Issuu

LongIslandParent SUFFOLK EDITION

MAY 2017

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Are You Raising a

Sugar

Addict? Tips for cutting back

SpecialParent The Campaign to

End the

‘R-Word’

Kids Cover Contest 2017 See your child on our cover!

HELPING PARENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

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LongIslandParent

NYMetroParents Helping Parents Make Better Decisions

Contents

May 2017 ››

Features

18 The Not-So-Sweet Truth Too much added sugar is detrimental to our health—here’s why and what you can do

22 Fitting Fitness Into Your Day Some easy ways to make sure you’re exercising daily 24 Avocado Toast—Elevated Kick up this basic meal with unexpected additions 26 Growing Up Mixed There are more mixed-race families than ever, but parents still face challenges raising kids in two cultures. 44 Putting a Stop to a Slur Parents of kids with special needs join other advocates to push for an end to the ‘R-word.’

Connections

6 Editor’s Note 8 New Places, New Programs 10 Quotables 12 NYMP Q&A: Sam Weinman shares the benefits of losing. 29 Spotlight on Stony Brook to Riverhead 58 Voices: Why I’m thankful for all the parenting advice I got along the way

Fun & Activities

Family Activities CALENDAR ››

14 DIY Corner: Fizzy Bath Bombs 16 Get Your Kid on Our Cover! 17 Media Matters: Summer Movies 17 Humor: Happy Mother’s Day to the Superheroes 28 Outing: Gulliver’s Gate 31 Family Activities Calendar 42 Where-To Guide: Zoos, Nature Centers, and Botanical Gardens

Directories 46 51 52 54 55 57

Camp Guide Party Central Professional Services Meet the Health Care Professional Open Houses Advertisers’ Index

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

››

ON THE COVER ›› 16 Kids Cover Contest 2017 18 Are You Raising a Sugar Addict? 44 The Campaign to End the ‘R Word’ facebook.com/nymetroparents

@NYMetroParents

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

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MAY 2017 • Vol.8 • No.12

NYMetroParents Publications EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Michael Kress MANAGING EDITOR: Katelin Walling

EDITOR’S NOTE

DEPUTY EDITOR: Caitlin Berens SENIOR EDITOR: Bethany Braun-Silva ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Samantha Neudorf REGIONAL EDITORS:

Healthy Kids, Healthy Parents

Samantha Beranbom (Rockland); Karen Demeter (Suffolk); Rosalind Muggeridge (Brooklyn); Jamie McGillian (Westchester); Dorette Saunders (Nassau); Emma Steven (Manhattan); Gail Warren (Queens) DIRECTORIES EDITOR: Alice Van Dyke EDITORIAL INTERN: Sabrina Sooknanan

efore my kids were born, I thought I’d never be the type of parent to negotiate— let alone do battle—about desserts and sweets. Sure, I’d let my kids eat a moderate amount of junk, but I’d also be sure to have plenty of yummy fruits and vegetables around. Perhaps we’d cut them into fun shapes or make other irresistible but healthy snack creations. Then I actually had children. I know I am not the only one whose kids’ craving for sweets seems insatiable and all-consuming—and no, fruits and vegetables will not cut it. I am sometimes amazed at how much time and effort they spend thinking about—and conniving to acquire—their next snack. I am a firm believer in “everything in moderation,” but when it comes to kids and sugar, how much is too much? In this issue, Katelin Walling speaks with a nutritionist and other experts to find out, and the answer may surprise you (p. 18). Of course, our kids follow our example, so modeling a healthy lifestyle is essential. But how many of us feel we have the time to take care of ourselves and hit the gym with any regularity? To help fix that, we’re offering tips on how to make time and space for fitness in our busy lives (p. 22). And if you want to truly relax after a good workout, suggest that your child make you our “Fizzy Bath Bombs” (p. 14) for Mother’s Day. If it’s May, that also means the NYMetroParents Kids Cover Contest is in full swing! You know your kid is the cutest in the world, so go ahead, enter the contest for a chance to see him or her on the cover of one of our magazines. See p. 16 for more details and enter at nymetroparents.com/cover. We’re proud to feature our contest finalists on our covers throughout the year, showcasing amazing local kids who reflect the diversity of backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and abilities found in our communities—this month is no exception. As parents, we often tell our kids people come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors—differences that we should embrace and celebrate. This month, we have two in-depth reports on the challenges some kids face for being different. In the first, Samantha Neudorf explores the growth of multiracial families in our area by speaking with several local parents in mixed-race families—and she reflects on her own experiences growing up in two cultures (p. 26). In the second, we meet a group of moms who have been working hard in recent years to end use of the “R-word” (p. 44). Bullying takes many forms, but one pervasive example is calling kids with special needs “retards.” It’s a painful slur that is used all too often by adults as well as kids, in casual conversation as well as in schoolyard taunts. Sabrina Sooknanan takes us inside the efforts to end the use of that word. Happy Mother’s Day—and happy May—to all!

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May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

BIG APPLE PARENT, QUEENS PARENT, WESTCHESTER PARENT BROOKLYN PARENT, ROCKLAND PARENT, BERGEN PARENT, and LONG ISLAND PARENT are published monthly by Davler Media Group, LLC Copyright © 2017, Davler Media Group, LLC No part of contents may be reproduced without prior permission from the publisher. Subscription rates per year, per publication: $39

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Arts Center in Huntington Offers Flexible Summer Enrollment

With the flexible enrollment policy, children and teens can handpick the art workshops that appeal to them over the summer.

Courtesy Alternatives For Children

Who: The Village Artist What’s New: A flexible enrollment policy, which allows children and teens to select the summer workshop sessions (June 27-Sept. 1) that appeal to them while utilizing workshop packages purchased at a discounted rate. Summer Art Workshops, for ages 6-18, are held Tuesday-Friday with a session in the morning and afternoon. Many of the workshops are new in a variety of mediums including watercolor, pastel, and clay sculpture. In the Teen Art Workshops/Portfolio Preparation, ages 13-18 pick a medium and subject matter to concentrate on over the summer and can develop their portfolios. Want More Info: 630 New York Ave., Huntington; 631-271-0715; thevillageartist.com

Day Care and Special Education Center Expands Offerings Who: Alternatives For Children What’s New: Head Start, Early Head Start, and Department of Social Services subsidized care (for qualifying families), plus a sensory integration room became available at the Dix Hills location in fall 2016. The sensory integration room, used by occupational therapists and other staff, can help calm or stimulate a child through each of their senses via specialized lighting, aromatherapy, sounds, and more. “This space allows us to use any of the various machines to modify or control certain behaviors, which can result in improved attention, motor functioning, and communication,” says parent engagement coordinator Therese Blanton. Want More Info: 600 South Service Road, Dix Hills; 631-271-0777; alternativesforchildren.org

At Alternatives For Children in Dix Hills, the sensory integration room is used to help children with sensory issues.

Who: Not Just Art What’s New: A Music Together® Generations program, in which young children and seniors jointly participate in a music-themed class. “In this special Music Together class we expand our circle to include ‘Grandfriends,’ seniors who live in an assisted living facility,” says program director Deirdre Savino. The program takes place at the Sunrise of Dix Hills senior living facility. Registration is currently open and all participants are invited to join at their own comfort level. The class is for newborns to 5-year-olds and the adults who love them, Savino says. Want More Info: Not Just Art: 183 South St., Oyster Bay; 516-922-8300; notjustart.com. Sunrise of Dix Hills: 337 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills 8

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Courtesy Not Just Art

Children’s Enrichment Center Launches Child-Senior Music Program

The Music Together Generations program encourages seniors and young children to interact with music and each other.

Are your child’s immunizations up to date?

Call your Child’s Doctor Today!

Fidelis Care is working to keep our members and the community healthy. Measles and chickenpox are just two of the diseases that you can prevent by having your child immunized. Children under the age of 2 don’t have all the defenses they need to fight infection. Immunizations (shots) protect them from dangerous childhood diseases like:

• Whooping Cough • Hepatitis • Rotavirus • Mumps

• Diphtheria • Flu • Polio • Measles

• Chickenpox • Tetanus and more...

Is Your Child Covered? Fidelis Care offers New York State-sponsored free or low-cost health insurance coverage for children under 19 through the Child Health Plus program. 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 www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

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UOTABLES There are times, be it a short drive to school or a longer weekend trip, when I just want to lose myself in a blast of ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica without three toneless backup singers in the back seat fighting for the air-drumming rights. Yes, they know all the words. Even my 3 year old. —Lea Farrow, in a post entitled “7 Unexpected Things I Miss About Life Before Kids,” on her blog TheMethodMother.com

in an instagram 55 degrees! Perfect weather to follow dinosaur tracks and learn about fossils at #DinosaurStatePark #dinosaurs #travelandlearn #nyckids #weekendplans #littletraveler #familytravel #hartford #connecticut (Posted by @thelandoftwo, aka Aurora Aquino, a New York mom)

SKIPPING HOMEWORK

in an instagram Fearless #internationalwomensday #fearlessgirl #fearless #wallstreet #womenofthefuture #bravegirl #forceisfemale #fearce #disneyjunior #disney #disneyjr #artmonte (Posted by @a_a_almonte, aka Alexandra Almonte, a New York mom)

“When we bought this house, we pictured ourselves staying here forever, but I guess that’s normal. Humans don’t put down roots while simultaneously planning to uproot them. Still, I have spent the last several weeks mourning the childhood I assumed would take place right here.” —Rebecca Woolf, in a post entitled “And Keep Sailing,” on her blog GirlsGoneChild.net

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

“After giving up homework, she was able to spend hours doing things that children should have time to do: swing on the swing set, blow bubbles, plop down on the grass and watch clouds go by, catch fireflies, and make wishes upon stars. She could wonder about things.” —Diane Roncone in an article entitled “Why I Let My Daughter Say No to Homework;” read the whole thing at

nymetroparents.com/no-homework.

MORE NYMetroParents.com HIGHLIGHTS: CRAFTS FOR MOM: Make it a flowery Mother’s Day with these crafts (nymetroparents.com/mothers-day-crafts). SAIL AWAY: Where to go catch a boat in the NYC area (nymetroparents.com/boat-rides). UNDER THE SEA! Discover a marine life paradise at Atlantis Bahamas (nymetroparents.com/atlantis). SPRING IN NYC: Check out all the fun NYC has to offer this time of year (nymetroparents.com/nyc-spring).

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WHAT PARENTS CallNEED Your Pediatrician TO KNOWFirst Urgent Care is Not Always ABOUT VACCINES the Best Care!

Vaccines a vital theyou, development o oneplay knows yourpart childinlike and no of your immune system. teach onechild’s can take care of him or herThey medically your child’s body how to fight potentially like your pediatrician. dangerous, and sometimes fatal, infections. Andoctors Allied of doctor on-call atGroup all times The Alliedis Physicians follow and we want to hear from you. the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine It is sometimes hardand for parents to knowthat if a vacrecommendations feel strongly sick child needs to be seen right away, or if it is cinations are an important part of preventive okay to wait until morning to see the doctor that health care. knows your child best. Most things can wait

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May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

NYMP Q&A

Losing Is Winning ›› By Bethany Braun-Silva

am Weinman is the digital editor at Golf Digest and has been a sports journalist for 20 years. His new book Win at Losing, which was inspired by his kids, shows the benefits of losing and what we can learn from it. What do we win from losing? Losing is great feedback. When you lose at a certain endeavor, you are learning something about where you need improvement. Losing exposes weakness and things you can be improving upon. So if it’s sport and you lose, you are ultimately given an indication at what you need to work on. The second thing is character. Losing is an inevitable part of life and the more we navigate that dynamic the better we get at it and the better we’re equipped to handle losing in whatever realm. Losing is a great character-building moment in that you are given the opportunity to experience something difficult and emerge from it and that is ultimately a really great growth opportunity. What should parents do after their child experiences defeat? I would start by telling your child everyone loses and encourage them not to despair when you go through these moments because it may not be right away but there will be something good to come out of that loss and something positive to take from it. If you can get your kid to wrap their brain around that and know good can come from losing, then they’re less afraid of trying new things because they will be less afraid of failing. The undesirable outcome can yield something positive. Anything parents shouldn’t do? The first thing is to not put your kid in a position where they are shielded from failure. There is a point when winning and losing is just part of the deal of growing up and I would be very leery of trying to protect your kid from that. Ultimately you are depriving them the opportunity to experience it and learn from it. The second thing is when your kids are upset after a loss, even if it seems trivial to you, don’t belittle how they are feeling. Try to meet them where they are and recognize that while it may seem insignificant to you, it’s a big deal to them and you should validate their feelings. Do you suggest letting kids win at a young age? Or should parents play fair from the beginning? At a very young age you are dealing with emotion versus reason so my feeling is when you’re engaging in an activity with your kid you shouldn’t be rewarding winning or losing as much as rewarding trying something different. Try to focus on the process of playing the game or having fun and that’s true even as they get older, that yes you don’t want to shelter your kids from failure, but you can still define success a lot of different ways. It can be trying something new or sticking to a process or plan, or when they understand the rules. There’s value in commending that.

2 01 7?

LongIslandParent 13

DIY CORNER TREAT YOUR MOM

Fizzy Bath Bombs

The main ingredient in bath bombs is the chemical sodium bicarbonate, aka baking soda. The other key ingredient is citric acid. These chemicals don’t do much as dry powders, but in water they react and dissolve to produce tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas, which is what causes the fizzzzzzzing! (A similar reaction is commonly used in volcano science projects to create foaming “lava.”) The fizzing helps the bath bombs dispense faster and, combined with the hot water, spreads whatever yummy scent you have chosen. Pamper Mom this Mother’s Day by making these with her favorite scents and colors for a bath-time treat she’s sure to enjoy! Maker Checklist Large bowl ½ cup citric acid 1 cup baking soda ½ cup cornstarch ½ cup Epsom salt Small bowl or glass

1 tsp. essential oil 1 tsp. water 1 tsp. olive oil Soap colorant in various colors Multiple small bowls Small plastic containers

Directions 1. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. 2. Stir wet ingredients together in a small bowl or glass. 3. V ery slowly add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and keep mixing! Mix, mix, mix, so it doesn’t fizz and bubble up! After it’s all combined, let your mixture sit for a few minutes. It should feel like wet sand and stay together when you squeeze it in your hand. If it’s still too dry or crumbly, add a drop of water or olive oil—but be careful not to let it get too wet! 4. S eparate the mixture into smaller bowls and add a drop of soap colorant. Mix well! We found mixing by hand was the most effective way to get an even color. It’s also nice to leave one bowl white for layering.

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

5. Layer your mixture into molds. We used plastic ornaments split in half and experimented with small plastic containers and other recyclables, like yogurt cups. 6. Pack the layers down tightly into the mold by pressing with your fingers. 7. Let dry for a few minutes before carefully removing the bath bomb from the mold. Don’t try to handle the bath bomb yet! Turn it out from its mold directly onto a surface to dry, and let dry a few hours or overnight. 8. Drop in a warm bath and enjoy! Reprinted with permission from Curious Jane © 2017 by Girls Dream Out Loud Inc. Published by Sterling Children’s Books. Photography by Elissa Josse and Samantha Razook Murphy.

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GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC FESTIVAL July 13, 14, 15, 16, 2017

Get Your Kid on Our Cover!

››

LongIslandParent SUFFOLK EDITION

OCTOBER 2016

NYMETROPARENTS.COM

Scheduling Woes How to solve common birthday party dilemmas

Time for a Cellphone? Knowing when kids are ready for independence

LongIslandParen t SUFFOLK EDITIO

SEPTEMBER 2016

NYMETROPAR ENTS.COM

WHERE TO PICK PUMPKINS

Haunted Fun Find Halloween events near you •

LongIslandParent SUFFOLK EDITION

BEST JOBS FOR TEENS

TS TS.COM PARENTS.COM NYMETROPAREN

AUGUST 2016

Calm the Cafeteria Chao s Kids can eat health y and socialize,

too. PLUS: Your Back-t o-Scho ol Resource Guide

All About Gap Years Why many

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Making Melodies

All you need to know about kids’ music lessons

Behind the Thrills water parks

PLUS: Find the best

Should Kids Pla Contact Sports?y Weighi

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How keep everyone safe

ng the risk of concus sions

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May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

•

MEDIC AL MARIJ UANA

FOR SICK KIDS?

Olympic s Conversation Summer

Using the Games to spark family discussions

WHERE TO PICK BERRIES

•

THE POWER OF PRESCHOOL

ave you ever looked at the cover of this magazine and thought to yourself, “My child should be featured there”? Well, now’s your chance! The 2017 Kids Cover Contest is currently underway. And this year we’ve expanded it to include 10 finalists, all of whom will be professionally photographed and have a chance to be on our cover. Here’s how it works: Go to nymetroparents.com/cover. You’ll be asked to upload a photo of your child, and you can add a caption, if you like. We’ll ask for your child’s name and age and for some information on how to contact you if your child is a finalist. Our editors will choose nine of the finalists, and the 10th is the Fan Favorite—the entrant with the most votes. So after you enter, be sure to send the link to your friends and family and post it to your social media to get votes for your child. After the photo shoot, our editors will choose two winners from among the 10 finalists, and both are guaranteed to be on a future cover of the magazine. One winner will receive a photo shoot from Barbizon and a one-year scholarship to Barbizon Modeling and Acting School, while the other will win a free two-night stay at Kalahari Resort in the Poconos, the largest indoor water park in the U.S. The rest of the finalists might be featured on future covers as well, and the Fan Favorite will win four tickets to Sesame Place. The cover contest is open to children ages 2-16 and ends June 9. Enter at nymetroparents.com/cover!

Media Matters: Summer Movies

5 Movies Your Kids Will Want to See in May and June

Guardians of the Galaxy

Opens May 5 • Target Ag

Vol. 2

e: 11-13+

The sequel to the hit space adventure promises to be an actionpacked good time.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Th

Opens May 19 • Target Ag

e Long Haul

e: 9-12

The fourth Wimpy Kid mo vie has a new cast, but exp ect the same silly antics and potty hum or for which the series is kno wn.

Captain Underpants: The

Opens June 2 • Target Ag

First Epic Movie

e: 5-8

Expect plenty of rude lan guage and cartoonish vio lence in an animated movie based on the hugely popular boo k series.

Cars 3

Opens June 16 • Target

Age: 5-8

The Pixar racecar threequ el looks family-friendly, but with some intense moments.

Despicable Me 3  Opens June 30 • Target

Our Partner: Common Sense Media An independent nonprof it that helps families make smart media choices. Check out thousands of ratings and reviews at commonsensemedia.org

Age: 5-8

The third film in the popula r, kid-friendly supervillain series promises to be a fun choice for kids and parents to enjoy together, with lots of laughs and positive messages.

See more at NYMetroParents.com/media

HUMOR

Happy Mother’s Day to the Superheroes! Alison Wong is the writer and illustrator of New Mom Comics: The First Year, which offers a humorous and relatable take on the wild journey of parenting. “That first Mother’s Day completely changes its meaning. I felt more thankful for my own mother and very grateful to be a mother,” Wong said in her book. Anyone celebrating Mother’s Day this May will appreciate Wong’s illustration on the superpowers moms possess. Alison Wong is an illustrator, product designer, and innovation consultant. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband and son. Visit newmomcomics.com for more.

LongIslandParent 17

The Not-So-Sweet Truth

››

Too much added sugar is detrimental to our health—here’s why, and what you can do about it. By Katelin Walling

ifty-six. That’s how many different names the food industry uses for sugar. Here’s another number: 19½. That’s, on average, how many teaspoons of added sugar each person in the U.S. consumes each day. To be clear: We’re talking about added sugar—the sugar the food industry adds to foods, not the sugar found naturally in foods. The daily maximum recommendation from the American Heart Association? Six teaspoons for women, 9 teaspoons for men, less than 6 teaspoons for children ages 2-18, and zero for children ages 2 and younger. Ready for another? One-quarter: the number of pounds of added sugar Americans are consuming daily, on average, which equates to 90-100 pounds of added sugar annually. “The problem is you’re really supposed to be consuming zero [added sugar], but you could consume an ounce or an ounce and a half,” says Robert Lustig, M.D., a pediatric endocrinologist, professor of pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at University of California, San Francisco, and author of Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease. So, why is it a big deal that we’re consuming so much added sugar? Dr. Lustig—who was also featured prominently in the 2015 documentary Sugar Coated (available on Netflix) and is a member of the SugarScience team, an authoritative source for the scientific evidence about sugar and its impact on health—shares what we need to know and think about before saying “Yes” to sugary foods.

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Glucose vs. Fructose

There are two main sugars found in foods, and it’s important to know the difference because one is necessary and one isn’t. Glucose, which is found in starch, is the energy of life, according to Dr. Lustig. “Glucose is so important that if you don’t consume it, your body makes it,” he says. The liver has a way of turning fat into glucose called gluconeogenesis. So while it’s necessary for life, it’s not necessary to eat. Fructose, on the other hand, is an entirely different molecule. “There’s no animal cell on the planet that needs fructose for any reaction at all,” Dr. Lustig explains, adding that it’s sweet, it’s energy, and it’s calories, but it’s not nutrition.

Effects of Too Much Sugar

Acutely, too much sugar doesn’t have significant effects on the body. It’s the long-term effects that are the issue. Dr. Lustig says there are three things fructose does to our bodies that glucose does not: Liver fat: “Because of the way fructose is processed, it goes to the liver and excess gets turned into liver fat, and that liver fat gums up the workings of the liver. When that happens, you end up with a phenomenon called insulin resistance. You have a situation where the liver’s not responding to the insulin signal so the pancreas has to make extra,” Dr. Lustig says, which raises insulin levels all over the body and leads to hyperinsulinemia.

HEALTH MARKETPLACE Excess insulin, Dr. Lustig explains, does two things in your body to make you gain weight: It turns energy into fat cells, and it blocks leptin, the hormone that sends a signal to the brain when you’ve had enough to eat. Continued insulin secretion is also one of the major factors involved in chronic metabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and dementia. “All of those are referred to in total as metabolic syndrome. Some people will get some of those diseases, some people will get others of those diseases, and some unfortunate people will get all of them,” Dr. Lustig says. “Anything that drives insulin is going to drive those, and because of the liver fat issue, fructose drives it.” Aging: Have you ever thought of why bananas brown? It’s a chemical reaction called the Millard reaction—the aging reaction. “All carbohydrates bind to proteins, all carbohydrates cause a mild reaction. But because of fructose’s unique chemistry, it causes that mild reaction to occur seven times faster and generate a hundred times the number of oxygen radicals called oxidative stress that damage proteins and lipids inside cells,” Dr. Lustig says. “So basically sugar drives aging faster than other carbohydrates.”

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Dopamine: Fructose causes the reward system to release dopamine, the reward response. When dopamine is released, it fosters continued consumption, according to Dr. Lustig. “That’s something only fructose does. So you get into a vicious cycle of consumption and disease.”

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To paint a clearer picture, Dr. Lustig compares fructose to alcohol: “Alcohol is calories, but it’s not nutrition. Consumption of alcohol is dangerous in two ways: It’s dangerous acutely, and it’s dangerous

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chronically. Fructose is not dangerous acutely, but it is dangerous chronically for the same reason that alcohol is. In fact, fructose and alcohol are metabolized exactly the same in the liver, and that’s why kids are getting the disease of alcohol—Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease—without alcohol. Fructose sugar is the alcohol of the child. While we have the capacity to metabolize a limited amount Building Blocks is an Early Intervention and Preschool Program dedicated to Building BlocksBlocks is an Early and Preschool Program dedicated to to Building is anIntervention Early Intervention and Preschool Program dedicated Building Blocks is an Early Intervention and Preschool Program dedicated to educational excellence and committed committed to meeting meeting the developmental developmental needsneeds of all all of all of alcohol, excess is dangerous. While we have a limited capacity to educational excellence and committed to meeting the developmental educational excellence and to the needs of excellence andprovided committed to meeting thein developmental all youngeducational children. Services are at home, home, in the the community, atneeds daycare, metabolize the sugar in our diet, excess is dangerous.” young children. Services are provided at home, the community, at of daycare, young children. Services are provided at in community, at daycare, young children. Services are provided at home, in the community, at daycare, orat atour our center as determined determined by the theby child’s IEP or orIEP IFSP. or center at our center as determined the child’s or IFSP. or as by child’s IEP or at our center as determined by the child’s IEP orIFSP. IFSP. %) 0RESCHOOL !UTISM 0ROGRAM s 3%)4 3Ervices %) 0RESCHOOL !UTISM 0ROGRAM s 3%)4 3Ervices What Happens When You Cut Sugar From Your Diet? %) 0RESCHOOL !UTISM 0ROGRAM s 3%)4 3Ervices %) 0RESCHOOL !UTISM 0ROGRAM s 3%)4 3Ervices Family 4RAINING s 3PEECH 4HERAPY Family 4RAINING s 3PEECH 4HERAPY When sugar is cut from your diet, “your metabolic primers Family 4RAINING s 3PEECH 4HERAPY Family 4RAINING s 3PEECH 4HERAPY /CCUPATIONAL 4HERAPY s 0HYSICAL 4HERAPY get better, and you feel better, and your metabolic parameters /CCUPATIONAL 4HERAPY s 0HYSICAL 4HERAPY /CCUPATIONAL 4HERAPY s 0HYSICAL 4HERAPY /CCUPATIONAL 4HERAPY s 0HYSICAL 4HERAPY improve, and you detox, and you don’t crave it as much. #OMPLETE $IAGNOSTIC 3Ervices #OMPLETE $IAGNOSTIC 3Ervices ACTIVITIES EVENTS MORE #OMPLETE $IAGNOSTIC 3Ervices #OMPLETE $IAGNOSTIC 3Ervices

Everything gets better,” Dr. Lustig says, referring to a study his

3PECIAL 'ENERAL %DUCATION #LASSES team published in October 2015. 3PECIAL 'ENERAL %DUCATION #LASSES 3PECIAL 'ENERAL %DUCATION #LASSES 3PECIAL 'ENERAL %DUCATION #LASSES %) 3PECIAL )NSTRUCTION s PARENT #HILD 'ROUPS For that study, the research team studied the diets of 33 Latino %) 3PECIAL )NSTRUCTION s PARENT #HILD 'ROUPS %) 3PECIAL )NSTRUCTION s PARENT #HILD 'ROUPS %) 3PECIAL )NSTRUCTION s PARENT #HILD 'ROUPS 4ODDLER 3EPARATION 'ROUPS and African-American kids with metabolic syndrome (obesity 4ODDLER 3EPARATION 'ROUPS 4ODDLER 3EPARATION 'ROUPS 4ODDLER 3EPARATION 'ROUPS

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plus at least one other chronic medical condition) to determine a home-baseline diet. Then, for the next 10 days, sugar was cut from the kids’ diets. “What we did was we gave them starch instead so they would not loose weight. We took pastries out, and we put the bagels in. … We took the chicken teriyaki out, and we put turkey hotdogs in. WeGet gave them processednotice foods, but were no advance onthere activities, added-sugar foods,” Dr. Lustig explains. participate in group discussions After those 10 days, the kids were assessed, and “every aspect of their metabolic health improved and their liver fat reversed. That and receive special notices. is without any change in calories or any change in weight. This shows fructose is the primary driver because when we gave them extra glucose instead of fructose, it got better unrelated to calories and unrelated to weight,” Dr. Lustig says. “That proves that www.facebook.com/nymetroparents sugar is the driver of these metabolic diseases. It may not be the only driver, but it certainly is the primary driver, and the one that children are exposed to.”

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Easy Tips for Cutting Sugar

When working the following tips into your family’s lifestyle, the first thing to keep in mind is to cut back gradually and make realistic goals for your family. “It’s really hard to go to an extreme. I work with families that want to cut everything all at once, and that’s usually unsuccessful,” says Nicole Silber, R.D., a pediatric nutritionist based in New York City. “Meet your child where they’re at, engage them in the plan, and cut back slowly, which I think will Get advance notice on activities, end up yielding more success than to cut back drastically.”

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May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

ACTIVITIES

EVENTS

Be weary of foods labeled as fat-free. “There are a bunch of fatreceive special notices. free items that and tend to be loaded with sugar to compensate for the loss of fat in the product, especially in baked goods,” Silber says. Opt for fresh www.facebook.com/nymetroparents fruit over dried fruit or fruit sauce. With dehydrated fruit and sauces, it’s a matter of the source of sugar being concentrated, Silber says. For example, when you dehydrate a plum, what’s left is the fiber and natural fruit sugar. “It ends up being much smaller, so you could eat five prunes, which will fill your stomach the same amount as one plum, but you’re consuming five times the amount of sugar because you’re essentially eating five plums,” Silber explains. The same thing happens with applesauce. “It will take a child a few minutes to eat a whole apple, which has the skin, the fiber, the liquid. When you boil it down and puree it into a sauce, you can probably have four or five apples in the same amount of time it would take to eat one whole apple,” Silber adds. Choose plain yogurt over flavored. Yogurt can be unhealthy if you’re not picking the right one, Silber says. “If a child is used to high-sugar yogurts, you can add in your own fruit, jam, maple

syrup, honey,” she advises. “You can even add in your own white sugar. I’m confident you will add in less than the food companies.” And make sure you check the labels on baby yogurts; Silber says some brands are really high in added sugar. Preventatively, don’t introduce infants to juice or sweetened foods in their first year. Silber advises to give babies more veggies and less fruit to accustom their taste buds to less sweet foods. When shopping for baby foods or making your own, opt for blends that have one or no fruit. Cut down your weekly dessert intake. Wherever your family is now, cut back one to two servings per week, Silber advises. “If a family has dessert every night, I would say cut back to five nights per week,” Silber says. Another option is to substitute fresh fruit and eat the fruit when it’s extra ripe because it will taste sweeter. Drink water rather than sweetened beverages. Nearly two-thirds of kids in the U.S., ages 2-19, consumed at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day, and roughly 30 percent of children consumed two or more, between 2011-2014, according to a study published in January by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. That includes soda, fruit drinks, sports and energy drinks, and sweetened coffees and teas. Silber says most kids don’t need to consume beverages aimed toward athletes. “Usually water and a nutritious snack before and after will be sufficient to restore the nutrition and hydration,” she says. Leave sugar out of recipes when possible. With cooking, Silber suggests cutting the sugar from the recipe entirely, or cutting it in half. “I do this a lot where I see a recipe for a marinade that has a lot of honey or white sugar that I will eliminate and I still think

the recipe comes out tasty,” she says. For baking, Silber says to look for recipes that use more natural forms of sugar, such as honey, agave, or maple syrup because they’re more concentrated, so you’ll use less of it. And remember: “There is a time and a place for [sweets],” Silber says. “Just because it doesn’t have the white sugar doesn’t mean it’s a food that should be given all the time.” Read and understand the Nutrition Facts labels on packaged foods. The Food and Drug Administration announced a new Nutrition Facts label in May 2016, which among other changes includes an “Includes X g Added Sugars” field. Food manufacturers will need to implement the new label by July 26, 2018, while smaller companies will have an additional year to comply, according to the FDA. Until then, Silber suggests thinking about it in terms of a sugar packet, which is approximately 4 grams of sugar. If you choose a food product that has 8-12 grams of sugar per serving, “envision yourself opening up two or three sugar packets and pouring that into your dish. That can become quite alarming,” she says. Silber recommends choosing condiments (ketchup, salad dressing, and marinades) with less than 5 grams of sugar per serving, and foods (breads, yogurts, cereals, etc.) with no more than 10 grams of sugar per serving. An easy way to keep track of your added sugar intake is to convert the grams per serving into teaspoons. There are 4.2 grams of sugar per teaspoon, Dr. Lustig says. That comes out to less than 25 grams per day for children and teens, 25.2 grams for women, and 37.8 grams for men. “We’re currently at about 90 [grams per day] on average. That’s a big difference,” Dr. Lustig says.

LongIslandParent 21

Fitting Fitness Into Your Day

››

As parents, our lives are crazy busy, so here are some easy ways to make sure you’re finding ways to exercise. By Rosalind Muggeridge

espite all the advice we parents get about self-care these days, our busy schedules—kids, work, extracurricular activities, and for many of us, aging parents—ensure that our fitness goals consistently end up last on our priority lists. To help remedy that, I spoke with Rachel Lozoff, a Pilates teacher, dancer, and founder of Daily Body Pilates, to get some tips for seasoned parents and new moms alike on developing and, even trickier, maintaining productive fitness habits.

You May Already Be Doing It

Make your daily routine work for you. It’s a fact that many of us are abysmally overscheduled, so finding an hour three times a week to hit the gym may not be practical for everyone. (Kudos to you if you are making that happen!) It turns out you can still work fitness into your life by simply noticing and taking advantage of what you may already be doing. “I always tell my clients that everything counts,” Lozoff says. “Walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, playing with and picking up your kids, stretching or moving your body while you watch TV, or 22

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

even adding a little aerobic exercise to your daily life by walking everywhere you normally walk, just a little more quickly.” Be aware. I remember being surprised at how physically strenuous taking care of my first child felt. Whether it’s wrangling a fractious toddler into a stroller or spinning kids around during a dance party, parenting can take a physical toll. Trying to tune into your movements is a great way to help strengthen your body and avoid any chronic pain from starting or worsening. Lozoff calls this type of awareness “Livelates” (pronounced live-a lotease, a term Lozoff has trademarked), and it is one of the main strategies she says she uses to help her “stay strong, functional, and able to have daily wrestling matches with two young boys.” Even when you’re not around your kids, you should try to maintain that awareness. Sometimes it makes sense to sweat the small stuff. “Alignment and posture are also things you can be aware of as a way to prevent overuse or injury,” Lozoff says. “Are you twisting your body to look at your computer screen at work? Do you carry all of your bags on the same shoulder all the time? Details like this may seem minor or unimportant in the

moment, but can contribute to general aches and pains, and even overuse injuries, over time.” Consider how you’re framing it. It may be helpful to think about working out in a way that speaks to you and your own personal needs and wishes. Maybe it’s a means to incorporate some time to yourself, a way to stay sane when everyone is wanting a piece of you, or simply something that is going to make you a calmer, better parent. “While the physicality of our lives in NYC can be taxing,” Lozoff says, “seeing your fourth-floor walkup as a daily opportunity to keep your legs and gluteals strong can help it feel less like torture and more like a few minutes of exercise that really will add up and make you stronger.”

Make a Habit of It

Take some time to plan before you start. Lozoff breaks down how to carve out time from our busy daily routines. The first step, she says, is to find 5-10 minutes of movement. “This can be from a class you take, a video you like, or one of many online fitness options,” she says. “If you can memorize the movement over time, this will make it easier to fit in to your daily life. Another thing Lozoff recommends is picking a time of day when you can squeeze in those few minutes. That could be first thing in the morning, after your child goes down for his nap, on your lunch hour, or after your kids go to sleep at night. “This five to ten minutes can be a manageable amount of time to start with and can still go a long way toward feeling good,” she says. “Once you get into the habit of fitting regular movement into your day, you can slowly start making your routine longer,” she adds. When I first began exercising after childbirth, I started by simply lying down on my yoga mat and trying to tune into my abdominal core muscles. Once I felt ready to move on, I worked up from there to include more strenuous exercises. Lozoff also advises trying to make the first five minutes of your session consist of the same exercises, so that over time you know the movements so well that you can lie down anywhere, anytime, and devote a few minutes to work out. Do it before you can talk yourself out of it. For many people this is in the morning. For me, it’s as soon as I put my youngest down for his afternoon nap. It helps if I’m already wearing workout clothes, thereby eliminating one more step that might get me off track. For Lozoff, “As soon as I put my son down to sleep, and before I do anything else like clean up toys or do the dishes, I get out my yoga mat and do my 25-minute routine. Though it has changed over the years, I still have that routine and at the end of each busy day, it still feels good to know I had that time for myself in my day. And there are still some days when I can only do five minutes! But it counts.” Have fun with it. I didn’t start being even remotely consistent about my fitness until I figured out that doing the loop in Prospect Park is where my bliss lies. I go even more frequently if I’m meeting a friend who is expecting me to be there at a certain time. We try to finish the full 5-kilometer loop; sometimes we run half of it and sometimes we walk the whole thing quickly—it just depends on how we’re feeling that day. Tracking the subtleties of the seasonal changes allows me to become much more in tune with nature and makes me feel like I’m getting a respite from urban living. Plus, being outside on a regular basis clears my head and makes me feel much more calm and centered.

Involving your family is also a great way to get motivated. (Check out the Movers and Shakers section of this month’s events calendar on page 38 for ways to get out and moving with the whole family.) Or if you’re exercising at home try Lozoff’s tip: “Save your favorite TV show to watch while you exercise, so the whole thing feels like a treat.”

Post-Partum Moms

Take it slow, but try to check in with your body as often as possible. After my daughter’s extremely difficult delivery, I was overwhelmed by how disconnected I felt from my body. There were days I wondered if I would ever have the energy and motivation to even start thinking about getting back into shape. But as I learned, feeling fit doesn’t have to involve making a huge commitment. “Finding time to do something every day, even for just a few minutes, is really essential, especially when you’re postpartum,” Lozoff says. “Not only is it physically beneficial to move, stretch, and strengthen your body, but knowing you have a small part of the day that’s just for you can be both energizing and calming.” Lozoff ’s first son was born via emergency cesarean section. “Suddenly my life and my body were completely new to me,” she says. With help from her own fitness instructor—who even held her new baby during the workout—she was able to develop a 25-minute routine. “Scheduling and finances were such that I could only see my teacher a couple times, but once I had that routine, I had the tools to come back to my body and feel strong again.”

YOU REALLY ARE WHAT YOU EAT It’s fruitless to talk about fitness without considering what we’re feeding our bodies. Because some (okay, maybe a lot) of my sustenance comes from eating the remaining scraps from my kids’ meals, I asked anatomist, biochemist, and Ayurvedic practitioner Rebecca Dietzel, M.S., about ways to fuel your body to ensure you have the energy to meet fitness goals. “Food provides not only fuel for the muscle work of exercising, but also the minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and other factors required for the repair of tissues,” Dietzel says. “Physical exercise results in micro-damage to tissues. In the process of repairing that micro-damage, our bodies build stronger tissues. We need to provide both the fuel and the repair and maintenance materials to our bodies.” So what should we be reaching for when we want to get the most bang for our buck nutritionally? “Whole foods provide the best, most clean-burning fuel while also providing the resources to optimize the repair process. There is no protein shake nor energy bar that can replace the value inherent in real food,” Dietzel says. And just like starting off with five minutes of exercise, don’t beat yourself up if you aren’t able to make major dietary changes overnight. “Over time, small changes become new habits,” Dietzel says. “Experiencing what those new habits bring to your health and well-being both inspires and motivates exploration of new food habits, creating a self-sustaining cycle of change.” So just do what you can, have fun, and perhaps most importantly, go easy on yourself. In this (as in most respects), parenting really is more a marathon than a sprint. LongIslandParent 23

FOOD & NUTRITION

Avocado Toast—Elevated

››

Kick up this basic breakfast with some unexpected additions.

Avocado toast can be enjoyed in three simple steps: toast bread, top it with avocado (smashed or sliced), and eat. But Lara Ferroni shares 20 ideas to elevate the basic meal, from why-didn’t-I-think-of-that combos to unexpected and unusual flavor choices.

From left: Sourdough, smashed avocado, cucumber, chili flakes, fish sauce; sourdough, sliced avocado, strawberries, balsamic vinegar; sourdough, smashed avocado, nectarine slices, fresh mozzarella, fresh mint; sourdough, diced avocado, bacon jam, arugula

Clockwise from top: Brioche loaf, smashed avocado, banana, cinnamon, sugar; brioche loaf, sliced avocado, Nutella, pear slices; brioche loaf, smashed avocado, mandarin orange segments, coconut cream, fresh mint; brioche loaf, sliced avocado, scrambled egg, hot sauce

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Clockwise from top left: Baguette, sliced avocado, almond butter, honey, lemon juice; baguette, smashed avocado, radish slices, Herbs de Provence, flakey sea salt; baguette, sliced avocado, marmalade, flakey sea salt; baguette, smashed avocado, grilled romaine, boquerónes

Clockwise from top: Lettuce, smashed avocado, apple slices, cabbage, poppy-seed dressing; pita, sliced avocado, roasted poblano (or jalapeño), crema; cracker, smashed avocado, pepper jelly; chip, sliced avocado, cheddar, caramelized onions

Clockwise from top left: Bagel, smashed avocado, summer tomato slices, fresh basil; bagel, diced avocado, pickled beets, chèvre; bagel, smashed avocado, feta, black sesame seeds, cilantro, lime juice; bagel, sliced avocado, smashed sweet potato, ricotta salata

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LongIslandParent 25

Courtesy Nicole Perrino

Courtesy Bicultural Mama Courtesy Betsy Vilca

Courtesy Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Suffolk County blogger Maria Adcock and her family at a birthday party. The kids are half Chinese and Maria hopes they embrace that side of their heritage.

Jen Rabulan-Bertram and her family live in Denville, NJ, and call themselves the “token mixed family” of their area.

Nicole Perrino and her family live in the Bronx, where she says the diversity makes them comfortable raising mixed-race kids.

Queens mom Betsy Vilca, who is Peruvian, says she and her husband, who is Irish, teach their kids about both cultures.

Growing Up Mixed

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There are more mixed-race families than ever, but parents still face challenges raising kids in two cultures. By Samantha Neudorf

here is no worse feeling than when people think you and your child are unrelated. At least, that’s how my mother felt. I am half German and half Filipina, and I remember many times when I would be out with my Filipina mother and people would come up to her and say, “What a cute child! Are you her nanny?” or “Is she adopted?” One person even went so far as to flat-out deny I was her daughter and insisted, “I just don’t see how that’s possible.” All because I did not look exactly like her. Incidents like these stuck with me and are among the major challenges parents face when raising a mixed-race child. I decided to speak with parents here in the New York metro region to hear their accounts of raising bicultural children today.

Looking Different

In my own experience, identifying as multiracial is complicated because you look “different” from others. It’s challenging because you do end up relating to one side more than another—yet you are not entirely of that race, so you are not always fully accepted even 26

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

within that group. On the other hand, it feels great to be able to celebrate more than one heritage and be able to better understand other cultures. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2013, 9 million Americans identified as two or more racial categories when asked about their racial background, and a more recent Pew study put that number significantly higher. On Long Island, nearly 2 percent of the population identified as “two or more races” in the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, while statewide more than half a million New Yorkers did the same—and the number is surely growing.

A Cultural Melting Pot

Often revered as a cultural melting pot, New York City and its suburbs are home to people of countless ethnicities. It is therefore not surprising that interracial relationships are on the rise, and with them, the birth of multi-race children. Nicole Perrino is the founder of the blog Bronx Mamas and is Italian-Irish. Her boyfriend Luis is Dominican, and their

daughters are Briana, 10, and Gia, 4. They live in East Bronx and found that the area has a blend of both of their cultures. “It’s so diverse and you never know what a person is just by looking at them,” Perrino says. Betsy Vilca is a blogger and YouTuber at Thats Betsy V, and a mother of two children: Ziana, 4, and Gunner, 1. She is Peruvian and her boyfriend Bobby is Irish. They live in the Kew Gardens section of Queens, which is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the country. Vilca expresses concern about how her kids will be treated based on the current political climate. “I feel like it’s much more accepting to be a mixed-race family than it was years ago,” she says. “But at the same time, with Donald Trump in office we’re concerned our kids might be ostracized because they’re not whitewhite and they’re not Spanish.” Vilca is able to have her kids learn about both sides of their heritage in New York by going to St. Patrick’s Day activities as well as eating Peruvian dishes such as lomo saltado, a stir-fry of sirloin steak with onions, tomatoes, and French fries served over a bed of rice. “It’s very cultural here in New York and I feel like they’ll be able to identify more with different cultures when they get older,” Vilca says.

Preserving Tradition

One way to preserve tradition is to teach kids to be bilingual or to “speak their mother tongue.” Vilca’s daughter Ziana understands Spanish when she speaks to her, but sometimes refuses to respond because everyone around speaks English. Vilca grew up in Garden City Park on Long Island and felt the same way. “I grew up with a lot of Caucasians and my parents only spoke Spanish, so I couldn’t identify with those kids and was ostracized in that aspect,” Vilca says. She hopes her kids will grow up to speak Spanish fluently and understand it better than she does. Maria Adcock is the founder of the blog Bicultural Mama and is Chinese-American. She and her husband Matthew, who is Caucasian, live in Suffolk County and have two daughters: Ailin, 8, and Aimei, 2. Ailin is enrolled in Chinese school and Aimei will follow in her footsteps once she is old enough to attend. Adcock wants her daughters to go to Chinese school because there are not many Asians in her area and her family lives out of state, so her kids do not have a chance to hear relatives speak Chinese very often. She attended Chinese school growing up and wants her kids to be exposed to the culture, language, and traditions. “Some of the challenges of raising mixed-race children are ensuring that the minority heritage traditions are passed down and that my kids are embracing it and proud that there’s this part of them,” Adcock says. “It’s very easy for them to lose the minority heritage because they’re not immersed in it.” Adcock hopes that her daughters will continue to celebrate both cultures. She says Ailin identifies more with her Chinese side, but says that could change if she decides she wants to choose to embrace her Caucasian side more. “My husband’s family is nearby and we see them several times a month,” Adcock says. “That’s why I feel like I need to make sure that the other side is being reinforced as well.”

Uncomfortable Situations

Adcock talked to Ailin about racism and what to do if she is bullied. She grew up in Michigan and said she was teased, so she wants to make sure her kids know what to do if that ever happens.

“I want them to be proud at a young age and try to protect them as much as possible.” There was an instance where Adcock was with Ailin at the post office when she was a baby and an older woman approached them and said, “Oh my gosh, is that an ‘Amerasian’ baby?” The term “Amerasian” is used to define a person born in Asia to a U.S. military father and an Asian mother. It was first used during the wars in Korea and then Vietnam and could be applicable to U.S. citizens of any ethnicity, so this was a misinformed comment that made Adcock feel taken aback. “I can tell that she didn’t mean it in an offensive way because she was smiling and said she knew other ‘Amerasian’ babies,” Adcock says. “It was just kind of strange to be called out that way.”

Teaching Kids to Understand Others

Jen Rabulan-Bertram is the founder of the blog Next Kid Thing. She is Filipina-American and her husband Jeff is German, English, and Irish. Jen, Jeff, and their kids Jack, 9, and Josh, 5, live in Denville, NJ, and say they are the “token mixed family” of their area. Rabulan-Bertram grew up in Virginia, where she says people made racial jokes toward her and repeated racial stereotypes, so she made sure her kids learned how to embrace others. The common refrain in their household is that everyone is different, whether it’s how they look or if they are differently abled. Josh is in special education, so it is especially ingrained in her kids that they accept anyone regardless of race or physical differences. “You don’t know the other person’s story, so you just say that everyone is different,” Rabulan-Bertram says. Rabulan-Bertram says Jack has been learning about his culture in school and hopes he grows up to embrace both sides. “Having a mom that looks one way and a dad that looks another is definitely something he should be proud of,” Rabulan-Bertram says. “Whether it’s having awesome food and learning about how his grandparents grew up in a really cool island, I think it’s important for him to know that.” As for me, being bicultural has allowed me to understand the world and empathize with others through a lens not many people can use. I understand and accept that people will continue to give me weird looks because they cannot figure out what my ethnicity is. I understand that I will be too Asian in some people’s eyes and too white to others. I understand the struggle to be accepted in society because at the end of the day, I’m still a minority. And I would never change any of it because I am proud of who I am.

Child Day Care Center

Early Intervention Birth-3 yrs Preschool Special Education 3-5 yrs Integrated Nursery School Classes Evaluations Birth-6 yrs Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy Service Coordination & Family Support Services Developmentally Appropriate/Safe Playground Full Time Nurse

For Children

Alternatives for Children is approved/licensed by the NYS DOH, NYSED, NYS OCFS, Nassau/Suffolk County Divisions of Services for Children with Special Needs. Services for eligible children are provided at no outof-pocket cost to families. Funding for these programs is through NYSED, NYS DOH and Suffolk/Nassau DOH.

AQUEBOGUE 1116 Main Road 631-722-2170 EAST SETAUKET 14 Research Way 631-331-6400 DIX HILLS 600 S. Service Road 631-271-0777 SOUTHAMPTON 168 Hill Street 631-283-3272

LongIslandParent 27

OUTINGS: Gulliver’s Gate

nymetroparents.com/outings

See the World in Miniature

You can travel the world—and occasionally through time—without leaving Times Square. ›› By Katelin Walling

Katelin Walling

Courtesy Gulliver’s Gate

Katelin Walling

1 The Russian section of Gulliver’s Gate is entirely handcrafted (made of balsam wood and hand painted), while other countries utilized 3-D printing. 2 Iconic

buildings in New York City have been miniaturized, including the commuter hub of Grand Central. Various trains, vehicles, and even planes will move throughout the exhibit. Here the MetroCard shows just how tiny everything is at Gulliver’s Gate. 3 Visitors will see scenes from throughout history, including Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 4 Until the masters of science and technology are able to make time travel happen, Beatles fans young and old will have to make do with seeing this iconic scene in miniature.

ulliver’s Gate (a nod to Gulliver’s Travels) is a re-creation of various major cities across the world in Lilliputian proportions—miniature models, built to scale. The extremely family-friendly venue— changing tables are in all bathrooms, a private nursing station is available for breast-feeding moms, and strollers are welcome—is set to become one of the most interactive miniature exhibits in America.

A Whimsical, Interactive Experience

Upon arrival, each visitor will exchange their ticket for a skeleton key (beginning May 9), which “unlocks” the interactive elements throughout the re-creation— until then, buttons control the elements. Examples include Nessie poking her head out of Loch Ness in Scotland and a bullring spinning to reveal a bullfight in which the bull, in an unusual turn of events, antagonizes the matador in Spain. (Keep an eye out for other humorous scenes like these as subtle and overt humor was integrated throughout— perfect for entertaining children and parents.) Bonus: You get to take the key home as a keepsake. 28

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

More Than Just Buildings

You’ll see renderings of famous buildings and monuments from all over the world— from the Statue of Liberty to the Eiffel Tower in France, among many others. Just don’t expect to see the full Empire State Building and One World Trade—they are so tall that even built to scale they don’t completely fit in the space. You’ll also see some scenes from history: the Beatles walking across Abbey Road, a Lenape village in New York, and Colossus of Rhodes standing over a harbor in Greece.

A Culturally Inclusive Exhibit

Eight countries took part in building Gulliver’s Gate, and the stylistic differences in the models show how the different countries interpret their regions and what they see as culturally significant. “One of the most important things for us is inclusion,” says Jason Hackett, head of marketing. “We want you to be able to see yourself in the model, no matter where you’re from.” And you actually can. Step into a 3-D scanner (for an extra fee) and be rendered as a Lilliputian-sized model citizen to become part of the exhibit.

Learn How It Works

Visitors can learn behind-the-scenes details about the miniature world. The wood and high-tech model shops are open for visitors to talk to the builders and learn how the mini cities were created, and a hallway is filled with projections of the entire building process. The command center that monitors the circuitry and interactive components of the miniatures is also open for visitors to see, and the engineers are encouraged to explain how things work in ways all visitors can understand.

Want to Go?

Address: 216 W. 44th St., Times Square, Manhattan Directions: Approximately a 1-hour train ride via Long Island Rail Road from Huntington Station, then take the A-C-E to 42 Street – Port Authority Bus Terminal Hours: Daily, 9am-10pm; last entry will be at 8:30pm Admission: $36; $27 seniors ages 65 and older and children ages 12 and younger For more information: gulliversgate.com

Greenport

Port Jefferson Riverhead Stony Brook

Brookhaven

Spotlight

on Stony Brook to Riverhead LOCAL BUSINESSES ›› Alternatives For Children

Aquebogue, Dix Hills, East Setauket, and Southampton 631-331-6400 alternatives4children.org Licensed day care, Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education evaluations, and provider for eligible children. Early childhood professionals create a natural learning environment, promoting a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.

MAY EVENTS ›› Hands-On Art

WHEN: Thursday, May 4, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Use different materials to learn the elements of art and create your own abstract masterpiece. Includes tour of art exhibition and craft. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-751-0066. longislandmuseum.org.

Mother’s Day Messages

WHEN: May 13-14, Saturday-Sunday, 1-5pm WHERE: Maritime Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Use a variety of interesting materials to design a message in a bottle to give to your mother on her special day. WANT TO GO? $5. 631-331-3277. maritimeexplorium.org.

Mother’s Day Brunch

WHEN: Sunday, May 14, 10:30am; 11am; 12:30pm; and 1pm WHERE: Majestic Gardens, 420 NY-25A, Rocky Point AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a gourmet brunch with your entire family in a beautiful setting. WANT TO GO? $17-$38. 631-744-9500. majesticgardens.com.

Art in the Park and Kite Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 10am-5pm WHERE: Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mount Sinai AGES: All WHAT: Join Heritage Trust for an outdoor art sale and exhibit and fun kite flying. WANT TO GO? 631-384-8900. msheritagetrust.org.

‘Pinkalicious’ Tea Party FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 27, 11am-12pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Enjoy your favorite Pinkalicious stories, sip pink lemonade, and play party games. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.

Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp

3186 Sound Ave., Riverhead 516-433-7970 x11 ccenassau.org gms8@cornell.edu; cer237@cornell.edu Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp is a coed, recreational sleepaway camp. The location includes a 10-acre working farm, swimming, kayaking, adventure course, nature science education center, horseback riding, archery, arts, and sports.

Kids Country Day Camp

37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mount Sinai 631-331-5351 kidscountrydaycamp.com Kids Country Day Camp is a 10-acre recreational children’s (ages 3-12) summer camp filled with indoor and outdoor adventure, sports, activities, and special events.

Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center

431 E. Main St., Riverhead 631-208-9200 xH20 (426) For birthdays: 631-208-9200 x186 longislandaquarium.com This FINtastic destination features an amazing coral reef display, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, sea lion shows, penguins, stingrays, touch tanks, and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences.

Lyrical Children’s Preschool & Learning Center & Kreative Kidz Party Zone

4492 Middle Country Road, Calverton 631-208-4003 lyricalchildren.com; lyricalchildrenmusic.com Lyrical Children’s offers many fun programs for families in northeastern Suffolk including Music Together® from Setauket to Southold, plus classes and parties at the preschool and learning center located in Calverton.

My Gym - Stony Brook

1320 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook 631-751-KIDS (5437) mygym.com/stonybrook; stonybrook@mygym.com The experts in children’s fitness. State-of-the-art facility, extensively trained staff, and award-winning programs have earned My Gym the reputation as the best early learning program of its kind.

LongIslandParent 29

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May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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Promotion period 4/24/17 - 6/9/17

Ideas When You Need Them:

Sign up for our FREE newsletter & never hear “I’m bored!” again. We email the top kids’ events every Thursday—just in time to make weekend plans!

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Turn the page for details on Long Island Fleece and Fiber Fair (No. 5 on our list).

MAY

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EDITOR: KAREN DEMETER suffolkcal@davlermedia.com

CALENDAR 32 Editor’s Hot Tickets

36 Show Time!, Holiday Fun

34 We Can’t Believe It’s FREE!, Smarty Pants

38 Crafty Kids, Movers & Shakers

35 Special Needs, Must-Sees in NYC

40 The Great Outdoors, Fun Fairs & Festivals

EDITOR’S HOT TICKETS

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

Town of Huntington Presents Tulip Festival 2017 FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 11am-4pm WHERE: Huntington’s Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington AGES: All WHAT: This family-oriented floral festival offers hands-on children’s activity booths, family performances, art exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, and refreshments. WHY WE LOVE IT: Features more than 20,000 tulips! WANT TO GO? 631-351-3089. huntingtonny.gov/tulipfestival.

Escape the Library FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 3-4pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Find the hidden objects, figure out the clues, and solve the puzzles to earn your freedom. WHY WE LOVE IT: A clever way to draw teens to the library! WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

3 32

‘Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!’

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 2pm WHERE: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Gerald and Piggie sing and dance their way through plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense. WHY WE LOVE IT: You’ll be doing the “Flippy Floppy Floory” dance all night long! WANT TO GO? $15 and up. 516-299-3100. tillescenter.org.

‘Sleeping Beauty’

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 4pm WHERE: Northport Middle School, 11 Middleville Road, Northport AGES: All WHAT: The performance includes highlights from Sleeping Beauty Ballet, African Jazz set to music from The Lion King, modern contemporary dance, and new choreography. WHY WE LOVE IT: The program offers great variety of dance styles. WANT TO GO? $20. 435-222-2849. tututix.com/poseyschool.

Long Island Fleece and Fiber Fair

WHEN: May 20-21, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm WHERE: Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Activities include sheep herding, sheep and llama shearing,

livestock and animal displays, spinning, basket weaving, crocheting, and historic tours. WHY WE LOVE IT: Children will learn how wool from sheep becomes the clothes in their drawer. WANT TO GO? $6. 631-298-5292. hallockville.com.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents ‘Out Of This World’

WHEN: May 12-21, Friday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: NYCB LIVE, home of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Presented By New York Community Bank, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale AGES: All WHAT: Prepare to blast off on a cosmic family adventure unlike any other. Join the Circus Space Fleet on a heroic quest of good versus evil and be the first to climb aboard and take the helm as a circus star seeker. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s final farewell! WANT TO GO? $22.75 and up. 516-231-4848. nycblive.com.

Bethpage Air Show

WHEN: May 27-28, Saturday-Sunday, 12-5pm WHERE: Jones Beach State Park, 1000 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh AGES: All

WHAT: The United States Air Force Thunder Birds will perform their precision demonstration over the Atlantic Ocean in front of the shores of Jones Beach. Military recruiters will be present, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. WHY WE LOVE IT: It’s an annual not-to-be-missed event! WANT TO GO? $10 per car. 516-785-1600. bethpageairshow.com.

East End Arts 21st Annual Community Mosaic FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 28, 12-5pm WHERE: Downtown Riverhead, East Main Street, Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy street painting, live music and entertainment, drumming, dance, gourmet food trucks, and more. WHY WE LOVE IT: A great way to get to know the people in your community! WANT TO GO? eastendarts.org.

Strawberry Festival

WHEN: May 20-June 4, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Garden of Eve Farm, 4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Activities include strawberry picking, hayrides, Pedal Kart Track, Spider Web, and strawberry-themed activities. WHY WE LOVE IT: This seasonal fruit is the belle of the ball! WANT TO GO? $5. 631-722-8777. gardenofevefarm.com. ››

TheGateway.org | (631) 286-1133

CHILDREN’S THEATRE June 30 & July 1 at Gateway Playhouse

July 21

A Gateway School For the Performing Arts’ Production

July 7, 8, 14, 15 at Gateway Playhouse

at Patchogue Theatre

Gateway School For the Performing Arts’ Production Of

Julyat Patchogue 8, 29, Aug 4, 5 Theatre

August 11 at Patchogue Theatre LongIslandParent 33

SMARTY PANTS Home School Day

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. Comic Book Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 10am-5pm WHERE: John Jermain Memorial Library, 201 Main St., Sag Harbor AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Everyone gets to choose one comic, but anyone arriving in costume gets to choose two, while supplies last. WANT TO GO? 631-725-0049. johnjermain.org.

Touch-a-Truck FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 11am-2pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Children can explore various vehicles, sit in the driver’s seat, and discover the world of trucks. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. mcplibrary.org.

‘Pinkalicious’ Tea Party FREE

Parade of American Flags FREE

WHEN: Monday, May 29, 10am-4pm WHERE: Heritage Park in Mount Sinai, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai AGES: All WHAT: This patriotic, symbolic, and educational feature includes all state flags, flags from our nation’s colonial period, Suffolk County flags, Old Glory, Armed Forces, and more. WANT TO GO? 631-384-8900. msheritagetrust.org.

Creative Arts Program FREE

WHEN: Through June 17: Saturdays, 11:30am-12:30pm and 12:30-1:30pm WHERE: YMCA East Hampton RECenter, 2 Gingerbread Lane, East Hampton AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn to paint, write, draw, or act through these programs that offer a creative outlet for kids. The first session is for children ages 4-6 and second is for ages 7-11. WANT TO GO? 631-329-6884. ymcali.org. 34

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Thursday, May 4, 2-4pm WHERE: Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook AGES: 5-17 WHAT: Explore current exhibitions at the Long Island Museum and gain a deeper understanding of Long Island’s bygone era. Includes exhibition tours, artmaking, and hands-on activies. Call to register. WANT TO GO? $5. 631-751-0066. longislandmuseum.org.

Science Day

WHEN: Friday, May 5, 4:30-7pm WHERE: Tumbling Tunes, 212 Laurel Road, East Northport AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Be amazed by kitchen science experiments and watch demonstrations and hands-on experimentations. Pizza dinner included. WANT TO GO? $30; $50 for two siblings. 631-697-1040. tumblingtunes.com.

Star Wars: Revenge of the ‘Sixth Party’ FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 12-2pm WHERE: Riverhead Free Library, 330 Court St., Riverhead AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Have your picture taken with a Star Wars character, play Star Wars trivia, and more. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 631-727-3228. riverheadlibrary.org.

Viking Invasion

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 11am-2pm WHERE: Whaling Museum and Education Center, 279 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Hands-on fun invades the museum on International Viking Day in honor of these early whalers. Make a Viking hat and beard, and other crafts. WANT TO GO? $6; $10 children. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Camp W Open House FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 2-4pm WHERE: Birchwood Intermediate School, 121 Wolf Hill Road, Melville AGES: All WHAT: Meet the directors and staff while your children sample the many activities the school has to offer. WANT TO GO? 631-692-6222. campwdaycamp.com.

Math Help for Parents FREE

WHEN: Monday, May 8, 6:30pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 5-12, adult WHAT: Parents and children learn clear steps, case studies, and tools that can easily be implemented at home to ensure math confidence. Registration required. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net.

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 2:30-3:30pm WHERE: Whaling Museum and Education Center, 279 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Learn about the differences between a tortoise and a sea turtle, touch a real turtle shell, and make turtle crafts. WANT TO GO? $6; $10 children. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

CityBound Must-Sees in

N Y C Courtesy Enchantment Theatre Company

Turtle Party

Hands-On History

WHEN: Thursday, May 18, 4:30-5:30pm WHERE: Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Learn about the tools used by wheelwrights and blacksmiths, and create your own carriage horse and buggy-related craft. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-751-0066. longislandmuseum.org.

Summer Camp Open House FREE

Whirling Wind Machines

WHEN: May 26-29, Friday-Monday, 1-5pm WHERE: Maritime Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Design and create your own whirling wind machine. WANT TO GO? $5. 631-331-3277. maritimeexplorium.org.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Can Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny save the day?

A Tale of Two Bunnies

Beatrix Potter’s famous hero, Peter Rabbit, has entertained children for more than 100 years. Peter Rabbit Tales tells the story of Peter and his friend Benjamin Bunny. They set off on an adventure that involves a rescue of the Flopsy Bunnies and of course, an escape from Mr. McGregor’s garden. Enchantment Theatre Company brings the beloved stories and characters to life using masks, puppets, and beautiful scenery reminiscent of Potter’s drawings. There will also be a preshow workshop in the lobby during which children can make their own Peter Rabbit puppets. May 6; 11am and 2pm. Age: 3-9, adult. $25-$29. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at NYU, 566 LaGuardia Place, Greenwich Village. 212-998-4941. nyuskirball.org. Courtesy U.S. Navy

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 11am-2pm WHERE: Kids Country Day Camp, 37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mount Sinai AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Come take a tour, meet staff, and ask questions. Fun activities and registration discounts. WANT TO GO? 631-331-5351. kidscountrydaycamp.com.

Viewing of the Documentary ‘2E: The Movie’ FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 6-8:30pm WHERE: Long Island Whole Child Academy, 175 Wolf Hill Road, Melville AGES: Adult WHAT: Learn about the unique traits and needs of Twice Exceptional youth in the school environment. Reservations required. WANT TO GO? 347-668-3676. liwholechild.org.

Sky Zone Cares

WHEN: Monday, May 1, 3-6pm WHERE: Sky Zone Deer Park, 111 Rodeo Drive, Deer Park AGES: All WHAT: Sky Zone dials down the music, increases the staff ratio, and limits capacity for children and adults with special needs. WANT TO GO? $16 per hour. 631-392-2600. skyzone.com/deerpark.

Special Olympics Bowling at the All Star

WHEN: Through Dec. 1: Mondays, 5pm WHERE: The All Star, 96 Main Road, Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Bowlers with special needs are invited to bowl on the main lanes and experience the arcade with the latest games. WANT TO GO? $10 for two games. 631-998-3565. theallstar.com.

››

U.S. Navy ships sail into New York Harbor as part of the Parade of Ships.

Ships Ahoy

Fleet Week 2017, the weeklong celebration of maritime services, has been sailing into NYC nearly every year since 1984. It offers lots of fun activities for families and is a great opportunity to meet sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard members, as well as get up close to reallife Navy ships. The event kicks off with the Parade of Ships, an aweinspiring flotilla of U.S. Navy, including U.S. Marine Corps personnel, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian ships into the New York Harbor. Other highlights include the chance to visit actual working war ships (best suited to older children); a week of activities at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum; military band concerts; and aviation displays. May 24-30, times vary, see website for full activity schedule. Age: All. Various locations in New York City. Most events are free. fleetweeknewyork.com. LongIslandParent 35

Family Night Out Movie: ‘Sing’ FREE

WHEN: Friday, May 19, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: All WHAT: Bring the whole family to spend an evening out at the movies with snacks and drinks provided. This event is sponsored by the Suffolk County Police Department. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

‘The Cat in the Hat’

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 11am WHERE: YMCA Boulton Center, 37 W. Main St., Bay Shore AGES: All WHAT: From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know The Cat In The Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. WANT TO GO? $12. 631-969-1101. boultoncenter.org.

Cinema for Kids: ‘Big Trouble in Little China’

SHOW TIME! ‘The Adventures of Peter Rabbit’

WHEN: Through May 6: Saturdays, 11am WHERE: Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson AGES: All WHAT: Peter, Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-Tail, Benjamin Bunny, and the McGregors come to life in this heartfelt adaptation, based on the immortal characters created by Beatrix Potter. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-928-9100. theatrethree.com.

Fourth Annual A Cappella Invitational

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 3pm WHERE: St. Joseph’s College - Long Island, 155 W. Roe Blvd., Patchogue AGES: All WHAT: The SJC Sharps, an a cappella singing group at SJC Long Island, will host the fourth annual A Capella Invitational for local high school, college, and community a cappella groups. WANT TO GO? $5. 631-687-5100. sjcny.edu/long-island.

‘Pure Led’ Pays Tribute to Music of Led Zeppelin

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 7-8:30pm WHERE: Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport AGES: All WHAT: Pure Led, a Long Island Led Zeppelin tribute band, will perform in the Vanderbilt Reichert Planetarium. WANT TO GO? $25; $15 children ages 5-15; free for children younger than 5. 631-854-5579. vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Theater Performance: ‘Said the Spider to the Spy’

WHEN: Through May 14: Friday-Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 3pm WHERE: St. Joseph’s College - Long Island, 155 W. Roe Blvd., Patchogue AGES: 9 and older WHAT: In this comedy, a woman borrows her friend’s home and identity resulting in a hilarious case of mistaken identity and utter confusion. WANT TO GO? $15; $12 students and seniors. 631-687-5100. sjcny.edu/long-island. 36

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Saturday, May 27, 11am WHERE: Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington AGES: All WHAT: An all-American trucker gets dragged into a centuries-old mystical battle in Chinatown. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 12. 631-423-7611. cinemaartscentre.org.

‘The Princess and the Pea’

WHEN: May 27-June 10, Saturdays, 11am WHERE: Westhampton Beach Elementary School, 412 Main St., Westhampton Beach AGES: All WHAT: Follow Priscilla Noble, a noble orphan, as she comes face-to-face with the impossible Queen Irritatta and a hilarious series of challenges in this charming musical. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-928-9100. theatrethree.com.

‘Alice in Wonderland’

WHEN: May 6-June 17, Saturdays, 1pm WHERE: Studio Theatre LI, 141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst AGES: All WHAT: Alice falls down a rabbit hole and takes a fantastic journey through Wonderland. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-226-8400. studiotheatreli.com.

HOLIDAY FUN A Whale of a Mom

WHEN: Thursday, May 4, 10-11am WHERE: Whaling Museum and Education Center, 279 Main St., Sag Harbor AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Preschoolers explore how mother whales care for their calves with a story and Mother’s Day craft. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-367-3418. cshwhalingmuseum.org.

Mother’s Day Gifts Workshop

WHEN: Monday, May 8, 5-7:15pm WHERE: Tumbling Tunes, 212 Laurel Road, East Northport AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Children make bath salts and face scrubs, which will be wrapped beautifully in tissue paper. Pizza dinner included. WANT TO GO? $28; $50 for two siblings. 631-697-1040. tumblingtunes.com.

Mother’s Day Brunch

WHEN: Sunday, May 14, 10:30am-1pm WHERE: Majestic Gardens, 420 NY-25A, Rocky Point AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a gourmet brunch with your entire family in a beautiful setting. WANT TO GO? $17-$38. 631-744-9500. majesticgardens.com.

INTO OUR GIANT MINIATURE WORLD

Mother’s Day Week Spectacular FREE

WHEN: May 8-14, Monday-Sunday, 10am-6pm WHERE: Garden of Eve Farm, 4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Bring mom in for a free flower pot to celebrate Mother’s Day and help her pick out flower and vegetable seeds for the garden. WANT TO GO? 631-722-8777. gardenofevefarm.com.

Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard Season Opening & Mother’s Day Festival FREE

WHEN: May 13-14, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm WHERE: Harbes Family Farm, 715 Sound Ave., Mattituck AGES: All WHAT: Visit Barnyard Adventure to see farm animals, pig races, singing hayrides, a gnome hedge maze, trike track, and more. WANT TO GO? 631-365-1115. harbesfamilyfarm.com.

Mother’s Day Brunch

WHEN: Sunday, May 14, 10am-4pm WHERE: Long Island Aquarium, 431 E. Main St., Riverhead AGES: All WHAT: Enjoy a delicious brunch or dinner in the Sea Star Ballroom. Reservations required, call 631-208-9200 x426. WANT TO GO? $49.95; $24.95 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3. 631-208-9200. longislandaquarium.com.

MONUMENTAL. MESMERIZING. MINIATURE.

216 WEST 44TH STREET gulliversgate.com

Mother’s Day Painting Specials

WHEN: May 12-14, Friday-Sunday, see website for times WHERE: Pinot’s Palette, 61 W. Main St., Bay Shore AGES: 5 and older WHAT: There will be several classes for all ages throughout the day to create Mother’s Day paintings together. WANT TO GO? $15 and up. 631-446-4777. pinotspalette.com.

Long Island Speech & Myofunctional Therapy 1-844-5-SPEECH

www.LIspeech.com

Mother’s Day at the Hatchery

WHEN: Sunday, May 14, 10am-5pm WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor AGES: All WHAT: Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Hatchery. Picnic tables will be available and all moms receive free admission. WANT TO GO? $6; $4 children ages 3-12; free for children younger than 3 and moms. 516-692-6768. cshfha.org.

Mother’s Day Messages

WHEN: May 13-14, Saturday-Sunday, 1-5pm WHERE: Maritime Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Using a variety of interesting materials, design a special message in a bottle to give to your mother on her special day. WANT TO GO? $5. 631-331-3277. maritimeexplorium.org. ››

Licensed Speech Pathologists & Myofunctional Therapists Specializing in the Treatment and Correction of:

• Language Disorders • Memory & Auditory Processing Difficulties • Fluency • • Voice Disorders • Motor Planning Disorders • Deviate Swallowing • Tongue Thrust • • Feeding & Swalling Problems /Aversions • Thumb Sucking • Articulation Disorders • Oral Facial Muscle Weakness •

Specialized Specialized Therapy Therapy Approaches Approaches Including: Including PROMPT Therapy • Individual FEEDING Therapy Augmentative Communication Evaluations & Therapy

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LongIslandParent 37

The Minimalist Paintings of Carmen Herrera FREE

WHEN: Monday, May 8, 6:30-7:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 3 and older WHAT: Carmen Herrera is a Cuban-American abstract minimalist painter. View some of her works and make your own paintings in her style. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Open Studio for Families

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 11am WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Take a tour of the galleries and create art through hands-on activities. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 18. 631-283-2118. parrishart.org.

Huntington Village Art Walk FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 2-6pm WHERE: Huntington Arts Council, 213 Main St., Huntington AGES: All WHAT: A self-guided tour full of art, food, and drink. WANT TO GO? 631-271-8423. huntingtonarts.org.

CRAFTY KIDS Hands-On Art

Recycled Robot Art FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 11am-12pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: 5-8 WHAT: Construct your own robot using 100-percent recycled boxes, computer parts, wires, buttons, and more. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

Drawing and Painting 1 & 2

WHEN: May 1-27, Monday-Tuesday and Friday-Saturday, see website for times WHERE: Mini Monet, 64 Railroad Ave., Sayville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Learn to draw animals, people, landscapes, and works by famous artists. Paint with watercolors, use oil pastels, chalk pastels, colored pencils, markers, and more. WANT TO GO? $22. 631-218-9797. minimonetny.com.

Petite Picassos Draw & Paint

WHEN: May 3-31, Wednesdays, 12:45-1:45pm WHERE: Mini Monet, 64 Railroad Ave., Sayville AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Use chalk, oil pastels, watercolors, and markers while learning how to draw animals, people, and works by famous artists. WANT TO GO? $22. 631-218-9797. minimonetny.com.

Sculpture, Clay and Upcycled Art

WHEN: May 3-31, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm WHERE: Mini Monet, 64 Railroad Ave., Sayville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Use found objects to create fun animals out of clay, wood, bottle caps, and more. WANT TO GO? $22. 631-218-9797. minimonetny.com.

Drawing & Painting Workshop with Paton Miller

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 11am WHERE: Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton AGES: 9-17 WHAT: Paton Miller—artist, educator, and curator of East End Collected3— will offer a drawing and painting class. WANT TO GO? $40. 631-283-0967. southamptonartscenter.org.

Bilingual Family Gallery Talk & Art Workshop

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 2pm WHERE: Parrish Art Museum, 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Families explore art in the galleries, then create projects inspired by the works on view in the museum’s art studio. The tour is in English and Spanish. WANT TO GO? $12; free for children younger than 18. 631-283-2118. parrishart.org. 38

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

MOVERS & SHAKERS Usdan Visit and Information Session FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 11am-2pm WHERE: Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights AGES: All WHAT: Faculty and staff greet visitors and show them around the campus; admissions staff then gives a formal presentation about Usdan’s programs and courses. WANT TO GO? 631-643-7900. usdan.org.

ZIP LINE & CLIMBING

NYS’s 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage FREE

WHEN: Friday, May 12, 6pm WHERE: Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Passages written by influential women in history will be read to celebrate the centennial of women’s right to vote in New York state. Call or go online to register. WANT TO GO? 631-283-0967. southamptonartscenter.org.

FUN!

Kristen’s Walk to the Water

WHEN: Saturday, May 13, 9:30am WHERE: The Common Ground, Rotary Park, between Gillette and Candee avenues, Sayville AGES: All WHAT: The community is invited to join this 3-mile walk. Donations will fund research to help find a cure for leukemia. WANT TO GO? Donations accepted. 631-664-4230. kristenswalktothewater.com.

KIDS • TEENS • ADULTS

Reserve Online:

ClimbLI.org

SAVE - Use Promo: LP7

Pokemon Night

WHEN: Friday, May 19, 5-7pm WHERE: Tumbling Tunes, 212 Laurel Road, East Northport AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Prepare to battle, trade, and learn how to draw your favorite Pokemon characters. Pizza dinner included. WANT TO GO? $25; $40 for two siblings. 631-697-1040. tumblingtunes.com.

AT LONG ISLAND

75 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights, NY (631) 983-3844

Toddler Prom FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 2:30-3:30pm WHERE: Brentwood Public Library, 34 Second Ave., Brentwood AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: This dress-up dance party features snacks, a mess-free craft, and a special appearance by library mascot Owlberto. WANT TO GO? 631-273-7883. brentwoodnylibrary.org.

LIAP_LIParent_mag_3.55x4.7_ATM_2017-04-27B.indd 1

Mommy & Me Paint & Play

WHEN: May 4-25, Thursdays, 11am-12pm WHERE: Mini Monet, 64 Railroad Ave., Sayville AGES: Newborn to 5 WHAT: Drop in for an hour of free paint, coloring, read storybooks, play games, and meet other moms. WANT TO GO? $12. 631-218-9797. minimonetny.com.

4/27/17 3:17 PM

LIU POST’S CENTER FOR GIFTED YOUTH

SUMMER 2017 MONDAY - FRIDAY PROGRAM July 3-28, 2017 | 9:00am to 3:30pm Are You the Parent of a Gifted Child?

Parents Night Out

WHEN: May 5-27, Fridays, 6:30-9:30pm; Saturdays, 6-9pm WHERE: Tumbling Tunes, 212 Laurel Road, East Northport AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Children enjoy gymnastics equipment, crafts, games, and more. WANT TO GO? $12; $17 for two siblings; $20 for three siblings. 631697-0140. tumblingtunes.com.

Sport Academy FREE

WHEN: Through June 10: Saturdays, 1-4pm WHERE: YMCA East Hampton RECenter, 2 Gingerbread Lane, Westhampton Beach AGES: 5-12 WHAT: This progressive program provides professional instruction. WANT TO GO? 631-329-6884. ymcali.org.

Sky Wars

WHEN: Through Dec. 26: Wednesdays, 4-9pm WHERE: Sky Zone Mount Sinai, 269 Route 25A, Mount Sinai AGES: 9 and older WHAT: Take part in epic Nerf battles on trampoline courts. WANT TO GO? $22 for a two-hour session. 631-938-1420. skyzone.com/mountsinai. ››

LIU Post’s Center for Gifted Youth announces its 37th annual summer program for gifted children. The summer program runs on Monday to Friday from July 3-28. The program is open to gifted children entering grades 2-8 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

INQUIRE ABOUT TRANSPORTATION!

Admission Admi miissio sio i n iis h highly ighly s selective and enrollment is limited.

LIU Post • College of Education, Information and Technology • 720 Northern Blvd. • Brookville, NY 11548-1300 liu.edu/post/giftedyouth • Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, Director

LongIslandParent 39

Art in the Park and Kite Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 10am-5pm WHERE: Heritage Park in Mount Sinai, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai AGES: All WHAT: Join Heritage Trust for an outdoor art sale and exhibit and fun kite flying. WANT TO GO? 631-384-8900. msheritagetrust.org.

Day Camp Open House FREE

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 10am-12pm WHERE: Beth Sholom Day Camp, 401 Roslyn Road, Roslyn Heights AGES: 3-17 WHAT: Meet camp leadership, tour our beautiful indoor and outdoor facility, and ask all of your questions. WANT TO GO? 516-621-9257. bethsholomdaycamp.com.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

FUN FAIRS & FESTIVALES

Tween Garden Club FREE

Centennial Closing Celebration FREE

Tiny Tots Nature Discoveries: May Flowers

International Museum Day FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, May 3, 4-5pm WHERE: Westhampton Free Library, 7 Library Ave., Westhampton Beach AGES: 9-12 WHAT: During the session, participants will work to plant, grow, and tend the library’s new garden. WANT TO GO? 631-288-3335. westhamptonlibrary.net. WHEN: Thursday, May 4, 10-11am WHERE: Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown AGES: 3-5 WHAT: The program will use nature explorations and hands-on activities as a springboard for learning. Registration required. WANT TO GO? $4. 631-265-1054. nysparks.com.

I Love My Park Day FREE

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 9am WHERE: Wildwood State Park, 790 Hulse Landing Road, Wading River AGES: All WHAT: Families are invited to help with beach clean up or trail maintenance. WANT TO GO? 631-929-4314. ptny.org.

Constructing Contraptions

WHEN: May 6-7, Saturday-Sunday, 1-5pm WHERE: Maritime Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson AGES: 3-12 WHAT: Make a seed ball using native plant seeds to launch from your catapult. WANT TO GO? $5. 631-331-3277. maritimeexplorium.org.

Mount Sinai Garden Club FREE

WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 7-8:30pm WHERE: Heritage Center, 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai AGES: 5 and older WHAT: The club invites all area residents to join or attend meetings and participate in garden activities in the Mount Sinai, Miller Place, Rocky Point, Coram, Port Jeff Station, and other local areas. WANT TO GO? 631-384-8900. msheritagetrust.org.

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

WHEN: Saturday, May 6, 6-9pm WHERE: St. Joseph’s College - Long Island, 155 W. Roe Blvd., Patchogue AGES: All WHAT: The event features live music, a BBQ, fun activities for families, and a special centennial fireworks display. Register at 631-687-2653. WANT TO GO? 631-687-5100. sjcny.edu/long-island. WHEN: Thursday, May 18, 4-7pm WHERE: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach AGES: All WHAT: Representatives from many local museums, science, and nature centers will be on hand to share information and hands-on activities regarding their collections, programs, and exhibits. WANT TO GO? 631-585-9393. mcplibrary.org.

TJE Dance Force is with you! Ivy League Spring Fling

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 11am-3pm WHERE: Ivy League School and Day Camp, 211 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown AGES: 3-8 WHAT: Activities include face painting, go-karts, sky bounce, inflatables, live music, and more. WANT TO GO? $10. 631-265-4177. ivyleaguekids.com.

Come experience the finest, most talented, creative, award winning staff who will motivate your child to do the best they can! The benefits your children will receive while dancing at TJE are the qualities every child needs to succeed -- focus, concentration, self-confidence and self-esteem, plus they'll make a ton of new friends and most of all ... they will be having fun while learning the many forms of dance!

East Hampton Spring Fair FREE

4th Annual Pregnant Island Health and Wellness Event

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 12-2pm WHERE: Woodbury Jewish Center, Vivien Grossman Early Childhood Education Program, 200 S. Woods Road, Woodbury AGES: 3-5, adult WHAT: Are you pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or a new parent living on Long Island? If so, here’s an opportunity to meet with other Long Islanders while learning from professionals who specialize in pre- and postnatal care and practice in your area. WANT TO GO? $25; $20 in advance. 516-581-2217. pregnantisland.com.

Family Fun Day

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 12-4pm WHERE: Saddle Rock Ranch, 41 Coram-Swezeytown Road, Middle Island AGES: All WHAT: Join Project 9 Line and Great Strides to support local veterans and cystic fibrosis. There will be live music, chili making contest, horse rides, hay ride, face painting, games, food concessions, and more. WANT TO GO? $5. 631-786-9708. greatstridesli.org.

Mike’s Hike and Fitness Festival

WHEN: Sunday, May 21, 8:30am WHERE: Smithtown High School West, 100 Central Road, Smithtown AGES: All WHAT: Join the 7th annual Mike’s Hike in loving memory of Mike Denaro, with proceeds to benefit the Mike’s Hike Scholarship Fund and The Smithtown Children’s Foundation. There will be a children’s fun run, face painting, music, refreshments, an awards ceremony, and more. WANT TO GO? $30; $12 children?s fun run. 516-521-7234. happilyrunning.com/mikeshike.

Where family and dance come together! Jazz Hip Hop Ballet Tap Lyrical Character Combo Tiny Dancer Intro to Dance Acro Kiddie Kharacter Break Dance Boys Hip Hop Special Needs Open/Contemporary

Jumps & Turns Technique

Come try a summer class! 4 Week Summer Program | Monday, July 24th – Saturday, August 19th

www.tjedance.com St. James: 556 North Country Road, St. James • 631-584-6888 Holbrook: 310 Main Street, Holbrook • 631-585-6900

BLACK & WHITE & FUN ALL OVER?

WHAT’S

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 11am-6pm WHERE: Main Street East Hampton, Main Street, East Hampton AGES: All WHAT: Local artists, shopkeepers, and live music will part of the festivities. WANT TO GO? 631-324-0262. ymcali.org.

It’s Sheldon in his tux... because every day’s a party at

FRESEION

Coming up next month: JUNE 2: Spring Jubilee at the Nature Explorium at Middle Country Public Library, Centereach

IS ADM ON YOUR * BIRTHDAY

JUNE 3-4: Walt Whitman Birthday Celebration at Walt Whitman Birthplace, Huntington Station

431 East Main St, Riverhead | 631.208.9200, ext. 426 Open year-round from 10am - 5pm | LongIslandAquarium.com

STARTING JUNE 30: Bubble Trouble at Gateway Playhouse, Bellport

Closed Christmas & Thanksgiving. *Admission must be used within 7 days of your birthday. No exceptions and no refunds for previously purchased tickets. Valid ID is required. No ID no admittance. Birthday offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Good for 2017.

LongIslandParent 41 Sheldon - NY Metro Ad 3.55 x 4.7 May 2017.indd 1

4/10/17 12:13 PM

WHERE-TO GUIDE

nymetroparents.com/where-to

Zoos, Nature Centers, and Botanical Gardens ›› Research by Sabrina Sooknanan

Courtesy Sweetbriar Nature Center

Read through our guide to find petting zoos, arboretums, nature preserves, farms and public gardens, all packed with fun nature activities for the whole family. Let your little ones loose to try their hands at zoo feedings and touch tanks, explore wooded trails, and learn about exotic plants. The spring season is the perfect time to explore the outdoors. As always, please call ahead before taking your crew to the zoo.

The Butterfly House at Sweetbriar Nature Center is home to 20 species, including the queen butterfly.

The Animal Farm Petting Zoo  296 Wading River Road, Manorville  631-878-1785; afpz.org Hours: Weekdays, 10am-5pm; weekends, 10am-6pm through November Admission: $14.50; $12.50 seniors and children ages 2-16; free for children younger than 2 This 10-acre park allows you to pet and feed most animals. See a large selection of rare and unusual monkeys, parrots, llamas, wallabies, reptiles, and other exotic animals. Bottle-feed baby pigs and hand-feed baby goats. There are also free pony rides, a musical puppet show, playgrounds, and the Safari Tour Train ($2.50). Bayard Cutting Arboretum  440 Montauk Highway, Great River  631-581-1002; bayardcuttingarboretum.com Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm through October. Admission: FREE. $8 parking fee per car Located along the Connetquot River, the arboretum contains more than 690 acres 42

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

of meadows, centennial oaks, and brightly colored nature walks among rhododendron and swamp cypress. Don’t miss the Pinetum—it has one of Long Island’s largest collections of fir, spruce, pine, and hemlock trees. The arboretum is also home to many varieties of bird species. For information on classes and programs, visit the website. Bridge Gardens 36 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton  631-283-3195; peconiclandtrust.org Hours: Through Oct. 29: Saturday, 10am5pm; Sunday 12-5pm; May 24-Sept. 4: Wednesday-Thursday, 10am-5pm; Friday, 10am-dusk Admission: $10; $20 for groups of four or more Bridge Gardens is a 5-acre public garden in the heart of Bridgehampton. Not only are there traditional gardens of seasonal flowers and herbs, there are also unique garden mazes, a knot garden, and beds of culinary, medicinal, ornamental, textile, and dyeing herbs. Learn how herbs and plants are

cultivated and used in kitchens, hospitals, and factories. Walk through the garden’s paths and enjoy its diverse plantings, including a rose garden and a water garden. Brookhaven Ecological Site and Animal Preserve/Holtsville Park and Zoo  249 Buckley Road, Holtsville  631-758-9664; brookhavenny.gov Hours: Through May 26: weekdays, 9am3pm; weekends and holidays, 10am-3pm; May 27-Sept. 24: daily, 9am-4pm Admission: FREE. Parking department parking sticker and fees apply May 2-Oct. 16 The Brookhaven Ecological Site offers walking and exercise trails, a community gardening lot, and goats to feed at the Animal Preserve. Food is provided to feed the goats for 25 cents a handful. With more than 100 animals to see, the Brookhaven Ecological Site features red foxes, American bald eagles, American black bears, bobcats, and more. Children’s educational classes are available all year-round. This summer children in fourth-sixth grades can participate in A Day with An Animal Caretaker on select days. Please call or visit the website for more programs and information. Caleb Smith State Park Preserve  581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown  631-265-1054; nysparks.com Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 8am-4pm, year round except some holidays (call beforehand) Admission: FREE. $8 parking fee per car. Interpretive program fee: $4; free for children 3 and younger Most of the preserve’s 543 acres are undeveloped, allowing views of its many different habitats, including freshwater wetlands, ponds, streams, fields, and woods. The preserve is a refuge for wildlife and its diverse habitats support a variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, and ferns. It offers hiking opportunities, trout fly-fishing

($20 per session; must have a permit and proper fishing gear), and also operates a nature museum with wildlife displays and nature programs for children and adults. Must call and make a reservation for fly-fishing and programs. Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium  1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor  516-692-6768 cshfishhatchery.org Hours: daily, 10am-5pm; extended weekend hours, 10am-6pm, June–August Price: $6; $4 seniors and children ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger This nonprofit center is dedicated to educating visitors about the freshwater ecosystems of New York. It has the largest living collection of New York state freshwater reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Tour two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds, or feed the hungry trout. Long Island Game Farm Wildlife and Children’s Zoo  489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville  631-878-6644 longislandgamefarm.com Hours: May 20-Oct. 31: daily, 10am-5pm Price: $16.95; $14.95 children, seniors, and military personnel; free for children 2 and younger Information for the season was not available at press time. Please call or visit the website for details. Suffolk County Farm and Education Center 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank  631-852-4600 ccesuffolk.org/suffolk-county-farm Hours: daily, 9am-3pm, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter Admission: Donations accepted Youth development programs are available to children of all ages, including hands-on learning activities taught by

professionals. The farm features a seasonal butterfly house, a nature explore classroom, weekend wagon rides, and an animal discovery area. Summer camp and birthday party options are also available for children all ages. Check the website for more information on programs. Sweetbriar Nature Center  62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown  631-979-6344; sweetbriarnc.org Hours: Nature Center: daily, 9am-4:30pm; Butterfly House: daily, 10am-4pm (JuneSeptember) Admission: Free for preserve (donations accepted). Butterfly House: $5; $3 seniors and children younger than 12. The center is located on 54 acres, with nature trails winding through diverse areas that include wetlands, fields, and forests along the Nissequogue River. It is home to a large rehabilitation aviary, public gardens, a nature museum, and the Butterfly House that contains nearly 20 species of butterflies. There are also public programs, school break programs, scout programs, and birthday parties. Uplands Farm Nature Sanctuary  The Nature Conservancy, Long Island Chapter, 250 Lawrence Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor  631-367-3225; nature.org Hours: Grounds: daily, dawn to dusk Admission: FREE Walk trails through 97 acres of fields; the marked, mostly level trails make this a good place for family-friendly hikes. Red maple, black cherry, red cedar, and hickory trees are in the eastern woodlands, while tulip trees, black birch, and maple-leaf viburnum are in the western woodlands. The fields and hedgerows provide habitats for a wide variety of animals, including birds, small mammals, and 40 species of butterflies.

School Districts Consult Attorneys. Why Shouldn’t You?

School Districts ask their attorneys what is the minimum amount of services the law requires them to provide to special education students. Why shouldn’t you ask your attorney what are the maximum amount of services the law requires the School District to provide? Going for your child’s first Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and don’t know what to expect? I can give you the answers to those questions and many more. As your attorney, I solve problems.

Brad H. Rosken,

Counselor at Law

1772 East Jericho Tpke., Suite 2, Huntington, New York 11743 (631) 379-9569 • Brad@specialedcounselor.com www.specialedcounselor.com

Do you need a location for his 7th birthday party?

ResouRces ARticles

Find everything you need, faster at

Find the full guide at ›› nymetroparents.com/zoos LongIslandParent 43

SpecialParent

Putting a Stop to a Slur

››

Parents of kids with special needs join other advocates to push for an end to the ‘R-word.’ By Sabrina Sooknanan

“ hate that word! I don’t want you to ever use that word again!” That’s what Kari Wagner-Peck yelled at a man who used the “R-word” in her son’s presence. Wagner-Peck, a Portland, MEbased blogger whose son has Down syndrome, says she felt as if the man understood her when she told him not to use language like that again. Not everyone is so understanding, however. Calling someone a “retard”—whether in supposed jest or as an insult—is common, with many people probably unaware how hurtful it is to people with intellectual disabilities. That’s why activists, many of them parents, are taking a stand against the R-word with the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign. Hurtful language is a constant battle for many people with intellectual disabilities, who are often stigmatized. Advocacy against the R-word has been ongoing for decades, says Soeren Palumbo, cofounder of the campaign, whose sister has an intellectual disability. “Spread the Word to End the Word was created as a grassroots,

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

youth-led campaign in 2009 as part of the Special Olympics World Winter Games being held in Boise, Idaho,” he explains.

From Clinic to Slang

The word “retard(ed)” comes from the Latin word retardare, which means to delay or make slow. The R-word was originally introduced as “mental retardation” to clinically define people with intellectual impairment. Initially, individuals were defined as having mental retardation if they received an IQ score of 70 or below. IQ looks at the difference between a person’s chronological age and his developmental age. “If you would score below a 70, the thought would be that you might have issues with verbal, performance, and adaptability to daily life,” says Nava Silton, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Marymount Manhattan College, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Eventually, the R-word became part of everyday slang and

people began to use it in jokes and pop culture, and it came to be seen as a pejorative word. The gap between medical terminology and offensive language grew and the purpose of the word became blurred.

What’s So Bad About It Anyway?

Dr. Silton believes a big problem with the R-word is it dehumanizes the person with the intellectual disability. “I’m very much a proponent of people-first language, so [that means] saying you are an individual with autism or an individual with a physical disability,” Dr. Silton says. She adds: “You are a person first with all those things that are uniquely human and unique to you, and then you also happen to have a disability. When you use the R-word you are defining the person by that term, and that is so reductive to do that to somebody.” The language we use, advocates say, represents our values and can lead to certain behaviors, positive or negative. Using the R-word is a form of excluding and isolating people, but on the other hand, Palumbo says, “each decision to not use the R-word re-affirms the attitude that people with [intellectual disabilities] are valuable enough to not denigrate, valuable enough to include in shared human dignity.” For parents of and advocates for people with intellectual disabilities, using the R-word singles out certain people for different treatment—and is just plain hurtful. “[It has] the same effect and intent of any slur, whether racial, anti-Semitic, antiLGBT, anti-Muslim, etc.,” Wagner-Peck says. “It diminishes the person’s humanity. It is a hateful word whether the user acknowledges that or not.”

R-Word Offenders

Wagner-Peck works to call out those who use the word, unknowingly or not. This led her to publicly confront Chuck Klosterman, the best-selling author and former New York Times ethics columnist, about several occasions in which he used the R-word in print. In her open letter to Klosterman, she pointed out several instances when Klosterman had used the R-word and characterized the author as an “unrepentant hater of people with cognitive disabilities.” She ended the letter with a question: “What are the ethics of using the R-word?” Wagner-Peck says she didn’t expect Klosterman to respond to her letter, but he did—apologizing for his choice of words and even donating $25,000 for her to give to any charity. In his response, Klosterman wrote, “I realize the books that contain those sentiments were published over 10 years ago, but that is no excuse; I was an adult when I wrote them and I knew what I was doing.” Wagner-Peck says she reacted in yells and tears to his apology—and with shock to the donation. Ellen Seidman, a New York City blogger and mom of a son with disabilities, created a public message on her blog LoveThatMax.com to call out people who used the R-word and shed some light on the effects of it. Among her efforts is a YouTube video called “Would You Call My Child A Retard?” showcasing photos of her son Max and flashing phrases that detail offensive and belittling uses of the R-word. She begins the video by saying, “To me, he’s not a kid with disabilities. He’s just an awesome kid. But some people give him a bad name.” Seidman says most people would never say the R-word to a child’s face; however, she believes if you wouldn’t do that, then you shouldn’t use it in any place or situation. She writes in her blog post, “Ultimately, this isn’t just about a word—it’s about

respect. It’s about getting people to consider kids and adults with cognitive impairment equal members of society. It’s not about censorship, either; it’s about starting a conversation on how people can better treat Max and others like him.” In another post, Seidman tells a story of Joseph, a 9-yearold boy with autism spectrum disorder, and the amazing thing he did at a Target in Medford. While shopping with his family, Joseph noticed someone had arranged metal letters to spell out the word “Retards” on a shelf. He knew it was a bad word and spoke to his mother to confirm the meaning of the R-word. Joseph’s mom Tracy explained, “It’s a word people use toward people with disabilities or a word people use kind of ignorantly—instead of saying ‘stupid’ or ‘silly’ they choose to use that word and it’s really mean.” As a result, Joseph thought of his brother Max, who has autism, and felt that they needed to change the letters so nobody would see the bad word. Joseph searched the shelf for letters and rearranged them to spell his name “Joe” and the word “Dream.” He didn’t let the negative word affect him and he turned it into something positive, something Tracy says she really wanted Joseph to learn, according to Seidman’s blog post.

‘R-Word’ the Movie

Amanda Lukoff is a filmmaker whose older sister Gabrielle has Down syndrome. Inspired by Gabrielle, Lukoff is creating a film called The R-Word about “how the power of words, and the love between siblings, can inspire a movement.” In an interview, Lukoff recalled a time when she was little and a friend came over to her house to play. When the girl saw Gabrielle she asked to leave, and Lukoff ’s dad ended up driving the girl home. This was the first time Lukoff was exposed to other people’s negative reactions to her sister. She remembers that she, along with her and Gabrielle’s other sisters, were confused by the girl’s reaction because Gabrielle was their sister—and no different from other children in their eyes. “Growing up with Gabrielle made me and my [other] sisters more sensitive to the R-word—we advocated for Gabrielle by standing up to our peers about their use of the R-word,” Lukoff says. As a part of the film, Lukoff and her team created an animated short illustrating her experiences with the R-word and introducing her journey to find “how, when, and why the R-word became a part of pop culture, to discover if the R-word transcends American society, to uncover the lasting effects the R-word has on people with intellectual disabilities, and their friends and families, and ultimately, to try to empower people and communities and encourage everyone to think before they speak.” The film is set to be completed and screened this summer. No doubt, some people will inevitably come away from any discussion of the R-word unconvinced that it is a big deal. For them, Jonathan Franklin Stephens, a self-advocate with Down syndrome, has a message, which he conveyed in a Huffington Post article he wrote: “To all of you who use it, let me say it one more time, THE R-WORD HURTS. You don’t have to aim the word directly at me to hurt me and millions of others like me who live with an intellectual disability. Every time a person uses the r-word, no matter who it is aimed at, it says to those who hear it that it is okay to use it. That’s how a slur becomes more and more common. That’s how people like me get to hear it over and over, even when you think we aren’t listening.” Sabrina Sooknanan is a NYMetroParents intern.

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camp GUIDE 2017 Aero Camp at Mid Island Air Services

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Baseball Heaven Summer Camp Series

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Camp Clio

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Camp Huntington

56 Bruceville Road, High Falls 855-707-2267 camphuntington.com dfalk@camphuntington.com

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Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium Nature Summer Camp 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor 516-692-6768 cshfishhatchery.org steved@cshfha.org

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor 516-367-5170 dnalc.org dnalc@cshl.edu

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Multiple locations in Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties 888-909-2822 destinationscience.org

Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp

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Incarnation Camp

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My Gym Children’s Fitness Center

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Northwell Health Ice Center

Knox School Summer Adventures

Picasso Kidz, creative art studio for children Summer Art Camp

541 Long Beach Road, St. James 631-686-1600 x414 knoxschool.org/summer-programs/ summer-adventures admissions@knoxschool.org

LIU Post Center for Gifted Youth Dr. Lynne Manouvrier, director LIU Post, Brookville 516-299-2160 liu.edu/giftedyouth

Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center

431 E. Main St., Riverhead

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Sappo School: Art & Science Camp

Long Island Voyager’s Day Camp

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1320 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook 631-751-KIDS (5437) mygym.com/stonybrook 128 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station 631-427-GYMS (4967) mygym.com/huntingtonstation

Kenwal Day Camp

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72 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-261-5500 picassokidz.com picassokidzart@gmail.com

Prime Time Early Learning Center Summer Camp

270 Airport Plaza, Farmingdale 631-759-8777 primetimeschools.com/ farmingdale-day-care mfriedman@primetimeschools.com

Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts Musical Theatre Summer Camp

SPORTIME Summer Camps

Several locations in Nassau, Suffolk, Manhattan, and Westchester 888-698-3664 sportimecamps.com camps@sportimeny.com

St. Patrick Youth Community Summer Camp

St. Patrick Church, Smithtown 631-724-1261 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net

Tumbling Tunes Music & Gymnastics Camp

212 Laurel Road, East Northport 631-697-0140 tumblingtunes.com tumblingtunes@gmail.com

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts 185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900; usdan.com

Village East Gifted Camp ThinkTank Summer Program Village East Gifted of Huntington 33 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station 631-549-2313 Village East Gifted of Roslyn 216 Willis Ave., Roslyn Heights villageeastgifted.com info@villageeastgifted.com

West Hills Day Camp

21 Sweet Hollow Road, Huntington 631-427-6700 westhillsdaycamp.com info@westhillsdaycamp.com

YMCA of Long Island-Suffolk

Camp locations: Bay Shore, East Hampton, Glen Cove, Holtsville, Huntington, and Patchogue 855-2YMCALI (962254) ymcali.org

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Dorothy P. Flint Nassau County 4-H Camp Summer 2017 Co-Ed Sleep-Away Camp for Ages 8 - 16 1-8 Week Sessions, “Mini-Camp” For First Time Campers and CIT Program

Ropes Course Horseback Riding Waterfront Archery Farm Animals & Gardening Arts and Cra�s Sports & Recrea�on And Much More!

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Art and Science Summer Camps For Grades K-6

Sappo School

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(631) 736-2146

LongIslandParent 47

CAMP MARKETPLACE

Enroll in a DNA camp and get up close and personal with the stuff that makes life tick!

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Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center is offering exciting 5-day summer day camps for students entering 6th–12th grades. Budding scientists are immersed in hands-on activities and experiments that deepen DNA science understanding. Camp Locations: (See website for directions) Dolan DNA Learning Center Cold Spring Harbor DNA Learning Center West Lake Success Harlem DNA Lab East Harlem

replica at the DNALC!

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CAMP MARKETPLACE

“One of our children is on the spectrum and two are not, for the first time in their lives they were able to go to camp together. We can’t express how amazing that was and how much it meant to our family.” - West Hills Day Camp Parent

autiSm iS a road We travel TogeTher.

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WelCome to the only truly integrated Summer Camp on long iSland, Where Children on the autiSm SpeCtrum Can join in on the Same aCtivitieS aS their brotherS and SiSterS, and familieS Can Come together.

May Open House

Saturday, May 20th 11:00 am - 3:00 pm 21 Sweet Hollow Road, Huntington NY 11743 | 631.427.6700 Refreshments • Tours • Activities • Meet the Team Come meet our family

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COLLEGE AT OLD WE STBURY FARMING DALE STATE COLLEGE ST. JOE’ S COLLEGE PATCHOGUE SOUTHAMPTON AT NORTH SE A PARK

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Saving money on a New York City family day is easy! Cityguideny.com has coupons and discounts for NYC sightseeing attractions, restaurants, stores and more. Great New York deals, savings, special offers and deep discounts—for you and your family—are yours with just a click of the mouse.

PartyCentral PARTY ENTERTAINMENT MAD SCIENCE OF LONG ISLAND Call for locations throughout Long Island: 855-264-1672 madscienceli.com info@madscienceli.com A Mad Scientist brings all the necessary equipment to you. Party packages include invitations and a take-home activity each child makes. Optional grand finales include Bubbling Potions, Rockets, and Cotton Candy. PARTY PLACES ART BUZZ KIDS 35 Jackson Ave., Syosset 516-802-4954 syosset@wineanddesign.com 21 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre wineanddesign.com Spark your child’s creativity and imagination! Art Buzz Kids offers family-friendly painting and craft classes for children of all ages. Our birthday party themes are designed to inspire and excite all children. @ 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 30,000 square feet of fun including 92 arcade games, inflatables, bumper cars, roller coaster, a carousel, disco room, and laser tag! BOUNCEU FARMINGDALE 101 Carolyn Blvd., Farmingdale 631-777-JUMP (5867) bounceu.com/cities/farmingdale.ny farmingdale.ny@bounceu.com BounceU Farmingdale was voted “Best of Long Island” for Children’s Party Place and Family Amusement Center. We provide the ideal combination of inflatable structures, a clean environment, incredible customer service, and non-stop excitement in a private party atmosphere.

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. COLD SPRING HARBOR FISH HATCHERY & AQUARIUM 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor 516-692-6768 cshfha.org steved@cshfha.org Celebrate your child’s next birthday at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium! See the Hatchery & Aquarium’s exciting live exhibits. Feed the hungry trout and learn about fish, reptiles, and amphibians with an upclose animal encounter. GIVE IT YOUR ALL SPORTS 2127 Lakeland Ave., Ronkonkoma 631-676-4412 giveityourallsports.com We deliver high-energy activities coupled with on-field coaching that is age-appropriate. Let ‘em have a ball with a Give It Your All Sports Party! KEY TO MY ART INC. 10 W. Oak St., Amityville 631-608-9048 keytomyart.com At Key to My Art, we have a birthday party package to fit all budgets. The guest of honor picks the theme, and we provide the instruction so that each guest leaves with a masterpiece! LONG ISLAND AQUARIUM & EXHIBITION CENTER 431 E. Main St., Riverhead 631-208-9200 xH20 (426) 631-208-9200 x186 longislandaquarium.com Have an Aquatic Birthday Party at the Long Island Aquarium! Take

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

a private tour of the Aquarium, receive preferential treatment at our Submarine Simulator and Discovery Tower rides, and special seating at our Sea Lion Show! MY GYM CHILDREN’S FITNESS CENTER 1320 Stony Brook Road, Stony Brook 631-751-KIDS (5437) mygym.com/stonybrook 128 W Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station 631-427-GYMS (4967) mygym.com/huntingtonstation My Gym parties include exclusive use of the gym, including a zip line, rock wall, trampoline, trapeze, climbing structures, and slides. Instructors lead your guests through action-packed activities with theme options including Superheroes, Princesses, Mickey Mouse—any theme you want. NOT JUST ART 183 South St., Oyster Bay 516-922-8300 notjustart.com create@notjustart.com Not Just Art has oodles of excellent music, art, and science parties for ages 1-12 and beyond. Choose from our treasury of super imaginative projects or use favorite themes and activities as a creative springboard. PICASSO KIDZ, CREATIVE ART STUDIO FOR CHILDREN 72 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-261-5500 picassokidz.com picassokidzart@gmail.com Picasso Kidz puts the “ART” in pARTy! Birthdays at Picasso Kidz are truly unique and memorable. We have many packages and options to choose from for ages 2-17. SAFARI ADVENTURE 1074 Pulaski St., Riverhead 631-727-4386 thesafariadventure.com dan@thesafariadventure.com Safari Adventure is Long’s Island’s premier family fun center and birthday par-

ty place. Fun for the whole family with inflatables, four-level soft playground, arcade, interactive floor games, and a full café! SMITHTOWN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2 E. Main St., Smithtown 631-724-3700 smithtownpac.org boxoffice@smithtownpac.org Treat your child to a different type of birthday party this year! Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts presents great shows for kids, and a private room for your gathering. Cast members will meet with your party to sign autographs and pose for pictures. TUMBLING TUNES 212 Laurel Road, East Northport 631-697-0140 tumblingtunes.com tumblingtunes@gmail.com Tumbling Tunes specializes in parties for children ages 1-6. Our parties consist of music, movement, games, gymnastics, and free play tailored to your child’s age and ability. THE VILLAGE ARTIST 630 New York Ave., Huntington 631-271-0715 thevillageartist.com lori@thevillageartist.com Create art for your next birthday party! The Village Artist Fine Arts Center is proud to host your next birthday party. Enjoy a fun and creative time with your family and friends including an art project of your choice. 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!

LongIslandParent 51

Professional services

Your local guide to tutors, teachers, lawyers, financial planners, and other professionals. DOCTORS & MEDICAL PROVIDERS

DENTISTS & DENTAL PROVIDERS ISLAND ORTHODONTICS HORIZON ORTHODONTICS: DR. SCOTT FRIEDMAN 1150 Portion Road, No. 13, Holtsville 631-698-2424 Find us on Facebook: @horizonorthodontics Our practice’s top priority is to provide you with the highest quality orthodontic care in a friendly, comfortable environment. We utilize the latest technological advances in the industry, such as invisible ceramic braces and Invisalign®, along with the latest in computer technology. PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY OF SUFFOLK COUNTY: DR. MIKE IOANNOU 2171 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 145, Commack 631-486-6364 3237 Route 112, Building 6, Suite 7B, Medford 631-320-0880 supermolar.com mikeioannou@hotmail.com Dr. Michael Ioannou, a native of Suffolk County, strives to make visiting the dentist a fun experience, all while providing exceptional dental care. He uses excellent behavioral management approaches, a child-friendly environment (TV and cartoons in all treatment rooms), and he sings to the patients! SUFFOLK PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY 8 Medical Drive, Port Jefferson Station 631-928-8585 6144 Route 25 A, Suite D20, Wading River 631-929-7575 750 Roanoke Ave., Riverhead 631-727-8585 suffolkpediatricdentistry.com infoportjeff@suffolkpediatricdentistry.com For 40 years, we have provided dental care that’s friendly, gentle, and compassionate. We provide preventive and comprehensive treatment for infants, children, and adolescents including sedation and general anesthesia dentistry. We strive to help our patients develop good oral hygiene habits, and beautiful healthy smiles.

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 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 • Nassau: 516216-1791 • Queens: 718-640-6767 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. PEDIATRIC IMMEDIATE CARE 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) 698 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn 718-389-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.com Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted. EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS STRATEGIC STAFFING WORKS Brooklyn and Long Island locations 631-649-6573 strategicstaffingworks.com strategicstaffingworks@gmail.com Offers workshops designed to help parents, family, and friends aid people with diverse abilities in their search for volunteer opportunities related to their field of college interest. LEGAL SERVICES BAKSHI LAW Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale. LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C. 1772 E. Jericho Turnpike, Suite 2, Huntington 631-379-9569; specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law. SPECIAL NEEDS BAKSHI LAW Offices in the Financial District, Long Island, and Westchester 917-244-6133 lawbakshi.com lara.bakshi@gmail.com Bakshi Law specializes in special education law, representing parents and children with disabilities, attending suspension hearings, CSE, and resolution meetings. Our attorneys offer assistance on a sliding scale. DR. ELLEN T RICHER, EDUCATION CLINICIAN & COUNSELOR Convenient Long Island locations 347-668-3676 etrdream@aol.com We co-develop strategies to improve executive functioning, sensory processing, and social cognition challenges, and provide enrichment opportunities to engage and motivate highly capable yet underachieving children. LAW OFFICES OF BRAD H. ROSKEN, P.L.L.C. 1772 E. Jericho Turnpike, Suite 2, Huntington 631-379-9569 specialedcounselor.com brad@specialedcounselor.com Brad H. Rosken is an experienced trial

attorney. He’s also a parent of a child with special needs. He knows how far to push a school district to obtain the maximum that your child is entitled to under law. 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 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 • Nassau: 516216-1791 • Queens: 718-640-6767 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. SPECIAL NEEDS EMPLOYMENT STRATEGIC STAFFING WORKS Brooklyn and Long Island locations 631-649-6573 strategicstaffingworks.com strategicstaffingworks@gmail.com Offers workshops designed to help parents, family, and friends aid people with diverse abilities in their search for employment and life-fulfilling volunteer opportunities. THERAPY & COUNSELORS BREATH OF LIFE PREGNANCY CENTER 1930 Veterans Highway, Suite 4, Islandia 631-738-8829 breathoflifecenter.org bolcenter@optonline.net Pregnant? Scared? Our free and confidential services include pregnancy testing, mentoring, and medical and community referrals. Birthing classes, newborn care, and parenting workshops available. We also have a Baby Boutique with items for baby at no cost to you. You don’t have to do this alone— call today.

DR. LISA M. CASSIDY, PH.D. 4250 Vets Highway Suite 215, Holbrook 631-748-4659 Dr. Cassidy is a child advocate and always puts the child first. Therapy for children, individuals, and families. Consultant services to parents regarding special education testing. LOUIS E. MORA, PH.D., PSYCHOLOGIST P.C. 70 Glen Cove Road, Suite 201, Roslyn Heights 347-740-5690 lmoraphd.com Dr. Mora specializes in psychological testing. This includes neuropsychological testing, giftedness examinations, and evaluating for the presence of psychological disorders. DR. ELLEN T RICHER, EDUCATION CLINICIAN & COUNSELOR Convenient Long Island locations 347-668-3676 etrdream@aol.com We co-develop strategies to improve executive functioning, sensory processing, and social cognition challenges, and provide enrichment opportunities to engage and motivate highly capable yet underachieving children. TUTORS & TEST PREP ST. PATRICK YOUTH COMMUNITY: ST. PATRICK TUTORING CENTER St. Patrick Church, Smithtown 631-724-1261

stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net St. Patrick Tutoring Center is here to assist your learner from kindergarten to 12th grades with Catholic Entrance Exam Prep, SAT, Regents, or daily schoolwork. ST. PATRICK YOUTH COMMUNITY: YOUTH ENRICHMENT LEARNING CENTER St. Patrick Church, Smithtown 631-724-1261 stpatsyouth.com spyouth@optonline.net St. Patrick Youth Enrichment and Learning Center provides programs for your child ages 1½ years to sixth grade. A faith-based program offers a loving, caring environment. 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.

Our Lady of Mercy Regional School

“Share the Spirit”

Before & After Care • Academic Excellence In A Faith Filled Environment

Enrolling Now – Call for a Tour

Accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools

Weekend appointments available

27685 Main Rd. Cutchogue, NY 11935 631-734- 5166 • www.olmregional.org

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Many insurances accepted

TESTING SERVICES ADHD Evaluations

Hablamos español

Giftedness Examinations

Louis E. Mora, PhD, Psychologist, PC 70 Glen Cove Rd., Ste. 201, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

By Appointment (347) 740-5690 www.lmoraphd.com

NEED to plan the perfect party?

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NYMETROPARENTS.COM LongIslandParent 53

Meet the Health Care

Louis E. Mora, Ph.D., Psychologist P.C. 70 Glen Cove Road, Suite 201, Roslyn Heights 347-740-5690; lmoraphd.com

PROFESSIONAL

Dr. Mora works with children and adults. He specializes in psychological testing, which helps improve diagnosing and treatment planning. Such testing includes neuropsychological testing, giftedness examinations, and evaluating for the presence of psychological disorders. This includes evaluating for ADHD and possible consequences of head injury. He has years of experience doing such testing with various populations. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology and postdoctoral education in forensic psychology from St. John’s University. He is also an adjunct professor of psychology at St. Francis College.

Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County Dr. Mike Ioannou 2171 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 145, Commack 631-486-6364 3237 Route 112, Building 6, Suite 7B, Medford 631-320-0880; supermolar.com

Suffolk Pediatric Dentistry 8 Medical Drive, Port Jefferson Station 631-928-8585 6144 Route 25 A, Suite D20, Wading River 631-929-7575 750 Roanoke Ave., Riverhead; 631-727-8585 suffolkpediatricdentistry.com; infoportjeff@suffolkpediatricdentistry.com

To be in this section, call 631-472-5437 or email nympads@davlermedia.com

Dr. Michael Ioannou, a native of Suffolk County, received his dental degree at the University of Connecticut - School of Dental Medicine, with a residency in pediatric dentistry from Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center. A friendly, patient dentist, Dr. Ioannou strives to make visiting the dentist a fun experience, all while providing exceptional dental care. He uses excellent behavioral management approaches, a child-friendly environment (TV and cartoons in all treatment rooms), and he sings to the patients! Dr. Ioannou currently participates with most insurance companies and has convenient evening and Saturday office hours.

Dr. Eliades graduated from Seton Hall University with a B.S. in biology and a degree in physiology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She was awarded her D.M.D. degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey where she graduated with honors. She served as chief resident in pediatric dentistry at Long Island Jewish Medical Center-Schneider Children’s Hospital. She is currently on the attending dental staff at Schneider Children’s Hospital and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Eliades has two lovely daughters. She has practiced Pediatric Dentistry in Suffolk County since 1994.

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

Lisa Visentin, M.D., F.A.A.P., I.B.C.L.C. Allied Physicians Group-Peconic Pediatrics 34 Commerce Drive, Suite 2, Riverhead 631-722-8880 peconicpediatrics.com

Pediatric Immediate Care 150 E. Sunrise Highway, Suite 105, North Lindenhurst 631-956-PEDS (7337) 1077 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown 631-864-PEDS (7337) 698 Manhattan Ave., Brooklyn 718-389-PEDS (7337) pediatricimmediatecare.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 Suffolk: 631-689-6858 • Nassau: 516-216-1791 • Queens: 718-640-6767

Dr. Michael Gruttadauria heads up 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.

Pediatric Immediate Care is a team of hearts where kids come first. State-of-the-art medical office equipment allows us to deliver your test results during your visit. Kid-friendly; walk-ins welcome; most insurance plans accepted. Complete pediatric and adolescent care, as well as baby, camp, school, and sports physicals. Certified urgent care recommended by Urgent Care Association of America. Thirty years of dedication to our patients. The offices are open seven days a week including holidays, 8am-11pm.

May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

Dr. Visentin is a graduate of Albany Medical College. She completed her pediatric internship and residency at the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. She is a board-certified pediatrician and is an attending at Stony Brook University Hospital and St. Charles Hospital. Dr. Visentin has a special interest in breast-feeding medicine. She is a lactation consultant and a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Allied Physicians Group-Peconic Pediatrics, is distinguished for its breast-feeding and lactation resources, offering post-natal in-office consultations to help both mom and baby accomplish a breast-feeding plan that works for them.

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.

OPEN HOUSES 2017 Alternatives For Children

1116 Main Road, Aquebogue 631-722-2170 600 S. Service Road, Dix Hills 631-271-0777 14 Research Way, East Setauket 631-331-6400 168 Hill St., Southampton 631-283-3272 alternatives4children.org Join us for an open house on May 10 and May 17 from 4-6pm. Quality care at a price you can afford. Tour your nearest location for your child care needs.

Gersh Academy at West Hills Day Camp (for children on the Autism spectrum)

21 Sweet Hollow Road, Huntington 631-427-6700 westhillsdaycamp.com/gersh-academy info@westhillsdaycamp.com Join us for an open house on Saturday, May 20 from 11am-3pm. WHDC integrated summer camp where children on the autism spectrum join in the same activities as their siblings. Come meet our family.

Kenwal Day Camp

Long Island Voyager’s Day Camp

100 Drexel Ave., Melville 631-694-3399 kenwaldaycamp.com Visit Kenwal and meet with our directors. They will answer your questions, and take you and your campers around the beautiful 20-acre campgrounds. Sundays, 12-3pm, through June.

516-238-4586 livoyagersdaycamp.com livoyagersdaycamp@gmail.com Come to LI Voyager’s Day Camp May open house. Meet with the director to learn about our exciting programs for campers ages 4-14 and receive Early Bird Pricing! Call for details.

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts

Kids Country Day Camp

37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road, Mount Sinai 631-331-5351 kidscountrydaycamp.com Summer Camp Open House. Come take a tour, meet staff, and ask questions. Fun activities and registration discounts. May 20 from 11am-2pm.

Knox School Summer Adventures

541 Long Beach Road, St. James 631-686-1600 x414 knoxschool.org/summer-programs/ summer-adventures admissions@knoxschool.org Join us for an open house on May 20 from 10am-1pm.

185 Colonial Springs Road, Wheatley Heights 631-643-7900 usdan.com Young artists flourish at Usdan. Be part of a Usdan visit and information session on May 7 from 11am-2pm. RSVP at usdan.org/visit.

West Hills Day Camp

21 Sweet Hollow Road, Huntington 631-427-6700 westhillsdaycamp.com info@westhillsdaycamp.com Saturday, May 20 from 11am-3pm. Tour the grounds, meet the staff, and learn why WHDC has been the premier day camp on LI for more than 60 years!

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CENTRAL SYNAGOGUE

IS PROUD TO PRESENT

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May 2017 | nymetroparents.com

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AD INDEX

NYMetroParents.com features more than 20,000 businesses serving the NY Metropolitan area!

ACROBATICS / GYMNASTICS

Alternatives for Children Daycare.................................. 27

MUSIC

TJE Dance Force........................................................... 41

Building Blocks Developmental Preschool.................... 20

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................... 2

C.I.I.T. Center.......................................................... 19, 54 BIRTHDAY / PARTY SERVICES

Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech................. 37, 54

Gulliver’s Gate............................................................... 37

Louis Mora, Ph.D..................................................... 53, 54

Gateway Playhouse....................................................... 33

Strategic Staffing Works................................................ 53

Smithtown Performing Arts Center................................ 48

Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center.................... 41

PERFORMING ARTS / ACTING

Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................... 2 CAMPS

EDUCATION

Camp Clio...................................................................... 47

Alternatives for Children Daycare.................................. 27

RELIGIOUS

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learnig................ 48

Building Blocks Developmental Preschool.................... 20

Diocese of RVC............................................................. 60

Dorothy P Flint 4-H Camp............................................. 47

Diocese of RVC............................................................. 60

Our Lady of Mercy Regional School.............................. 53

Future Stars - Old Westbury.......................................... 50 Great Strides Long Island.............................................. 50 Incarnation Camps........................................................ 48 Kenwal Day Camp......................................................... 13 Kids of Mount Sinai / Kids Country Day........................... 7 LI Voyagers Day Camp.................................................. 49 Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center.................... 41 Long Island Whole Child Academy................................ 50 Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islander..................... 21 Sappo School................................................................ 47 Smithtown Performing Arts Center................................ 48 Sportime........................................................................ 48 Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts................................... 2 West Hills Day Camp..................................................... 49 Young Peoples Day Camp - LI...................................... 11 CHILD CARE / DAY CARE

Kids of Mount Sinai / Kids Country Day........................... 7 Law Offices of Brad H Rosken...................................... 43 LIU Center for Gifted Youth........................................... 38 Long Island Whole Child Academy................................ 50 Our Lady of Mercy Regional School.............................. 53 Sappo School................................................................ 47

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT / EVENTS / OUTINGS Adventure Parks of Outdoor Adventures ...................... 38 Gateway Playhouse....................................................... 33 Great South Bay Music Fest.......................................... 16 Gulliver’s Gate............................................................... 37 Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center.................... 41 Long Island Nets............................................................ 15 Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islander..................... 21

Alternatives for Children Daycare.................................. 27 Kids of Mount Sinai / Kids Country Day........................... 7

SPECIAL EVENTS Gateway Playhouse....................................................... 33 Great South Bay Music Fest.......................................... 16 Jewish Week (The)........................................................ 56 Long Island Children’s Choir......................................... 30 Long Island Nets............................................................ 15 SPECIAL NEEDS Allied Physicians Group........................................... 12, 54 Alternatives for Children Daycare.................................. 27 Building Blocks Developmental Preschool.................... 20 C.I.I.T. Center.......................................................... 19, 54 Janine Stiene Suffolk Center for Speech................. 37, 54 Law Offices of Brad H Rosken...................................... 43 Long Island Whole Child Academy................................ 50 Louis Mora, Ph.D..................................................... 53, 54 Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County......................... 3, 54

FAMILY TRAVEL

Pediatric Immediate Care........................................ 19, 54

Adventure Parks of Outdoor Adventures ........................ 3

Sappo School................................................................ 47 Strategic Staffing Works................................................ 53

CLASSES Great Strides Long Island.............................................. 50

HEALTH

Suffolk Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics................. 5, 54

LIU Center for Gifted Youth........................................... 38

Affinity Health Plan........................................................ 59

West Hills Day Camp..................................................... 49

Sportime........................................................................ 48

Allied Physicians Group........................................... 12, 54

Strategic Staffing Works................................................ 53

C.I.I.T. Center.......................................................... 19, 54

SPORTS

TJE Dance Force........................................................... 41

Fairy LiceMothers.......................................................... 20

Future Stars - Old Westbury.......................................... 50

Fidelis Care New York..................................................... 9

Long Island Nets............................................................ 15

DANCE

Louis Mora, Ph.D..................................................... 53, 54

Northwell Health Ice Center / NY Islander..................... 21

TJE Dance Force........................................................... 41

Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County......................... 3, 54

Sportime........................................................................ 48

Pediatric Immediate Care........................................ 19, 54 DEVELOPMENTAL

Suffolk Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics................. 5, 54

THEATER

Allied Physicians Group........................................... 12, 54

Tobacco Action Coalition of LI....................................... 25

Smithtown Performing Arts Center................................ 48

LongIslandParent 57

VOICES

Non-Judgment Day in the Village

››

Why I am thankful for all the parenting advice I got along the way—from friends, family, and strangers alike. By Heather Ouida

rior to being a mother I thought I knew all there was to know about raising a child. I promised myself that when I had children, my kids would never watch TV, stay up too late, eat junk food, scream in the supermarket, be fresh, or throw sand in the sandbox. I was so judgmental I didn’t even realize I was being so—until I had my first child. As a mom, I’ve learned I don’t have all the answers, and there is no one right way to raise a child. I recognize that sometimes you can do everything right and your 2-year-old may still flop on the ground and pound his feet in a full-blown, screaming tantrum in the check-out line. I admit what I now profess to know only came about with the help of so many—mothers, friends, even strangers, who, in short, helped me be less judgmental of myself and of others. I realize now the wisdom of “It takes a village…” and am thankful for all the women who helped me along the way. When my older son was going through a difficult time and I would start a sentence by saying, “Why can’t he just… (fill in the blank: eat like other children, go to mommy-and-me classes without crying, etc.),” they would say, “Because he’s just himself.” This is a mantra from the Village I continue to carry with me today. Now that I’ve opened this Village door, I can see just how many

people have played a positive, non-judgmental role. When my younger son decided getting up at 3:50am was a totally acceptable time to start his day, my family and friends would call with suggestions, encouragement, and empathy (and the occasional Cosmo when things got really rough!). They reminded me, too, that just as I can’t take credit for all of my kids’ successes (as much as I would like to!), I also can’t take the blame for all the things they sometimes do wrong. “Don’t make this about you and your parenting,” they would say. “Just help them through it.” The Village cannot be a parochial or provincial place. On that note, I want to acknowledge all the strangers who have helped me out in airports, restaurants, and grocery stores over the years when I was having a hard time with my boys. I promise you and them that I will pay it forward. I will not give you a mean look when your child is screaming, I will not tell you I can’t understand why your child can’t happily share because mine always does. I will not look at my watch when I see your child is up past what I consider to be an acceptable bedtime. I will remember that I, too, have been there. I will remind myself what I have learned from so many others along the way. I will help you, offer you a hand and listen; I will not judge you. I am part of your Village, too.

Heather Ouida is the co-founder of Mommybites, a site that offers nanny boards, online parenting education, and other services. She lives in New York City with her husband, two sons, and her pet turtle Squirtle. This essay first appeared on Mommybites.com.

May 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 LongIslandParent 59

LI Parent Back Cover Mar 2017:Layout 1 2/20/17 9:49 AM Page 1

What’s diﬀerent about a Catholic education?

Our methods evolve, but our message is constant. While we are faithful to the mission of Jesus Christ, our schools are technological marvels. Wi-Fi enabled buildings, SMART Boards® in classrooms, computer labs ﬁlled with the latest technologies, iPads® and Chromebooks™ for students as young as preschoolers, science labs and videoconferencing. We know how to engage today’s digital native student. To learn more about Long Island’s Catholic Elementary Schools and to ﬁnd a school near you, call 516-678-5800 x 258 or visit us online at www.LICatholicElementarySchools.org.