Westchester Family - May 2019

Montessori & Bilingual Education • Enter Our Contests

May 2019

WestchesterFamily.com

Happy Mother’s Day! What’s your parenting style?

STEM/STEAM Education Tips, activities & helpful info

+164

Awesome May Activities Vote in the

Family Favorites Contest and win a family getaway to Great Wolf Lodge!

At Oasis I will...

Play, Learn & Grow

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

Oasis Offers:

• Programs for Ages 3-15 • 8:30am-5:30pm • Extended day available • Hot Lunch • Flexible Enrollment: 2-8 weeks • AC Transportation • American Red Cross Swim Instruction • Carnivals & Tie Dye • Special Events • Imagination Playground

DOBBS FERRY

at The Masters School & Mercy College Join us for an info session!

Upper Camp: Saturday, May 4th OR May 18th at 11:00am at Mercy College in Victory Hall Room 216.

(555 Broadway) ESIC/Lower Camp: Saturday, May 4th OR May 18th at 12:30 pm at The Masters School in the Middle School Building (49 Clinton Ave)

Register Online Today! w w w.oasischildren.com 646-519-5057

@oasisdaycamps

Thornton-Donovan School’s Summer Challenge

CAMP PROGRAM DATES: July 1 – August 16, 2019 8:45 am to 3:45 pm Ages 3-14 • Co-ed REGULAR RATE

EARLY BIRD RATE!

EARLY, EARLY BIRD RATE!!

7

$4,620

$3,700

$3,470 - Maximum Savings!!!

6

$3,960

$3,570

$3,375

5

$3,300

$3,068

$2,524

4

$2,640

$2,508

$2,320

3

$1,980

$1,920

$1,836

2

$1,320

$1,288

$1,254

1

$ 660

No discount

No discount

NO. OF WEEKS

$660.00 Per Week

(Paid in full by May 1st )

• Swimming Instruction on Premises • In-Ground Pool

(Paid in full by April 1st )

• Lunch and Transportation Included • Accredited Summer School Program

100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle, NY • 914.632.8836 • www.td.edu May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

3

contents

May 2019 volume twenty-nine | number 5

features

34

“Help Me Do It Myself!”

How do Montessori programs foster independence in toddlers?

From a very young age, children are supported in learning to do things for themselves, rather than having things done for them.

Montessori teachers give toddlers “just enough help.” In this way, the environment helps toddlers develop confidence by actually learning how to do things for themselves.

40 32

Mothering Like Mom … Or Maybe Not Becoming a mother is an amazing experience and along with it comes the nagging thought - am I doing this right? Most young women turn to their mom for advice. What happens when you are not on the same parenting page?

Family Favorites Nomination Announcement We are proud to announce the nominees for the 2019 Westchester Family Family Favorites contest. Turn to the middle of the magazine and see if your favorite made the cut. If so make sure to vote for them - and if not remember write in’s are accepted so anyone can win - but you have to cast your vote! Congratulations to all the nominees!

STEM &STEAM Education

STEM & STEAM Education

Education

42 LET’S GO

The American Museum of Natural History

62 Last word

Take a Seat at the Table, Motherhood Edition

calendar Family Activities for May

42 Top Pick: Pioneer Sailing Schooner 50 Editor’s Pick: Celebrate Ghana!

52 Editor’s Pick: Family ArtsBash 56 Recipe for Fun 57

#GetOutdoors

58 City Picks

advertising

16 36

27

24

we thought fortnite meant two weeks

26

how to make infalatble butter slime

6 Editor’s Note 8 Events & Offers 10 Bits & Pieces 14 Spotlight: Bilingual

54 Celebrating Mom

20 Little Bytes 22 encouraging girls to code

departments

Bilingual Education Guide Montessori Education Guide STEM/STEAM Education Guide

LittLE BytEs • tEch Education for ParEnts GirLs & codinG • infLataBLE sLimE rEciPE! May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com 19

Coming Next Month MONTESSORI & BILINGUAL EDUCATION • ENTER OUR CONTESTS

MAY 2019

WESTCHESTERFAMILY.COM

Hap�y M��her’s Day! What’s your parenting style?

STEM/STEAM EDUCATION

on the cover 40

Happy Mother’s Day

20

STEM/STEAM Education

32

Family Favorites Nominations

47

Awesome May Activities

Tips, activities & helpful info

+164

Awesome May Activities VOTE IN THE

FAMILY FAVORITES CONTEST

Cover Photo: Michael Kormos Photography, michaelkormos.com

and win a family getaway to Great Wolf Lodge!

4

Westchester Family | May 2019

Sports Injuries - What are the most common pediatric orthopedic injuries and what are the most effective treatments?

Read what our orthopedic specialist has to say.

Last Call for Camp! Have you signed your little camper up for a great overnight or day program? No? We’ve got you covered. Read this issue for some super summer ideas.

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

Look for it starting May 24!

Transform Your Child’s Summer!

Did you know that kids can actually lose math skills while school is out? Studies have shown that students can regress by up to two and a half months over the summer — a phenomenon known as “the summer slide.” At Mathnasium, we turn this around with Summer Workout Plans focusing on fractions, multiplication, algebra readiness, and more. We prevent the summer slide, give kids an edge for the next school year, and we make it fun!

Teaching math is not just what we do, it’s all we do. Mathnasium is the authority in math education, with over 1,000 learning centers worldwide.

Keep your child from sliding backward this summer.

Schedule a no-obligation first visit with us to find out how!

WINNER 2017

WINNER 2018

Voted BEST Academic Enrichment / Tutoring Program 2 years running!

Changing Lives Through Math™ Arsdsley-Irvington | 875 Saw Mill RIver Road | 914.295.2252 Chappaqua-Mount.Kisco | 350 Lexington Avenue | 914.725.MATH (6284) Cortlandt | 50 Dayton Lane | 914.502.MATH (6284) Mamaroneck-Larchmont | 1009 W. Boston Post Road | 914.725.MATH (6284) Rye | 275 Purchase Streetwww.mathnasium.com/location | 914.967.MATH (6284) Scarsdale | 747 White Plains Road | 914.725.MATH (6284) Address 1 Scarsdale Central Avenue | 450 Central Avenue | 914.725.MATH (6284)

Mathnasium of [Location] 000-000-MATH (6284)

www.mathnasium.com

Address 2

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

5

editor’s note President and Publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis CEO and Co-Publisher Joshua Schneps Westchester Family WestchesterFamily.com Publisher Clifford Luster cluster@schnepsmedia.com co-Publisher/Editor Jean Sheff edit@westchesterfamily.com Calendar Editor Andrea White calendar@westchesterfamily.com ADVERTISING SALES Account Managers LynnMarie Hanley lynnmarie.hanley@westchesterfamily.com

You Are My Favorite Don’t you wish you wrote down every adorable thing your child ever said to you?

Remembering their sweet words can be the best of Mother’s Day gifts.

Case in point – my friend was going to watch her granddaughter and, as it often is with youngsters, the little girl got upset when her mom had to leave. There were tears and discussion and lots of distraction. As if to explain her feelings the little one turned to my friend and declared, “My Mommy is my favorite adult.” Hearing loveable words like those make for happy mommy moments.

This Mother’s Day, relish in the sweetness of your children – and then enjoy some peace and quiet. Did you know what moms say they most want – a day with a little time for themselves. It’s no wonder with all that moms juggle in a day. Being a mom is fraught with time management and multiple daily decisions sometimes made on the fly. Plus a little concern as to whether you are doing “it” right or not.

Many moms today say they are mothering differently than their moms. Read our feature this month, “Mothering Like Mom … or Maybe Not.” Sometimes mothering different than your mom can be liberating, sometimes a sore point, and maybe sometimes you decide to mother just like your mom. Whatever your stance, mothering does bring you right back to

your experience of being mothered.

So much is different than when we were children. It’s a brave new parenting world today and, as a parent, you have to stay on top of things. This month we have dedicated a section to STEM/STEAM learning to keep you up to speed with this latest educational approach.

Most of all make sure you vote in the Family Favorites contest! A special shout out to this year’s Family Favorites sponsors - The Kori Sassower Team. This exceptionally bright group of women is taking the Westchester real estate market by storm. In short, they are inspiring!

So make sure to vote. Once you do you are automatically entered to win a twonight family getaway to Great Wolf Lodge or a family pack of tickets to a New York Yankees game! Winning either would make this coming summer even brighter. See the nominees in the centerfold and make sure to vote for your favorites!

Remember, write-ins are accepted so everyone has a chance to win.

Happy Mother’s Day, Jean Sheff Co-Publisher, Editor

Nina Spiegelman nina.spiegelman@westchesterfamily.com PRODUctION Art Director Leah Mitch production@schnepsmedia.com Production Staff Arthur Arutyunov Daria Avvento Gardy Charles John Napoli Marcos Ramos Connie Sulsenti DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION Roberto Palacios 718-260-4531

Please recycle this magazine.

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

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

Westchester Family 1 Metrotech Center Brooklyn NY 11201

Feedback 6

© 2019 Queens Family Media LLC All rights reserved.

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

Westchester Family | May 2019

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Enroll them in Kumon today!

Summer is the perfect time to accelerate your child’s math and reading skills.

Many Kumon Students are studying above grade level.

For over 60 years, Kumon has benefited millions of kids around the world.

ILD AN H C R U O Y E V I G

NTAG A V D A C I M E D ACA MER!

Schedule a FREE PLACEMENT TEST to get started!

E

THIS SUM

There’s a Kumon Math & Reading Center near you!

DOBBS FERRY 123 Main St. 914.231.7040

NEW ROCHELLE 555 North Ave. 914.380.8600

SCARSDALE-EAST 1477 Weaver St. 914.980.7916

WHITE PLAINS - NORTH 600 North Broadway 914.461.9191

EASTCHESTER 15 John R. Albanese PL 914.661.6372

OSSINING 2 Todd Place 914.923.0900

SOMERS 325 Route 100 914.772.8521

YONKERS - SOUTHEAST 819 Yonkers Ave. 914.237.4977

HARTSDALE 96 North Central Ave. 914.328.6284

PLEASANTVILLE 8 Paulding St. 914.661.6372

TARRYTOWN 61 North Broadway 914.829.5288

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS 2025 Crompond Rd. 914.432.3202

FOR FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES IN NORTH AMERICA

_

VISIT KUMONFRANCHISE.COM

Where Smart Kids Get Smarter. ©2019 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved.

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

7

events & offers Vote Now to Win! 2019 Family Favorites Awards It’s quick, it’s easy - it’s Westchester Family’s 2019 Family Favorite Awards!

This month make sure you vote in the Westchester Family 2019 Family Favorites Awards. Share your opinion and vote for your personal family-favorites. We will publish the results in our July 2019 issue. This is the time to give a shout out to your favorite family-friendly places to thank them for their excellence and to let others know just how good they are.

We’d like to thank you for participating so just complete the form and you’ll be entered for a chance to win you a family pack of tickets to see a 2019 New York Yankees home game!

DON’T WAIT - VOTE NOW! WestchesterFamily.com/Favorites

Our May Contests

FlightGears Enter to win FlightGears® from Learning Resources.

Help your kids build critical thinking and other STEM skills as they create their own moving, flying machines with propellers, wheels, and more. Pieces work with all existing Gears! Sets to encourage open-ended play and offer multiple build possibilities. For ages 4 and up. Retail value, $14.99. Contest ends May 24, 2019. Enter now at WestchesterFamily.com/Gears.

8

Westchester Family | May 2019

Little Leonardo’s MakerLab Enter to win a set of books from the Little Leonardo STEAM series: Little Leonardo’s MakerLab. In Little Leonardo’s MakerLab Robots, activities range from how to create code to make robots learn and perform basic tasks to building very simple robots from common household items.

Little Leonardo’s MakerLab Space is a collection of simple hands-on activities for young readers.

Activities range from building a simple model to illustrating the vast scope of our solar system to a demonstration of the speed of light. Retail value, $25.98. Contest ends May 24, 2019. Enter now at WestchesterFamily.com/Books.

Happy. Healthy. Loved. These are the dreams we have for our children.

So we cherish the moments when little giggles fill the room, imaginations take us on great adventures, and when it seems our hearts could burst with pride and love.

Here and now, we’d stop time if we could. Because when kids are being kids, we all feel better.

Let’s get every child covered.

If your child needs health insurance, Fidelis Care is just a call, click, or visit away.

Call: 1-888-FIDELIS Click: fideliscare.org/everychildcovered Visit: A Fidelis Care community office near you. Search for locations at fideliscare.org/offices

1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)

TTY: 711

To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

9

bits & pieces Virtual Reality Arena at FunFuzion

courtesy image

Set Sail This Summer In an age when nearly everything happens in an instant it’s nice to take a moment to recognize the beauty of the long lasting.

This month, as we embrace spring and look toward summer, we salute Shattemuc Yacht Club, which is nearly 140 years old, and its Sailing Academy as it celebrates its 50th year!

Situated on the Hudson River in Ossining, the Academy has taught more than 350 youngsters the art of sailing. Past Academy participants speak highly of the skills they learned, the discipline they developed, and the camaraderie they found on and off their vessels.

“What I remember when I joined the Sailing Academy was complete freedom. We would arrive at 8 a.m. in the morning and leave after 5 p.m., spending the day between our boats, the pool, and the clubhouse ...,” says Guy May, a former student and the director of the Shattemuc Sailing Academy for close to 25 years. This can be a delightful escape from the technology that rules our youngsters’ lives these days.

Once again this summer, the Sailing Academy will train young people ages 9 to16 in sailing basics, advanced sailing and racing techniques. There are two sailing sessions beginning July 1, 2019.

To learn more register on their website for the upcoming Open House on May 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. shattemucyc.org.

10

Westchester Family | May 2019

FunFuzion, the 90,000 square foot family entertainment center in New Rochelle, has big news. Besides offering bowling, lazer tag, arcade games, rides, billiards, and mini-golf, FunFuzion has added a brand new activity to their line up.

Introducing FunFuzion’s exclusive location-based Virtual Reality arena.

Have fun with the new VR role-playing zombie shooter game, Arizona Sunshine, in “FreeRoam”! While most VR games are tethered or attached to a gaming unit, FunFuzion’s untethered, Free-Roam, and “wireless” experience offers players a more realistic gameplay

movement in the virtual reality arena. It’s now more fun than ever as you battle to survive across postapocalyptic Arizona.

FunFuzion, 29 LeCount Plaza, New Rochelle. 914-637-7575.

Funfuziononline.com

American Girl’s New Doll of 2019 Lives in the Hudson Valley!

When American Girl first launched its collection of historic dolls in 1986 who would have thought there would one day be a doll that lives right here in the Hudson Valley?

The 2019 Girl of the Year is Blaire Wilson, an energetic girl who lives with her family on Pleasant View Farm, a sustainable farm and bed-and-breakfast in the Hudson Valley.

Blaire has big dreams of being a chef and bringing people together. This green-eyed, curly red head has a newly diagnosed food allergy and loves to text her friends. The 18” doll, which comes with a Blair book, costs $115. You can check out Blaire’s website to read book excerpts, play games, take quizzes and watch videos. play. americangirl.com.

You can also find Blaire’s books as well as other American Girl books, dolls, outfits and accessories at Girl AGain boutique at 4 Martine Avenue in White Plains. girlagain.com

914.637.7575

29 LECOUNT PLACE NEW ROCHELLE, NY 10801

WWW.FUNFUZIONONLINE.COM May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

11

bits & pieces Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10 Since 1984 the National PTA® has invited families across the nation to help celebrate those individuals that do so much to help inspire, motivate and shape our children — teachers.

This year, Teachers Appreciation Week is held from Monday, May 6 to Friday, May 10. Teachers Appreciation Day is recognized on May 7.

Feel free to express your thanks in your personal way or organize your school to celebrate that Teachers Are Out of This World.

The National PTA offers free Teachers Are Out of This World certificates and flyers that can be personalized — find them at pta.org.

Drinking with training wheels 1-2-3 Sip Miniware, which specializes in plantbased kids’ tableware, has introduced the 1-2-3 Sip! — the only true training cup that helps a child advance all the way from a straw to mastering a real cup.

Children practice all the complex movements in steps without opening

The happiest place to dance for 25 years!

Dance for Joy 1893 E Main Street Mohegan Lake 914-526-4486 www.danceforjoy.net 12

Westchester Family | May 2019

the valve all the way — it’s like drinking with training wheels.

At first, they can sip from the silicone straw, which is soft and feels good against gums and teeth, and then move on to practice tilting and drinking from the lid and spout, before finally mastering a real cup on their own. bonnsu.com

FREE

First lesson & Consultation

Belle School of Music

“Where Learning is Fun!”

SPECIALIZING IN PIANO, KEYBOARDS KEYBOARDS AND ANDVOICE VOICE Ages 2-4 with parent participation.

Plant the seed of music in your child!

MUSIC LAND Ages 4-5 with parent participation.

A delightful experience for Mozarts of the future MUSIC FOR LITTLE PEOPLE Ages 5-7 with parent participation. Unique Russian-Japanese method.

Experience the Magic of Music.

ADVENTURES IN KEYBOARD Ages 8-12. Tradition on a new note. Piano instruction for the child of the new millennium.

Bring out the musical talent in your child!

Have a child with autism? Call us today?

TOP 5 2018

YellowBusABA.com

Yellow Bus ABA is a therapy group providing consultation & intervention services to help children with autism develop the skills they will need.

6 MArtHA roAd, MonseY, nY

TOP 5 2016

TOP 5 2017

Scarsdale: 1088 Central Park Ave White Plains: 283 Tarrytown Rd Yonkers: 1537 Central Park Ave

WINNER 2015

914-961-5511 www.belleschool.com

DISCOVER DANCE DAYS

Free classes April 30th - May 22nd

Call the studio to pick your day, class & time www.studiobdance.com

(914)793-2799

277 White Plains Road Eastchester, NY 10709

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

13

spotlight: bilingual education

A Second Language Opens Doors Bilingual education enrollment on the rise

By Rachael Sanderson Benz

P

rogressive parents who wish to give their children a global education are bucking the conventional public school route and enrolling their kids in schools that offer a bilingual education. “Parents who want their children to be diverse and independent thinkers, who are open to the world, choose bilingual education for their children,” says Simone Bruemmer, Ph.D., Head of Lower School at the German International School in White Plains. “Cultivating global citizens is part of this type of education. The ability to navigate multiple cultures and languages is an advantage for later in life,” she says.

What is Bilingual Education?

“Students who receive a bilingual education are taught subject matters in two languages,” says Marine Heraud, Director of Admissions

14

Westchester Family | May 2019

at the French-American School of New York (FASNY) in Mamaroneck. Topics such as reading, writing, math, science, literature and social studies are taught to students in English and French by native speakers of each language at the school. “A true bilingual teaching model goes beyond the mastery of two languages,” says Heraud. “It is based on the acquisition of two cultures, of two thought systems, and of two ways to express one’s ideas,” she says.

“Starting in pre-K, our students ‘live’ both the German and English language through coursework, projects, exchange programs and their friendships,” agrees Bruemmer. “They move seamlessly between both languages with great ease,” she says.

Kennedy French American School, approximately 60 percent of the school’s students come from homes that speak dual languages. “It is always easier if the child is already in a bilingual environment at home, but it is not a requirement. We have some parents who have chosen a bilingual education for their children simply because they like the French language and culture and want their children to learn two languages,” says Mithieux. As with FASNY, students who attend Lyceum Kennedy at the Ardsley site are taught curriculum in both English and French beginning from preschool up to 5th grade. Middle and high school age pupils continue their bilingual education at the school’s Manhattan campus.

Who Attends?

According to Bernard Mithieux, coordinator of the Ardsley campus at the Lyceum

Start Young Schools such as Little Language League in Rye and Mandarin Discovery Preschool in White

Plains cater specifically to preschool age children. Little Language League currently offers programs in Spanish, French, Italian and Mandarin Chinese. “Our preschoolers are immersed in the target language through role play, songs, games, famous artists, movement and theater arts,” says Lyvia Sage, Director at the Little Language League. “Our program increases cultural awareness while providing a unique setting for ‘jump-starting’ English acquisition and second language immersion,” she says.

There is a resounding agreement by educators that it is best to introduce a child to a dual language program during the preschool years. “Virtually all science on the matter points to the fact that ‘the younger the better’ is truly the best practice in language acquisition for children,” says Sage. “Children starting at the preschool level have significant advantage over children starting later than this,” she says.

FASNY, Lyceum Kennedy and the German International School all have preschool programs as well. It seems that today’s forward thinking parents are

“Cultivating global citizens is part of this type of education. The ability to navigate multiple cultures and languages is an advantage for later in life.” becoming more interested in providing their young ones with a dual language preschool education. “Since we opened our bilingual pre-K in September of 2014, our school is steadily attracting more non-native German speaking students,” says Bruemmer.

Advantages While there are many advantages to enrolling your child in a bilingual program there are a few drawbacks. Parents expressed that potential students and their families should be aware of the increased homework load due to the dual curriculum and the possibility of having to say goodbye to friends who relocate to another country. By and large, they agreed that these issues seemed small in contrast to the benefits.

Graduates of bilingual programs have the advantage of earning an international degree, which opens the doors for students who may wish to pursue college abroad. Students earn

a high school degree from New York as well as a diploma from the country of the second language curriculum they are studying.

For example, graduates of the German International School New York earn a New York State High School Diploma and the German International Abitur, which is a high school degree from Germany.

Educators of dual language programs tout that bilingual students have increased memory, are better thinkers, problem-solvers, have greater focus, score higher on tests and have more empathy toward others. “Bilingual children excel academically and can more easily navigate multiple cultures,” says Bruemmer.

Academics aside, our experts agree, a bilingual education opens doors both professionally and socially.

Rachael Sanderson Benz is a Westchester-based freelance writer.

French -American School of New York International and Bilingual School Bilingual Program Nursery to Grade 12 International Program starting in Grade 9 IB Diploma Program in Grades 11 & 12

Still accepting applications for 2019-2020 Contact us at 914-205-0401 or at admissions@fasny.org Follow us @fasnynews

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

15

bilingual education Directory | Special Advertising Supplement Spanish Classes for Children, in Scarsdale s )MMERSION AND .ATIVE 0ROGRAMS s 3PANISH 0RESCHOOL #LASSES s -OMMY AND -E s 3UMMER #AMP

INFO SMARTLINGUISTS COM WWW SMARTLINGUISTS COM

OPENING A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES

Request a private tour at admissions@gisny.org

French-American School of New York Manor Campus (NurseryGrade 3) 111 Larchmont Ave., Larchmont, 914-250-0401 Village Campus (Grades 4-8) 145 New St., Mamaroneck, 914-250-0401 Harbor Campus (Grades 9-12) 320 E. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, 914-250-0401 fasny.org FASNY develops globally literate, multicultural lifelong learners through a unique program that integrates American, French, and international curricula. They educate students to understand, contribute to, and thrive in an interdependent world.

FASNY holds its students to the highest standards of academic excellence, supports them in their personal development, and fosters a spirit of inquiry, service, and social responsibility to the environment and the global community.

FASNY is accredited by New York State Association of Independent Schools, the International Baccalaureate Organization and the French Ministry of Education.

German International School New York

Your online resource for all things parenting WestchesterFamily.com provides a rich array of local resources, useful content, directories and interactive tools to help families meet and celebrate the challenges of parenting.

Visit us online today

WestchesterFamily.com

16

Westchester Family | May 2019

50 Partridge Road White Plains 914-948-6513 gisny.org INSPIRING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.DEVELOPING GLOBAL CITIZENS. OPENING A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES. Discover German International School New York (GISNY), an independent, pre-K through grade 12 college preparatory program.

They are the only school in the tri-state area where graduates earn the German

International Abitur and the New York State High School Diploma. Their GermanEnglish bilingual education and rigorous academics cultivate students to develop into curious, analytical, and conscientious global citizens. No German is required for children entering our pre-K or kindergarten program. All nationalities are welcome!

Lyceum Kennedy One Cross Road, Ardsley 914-479-0722 LyceumKennedy.org.

Lyceum Kennedy French American School (Lyceum Kennedy) provides a fully bilingual education to students from nursery to 5th grade, in a multicultural and multilingual environment. Their goal is for students to be prepared for a world that needs ambitious leaders, audacious, yet responsible and compassionate. Call to schedule a tour as well as visit their website LyceumKennedy.org.

Smart Linguists - Spanish Classes for Children 1 Heathcote Road, Scarsdale 6 Greenacres Ave., Scarsdale 914-488-4363 info@smartlinguists.com smartlinguists.com Smart Linguists offers fun and dynamic Spanish classes for children ages 1-10. Offering Immersion and Native After-School Programs, Mommy and Me, Spanish Preschool Classes, and a Summer Camp.

Learning Spanish at a young age, in a total immersion setting, allows kids to absorb the language in a completely natural way. Their small classes led by native Spanish-speaking teachers ensure each student receives the personal attention they deserve.

www.LyceumKennedy.org www.LyceumKennedy.org

A safe place for kids to grow, discover, and be curious.

A PRESCHOOL W I T H A F R E N C H TO U C H !

Quality and expert preschool; fun, safe, and educational games and activities; healthy and tasty breakfast and snacks!

OPEN DAILY | 7:30 AM TO 6 PM 315 5th Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803

(914) 633-4444

www.ouiouipreschool.com info@ouiouipreschool.com May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

17

18

Westchester Family | May 2019

STEM & STEAM Education

Little Bytes • Tech Education for Parents Girls & Coding • Inflatable Slime Recipe!

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com 19

stem & steam education

Little Bytes Great ways to bring STEM learning home

By Jean Sheff

Science Fair The National Geographic Documentary Film Science Fair encourages everyone to become a science geek. A Sundance 2018 audience award winner, this immensely likeable film follows nine high school students from around the globe as they follow their dream to compete at The International Science and Engineering Fair. Filmmakers Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster keep the pace brisk and lively as 1,700 quirky teens battle for the one winner’s spot. Making the movie locally relevant is Serena McCalla a Jericho, Long Island high school science teacher and her students who are featured in the film. Uninspired science students might be motivated after seeing the joy and delight these students take in their projects. A great family film that salutes our future scientists. Available on Prime Video.

Best STEM Books 2019

Great STEM Toys

National Science Teachers Association Earlier this year the National Science Teachers Association gave 24 titles a Best STEM Book 2019 distinction. Here are a few of the winners. For a complete list see nsta.org

We all know children learn when they play and these toys take learning to another level.

CRASH!BOOM! A Math Tale

By Robie H. Harris, Candlewick Press, $15.99 Elephant shows persistence during several revisions of his design letting children know it’s OK to have failures as long as you keep trying. Serves as an introduction to math concepts.

When Sparks Fly, The True Story of Robert Goddard, the Father of US Rocketry

By Kristen Fulton, Simon & Schuster, $17.99 Learn about Robert Goddard and how his childhood paved the way for his interest in space exploration in this colorful, upbeat book.

Spin the Golden Light Bulb

By Jackie Yeager, Amberjack Publishing, $16.99 A sixth grader competes for a place in a futuristic school for inventors in this novel for middle readers. The plot encourages discussions on the process of invention.

20

Westchester Family | May 2019

LEGO Duplo My First Number Train Building Set Ages 18 months to 5. $19.99 Toddlers learn to count while having fun building with this colorful set.

Learning Resources Code & Go Mouse Activity Set Ages 4 and up. $59.99 Kids learn to code as they have fun programming a cute little mouse.

Crime Catchers Spy Science Kit Ages 8 and up. $22 Scientific Explorer helps kids think like a forensic scientist with hands-on tools they can use to solve the crime.

T The he h e fun f science s day ca camp for c curious kids!

2019 9 Great Great Topics

Al All New!

Physics Coaster & Science Magic Camp

Rocket Space Science Camp

Robot Challengers & Reaction Racers Camp

Extreme Innovators & Science Makers Camp!

Great Westchester Locations Larchmont - Larchmont Temple New Rochelle - Iona College Scarsdale - Congregational Church Tarrytown - Temple Beth Abraham White Plains - The Presbyterian Church 888-909-2822

destinationscience.org

April Savings! $20/wk!

Ends 4/30/19

Scarsdale White Plains Only ial Spec

Use Promo Code FUN50 Save additional $30/wk!

Stack $20 + $30 = $50 Savings!

(Valid Scarsdale White Plains only, Ends 4/30/19) May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

21

stem & steam education

Dorothy Forcina

Girl Scouts from Troop #1337 in Cortland Manor create music and musical instruments using art materials and simple coding. Here they are using Makey Makey, an electronic invention tool and toy that allows users to connect everyday objects to computer programs.

Encouraging Girls to Code

By Stacey Pfeffer

I

t’s no secret that coding has risen in popularity among elementary school-age kids and the ‘tween set. With schools all over Westchester holding free Hour of Code events organized by code.org, children as young as kindergarten are getting exposure to coding at a young age and joining the more than 720 million students worldwide who participated in the event this past year. But what will it take to engage students, particularly girls, in coding long-term and what can be done to help prevent them from losing interest in it, which peaks as girls enter adolescence?

Experiential learning is key Coding is a vague term for most girls, according to Roberta (Beta) Atunes, the CEO of Hack, an award-winning laptop that invites children to hack safely in order to learn cod-

22

Westchester Family | May 2019

ing. “Children don’t understand that coding is everywhere. They have so much access to technology but it gets consumed in a very passive way. They can be playing a video game but have no understanding that behind that game is a database and computer language.”

Girls gravitate to coding when they are exposed to it in an experiential learning environment. Dorothy Forcina, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson noted that the Girl Scouts specifically created new coding badges nearly two years ago that incorporate experiential learning. Partnering with tech-related groups such as code.org and GoldieBlox, the new coding badges offer progressive challenges that are ageappropriate and feature fun activities such as Programing Robots and Race Car Design.

And the initiative seems to be paying off, as Girl Scouts are almost twice as likely as non-

Girl Scouts to participate in STEM activities (60% versus 35%).

Appealing content for girls But even if your daughter isn’t getting exposure to coding through Girl Scouts, coding in the classroom or at home needs to have content that appeals to girls. “In the past two years, I’ve seen a huge increase in the number of girls interested in coding. I think this has a lot to do with the content available on learning-to-code websites and apps. For example, in 2018 the “Hour of Code” was entitled “Dance Party.” This appealed to many girls who don’t identify as “gamers” and are uninterested in coding video games,” explains Jenny Gieras, an elementary school teacher in Chappaqua who is passionate about incorporating technology in her classroom.

But not all girls in Westchester have exposure to coding like those in Gieras’

class or even the broader topic of computer science. According to GirlsWhoCode.org, a non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology only 66% of girls ages 6-12 are interested or enrolled in a computer course and by ages 13 to 17 that number drops significantly to 32%. The good news about these sobering statistics is that by December 2019 New York State school districts will be required to develop K-12 computer science standards.

Creating safe spaces for girls Atunes feels that “girls can be intimidated by technology” and recent research conducted

by Microsoft and KRC Research echoes that sentiment with 25% of middle school girls reporting they are too embarrassed to ask questions in STEM courses. Atunes notes that many girls are conditioned to not make mistakes or push boundaries. Coding is the antithesis of that. “With coding, you test something out and implement it and if it doesn’t work you try again. Coding teaches you how to deal better with failure and how to become more resilient,” believes Atunes.

“Girls thrive with coding in an all-girl environment. It builds their confidence and their self-esteem and early exposure is key.”

Girls need a safe space to make mistakes in coding and that often leads non-profits such as Girls Who Code and Girl Scouts to tout the benefits of girls working as a team and tackling coding together. “Girls thrive with coding in an all-girl environment. It builds their confidence and their self-esteem and early exposure is key,” explains Hada Reed, Chief Mission Delivery Officer at the Girl Scouts.

In Gieras’ classroom when girls are in small groups working on coding together, their engagement level is much higher than when they work alone. “Consistently, I see a great deal of collaboration about decisionmaking and I think this group setting offers comfort and stability in an experience that may otherwise feel new and uncomfortable,” explains Gieras.

Lana Butterfield Pattinson with a third grader involved in a Girl Scout program called Techno Chicklets, believes that when “girls at a young age learn coding together, it develops their confidence and teaches them

to not be afraid to share their opinions.”

Parental encouragement in STEM activities is also key for girls. They are twice as more likely to stick with STEM activities such as coding if their parents support them, according to research from Microsoft.

“I’m optimistic that as software developers and web designers realize what appeals to young girls, and teachers and parents realize the importance of coding and specifically getting girls on board with coding, that there will be an upswing in the number of girls who get interested in code at a young age, and stay interested as they progress to middle school and high school,” explains Gieras. With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting that technology professionals will experience the highest growth in job numbers between now and 2030, hopefully Gieras is correct.

Stacey Pfeffer is a writer and editor based in Chappaqua.

Summer 2019 Youth Arts Technology Program

CENTER FOR THE DIGITAL ARTS Sessions begin July 8th 2019

914-606-7300 sunywcc.edu/peekskill May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

23

stem & steam education

We Thought Fortnite Meant Two Weeks What STEAM really means and three websites to help bridge the language gap with your kids

By Rob Kissner

S

TEAM is everywhere. You’ve heard the acronym so often that you finally Googled it, so you know it stands for Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math, and that every after-school program and summer camp under the sun is offering it. But, you’re not completely sure what it really is, where the measurable benefits are, or how to begin talking to your kids about what they’ve been learning. You might even feel confused because it seems like a ‘trending’ topic. You’re almost sure you and your family should be jumping on the bandwagon, but you don’t completely understand why.

Here it is: STEAM is an educationalapproach-turned-buzzword. Describing a program as STEM or STEAM fills seats in classes, but not all STEAM programs are created equal. The reason for this is that STEAM is about more than just combining the aforementioned disciplines into a single program, it’s about the act of learning itself: the actions and thought processes that are expected of students.

At its core, STEAM is a project-based learning approach, where students are given a task to create. The process involves breaking down a path to achievement based on attempting, failing, and iterating.

With a traditional approach, students are typically expected to absorb information passively, learning everything they need to know before being given a concrete reason.

Because a STEAM-based project can be designed to incorporate all letters in the acronym, it provides a fun, challenging, action-driven experience, designed to excite and engage.

An example Here’s a scenario: a 9-year-old is interested in 3D printing. In a STEAM learning environment, the student is given the task of modeling a house. Instead of being expected

24

Westchester Family | May 2019

to learn every fundamental of design before she begins, the student is encouraged to jump in and learn through doing. Along the way, she’ll be assisted in thinking about what shapes can be put together to create the house (arts & engineering), dial in the measurements of the house (math), learn how to navigate the CAD software (technology), and understand how 3D printers work (science). The result of each of her efforts will almost never be right the first time, which provides an incredible opportunity to learn about failure’s integral role in the process of creating and solving problems.

Closing the Gap Now that we know STEAM is everywhere, it’s important to point out that with any paradigm shift come growing pains. With STEAM, a language barrier between parent and child has emerged, especially when

it comes to technology. Whether talking about video games, 3D printing, computer programming, or YouTube, kids are using words that are foreign and unfamiliar.

(Remember when the hashtag was called a pound sign ... or when a fortnight was two weeks?) Luckily, there are a number of project-based activities that you and your children can do together to develop some common language. Added bonus: you get to experience the learning approach inherent in STEAM firsthand, just by exploring, inevitably failing, and trying new things with your child.

Here are three awesome websites that offer STEAM-based projects you can do with your kids.

LightBot - lightbot.com. Almost every child is learning to code, and unless you have a computer science background, you

have no idea what they’re talking about when they come home. Scratch? Python?

Variables? Functions? While there are a lot of great coding games and tutorials online, our favorite is LightBot. The idea is simple: program the robot to navigate through the level and light up certain tiles. The great thing about LightBot is that is applies realworld computer science concepts like loops, functions, and recursion, but makes it fun.

LightBot is great because it’s great for any age and doesn’t over-gamify the coding process like many sites do. LightBot is totally free and can be used on computers, smartphones, and tablets.

Canva - canva.com. When it comes to art,

design, and technology, the learning curve for Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign is steep. Canva, however, provides a platform to create beautiful designs without any graphic design experience. From stunning party invites to personalized birthday cards, you and your child can create amazing works of art while learning about colors, fonts, layouts and more. Canva utilizes templates

At its core, STEAM is a project-based learning approach, where students are given a task to create. that are customizable and has hundreds of design elements including graphics, type sets, backgrounds, and images. Everything is drag-and-drop so it’s simple to learn and the capabilities are endless. Best of all, it’s free and works on any computer (including Chromebooks)!

TinkerCAD - tinkercad.com. CAD (Computer Aided Design) programs are used to create 2D and 3D models of objects and are commonly used in the design of auto parts, floor plans, and even bridges. Traditionally, learning a CAD program has required years of training and practice. However, AutoDesk (maker of AutoCAD) has developed a solution to make CAD design accessible to kids. TinkerCAD is a free, web-based CAD program that allows people of all ages to

create detailed 3D designs using drag and drop shapes. TinkerCAD comes loaded with dozens of free lessons, so you and your child can explore the world of 3D design together.

3D Modeling requires planning, design, math, and engineering, so it is an ideal STEAM activity for you and your kids to do together. From simple Minecraft trinkets to complex designs with moving parts, there is very little limitation to TinkerCAD. It’s also a lot of fun to use!

Rob Kissner is founder & president of The Digital Arts Experience, whose mission is to provide kids and teens in the community with access and exposure to the world of creative technology in a fun and safe environment.

The DAE works with thousands of students a year from all over Westchester and Southern Connecticut and provide tech programs to the majority of school districts in Westchester. The DAE focus is on collaborative, hands-on, and project-based learning so that students learn through doing, side by side with their peers and a team of talented and unique instructors. thedae. com.

May 11th, 10 AM – 2 PM 914-606-7300 | sunywcc.edu/peekskill May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

25

stem & steam education

How to Make an Inflatable Butter Slime

By Celina Zhu and Michelle Shao

T

here are many stores that sell slime including Walmart and The Dollar Tree, but making it at home is way cooler. Making slime at home is much easier than you think.

All you need is some glue and an activator for a normal slime. The activator can range from detergent, Borax mixed with water, eye drops, or saline solution with baking soda. Pour the glue into a bowl and add the activator a little bit at a time until you have your desired texture. You can start playing with the slime when it pulls away from the bowl. There are many slime recipes (see below). Slime is a fun and stress-relieving toy.

Although slime is fun, there are some dangers to be aware of. Slime can harm you if you eat or bite it. If you are allergic to products like Borax, laundry detergent, or glue, slime can cause symptoms such as rashes, itchiness, eye irritation, or breathing difficulties. Keep slime away from small children. It can also be messy so do not play with slime near furniture or while wearing fancy clothing. It is safest to play with slime on a play table in a smock or an arts and crafts shirt. Do not dispose of slime in the kitchen or bathroom sink as it can clog drains.

Overall, making slime is an extremely entertaining way to relax.

— Michelle Shao

Michelle Shao is in 6th grade. In her free time she loves to draw and ride horses. Making slime is also one of her interests and she loves to make it when she has time. Michelle is currently a student at SpiderSmart Learning Center.

Celina Zhu is 14 years old and an 8th grade student at Scarsdale Middle School. She says making slime is a great joy and she even opened an online Slime Shop “Huskislimes” on Etsy.com last year.

Her other activities are piano, volleyball, and drawing. She has studied writing at SpiderSmart Learning Center of Westchester for two years.

26

Westchester Family | May 2019

A Recipe for Inflatable Butter Slime Butter slime can be spread like a butter, or inflated into a really fluffy slime. This happens when you continuously stretch it, forming air bubbles.

Time needed to make the slime: 10 to 20 minutes Ingredients • Medium size bowl • Spatula for stirring • 4 ounce bottle of Elmer’s Glue • 1/2 teaspoon of Borax • 1 cup (8 ounces) of warm water • Half block of Daisco Clay. Available at craft stores or on Amazon.com • Airtight container (must hold more than 4 ounces).

Optional • Food coloring, scents, clay sprinkles, glitters or other decorative items.

Directions 1. First, make your slime base. Pour 4 ounces of Elmer’s Glue into the bowl. Try to remove as much glue as possible from the bottle.

2. Add optional ingredients such as food coloring, scents, clay sprinkles, glitters or other decorative items.

3. Next, make the slime activator.

Take 1/2 teaspoon of Borax and dissolve it in the cup of warm water. Then add the activator into the glue little by little.

4. Now that you have finished the base, you can turn this into butter slime by adding the Daiso Clay.

Use a half block of the clay, or for

a more buttery slime you can add a bit more. Mix and knead the clay and slime together until completely combined.

5. Now that your slime is done it’s time to play with it. You can poke it with your fingers, pull it up to make bubble shapes, or stretch it over and over to make a swirl.

6. To inflate the slime stretch it back and forth to create air bubbles.

Stretch until the slime is inflated to your satisfaction.

7. After playing with your slime store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Slime is best kept in a warm temperature.

If the temperature gets too hot the slime will melt. If this happens just add more activator.

— Celina Zhu

STEM/STEAM Programs Special Advertising Section

ArtsWestchester 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains 914 428 4220 artsw.org The arts inspire tomorrow’s creative thinkers in schools and in the community. This month ArtsWestchester brings free hands-on arts activities to communities throughout Westchester with its newly launched ArtsMobile, a colorful RAM van custom-fit with all kinds of art supplies. Early exposure to the arts has been found to play a positive role in academic performance and measurable success later in life. More and more research also supports the fact that participation in creative arts activities enhances healing, coping and promotes overall well-being.

Belle School of Music Scarsdale, White Plains, Yonkers 914-961-5511 belleschool.com The “A” in STEAM is the art of music! The Belle School of Music philosophy is that learning to play the piano should be fun! Music education is offered in a warm and supportive environment. Many children have gone on to peruse careers in music while others develop a strong rooted love and appreciation of music. The piano is a true art form!

camps for children and teens ages 6 - 15 from July 1 - August 28, 2019. Focusing on wheel throwing, hand-building and sculpture, campers will be shown a variety of techniques on and off the wheel. In today’s technology driven world your child will discover the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands by crafting everything from emojiis, unicorns and castles to handmade cups, bowls and plates that your family will treasure forever. Register before March 15th to receive a 10% discount.

Crestwood Music Education Center 453 White Plains Road, Eastchester 914-961-3497 crestwoodmusic.com What better way to enhance your child’s appreciation and exposure to the arts than encouraging them to explore music. Crestwood Music Education Center can help with private lessons in piano, guitar, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, drums and percussion for students of all ages/levels. Suzuki programs in piano and violin are also offered. This worldclass faculty provides premier music education, including jazz instruction with top jazz artists in piano, woodwinds, saxophone, guitar, and percussion.

In addition, they rent, repair and sell instruments.

Clay Art Center 40 Beech St., Port Chester 914-937-2047 clayartcenter.org Discover the Art of Summer Make Friends, Memories and Art! Have your kids unplug with mud at Clay Art Center’s award winning weekly themed half and full-day summer

Destination Science Locations: Larchmont, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, Tarrytown, White Plains destinationscience.org The fun science day camp where curious kids ages 5-11 years, can build their own robot, mix up some magic

molecules, take home a magnetic roller coaster, launch into space and become science makers & innovators this summer! Three science stations, 15 science activities plus games, silly songs and all the fun of camp! 2019 Camp Themes: Physics Coaster & Science Magic, Robot Challengers & Reaction Racers, Rocket Space Science, Extreme Innovators & Science Makers Camp!

150+ campuses 888-709-8324 info@iDTech.com The leader in summer STEM education, with 400,000 alumni and 150+ campus locations. Students ages 7-19 learn to code, design video games and Fortnite-inspired levels, mod Minecraft, create with Roblox, engineer robots, and more! Weeklong, day and overnight programs. 5-10 students per instructor (max 10).

The Digital Arts Experience 303 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale 914-644-8100 thedae.com The Digital Arts Experience is more than just a STEM/ STEAM program. Students build skills, create amazing original work, and form new friendships, all while staying engaged through The DAE’s unique, project-based learning approach. With programs in coding, game design, animation, 3D printing, robotics, digital drawing, and more, The DAE has classes for all interests and skill levels.

FunFuzion 29 LeCount Place, New Rochelle 914-637-7575 funfuziononline.com FunFuzion - Westchester’s ONLY indoor amusement park, has harnessed the latest innovation in VR technology! Now available for guest gameplay, the first free-roam virtual reality experience with the awardwinning zombie shooter game Arizona Sunshine, made by the video game design team at Vertigo Games. You won’t believe how real it feels!

iDTech Camps Held at NYU, Columbia, and

Kumon Somers, Dobbs Ferry, Yorktown Heights, ScarsdaleEast, Tarrytown, Ossining, Eastchester, Pleasantville, North White Plains, New Rochelle, Yonkers- Southeast, Hartsdale.

1.800.ABC.MATH kumon.com “GIVE YOUR KIDS AN ACADEMIC ADVANTAGE THIS SUMMER WITH KUMON MATH & READING!” Kumon’s time-tested self-learning program uses engaging worksheets and guidance from an on-site instructor to present new concepts and materials, giving children an academic advantage in the classroom and throughout life. To learn more, attend a free orientation at a Kumon Math & Reading Center near you.

Join Kumon’s parent community at www.facebook.com/ kumon for helpful tips.

Mathnasium Westchester Arsdsley-Irvington, 875 Saw Mill River Road, 914.295.2252 Chappaqua-Mount Kisco, 350 Lexington Ave., 914.725.MATH (6284) Cortlandt, 50 Dayton Lane, 914.502.MATH (6284) Mamaroneck-Larchmont, 1009 W. Boston Post Road, 914.725.

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

27

STEM/Steam programs Directory | Special Advertising Supplement

Give the Gift of Music All Year Long!

Gift Certificates Available

Register for Spring/Summer 2019 Private Lessons • World Class Faculty Children & Adults • All Levels & Ages Piano • Woodwinds Brass • String Voice • Guitar • Drums Jazz • Suzuki Chamber Music & Orchestral Programs

Complimentary First Lesson 453 White Plains Rd., Eastchester, NY 10709

961-3497 • www.crestwoodmusic.com Dr. Gines Didier Cano, Director

MATH (6284) Rye, 275 Purchase St., 914.967.

MATH (6284) Scarsdale, 47 White Plains Road, 914.725.MATH (6284) Scarsdale Central Avenue, 450 Central Park Ave., 914.725.

MATH (6284) mathnasium.com Mathnasium, in partnership with the National PTA, is proud to put the M in STEAM in Westchester! Through our in-school National PTA STEM+ Family Math Night program, or our in-center math learning and enrichment programs, Mathnasium is the leader in providing math STEAM activities for students of all ages. Call your local center today to schedule a math assessment for your child, or to book a FREE Family math night at your school!

Musical Munchkins

Westchester Family | May 2019

Rye Arts Center 51 Milton Road, Rye 914-967-0700 ryeartscenter.org A past recipient of Arts­ Westchester’s Education Award and a recent Family Favorite, The Rye Arts Center offers dozens of STEAM classes that spark the creativity of young minds. The arts center’s MakerSpace and Digital Arts Lab are filled with innovative programming including: Robotics, Animation, Minecraft, 3D Printing, Computer Coding, Video Game Design, Creative Building, Graphic Design, and so much more. Classes are available throughout the year, including week-long summer classes.

771-7000 musicalmunchkins.com Since their beginning in 1982, Musical Munchkins has received high acclaim, delighting Westchester toddlers and preschoolers as they explore their natural musical abilities. Their interactive music class with live guitar music, instruments, props, and puppets has children and parents singing, clapping, and dancing! Introduce your child to the arts early. Their fun performers strum and drum with kids aged 6 months to 6 years. Enjoy chikitas, realistic puppets, story-songs, buddy bands, plus dancing scarves, circle and partner games.

Steam Works Studio

Rewilding Camp

216 Central Park Ave., White Plains 914-328-1900 steffinossen.org Since 1937 conducting classes your dancer won’t want to miss! Summer camps and intensives and school year long classes for all ages, levels and disciplines - toddler to preprofessional. In all Steffi Nossen programs, your dancer will experience a joyous approach encouraging individual creativity, developing technique, self-confidence, and respect for the artist and the artist in each dancer. Their dance curriculum provides a clear pathway and goals. Their preprofessional program offers

Locations in Croton and Somers 914-589-9536 rewildingschool.com/summer eric@rewildingschool.com Imagination and curiosity go off-trail this summer, as kids in grades 1-9 discover new habitats, wilderness skills, and lots of epic games!

New topics for 2019 include Hunter Gatherers; Woodland Wizardry; Shipwrecked Pirates; and their all-new Family Week (age 4+). Summer sessions run 9am-3pm in Croton and Somers and are led by two experienced naturalists certified in First Aid and

28

trained in wilderness survival skills. Register with code wildwestchester for $25 off!

700 Central Park Ave., Scarsdale 845-790-8132 Steam Works Studio provides a pressure-free environment where kids can explore, invent, create, and have fun, while learning valuable STEAM concepts such as coding, robotics, animation, electronics, and 3D printing.

Enjoy ‘learning by making’ through our various offerings including summer camps, birthday parties, weekend programs and workshops.

Conveniently located on Central Park Avenue in Scarsdale.

Steffi Nossen School of Dance

CAMP UP YOUR WESTCHESTER COUNTY PARKS

SUMMER

Register today at parks.westchestergov.com

THE #1 STEM CAMP

FOR AGES 7–19

From coding and game dev to robotics and design, your child will develop in-demand skills and ignite lifelong passions—all in a fun, inclusive environment.

Choose from 50+ innovative courses and join our community of over 400,000 alumni. Get ready for the best summer ever!

Held at over 150 prestigious universities Pace University - Westchester | Iona College Manhattanville College | Columbia | NYIT | NYU Ramapo | Stanford | UPenn | Northwestern

,JY F GWTHMZWJ FSI ƴSI F HFRU SJFW ^TZ May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

29

STEM/Steam programs Directory | Special Advertising Supplement

Creative Movement Ballet • Jazz • Modern Tap • Hip Hop • Boys Pre-professional

White Plains Ę• Chappaqua Ę• Ossining

Parents & Toddlers

Beginner Levels Adaptive Dance A dance style for every child

Come Grow With Us! VWHႈQRVVHQ RUJ _

more serious students the opportunity to train extensively, focusing on technical and performance advancement. Modern, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, composition, and adaptive dance.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children Mathews Park, 303 West Ave., Norwalk, Conn.

203-899-0606 steppingstonesmuseum.org Step inside our award-winning museum and open your world to amazing discoveries. Igniting a lifelong love of learning through play, Stepping Stones makes learning intentional, visible and FUN every day with engaging programs, immersive investigations, playful activities that broaden and enrich a child’s learning journey while enhancing their understanding of the world!

Their LEED Gold Certifiedmuseum features hands-on exhibits and STEAM-related workshops that align with national frameworks and educational standards.

Studio B

MAKE

Friends Friends Memories Memories Art Art

UNPLUG UNPLUG WITH WITH MUD MUD With With our our award award winning winning weekly weekly themed themed summer camps for ages 6 – 15! summer camps for ages 6 – 15!

WEEKLY WEEKLY SUMMER SUMMER CAMPS CAMPS RUN RUN JULY 1 ďšť AUGUST 28 JULY 1 ďšť AUGUST 28

*Register before March 15th to recieve a 10% discount! *Register before March 15th to recieve a 10% discount!

40 Beech Street, Port Chester, NY | www.clayartcenter.org | 914.937.2047 40 Beech Street, Port Chester, NY | www.clayartcenter.org | 914.937.2047

30

Westchester Family | May 2019

277 White Plains Road, Eastchester 914-793-2799 studiobdanceny@gmail.com studiobdance.com Girls and boys ages 18 months and up are nurtured and challenged by their highly qualified and enthusiastic staff. Facility features three spacious studios, comfortable waiting rooms, viewing windows, and a well-stocked boutique. Convenient classes allow siblings to dance at the same time. Pre-ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, ballet, modern &

contemporary. Camp for ages 3-5 & 6-10., Mon-Sat. Summer Classes. 2 and up. New: Mommy & Me Classes.

Westchester Community College / 2019 Youth Program Peekskill Extension Center 27 N. Division St., Peekskill 914-606-7300 peekskill@sunywcc.edu sunywcc.edu/peekskill The Westchester Community College Center for the Digital Arts offers a STEAM Arts Technology program for youth. The focus is on developing multimodal literacies that give your child an experience that fosters creative critical thinking. This 21st century program gives your child the edge and a portfolio in any of the following or combination of choices such as game design, 3D animation, 2D animation, stop motion, coding, robotics, painting and drawing, both fine arts and digital, and digital filmmaking.

Westchester County Park Summer Camps 914-995-2000 parks.westchestergov.com Westchester Parks’ music and ecology camps offer young people plenty of choices to build their skills, make new friends and enjoy the summer. The music camp at the Westchester County Center provides instruction on band instruments for grades 4-12. The ecology camps for grades 1-12 introduce young people to nature and build their knowledge of the world of plants and animals. Register at parks.westchestergov. com.

Engaging live music makes the best parties! Our fun performers strum and drum with kids aged 6 months to 6

A High Note Above the Rest!

Ask About Special Needs!

3-D printing

Experienced, Nurturing, Teachers

Vote for us!

Westchester Family 2019 Family Favorites

Fun-Filled Classes Music, Movement & Friends Age-Specific Curriculum

Celebra ting 30+ yea of makin rs g music and me mories

Online Enrollment!

Pleasantville | Scarsdale | White Plains Bronxville | Dobbs Ferry | New Rochelle | North Castle

914-771-7000

musicalmunchkins.com

www.katonahartcenter.com 40 Radio Circle Dr. Mt. Kisco 914-232-4843

Spring & Art & Imagination Summer Art Camps Classes (ages 3.5-5) including Kids Camp Steam (grades 1-5) Classes Teen Camp (grades 6+)

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

31

Family Favorites Nominees 2019 It’s with great pleasure that we announce the Westchester Family 2019 Family Favorites nominees. Readers are invited to go online to WestchesterFamily.com/ Favorites to place their votes. The five nominees in each of the 28 categories with the most votes will earn a Top 5 designation. The Top 5 nominee with the most votes in each category receives the Winner status.

Take a look, is your favorite class, store or playground listed? Then make sure to

Academic Enrichment Program Achievement Learning Center Dicker Learning Method Eye Level Learning Hudson Learning Lab KUMON Mathnasium Sylvan Learning

Amusement Center Boundless Adventures Dave & Busters FunFuzion Grand Prix New York LEGOLAND Discovery Center New Roc City Playland Sky Zone Spins Hudson Sportime USA The Play Place The Rock Club

Apple Picking Orchard Barton Orchards Fishkill Farms Harvest Moon Farm & Orchards Hurds Family Farm Jones Family Farm Outhouse Orchards Silverman’s Farm Stuart’s Farm Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm Wilklow Orchards

Art Studio for Kids A Maze in Pottery Art Academy of Westchester Clay Art Center Fun Craft of Scarsdale Katonah Art Center MADE: My Art + Design Experience One River School Larchmont Pelham Art Center Plaster Palace Pottery Rye Arts Center

32

go online and vote for them today. Your favorites aren’t listed? No problem, there’s a write-in box for each category so anyone can win. It’s time to show your support for everything local.

Contest ends June 7, 2019. The winners will be announced in the July 2019 issue.

Tell us what you think. Your vote counts. Go online now to WestchsterFamily.com/Favorites.

Scribble Art Workshop Time to Kiln Westchester Putnam Pottery Yonkers Pottery Young At Art

Birthday Cake for Kids (Local) ABC Cakes Baked by Susan Beascakes Bakery & Breads By the Way Bakery Cupcake Cutie Boutique Flour & Sun Bakery Harrison Bake Shop Homestyle Bakery Lulu Cake Boutique Martine’s Fine Bake Shoppe Milk N Cookies Neri Bakery Pelham Bakery Riviera Bakehouse Stew Leonard’s The Snackery Bakeshop

Birthday Party Place A Maze in Pottery Bounce U Breaking Ground Dance Center Dave & Busters Fun Craft of Scarsdale FunFuzion Grand Prix New York Grandmaster B.M. Kim Tae Kwon Do Great Play of Scarsdale Greenburgh Nature Center Groove Gymboree Play & Music GymCats Gymnastics Hommocks Ice Rink House of Sports Jodi’s Gym Kids U, Pleasantville LEGOLAND Discovery Center Lil Chameleon Longford’s Own-Made Ice

Westchester Family | May 2019

Cream, Larchmont MADE: MY Arts & Design Experience New Roc City Penny Lick Ice Cream Company ProSwing of Mount Kisco Rockin’ Jump Spins Hudson Sportime USA Stepping Stones Museum for Children Studio B Dance Center The Digital Arts Experience The Play Place The Rock Club at Pine Brook Fitness The Rye Arts Center Warrior Baseball New York Westchester Children’s Museum World Cup Gymnastics Yonkers Tennis

Consignment Store for Kids Affordables Baby Chic Lil Chameleon Once Upon a Child, Baldwin Place Once Upon a Child, Scarsdale Preppy Turtle

Clothing Store for Kids (New and Local) Denny’s Epstein’s, Tuckahoe Jagger & Jade Lester’s Clothing Little Rags & Riches Neil’s Corner Spot Squires Family Clothing Stephanie’s Kloset

Dance Class Academy of Dance Arts Addie-tude Performing Arts Center Artistry Dance Project Breaking Ground Dance

Center Broadway Training Center Central Park Dance Dance Cavise Studios Dance for Joy East Pointe French American Ballet Theatre JCC of Mid-Westchester Logrea Dance Academy Magical Movements Penny Lane Dance Scarsdale Ballet Studio Steffi Nossen School of Dance Studio B Dance Center

Dining with Children AJ’s Burgers Al Dente Pizzeria, Rye Augies Italian Auray Gourmet Bareburger Blue Moon Brother Jimmy’s BBQ California Pizza Kitchen Cheesecake Factory City Limits Exit 4 Food Hall Fantasy Cuisine Fountain Diner Fuji Mountain IHop Lefteris Gyro Little Sorrento’s Mt. Kisco Diner Nautilus Diner Rockwells Sherwood’s Restaurant Smashburger Westchester Burger Company

Gymnastic Class American Gymnastics Great Play of Scarsdale GymCats Gymnastics Gymnastics City ISG Gymnastics

JCC Mid-Westchester Jodi’s Gym Little Gym of Scarsdale Westchester Gymnastics World Cup Gymnastics YWCA Gymnastics, White Plains

Horseback Riding Stable Boulder Brook Equestrian Center Bronx Equestrian Center Fox Hill Farm Kentucky Riding Stables Rocking Horse Ranch Summit Farm Twin Lakes Farm Westchester Trail Rides Zepher Farm

Ice Cream & Yogurt (Local) 16 Handles Blue Pig Braazar, Irvington Cold Stone Creamery Frannie’s Goody Shop King Kone Longford’s Own-Made Ice Cream Main Street Sweets Murray’s Ice Cream Penny Lick Ice Cream Company Red Mango Seven Scoops Stew Leonard’s SwirlNJoy The Hudson Creamery Village Creamery & Sweetshop

Indoor Playspace Bounce! Trampoline Sports BounceU FunFuzion Great Play of Scarsdale Gymboree Play & Music Jodi’s Gym Kids U Pleasantville Kidville, Mt. Kisco LEGOLAND Discovery Center Life the Place to Be Lil Chameleon My Gym, Larchmont My Gym, Yorktown Rockin’ Jump Sky Zone The Digital Arts Experience The Play Place

Indoor Rock Climbing High Exposure Rock Climbing Life the Place to Be Rock Club Fairfield SportimeUSA The Cliffs at Valhalla The Rock Club at Pine Brook

Fitness

Museum for Families Bruce Museum Hudson River Museum Hudson Valley Center of Contemporary Art Katonah Museum of Art Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum Neuberger Museum of Art Stepping Stones Museum for Children Storm King Westchester Children’s Museum

Music Lessons Amadeus Conservatory of Music Bach to Rock Belle School of Music Choice Music Studio Concordia Conservatory Crestwood Music Education Center Eastchester Music Center Harrison School of Music Hoff-Barthelson Music School Larchmont Music Academy Mike Risko Music Music Conservatory of Westchester Pelham Music Arts Center School of Rock The Rye Arts Center

Music Programs (Parent & Child) Groove Gymboree Play & Music, Scarsdale JCC of Mid-Westchester Musical Munchkins Mustard Seed Music School Rye YMCA Starlight Starbright Music

Nature Center Audubon Greenwich Croton Point Nature Center Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Rye Greenburgh Nature Center Muscoot Farm New York Botanical Garden Rye Nature Center Sheldrake Environmental Center Stamford Nature Center Teatown Lake Reservation Weinberg Nature Center Westmoreland Sanctuary

Performing Arts Class/ Acting ARC Stages Artistree Performing Arts

Broadway Training Center Class Act Studios Clocktower Players Croton Academy of Arts Lighthouse Youth Theater Lunchbox Theater at Sarah Lawrence College Mike Risko Music New York Performing Arts Center Play Group Theater Random Farms Kids Theatre Sandbox Theatre Star Kidz The Rye Arts Center Theater O Westchester Sandbox Theatre Yorktown Stage Young at Arts

Special Needs Recreational Program

Pet Shop

Bricks 4 Kids Curious on Hudson Destination Science Engineering for Kids Westchester Macinspires, Larchmont Mad Science Mathnasium RoboThink Westchester STEM Alliance of Larchmont Sylvan Learning The Digital Arts Experience The Rye Arts Center

Aardvark Pet Supplies All Paws Gourmet Pet Boutique, Rye Bark & Meow Bird Jungle Pet Goods Pet Smart Petco Wags & Whiskers

Photographer (Family or Child) Anika Fatouros Photography Donna Mueller Photography Elena Wolfe Portraits Jamie Kilgore Photography Jane Goodrich Photography Leila Sutton Photography Michael Kormos Photography Venture Photography

Playground Crawford Park Croton Point Park Gedney Park Greenburgh Nature Center’s Discovery Playground Harbor Island Playground Jack’s Friendship Garden/ Huguenot Park Kingsland Point Park Reis Park Sagamore Playground Saxon Woods Park

Resort for Families Camelback Mountain Resort Frost Valley YMCA Great Wolf Lodge Hersheypark Kalahari Resorts Mohonk Mountain House Rocking Horse Ranch Smugglers’ Notch The Inn at East Hill Farm Woodloch Pines

Angelfish Therapy Aqua Tots Backyard Sports Challenger Little League Children’s Rehabilitation Center Greenburgh Special Education HERO, Inc. JCC of Mid-Westchester North East Westchester Special Recreation, Inc. The Miracle League of Westchester Yogashine

STEM Programs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)

Theater for Families (Local & Live) Broadway Training Center Clocktower Players Curtain Call Emelin Theatre Harrison Players Palace Theatre, Stamford Play Group Theatre Ridgefield Playhouse Tarrytown Music Hall The Performing Arts Center, Purchase Theatre O Westchester Broadway Theatre White Plains Performing Arts Center Yorktown Stage

Tennis Program for Kids Armonk Tennis Greenburg Tennis New Rochelle Racquet Club at Pine Brook Fitness Pleasantville Tennis Club Rye Racquet Club SPORTIME Harbor Island SPORTIME Lake Isle The Play Place Westchester Turf & Tennis Yonkers Tennis Center

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

33

‘Help Me to Do it Myself!’

Montessori programs help toddlers become calm and confident

By K.T. Korngold

“We chose Montessori because we wanted our toddler to experience independence and develop confidence. For our daughter that has meant, “I can do it” and “I want to do it!”

— B. Patel, Montessori parent

H

ow do Montessori programs foster independence in toddlers? From a very young age, children are supported in learning to do things for themselves, rather than having things done for them.

Montessori teachers give toddlers “just enough help.” In this way, the environment helps toddlers develop confidence by actually learning how to do things for themselves.

Being independent lays the foundation for a strong sense of self and for having healthy relationships later in life. Toddlers learn to take off and put on their coat and their shoes.

They learn how to wipe the mucus from their nose. They learn how to wash their hands and how to use the toilet. Toddlers learn how to pour a drink into a cup, how to carry a tray, how to safely carry a chair. Toddlers also learn how to clean up a spill, because spills can happen. In this way, toddlers are free to move around the environment: to get a drink of water whenever they are thirsty; to move the chair if they want to sit in another spot; to safely carry their activities from the shelf to the table or floor. Toddlers feel a sense of connection to the larger community because they contribute to the whole: by setting up lunch, watering the plants, putting their work away when they have completed it if they are able, and giving assistance to a friend.

The teacher’s role A Montessori toddler program is based on Dr. Montessori’s ideas and writing, which reflect the importance of meeting the development needs of toddlers and the importance of

34

Westchester Family | May 2019

creating a prepared learning environment to meet those specific needs. The head teacher in a Montessori toddler program has had training in children ages birth to 3 and holds a Montessori teaching credential for that age group. This training informs not only the specific design of the environment, it also guides the adult in the practices and techniques for working with very young children, as well as the art of observation and the process of ongoing self-reflection.

The adult is seen as a guide, rather than teacher. She designs and creates a safe environment that supports and encourages exploration. She chooses beautiful, natural, and engaging materials that invite curious and joyful learning. She models a calm demeanor with interactions that foster cooperative social interaction. The adults in the environment model the acceptance of mistakes as a natural part of learning and growth without judgment, criticism, or negative facial expressions.

Coordination, choice, and the real world The toddlers move about freely in their Montessori environment in order to develop physical coordination and support freedom of choice. They may lift heavy objects and carry them from one place to another.

They are free to exercise their muscles as needed, not only at a specific time for “gym” or “movement”, because within the classroom there are places to jump, spin, and experiment with balance, such as bars to pull up on, a small step to climb or a rocking boat.

In this way, toddlers are able to strengthen their core muscles, practice balance, and develop muscle coordination.

The Montessori classroom is dedicated to discovery of the real world rather than opportunities for pretend play. The Montessori toddler learns to safely use the tools of the hand, for instance – a fork, spoon, scissors, writing utensils, screwdriver, hammer, and

paintbrush. Rather than play in a make-believe kitchen, the toddlers cut their banana for snack or peel and slice an egg at lunch. Instead of playing in the dress up corner, the toddlers engage in learning how to dress themselves, by practicing with a button or zipper, and by putting on and taking off clothing.

Giving the gift of time Traditionally, adults often show their love by doing things for the child, such as picking them up and carrying them from one place to another, putting on their coat, wiping their nose. Adults are efficient and want to get things done as quickly as possible. For toddlers the goal is not to get it done quickly, but rather to learn how to do it by themselves.

It is the greatest gift we can give a child, to slow down and patiently give them the time they need. Whether that means walking slowly, waiting without speaking to allow a child time to let the words come, or dealing with a little bit of mess because the child poured their own milk, Montessori teachers show their care for the child by helping the child to gain independence: modeling and showing how to do things, patiently breaking tasks down into smaller steps, and giving child-size tools to enable the child to succeed, to help the child to do it themselves.

Hallmarks of Montessori One of the hallmarks of the Montessori program is a schedule that preserves a long, uninterrupted “work” time to support the development of concentration and to allow spontaneous activity. The child is not guided or directed, following a predetermined schedule or required activities. Another hallmark is that the program takes a childcentered view of children: giving them freedom to explore the space and select their own activities of individual interest. An array of hands-on materials is available to attract and engage the toddler. This fosters concentration, develops problem-solving

opportunities to name objects, parts of the body, animals, foods, plants, colors, instruments, and tools. Surrounding toddlers with a fertile language environment, without it being loud or overwhelming, and also providing times of silence and quiet, encourages their natural tendency to develop receptive and expressive language abilities.

We know that infants and toddlers are easily over-stimulated by sensory input, but the soothing, calming atmosphere of the Montessori toddler classroom provides a safe haven. It is the quality of calm in the classroom, combined with enabling the toddlers to do as much as possible for themselves, that makes Montessori toddlers so content. The environment is a peaceful, caring, joyful place for learning, connection, and the development of independence. It seems far removed from the tantrums and struggles of a time known as the “terrible” twos. In fact, Montessori toddler teachers love this time of life and are dedicated to making it a truly remarkable time for the children in their care.

Schoolhouse Pictures

Toddlers choose their own work in the Montessori environment. The child is empowered to take action, to make choices on a daily basis and learn from these choices. This gives children feelings of pride, pleasure, and delight in their work.

skills, and encourages intrinsic motivation.

The activities are designed to enable children to recognize when the task has been completed successfully, rather than be dependent on the adult for validation or correction. The materials and activities are beautiful, many made of natural materials, such as wood, and with as little plastic as possible. Activities and interactions enhance a spirit of generosity, awe, and wonder, with opportunities to provide meaningful help to others. The toddler has experiences designed to cultivate a love for nature, such as planting seeds, collecting pine cones, and sorting sea shells.

“The classroom setup, as well as the teachers, really allow each child to

develop their own individual skills and talents. Every day, I am amazed at what I see the children doing - from serving and clearing their own food, to caring for plants, and even making their own soap. More importantly, they all seem so happy and fulfilled.”

— W. Baldwin, Montessori parent

Language and environment From the moment of their birth, babies are absorbing language and developing their receptive language skills. During the first three years of a child’s life, they literally transform from an infant who cries to a child who speaks more than 200 words.

A Montessori toddler environment is rich with words and language, with many

“When my daughter was first learning to separate from me, she naturally gravitated toward working with the baby dolls (holding, swaddling, and washing) in a way that allowed her to be the nurturer. Her teachers encouraged her, which not only gave her a sense of calm and happiness in her brand-new environment, but also contributed to her feeling that she had a special job while at school. It is clear to our family that the Montessori principles are helping our daughter to flourish and prepare her for independence, self-awareness, and lifelong learning.”

— K. Zanot, Montessori parent

K.T. Korngold is the director of the Montessori Children’s Center, one of the first full-time, yearround Montessori childcare centers in the United States. The newly opened location in West Harrison, N.Y. provides Montessori childcare for children from ages 3 months to 6 and has rolling admissions as spaces become available. She is the CEO of the Center for Montessori Education|NY (CME|NY), a pioneer in Montessori teacher and administrator education, which offers Infant and Toddler (0-3) and Early Childhood (3-6) teacher education training and training for Montessori School Administrators for an American Montessori Society credential.

K.T will be traveling to Hanoi, Vietnam in November 2019 to offer a course in Montessori Infant and Toddler teacher education.

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

35

Montessori Directory | Special Advertising Supplement

&RRSHU·V &RUQHU

0RQWHVVRUL ,QWHUQDWLRQDO

Infant Toddler and Preschool programs.

Extended morning and after-school hours available!

Licensed by New York State Office of Children & Family Services

Spanish, French, Chinese Language Labs Special Music Lessons Exploratory Learning Montessori Monthly Themes Summer Science Camp Great Outdoor Vicinities Multiple Locations

Coopers Corner Montessori School 11 Wilmot Road, New Rochelle 235-0606 cooperscornermontessori. com The mission of Coopers Corner Montessori is to make available to the children and families of Southern Westchester a Montessori education with daycare of the highest quality, consistent with the methods and principles of Montessori education.

The school is a private, non-denominational, forprofit corporation operated by the Board of Directors. Cooper’s Corner Montessori International accepts students without regard to race, gender, religion, or national origin.

Hudson Country Montessori School 340 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle 914-636-6202 hudsoncountry.org Hudson Country Montessori School inspires and promotes innate curiosity and a love of learning through their progressive Montessori pedagogy.

Their teachers provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment where toddlers have the opportunity to explore and discover the world around them. Private, coeducational, 18 months to 3 years old. Schedule a private tour today!

Liberty Montessori Schools

ONGOING ENROLLMENT CO N TA C T U S F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N Tina De Silva, Executive Director 914-235-0606 | 718-685-9515 cooperscornermontessori.com 11 Wilmot Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804 1115 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY 10804 200 Quaker Ridge Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804

36

Westchester Family | May 2019

155 Beechmont Dr., New Rochelle 914-636-3461 631 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck 914-777-1382 libertymontessorischools.com Offering programs up to

grade 3, including a unique kindergarten enrichment curriculum that includes a special music program, and the Challenger Program for advanced students.

They also have special multilingual programs in Chinese, French, German, Spanish and Japanese.

Call now to make an appointment, meet the school director and tour their facility and learn more about Liberty.

Montessori Children’s Center (MCC) 220 Westchester Ave., West Harrison 914-607-7600 ktkorngold@cmteny.com montessorichildrensctr.com A year-round, full-time Montessori childcare facility, MCC offers authentic Montessori programs for children 3 months to 6 years. One of the first Montessori childcare centers in the U.S., MCC recently opened a beautiful, new facility in West Harrison, NY serving families from Westchester and Fairfield.

Their head teachers are trained, certified Montessori teachers. Now enrolling for September 2019 (toddlers, threes and fours).

To sign-up for a tour and meet the director, call K.T. Korngold.

Montessori School of Pelham 1415 Pelhamdale Ave., Pelham Manor 914-738-1127 montessorischoolpelhamny. com Upholding a “tradition of excellence” for over 35 years, this school firmly and consistently holds to the principles of child development devised by Dr. Maria Montessori. Children ages 3 to 5 work with apparatus in a prepared

Online at WestchesterFamily.com

18 MONTHS - 8TH GRADE

OVER 43 YEARS OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND LOVING CARE Liberty Montessori Schools Pushpa Jagoda Ph.D “I wanted to create an ideal learning environment for all children as I did for my own.”

Toddler through Pre-K 155 Beechmont Drive New Rochelle, NY (914) 636-3461 Pre-K through Elementary 631 West Boston Post Road Mamaroneck, N.Y. 10543 (914) 777-1382 libertymontessorischools.com

With the vision to serve the needs of young children and their families, Pushpa Jagoda has fulfilled a lifelong dream as educator and mother. As director and founder of the Liberty Montessori Schools, she successfully owns and operates two preschool facilities that have become a “home away from home” for children 18 months through 3rd grade. “I wanted to create an ideal learning environment for all children as I did for my own,” explains Pushpa Jagoda, herself a Montessori graduate and mother of three. “My goal was to set up a nurturing environment where we understand and are sensitive to the overall needs of the contemporary child. Our open-door policy allows parents to observe classes and to participate in their activities. We encourage parent involvement and welcome feedback on how to best serve each child’s individual needs.” A busy mother, Dr. Jagoda’s centers are state-of-the-art facilities designed to accommodate yearround childcare. They offer a creative, personal approach to learning in the Montessori tradition with a loving, qualified staff that provide a safe, exciting place for children. “Our schools are wonderfully diverse,” says Dr. Jagoda. “We have bilingual teachers who teach languages such as French, German, Chinese, Spanish and Japanese as well as cultural awareness. We offer music, arts and crafts, math, reading, computer and science in an international setting.” The schools offer Kindergarten and Third Grade Montessori Enrichment Programs and unique Challenger Programs, designed to stimulate the intellectually advanced student who are already enrolled in the Montessori program and met all prerequisites. The fun-filled Liberty summer science camp, held during July and August, is designed to motivate the curious young scientist between the ages 18 months and 7 years. They welcome new families to visit or tour either location by appointment only. (Extended after hours for working parents.)

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

37

Montessori Directory | Special Advertising Supplement

environment progressing at their own rate, developing the confidence and love of learning that is the hallmark of Montessori Our small class sizes make it easy for our instructors to find out how to best cater to your child’s unique learning needs.

The Nurtury Montessori School

Infant, Toddler, Primary Programs Infant Massage • Itsy Bitsy Yoga Foreign Language Music and Movement Open Year Round Full Day, Part Time and Before/After School Programs www.thenurtury-montessori.com info@thenurtury-montessori.com The Nurtury on North

1144 North Ave, New Rochelle 914-632-6200

The Nurtury at Flandreau

130 Flandreau Ave, New Rochelle 914-632-6200

1144 North Ave., New Rochelle, 130 Flandreau Ave., New Rochelle bbnanny@gmail.com thenurtury-montessori.com The Nurtury is a sanctuary of peace, empathy, and gentleness in our increasingly fast paced society. At the Nurtury children will grow according to their natural pace, sleep when sleepy, wake up when rested, eat when hungry, cry when upset, express feelings, play and explore without being unnecessarily interrupted. In other words,

they will be allowed to grow and blossom as each was meant to.

Our Montessori School in Yorktown and Carmel 2300 Crompond Rd, Yorktown Heights 4 Glenna Dr., Carmel 914-962-9466 ourmontessorischool.com oms9@verizon.net Your child is unique. So is Our Montessori School, where children learn according to ability, not according to age. Schedule a tour to see their enhanced, child-centered learning experience for ages 6 weeks-12 years. All the core subjects plus art, ballet, chorus, dance, instrumental music, physical education, drama, Latin, French, Spanish, chess. Average 6:1 teacher-student ratio.

Choose your own flexible hours. Rolling admissions year-round. No contracts required. Unused tuition refunded if not satisfied.

Be a part of the Conversation!

WESTCHESTERFAMILY.COM

/westchesterfamilymagazine 38

Westchester Family | May 2019

Come See the Difference Year-round Montessori childcare for children from 3 months to 5 years of age in beautifully designed Montessori environments. Two new Toddler Classrooms and one new Early Childhood Classroom (3-6 years) opening in September.

Give Your Child the Best in Early Childhood Education

MONTESSORI SCHOOL in PELHAM A Tradition of Excellence since 1973

MONTESSORI - AGES 3-6 • TODDLERS - AGES 2-3

Register Now for 2019/2020!

Experienced, trained Montessori teachers provide supportive, joyful, and nurturing classrooms for learning and development during your child’s early years.

A full AMS member school Licensed by NYSOCFS.

Call for Open House Dates

Please call for more information or to schedule a visit.

1415 Pelhamdale Ave. (at Shore Rd.) • Pelham, NY

220 Westchester Avenue, West Harrison, NY 10604

914.738.1127 • montessorischoolpelhamny.com

K.T. Korngold, Director 914-607-7600 www.montessorichildrenscenter.com

Discover

Since 1972

Our Montessori School and Summer Camp

in Yorktown & Carmel 6 weeks – 12 years Rolling admissions

OurMontessoriSchool.com (914) 962-9466

Where the joy of learning is very much alive!

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

39

Mothering Like Mom ... or Maybe Not

By Ilana Donna Arazie

I

became a mother later in life and finally experienced the deepest love and most incredible joy my mother always told me about but I could never understand. Of course, along with that love came confusion because I had no idea what I was doing. I turned to my mother with questions but quickly realized that we weren’t on the same parenting page.

When my newborn was crying through the night and a nurse explained I needed to get better at swaddling him, my Mom would look my child all nestled in his wrap and say, “They put the babies in jail today!” I laughed at first, then cried a few minutes later, but probably just from postpartum blues I told myself.

I decided to be home with my child, spending my days caring for him, taking him to parks and music classes, while my mother decided to go back to work when I was about 2 because she found being a stay-at-home mom, well, boring.

Sometimes my mother would tell me that I gave my kid too much attention, but I didn’t blame her. She came from another country and time period when doting on kids just wasn’t done. Have you seen The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel? The children eat in the kitchen with the nannies and that’s my Mom’s viewpoint.

Even though we chose different parenting paths, she was, and is, the most loving grandmother or “meme”. And she supports me, and the mom I’ve become. “I could never be as patient as you are as a mom,” she

40

Westchester Family | May 2019

tells me. “You are a much better mother.”

It’s amazing to hear, especially right after I’ve beaten myself up for something that I consider went wrong that day.

Stephanie Coontz, director of research at the Council on Contemporary Families and author of the book, A Strange Stirring: The Feminine Mystique and American Women at the Dawn of the 1960s says, “In 1960, only 18 percent of children had married parents who were both employed. Today 34 percent live with dual-earner married parents. Surprisingly to many, however, this increase in women’s work commitment has not resulted in mothers spending less time with children. Today, working mothers and even single mothers actually spend more developmental time with children than SAHMs did in the 1960s.”

It’s amazing to think that even if we

have less time with our kids, we still find more time to interact and engage with them.

We really are a generation of supermoms!

However, even if we are creating more quality time with our kids, it feels like we are having a harder time keeping it all together, logistically and mentally.

Coontz says, “In many ways, mothers feel more confident about their parenting, more supported by their partners, and more intimate with their children than the past.

But they also feel more time pressures, and it turns out American parents have the largest happiness deficit with non-parents of the 21 countries recently studied, largely because of our lack of family-friendly leave policies and affordable, quality childcare.”

Lessons learned from mom My friend Sarah has three kids ages 4, 6, and

8, and has two full-time jobs working as a nurse and nurse practitioner, which is no easy load. She says she learned how to be patient from her mom and to spend time engaging in fun, educational activities with her children such as teaching her kids the alphabet by looking at street signs.

Here is how she’s different than her mom: she listens. Sarah says her mother didn’t always give her the emotional support she needed. Sarah tries to connect with each of her children now and lets them know she’s there for them no matter what they go through.

Local mom and trainer Meghan Convington who has three girls, ages 6, 3, and 7 months, says her mom taught her the importance of making the most out of each moment and getting out, exploring and experiencing life to its fullest. She says, “When I was a child my mom introduced me to all my current favorite things - hiking, yoga, nature, exercise, and meditation. Back then I did a lot of eye rolling, but now these things provide me with so much joy! I try to expose my own children to the same kinds of

Pointers on how to handle your mom, if you’re parenting differently: • Don’t Expect to Agree • Have Compassion • Say it With Love • Don’t Share Every Detail • Focus on Shared Love for Your Children Pointers on parenting your own way • Stay True to Yourself • Listen to Your Gut Over Mom and Books • Take Deep Breaths Daily • Find “You” Time to Reset

adventures.”

Where she is “upping her game” is how she feeds her kids. Her mom’s version of healthy eating in the 80s meant opting for wheat bread (aka white bread with brown food coloring) instead of white, and Cheerios instead of Lucky Charms. And their veggies usually came from a can.

Now, Covington avoids processed foods at home and eats a mostly vegetarian diet,

stressing the importance of food as fuel for our bodies.

In my case, my mother was more of disciplinarian and said “no” and “be quiet” a lot more than I do with my son. I’m not sure she would have allowed me to leave the house without socks and shoes in 40-degree weather because I threw a fit, like my toddler did this morning. Then again, I want my son to feel free to be himself with less restrictions – though this may backfire!

Maybe moms of today struggle a bit more from the pressure to get it all done, and done well, but somehow we are making it work even if parenting feels messy and confusing at times. And while many of us are raising our kids differently than our mothers, we have learned our biggest lessons about how to parent from the challenges or shortcomings we experienced with our mothers too. So thank you for it all, moms, the good times, the tough times and especially for those Lucky Charms. Happy Mother’s Day! Ilana Donna Arazie is a Westchester-based freelance writer and mom.

Serving Children with Special Needs

• Child-friendly environment and caring staff • Special needs welcomed • State-of-the-art technology and sterilization techniques • Game Rooms, Theater with large-screen TV • Serving the community for over 25 years

WINNER 2017

Voted one of Westchester’s Top Pediatric Dentists

Penny Resnick Graulich, D.M.D. Francisca Ceron, D.D.S. Emelie Preis, D.D.S. 115 Main Street, Suite 302, Tuckahoe, NY 10707 (914) 633-4440 MainStreetPediatricDentistry.com May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

41

let’s go

The American Museum of Natural History

species as well as dioramas that give an understanding of daily life. A special ticketed area open through May 27, The Butterfly Conservatory is an annual favorite. Here 500 butterflies roam free in a tropical environment. Watch them eat, flutter, and even land on you! The conservatory was small and warm, so we could only spend 10 minutes inside with our young ones.

Everyone’s favorite: dinosaurs!

The entire fourth floor is devoted to dinosaurs and other fossils. You’ll see the most popular species as well as a 122-foot Titanosaur and several extinct mammals.

“T. rex: The Ultimate Predator” is another ticketed presentation with life-size models, fossils, and interactive experiences that give a glimpse into the life of this famous animal.

This is better suited for older kids who will love the virtual reality experience.

©AMNH/D. Finnin

The American Museum of Natural History offers many hands-on stations that provide kids an engaging interactive experience.

By Andrea Worthington

T

he American Museum of Natural History is a childhood favorite. What kid doesn’t want to explore giant rooms filled with dinosaurs or ,visit outer space? And what parent doesn’t want to do all that for practically free?

Plan your visit Entry is pay-what-you-wish. But if you want to see the special exhibitions, you’ll have to pay full price. Several Westchester libraries give out passes that include entry to special exhibitions, so check with your branch.

the Hayden Planetarium. If you’re unsure about a planetarium show, try the Big Bang Theater’s smaller presentation. Set up like a planetarium on the floor, viewers stand around the center screen and gaze down at the show. It’s dark once the show starts, so hang on to roamers, as it might be hard to find them.

The 25-minute planetarium show Dark Universe explores discoveries that led to our understanding of space. Though it’s pretty sophisticated, young ones will be excited by the big screen. This show was our toddlers’ favorite. The moving stars and planets above his head riveted even our antsy 2-year-old.

What you’ll see There are 45 exhibit halls over five floors, an outer-space-focused rotunda and several special exhibits. Bring a stroller – there’s a lot of ground to cover, and even if kids walk the exhibits, there are long hallways and staircases to tire them out.

Environments of Earth The Hall of Ocean Life houses the famous 94foot model of a blue whale and other aquatic dioramas over two floors of exhibits, another favorite spot for our little ones. Inside the Hall of Biodiversity is a walk-through rain forest exhibit that uses video and sound to make the ecosystem come alive.

Earth and Space The Rose Center is a big glass box that houses

The Animal Halls Here kids can see life-size models of several

42

Westchester Family | May 2019

The snack situation The lower-level food court has a selection of kid-friendly food like dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets. The café on the fourth floor is a snack stop. But don’t discount the neighborhood! Just a short walk is Shake Shack, Uno Pizzeria, Levain Bakery, and Sarabeth’s.

Our Verdict The special exhibitions were too … specialized for our little scientists, but they did love the planetarium. The dioramas were a huge hit as were the dinosaur fossils. We tried to see everything in one day and came out exhausted. Pick a few highlights and make a plan to come back again, and again.

Andrea Worthington owns BabyGotChat.com, a website for Westchester parents featuring resources, advice, and events for young children.

When You Go …

The Museum of Natural History Central Park West at 79th Street New York, N.Y. 212-769-5100 amnh.org Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission: A pay-what-you-wish policy with a suggested fee of $23 adults, $13 children ages 2-12, free under age 2.

Paid onsite parking available.

AMNH Explorer APP: Download amnh. org/apps/explorer for free to help you find exhibits, bathrooms, and shops.

Summer Program for Special Learning Needs ★ Historical Dolls ★ Truly Me Dolls ★ Girl of the Year ★ Bitty Baby ★ Outfits ★ Furniture ★ Books ★ Workshops Wed & Thurs 11–5 | Fri 11–7 | Sat 10–5 | Sun 11– 4

4 Martine Ave. White Plains, NY | 914-358-1460 | GirlAGain.com

Schedule Your Annual Physical

• Comprehensive care from birth to age 21 • State of the art pediatric office • Convenient on-site parking

• Spacious child-friendly waiting area • Extended evening & weekend office hours • Most insurances accepted

Susan Meisler, M.D. • Hilary Smith, M.D. Lisa Mandelker, D.O. • Debra Etelson, M.D.

145 Huguenot Street, Suite 200 • New Rochelle, NY www.pasw4kids.com • 914.235.1400

Recreation & Academic Support for Ages 6-21 Discover an exciting summer experience filled with enriched learning, recreation and social support for your special needs child.

Full-day schedule Mon - Fri 6-week program starts in July For more information: mbarerra@greenchimneys.org 845.225.8226 x618

clearpool campus

WESTCHESTER/FAIRFIELD WALK SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2019

NEW YORKPRESBYTERIAN WESTCHESTER DIVISION

REGISTER TODAY AT AutismSpeaksWalk.org May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

43

Join us at the largest show for new & expectant parents in the country!

This is a must-attend event for parents who are planning, expecting or recently had a child! No other event offers a broader range of brands, education, buying opportunities and activities.

25% OFF

NEW YORK FAMILY READERS CAN GET A SPECIAL

Promo Code: WESTCHESTERFAMILY25

newyorkbabyshow.com/tickets

OVER 200 BRANDS • HOTTEST STROLLERS • BIG GIVEAWAYS

TOP BRANDS FOR MATERNITY, BABY & TODDLER FAMILY FUN • EXPERT SPEAKERS & PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS

S P O N SORE D BY:

For more information visit thebabyshowseries.com 44

Westchester Family | May 2019

VOTE

Family Favorites 2019 SPONSORED BY

YOUR HOME. OUR MISSION. Each year we honor the best family-friendly businesses, services and attractions.

Museums for Kids Birthday Party Place Gymnastics Class Dance Class

Family Resort Indoor Playspace Nature Center Art Studios

Apple Orchard STEM Program Ice Cream and More Fun Categories!

VOTE NOW and you are entered to

WIN

a 2-Night Stay for a family of 4 at

Great Wolf Lodge or a family pack of tickets to a New York

YANKEES GAME!

WestchesterFamily.com/Favorites May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

45

EMBRACE AUTHENTICITY 19

CITI CITI FIELD FIELD MAY MAY 18 18 & & 19, 19, 2019 2019

FUN FUN FAMILY FAMILY ACTIVITIES, ACTIVITIES, GLOBAL GLOBAL CUISINE, CUISINE, BEER, BEER, MUSIC, MUSIC, DANCE CULTURE, ART & MORE!

Tickets @ WWW.THEWORLDSFARE.NYC 46

Westchester Family | May 2019

calendar

may

By Andrea White

Gabriel Ellison-Scowcroft

Set sail in New York Harbor on a 134-year-old vessel, a true piece of living history. An extraordinary way to see the sights!

Pioneer Sailing Season 2019 Step back in time and see the sights of New York Harbor from the decks of the beautiful, historic 1885 Schooner Pioneer. Take food to enjoy on your sail - and your camera, too! Pioneer sails rain or shine. May 25-27, 29-31. Check website for schedule. For all ages. $32 adults, $28 children 12 and under. Tickets include free admission to the Museum’s exhibitions.

Reservations required.

South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton St., New York. 212-748-8600. southstreetseaportmuseum.org.

calendar What’s Inside Editor’s Pick: Celebrate Ghana! . . . . . . . . . .50 Editor’S Pick: Family ArtsBash. . . . . . . . . . .52 Celebrate Mom .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Recipe for Fun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 #GetOutdoors

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

City Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

47

calendar

1

may

Wednesday

✪ Dig! Plant! Grow! Wake Up, Garden! Spring into gardening by sowing seeds, digging and watering. Explore the Edible Academy’s soil and learn more about compost with its wild, wiggly worms.

Tuesdays - Fridays, 1:30-5:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am5:30pm, until May 12. For all ages. Included in All-Garden Pass. Weekdays: $23 adults, $10 children 2-12; Weekends: $28 adults, $12 children 2-12; children under 2 free.

Reservations not required. New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd. at Fordham Rd., Bronx. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

● ● Itsy Bitsy Playgroup. Connect with other parents over the joys and bumps of parenthood while engaging your little one in a group setting through music, motor play and story time. 10:30-11:30am today and May 8, 15, 22. For parents of infants and toddlers.

Reservations not required.

Temple Sholom, 300 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich, Conn. 203-8697191. templesholom.com.

ArtsPower National Touring Theatre

See Madeline, Miss Clavel, and Pepito the “bad hat” on stage at the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck on May 5.

website for performance times.

Recommended for ages 5 and up. $53-$89. Reservations required.

Westchester Broadway Theatre, One Broadway Plz., Elmsford.

914-592-2222. broadwaytheatre. com.

during the parenting years. 11am.

For adults. $28 (includes a book, coffee and cookies). Reservations required. Bedford Playhouse, 633 Old Post Rd., Bedford. 914-2346704. bedfordplayhouse.org.

● Young Discoverers.

● ● ✪ ✖ Newsies. Extra!

✪ Round Rock Preserve. See #GetOutdoors page 57.

Extra! Direct from Broadway comes the smash-hit musical based on Disney’s 1992 film.

This defiant tale of feisty kids making a difference is a high-energy explosion of song and dance. Wednesdays Sundays, until May 26. Check

✖ Time to Parent: Author Event + Book Signing. Meet Julie Morgenstern, author of the book Time to Parent, and hear her advice on how to balance raising a human - and being a human with all the conflicting priorities

Stimulate curious minds at this weekly science-based “drop-in” program. Simple experiments and craft projects add to the excitement of learning something new. Wednesdays, 11-11:30am.

For ages 2-5. Free with $7 admission. Reservations not required. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy.,

Look for our complete calendar of events and activities online at WestchesterFamily.com.

Calendar Submissions & Approvals: For Print: • Send to calendar@westchesterfamily.com.

Include: Dates, times, location, address, event description, ages, cost, phone, website.

• Information to be considered for the July 2019 calendar must reach us by May 31, 2019.

For Online Calendar: • Visit WestchesterFamily.com. Click the “Post Your Own Event” link beneath the calendar image on our home page and submit your event. Online postings appear approximately 48 hours after approval.

Please call ahead to confirm dates, times and locations of all events.

48

Westchester Family | May 2019

Rye. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm. org.

2

Thursday

✪ Cats. See one of the world’s best-known and meow-velous musicals! A Westchester Sandbox Theatre production featuring child performers in grades 2-8.

7pm today and May 9; Noon & 3pm May 4; 11am & 2pm May 11. For all ages. $16. Reservations not required. White Plains Performing Arts Center, 11 City Pl., White Plains. 914-328-1600. wppac.com.

Key to suggested ages

● baby & me ● toddler ● preschool ● elementary

school

● older kids ✪ families ✖ adults

● ● Cooking with Your Tot. See Recipe for Fun page 56.

914-591-6602. irvingtontheater. com.

● ● Story Time with the

✪ Spring Crafts at Lyndhurst.

Wolves. Read a fun book, do a nature-related craft, see the WCC’S wolves in their natural habitat and explore nature.

1-2pm. Recommended for ages 2-5 with caregiver. $12 adults, $10 children under 12.

Pre-registration required. Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem. 914-753-2373. nywolf.org.

Shop for all kinds of special handmade items (just in time for Mother’s Day!) from 300 artists and craftspeople. Plus, kids can enjoy storytelling, face painting, ArtsWestchester’s new ArtMobile, stilt walkers and more. Rain or shine. 10am-5pm today and May 5; 10am-6pm May 4. For all ages. Weekend pass: $12 adults, $4 children 6-16, children under 6 free. Reservations not required. Lyndhurst, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown. 914-6314481. lyndhurst.org.

3

Friday

● Engineering Workshop with LEGO® Materials. Join Play-Well TEKnologies for a workshop using the LEGO® Building System. Explore concepts in physics, mechanical engineering, structural engineering and architecture while playing with your favorite creations.

4-5:30pm. Ages 5-10. $32. Preregistration required. Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham.

914-738-2525. pelhamartcenter. org.

● ● Fish Tales. Enjoy stories, songs and games for toddlers that encourage their emerging language skills, followed by a play time. Fridays, 10:15-11am.

For ages 5 and under with caregiver. Free with admission. $24.95 adults, $17.95 children 3-12, children under 3 free.

Reservations not required.

Space is limited. The Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, Conn. 203-852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org.

✪ Imaginary. It’s the U.S. premiere of a magical and daring new musical about the wonder of childhood, the power of the imagination and what it means to grow up! Presented

by Broadway Training Center’s Junior Ensemble. 7pm today and May 4; 3pm May 5. For all ages. In advance: $20 adults, $16 children. On-site: $22 adults, $18 children. Reservations not required. Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main St., Irvington.

4

Stepping Stones

Museum for Children MEMORIAL DAY – LABOR DAY Open 7 days a week, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday

✪ Cinco de Mayo Fiesta.

Watch some traditional Mexican dances and try some dance moves yourself! Happy Cinco de Mayo! 2-2:45pm. For all ages.

Reservations not required. Field Library, 4 Nelson Ave., Peekskill.

914-737-1212. peekskill.org. ✪ Coyote Awareness Day. Learn how to better understand the behavior and benefits of the eastern coyote with educators from the Wolf Conservation Center. 1-3pm.

For all ages. Reservations not required. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7286. muscootfarm.org. ✪ Drop In and Create: Plaster Figures. Capture the essence of the monumental sculpture of Italo Scanga by erecting your own lofty figure out of plaster, pipe cleaners and aluminum foil.

Saturdays, 1-4pm. For all ages.

Free with admission. $10 adults, $5 children 8 and up, children under 8 free. Reservations not required. Hudson Valley MOCA, 1701 Main St., Peekskill. 914-7880100. hudsonvalleymoca.org.

✪ Family Art Class: Fabric Moons. Artist Natalya Khorover Aikens teaches how to turn fabric scraps, shiny beads and other materials into a hanging

Come Play! at Stepping Stones Museum for Children.

We have a HOT summer planned for families!

Rain or shine, we have all types of environments your child will enjoy. We have a tented outdoor courtyard and hands-on exhibits where children of all ages will explore, discover, create, test and learn in ways they have never imagined… see for yourself why everyone loves Stepping Stones. Plan your visit today.

Plan your visit today!

steppingstonesmuseum.org/calendar

TOP 5 2018

Norwalk, CT

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

49

calendar

may Editor’s Pick

moon. 1-3pm. For all ages. Free with admission: $7 adults, $4 children 3-18, children under 3 free. Reservations not required.

Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914963-4550. hrm.org.

their garden habitats. A Spring Insect Day event. 11am & 1pm. Recommended for ages 8 and up with an adult. Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6 and up, children under 6 free. Admission is free until noon. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx.

718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

✪ First Saturday Art Workshop. Drop in for a handson art workshop led by an arts and crafts specialist. 11am1pm. For all ages. Free with $7 museum admission. Reservations not required. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

✪ Insect Command Post.

Get up-close and personal with insects and other critters that creep, crawl and cruise around the Hudson River Valley in springtime. A Spring Insect Day event. 10am-2pm. For all ages.

Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6 and up, children under 6 free. Admission is free until noon. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx.

718-549-3200. wavehill.org. ✪ K104.7 Cupcake Festival. It doesn’t get much sweeter than over 20,000 cupcakes from local Hudson Valley bakeries all in one place!

Plus, enjoy fun family activities, jumpy castles and more. Rain date is May 5. Noon-5pm. For all ages. Reservations not required.

Stormville Airport, 428 Route 216, Stormville. 845-838-6000. k104online.com.

Courtesy photo

Experience the vibrancy and joy of Ghana at the Pelham Art Center on May 5.

Celebrate Ghana! Folk Arts Festival ✪ Learn about Ghana with performances of traditional folklore, song and dance, then try hands-on art making exploring Adinkra (symbols). 1:30-4pm May 5. For all ages.

Reservations not required. Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham. 914-738-2525. pelhamartcenter.org.

✪ Larchmont Farmers’ Market. Shop local selections from small farms and artisan food makers. There’s something for everyone! Saturdays, 8:30am-1pm. For all ages.

Reservations not required.

Larchmont Metro-North Parking Lot, Chatsworth Ave. and Myrtle Blvd., Larchmont. 914-923-4837. downtoearthmarkets.com.

● ✪ Kids’ Workshop: Blooming Art. Make mom’s day with a handmade work of art. In this hands-on workshop, you and your child build a blooming art piece and then paint it. 9amnoon. Recommended for ages 5-12 with a parent or caregiver.

Pre-registration required. Home Depot stores in Mt. Pleasant, Nanuet, New Rochelle, Port Chester, W. Nyack, Yonkers. homedepot.com.

50

✪ Library Fair. A day of fun at the library! Enjoy music, crafts, baked goods and other food, meet some animals (alpacas and goats) and browse through thousands of books for sale.

Books are half price on Sunday.

10am-5pm today; 11am-3pm May 5. For all ages. Reservations not required. Ruth Keeler Memorial Library, 276 Titicus Rd., North Salem. 914-669-5161. ruthkeelermemoriallibrary.org.

Westchester Family | May 2019

✪ Mother’s Day Artisan Market. See Celebrating Mom page 54.

● ● ✪ Starlab. Relax inside an inflatable planetarium and gaze up at a night sky while learning about the stars and constellations with fascinating stories. 9:30am & 11am. Recommended for ages 5 and up. $12. Pre-registration required. Boscobel House and Gardens, 1601 Rte. 9D, Garrison.

914-265-3638. boscobel.org.

✪ Undiscovered Realm Comic Con. Wear your best costume and geek out at this comic, toy, game and pop culturethemed convention. Meet artists and writers, browse through collectibles, check out screenings, video game tournaments, cosplay contests and more. 10am-7pm today; 10am-5pm May 5. For all ages. $27 adults, $7 children 12 and under with each paid adult. Reservations not required.

Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains. 914995-4050. undiscoveredcon.com.

● ● Mother’s Day Nature Craft. See Celebrating Mom page 54.

5

Sunday

✪ 10th Annual Support Our ✪ Power to the Pollinators.

Cliffdale Farm’s old fields become a hive of activity as spring progresses. Take a walk across the meadows, into the apple orchard and pollinator garden to watch early pollinators in action and find out ways you can invite them into your backyard. 11am-noon. For all ages. $8. Pre-registration required. Teatown’s Cliffdale Farm, Teatown Rd., Croton. 914762-2912 ext. 110. teatown.org.

Troops Day. See City Picks page 58.

● ✪ Animal Adventures: Egg-citing Eggs! Discover why different species lay eggs and match up the egg layers to their young. 11am-noon. For families with children 5 and up. $8. Preregistration required. Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining. 914-762-2912 x110. teatown.org.

● ● ✪ Spring Insect

✪ Bicycle Sundays. See #GetOutdoors page 57.

Expedition. Explore Wave Hill to hunt for native creatures in

✪ Celebrate Ghana! Folk Arts

Festival. See Editor’s Pick page 50.

✪ Children and Families: Discover di Suvero. Explore the shapes, sounds, materials and moving parts of Mark di Suvero’s large-scale sculptures and construct your own temporary sculptures. 1pm. For all ages.

Included with admission. $18 adults, $8 children 5-18, children 4 and under free.

Reservations not required. Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Rd., Mountainville. 845-534-3115. stormking.org.

✪ Creatures of Woodfrog Pond. Learn about some of the Nature Center’s local pond residents and then explore Woodfrog Pond with a naturalist educator and dip nets to catch various creatures. Please dress for muddy pond exploration. 1-2pm.

For all ages. $8. Reservations not required. Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.

katonahmuseum.org.

✪ Family Gardening Days. Let your love of gardening grow during open hours at the Ridge Hill Community Garden.

Hands-on activities include watering, weeding, mulching, planting, harvesting and more. Noon-4pm. For all ages.

Reservations not required. Ridge Hill Shopping Center, 1 Ridge Hill Blvd., Yonkers. 914-207-2900. ridgehill.com. ● ● ✪ Madeline & The Bad Hat. The treasured children’s book character comes to life in this colorful, amusing musical based on the third book of the Madeline series. Despite starting off on the wrong foot with a mischievous new neighbor, Madeline eventually learns that first impressions aren’t everything. 11am & 1:30pm.

Recommended for ages 4 and up. $20 adults, $15 children.

Reservations required. Emelin Theatre, 153 Library Ln., Mamaroneck. 914-698-0098. emelin.org.

✪ Family Art Project: Silky Caterpillar Sustenance.

Celebrate the brilliance of caterpillars! Explore your own silky strength by making a cocoon, wrapping within it a message or picture of something you would like to transform.

A Spring Insect Day event.

10am-1pm. For all ages. Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6 and up, children under 6 free. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx.

718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

✪ Family Day: Art + Nature.

The KMA campus comes alive with a celebration of landscape and art. Enjoy activities inside and out, including plein air painting and a collaborative installation. Noon-4pm. For all ages. Free with admission. $10 adults, children under 12 free. Reservations not required.

Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah. 914-232-9555.

✪ Mayfair. Enjoy a bounce house, obstacle course, carnival games, arts and crafts, face painting, food and more! Hosted by and benefiting the Students for Students Scholarship Fund.

Rain or shine. 11am-3pm. For all ages. $5 per person or $20 per family. Reservations not required. Outdoor Spaces South Lawn, Sarah Lawrence College, 1 Mead Way, Bronxville. 914-3370700. sarahlawrence.edu. ✪ Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical. See Westchester’s premiere production of this magical show based on the beloved novel about a little girl with extraordinary gifts. 2pm & 7pm today and May 12. For all ages. $18 adults, $15 children under 12. Reservations required.

The Play Group Theatre, One N. Broadway, White Plains. 914-9464433. playgroup.org.

“

INGENIOUS BUBBLE WIZARDRY.” -THE NEW YORKER

Telecharge.com or 212.239.6200

For groups or birthdays call 866.642.9849

New World Stages 340 W. 50th St.

GazillionBubbleShow.com G ill llii B bbl Sh

● ● ✪ Shark-Feeding May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

51

calendar

may Editor’s Pick

Demonstrations. A family event to sink your teeth into! Get special access at the Aquarium’s “Ocean Beyond the Sound” exhibit for an exciting view of the sharks being fed. Plus, visit the “fish kitchen” to see how food is prepped. Sundays, 10:30am. Participants must be at least 42 inches tall. $12 adults, $8 children 3-12 (in addition to Aquarium admission).

Pre-registration strongly recommended. The Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St., Norwalk, Conn. 203-852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org.

● ● ● ✪ Westchester Children’s Book Festival for Young Readers. Meet, learn from and interact with some well-known children’s book authors and illustrators, including the creator of Max & Ruby, Rosemary Wells.

Plus, enjoy live entertainment, carnival games, mini golf, a petting zoo, the Bubble Bus and more. Rain or shine. 10am-3pm.

Recommended for ages 2-8. $20 per family (includes $15 to spend on books and a $5 donation to JCY-Westchester Community Partners Reading Buddies program). Advance reservations recommended. Mohawk Day Camp, 200 Old Tarrytown Rd., White Plains. 914-949-2635.

WCBFestival.org.

6

Monday

✪ Dinosaur Safari. A roaring good time is back at the Bronx Zoo! Take the biggest, most realistic dinosaur ride in America to see 40 life-size animatronic dinos. Plus, visit the fossil dig area, take photos and more. Weekdays, 10am-5pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am5:30pm. For all ages. Included in Total Experience Tickets. $39.95 adults, $29.95 children 3-12, children under 3 free.

Reservations not required. Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx.

718-220-5100. bronxzoo.com. ● ● Storytime with

52

8

Wednesday

9

Thursday

● ● Storytime for Toddlers. Learn about famous African American musicians and make music together in this fun, upbeat gathering. 11:30amnoon today and May 22. Ages 1-4. Reservations not required.

Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914963-4550. hrm.org.

ArtsWestchester

Have a whale of a time with everything from art activities to face painting at ArtsWestchester’s Family ArtsBash on May 18.

Family ArtsBash ✪ An afternoon of fun and the arts for the whole family! Craft your family tree, learn the art of paper doll-making, design edible art with cookies and frosting, plus enjoy performances, face painting and more. 1-5pm May 18. For all ages. $10 per family.

Reservations not required. ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. 914-428-4220. artswestchester.org.

Mr. Ben. A weekly storytime featuring songs and crafts.

Mondays, 4pm. Recommended for ages 1-5, but all are welcome.

Reservations not required.

Barnes & Noble, 3089 E. Main St., Mohegan Lake. 914-528-6275. barnesandnoble.com.

7

Tuesday

Westchester Family | May 2019

● Tales for Tots. A mix of simple picture books, finger plays, felt stories and traditional nursery rhymes to encourage language development and instill a love of stories in children who are learning to talk. 10-10:20am today and May 23. For toddlers.

Reservations not required. Rye Free Reading Room, 1061 Boston Post Rd., Rye. 914-967-0480. ryelibrary.org.

● ● ✪ Studio Tots: Playing with Playdough. Create your own squishy, pliable and fun playdough product out of flour and take it home with you. 1011am. Ages 2-5 with caregiver. $15. Pre-registration strongly recommended. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St., Ridgefield, Conn. 203438-4519. aldrichart.org.

✖ Cat & Nat: #MOMTRUTHS Live. Share in the laughter and lessons of motherhood with authors and viral sensations Catherine Belknap and Natalie Telfer. The friends behind the video series #MOMTRUTHS get real about the stress, guilt and joy of being a mom. 7pm. For adults. $25-$45. Reservations required.

Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown. 914-631-3390. tarrytownmusichall.org.

● Mother’s Day Recycled Flowers. Get a jump start on a gift for mom. This craft is like Shrinky Dinks, but with flowers! 5pm. For grades K-5. Pre-registration required.

Lewisboro Library, 15 Main St., South Salem. 914-875-9004. lewisborolibrary.org.

● Toddlers’ Tuesday Morning Storytime. Join Barnes & Noble booksellers for a story and coloring activity every week in the Children’s Department.

Tuesdays, 11am. Reservations not required. Barnes & Noble, 2614 Central Park Ave., Yonkers. 914771-6400. barnesandnoble.com.

10

Friday

● ● ✪ ✖ Crossing Bridges Music Fest. See City Picks page 58.

● ● Exploring Play. Every month features a new theme brought to life for young children through creative and fun movement activities, song, story and a take home project for all.

Fridays, 11-11:30am. Ages 2-4.

Free with $7 museum admission.

Reservations not required.

Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-4215050. discoverwcm.org. ● ✖ Les Miserables, School Edition. You don’t have wait one day more! Dream the dream and experience the legendary

Westchester’s Top Summer Tennis Camp June 24 - August 16 Summer Camp - Morning Session • • • •

All camp programs taught by our full time exprienced professional staff 8:45am - 1:00pm Daily Ages 8 - 16 Instructions and Match Play

USTA Tournament Training Camp • • • •

Mon - Thurs, 2:00pm - 4;00pm Training and Match Play MITL JUNIOR TEAM COMPETITION Campers must be evaluated for acceptance into this program

Full Day Camp Now Available!

• • • •

8:45am - 4:00pm Daily Tournament Training Match Play Campers must be evaluated for acceptance into this program

Mini Camp

• *NEW Times! 9 - 11 am or 1 - 3 pm • 4 days a week - Monday through Thursday • Ages 3 - 7

Summer Camp Programs

• All Camps are 1-Week Sessions • Indoor and Outdoor Courts • Har-tru and Plexi-cushion Courts

914-835-3030

SATURD

AY

MAY5PM18 1-

•

www.ryeracquet.com

Family A day of fun for the whole family. Children’s art activities, an art exhibition & more. activi A Admission: $10 per family

artsw.org/familyartsbash ar ash ArtsWestchester 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains , NY 914.428.4220

Sponsors: Entergy, The Journal News, Ridge Hill, Westchester Magazine, Westchester Family May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

53

may

musical masterpiece, presented

by Clocktower Players: Teen Troupe. 7:30pm today; 2pm & 7:30pm May 11; 2pm May 12.

Recommended for older kids and adults. In advance: $22 adults, $18 children. On-site: $25 adults, $21 children. Reservations not required. Irvington Town Hall Theater, 85 Main St., Irvington.

914-591-6602. irvingtontheater. com.

11

Saturday

✪ Art in Nature. Nature has inspired artists for centuries!

Explore using nature for spray bottle art, botanical sun catchers and fairy masks. 1-3pm. For all ages. Reservations not required.

Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Rte. 35 and Rte. 121, Cross River. 914864-7322. friendsoftrailside.org.

● ● Sew Happy Beginner Workshop. A great opportunity for kids to try out machine sewing. This class teaches the basics of the sewing machine as students craft a simple pouch.

11:30am-1pm. Ages 8-14. $50.

Pre-registration required. Rye Recreation Center, 281 Midland Ave., Rye. 917-885-7716. sewhappyusa.net.

Celebrating Mom

calendar

Second Saturdays. Enjoy a family-focused tour of the Historic House Museum, hands-on activities and a special craft. This month’s theme is “Clay Creations.” 9:30am.

Recommended for ages 5 and up. $12. Reservations not required.

Boscobel House and Gardens, 1601 Rte. 9D, Garrison. 914-265-3638. boscobel.org.

● ● Mother’s Day Nature Craft.

Learn about herbs and spices using all of the senses. Taste herbal teas and create sachets using dried herbs. A perfect

● ● Fairy House Workshop.

✪ Family Art Project: Restore

54

in the Manor House to read a short story and meet some furry friends. Then plant a variety of seeds to take home and nurture them as they grow. 1-2pm May 12. Recommended for ages 3 and up. $8.

Reservations not required. Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale.

914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.

✪ Mother’s Day Artisan Market. Find a lovely gift for mom from the local artist members of the Northeast Etsy Artists Collective. Shop items from pottery and art prints to jewelry, candles and totes. Kids can enjoy an arts and crafts activity. 10am May 4. For all ages. Arts and crafts activity requires a small donation to the Friends of the Library. Reservations not required. Eastchester Public Library, 11 Oakridge Pl., Eastchester. 914-793-5055. eastchesterlibrary.org.

● ● ✪ Bring the Kids!

Build a fairy house to help entice fairies to your yard. 1-3pm. For ages 4 and up with caregiver. $15.

Pre-registration required. Space is limited. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7286. muscootfarm.org.

● ● ✪ Mommy’s Lil’ Sprouts. Gather

and Re-story the Land. Tell and plant your story in a collective story garden. Create a story mobile of your favorite nature spot using natural materials and paper cut-outs. 10am-1pm today and May 12. For all ages.

Westchester Family | May 2019

Mother’s Day gift! 1:30-2:30pm May 4. Ages 8 and up. $10. Pre-registration recommended. Sheldrake Environmental Center, 685 Weaver St., Larchmont. 914834-1443. sheldrakecenter.org.

✪ Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Party. Make it a beautiful weekend for mom with garden walks, live family entertainment, games, outdoor fun, picnicking and more. 10am-6pm May 11 and 12. For all ages. Included in AllGarden Pass. $28 adults, $12 children 2-12, children under 2 free. Reservations not required. New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd. at Fordham Rd., Bronx. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

✪ Throw Mama to the Wolves!

Celebrate Mom and Mother Nature with the wonderful wolves at the WCC. Visit Ambassador wolves Alawa, Nikai and Zephyr and learn what wolf families do in the spring. 11am & 2pm May 12.

For all ages. $14 adults, $11 children under 12. Pre-registration required. Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem. 914753-2373. nywolf.org.

Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6 and up, children under 6 free. Admission is free until noon today. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx.

718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

● ● ✪ Morning Farm Chores. Rise and shine at Muscoot for this hands-on farming experience! Learn the morning routine at the farm and help feed cows, collect hen eggs, get up close and personal

with sheep and pygmy goats and more! Dress for farm work (long pants and close-toed shoes required). 8am. Ages 8 and up with an adult. $6 or $20 for family of four. Pre-registration required. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7286. muscootfarm.org.

song. Support materials include instructions in both English and Spanish. 11-11:30am today and May 18. For ages 2-5. Free with $7 museum admission. Space is limited. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm. org.

✪ Mother’s Day Weekend

● ● ✪ Shelter Building. Make a teepee or lean-to using allnatural materials from the forest.

Learn to tie basic knots with natural twine to complete these “forts” and hide inside to spy wildlife. 1pm. Recommended for ages 7 and up. $8. Reservations not required. Rye Nature Center, 873 Boston Post Rd., Rye. 914-9675150. ryenaturecenter.org.

Garden Party. See Celebrating Mom page 54.

● ● ✪ Mother’s Day Zentangle Workshop. Spend quality creative time together while making a Zentangle inspirational tile that can even be used as a photo frame. A unique gift idea for Mother’s Day! 2-4pm. Recommended for ages 9 and up. $25. Supplies included.

Pre-registration required. The Rye Arts Center, 51 Milton Rd., Rye. 914-967-0700. ryeartscenter. org.

✪ Playland Opening Day. Westchester’s famous amusement park is open for another season!

Get your fill of rides, games, entertainment, food and fun.

Noon-8pm. For all ages. $20 for all-day rides. Reservations not required. Playland Park, 1 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-8137010. playlandpark.org. ● ● ● ✪ RRPH Presents: The Music of The Beatles For Kids. It’s a Mother’s Day celebration with the music of the Fab Four! The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers children games, movement, stories and an opportunity to rock out and explore their creativity.

11:30am & 2pm. For ages 10 and under. $15 in advance, $17 at the door, children under 1 free. Reservations not required. Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, 145 Westchester Ave., Port Chester. 914-937-4126. therockandrollplayhouse.com. ● Rhyme & Read. Get a head start on reading skills through this innovative program featuring nursery rhymes set to

✪ Teatown PlantFest.

Find abundant plant varieties, expert helpers and over a dozen vendors offering jewelry, ceramics, farm-to-table produce, bee creams and more. Kids welcome! 9am-2pm. For all ages. Reservations not required.

Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Ossining. 914762-2912 x110. teatown.org.

12

WE ARE AT THE TOP OF OUR CLASS WHEN IT COMES TO PARTIES. Providing the ultimate rental experience for over 30 years

Sunday

✪ Children and Families: Magic Mobiles. Join the art collaborative Freestyle Arts Association in making hanging mobiles out of found branches, leaves and stones. 1pm. For all ages. Included with admission. $18 adults, $8 children 5-18, children 4 and under free.

Reservations not required. Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Rd., Mountainville. 845-534-3115. stormking.org.

✪ Family Cooking. See Recipe for Fun page 56. ● ● ✪ Family Nature Walk.

See #GetOutdoors page 57.

● ✪ Family Program: Creative Play. See City Picks page 58. ● ● ✪ Family Tour: Earth to Mom! Visit “A Century of Lunar May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

55

calendar

may suncatchers to shine and glisten when hanging from that special window. 4-4:45pm. Ages 3-6. $15. Pre-registration required. Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe.

914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

Photography and Beyond” to see the moon’s surface up close and engage with paintings on view in “The Color of the Moon” to gather inspiration for your own moon-themed work on Mother’s Day. 2:30pm. Ages 3 and up. Free with admission: $7 adults, $4 children 3-18, children under 3 free. Reservations not required.

Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914963-4550. hrm.org.

14

● ● ✪ Mommy’s Lil’ Sprouts.

See Celebrating Mom page 54.

✪ Muscoot Farmers’ Market. The market is open for the season! Visit the farm and buy food and other products from over 20 local vendors. Sundays, 9:30am2:30pm, beginning today.

For all ages. Reservations not required. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7286. muscootfarm.org.

Musical. See May 5.

● Science Sunday. Drop in for hands-on science exploration, with a different theme every month. 11:30am-12:15pm.

Recommended for ages 7 and up.

Free with $7 museum admission.

Reservations not required.

Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-4215050. discoverwcm.org.

✪ Sheep Shearing.

It’s time to give the sheep their yearly haircuts! Muscoot’s sheep shearer and 4-H are on hand to answer all your questions. Noon3pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7286. muscootfarm.org.

Courtesy photo

What’s cooking? Get busy learning in the kitchen with your little one at Sur La Table in Ridge Hill.

Recipe for Fun

✪ Roald Dahl’s Matilda the

✪ Throw Mama to the Wolves!

See Celebrating Mom page 54.

13

Monday

● ● Tissue Paper Seahorse Suncatchers. In this multi-step art project, make pretty seahorse

56

Tuesday

✪ Dig! Plant! Grow! Salad

Westchester Family | May 2019

● ● Cooking with Your Tot. Learn some new family cooking tips and meet other parents, too!

Chef Jessica leads valuable, hands-on lessons for you and your little one. This month’s theme is “Let’s make pizza bites!” 9:30am May 2. For ages 18 months-4 years. $29.95 for adult and child.

Reservations required on Eventbrite. Search “Cooking with Your Tot.” Sur La Table Ridge Hill, 167 Market St., Yonkers. 914-207-2900. ridgehill. com.

✪ Family Cooking. Stir up some family memories! During this class, children learn how to cook a meal from start to finish. Younger kids work on simpler tasks, while older kids have the opportunity to work independently, and acquire some advanced kitchen skills.

10:30am May 12; 3pm May 26. For all ages. $50.

Pre-registration required. Fiddleheads Cooking Studio, 143 Armonk Rd., Mt. Kisco. 646-853-6046. fiddleheadscookingstudio.com. ● ● ✖ Family Fun: Italian Favorites. Enjoy making fresh pasta dough for homemade fettuccine, pounding chicken for the perfect chicken parmesan and stirring chocolate chips into the base for homemade gelato. 1-3pm May 27.

Ages 8 and up with an adult. $49. Pre-registration required. Sur La Table Westchester Mall, 125 Westchester Ave., Suite 2805 A, White Plains. 914220-9810. surlatable.com.

Days. Explore the spring crops (and lots of lettuce!) growing in the garden, mix and make your own take-home packet of salad dressing and make a plant-parts salad art collage.

Tuesdays - Fridays, 1:30-5:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am5:30pm, today - June 21. For all ages. Included in All-Garden Pass. Weekdays: $23 adults, $10 children 2-12; Weekends: $28 adults, $12 children 2-12; children under 2 free.

Reservations not required. New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd. at Fordham Rd., Bronx. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

15

Wednesday

● ● ✪ ✖ Newsies. See May 1.

✪ UniverSoul Circus. Not your typical Big Top show! The UniverSoul Circus celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of global cultures and ethnicities in a production that blends circus arts, theater and music. Today and May 16-19, 22-27. Check website for schedule. For all ages. $22 and up. Children 11 months and under are free but must sit on an adult’s lap. Reservations required. Hutchinson Field, 655 Garden Ave., Mt. Vernon. universoulcircus.com.

16

Thursday

● Museum Minis. Meet up in Toddler Beach for songs, movement, stories and plenty of fun. Thursdays, 10:30-11am.

Ages 18-24 months. Free with $7 museum admission. Reservations not required. Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-421-5050. discoverwcm.org.

may ● Open Studio for Kids.

Make art inspired by the works of artist Nancy Graves whose wire sculptures are on view in “Then and Now: Modern and Contemporary Selections from the Permanent Collection.”

Snack and juice provided. 3:304:45pm. Recommended for ages 5-10, but all are welcome. $15. Pre-registration required.

Space is limited. Neuberger Museum of Art, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase. 914-251-6100. neuberger.org.

17

his 17th birthday. Plus, visit Ambassador wolves Zephyr, Alawa and Nikai. 11am & 2pm. For all ages. $14 adults, $11 children under 12. Preregistration required. Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem. 914-753-2373. nywolf.org.

✪ Black is Beautiful. Join

Friday

✪ Bugs Bunny at the

✪ Endangered Species Day. Visit the zoo to learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and the actions you can take every day to help protect them. 9am-4pm. For all ages. Admission: $16 adults, $13 children 3-11, children under 3 free. Reservations not required.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, Conn.

203-394-6565. beardsleyzoo.org.

18

Saturday ✪ 2019 Spring Family

Fun Day! Wade into the Hudson River with a seine net to catch and release various critters, get creative with natural and recycled materials and see a performance by Youth Theatre Interactions. Check website for specific schedule. 10am-3:30pm.

For all ages (seining activity for ages 5 and up). Pre-registration required. Center for the Urban River at Beczak, 35 Alexander St., Yonkers. 914-377-1900. centerfortheurbanriver.org.

● ● ✪ ABTKids. See City Picks page 58.

✪ Apollo 11: First Steps in IMAX. This thrilling giantscreen experience showcases the human achievement and drama of the first lunar landing

Westchester County Parks

No more spinning your wheels indoors. Grab your bike (or your walking shoes) and head to the Bronx River.

#GetOutdoors

Symphony II. See City Picks page 58.

calendar

✪ Bicycle Sundays. A great Westchester tradition gets rolling again! Bike, jog, walk or skate a 13.1-mile loop of the Bronx River Parkway, which is closed to cars for select Sundays. 10am2pm May 5, 12 and 19. For all ages. Reservations not required. Bronx River Reservation, Westchester County Center in White Plains to Scarsdale Rd. in Yonkers. thewpf.org. ● ● ✪ Family Nature Walk. Join naturalist and educator Gabriel Willow on a family-friendly walk through the gardens or woodlands. Severe weather cancels. 1pm May 12. Ages 5 and up with an adult.

Free with admission. $10 adults, $4 children 6-18, children under 6 free. Reservations not required.

Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx. 718-549-3200. wavehill.org.

✪ Round Rock Preserve. Put on your walking shoes and explore the nearly 12 acres of this newly opened wildlife preserve offering hiking trails, scenic views and the peace that nature brings. Daily, dawn until dusk. For all ages.

Reservations not required. Round Rock Preserve, 2 Cyntia Ct., Mt. Kisco. roundrockpreserve.org.

which happened 50 years ago this July. Weekdays, 2pm & 4pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 1pm & 3pm, beginning today. For all ages. One IMAX movie included with admission. $24.95 adults, $17.95 children 3-12, children under 3 free. Reservations not required. The Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St.,

Norwalk, Conn. 203-852-0700. maritimeaquarium.org.

✪ Atka’s Angel Celebration: A Birthday Bash in Honor of Atka. Gone but not forgotten!

Honor the memory and wonderful life of Atka, the WCC’s most popular wolf, and celebrate what would have been

programs inspired by the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 70s and celebrate the cultural accomplishments of African Americans across a variety of media. Activities include art and science workshops, pop-up readings, music and dance performances and more.

Noon-5pm. For all ages. Free (as part of Yonkers Arts Weekend).

Reservations not required.

Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914963-4550. hrm.org.

✪ Celebrate Pinkster. Step into the rhythms and get swept up in this springtime event featuring continuous performances of African drumming, dancing and storytelling. Learn more about Pinkster, an African-American holiday first celebrated in the Hudson Valley in the seventeenth century. Check website for time.

For all ages. $14 adults, $12 children 3-17, children under 3 free. Reservations required.

Philipsburg Manor, 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow. 914631-8200. hudsonvalley.org.

✪ Family ArtsBash. See Editor’s Pick page 52.

● ● ✪ Kiki’s Delivery Service.

From legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki, this 1989 film tells the story of a young witch-intraining who is determined to make something of herself.

Contains some suspenseful moments. Rated G. Please note, this screening is dubbed. Noon.

Recommended for ages 5 and up. $14 adults, $7.50 children age 13 and under. Reservations not required. Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville. 914-747-5555.

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

57

calendar

may

● Polymer Clay Alligators Workshop. Learn how to transform a block of polymer clay into a friendly alligator using simple shapes! 2-3pm (ages 5-8) & 3-4pm (ages 9 -12). $20.

Includes all materials. Preregistration required. The Rye Arts Center, 51 Milton Rd., Rye. 914-967-0700. ryeartscenter.org.

● Puppet Show: Turtle’s Wetland Quest. Blanding the Turtle is in search of a new, safe wetland habitat because the little pond where she lives is no longer safe. When she meets Castor the Beaver, her problem may be solved! Presented by puppeteer and artist Deborah Costine. 1pm.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Pre-registration required. Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Playland Park, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. friendsofreadwildlifesanctuary. org.

City Picks

burnsfilmcenter.org.

Show the troops you care! Pack boxes full of goodies for them at Congregation Ramath Orah on May 5.

✪ 10th Annual Support Our Troops Day. Report for duty and help make 1,500 care packages for U.S. Troops and homeless veterans. Plus, work out in boot camp and be inspired at the Military Academy. Organized by the Major Stuart Adam Wolfer Institute. 1-4pm May 5. For all ages. $18 in advance, $25 onsite for individuals. $36 in advance, $50 onsite for families. Reservations not required.

Congregation Ramath Orah, 550 W. 110th St., New York. msawi.org.

✪ Story Craft. Visit the farm to hear a story and make a craft to take home. 1-2pm. For all ages. Young children must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver. $5. Pre-registration required. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7286. muscootfarm.org.

● ● ✪ ABTKids. Introduce your child to the magic of dance! American Ballet Theatre presents this special, narrated one-hour performance which features family-friendly excerpts from its classical repertoire. 11am May 18. Recommended for ages 4-12. $25. Reservations required.

Metropolitan Opera House, 30 Lincoln Center Plz., New York. 212-477-3030 ext.

1173. abt.org.

✪ Vernal Pool Exploration. Put on your waterproof boots and explore these important woodland pools with dip nets to discover the creatures within. Meet at the end of Michigan Road (there is a short hike to the pool).

1pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Rte. 35 and Rte. 121, Cross River. 914-864-7322. friendsoftrailside.org. ✪ Yonkers Philharmonic - Young Artists Concerto Concert. High school winners of the 41st Annual Young Artist Concerto Competition perform with the Yonkers Philharmonic.

58

Major Stuart Adam Wolfer Institute

✪ Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II. What’s up, Doc? Hear the New York Philharmonic play live while classic Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons are screened. Costumed Looney Tunes characters greet audience members in the lobby of David Geffen Hall before the concerts and

3pm. For all ages. Reservations not required. Saunders Trades and Technical High School, 183 Palmer Rd., Yonkers. yonkersphilharmonic.com.

Westchester Family | May 2019

19

during intermission. 8pm May 17; 2pm & 8pm May 18. For all ages. $60 and up.

Reservations required. Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 10 Lincoln Center Plz., New York. 212-875-5374. lincolncenter.org.

● ● ✪ ✖ Crossing Bridges Music Fest.

This weekend-long festival celebrates the best of traditional and modern Americana, bringing together an eclectic group of performers and seeking to bridge generations and music. Check website for list of participating artists. 7:30pm May 10 and 11. Recommended for ages 8 and up. $39 and up. Reservations required.

Schimmel Center at Pace University, 3 Spruce St., New York. 212-346-1715. schimmelcenter.org. ● ✪ Family Program: Creative Play.

Experience the Japanese legend of carp fish who used their bravery to swim to the top of a waterfall to eventually become dragons. Play with carp and dragon puppets and an imaginary waterfall, then make your own carp to take home! 1pm May 12. Recommended for ages 3-5 with adult. $15. Children 2 and under free.

Pre-registration required. Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., New York. 212-832-1155. japansociety.org.

Sunday

✪ Bicycle Sundays. See #GetOutdoors page 57. ✪ Children and Families: Birding for Beginners. Join

an educator from the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum to learn about spotting local aviators. 1pm. For all ages.

Included with admission. $18 adults, $8 children 5-18, children 4 and under free.

may

calendar

John Vecchiolla

Seize the day and see Newsies at the Westchester Broadway Theatre in Elmsford through May 26.

Reservations not required. Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Rd., Mountainville. 845-534-3115. stormking.org.

● ● ● Family Sundays: Flower Wall-Hanging. Glue together large cardboard petals and paint this oversized art. Class begins with a demonstration of the art project, which is meant to be done by adult and child. Dress for mess. 3-4pm. Recommended for ages 2-8. Adults free. $30 children, $20 siblings. Preregistration required. Young at Art, 1088 Central Park Ave., Room 216, Scarsdale. 914-723-9229. youngatartworkshop.com.

✪ Feeding Fun. It’s mealtime for the Nature Center’s animals!

Come see what’s on the menu and learn how they keep their critters healthy. 1-2pm. For all ages. $8. Reservations not required. Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.

✪ Kite Festival. The fun takes flight at this perennial favorite!

Enjoy kite-making and art workshops, planetarium shows and dancing, plus kite contests in Trevor Park. Check website for

activity schedule. Noon-5pm. For all ages. Free (as part of Yonkers Arts Weekend). Reservations not required. Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers. 914963-4550. hrm.org.

✪ Polish Heritage Day. Enjoy polka music and dancing, entertainment, Polish American cultural exhibits, crafts and plenty of authentic Polish food.

Take a folding chair. Noon-6pm.

For all ages. Reservations not required. Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway Rd., Valhalla. 914-964-7275. parks. westchestergov.com. ● ● ✪ Story Pirates. A highly interactive, colorful and hilarious musical variety show that’s based on stories written by actual kids! There is a story writing and storytelling workshop for ages 6-10 at 11am (requires separate ticket). Show at 1pm. For children school ages and up. $25. Reservations required. Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown. 914-6313390. tarrytownmusichall.org.

✪ Westchester Angelman Walk. Take a one-mile walk in scenic Rye Town Park and learn about Angelman Syndrome, a

rare neuro-genetic disorder that affects 1 in 15,000 people. Enjoy live music, great raffles and stellar views of the Long Island Sound, with all proceeds going to the Angelman Syndrome Foundation. 11am. For all ages. $35. Reservations not required. Rye Town Park, Forest and Rye Beach Avenues, Rye. westchesterangelmanwalk.org.

20

Monday

● ● Fingerprint Bugs.

Little fingers paint colorful fingerprint bugs and design and fill a garden with the creative creatures. 4-4:30pm. Ages 2-4. $15 children, $10 siblings.

Pre-registration required. Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe.

914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

22

Wednesday

✪ Budding Botanist. Search for plants and animals in the Children’s Garden as they grow and change through the season.

Make a seed sprouting tape to plant at home and design a button that proclaims why you love plants. Tuesdays - Fridays, 1:30-5:30pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-5:30pm, until June 7. For all ages. Included in All-Garden Pass. Weekdays: $23 adults, $10 children 2-12; Weekends: $28 adults, $12 children 2-12; children under 2 free. Reservations not required.

New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd. at Fordham Rd., Bronx. 718-817-8700. nybg.org.

● ● Storytime for Toddlers.

See May 8.

21

Tuesday

● ● ● Music with Frank.

Introduce your little one to important life skills and ideas through music. 3:30-4pm today and May 28. Ages 3 months-5 years. $20. Pre-registration required. Lil Chameleon, 29 Elm St., Tuckahoe. 914-346-5148. lilchameleon.com.

23

Thursday

✪ Dinosaur Safari. See May 6. ● Tales for Tots. See May 9.

24

Friday

✪ Le Ciné-Club de L’Alliance Française Enfants. Every month, kids can discover a recent French or Francophone cartoon

May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

59

calendar

may

or movie (in French, with English subtitles). This month’s pick is the animated film Le Tableau (The Painting) by Jean-François Laguionie. 6:30-8:15pm. For all ages. $10. Reservations required.

Alliance Francaise de Westchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., 6th Floor, White Plains. 914-681-8735. afwestchesterny.org.

✪ New York Liberty. The WNBA’s New York Liberty return to the Westchester County Center for a new season. Catch the action on the hardwood and cheer on the team as they battle the Indiana Fever.

7:30pm. For all ages. $18.50 and up. Reservations required.

Westchester County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains. 914995-4050. liberty.wnba.com.

25

Saturday

✪ Chris Rowlands Live.

Entertainer Chris Rowlands brings animals to life through kid-friendly songs, dance, puppets and colorful props.

11am, 1pm, 3pm today and May 26, 27. For all ages. Free with admission. $16 adults, $13 children 3-11, children under 3 free. Reservations not required.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, Conn.

203-394-6565. beardsleyzoo.org.

● ● ✪ Drop-In Clay Class.

Play with clay while spending quality time together as a family. No previous experience necessary! 1-3pm. Ages 5 and up.

Children under 12 must attend with a guardian enrolled in the class. $30 adults, $20 children 12 and under. Spaces go on sale at the front desk at 10am. Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester.

914-937-2047. clayartcenter.org.

Westchester Children’s Museum, 100 Playland Pkwy., Rye. 914-4215050. discoverwcm.org.

✪ LEGO® City: Report for Duty. Build your police badge, a super rescue helicopter and take it on a test flight, see a new 4D movie, meet characters and more! Sundays - Thursdays, 10am-7pm, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am-9pm, today July 7. For all ages. Admission: $24.95 and up online, $29.95 and up onsite. Children 2 and under free. Reservations not required. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester, 39 Fitzgerald St., Yonkers. westchester. legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

✪ Pioneer Sailing Season 2019.

See page 47.

✪ Pleasantville Farmers’ Market. With over 50 vendors selling a variety of foods and other goods, you can always discover something new or find returning favorites. Plus, enjoy live music, kids’ events and more. 8:30am-1pm. Reservations not required. Memorial Plaza (near train station) Pleasantville. 914-205-4545. pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org. ✪ Weekend Admission.

Experience what’s happening on the farm with a variety of seasonal, hands-on activities and drop-in tours. Go at your own pace! Dress for a day outdoors. Rain or shine. 10am5pm today and May 26. For all ages. $22 adults, $10 children 2-14, children under 2 free.

Reservations required. Tickets available for purchase four weeks in advance. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, 630 Bedford Rd., Pocantico Hills. 914366-6200. stonebarnscenter.org.

✪ Good Deed of the Month Club. Meet in the Book Nook for a kindness-themed book reading and discussion followed by an art-educator led good deed project. 11am-noon. For all ages.

Free with $7 museum admission.

Reservations not required.

60

✪ Westchester County Beaches Open. Time again for some sand, water and sun. Kick off the unofficial start of summer at Westchester County’s beaches!

11am-6:30pm today and May 26, 27. For all ages. Check website for

Westchester Family | May 2019

fees. Reservations not required.

Croton Point Park Beach (Croton), Glen Island Beach (New Rochelle), Playland Beach (Rye). parks. westchestergov.com.

✪ World Otter Day. Explore otter artifacts and create your own otter crafts to take home. Light refreshments available. 10am-3pm. For all ages. Reservations not required.

Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Rte. 35 and Rte. 121, Cross River. 914864-7322. friendsoftrailside.org.

26

Sunday

✪ Beachcombing at

RiverWalk Center. Join a Teatown educator on the shore in Sleepy Hollow to find natural objects such as shells, sea glass and feathers. Plus, learn about the treasure that is the Hudson River Estuary. 11am-noon.

For all ages. Pre-registration required. Kathryn W. Davis RiverWalk Center, 299 Palmer Ave., Sleepy Hollow. teatown.org.

✪ Children and Families: Constructing Curiosities.

Explore the natural wonders found in Mark Dion’s sculptures and create your own works of art in a hands-on workshop.

1pm. For all ages. Included with admission. $18 adults, $8 children 5-18, children 4 and under free. Reservations not required. Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Rd., Mountainville.

845-534-3115. stormking.org.

✪ Family Cooking. See Recipe for Fun page 56. ✪ For Shear Pleasure. Touch the wool and have a go at carding, hand spinning and a “wooly” craft. Enjoy a short story and hang around to help feed other barnyard animals. 1-2pm.

For all ages. $8. Reservations not required. Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale. 914-723-3470. greenburghnaturecenter.org.

✪ Meet the Babies Day. Spring is in full swing and the babies have started to arrive at the farm. See Muscoot’s newest additions up close and learn more about them from the 4-H Group. 1-3pm.

For all ages. Reservations not required. Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah. 914-864-7286. muscootfarm.org. ✪ PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens. Marvel at more than three dozen works by major twentieth century artists as you walk through the carefully tended landscape. Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-4pm. For all ages. Reservations not required.

PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens, 700 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase. 914253-3150. pepsico.com/sculpturegardens. ● ● ✪ Shark-Feeding Demonstrations. See May 5.

27

Monday

● ● ✖ Family Fun: Italian Favorites. See Recipe for Fun page 56.

✪ Monday Opening. The New York Botanical Garden is open today. Enjoy everything on the 250-acres including the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. 10am-6pm. For all ages. $28 adults, $12 children 2-12, children under 2 free.

Reservations not required. New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd. at Fordham Rd., Bronx. 718-817-8700. nybg.org. ✪ Memorial Day Parade. Salute those who have made the ultimate sacrifice as local organizations parade down Church Street. Memorial ceremony follows parade. 10am.

For all ages. Reservations not required. From Church St. to the Rural Cemetery on N. Broadway, White Plains. cityofwhiteplains. com. ✪ UniverSoul Circus. See May 15.

✪ Wave Hill Holiday Opening.

Spend Memorial Day at this beautiful 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades.

9am-5:30pm. For all ages. $10 adults, $4 children 6-18, children under 6 free. Reservations not required. Wave Hill, W. 249th St. and Independence Ave., Bronx.

718-549-3200. wavehill.org. ✪ Westchester County Beaches Open. See May 25.

✪ Wolves of North America on Memorial Day. Learn all about wolf families and why it’s a special time of year for packs in North America. Visit Ambassador wolves Alawa, Nikai and Zephyr and potentially behold the WCC’s critically endangered red wolves and Mexican gray wolves. 11am12:30pm. For all ages. $14 adults, $11 children under 12.

Pre-registration required. Wolf Conservation Center, South Salem. 914-753-2373. nywolf.org.

28

Tuesday

● ● ● Music with Frank. See

- Aug. 4. Check website for times. Recommended for ages 10 and up. $53-$89. Reservations required. Westchester Broadway Theatre, One Broadway Plz., Elmsford. 914-592-2222. broadwaytheatre.com.

✪ A Wrinkle in Time. The beloved science fantasy novel comes to life on stage with heroine Meg Murry and others battling the forces of evil to save her father and humanity.

Featuring actors in grades 1-6.

7pm today, May 31 and June 1.

For all ages. Check website for price. Reservations not required.

Bethany Arts Community, 40 Somerstown Rd., Ossining. 914944-4278. theatero.org.

31

Friday

✪ Artful After School.

Activities inspired by the art on view pop up around the KMA campus. 3-5pm. For all ages. Free with admission. $10 adults, children under 12 free.

Reservations not required.

Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah. 914-232-9555. katonahmuseum.org.

May 21.

● Toddlers’ Tuesday Morning Storytime. See May 7.

29

Wednesday

✪ Apollo 11: First Steps in IMAX. See May 18.

✪ Round Rock Preserve. See #GetOutdoors page 57. ● Young Discoverers. See May 1.

30

Thursday

● ✪ ✖ On Your Feet! Go behind the music and inside the inspiring, real story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan. Featuring some of the most iconic songs of the past 25 years. Parents use discretion there are a few moments of strong language.

Wednesdays - Sundays, today

✪ BRAVO PARAGUAY! Paraguay Independence Day Festival. Join in a celebration of Paraguayan arts and culture. Harp playing, polkas, indigenous Guaraní song and dance and Paraguayan food and drink. 7-10pm. For all ages. Pre-registration required.

ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains. 914-428-4220. artswestchester.org. ● ● Stroller Tours. Pop your little one into a stroller and join other parents and caregivers for an interactive tour. 9:3010:30am. Recommended for adults with children under 18 months. Free with $10 admission. Reservations not required. Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah. 914232-9555. katonahmuseum.org.

Your online resource for all things parenting WestchesterFamily.com provides a rich array of local resources, useful content, directories and interactive tools to help families meet and celebrate the challenges of parenting.

Visit us online todaY!

WestchesterFamily.com May 2019 | WestchesterFamily.com

61

last word

Take a Seat at the Table, Motherhood Edition

By Andrea Worthington

A

s we inch closer to Mother’s Day, the whispers in the mom groups grow louder. It may seem like we’re joking, but what moms really want for Mother’s Day is time away from the kids. Why are so many women asking for a moment alone?

I believe part of our exhaustion is due to what I call Invisible Parenting. IP is all those moments when the whole family is together, but for some reason mom is the one responsible for the kids. Case in point: a recent Instagram post from parenting blog and podcaster @adultconversation. A large family is gathered around a table enjoying food and drink at a restaurant. At the edge of the photo, seated at a table in the corner away from all the fun is a mother and baby, also part of that family but sequestered away for the meal. We count many eligible caregivers in the photo, but just one person — mom — was saddled with the task of caring for baby and foregoing her enjoyment of dinner. Does this sound like any of your social gatherings?

A mother in a Facebook group recently asked: “How much of the parenting work does your husband do?” The answers leaned toward moms doing most tasks. Then one mother replied with a simple but mindblowing “My husband is half of the parent team and does half of the parenting.” That sounds like a fair agreement. But ask around and the number of parents who report that they share childcare tasks equally is miniscule compared to the reports that mom does it all.

That the burden of parenting often falls to the mother might be one of the last holdouts of the women’s rights movement.

Sure, we won the ability to vote, work, and own property, but many of us feel we don’t

62

Westchester Family | May 2019

Mom and her baby

we shouldn’t shrink away, but affirm our value by sitting in the center with the other power players.

This same principle can be applied to parenting. When you sit down with your partner for a family meal, make sure the kids are between you. If there’s one child to tend to, share the time. If there are more, split them up so each parent has a charge. Or better yet, use the village!

At family events, my husband and I have started arriving 15 minutes early so we can position the kids between our other relatives. We spend one glorious hour across the table eating like carefree adults, and the kids are thrilled to get quality time with their extended family.

Of course, this requires everyone’s attitudes to change. The outdated idea that babies shouldn’t disrupt the table denies human nature and devalues a child’s role within the family. New babies are just as much a part of any family as anyone.

Is it so hard for families to accept that it’s OK when dinners are interrupted with cooing or crying?

So at your next gathering, remember Sheryl Sandberg. Take a seat at the table. Let the baby be heard. Let you be heard. When you need a break, hand off the baby. Your partner should spend 50 percent of his time holding his baby, or spread the task among others. Don’t worry about someone doing “it” wrong. It’s one meal, and it’s good for baby to adapt to different people.

Remember, mothers, you’re not in this alone. You’re an equal half of the parent team, and you deserve a seat.

The rest of the family

@adultconversation

have the right to eat dinner in peace or stay in bed when the baby cries.

And even when their husbands are home, many moms still take it upon themselves to feed the kids dinner, put them to bed, and wake up with them in the middle of the night.

This “mom will take care of it” attitude is where the inequality starts. If junior falls asleep easily with mom, why sub in dad and risk a sleepless night for everyone? But it’s an essential long-term goal for the wellness of mothers everywhere that we get fathers involved frequently and early on so they have the tools they need to be an equal member of the parenting team.

In our career-strong years, we women heard how important it is to denote ourselves as equals, fighting for the work and pay we deserve. Sheryl Sandberg famously urged us to “take a seat at the table,” meaning when we walk into the conference room for a meeting,

Andrea Worthington owns BabyGotChat.com, a website for Westchester parents featuring resources, advice, and events for young children.

She’s also practicing taking a seat at the table.

DAVE’S CAST OF CHARACTERS

Photo Booth

Authentic Costumes - Professional Actors COMPLETE CARNIVAL AND THEME PARTY PACKAGES MAGICIANS, CLOWNS, PONY RIDES, CARNIVAL GAMES, INTERACTIVE RIDES

Cliffhanger

Euro Bungee

Frozen Parties w/DJs & Karaoke

Archery Inflatable World of Disney

Frozen Castle 5 in 1

Bounce Castles, Big Slide, Airplane Ride, Trackless Train, Junior Challenge, Noah’s Ark, Interactive Adventure, Laser Tag, Batmobile, Airborne Spaceship Ride, Sea of Balls, Puffer the Magic Circus Train, List in the text Facepainters, Balloon Twisters, Air Brush Tattoo Artists & Caricaturists

New Dave’s Cast Family Zumba Parties!

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs • Communions Baptisms • Sweet Sixteens

D.J’S & MUSIC

Shark Big Bite Surf & Slide

TENTS CHAIRS CASINOS RACE CAR RIDES

TOTAL PARTY PLANNING

Hamster Balls

914-235-7100

www.davescast.com

Polar Plunge

Ultimate Wild One Obstacle Course

OVER 20 ANIMALS TO CHOOSE FROM! Big Kahuna

Wild Rapids

Terminator Rampage

Zoo Bot Ani mals

100 Charact+ er s !

Face Painti ng

Sports Midway OR try the Carnival Midway!

Wrecking Ball

Ice Queen & Princess Show New Yellow Monster Party

Adrenaline Rush II Princesses

Carica turist

Car ro & erhe Sup

Unicorn

Your home.

Our mission.

Kori Sassower Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker in NY & CT kori.sassower@compass.com M: 914.727.0169 | O: 914.223.7623

In 2018, Kori was the #1 agent in total sales volume in Rye Brook and recognized as a Top 40 Agent in total sales volume in Westchester County. *Source 1: HGMLS SF, Blind Brook, Sold 1/1-12/31/18 **Source 2: HGMLS SF, Westchester County, Sold 1/1-12/31/18

Work with the real moms of The Kori Sassower Team, and let them guide you through the real estate process.

With a full suite of expertise and services, these four seasoned agents deliver exceptional service as strong negotiators and relatable advisors. They are experts in their respective local communities where they are working and raising their own families.

Proud to sponsor this year’s Family Favorite Contest!

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description.

All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage. KORI SASSOWER TEAM IS A TEAM OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS AFFILIATED WITH COMPASS. COMPASS IS A LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER AND ABIDES BY EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY LAWS.