 children ages 12 and younger; $7.50 skate rental.

Wollman Rink Central Park (enter at 59th Street and Sixth Avenue) 212-439-6900; wollmanskatingrink.com Hours: Oct. 23 (weather permitting) through early April 2018. The rink opens daily at 10am and closes at the following times: Monday-Tuesday at 2:30pm; Wednesday-Thursday at 10pm; FridaySaturday at 11pm; Sunday at 9pm. Price: Monday-Thursday: $12; $6 children ages 11 and younger. Friday-Sunday: $19; $6 children ages 11 and younger. $9 skate rentals. No credit cards. Indoor Rinks

Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers Chelsea Piers, West 23rd Street and Hudson River Park, Chelsea 212-336-6100; chelseapiers.com Hours: Through Dec. 17: Monday, 1:305pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 3-5pm; Friday, 1:30-5:20pm; Saturday-Sunday, 1-3:50pm. Price: $11. $6 skate rental; $5 helmet rental. Speed skates, double-bladed skates, cellphones, bags, music devices, and cameras are not permitted on the ice. Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/ice-skating

QueensParent 35

Does My Child Have an Eating Disorder? ››

Three experts share what to look out for, the physical and mental health risks, and how to get your child the help she needs. By Katelin Walling

ational surveys estimate that nearly 20 million females and 10 million males will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. And when most eating disorders get diagnosed? “Between the ages of fourteen and eighteen,” says Joanna Steinglass, M.D., associate professor of clinical psychiatry and director of translational research in eating disorders at the Columbia Center for Eating Disorders. “There are some reports that people are noticing and diagnosing and getting kids to treatment even earlier, which may be a sign that parents are getting more informed.” In fact, NEDA cites an increase in the diagnosis of children, some as young as 5 or 6. Eating disorders are mental illnesses that are serious and can be treated, though it’s unclear for certain why they occur. Some factors include body image issues, self-esteem issues, being bullied about looks, the need to control something in his life, and societal pressures for looking like the actresses and models she sees on TV,

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

in magazines, and in the movies. There is also a possibility that eating disorders could be genetic. Studies have found that having a parent or sibling with an eating disorder increases a child’s risk of developing one, according to NEDA. And while the Internet and social media may have a negative role in eating disorders, a lot of celebrities and “regular people” have used various platforms to talk about their experiences with eating disorders, including Sadie Robertson of Duck Dynasty and Dancing with the Stars, who wrote about her eating disorder on her blog Live Original; actress Troian Bellisario, known as Spencer Hastings on FreeForm’s Pretty Little Liars, who wrote about her eating disorder for Lena Dunham’s Lenny Letter; and pop star Kesha, who wrote some of the songs on her new album during a three-month stay at an impatient facility for women with eating disorders, addictions, mood disorders, and trauma while getting treatment for “an eating disorder that nearly killed her,” according to her recent Rolling Stone profile.

With eating disorders being talked about more and more often, parents may be left wondering whether their child has one, what the signs are, and how they can support him.

LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH

FALL 2017 AND SPRING 2018 SATURDAY PROGRAM Oct 7th – Dec 16th and Feb 3rd – April 28th, 2018 for students entering grades K-8

Eating Disorders Explained

“I think it’s probably most helpful for parents to know that there are a lot of different ways that eating disorders can present themselves,” Dr. Steinglass says. “It may be more important to have a sense of whether something feels like it’s not quite right and let the doctors figure out what the right name for it is.” While a medical professional should do specific diagnosing, it may be helpful for parents to know about the various eating disorders and how they typically present. Anorexia nervosa: A person with anorexia generally restricts the number of calories and the types of foods she eats, according to NEDA. Typically someone with anorexia is of low weight and is restricting his eating to the point where if he is growing, he’s not gaining weight, so he becomes thinner and more out of his range for expected weight and height, says Michelle Miller, Psy.D., a psychologist at the Child Study Center at NYU Langone Health. Alternatively, if she’s stopped growing and stays at the same height, her weight is going down. “That is all due to restriction of eating that’s related to control, which may be a concern about weight or body image. Some individuals may be over concerned about a health focus as well. They feel that every food has to be ‘healthy,’ and so they’ll only eat certain types of food to maintain that,” Dr. Miller says, adding that an individual with anorexia may engage in compensatory behavior such as self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, or excessive exercising to address their concerns about body image and compensate for what he has eaten.

Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?

LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 37th annual fall and spring program for gifted children. The fall

program runs on Saturdays from October 7th to December 16th and the spring program runs on Saturdays from February 3rd to April 28th. The program is open to gifted children entering grades K-8 in September 2017. The program expands

students’ knowledge, develops creative and critical thinking skills, and offers children the opportunity to learn in an exciting and accepting environment.

For information call 516-299-2160 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth Now find us on Facebook

Admission is highly selective and enrollment is limited.

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Bulimia nervosa: An individual with bulimia will go through periods of two hours or less during which she eats an amount of food that is larger than what one would expect to eat in that period—and feels she has no control over the behavior. After that period of time, she engages in a compensatory behavior to “undo” the effects of binge eating, according to Dr. Miller. Binge eating disorder: Like with bulimia, an individual with binge eating disorder consumes a large amount of food in a short period of time. However, unlike with bulimia, compensatory behaviors are not present, and patients will typically present very overweight, according to Michele Calderoni, D.O., who specializes in adolescent medicine at Crystal Run Healthcare. While we all have occasional periods of time when we might eat more, such as a dinner out with friends or at Thanksgiving, “when they do it, they feel a lack of control in the episode, like they can’t stop eating,” Dr. Miller says. “They’ll eat until they feel extremely, uncomfortably full, and they keep eating even when they’re not physically hungry. They also may eat alone.” Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Previously referred to as Selective Eating Disorder, ARFID is similar to anorexia in that it involves limitations to the amounts or types of foods consumed, but it does not involve concerns about body shape or size, according to NEDA. A person with ARFID is “avoiding whole food groups not because of fear of weight gain or body image concerns or a need for control, but because of a lot of sensory difficulties, because they have low interest in food, and/or because they’re continued on next page ››

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QueensParent 37

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concerned with having negative consequences from eating, such as feeling so uncomfortably full that they’re nauseous or they’re afraid of throwing up,” Dr. Miller says. “The condition usually starts early on, so it’s not something that we would typically see as developing later. You see it usually starting in childhood and they become pickier and pickier as they get older and start getting more and more anxious around food.” Rumination disorder: Those with rumination disorder regurgitate or vomit food, chew it, and swallow it, and there is no known gastrointestinal etiology, Dr. Calderoni says. “I actually have a patient right now who has this. She has had a full GI workup, and we can’t find any reason for her vomiting. It can happen any time on any day. There are no real triggers or explanation…and there are no electrolyte abnormalities that correspond and no physiological abnormalities that correlate,” she says. “[Rumination disorder] is very rare, but we do see it from time to time.” Orthorexia: Although it’s not formally recognized in the DSM, awareness of orthorexia—a fixation on so-called “healthy eating” that a person damages his or her own well-being—is on the rise, according to NEDA. Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder: Previously known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, OSFED is considered a “catch-all” to classify eating disorders that do not meet the criteria for anorexia or bulimia, according to NEDA. “It’s a huge category, which we all hate to use, but sometimes it really is the only diagnosis that encapsulates what’s going on at the time,” Dr. Calderoni says. “But we try very hard not to put our patients in that category.”

Signs of an Eating Disorder

The main signals for parents that their child may have an eating disorder are changes in behavior of eating, changes in behavior of physical activities, or changes in weight, Dr. Steinglass says. As an eating disorder progresses, you may start to see your child isolate himself, and see mood changes. Typically with anorexia, a child will become preoccupied with what foods she is eating, a decrease in the amount of food she is eating, she may push food around the plate, or make excuses as to why she can’t eat. “Bulimia and binge eating disorder are a little trickier to recognize because they’re often done in secret,” Dr. Miller says. Another possible sign of binge eating disorder or bulimia is if quantities of food disappear over an evening or a short period of time, Dr. Calderoni adds. Other possible signs of bulimia include frequent use of the bathroom immediately after meals, signs of vomiting or laxative use, and tooth decay from vomiting frequently. “And I think with all of these conditions, except with ARFID, you’re hearing concerns about how they look and what they’re eating and complaints about their weight,” Dr. Miller says.

Talking to Your Child

If you suspect your child may have an eating disorder, it’s best to approach him in a nonjudgmental way. “I think it’s really wise to sit down with your child and ask your child very nonjudgmental questions about their health and how they’ve been feeling. I think you need to make it nonjudgmental because you want your child to trust you and to feel that they can tell you what’s going on because many kids will try to hide this,” Dr. Calderoni says. “You can comment that you may have noticed changes or things they’re saying about themselves or things about their eating that made you concerned,” Dr. Miller says, adding to be cautious if 38

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

your child is showing signs of bulimia or binge eating as those conditions are associated with a lot of guilt. “So going about it like, I’ve noticed you’ve been stressed around your eating, and I want to see if there’s a way we can help you feel better,” she says. As with any medical diagnosis, it’s important to see a doctor to get your child evaluated. “It’s good to go to a doctor to get a health workup to see if there’s anything going on with [your child’s] health, and rule out any cause that is unrelated to eating. I’d also recommend getting an evaluation through a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders to help identify if it is an eating disorder before jumping to any conclusions,” Dr. Miller says. “If it is identified as an eating disorder, either through a physician or a therapist, then the next step would be to make sure the child is enrolled in treatment. Eating disorders can be very complex and is not something you should try and fix outside of therapy.”

Treatments for Eating Disorders

Across the board, “parents play a huge role in helping kids get out of an eating disorder and they may need to take a big role in figuring out how to get their kids back on track with normal and healthy eating,” Dr. Steinglass says. “The kinds of treatments that tend to be helpful are things that have a real emphasis on seeing change in behavior and paying attention to what’s actually happening with eating and normalizing eating. That can occur in all kinds of settings and all kinds of different ways,” While specific treatment plans will vary depending on the child and the eating disorder, there are a few techniques medical professionals employ when treating a child or teen with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or ARFID. Multi-disciplinary approach: With this approach, your child will have a three-person treatment team: a medical provider, a nutritionist, and therapist. “Eating disorders are multi-factorial and the treatment has to be tailored to each of these components,” Dr. Calderoni says. The medical provider identifies the medical consequences of an eating disorder and ensures the patient is physically and medically safe. The nutritionist ensures adequate nutrition is part of the treatment plan. “It’s important to have somebody who understands nutrition from a macro- and a microelement perspective, and who also understands eating disorders,” Dr. Calderoni advises. The therapist addresses the mental health piece of the eating disorder. “Again, it should be a certified eating disorder therapist. That’s very important as well because there are triggers and other behaviors that are just really not understood by all therapists,” she adds. This approach is very individualized, meaning the child is the one who works with the medical provider, nutritionist, and therapist. Family-Based Therapy: Unlike with the multi-disciplinary approach, parents are heavily involved in FBT, which can be used to treat adolescents with anorexia or bulimia. Families work with an FBT therapist through three phases of treatment. During phase one, the parents have complete control over what the child eats—the parents plan, serve, and supervise all meals. In phase two, the patient gradually gains control over mealtimes—deciding what, when, and how much to eat. In phase three, the FBT therapist works with the family in addressing other issues in adolescent development as needed, according to Dr. Calderoni. Off the C.U.F.F.: Developed for treating ARFID by Nancy Zucker, Ph.D., a child and family psychologist, eating disorder specialist, and director of the Duke Eating Disorder Center, C.U.F.F. stands for clear, undisturbed, firm, and friendly. This program provides practical strategies to help parents deal with their child’s eating behaviors.

When treating a child with ARFID, “it’s important that parents use different terms that are very clear and specific around what they want their child to eat and how much of it while remaining as calm and undisturbed around their child as possible,” Dr. Miller says. “That they’re being very firm in what they want their child to do, but they also have moments where they’re doing positive things with their child unrelated to food because often times when a child has an eating disorder, it can become the sole focus for the family. So we want them to do things with each other outside of the eating disorder.”

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While there are no sure-fire ways to prevent children from developing eating disorders, there are things parents can do at home to reduce the risk of their child developing one. The experts we spoke with agree that families should not talk about food in terms of good and bad or healthy and unhealthy, and instead focus on having a balanced diet and moderation in meals. “Teach your child that having fruit one night and having ice cream one night for dessert is okay,” Dr. Calderoni says. “What I find is if you tend to have a very restrictive food environment at home, many times these kids become binge eaters or they learn that being restrictive is the way to eat.” Other things that can help reduce the risk are: have family meals together as often as possible, keep conversations during family meals positive, and make sure meals include a variety of foods, Dr. Miller says. Dr. Steinglass advises parents also keep the focus on body wellness—how your body can be healthy for you—rather than body image or size. “I also think families should try to not use negative terms like ‘chubby,’ or ‘you have thick legs,’ or ‘you’re built like Grandma, who is three-hundred pounds.’ I think staying away from comments about their bodies and body types is really important,” Dr. Calderoni adds. “We’re all born differently. Sometimes you do get one kid in the family that’s a little heavier than everyone else. It’s just best to not really talk about it. When you go shopping for clothing, try to stay away from sizes and comparison between children and not be so concentrated on what size your children are. Just love your child for who they are.”

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Eating disorders have a number of associated physical and mental health risks. Eating disorders can: cause abnormalities in electrolytes; cause changes in potassium, phosphate, and magnesium; affect bone marrow and white blood cell count; put a young adult at risk for a heart attack; and affect growth. They can also compromise fertility and reproductive systems. “In young girls, they either won’t get their period, or if they were getting a period, their periods will go away, and when we look at the hormones that correlate with cycling normally—LH, FSH, and estrogen—those hormones are decreased. In young boys or young men, testosterone will also become decreased,” Dr. Calderoni says. The decrease in estrogen and testosterone affects bone density. Bulimia affects tooth health, while those with binge eating disorder are at risk for obesity. And “the starvation that comes with anorexia nervosa has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness,” Dr. Steinglass says. As a result of a malnourished brain, individuals with eating disorders may also experience depression, anxiety, irritability, inability to sleep, cognitive impairment, and decrease in memory and attention, Dr. Calderoni says. And social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder are common in those with anorexia, according to Dr. Miller.

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INSIDE

SpecialParent

42 Focus on Your Abilities: When your child with special needs is feeling discouraged, use this as a guide to help him through it. 50 G rowing Up with a Brother with Special Needs: The important life lessons I learned from my brother—and why I wouldn’t change a thing

SPECIAL NEEDS

To help your child focus on his abilities rather than disabilities, have him write down positive qualities about himself and tack it on the wall for him to look at when he’s feeling down.

Focus on Your Abilities

››

When your child with special needs starts to feel discouraged in school, let him read this, or use this as a guide, to help him through it. By Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., and Denise M. Campbell, M.S.

herever you are in the process of getting special education, you have probably been working hard at things that are challenging for you. But it’s important to remember that your challenges are not what make you special. They are not what make you YOU. There is a lot more to you than your difficulties. And it is important not to forget about all your strengths, talents, and skills.

Six Steps for Being a Positive, Confident You

Life can be pretty stressful when you worry a lot about why you have challenges and what you can do about them. It is important to focus on improving areas that are hard for you. But it is just as important to focus on your abilities. To help you do this, this excerpt will talk about six big steps. These steps can help you learn ways to feel positive about yourself and your skills. You can use these steps even while you’re working to improve in your areas of difficulty. As you read about these six steps, you may be tempted to skip 42

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

over some of them. But try to go step-by-step without missing any. Each step is important. Step #1: Focus on the Positive Have you ever cheered up a friend who was feeling sad? Maybe you did this by reminding that friend how great he or she is. Good friends do this for each other. Confident people also do this for themselves—and you can, too. First, take a few minutes to think of at least three positive qualities about yourself. These qualities shouldn’t be about what you can do well. You’ll think about that next. Right now, think about your personality. Can you think of three great things about your personality? You can write them on notebook paper. Or you can type them on a computer and print out your list. You can also have an adult help you type or write the list. Then keep this list in a place where you can look at it often. If you have trouble coming up with three special qualities, look over the following list. Which words describe you? Feel free to use different words if you have qualities that aren’t on this list.

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• athletic • trustworthy • cooperative • patient • creative • considerate • insightful • honest • sensitive • responsible • happy • funny • respectful • outgoing • generous • positive

• gentle • awesome • sweet • brave • thoughtful • courageous • energetic • confident • helpful • smart • unique • caring • fair-minded • studious • loving • kind

Now, add some areas of talent or ability to your list. Maybe you really enjoy one of these activities or are really talented in one of these areas: • reading • remembering things • taking care of animals • painting • karate • chess • solving problems • spelling • being • organized • soccer • collecting coins

• dancing • juggling • computer games • baking • drawing • creating fun videos • writing poetry • swimming • taking care of younger kids • making people laugh • magic tricks

This list does not cover every talent that people could have. Write (or type) what your talents are, even if they are not on this list. Then, keep paying attention to things you’re good at. Whenever you notice one of your talents, skills, or special qualities, add it to your growing list. It can also be helpful (or just fun) to ask family, friends, teachers, or other people you trust what positive words they would use to describe you. Add those words to your list. Look at your list whenever you need reminders of all the great and special qualities that make up you. Step #2: Be Kind to Yourself In Step 1, you came up with a list of great things about yourself. How do you feel when you read the list? In other words, do you appreciate your special qualities and skills? Do you smile when you think about what makes you a unique person? You can be kind to yourself by remembering your abilities and talents. Be sure to do this even when things are tough. In fact, it is especially important to be kind to yourself at those times. Of course, everyone has bad days when it is hard to focus on the positive qualities. Maybe you are struggling with a homework assignment that seems easy for your friend. Or you might have baked a cake that came out lopsided. On days like this, can you still feel good about your abilities? If you struggle continued on next page ››

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‹‹ continued from previous page

to stay positive during difficult times, try some of these ideas for being kind to yourself. • Admit that you wished for a different outcome. It’s okay to feel disappointed when things don’t go as you had hoped. But it’s important to remind yourself that you are still a great person. • Remember that one disappointment does not represent who you are. One difficulty does not define you or explain who you are as a person. You will have disappointments and challenges. Everyone has them. But these difficulties don’t take away from all your abilities. Remember that your abilities are part of you no matter what challenges you currently have to deal with. • Learn from the experience. Use it to set new goals for the future. At the same time, try to feel proud of what you tried and what you did. • Laugh with yourself. We all mess up sometimes. But try not to laugh at yourself. That can hurt. Laughing with yourself is like saying, “Oops! Oh well. I may have made a silly mistake, but who cares? It really was a little funny.” Laughing at yourself is like someone teasing or bullying you. • Ask friends, family members, or teachers for tips on how they stay positive when they face challenges. Step #3: Believe That Hard Work Pays Off...Really Lots of kids roll their eyes when adults say, “Hard work pays off.” So, before you roll your eyes and skip this section, hang on! Putting in a lot of effort definitely can pay off. But maybe it hasn’t always worked that way for you in the past. If you try a plan over and over again and it doesn’t lead to success, you are still working hard. But it’s only leading to frustration. You probably need a new plan—one that gets you closer to reaching your goals. You also don’t need to focus only on tasks that are difficult for you. You may find it pays off to work hard in areas that you are already talented in. Working hard doesn’t mean you will have instant success. And it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to figure out how to do everything by yourself. Working hard does mean that you are willing to put in time to improve and that you are willing to try different ways to improve. It means asking for help when you need it. And it means feeling proud that you have the courage to keep trying. (This idea is also called perseverance.) Step #4: Remember That No One Is Perfect Have you ever looked around your class and thought, “That kid has it all together. He’s perfect!”? Or maybe you’ve looked at a friend and thought, “She just does everything right.” You might be surprised to learn that many kids have these thoughts about others. Even some adults feel like a coworker “knows everything” or a friend “never struggles with anything.” Here’s the truth: No one is perfect. And remembering this will help you accept yourself when you make a mistake or don’t do something perfectly. Instead of thinking that there is something wrong with you, you can remind yourself that you are human. That means that you and everyone you know will make mistakes and not be perfect at everything or on every day. So, why put pressure on yourself to be perfect? Confidence plays a big part in how other people see you. And it’s easier to be confident when you remember that no one

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is perfect. This can help you laugh at your mistakes rather than feeling disappointed or embarrassed. And it can help you feel better about getting extra help. If you feel like you have to be perfect all the time, think about this: Even Olympic athletes, who are some of the best in the world at their sports, aren’t perfect. In the Olympics, ice-skaters sometimes fall and runners sometimes trip. If you worry a lot about being perfect, talk about this with someone you trust. Step #5: Keep Trying When Things Are Hard We all run into obstacles and difficulties. We all fail or make mistakes sometimes. These mistakes don’t mean that we can’t eventually succeed at a task. They simply mean that we need to keep trying. What’s most important is how we handle the difficulty. It can be tempting to give up when we feel discouraged. And it’s true that some goals are impossible. When you were younger, did you ever try to fly by flapping your arms? No matter how hard you worked at that goal, it would never happen. Try to set goals that are possible and realistic. And as you work toward your goals, take pride in improvements you make along the way. As you work on not giving up, it can help to think about how you usually handle challenging events. Do you feel easily defeated? Or do you remember that you have lots of positive qualities, even when you’re struggling with something? Think about the following situations and pick the choice that is closest to how you would probably respond. 1. You and a friend both play a video game for the first time. You lose in Level 1. Your friend easily makes it to Level 4. You: (a) Think, “I’m terrible at this. I’ll never get better at this game no matter how hard I try. I’m never playing this game again.” (b) Want to buy the game to get better at it. Even so, you doubt that you’ll ever get past Level 1. (c) Plan to ask your friend for tips on how to improve. Then you’ll play the game again to see if you can come up with even more ideas. 2. Your teacher gives your class a week to complete a homework assignment. You have to write about your hero and then read your essay in class on the due date. When it is time to share, all the kids at your table have three or four paragraphs written about their heroes. You only wrote three sentences. You: (a) Think, “I know I stink at writing, and this proves it! I’ll have to find a way to leave the classroom before it’s time for everyone to read their essays.” (b) Tell the other kids, and your teacher, that you had a lot of things to do after school this week. You say that’s why you didn’t have time to write more. Then you read your three sentences aloud. (c) Tell kids, and your teacher, that you think of great ideas but have a hard time writing essays. You also ask for tips on how others write, so that you might be able to write more easily next time. 3. You like to run, and have always thought you were fast. Your older brother is on the track team. He says you should think about trying out. So you decide to go to a practice and see what it’s like. At practice, the coach times everyone running 500 meters and then a mile. You come in 6th place out of 13 in the 500 meter, and last place in the mile. You:

(a) Think, “I obviously can’t run fast when it really counts. My brother’s idea was stupid. I’m never going back there again.” (b) Feel embarrassed. You wonder whether you could ever be fast enough to make the team. But you decide you’ll go back to the track to try to beat your times. (c) Remind yourself that you are a hard worker. And now you feel really motivated to improve your times. You decide you’ll still try out for the team. If you make it, you’ll learn from your teammates and coach. You feel confident that you could be faster by the end of the season. How did you answer these questions? If you gave some “a” answers, you may sometimes give up when you run into challenges. If that’s true, it’s important to find ways to build your confidence and stay motivated. If you responded with some “b” answers, you learn from your experiences. You probably feel okay about yourself, even when you face obstacles. If you gave some “c” answers, then you know it’s okay to admit that you are not perfect. You probably also know how to set goals and work toward them. When you feel good about yourself, you’re able to handle challenges more easily. You are more likely to find the strength to keep trying and not give up. And you feel proud of your efforts. Here are a few tips on how to keep trying and not give up: • Check on whether your goal is possible. You might want to talk this through with an adult. If your goal is reachable, remind yourself of that. If it isn’t, work on setting a new goal. • Remind yourself of your abilities so you don’t get too discouraged or upset with yourself when you can’t succeed immediately. • Most people have to work to get better at things. Remind yourself that you may feel frustrated but that is not always a reason to stop trying or to get mad at yourself. • Remember that it’s okay to ask for help. If you are getting really frustrated, then it’s time to calmly ask for the specific support that would help you. • Rather than trying to reach a huge goal right away, try reaching a smaller goal that can eventually lead to the bigger one. For example, you could work on playing a scale on the piano before playing a difficult song. You might discover that you feel excited about taking on the challenge of learning something new or reaching a goal. It can also be fun to pay attention to your improvements along the way. These can help you stay motivated and positive as you work through obstacles. Step #6: Show Your Confidence It’s great to feel confident. It can mean that you aren’t too nervous to take on new experiences, because you believe you can handle them or you can comfortably ask for help. And showing your confidence can let others know that you value yourself and like being you. But many kids are not sure how to share their talents with others without sounding like they are bragging. (Some adults have trouble with this, too.) Here are some great ways to let your friends, teachers, and other people know that you are happy being you: • Smile! • Stand or sit up straight and tall. • Make eye contact with other people. (But remember not to stare.) • Expect that most people will like you. • Honestly compliment others on their abilities.

• Accept compliments from others. You deserve credit for your strengths. • Share your interests and talents with others so they know about what you like and what you do well. But try not to brag. For example, instead of saying, “I’m great at archery!” you could say, “One of my hobbies is archery. What do you like to do?” • Show that you are comfortable asking for help. • Show that you can bounce back from mistakes or tough times. Sometimes it’s hard to do this after something difficult happens in your life. But you can take steps to help yourself. For example, asking others for support is a sign of strength and courage. So is spending time focusing on what is relaxing or fun for you. Even if you can’t do this right away because you feel stressed or upset, it’s a goal to strive for when you are ready. • Try not to put yourself down, either out loud or in your mind. If you do, it’s okay to tell yourself, “Putting myself down doesn’t help. I need to be my own best friend and be kind to myself instead.” Think about people you know who seem confident. Pay attention to how they act and talk. You will probably notice that they do many of the things you just read about. You may spot other confident things they do, too. Next, give it a try yourself— act confident. It can help you eventually feel confident.

Excerpted from The Survival Guide for Kids in Special Education (And Their Parents) by Wendy L. Moss, Ph.D., and Denise M. Campbell, M.S., © 2017. Used with permission of Free Spirit Publishing Inc., Minneapolis, MN; 800-735-7323; www.freespirit.com. All rights reserved.

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November 2017 | nymetroparents.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 that they will feel confident. LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR SPEECH AND MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY Locations across Nassau and Suffolk: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Queens: 718-640-6767 Nassau: 516-216-1791 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, along with her group of therapists, supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders. STEPS TO SOCIALIZATION 13 South Bayles Ave., Port Washington 516-767-0266 Steps to Socialization was created to help children who have difficulty socializing. We teach children how to think socially, step by step. Working in small groups, we cover a variety of topics, including how to establish and maintain friendships and initiating and maintaining conversations. SPECIALTY APPAREL BRAVO! DANCE BOUTIQUE 108-12 72nd Ave., Forest Hills 718-309-9787 bravodanceboutique.com bravodanceboutique@gmail.com Bravo! Dance Boutique understands the value of community. Our mission is to be able to provide local families the convenience of obtaining dance apparel at competitive prices.

THERAPY & COUNSELORS COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, P.C. 114-20 Queens Blvd., Suite CS 2, Forest Hills 180 E. 79th St., Suite 1C, Manhattan 1-888-441-0015 comprehendthemind.com Dr. Sanam Hafeez, an expert in diagnosing and treating all childhood psychological and learning conditions, has a refreshing approach: direct, warm, and competent. These qualities have made her sought after in the field of neuropsychology and child development. TUTORS & TEST PREP EYE LEVEL QUEENS Eye Level Fresh Meadows 184-10 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows Alex Chan: 917-563-5000 888-835-1212 Eye Level Elmhurst 87-37 Justice Ave, Elmhurst Linda Li: 718-393-2428 888-835-1212 myeyelevel.com Eye Level offers math and English programs for ages 3-12. Whether the immediate goal is for early learning, remedial education, or academic education, Eye Level is the answer. VILLAGE EAST GIFTED: ENRICHMENT CENTER FOR THE GIFTED LEARNER Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights 631-549-2313 villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com Village East Gifted provides after-school enrichment and private tutoring. Enriching every qualified, gifted child. We are also a John Hopkins CTY info and SAT testing center.

PartyCentral 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. POPARAZZI BALLOONS & EVENT SPACE 61-19 Fresh Pond Road, Middle Village 347-204-5252 poparazzievents.com Follow us on Instagram: @poparazziballoons poparazziballoons@yahoo.com Making magic happen with balloons! Turn your dream party into a reality with POParazzi! We custom design your ideas to create the ultimate experience. PARTY PLACES @ PLAY AMUSEMENTS 229 NY-110, Farmingdale 631-815-5355 atplayamusement.com; info@playamusement.com Have your next party at the newly renovated @ Play Amusements! It offers 40,000 square feet of fun, ranging from 92 arcade games, inflatables, bumper cars, and roller coaster to a carousel, disco room, and laser tag! AMERICAN DANCE & DRAMA 188-22 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows 718-479-8522 68-02 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village americandanceanddramastudio.com We are one of Queens’s largest and most exciting birthday party locations, offering dress-up, disco, and gymnastics parties. We also offer bubbles and fog machines, cotton candy, plus crazy craft, and princess parties!

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

BOUNCEU OF COLLEGE POINT Whitepoint Center, 13225 14th Ave., College Point 646-883-JUMP (5867) bounceu.com/college-point-ny collegepoint.ny@bounceu.com BounceU of College Point is where birthdays come to life! We provide the ultimate private party and play experience. Come celebrate with us today! CELEBRATIONS IN THE KITCHEN 63 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville 516-396-2193 celebrationsinthekitchen.com celebrationsinthekitchen@gmail.com The most unique, fun-filled, joyous event! We have created a true baking experience for everyone to enjoy, including cookie baking and decorating, cupcakes “from scratch,” muffin and scone baking, and brownies. Come in, call, or visit celebrationsinthekitchen.com for more information on parties. MUSIC TOGETHER® WITH MUSIC AND ME Celebrating our new look with our new name! Wendy DeAngelis, center director (Mommy, Music & Me Inc. since 2003) Gym-Azing in Astoria Shotokai USA Karate in Bayside The Reform Temple of Forest Hills in Forest Hills The Church-in-the-Gardens in Forest Hills Tiger Schulmann’s MMA in Glendale 718-229-0033 musictogetherwithmusicandme.com info@musictogetherwithmusicandme.com We provide unique birthday party musical experiences for 1st through 6th birthdays. Call us to customize your child’s musical birthday. We can also come to your space.

SOCCER FRIENDS USA INC. 106-06 Queens Blvd., 3rd Floor Gym, Forest Hills 718-261-2403; 347-756-2568 (para Español) soccerfriendsusa.com; soccerfriendsusa@hotmail.com Soccer Friends USA wants to celebrate your child’s next birthday party with you! We offer soccer parties for children ages 2 and older at several fantastic locations. THINKERTOTS 1818 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park 516-488-3414 thinkertots.com; thinkertotsnhp@gmail.com We can custom design your party with open playtime and music or you can rent out our location. We provide theme paper goods. USTA BILLIE JEAN KING NATIONAL TENNIS CENTER Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing 718-760-6200 x0 ntc.usta.com Birthday party packages include one hour of court time with drills and games organized by our USTA Pro staff and one hour private room for pizza. WHAT’S COOKING? 30 E. Main St., Oyster Bay 516-922-COOK (2665) whatscookingny.com; info@whatscookingny.com Martha Stewart, Newsday, and News 12 boast What’s Cooking? is a No. 1 Choice Birthday Party Place where children can explore their creativity in culinary arts. Funtastic cookie, cupcake, Cupcake Wars, chocolate, or pizza party can be customized in our spacious party room making your party memorable!

QueensParent

SALES OPENING

WHEEL FUN RENTALS FLUSHING MEADOWS CORONA PARK Flushing Meadows Corona Park at David Dinkins POPARAZZI BALLOONS & EVENT SPACE Circle Meridian Road; 929-343-2366 61-19 Fresh Pond Road, Middle Village Flushing Meadows Corona Park at North Meadow • SOCIAL • EMAIL MAGAZINES • WEBSITES 347-204-5252; poparazzievents.com Lake, Meadow Lake RoadMEDIA West; 917-231-5519 Follow us on Instagram: @poparazziballoons Jacob Riis Park, 157 Rockaway Beach Blvd.; send resumé to dmgsales@davlermedia.com917-231-6229 poparazziballoons@yahoo.com wheelfunrentals.com Our enchanting, multi-level venue hosts all types of Wheel Fun Rentals is the perfect place for birthday celebrations. Call us or stop by an open house and start parties! Kids and adults can explore the area on one of planning your next event. our specialty bikes-or go on a Surrey Scavenger Hunt!

QueensParent

SOC SOCCER

SALES OPENING MAGAZINES • WEBSITES SOCIAL MEDIA • EMAIL send resumé to dmgsales@davlermedia.com

Ages 18 Months & Up

Year-Round Soccer Program General Classes After School Summer Camp Futsal League Travel Team Birthday Party All Girls Class Soccer in Spanish

QueensParent 47

Meet the Health Care

PROFESSIONAL

To be in this section, call 212-315-0800 or email nympads@davlermedia.com

Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy Locations across Suffolk and Nassau: East Yaphank, Farmingville, Stony Brook, Commack, Jericho, Wantagh, and Lake Success lispeechandmyo.com Queens: 718-640-6767 • Nassau: 516-216-1791 • Suffolk: 631-689-6858

Janine Stiene, speech-language pathologist, is owner and operator of Long Island Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy. Along with her group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island, specializing in PROMPT, feeding, myofunctional therapy, voice disorders, fluency, augmentative communication, articulation, auditory processing disorders, and expressive and receptive language disorders (adults and children). Intensive feeding therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions, and FEES— Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing—are also offered. There is a total of seven affiliated offices across Long Island, all participating with most major health insurance companies and offering evening and Saturday hours.

Dr. Michael Gruttadauria, The Center for Integrative and Innovative Therapies (The CIIT Center) 131 Sunnyside Blvd., Suite 100, Plainview 516-243-8660 theciitcenter.com

Dr. Michael Gruttadauria leads the operations at an advanced treatment center for autism spectrum disorder called The CIIT Center. The CIIT Center’s mission is to approach each child with autism as a total entity by enhancing the biomedical, neurological, nutritional, electrical, and immune system of each of our patients and combining this with occupational, physical, and speech therapies, along with applied behavioral analysis. Our comprehensive approach starts with identifying the underlying factors that may be holding the child back, not just treating their symptoms. This gives each child every opportunity to reach their potential.

OPEN HOUSES 2017 Garden School

33-16 79th St., Jackson Heights 718-335-6363 gardenschool.org Garden School tours happen weekly, Wednesdays at 9am or by appointment. Annual weekend open house, Saturday, Dec. 9, presentation at 9am. No RSVP needed, children welcome at the tours and open house.

Hug Music, Creative & Nurturing Music Lessons for Everybody Music Lessons and Music Therapy

112-01 75th Ave., Lower Level, Forest Hills 718-487-4309 hugmusicny.com; contact@hugmusicny.com Hug Music will host open house registration on Saturdays, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, and Nov. 11 from 9am-5pm. Please contact us for more information.

JEI Learning Centers

Auburndale: 347-408-4098 Floral Park: 718-347-3138 jei.com JEI Essay Contest open house on Saturday, Nov. 18. Register at your nearest JEI Learning Center by Monday, Nov. 6. For more information and contest rules, go to jei.com.

United Nations International School

173-53 Croyden Road, Jamaica Estates 718-658-6166 unis.org; rsorrentini@unis.org Join us for an open house on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 6pm or Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 9am. RSVP rsorrentini@unis.org.

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE

TUTORS

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ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS

CHILD CARE / DAY CARE

Countryside Montessori School ......................13

All Star Studio .................................................40

All My Children Day Care ...............................39

Eye Level Learning Center .............................21

Circle of Friends .............................................13 BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES @ Play Amusement ........................................48 American Dance & Drama ..............................19 BounceU - College Point ................................39 Gulliver’s Gate ................................................40

JEI Learning Center .......................................52 Little Atelier of Young Children Inc. .................13 The Church in the Gardens Nursery School... 11

IStein ..............................................................39 JEI Learning Center .......................................52

Hug Music.......................................................43 Rhythm NY .......................................................7 PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING American Dance & Drama ..............................19

Tiny Footsteps ................................................ 11

KENT Prep .....................................................37 LIU Center for Gifted Youth ............................37

PLAY SPACES

The Church in the Gardens Nursery School... 11

@ Play Amusement ........................................48

New York Hall of Science .................................9

CLASSES

Queens Parent Party Planner ........................49

Eye Level Learning Center .............................21

Soccer Friends, USA Inc. ...............................47

LIU Center for Gifted Youth ............................37

USTA BJK National Tennis Center....................7

Rhythm NY .......................................................7 Steps To Socialization ......................................9

CAMPS

Garden School................................................15

MUSIC

United Nations International School - Queens.... 11

All My Children Day Care ...............................39

Little Atelier of Young Children Inc. .................13

Tiny Footsteps ................................................ 11 United Nations International School - Queens.... 11 FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS

Rose Academy of Ballet ...................................5

RELIGIOUS Circle of Friends .............................................13 SPECIAL NEEDS

All Star Studio .................................................40

DANCE

American Dance & Drama ..............................19

All Star Studio .................................................40

Countryside Montessori School ......................13

American Dance & Drama ..............................19

Garden School................................................15

Rose Academy of Ballet ...................................5

New York Hall of Science .................................9

IStein ..............................................................39

DEVELOPMENTAL

FITNESS

JEI Learning Center .......................................52

C.I.I.T. Center (The) ..................................43, 48

KENT Prep .....................................................37

Comprehensive Consultation Psychological ....2

Little Atelier of Young Children Inc. .................13

Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech ......45, 48

Rhythm NY .......................................................7

Steps To Socialization ......................................9

HEALTH

Soccer Friends, USA Inc. ...............................47

EDUCATION

C.I.I.T. Center (The) ..................................43, 48

TUTORS

The Church in the Gardens Nursery School... 11

All My Children Day Care ...............................39

Comprehensive Consultation Psychological ....2

IStein ..............................................................39

Tiny Footsteps ................................................ 11

Circle of Friends .............................................13

Kids Only Dental .............................................40

JEI Learning Center .......................................52

USTA BJK National Tennis Center....................7

Comprehensive Consultation Psychological ....2

Northwell-Cohen Children Clinical Mag ............3

KENT Prep .....................................................37

Hug Music.......................................................43

Rose Academy of Ballet ...................................5

@ Play Amusement ........................................48 Gulliver’s Gate ................................................40

American Dance & Drama ..............................19 Rose Academy of Ballet ...................................5

Afﬁnity Health Plan .........................................51

C.I.I.T. Center (The) ..................................43, 48 Comprehensive Consultation Psychological ....2 Hug Music.......................................................43 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech..45, 48 Northwell-Cohen Children Clinical Mag ............3 Steps To Socialization ......................................9 SPORTS Soccer Friends, USA Inc. ...............................47 USTA BJK National Tennis Center....................7

QueensParent 49

Courtesy Amanda Marrone

VOICES Growing Up with a Brother with Special Needs ›› The important life lessons I learned from my brother—and why I wouldn’t change a thing By Amanda Marrone

hen I was young, I don’t think I fully grasped the concept that there was something “wrong” or “different” with my brother. Joe and I are exactly 1 year and 4 months apart, so I have no real recollection of the many surgeries he had to endure or the fact that he had to be fed through a feeding tube as a baby. As the older sister of a brother with special needs, I just took Joe for how he was instead of acknowledging his differences compared to other kids. Joe was born with a birth defect that affected the blood flow from the left ventricle of his heart, which lead to him having multiple open-heart surgeries in his infant and early childhood years. As a result, he did not have enough oxygen going to his brain, and he was put on a heart and lung machine three times before he was even 6 months old. Due to this, Joe has developmental delays. Growing up with a sibling with special needs comes with a unique set of challenges and blessings. When we were little, we did a lot of the same things together, including playing on the playground, watching the same television shows, and playing with our toys. As time when on, I started to move on to more complex games and TV shows while Joe didn’t. I began to realize the limitations Joe had made him different from other kids his age. Joe required a lot of special attention from my parents to deal with his many issues, whether it was bringing him to frequent doctors’ visits for his heart or seeing a speech or physical therapist. I was often dragged along to these appointments and spent a lot of my time in doctors’ waiting rooms with the most boring games imagined. But that is how things were, so although I am sure I often complained, I began to accept it as a part of my life. At a very early age I needed to learn about the virtue of patience that comes with having a brother with special needs. Joe would often have outbursts when learning new things he felt were too difficult to learn. My parents and I would have to reiterate multiple times the simple instructions of buttoning up a shirt or removing the cap off a water bottle. It took Joe a lot longer to learn these simple tasks that come naturally to most. As we both got older, the way the world perceived Joe started to become more important to me. I think it is natural for older

Amanda Marrone with her brother Joe as young children

siblings to protect their younger siblings; however with Joe’s issues, I always seemed to take it more personally. I hated the way people would talk or ask about my brother when it was done with a sense of pity or discomfort. I don’t see Joe’s disability as a burden or a tragic event that happened to my family. Joe’s disability is part of him, and I don’t define him based on it. Joe is the life of every party or event my family attends. Everyone always seems to know (or at least know of) my brother. He is friendly and welcomes everyone with open arms. He makes the effort to get to know everyone he comes in contact with, even the waiter at a restaurant. Joe loves music and hanging out with his friends. He thrives in any situation that involves him interacting with people. He enjoys watching football on ESPN and knows more about the sport than one would expect. Although there are challenges that made growing up with a brother with special needs difficult, these experiences shaped me into the person I am today. Joe not only taught me patience in any situation, but also to have empathy toward others; that what might come naturally to one person might be a challenge for another. Joe’s issues also taught me a great deal about sensitivity to other people’s situations since everyone is fighting a battle that most people do not know about. The most important lesson Joe taught me is, even though someone has a disability, this does not diminish their capability to make a difference in the world or teach others. Joe has taught me that no situation can ever be that bad, and happiness is a choice regardless of circumstance. Without being Joe’s older sister, it is hard to say that I would have gained these characteristics or learned these life lessons that are essential to the person I am today. And because of that, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Amanda Marrone, a former NYMetroParents editorial intern, is in her senior year at Fairfield University.

November 2017 | nymetroparents.com

When your little angel thinks heâ€™s a daredevil...

Better have a good pediatrician. Make sure your kids are covered. Call 866.247.5678 (TTY 711) To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Child Health Plus and Medicaid through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 855.355.5777.

AffinityPlan.org/CHP QueensParent 51

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH

Auburndale Floral Park Forest Hills Fresh Meadows Great Neck Rego Park 200-13 32nd Ave 256-10 Union Tpke 112-28 Queens Blvd 192-11 Union Tpke 485 Great Neck Rd 98-00 62nd Dr (347) 408-4098 (718) 347-3138 (718) 268-2890 (718) 740-7888 (516) 482-2234 (718) 441-3762