Brooklyn Family September 2014 Features Columns 6 Parenting an Artist 14 Good Sense Eating Helping Creative Kids Reach Their Full Potential by Christine M

Activity GuideSeptember 2014 Brooklyn FREE Family Fall Where Every Child Matters

It’s time! Adjusting to the school year’s sleep routine

Nurturing creativity Parenting artistic kids

Heads up Understanding child concussions

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CARROLL GARDENS 337 Smith Street Brooklyn, NY 11231 718.797.1944 ©2014 Kumon North America Brooklyn Family September 2014 Features columns 6 Parenting an artist 14 Good Sense Eating Helping creative kids reach their full potential by Christine M. Palumbo, RD By Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman 16 Ask an Attorney 8 Crash course By Alison Arden Besunder, Esq. Returning to a school-year sleep routine By Malia Jacobson 18 Just Write Mom by Danielle Sullivan 10 Spider sense Get caught up in this web of fun facts 34 Death by Children By Shnieka L. Johnson By Chris Garlington 12 A-head of the game 36 Lions and Tigers and Teens Understanding concussions in children By Myrna Beth Haskell By Shnieka L. Johnson 38 Parents Helping Parents 15 Backpack safety by Sharon C. Peters By Alexa Bigwarfe 40 A Letter from College 12 20 Back to savings By Aglaia Ho Ten ways to save big on back-to-school shopping 42 Dear Dr. Karyn By Dr. Karyn Gordon By Malia Jacobson 22 Building a better mammogram 44 Mommy 101 By Angelica SerEda Breast tests that could save your life By Sandra Gordon 46 Family Journal 41 Lice lessons By Robert Morton What to do when they visit your home 48 Healthy Living By Ruth Hanley by Danielle Sullivan 50 Parenting the troubled child 52 Family Health How to seek help for mental illness By Dr. Pramod Narula, MD By Gayla Grace 54 Dear Teacher 60 60 Learning from the seasons by Peggy Gisler and Fun ways to teach your children — throughout Marge Eberts the year By Joshua Greer 56 FabuLYSS Finds by Lyss Stern 64 Healthy food for every kid How the right diet can fuel a successful school 58 Divorce & Separation year By Lee Chabin, Esq. By Maxine Yeung 62 Growing Up Online 65 Villains get their day by Carolyn Jabs Kid critics weigh in on Gotham action 63 The Book Worm 72 Fire safety can be fun By Terri Schlichenmeyer By Shavana Abruzzo 74 New & Noteworthy By Lisa J. Curtis special sections 24 Activity Directory calendar 72 Party Planners 66 September Events 73 The Marketplace 41

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 3 Letter from the publisher School’s open hat a wonder- there’s never enough ABCs. A loss for all, in my opinion, parents who are their sports-talented ful summer good exposure to skills prompting parents to seek out these kids’ biggest fans and will be reluc- W this was. Not and alternative learn- activities individually. tant to put in place parameters and too hot and very little ing. Music, art, theater, I’m thinking of those of you whose limitations. Don’t be one of them! In actual need for air-con- athletics, enhanced children are just starting school, going addition, make sure you have this ditioning. The beaches learning centers, hand for the first time, perhaps to a new discussion with your child’s coach or were full and still are crafts, cooking, dance school, a new level, or for the very lit- instructor. It’s important for them to as August winds down. and martial arts, are all tle ones, preschool. All of these mile- know that parents are concerned and September looks to be great programs to have stones are memorable and should be informed on this topic. a continuation of this kids experiencing be- kept that way. Record them and enjoy Hopefully your family had a good same pleasant atmo- yond academic classes. them. They will be a part of your summer, enjoyed a vacation, and made spheric reality. What a super way for In my day we had a lot of these memory book for years to come. the most of the free time, fine weather the kids to return to classes and the things in school itself. We had music We have articles on sleep routines, and lazy days of summer. Now it’s many engaging and creative activi- and art, theater programs, gym, shopping savings, and the important back to basics and to routines. ties we sign them up for. and many athletic teams. We had and timely topic of head injuries and Wishing you a great September. This issue has a special section shop and home economics, and ac- kids sports. Be sure to read it. It’s so Thanks for reading. that presents many of these pro- tually discussed household chores, important and luckily it’s being writ- grams. Be sure to check it out and bank accounts, and meal planning. ten and talked about a great deal see what’s right for your family. They People learned to make things, cut lately. I first began to think about the say our children are too scheduled wood, hammer and saw, and were potential dangers facing our children but I don’t actually agree. I think exposed to real life skills. With all in their athletic pursuits after watch- they have a lot of free time and un- the cutbacks in budgets over the ing an interesting sports report on Susan Weiss-Voskidis, fortunately spend too much time on years the curriculum has abandoned T.V. a few years ago. Now it’s big news Publisher/Excutive Editor gadgets and such. My belief is that such things and mostly sticks to the but I’m willing to bet there are still [email protected]

Staff contact information

Publisher / executive editor: advertising: Web or Print address Susan Weiss (718) 2604554 New York Parenting Media/CNG Publisher / business Manager: [email protected] or 1 Metrotech Center North [email protected] 10th Floor Clifford Luster Brooklyn, NY 11201 sales Manager / advertising: circulation (718) 2608336 Sharon Noble [email protected] www.NYParenting.com oPerations associate: editorial Tina Felicetti (718) 2604554 sales rePs: Alexis Benson, Shanika Stewart, [email protected] Jackie Tarantino calendar art director: Leah Mitch (718) 2602523 layout Manager: Yvonne Farley Web designer: Sylvan Migdal The acceptance of advertising by New York Parent- New York Parenting Media has been recognized ing Media does not constitute an endorsement of for editorial and design excellence by PMA. graPhic designers: Arthur Arutyunov, the products, services or information being adver New York Parenting Media is published monthly Mauro Deluca, Earl Ferrer, Cheryl Seligman tised. We do not knowingly present any products or by New York Parenting Media/CNG. Subscription services that are fraudu lent or misleading in nature. rate is $35 annually. Reproduction of New York Editorial inquiries, calendar information, advertising Parenting Media in whole or part without writ rates and schedules and subscription requests may be ten permission from the publisher is prohibited. Managing editor: Vince DiMiceli addressed to New York Parenting Media, One Metro All rights reserved. Copyright©2014 Readership: assistant editor: Courtney Donahue tech Center North, 10th Floor, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201. 220,000. 2012 circulation audits by CAC & CVC. coPy editor: Lisa J. Curtis New York Parenting Media can also be reached by calling (718) 2604554, emailing family@cnglocal. calendar editors: Joanna Del Buono, com or by visiting our website, NYParenting.com. Jesseca Stenson Join the conversation on Facebook.

4 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 SAFETY FIRST MEANS ACTING FAST.

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 5 Parenting an artist Helping By Carolyn WaterBury-tieman “Every child is an artist. The problem is creative kids how to remain an artist once he grows up.” — Pablo Picasso reach their oung children know they are art- full potential ists. Give them a pencil, and Y they’ll draw. Play music, and they’ll dance and sing. Forget the music. They’ll dance and sing any- way. Give them an instrument, and they’ll play you a tune — most likely an original composition. Children do not doubt their artistic ability. They are uninhibited by social defi- nitions of art and the evaluative process. They exhibit the fundamental human drive to create, to discover, to express themselves, to share what they

6 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 his daily routine. Set reasonable expectations based on age. Avoid being either Teach him to be his own best overly critical or overly critic. Be an enthusiastic, but honest, audience. Show appreciation complimentary. It is for effort, recognize progress, but also help him identify areas for important for him to improvement. Avoid being either overly critical or overly complimen- learn to discriminate tary. It is important for him to learn between excellence to discriminate between excellence and mediocrity in his work. www.polyprep.org and mediocrity. Avoid unnecessary competition. Encourage your child to strive for his best, not the best. He can be have come to know, to tell their the former every day of his life. He story. That is the purpose of art — can waste his life away trying to be to communicate and connect with the latter. There is no such thing as Visit Poly Prep! others. objectivity in art. It is by its very Unfortunately, by the age of 9, nature subjective. Learn How Your Child Will Grow in Mind, Body, and Character. the artist has been socialized out Encourage them to share their of many children. Perhaps, more gifts. Participating in the creative accurately, he have learned to process enriches the life of the art- doubt or mistrust the artist within. ist. Sharing that which has been cre- He begins to believe, “I can’t do ated enriches the lives of others. that.” “I’m not good at that.” “That’s Support the arts. Become an ad- not for boys [or girls].” vocate, not only for your young art- However, for some children, the ist, but for the arts in general. desire to create is more powerful Research consistently demon- than social pressure to stifle their strates that participation in the arts talents. For those of us parenting improves everything from attitudes these children, there are steps we to academic performance to health can take to insure that our young and well being. In short, art has the artists achieve their full potential: potential to bring out the best in us. Recognize your child’s gifts. Perhaps, Terry Semel, chairman of If your child wakes up singing; Warner Brothers, said it best: “Kids dances rather than walks; draws who create don’t destroy.” on every scrap of paper he find; Reasoning, decision-making, can play a tune by ear; enjoys creative and critical thinking, making up stories; or creates cos- problem solving, visualizing, 1PMZT-PXFS4DIPPMt1SPTQFDU1BSL8FTUt#SPPLMZO /: tumes and stages plays — chances communication, and collabora- are you have an artistically gifted tion have all been identified as child. These children are often tal- keys to success in the 21st cen- Attend an Open House on our Park Slope campus: ented in more than one area. Help tury. Enhancement of these skills them discover and explore all of is a direct outcome of participa- their gifts. tion in the arts. When we nurture NURSERY & PRE-K K & 1st GRADE Demonstrate your approval of the artist in our children, we are TOURS AT 9:00 AM: TOURS AT 9:00 AM and appreciation for their abili- investing in their future success. ties. Provide them with the materi- Carolyn Waterbury-Tieman is a res- t8FEOFTEBZ t'SJEBZ als they need to create. Take the ident of Lexington, Kentucky. She has t5VFTEBZ t8FEOFTEBZ time to be an audience when they degrees in Child Development, Fam- t8FEOFTEBZ t'SJEBZ want to sing, dance or play for ily Studies, and Marriage and Family you. Display their artwork. Offer Therapy. She spent 15 years in vari- t'SJEBZ t5VFTEBZ to write down their stories. Help ous agencies and clinics as a family t5VFTEBZ Note: 2nd-4th grade with costumes or sets for their pro- therapist and parent educator. She has t'SJEBZ ductions. Let them know that you written extensively on the topic of par- tours in late Oct./Nov. value what they are doing. enting. After six years as Arts Facilita- Look for opportunities that tor for the School for the Creative and will motivate them to improve Performing Arts, she chose to return Reserve your space online their skills. Arrange for classes or to her favorite place of employment private lessons. Involve your child — home. Her son, Douglas, 24, is now and learn more about Poly Prep at in school or community art groups based in New York City when he is www.polyprep.org/admissions and activities. Attend exhibits, con- not on the road performing. He is an certs, productions, and museums. actor, singer, musician, dancer, writer, Emphasize the importance and visual artist. Joseph, 14, is a fresh- of discipline. Provide outlets for man theatre major at the School for Or, call Admissions at (718) 663-6003 your child’s artistic energy but the Creative and Performing Arts who make it clear when and where this also sings, dances, plays piano, and is appropriate. Build practice into creates visual art.

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 7 of time. Continue adjusting both wake-up and bedtime by 15 to 20 minutes per day until both are appropriate for their school-day schedule.

Early to bed, early to rise During the transition, adjust both bedtime and wake-up time. Hitting the sack early isn’t enough, says Collins; kids won’t be tired enough to fall asleep at an earlier hour unless they’re also waking earlier in the morning. Once they’re up, let the sun shine in — fling open curtains to expose them to morning light, and serve breakfast in the brightest spot in the house. They’ll be awake in no time, and the light will reset their internal clock to help them fall asleep earlier at night. An hour before bedtime, help kids slow down to prepare for sleep. Draw the curtains to block out late-summer rays and limit stimulating television and video games. Spend time winding down as a family with books and other quiet activities. Crash course Stay in the groove Kids’ bodies and brains depend By Malia JacoBson subject to grouchiness, inattentive- on consistency, so aim to keep bed- Returning to ness, or worse. times in check even on weekends ith fall on the horizon, “Chronically sleep-deprived chil- and school breaks. Collins recom- a school-year supply lists have been dren often exhibit symptoms of hy- mends keeping school-vacation W checked off, overgrown peractivity and can even be diag- bedtimes no more than an hour locks trimmed, and backpacks nosed with ADHD,” says Collins. later than normal. sleep routine filled to the brim. But if kids haven’t Don’t expect kids to fall back Sleeping in on weekends is a real- transitioned back to school-year into their school-year sleep hab- ity of our sleep-starved culture, but sleep habits, they’re not ready for its without some help. While you it’s no substitute for good everyday the first day. can’t make them celebrate sum- habits. A general rule of thumb: “If Trading summer’s relaxed sleep mer’s end, you can plan for brighter kids have to sleep in more than two schedule for a school-year routine mornings and happier days with hours later than normal on week- is an important part of back-to- some advance preparation. ends, they’re probably not getting school prep, says Dr. Roslinde Col- enough sleep during the week,” lins, medical director of the Sleep Slow and steady says Collins. Center at Rutland Regional Medical Kids depend on a regular sleep When it comes to sleep, kids are Center in Vermont. Re-establishing schedule, so don’t wait until the not little adults. an earlier time for lights-out helps last day of summer to dig out the “Parents often wonder why ensure that kids get the rest they alarm clock. Rising early after it’s hard to get their child up and need to shine at school. months of sleeping in can shock ready for school after eight hours Kids who get their required nine little bodies and leave kids in a of sleep. They’re not done sleeping to 12 hours of nightly slumber are daze during the critical first weeks yet!” says Collins. Good school- primed for school-year success. of school. year snooze habits will make this Proper rest helps children learn Instead, give them time to adjust year their best yet. and retain information, because to the new schedule. Malia Jacobson is a nationally pub- memories are incorporated during Beginning a week before the lished sleep and health journalist and REM sleep. first day, wake kids 15 minutes ear- author of “Sleep Tight, Every Night: Help- If a late summer bedtime lingers lier in the morning, and move bed- ing Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep into the school year, kids will be time earlier by the same amount Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.”

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 9 Spider sense By Shnieka L. JohnSon I had the chance to discuss the ex- hands-on components? Get caught up hibit with Hazel Davies, the associate hD: It’s not exactly “hands on” — or ages, arachnids have spun director of Live Exhibits at the Ameri- no [visitor] touches the spiders. It’s in this web of their silk of fascination through can Museum of Natural History: interactive in that you can get nose- F our imaginations, movies, and Shnieka Johnson: This is a sec- to-nose with many species, some of literature — think of E.B. White’s clas- ond run for “Spiders Alive!” How is it them very large. The presentation fun facts sic book “Charlotte’s Web” and the different from the last exhibit? area is the main feature where staff pop culture phenom that is Marvel’s hazel Davies: It’s pretty much have a live tarantula and scorpion Spider-Man. And when you learn the same. The first run was a big in open containers and use a mag- more about their real life power to success, so there was no reason to nifying camera to point out their survive in all types of environments change. There is one different spe- features and explain anatomy and — ranging from deserts to rain for- cies of spider, the funnel-web grass natural history. Visitors get to ask ests to urban centers like New York spider. questions and learn a lot. There is a — it’s not hard to gain an even deeper SJ: Where were samples of the big climbable model so younger kids appreciation for these animals. various species collected by re- can really explore the features of spi- In the latest exhibit at the Ameri- searchers? How did the museum ac- der’s bodies — that is hands on. can Museum of Natural History, “Spi- quire the live specimens on view? SJ: How can parents use this ex- ders Alive!,” you can learn what the hD: The live exhibits collection hibit to teach children about spiders museum’s researchers have discov- is very different and separate from and minimize their fear of them? ered about these creatures, their the research collection. The species hD: Most people are afraid of anatomy, and defense mechanisms. for the exhibit came from several things they don’t really understand, In addition to displaying arachnids sources. As many as possible were and this exhibit goes a long way to- from the museum’s vast collection, bought from breeders in the hobby, wards educating young and old alike the exhibit includes an opportunity for example, all 17 Chilean rose hair about spider’s lives and how they to see museum staff handling live tarantulas… Some were sent by re- are beneficial to humans. specimens and to see these crea- searchers who had them spare, and Yes, spiders are venomous, but tures up close. some were collected because they less than one percent of all species “Spiders Alive!” does an excel- are so seasonal, living less than a pose any problem to humans, and lent job of explaining — in an enter- year, just a couple are taken from you can see two of those species taining way — various spiders’ biol- areas with high population densi- in the exhibit and learn how to dis- ogy, habitats, and how they impact ties. None of them are endangered tinguish them. The exhibit explains human life. You will also gain insight species. how spiders really just want to hide, into how the museum researchers SJ: This is considered a hands- they don’t want to have to interact study spiders. on exhibit? What are some of the with humans, and will only bother you if you really bother them. They keep insect populations under control — without spiders we would be overrun with many insect species that could affect agriculture. So having spiders around your home and garden is a good thing. The exhibit also introduces you to really cool facts about spider webs, hunting strategies, adaptations, and behavior. When children see how fascinating spiders are, most in the exhibit think they are really cool and want to get as close as they can to the ones at the presentation area. • • • Spiders Alive! exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History [Central Park West and W. 79th Street on the Upper West Side, (212) 769–5100, amnh.org]. Now through Nov. 2. Shnieka Johnson is an education consultant and freelance writer. She is based in Manhattan where she resides with her husband and son. Contact her via her

Photo by Denis Finnin website: www.shniekajohnson.com. 10 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 Because this time you’ll be prepared with an Ultimate Back to School Combo from Mabel’s Labels. Complete with 108 custom labels, this combo is perfect for their backpacks, pencil cases, lunch bags and of course shoes.

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 11 signer Health System, a physician- led healthcare system in northeast- ern and central Pennsylvania. Dr. Buzzini, a pediatrician and sports medicine physician, has previously examined the impact of concussions A-head of in young athletes, having published a study entitled “Sport Related Con- cussions in the Youth Athlete.” Shnieka Johnson: Why are kids more susceptible to concussions? Sergio Buzzini: The brain develops until the age of 25, so it is believed that children’s underdevel- the game oped brains are at a much greater risk and much more susceptible to By Shnieka L. JohnSon quire concussions is from participa- trauma. Due to the underdeveloped Understanding tion in youth recreational and com- state at younger ages, children have very year, thousands of chil- petitive sports. Studies have shown thinner, frailer bones, which provide concussions dren are sent to emergency that the majority of sports-related less protection to the brain. E rooms nationwide for head concussions occur in children and A child’s brain and head are also trauma and concussions. The causes adolescents, and of those, female disproportionately large for the rest in children for these injuries range from stan- participants sustain the most. of the body. A child’s weak neck can- dard playground incidents to more To learn more about concus- not brace for a hit the way an adult’s serious automobile accidents. One of sions, treatment, and prevention, I can and their vulnerabilities to head the most common ways that kids ac- spoke with Dr. Sergio Buzzini, the trauma are far greater. chief of Adolescent Medicine at Gei- SJ: What sports have a higher risk of serious injury like concussions? Should parents be cautious about these sports? SB: The majority of concussions that happen in organized sports in the United States are football, ice hockey, wrestling, girls’ soccer, boys’ soccer, and girls’ basketball. While it should be noted that certain initiatives have been implemented to try to make them safer, for instance, using the head to tackle in football has been banned and stricter rules on body checking in ice hockey, it should always be a family discussion and decision if there are concerns. Particularly if a child has already suffered a concussion playing one of these sports at a young age, as these preventative mea- sures will not completely suppress the risk for concussion. SJ: How are concussions identified? What are symptoms? SB: There are three types of symptoms to identify a concussion: physical, cognitive, and emotional. Physical symptoms include headache, nau- sea, vomiting, balance problems, dizziness, fatigue, sensi- tivity to light and noise, tingling, and loss of consciousness. For cognitive symptoms, it’s important to look out for difficulty with concentration and memory, confu- sion surrounding recent events, answering questions slowly, and feeling dazed or confused. Emotional symptoms can be seen through

12 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 it helps to promote a healthy and safe environment. By knowing how Before returning to identify symptoms, coaches, to the sport, it is parents, and young athletes are Faster than an ER visit. able to recognize a possible con- necessary that the cussion more easily and take im- More powerful than a broken child be completely mediate action. It is also important to educate young athletes on the bone. Able to treat your symptoms and encouraging them symptom free, or they to speak up to coaches, trainers, are more susceptible or parents if they feel that they are child late at night. suffering from any of them. to another blow. On the field, some options include delaying full-contact until It’s PM Pediatrics, the super urgent care later in adolescence, ensuring a nervous or anxious demeanor, proper techniques and using the for kids and young adults. feeling tired, and having a lack of right teaching methods to reduce energy for daily activities. the risk of concussions for young • Board-certified pediatric emergency physicians SJ: What is the proper care for a athletes. Make sure to enforce pro- child with a concussion? How long motional fair play, which encour- • On-site lab and digital X-ray is recovery? ages the rules of safe play. SB: While managing and caring If a young athlete has received • Most insurance plans accepted for a child with a concussion, the multiple concussions, it is impor- • Open 365 days a year, with no most important factor is rest. The tant to have a baseline understand- more the brain rests, the more it ing of the child’s health before appointment necessary heals. Parents should make sure the season starts. This includes a the child is going to bed early, sports physical, notes on the his- avoiding caffeine, eating often tory of past concussions, and other and well, and limiting screen time behavioral information, which will with the TV, computer, and other make it easier to identify if a child electronics. Parents shouldn’t be sustains another concussion later afraid to keep the child home from in the season. You should always Captain PM school to ensure they don’t strain consult your doctor before a child the brain. with a history of multiple concus- If the symptoms continue to get sions starts a new season. worse, it’s essential to receive fur- SJ: How can parents help young ther evaluation via a trip to the athletes carefully return to sports emergency room to have a brain after a concussion? How do we ex- study and make sure there is no plain to our kids the seriousness of bleeding in the brain. concussions? Each child recovers differently, SB: Once a doctor feels com- making each recovery process and fortable with a child returning to length different per individual. In play after suffering a concussion, general, 80 percent recover within it is best to make it a process and two weeks, but it could be up to not a race back to the field. The a month after the blow to fully young athlete should slowly and recover. Before returning to the cautiously work their activity lev- sport, it is necessary that the child els back up. Begin with just fast be completely symptom free or walking, increase to light activity they are more susceptible to an- and so on, increasing each day. other blow. It is important to stress the very SJ: What are some ways to pre- serious nature of concussions to vent concussions? What if a young young children, and the long-term athlete receives multiple concus- risks of returning to the field too sions? quickly. If kids return to play while arking Discounted p SB: A popular misconception is still having symptoms and have a e on-site! that helmets will prevent a concus- second blow, it is possible to suf- availabl sion. While helmets can prevent fer from Second Impact Syndrome. MONDAYY – SATURDAY: skin lacerations and inner cranial This is a devastating case when an Noon to Midnight bleeds, they will not prevent the athlete is allowed to return to play trauma of a concussion, and we before having adequate time to re- SUNDAYS/SELECT HOLIDAYS: should not rely on them to do so. cover, and could result in death or 10 a.m. to Midnight pmpediatrics.com It is more important to be able coma in children. to recognize the symptoms of a Shnieka Johnson is an education concussion, and remove the child consultant and freelance writer. She is 240 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201 from play immediately if a concus- based in Manhattan where she resides 718.246.KIDS (5437) sion is suspected. with her husband and son. Contact her Education is the key to protect- via her website: www.shniekajohn- Locations throughout New York and New Jersey. ing children from concussions, and son.com. September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 13 HealtHy eating Think outside the lunch box o matter who packs it — come home empty,” says Morford. Mom, Dad, caregiver, or the lunches should have plenty of N child himself — a lunch is a “kid food.” Uh uh. There are hun- big deal. It contributes nearly a third dreds of packaged foods marketed Good sense of the child’s calorie and nutrient for kids, most of which aren’t particu- needs. It’s something to look forward larly healthful. Kids don’t need tubes eatinG to in the middle of the school day. of artificially flavored yogurt and foil Christine M. PaluMbo, rD And it’s changed from the lunch your pouches of juice drinks. What kids parent prepared for you. need is simple, real, whole food. “I think packed lunches were sim- lunches need to be “fun.” pler a generation ago,” says Katie Lunches just need to be, for the most Morford, registered nurse and author part, eaten. A little bit of fun once in of the cookbook “Best Lunch Box a while is great, but pulling out the Ever” and the blog Mom’s Kitchen cookie cutters and colorful tooth- Handbook. picks to make sandwiches everyday “It was a sandwich, piece of fruit, isn’t necessary. and maybe a bag of chips or a treat. I it’s the parent’s job to pack the don’t think a whole lot of vegetables lunch. Kids can begin helping with went into school lunches or as much lunch in preschool and build their your child loves jicama or kumquats.” thought about the nutritional value skills from there. By the time they Finally, include enough range to of lunches.” are 8, they can be pretty indepen- keep the kids from boredom. But dent. don’t be surprised if they settle on Dispelling lunch myths Kids shouldn’t play with their a few faves and request them week a great packed lunch has to take food. Lunch can be fun! Assemble after week. a lot of time. Not so. Lunch can be bite-size cheese and cracker sand- Little ones enjoy a few famil- very simple and still tasty and nour- wiches. Make tiny fruit kabobs on iar, comforting items nearby when ishing. Leftovers are a terrific way to toothpicks. Dip fruit, vegetables, they’re away from home. save time. crackers or bread in sauces. Christine Palumbo is a Naperville- Kids won’t eat salad for lunch. Morford suggests involving kids registered dietitian nutritionist who is a Not true. If salads are crunchy and by letting them pick fruit and veggies new Fellow of the American Academy fresh with plenty of kid appeal, they they like or getting adventurous and of Nutrition and Dietetics. Follow her can be a real hit. choosing ones they’ve never tried on Twitter @PalumboRD, Facebook at “In our house, if I pack taco salad or before. Christine Palumbo Nutrition, or Chris@ a chicken Caesar the containers always “You might be surprised to find ChristinePalumbo.com.

Kiddie Cobb salad 2 or 3 slices smoked turkey, coarsely ers. Put on the lids and shake well. chopped the Cobb is a protein-packed salad MAKE-AHEAD NOTES: the salad and 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and that will stick with your kids through dressing can be made the night before chopped the school day. this version relies on and stored in the refrigerator, but smoked turkey for the signature flavor 2 tbsp. crumbled blue cheese wait until morning to cut and add the that typically comes from bacon. Blue (optional) avocado. Be sure to give your child cheese is an optional add-in since its dressing instructions for drizzling the dressing flavor is too strong for a lot of little 1 tsp. soy sauce over the salad at lunchtime. ones. the assembly is more composed 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar NUTRITION INFORMATION: 260 than chopped, which makes it as 4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil calories, 9 g carbohydrate, 13 g pro- pretty as it is tasty. tein, 21 g fat (3.5 g saturated), 200 Makes two salads DIRECTIONS: divide the lettuce mg cholesterol, 590 mg sodium, 3 g between two large containers. in each sugar, 3 g fiber, 50% daily value for INGREDIENTS: container, arrange half the tomato, vitamin a, 20% daily value for cal- 2 cups chopped butter, red leaf, or avocado, turkey, eggs, and blue cium, 10% daily value for iron. romaine lettuce cheese (if using) in rows on top of the Used with permission from Katie Sullivan Mor- 1/2 cup chopped tomato or 10 cherry lettuce. to make the dressing, divide ford, “Best Lunch Box Ever: Ideas and Recipes tomatoes, halved the soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and for School Lunches Kids Will Love,” Chronicle 1/2 large ripe avocado, cubed olive oil between two small contain- Books (2013).

14 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 Backpack safety

By AlexA BigwArfe that is inappropriate for them. ding on the back for additional As our children head back to comfort and protection. his may seem like an un- school and look forward to choos- • D o n’ t overload it. Your child usual fact, but according to ing a new book bag with their favor- should not be leaning forward from T an occupational therapist at ite superhero or Disney character, the weight. Be sure to place the the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, make sure they have a bag that is heaviest books in the back of the approximately 6,000 children are appropriate and will not cause them bag for best muscle support. injured each year due to injury or harm. Their bag needs to • H av e your child wear the back- wearing a backpack carry all of their necessary supplies pack on both shoulders and make and books, but not so large that sure the straps are snug, but not your child will overload it. If back- too tight. packs are too heavy or not properly • Fo r his personal safety, avoid used, they can cause pain, strain, writing the child’s name on the out- and injury to your child. side of the backpack. Here are five tips for backpack It’s exciting for kids to pick out safety and proper use: the “coolest” book bag to show • Actually use a backpack. The to their friends at school, but it’s muscles in the back are the stron- more important to provide them gest muscles and can support the with a bag that will be safe and bag better than shoulder bags and not cause pain. But don’t worry, other types of bags. Pick one that is there are plenty of superhero and the right size for your child — not princess options that meet these too big. It should fit him between criteria! the shoulder blades down to his Alexa Bigwarfe is the mother of waist. three young children, one in elementary • T h e bag should be lightweight, school and two in preschool. All three have two shoulder straps that are have their own strong opinions about wide and padded, and have pad- backpacks!

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 15 Advice Rent & succession I live in a rent-stabilized apartment. mine where you actually were and cession? There is a limited class of Am I able to state who can live in my where you habitually are located. persons that can inherit a rent-stabi- apartment when I die? (A good example of this was a re- lized apartment: cent dispute between Zephyr Tea- • Parents (stepparents) and ent-stabilized and rent-con- chout and Andrew Cuomo regarding mother-in-law or father-in-law. trolled apartments in the City the Democratic primary — he chal- • S p o u s e s (husband and wife). R of New York are interesting lenged her residency qualifications, • Siblings and step-siblings (but “animals,” so to speak. A relatively re- even bringing her grocery shopping not necessarily siblings-in-law un- Ask An cent New York Court of Appeals case habits into question!) Other ques- less it meets the catch-all). of Amy L. Roberts v. Tishman Speyer tions are: where is your car reg- • Grandparents. Attorney Properties in connection with the Peter istered? Where do you file taxes? • Grandchildren. Alison Arden Besunder, Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town What does your driver’s license say? • Children, stepchildren, and in- esq. apartments put a spotlight on rent- Where do you vote? Where do you go laws. stabilized apartments. When dealing to the gym? Which local Starbucks • Catch-all: “any other person(s) with these types of apartments, what do you habit? What does your EZ residing with the tenant or permanent it is critical to document and be able Pass or MetroCard say? Where is tenant in the housing accommodation to prove your primary residency in your synagogue or church? Where as a primary resident, who can prove the apartment, and to document your do your kids go to school? emotional and financial commitment spouse’s, domestic partner’s, or child’s The main issue is providing evi- and interdependence between such residence in the apartment to protect dence and indicia of your day-to-day person(s) and the tenant.” their succession rights. life. Caution is advised here; since The catch-all provision can argu- Rent-stabilized and rent-con- today everything is digitized, many ably apply to domestic partners; chil- trolled apartments are governed by apartment houses have card-swipe dren of domestic partner or spouse strict rules regarding residency and entry that tracks dates and times who has not yet been biologically occupancy of the apartment. You of ingress, if not egress. This can adopted; nieces, nephews, uncles, need to be diligent in protecting your be used by a landlord to thwart any aunts, great-aunts, and cousins who own rights and the rights of your contention that you really lived in meet the criteria; or even close fam- successors. the apartment 183 days in the year. ily friends. However, it would have Currently, most family members Of course, the best evidence when to be something more than just a of a tenant can have a right to a re- faced with a residency question is “roommate” situation. Nieces, neph- newal lease or protection from evic- a RA-23.5 form: Notice to Owner of ews, uncles, aunts, great-aunts, and tion when the primary tenant dies or Tenant Who May be Entitled to Suc- cousins are not necessarily entitled permanently leaves the apartment. cession Rights. You can voluntarily to succeed to the apartment by vir- However, the person terminating the inform the landlord of the succeed- tue of the blood relation, but can still lease or who has died must have ing tenant’s occupancy or the owner qualify for the catch-all. been a qualified primary tenant. can request one every 12 months. The qualified tenant in succes- What is a qualified primary tenant? The form can identify if the person sion’s right to a renewal lease or pro- A qualified primary tenant is someone is a family member, if the person tection from eviction is dependent on who uses the apartment as the pri- may become entitled to be named that person having resided with the mary residence, and whose house- as a tenant on a renewable lease or tenant as a primary resident in the hold income is under $175,000 for become entitled to protection upon apartment for two consecutive years the two consecutive years prior to passage of applicable minimum pe- immediately prior to the death of (or vacancy or termination or death. riod of required residency; date of permanent leaving of) the apartment The rent of the apartment must commencement of person’s primary by the tenant. If the qualified tenant still be under $2,000. residence with the tenant; if the per- in succession was in military service, How do you prove primary son is a senior citizen or disabled. hospitalized, enrolled as a full-time residence? In the same Failure to provide the RA-23.5 in- student, or temporarily relocated for manner as the successor formation shall place on all such work, the two-year period is not inter- will have to prove resi- persons whose names were not sub- rupted and there is an effective “toll.” dence, such as bank mitted and who seek to exercise the records, debit card right to be named as a tenant on the Alison Arden Besunder is the founding purchases, doctor’s renewal lease or protection from attorney of the law firm of Arden Besun- visits, library books, eviction the affirmative obligation to der P.C. You can find her on Twitter @ and phone records, all establish such right. estatetrustplan and at www.besunderlaw. of which can help deter- Who is a qualified tenant in suc- com.

Disclaimer: This column is provided by the Law Offices of Alison Arden Besunder P.C. and New York Parenting Media as a public service to inform readers of legal issues. It is not intended to advise. Since legal issues vary with an individual’s situation and needs, one should consult with an attorney. It is impossible to cover all aspects of the law in an article. Please be advised that the laws are constantly changing. The content in this article reflects the current law. Nothing contained in this article is intended as advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the firm. Individual consultation with an attorney is required to determine the specific facts and circumstances of any particular situation. A written retainer agreement between you and the firm is required before any attorney-client relationship may be created. Circular 230 Disclosure Notice: To ensure compliance with Treasury Department rules governing tax practice, we inform you that any advice contained herein (including in any attachment) (1) was not written and is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalty that may be imposed on the taxpayer, and (2) may not be used in connection with promoting, marketing or recommending to another person any transaction or matter addressed herein.

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 17 Parenting What I dread about back-to-school time

uite a few moms are gearing up to breathe a collective Q sigh of relief when school Just write opens up again, but I’m dreading back-to-school season almost as mom much as the kids. I’ve completed Danielle Sullivan the immense task of tackling the shopping list, the supplies have been purchased and the kids’ uniforms have arrived. We’ve picked out new backpacks and lunchboxes, so we’re okay on that front. It’s not the preparation that’s bothering me. It’s the many things that occur when school opens up again for a new year that I detest.

Kids get sick! I’ve had two glorious months of three kids with no sniffles, sneezes, or coughs. Not even so much as swimmer’s ear has slowed them down this summer. Yet, I know that once school opens up, by the third week in September, my youngest will have a contagious, nasty cold of some sort. Typically, it will happen right around the welcome back to school meeting. Two years in a row, I have exited my child’s school excited that none of my kids have able to wake up later during the about a new school year while on my had lice yet, but every year summer as I work from my home way to the pharmacy to purchase a those letters of doom go home, stat- office, but man, oh man, getting fever reducer. ing that a classmate has acquired our day schedules back is gonna be the little critters. I usually scratch brutal that first week in September. Lunches my head for the rest of that day and Goodbye to impromptu midnight I can’t pinpoint why I hate mak- the next, as I repeatedly check my writing sessions and not setting ing school lunches so much, but I children’s scalps. my alarm. Hello, to a ringtone that certainly do not enjoy doing it. It’s will become utterly annoying in a like math and here is a sample prob- Homework week’s time. lem: Suppose you’re pulling double Hello inner nag, we’ll be meeting • • • duty by making breakfast and lunch again in a few short weeks as I go What are you not looking forward simultaneously. Multiply that by the back to living every day under the to this new school year? Are you number of children you have. Factor tyranny of a countdown clock — en- dreading a more restrictive schedule in that at 7 am you are also feeding suring that the homework is com- when school opens back up? Or are the pets, waking up tired children, plete, dinner is prepared, served, and you happy as a lark to have a more locating stray socks, and attempting cleaned up, and the kids are cleaned defined schedule (with kids out of to exit the house on time. Now tell me up and in bed on time. If I never again the house)? Let us know at www. how many days until you run out of have to ask, “Did you do your home- facebook.com/NYParenting. the house screaming “No more!” The work yet?,” I will be eternally grateful. Danielle Sullivan, a mom of three, good news is that I have yet to come Mental countdown clock note: six has worked as a writer and editor in the up with the answer, just like those more years to go on that one. parenting world for more than 10 years. trig questions back in high school. Sullivan also writes about pets and par- getting up at 6 am! enting for Disney’s Babble.com. Find Sul- Lice I realize I am fortunate to have livan on her blogs, Just Write Mom and I’m knocking on wood when I say ditched my corporate job and be Some Puppy To Love.

18 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 Parenting Give Your Child an Early Learn Pre-School Experience Here at What I dread about Urban Strategies Early Learn 1 and III Enrollment is ongoing for 3 and 4 year old children. We offer head start, child care and dual services. • We also offer universal pre-k. back-to-school time We educate with excellence. We promote innovation and culturally sensitive learning experience uite a few moms are gearing with total parental involvement in our program. up to breathe a collective Our staff speaks English, Spanish and Bengali. Q sigh of relief when school We also offer Computer Education, Music and Movement and Martial Arts. Just write opens up again, but I’m dreading back-to-school season almost as mom much as the kids. I’ve completed How to Enroll: Danielle Sullivan the immense task of tackling the Visit us Monday–Friday 8:00am–4:00pm. shopping list, the supplies have Your child will need a complete medical and dental examination before been purchased and the kids’ enrollment. We also accept ACS and HRA eligible children. uniforms have arrived. We’ve Presently, we give priority to children who belong to low income families. picked out new backpacks and Our friendly staff will welcome you. lunchboxes, so we’re okay on that front. It’s not the preparation that’s bothering me. It’s the many things URBAN STRATEGIES EARLY LEARN that occur when school opens up 1091 Sutter Ave. (at Atkins Avenue) • 1152 Elton Street (at Flatlands Avenue) again for a new year that I detest. Brooklyn, NY 11208 718-235-6151 or 718-348-9349 Kids get sick! [email protected] or [email protected] I’ve had two glorious months of three kids with no sniffles, sneezes, or coughs. Not even so much as swimmer’s ear has slowed them down this summer. Yet, I know that once school opens up, by the third week in September, my youngest will have a contagious, nasty cold of some sort. Typically, it will happen right around the welcome back to school meeting. Two years in a row, I WINDMILL MONTESSORI SCHOOL have exited my child’s school excited that none of my kids have able to wake up later during the Accredited Preschool, Elementary, JHS & Academic Summer Camp about a new school year while on my had lice yet, but every year summer as I work from my home way to the pharmacy to purchase a those letters of doom go home, stat- office, but man, oh man, getting A PEACEFUL PLACE TO LEARN SINCE 1941 fever reducer. ing that a classmate has acquired our day schedules back is gonna be Your Child • Our Program • Their Success Proudly Celebrating 73 Years of Quality Education the little critters. I usually scratch brutal that first week in September. Summer Windmill’s environment encourages children to Lunches my head for the rest of that day and Goodbye to impromptu midnight Day Care Ages 6 Months - 6 Years Program • Learn Naturally At Their Own Pace I can’t pinpoint why I hate mak- the next, as I repeatedly check my writing sessions and not setting Ages 6-12 • 7:30am-6:00pm Open • 3 HEALTHY HOMEMADE MEALS • 3 Healthy Homemade Meals Daily • Find And Develop Their Own Interests, And ing school lunches so much, but I children’s scalps. my alarm. Hello, to a ringtone that PREPARED DAILY ON-SITE HOuse certainly do not enjoy doing it. It’s will become utterly annoying in a Hot Soups, Fresh Fruits And Vegetables, • Variety Of Fun Filled Activities And Trips • Get The Individual Attention Needed To Thrive like math and here is a sample prob- Homework week’s time. Homemade Pasta Dishes, Tuesday, Wafﬂ es With Yogurt, And Much More! CURRICULUM ADVANTAGES lem: Suppose you’re pulling double Hello inner nag, we’ll be meeting • • • Afterschool sept. 30th duty by making breakfast and lunch again in a few short weeks as I go What are you not looking forward • THEME-BASED CURRICULUM Program Montessori Method, French, Computer Skills, WITH MULTI LEVEL APPROACH Grades K-5 9-10:30am simultaneously. Multiply that by the back to living every day under the to this new school year? Are you • Homework Assistance Physical Education, Yoga, Music, Art number of children you have. Factor tyranny of a countdown clock — en- dreading a more restrictive schedule • KINDERGARTEN CLASS TEACHING Supervised By Teachers AT FIRST GRADE LEVEL • Homemade Dinner Upon Arrival From School PLUS MORE in that at 7 am you are also feeding suring that the homework is com- when school opens back up? Or are • Variety Of Activities And Trips the pets, waking up tired children, plete, dinner is prepared, served, and you happy as a lark to have a more • OUR OWN YOGA PROGRAM, ART, MUSIC • Transportation From School Small Class Size, Dedicated Staff, Outdoor Recreation, AND DANCE CLASSES DAILY locating stray socks, and attempting cleaned up, and the kids are cleaned defined schedule (with kids out of To Our After School Program A/C Classrooms, Curriculum-based Trips, to exit the house on time. Now tell me up and in bed on time. If I never again the house)? Let us know at www. Hours/Days Of Operation After School Program (3:40-5:45pm) how many days until you run out of have to ask, “Did you do your home- facebook.com/NYParenting. Happy Learners and Happy Campers the house screaming “No more!” The work yet?,” I will be eternally grateful. Danielle Sullivan, a mom of three, We Are Open Monday - Friday 7:30am-6pm good news is that I have yet to come Mental countdown clock note: six has worked as a writer and editor in the Children’s Day Care & Developmental Center 718-375-7973 H 718-375-4277 Fully Licensed By Department Of Health & Mental Hygiene up with the answer, just like those more years to go on that one. parenting world for more than 10 years. e-mail: [email protected] trig questions back in high school. Sullivan also writes about pets and par- WE ARE NOW OPEN!!! • REGISTER NOW!!! website: www.windmontsch.org getting up at 6 am! enting for Disney’s Babble.com. Find Sul- Windmill is non-sectarian. Licensed by The New York City Department of Health Lice I realize I am fortunate to have livan on her blogs, Just Write Mom and 718-345-3555 • Fax: 718-345-7555 • [email protected] Affiliated with The American Montessori Society I’m knocking on wood when I say ditched my corporate job and be Some Puppy To Love. 11 New Lots Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11212 • www.stepstosuccesspreschool.com 1317 Avenue T @ East 14th Street • Brooklyn, NY 11229

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 19 Back to savings By Malia JacoBson tures and maximizes your purchas- account just for promotional sign- Ten ways to ing power. ups. ooking to save on back-to- “Don’t try to get it all done in one save big on school shopping? You’re in day,” says McCoy. “Not everything Dollars and sense L good company. Parents ev- is on sale on one day. Every week, Your local dollar store is a great back-to-school erywhere are feeling the pinch of the check what school items are on sale place to find basic supplies for less. economy, and four out of five have and get those. Then do the same the McCoy recommends shopping for reduced their school-related spend- next week, and the next.” supplies at discount stores and tak- shopping ing. The National Retail Federation ing advantage of sales to stretch reports that 56.2 percent of back- Cash in on the your dollar even further. Staples and to-school shoppers are looking for coupon craze Walmart host well-known sales offer- discounts, 41.7 percent are ditching Budget-minded shoppers are ing back-to-school supplies for pen- brand-names in favor of generics, and couponing like never before. Pro- nies. Mark your calendar for sale 40 percent are using more coupons. motional transaction vendor Inmar days and scoop up the savings. Welcome the new school year in reports that coupon use is reaching frugal fashion with these tips for record highs. In 2013, 96 percent of Swap to save back-to-school saving: shoppers reported using coupons, Score some new-to-your-kids cloth- and not just for groceries — a third ing by hosting a swap. Lay down a Start at the beginning of the 3 billion coupons redeemed few ground rules — clothing should Get organized, and get “the list.” were for non-food items. be free of stains and rips, and no pay- Review your child’s list of required Cents-off coupons can add up to ment or bartering is allowed. People supplies and take inventory of what big savings, but you can raise the take what they want, and leave what you’ll need. If you don’t have a list, stakes considerably with a little extra they don’t. Afterward, leftover items contact your child’s school or friends legwork. Major retailers like Target can be donated to charity. with older children. and Rite-Aid offer discounts up to Aim to be thorough in your $25 for transferred prescriptions. Say ‘yes’ to yard sales shopping. Forget a few items, and Find a local store that doubles the Summer is yard-sale season. Bind- you’ll find yourself fighting with the value of manufacturer’s coupons at ers, notebooks, pencil cases, scis- masses — and paying full price — couponing.about.com, and you can sors, staplers, loose-leaf paper, and for picked-over supplies at the last buy supplies for next to nothing. more are yours for the finding. Bring minute. Instead, save money and Shoppers are increasingly turn- small bills and change and don’t be hassle by checking everything ing to the web to score coupons. afraid to haggle. Carry a reusable off the list before the first Inmar reports that more than half bag to tote home your treasures. day. of the coupons redeemed were digital; more than 43 percent of cou- Bulk up your budget Never stop pons used were printed at home. Big-box discounters and ware- shopping Websites such as Smartsource.com, house stores sell high-quality office Buy the basics on sale retailmenot.com, and coupons.com and school supplies in bulk. If you year-round and squirrel offer printable coupons, many with have a large family, the supersized them away for back-to- savings of $1 or more. packages of pens, highlighters, bind- school. According to ers, tape, and folders make sense. Jonni McCoy, author Surf the savings You can take advantage of bulk of “Miserly Moms: Liv- Sites like Craiglist.org and Ebay. deals even if you don’t have a large ing Well on Less in a com offer everything from comput- brood. Gather a group of moms, di- Tough Economy,” shop- ers to graphing calculators to brand- vide the list, and pool the savings. ping over time spreads name backpacks at huge discounts. out the expendi- While you’re at it, why not unload Grab some inspiration things your kids have outgrown? Creativity is in. Spice up a plain or Last year’s trendy outfit, bike, or hand-me-down binder with a digital winter coat can yield cash to put to- photo collage. Protect school books ward this year’s list. with covers made from gift wrap or newspaper. Refresh last year’s back- Join the club pack with new buttons and iron-on Register to get exclusive dis- patches. The possibilities for inspira- counts, deluxe coupons, and other tion — and savings — are endless. perks delivered to your inbox from Malia Jacobson is an award-winning major retailers including The Gap, health and parenting journalist and Old Navy, and Fred Meyer. Sign up mom of three. Her latest book is “Sleep online or in store. If you don’t want Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and to clog your personal account with Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, marketing e-mail, snag a free e-mail Tricks, or Tirades.” 20 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 The Brooklyn Charter School AcceptingThe Brooklyn Applications Charter School for K-5! AcceptingFamilies are invited to Open Applications House and Tour Sessions tofor learn moreK-5! about our school and our academic program. Families are invited to Open House and Tour Sessions to learn more about The BrooklynTheour school Brooklyn and ourCharter academic Charter program. School AcceptingAccepting Applications Applications for for K-5! K-5! Families are invitedFamilies to Open are invited House to Open and House Tour and Tour Sessions Sessions to to learn learn more aboutmore about our school and ourour academic school and our program. academic program.

ABOUT US: ABOUTABOUT US: US: •Free, no tuition •Free,•Free, no tuition no tuition •Rigorous academic program•Rigorous•Rigorous academic supported academic program programby supported the artssupported by the and arts and technologyby technologythe arts and technology •Highly qualified, well-trained•Highly qualified, teachers well-trained teachers •Highly qualified, well-trained teachers •Average class size of•Average 20 students/2 class size of 20 teachers students/2 teachers per class per class •Fully inclusive classrooms•Fully•Average inclusive & ELL classclassrooms instruction size of& ELL 20 instructionstudents/2 teachers per class •After-school programs•After-school•Fully inclusive programs classrooms & ELL instruction •Active family participation•Active•After-school family through participation programs Family through Action Family Action Committee Committee BCS upholds a non-discriminatoryBCS policy upholds aand non-discriminatory welcomes policy applications and welcomes applications from all from families all families regardless regardless of race, gender, religion or culture.of race, We•Active gender, welcome religion family or students culture. participation We welcomewith disabilities students through with disabilities and English Family and English Language LanguageAction Committee Learners. Learners. BCS upholds a non-discriminatory policy and welcomes applications from all families regardless of race, gender, religion or culture. We welcome students with disabilities and English Language Learners.

Recruiting for 2014Recruiting – 2015for 2014 school – 2015 school year: year: Tours: WednesdaysTours: at Wednesdays9AM atRecruiting 9AM for January 15, 22, 29 January•Recruiting February 15, 22, 29 for5, • February 12, 2014 26 5, •– 12, March2015 26 • March school 5, 5, 12, 12, 19, 19,year: 26 26 April 9, 2014 April 9, 20142014 - 2015 school year Open House Sessions:OpenTours: House Thursdays Wednesdays Sessions: Thursdays at at 6PM9AM at 6PM January 30 • FebruaryJanuaryJanuaryApply 27 30 online 15,•• February March22, 29 at 27• www.brooklyncharter.orgFebruary27, • March 2014 27, 5,2014 12, 26 • March 5, 12, 19, 26 Apply online at www.brApplyApril online ooklyncharter.org9, 2014 at www.brooklyncharter.org 545 Willoughby Ave, 3rd545Open floor Willoughby HouseBrooklyn, Ave, 3rdSessions: floor NY Brooklyn, 11206 Thursdays NY 718 11206 302-2085 718 at302-2085 6PM www.brooklyncharter.orgwww.brooklyncharter.org545 Willoughby Avenue, 3rd Floor January 30 • FebruaryBrooklyn, 27 • MarchNY 11206 27, 2014 Building BridgesBuilding To Tomorrow Bridges To Tomorrow Apply online at www.brooklyncharter.org 718-302-2085 Building Bridges To Tomorrow 545 Willoughby Ave, 3rd floor Brooklyn, NY 11206 718 302-2085 September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 21 www.brooklyncharter.org Building Bridges To Tomorrow Building a better mammogram

By Sandra Gordon health history. Here are four that a screening mammogram, you’ll go Breast tests may give you a clearer picture of to the diagnostic level, which is a yearly mammogram is the your breast health — and could mammogram with tomosynthesis that could gold standard for breast- possibly save your life: that magnifies and focuses on one A cancer screening and detec- particular area of the breast. Be- tion. The National Cancer Institute Tomosynthesis cause the FDA-approved technol- save your life and the American Cancer Society The latest in breast cancer-de- ogy is relatively new, screening to- recommend a mammogram yearly tection technology, tomosynthesis mosynthesis isn’t routinely covered for all women age 40 and older. If is done in addition to a digital mam- by health insurance. Diagnostic to- you have a family history of breast mogram. During tomosynthesis, mosynthesis is typically covered cancer, your doctor may advise the breast is compressed, though by health insurance with no copay- starting mammography before age slightly less so than with a con- ment necessary. 40. Mammography is the only test ventional, digital mammogram, and that has been scientifically proven a series of images are obtained Computer-aided to save lives. from multiple angles. Tomosynthe- detection Still, it’s not infallible. sis takes an arc of pictures through With this technique, a computer “In women with very dense each breast, in 5 millimeter slices, scans a digital mammogram and breasts, mammography will miss which are then reconstructed into flags areas of concern, enabling a cancer 58 percent of the time,” says a three-dimensional image. radiologist to take another look and Dr. Thomas Kolb, a breast-cancer It allows radiologists to see decide whether the computer mark- radiologist and leading ultrasound through the breast tissue. They ings warrant further action. researcher in New York City. Dense can more easily distinguish a true “It’s like having an automatic sec- breasts contain more glands, ducts mass from overlapping structures, ond opinion,” says Dr. Mitchell D. and connective tissue than fat. such as ligaments or glandular tis- Schnall, professor of radiology at Breasts tend to be denser during a sue. Tomosynthesis can be used the University of Pennsylvania in woman’s reproductive years; den- for screening and diagnostic mam- Philadelphia. sity makes it harder to detect sus- mograms. Pros and cons: Two studies re- picious lumps on a mammogram. Pros and cons: Compared to a ported that Computer-Aided Detec- That’s because glandular tissue ap- digital mammogram, women with tion (CAD) found 20 percent more pears white on a mammogram, just dense breasts who undergo tomos- cancer than mammography alone. like a mass can. ynthesis are 40 percent less likely to But it also tends to also mark non- Fortunately, new tools can give a be called back for additional imag- ca ncerou s le sion s, such a s bu nche d - more precise diagnosis, especially ing. Women who undergo tomosyn- up tissue, benign lymph nodes and if you have dense breasts or you’re thesis will be exposed to the same benign calcifications, so the rate of at higher risk for breast cancer amount of radiation as a traditional, false positives is high. Less than because of your personal or family analog (film) mammogram, which one percent of findings marked by is slightly more than today’s digital Computer-Aided Detection turn out mammogram. The risk of radiation- to be cancer. It is widely available at induced breast cancer is extremely mammography centers and univer- Do you have dense breasts? low, affecting only 0.1 percent of sity- and hospital-affiliated breast Breast density depends in part In some states, radiologists are women screened. In comparison, clinics across the country and is on hormonal status, which is why required by law to tell you, in the screening test itself can reduce generally covered by insurance. premenopausal women are more the letter you receive about your the risk of dying from breast cancer Should you ask for it? Al- like to have dense breasts. Genet- mammogram results, whether you by about 50 percent. though it isn’t a perfect tool, “it ics also plays a part. If your mom have dense breasts. If your state Should you ask for it? Screen- should be the standard of care for had dense breasts, you’re more doesn’t require that information, ing tomosynthesis is in order if you every woman who gets a mammo- likely to have them. But only a simply ask your doctor if your have dense breasts, but no symp- gram,” says Dr. Stamatia Destou- mammogram can make that de- mammogram results indicate that toms. It takes a global 3D picture nis, staff radiologist at the Eliz- termination. you have dense breasts. of each breast. If you have a com- abeth Wende Breast Clinic, in plaint or something is found during Rochester, New York. “But there’s

22 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 New tools can give a more precise diagnosis, especially if you have dense breasts or you’re Building a better at higher risk for breast cancer because of your personal or family health history. mammogram

By Sandra Gordon health history. Here are four that a screening mammogram, you’ll go a tube-like magnet. In areas Breast tests may give you a clearer picture of to the diagnostic level, which is a where there might be can- yearly mammogram is the your breast health — and could mammogram with tomosynthesis cer, the contrasting agent that could gold standard for breast- possibly save your life: that magnifies and focuses on one pools and is illuminated A cancer screening and detec- particular area of the breast. Be- on computer-generated im- tion. The National Cancer Institute Tomosynthesis cause the FDA-approved technol- ages. save your life and the American Cancer Society The latest in breast cancer-de- ogy is relatively new, screening to- Pros and cons: Mag- recommend a mammogram yearly tection technology, tomosynthesis mosynthesis isn’t routinely covered netic Resonance Imaging for all women age 40 and older. If is done in addition to a digital mam- by health insurance. Diagnostic to- (MRI) has been shown to you have a family history of breast mogram. During tomosynthesis, mosynthesis is typically covered find two- to six-percent cancer, your doctor may advise the breast is compressed, though by health insurance with no copay- more cancers than mam- starting mammography before age slightly less so than with a con- ment necessary. mograms and clinical 40. Mammography is the only test ventional, digital mammogram, and breast exams in high- that has been scientifically proven a series of images are obtained Computer-aided risk women. MRI to save lives. from multiple angles. Tomosynthe- detection can’t detect calcifi- Still, it’s not infallible. sis takes an arc of pictures through With this technique, a computer cations (a frequent “In women with very dense each breast, in 5 millimeter slices, scans a digital mammogram and sign of Ductal Car- breasts, mammography will miss which are then reconstructed into flags areas of concern, enabling a cinoma In-Situ), cancer 58 percent of the time,” says a three-dimensional image. radiologist to take another look and which is why it’s Dr. Thomas Kolb, a breast-cancer It allows radiologists to see decide whether the computer mark- used as a complement radiologist and leading ultrasound through the breast tissue. They ings warrant further action. to mammography, researcher in New York City. Dense can more easily distinguish a true “It’s like having an automatic sec- not a replacement. It breasts contain more glands, ducts mass from overlapping structures, ond opinion,” says Dr. Mitchell D. has also a significant and connective tissue than fat. such as ligaments or glandular tis- Schnall, professor of radiology at risk of false positives. Breasts tend to be denser during a sue. Tomosynthesis can be used the University of Pennsylvania in Screening breasts woman’s reproductive years; den- for screening and diagnostic mam- Philadelphia. costs $1,000 to $2,000, sity makes it harder to detect sus- mograms. Pros and cons: Two studies re- though many insur- picious lumps on a mammogram. Pros and cons: Compared to a ported that Computer-Aided Detec- ance carriers now That’s because glandular tissue ap- digital mammogram, women with tion (CAD) found 20 percent more cover it. pears white on a mammogram, just dense breasts who undergo tomos- cancer than mammography alone. Should you ask for like a mass can. ynthesis are 40 percent less likely to But it also tends to also mark non- it? “Even if you have as Fortunately, new tools can give a be called back for additional imag- ca ncerou s le sion s, such a s bu nche d - little as a two percent more precise diagnosis, especially ing. Women who undergo tomosyn- up tissue, benign lymph nodes and definitely a learning curve.” tumors in some patients. The labor- mogram if you have dense breast risk of breast cancer over the next if you have dense breasts or you’re thesis will be exposed to the same benign calcifications, so the rate of To reduce your risk of unneces- intensive process can skip some tu- tissue. If you’re at high risk but you five years, talk to your doctor about at higher risk for breast cancer amount of radiation as a traditional, false positives is high. Less than sary additional testing, such as bi- mors. Automated breast ultrasound don’t have dense breasts, a mam- adding MRI,” says Dr. Wendie Berg, because of your personal or family analog (film) mammogram, which one percent of findings marked by opsy, find a facility with mammog- eliminates the need for an ultra- mogram should suffice. a breast imaging consultant in Bal- is slightly more than today’s digital Computer-Aided Detection turn out raphy-certified technologists and sound technologist, so there’s less timore. MRI breast-imaging centers mammogram. The risk of radiation- to be cancer. It is widely available at trained radiologists who have been risk of missing a lesion. Magnetic resonance are springing up across the coun- induced breast cancer is extremely mammography centers and univer- using CAD for at least a year. Pros and cons: Automated imaging try, but it’s important to seek out a Do you have dense breasts? low, affecting only 0.1 percent of sity- and hospital-affiliated breast breast ultrasound can help detect This tool employs magnetic and facility that has MRI-guided biopsy Breast density depends in part In some states, radiologists are women screened. In comparison, clinics across the country and is Automated breast breast cancer. Breast cancer detec- radio waves instead of X-rays to cre- capability, so a tissue sample can on hormonal status, which is why required by law to tell you, in the screening test itself can reduce generally covered by insurance. ultrasound tion doubled from 23 to 46 in 6,425 ate high-definition cross-sectional be retrieved for diagnosis at the premenopausal women are more the letter you receive about your the risk of dying from breast cancer Should you ask for it? Al- During this test, an automated studies using automated breast ul- images of breast tissue. For the time of your scan if a questionable like to have dense breasts. Genet- mammogram results, whether you by about 50 percent. though it isn’t a perfect tool, “it ultrasound machine, which uses trasound with mammography, re- test itself, the patient is injected mass is spotted. ics also plays a part. If your mom have dense breasts. If your state Should you ask for it? Screen- should be the standard of care for a computer program, takes ultra- sulting in a significant cancer detec- with safe, nonradioactive contrast- had dense breasts, you’re more doesn’t require that information, ing tomosynthesis is in order if you every woman who gets a mammo- sound images of breast tissue. The tion improvement. Some insurance ing salt solution in the arm, then Sandra Gordon is an award-winning likely to have them. But only a simply ask your doctor if your have dense breasts, but no symp- gram,” says Dr. Stamatia Destou- images are recorded and given to a providers don’t cover the test yet, lies face down on a table with both freelance writer who delivers expert mammogram can make that de- mammogram results indicate that toms. It takes a global 3D picture nis, staff radiologist at the Eliz- radiologist who can interpret them. so check your policy. breasts positioned into cushioned advice and the latest developments in termination. you have dense breasts. of each breast. If you have a com- abeth Wende Breast Clinic, in Doctors currently use handheld ul- Should you ask for it? Ask for coils that contain signal receivers. health, nutrition, parenting and con- plaint or something is found during Rochester, New York. “But there’s trasound devices to hunt for breast it in addition to a screening mam- The entire bed is then sent through sumer issues.

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 23 Activity Directory

Elite Family Fitness Activity / After- 111 Union St. school / Plus 718-596-0006 or www. Give The Gift Of elitetrainingandfitness.com CBE KIDS After-School Be creative, be fit, & be healthy! Self Center Creative Arts Studio (performing arts 8th Avenue and Garfield Place, studio in Boerum Hill) (CAS) Director, Expression! 718-768-3814 extension 210 or Sherri Hellman & David Cascia, www.congregationbethelohim. Director of Elite Family Fitness are org coordinating a unique environment CBE Kids After –School Center rich with classes and activities your offers a variety of instructional whole family can enjoy. CAS fami- classes and recreational activities, lies will have access to Elite Family allowing each child to develop at his Fitness, the exercise & fitness facility or her own pace. next door with its wide and diverse Supervised by a highly qualified range of classes and workshops. staff, the program operates on a Each member of your family will be trimester basis and caters to children able to find, pursue, and participate in grades K-6. Pick-up from area in the arts, as well as a wide range schools is available; call for details. of instructive activities in health & Swimming is on-site in a spacious fitness, exercise, weight manage- heated pool. ment and more! For more informa- Children in kindergarten - sixth tion, check out our websites. grade can sign up for a different course each day of attendance: examples are instructional swim, Civil Aviation gymnastics, art, cooking, theater, for Teens video, dance, music, sewing and computers. Civil Air Patrol Capt Andrew Woodbridge: The Cosmic Cove / 585-330-1581; or E-mail [email protected] Science George Bermudez: 646-457-2675; 300 Atlantic Avenue, E-mail [email protected] 718-344-4631 or www. CAP is a volunteer, non-profit orga- carmelothesciencefellow.com nization that also serves as the civil- Carmelo the Science Fellow invites ian auxiliary to the U.S. Air Force. you to discover his science parties, Our three missions are to develop created at his unique and memo- youth through a cadet program, rable Cosmic Cove. Here, children educate American on the impor- are transformed into scientists: they tance of aviation and space, and touch, hold, and most importantly Photo by Heather Weston Heather Photo by perform live-saving humanitarian take part in all of the experiments. missions. They participate in hands-on activities that are fun, exciting, and, most The program accepts new cadets importantly, educational. who are at least 12 years old and not yet 19 years old. It is a year- Experiments with Carmelo may round program with weekly meet- Dance • Drama • Music • Art include making silly putty, glow in ings at a local CAP squadron and the dark slime, conducting a diaper additional activities on weekends powder study, making fake snow, or during the summer. CAP is not etc. They can even work with ani- a military or boarding school, but 310 Atlantic Avenue • Brooklyn, New York 11201 mals like the weird moving mega a youth development program that mealworms…yuck! You can even incorporates aviation and military 119 Union Street • Brooklyn, New York 11231 take home your experiments…even customs and courtesies. Through the live ones. their experiences as CAP cadets, young people develop into responsible citizens and become tomorrow’s 718.797.5600 Arts aerospace leaders. The leadership Creative Arts Studio skills, self-confidence, and discipline 310 Atlantic Avenue; 718-797-5600 cadets gain through CAP prepares www.creativeartsstudio.com 119 Union Street in Carroll them to achieve whatever goals they Gardens; 718-243-0658 set for themselves in life. www.creativeartsstudio.com Continued on page 26 24 BROOKLYN Family • September 2014 Special Advertising Section www.ActingOutOnline.com “Acting Out is such a jewel. When you come in here you know (718) 236-6494 you are in a safe and creative place. What a pleasure for us to teach “Acting Out! gets results! The Matilda Workshop here! My daughter, who is a dancer, We will Come back anytime!” came here for their High School Broadway Stars - Drama Audition Prep course and Chelsea Packard & Colin Israel got so much more. With this from Matilda & Wicked! training, in a short time, she has landed two performing arts high school offers, the lead role in her school play, and won her school’s Drama Award!!! Thank you, Acting Out! My daughter will be attending LaGuardia H.S.!! “ - V. Klenner

“What’s Broadway’s 2013 Tony award winning musical? Kinky Boots. Who’s son got cast in a principal Brooklyn’s Premierrole? Mine Acting did! Thank you School Acting Out! Your professionalism, hard work and dedication to my son and all your students is immeasurable. We could not Audition Prep have accomplished this without you. If your child’s desire is to sing, act and dance Acting Out! will make it happen!” Singing Lessons -Linda Jordan Musical Theatre Acting, and much more

Special Advertising Section September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 25 Activity Directory

Continued from page 24 confidence that we attribute to her Group Lessons for Kids BAX experience.” – BAX Private Lessons in Piano, Violin, Vocal, Guitar, Cello & more Dance April’s Dance-N-Feet Brighton Ballet Theater 4-Locations Kingsborough Community College 4626 Flatlands Avenue; (Bet. 2001 Oriental Blvd, Bldg T7 2nd Schenectady Ave. & E. 46th St.) floor, Rm 7211 718-692-4809 718-769-9161 or www. 9409 & 9411 Avenue L (Bet E. 94th brightonballet.com & 95th Sts.) 718-272-1813 Brighton Ballet Theater (BBT | The Let the magic of music 1866 Flatbush Avenue (Bet. Ave. School of Russian American Ballet) enrich your life! K & E 38th St.) 718-258-2340 or is a not-for-profit organization. www.aprilsdancenfeet.com Established in 1987, it is situated Professional & Experienced Teachers April’s Dance-N-Feet is celebrating in South Brooklyn and located ABRSM & NYSSMA Music Exams over 21 years, offering classes in tap, on the campus of Kingsborough ballet, jazz, hip-hop, pointe, lyrical, Community College. We offer Students’ Recitals Twice a Year gymnastics, Praise Dance, African, affordable, quality Russian Ballet Caribbean dance, karate, Adult training all year round. BBT’s cur- Proven Music Learning Methods and boys classes, for beginners to riculum includes classical ballet (The Enroll Today! 718-333-5071 advanced students. Adult classes Vaganova Method for all levels), are available as well. Private les- character dance, folk dance, contem- 9402 Fort Hamilton Pkwy sons or leveled classes are given for porary dance, etc. BBT provides all ages 2 - adult for reasonable prices. children with a unique opportunity Brooklyn, NY 11209 Their senior tap company and boys’ to perform full-scale ballets, with troupe have performed with tap costumes and scenery. The School [email protected] legends. We have 4 platinum award of Russian American Ballet has a www.musicboxschool.com winning hip-hop competition teams Summer Intensive Dance Program ages 3-18: The Gems, Diamonds, held in July through August of every Divas and Crystals. They have also year. danced in other Manhattan professional theater venues. The school’s Mark Morris Dance students have been accepted to Center The School at the LaGuardia High School (School of 3 Lafayette Ave Mark Morris Dance Center Performing Arts), Alvin Ailey School, 718-624-8400 or www. and have performed in commercials. markmorrisdancegroup.org The School at the Mark Morris BAX | Brooklyn Arts Dance Center provides high-quality, Exchange year-round instruction at afford- 421 Fifth Avenue able rates. We offer a diverse range 718-832-0018 or www.youth.bax. of classes for all ages and experi- org ence levels, including a Student BAX Youth Arts Education provides Company, and options for toddlers Fall expert instruction in building techni- and students with special needs; registration is now cal skills in dance, tumbling, and the- most classes are accompanied by live open ater with an emphasis on cultivating music. The School reflects the spirit creative expression. Working with of the internationally-renowned professional performing arts faculty, Mark Morris Dance Group in its cel- BAX students develop improvisation, ebration of dance and music. Learn Celebrate Dance & Music original choreography, and perfor- more about our state-of-the-art stu- mance skills, working independently dios and programs at mmdg.org. DANCE CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS AGES 4–17 and in collaboration. Youth classes embody BAX’s over- Vicky Simegiatos creative dance arching mission to provide the space JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE 2014 Performing Arts Center modern dance and support for “artists-in-progress” 7110-12 Third Avenue jazz / hip-hop SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 / 9:30AM-5PM to explore, hone, and share their 718-680-0944 (weekdays after ballet unique voice. 5:00 p.m. - all day Saturdays) or boys dance FREE dance and ﬁ tness classes for the “It is wonderful that she has enjoyed www.vspac.com tap dance whole family, a performance by Mark Morris Dance Group, plus opportunities to dance her classes from day one (18 months The Vicky Simegiatos Performing afro-haitian dance and engage with the company. of age) and still does now (over a Arts Center, in business for over 40 music & singing decade later). She has an outlet to years, offers the finest education express herself at BAX. All of her in all styles of dance, music and mmdg.org teachers have encouraged her indi- musical theatre for boys and girls of vidual style. Her dad and I see self Continued on page 28 26 BROOKLYN Family • September 2014 Special Advertising Section Special Advertising Section September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 27 Activity arts & artists in progress 421 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn | 718.832.0018 Directory

Continued from page 26 grams are designed to help improve all ages, from pre-school to adult. creativity, critical thinking and com- FALL CLASSES START With two Brooklyn locations, the munication skills while preparing VSPAC boasts a faculty of top flight your children for school and life. SEPTEMBER 8TH professionals. Their students have Independent research by the been accepted to elite schools and National Institute on Out-of-School Register Now have gone on to enjoy successful Time (NIOST) has shown that a sig- DANCE, MOVEMENT, careers. VSPAC’s national award nificant number of three to six year THEATER & TUMBLING winning competition teams have old children enrolled in FasTracKids CLASSES for children ages 12 performed at the Joyce Theatre, improved their vocabulary and social Alvin Ailey Theatre and Madison months to 18 years skills at a rate 100% to 150% times Square Garden. VSPAC will be offer- faster than their peers not enrolled at a nationally acclaimed ing scholarship workshops for young in the program. We at FasTracKids youth arts education center. students who want to dance in know that the most important learn- View class schedules at our company’s presentation of The ing years are during early childhood, Financial Aid Available Aid Financial youth.bax.org/classes Nutcracker, a full length ballet.” where the ability to learn and grow knows no boundaries. Questions: [email protected] | 718-832-0018 The best way to find out if Learning / FasTracKids is the right program for Tutoring your child is to sign up for a Free Centers Discovery Class. OPEN HOUSE Remember…there is a small “win- Saturday, September 6 Brienza’s Academic dow of opportunity” for your child 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Advantage to make critical brain connections for 8696 18th Avenue future learning. Don’t wait for this 1902 Avenue T window to close on them! For more information, visit 259 Rose Avenue, Staten Island Thank you for visiting us! If you have 718-232-0114 or www.Brienzas. any questions, please call or see our com website. Brienza’s Academic Advantage offers a wide variety of programs Kumon for students attending kindergarten Bath Beach 1629 Bath Avenue, through grade 12. We specialize 718-266-1783 in TACHS, SHSAT, SAT and ACT Brighton Beach 3100 Brighton 4th preparation. Our programs provide Street, 718-266-1783 students with the opportunity to Brooklyn-Bay Ridge 8506-8508 increase their skills and knowledge, Fourth Avenue, 718-759-1840 enabling them to reach their full Brooklyn-Chinatown 5908 Fort potential. Programs offered are: Hamilton Parkway, 718-576-6588 tutoring in all subject areas (both Carroll Gardens 337 Smith Street, one-to-one and share-a-tutor 718-797-1944 groups), test preparation courses, Kensington 418 Church Avenue, BBT | The School of Russian American SETSS (P-4) services to qualified 347-955-3300 Marine Park 5116 Avenue N, 347- Ballet holds auditions by appointment in students. Call our office to speak to 275-2009 Brooklyn for its 2014 - 2015 School Year one of our educational specialists Midwood 2481 Nostrand Avenue, and upcoming performance opportunities. who can help you choose the best 718-490-5781 option for your child. Please register Prospect Heights 671 Vanderbilt Brighton Ballet is offering a few early as space is limited. Avenue, 718-636-2029 or www. tuition-free scholarships for its kumon.com Advanced Program “promising Fastrackids The Kumon Method has helped mil- students”. A limited number of partial Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights: 718-748- lions of children achieve more than scholarships are available as well. 3000 they ever thought they could. We Brooklyn/Sheepshead Bay: 718- believe it can help your child, too. 891-5437 At Kumon, your child will build skills Williamsburg: 347-987-4450 or that lead to success inside and out- www.fastrackids.com side the classroom. Come See How FasTracKids is Our math and reading programs “Learning, Cleverly Disguised as help children of all ages and levels Fun!” become eager, independent self- Welcome to FasTracKids! We offer learners. Unlike tutoring sessions, early childhood education programs Kumon helps children learn how to for age groups that range from 6 learn on their own, and develops months to 8 years old. These pro- Continued on page 30 28 BROOKLYN Family • September 2014 Special Advertising Section Math Math Test Homework Math Math Test Homework MathHelp EnrichmentMath PrepTest HomeworkHelp Help Enrichment Prep Help Help Enrichment Prep Help GetGet ready.ready. GetGet set.set. GetGet ahead.ahead. Now enrolling for fall. Now Now enrolling enrolling for for fall. fall.

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Special Advertising Section September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 29 Activity

Register st Directory Celebrating Our 21 Year Now! Ages 2 thru Adult Continued from page 28 Cello, Sax Vocal and more to both strong academic skills. Our students adults and children of all ages and • Boys Classes • Tap • Ballet gain a sense of confidence that will levels. Our experienced teachers • Jazz • Hip Hop • Lyrical • Pointe help them in the classroom and hold Bachelors or Masters Diplomas beyond and they use proven music learning • Gymnastics • Praise Dance methods. We hold Students Recitals • Karate • Caribbean • African Mathnasium of twice a year and help our students • Adult Classes Brooklyn with registering and preparation to ABRSM and NYSSMA Music Exams. • Hip Hop/Caribbean Competition 6806 20th Ave., in Bensonhurst; 347-7-MATH-11 or www. We believe that making music can Take 2 classes mathnasium.com/bensonhurst bring joy in everyone’s life and we or www.mathnasium.com/ are looking forward to share it with get the 3rd for 1/2 price! brooklynheights you! After-school learning centers, where We Now Have 4 Great Locations we make MATH make SENSE to kids. The Noel Pointer School We support children in first through of Music 4626 FLatLaNds aveNue 12th grade, including algebra, geom- 1368 Fulton Street, 3rd Floor (bet. Schenectady ave. & e. 46th St.) etry, trigonometry and college calcu- 718-230-4825 or www.npsom.org 718-692-4809 lus. Our program helps with S.A.T.’s, We offer extracurricular activities G.E.D.’s and Regents preparation. for after school programs in violin, 9409 & 9411 aveNue L We specialize in Math and provide (bet. e. 94th & 95th StS.) viola, cello, piano and theory. Our assistance ONLY in mathematics. We daily program runs Monday-Friday, 9 718-272-1813 are the Math EXPERTS. a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, we offer We provide excellent content, at an extended program for working 1866 FLatbusH aveNue a great value with proven results. (bet. ave. K & e. 38th St.) parents. The Noel Pointer School of We offer individual instruction in Music is a string music program to 718-258-2340 a group setting. We provide an teach violin, cello, viola and bass to in-depth assessment to gauge stu- elementary, middle and upper school dents’ gaps of knowledge, and we students. The school is offering this concentrate on those areas. We also valuable training to the youth of help students with school work and the city to encourage and nurture homework, which they are encour- creativity and musical literacy in aged to bring with them. children who might otherwise not 'R\RXOLNH Similar to a gymnasium designed to have the opportunity or exposure. strengthen the body, Mathnasium is The Noel Pointer School of Music is SODQHV" designed to build up the Math mind. a feast of quality musical training. We provide a no-pressure, low-stress Learning to play a string instrument environment, and we strive to take is a wonderful activity that opens the fear out of Math. No red pens or up a whole new world for children. X’s here! We look to reinforce stu- Join us this fall for a world of musi- dents’ confidence and self-esteem, cal fun. and make Math fun. We have a rewards program, where students earn points as they com- Performing Arts plete sections of work which they Acting Out can later redeem for prizes. We also 718-236-6494 or have a game area, where students www.actingoutonline.com can play Math-related games with Why choose ACTING OUT? - other students and staff, if they have Besides their fun and friendly atmo- time left over from their session. sphere, honest evaluations, successful alumni, industry reputation and dynamic style, they just simply get Music results!!! Music Box School Acting Out offers an extensive 9402 Fort Hamilton Pkwy performing arts curriculum, from Brooklyn, NY 11209 kindergarten to college. Courses 718-333-5071 or include all levels of acting, musical www.Musicboxschool.com theatre, improvisation, film & televi- Conveniently located in Bay Ridge, sion, along with private lessons for WK Brooklyn Music Box School offers singing, piano and audition prepara- 23(1+286(6HSWHPEHU group lessons for kids and private tion. lessons in Piano, Violin, Guitar, Continued on page 32 30 BROOKLYN Family • September 2014 Special Advertising Section After School Center Congregation Beth Elohim 274 Garfield Place, Park Slope, Brooklyn INSTRUCTIONAL CLASSES IN A WIDE VARIETY OF AREAS INCLUDING t48*. t7*%&0 t."/%"3*/$)*/&4& t'"3.505"#-&$00,*/( t)"33:1055&34105*0/4 t410354 t$)&44 t41"/*4) t#00,.",*/( t4&8*/( t5)&"5&3 t$00,*/( t01&/"35456%*0 t1"1&3.",*/( t1)050(3"1): t3&$:$-&%30#054 t#"--&55"1%"/$& t$0.165&34 t:0(" t-&(04

PLUS homework help, tutuoring and individual & group lessons for guitar, piano, violin, recorder and voice available. Mini Camps during school vacation weeks. Free pick-up at many neighborhood schools.

FALL SEMESTER BEGINS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH NOW ACCEPTING PRE-K FOR INDIVIDUAL CLASSES For more information, please call: 718 768-3814 x 210 or Visit us online at www.congregationbethelohim.org

Brienza’s Academic Advantage is committed to providing quality services to meet the individual Register needs of students. Our staff is comprised of for NOW our highly qualiﬁed, certiﬁed teachers. TACHS & SHSAT Our Services Prep Courses Call for immediate • Diagnostic testing and parent conferencing enrollment! • Tutoring for Grades K – 12 (Private and Small group enrichment For More Information call or remedial tutoring) • Preparation for all City/State Exams (718) 232-0114 (ELA, Math, ITBS, ISEE) Convenient locations: • Prep courses for all high school entrance exams: • 8696 18th Ave., Brooklyn (specializing in TACHS & SHSAT preparation) • 1902 Ave. T, Brooklyn • Regents preparation for all subjects • 259 Rose Ave., Staten Island • PSAT / SAT courses www.Brienzas.com • Services for students with P-4 letters

Special Advertising Section September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 31 NOEL POINTER FOUNDATION Activity Directory Saturday String Program Continued from page 30 imagination and building their con- 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Acting Out prides itself on its fan- fidence through classes in drama, tastic teachers who are all working dance and singing. Students are Enroll Your Children Now! actors/musicians that offer your boys and girls ages 4 to 16 and are child the opportunity to learn from grouped in classes by similar age. Music and Theory Instruction professionals. Their instructors can All teachers are professional per- be seen on Broadway, regional the- formers with Broadway experience. Violin • Viola • Cello atre, television, radio and film. They Class locations in Park slope, Carroll Double Bass are members of the Actors Equity Gardens and Brooklyn Heights, Association, the Screen Actors Guild weekend and after school class Guitar • Piano and AFTRA, and hold Bachelor and/ available. Performances every term. or Master Degrees in the perform- Please call Beth on 718-852-3208 or Open House ing arts. take a look at our website! September 13th • 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Most importantly, they have instructors who dedicate themselves to provide your child with an environ- Sports & Fitness Special 5% Discount ment in which they feel safe in Rab’s Country Lanes Applied to All Tuition Paid in Full expressing the full range of emo- 1600 Hylan Blvd. tions required in developing their th 718-979-1600 or by September 16 , 2014 performing arts skills. www.bowlatrabs.com With two Brooklyn based studios Bowling is the sport where no one 247 Herkimer Street Acting Out says “Come on down rides the bench... More activity (Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration) and take a class, visit our website or each outing than many other rec- noelpointer.org feel free to call, we love to answer reations provide and no rain-outs! [email protected] questions!” Rab’s Country Lanes Youth Bowling Programs combine the excitement of 718-230-4825 Preparatory Center For competition with the fun of bowling The Performing Arts at with your friends and teammates. Brooklyn College We offer youth bowling programs r 2014 - Book NOW! for kids 3 to 20! tembe 234 Roosevelt Hall h Sep All of our youth programs include: art 4t 2900 Bedford Ave. ses St Clas DanceDaD nce 718-951-4111 or On lane instruction, awards & recog- DramaDr www.bcprepcenter.org nition, end of season awards party, amma SiSinging For over 35 years, The Preparatory t-shirt or Jersey, and much more! Center for the Performing Arts at Specialized program for kids ages 7 2014 Brooklyn College has offered music & under. (including Suzuki violin, cello and Rab’s Has a Ball Youth Bowling Club, Performing arts classes flute for very young children), the- all kids get a bowling ball as part of ater and dance classes and private The Best Performing Arts Classes in Brooklyn! the program! lessons for children of all ages and Wednesday afternoons at 4pm “Early Stages” Classes for Children 4 - 6 years old levels. We also welcome adult stu- “Main Stages” Classes for Children 6 - 16 years old dents for private instruction and Ages 8 to 12 Weekend and Weekday Classes Available group classes. Our experienced USA Bowling Program. A program Sibling Discounts and Limited Class Sizes professional teachers, many of designed as a mainstream sports whom have extensive performance model for bowling. Please visit our website for questions and registration details experience and advanced conserva- One coach per team, team building tory degrees, encourage students’ skills and more. ALL TEACHERS ARE growth at all levels. Registration is PROFESSIONAL PERFORMERS FROM BROADWAY currently underway for our 2014– Wednesday afternoons at 4pm and Full Season programs for kids ages StageCoach the World’s Largest 2015 school year, which begins September 18. Please call for an 5 to 20. Part Time Theatre Arts Schools individual registration consultation Kids are placed in divisions by age. NOW! or a Suzuki interview. For further Friday Afternoons at 4pm ACT information, please call or visit our CE! Saturday Mornings at 10am ! DAN website. SING Saturday Afternoons at 12pm Theatre Arts Schools Stagecoach StageCoach Theatre Sunday Mornings at 11am www.StageCoachSchools.com Arts Schools Rab’s Country Lanes awards over 718-852-3208 or $25,000 in college scholarships to Call Beth: 718 - 852 - 3208 www.stagecoachschools.com our youth bowlers annually! StageCoach Theatre School has a On-Going Registration is going on reputation for stretching children’s now! Call us for details. 32 BROOKLYN Family • September 2014 Special Advertising Section 42 Years of Excellence in Dance Education VickyThe Simegiatos Performing Arts Center Classes for Everyone from Pre-Schoolers to Teens and Adults Ballet - Pointe - Tap - Jazz - Lyrical - Contemporary - Hip Hop - Theatre Dance Mommy & Me - Primas & Divas and Disney Dance for Pre-Schoolers Salsa Babies, Kinder-Hop, Preschool Jazz & Acro Salsa - Acrobatics - Pilates - Break Dancing Vocal - Piano - Violin - Guitar - Musical Theater Special Workshop for our upcoming production of The Nutcracker Scholarship Program for Talented Students Training for a Career in Dance Award Winning Competition Teams (by audition only) Registration Dates Tuesday, September 2nd through Friday, September 5th 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Saturday, September 6th 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Monday, September 8th and Tuesday September 9th 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Classes begin www.vspac.com Wednesday, September 10th Third Avenue Studio Fifth Avenue Studio The dancers pictured here are 7110 Third Avenue 5312 Fifth Avenue students at the Vicky Simegiatos Performing Arts Center 718.680.0944 718.492.2279

The Preparatory Center for the Performing Arts 234 Roosevelt Hall, 2900 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, New York 11210 Over 35 years of music, theater, and dance instruction for children age 3 and up, teens, and adults • MUSIC – Suzuki study in violin, cello, and flute for very young children, beginner to advanced instrument and voice lessons, first music class for very young children, beginning instrument classes, ensembles for children and teens • DANCE – Creative movement for ages 3-5, beginning to advanced ballet, tap, hip hop • THEATER – Creative dramatics for ages 4 to 6, theater games and improvisation, musical theater workshops Weekend & weekday lessons & classes Registration is now open for the 2014-2015 school year. Classes begin September 18. Please call 718-951-4111 for a registration consultation or visit our website at www.bcprepcenter.org for complete course listings.

Special Advertising Section September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 33 Parenting The conversations that keep me insane

know many parents spend a “What is it, son?” a saturday morning in 2008 lot of time at work and worry “There’s no ketchup.” [My attorney] and I are in fla- I about losing quality time with grante delicto when the kid walks Death by their kids. I work at home and Monday, May 20, 2013 in. spend an atrocious number of I’m in the kitchen when my “OH MY GOD, THAT’S SEX?” ChilDren hours trapped talking with my daughter calls me from her room. He runs out, laughing. Chris GarlinGton kids. For those of you stuck at I know she’s been worrying about Chris Garlington lives in a standard work and missing your spawn, her friends and I’ve been waiting two kids, wife, dog, corner-lot, two- I offer you these excerpts from for her to beg for wisdom, to lis- car dream package. He drives a 2003 heart-meltingly memorable con- ten as I list the things she can and Camry, sports a considerable notebook versations with my kids: can’t expect from life. I take my fetish, and smokes Arturo Fuente Part- time. I get my coffee ready. I walk aga Maduros at the Cigar King as often thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 into her room to see her legs stick- as possible. His stories have appeared (My son is on the back porch ing out from under her mattress. in Florida, Orlando, Orlando Weekly, doing his homework, singing to “I’m stuck under the bed.” Catholic Digest, Retort, Another Realm, himself). I just wait there a minute, stir- The Dead Mule School of Southern “That, that’s beautiful, son. Is ring my coffee, and letting the wis- Literature, South Lit, and other maga- it Latin?” dom vent out of my ears. zines. His short story collection, “King “Dora the Explorer, dork.” of the Road,” is available on Amazon. Christmas, 2006 His column “My Funny Life,” was nomi- saturday, March 4, 2010 The girl snuggles up to me. She’d nated for a national humor award. He “DAD! DAD! DAD! OH MY GOD— been up all night trying to catch a is the author of the infamous anti- DAAAAAAAAD!” my daughter glimpse of the fat man. In a sleepy parenting blog, Death By Children; the sobs loudly. voice, she says quietly: anti-writing blog, Creative Writer Pro; I race into the bathroom where “Hey Dad, can I tell you some- and co-author of “The Beat Cop’s Guide she’s staring into the toilet: thing?” to Chicago Eats.” “I dropped my potato.” I brace myself. I know this is one of those real truth moments tuesday, Jan. 7, 2014 where she says something “Dad, you know when you told meme worthy. me to bother you only when it’s an “I didn’t get any- emergency?” thing I wanted.” I’ve been waiting for this. Stay- ing calm, I kneel down, put a hand on his shoulder:

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 35 Parenting They’re on their own Exploring your parenting role after graduation

y youngest graduated this “Often the move to college marks the kids are out of the everyday pic- past June. I welled up with the most distinctive change for a ture, it is time to renew what was lost M tears on and off through- child becoming an adult. There is when they were in the home.” out the ceremony. These were the usually a natural pulling away that Dr. Freedheim says this as an op- “happy-sad” kind which you are prob- happens in the teen years to pre- portunity for romance and sponta- Lions and ably familiar with — tears conjured by pare for this move into adulthood, neous activities. He adds that if the a wide range of conflicting emotions. but it still comes as a real shift,” effort is made, the consequence is tigers and Graduation this year was not just says Licensed Marriage and Family often an enriched marriage. a milestone for my daughter. It was Therapist Kim Blackham, and owner However, if the effort is made, teens one for me as well. A good deal and director of Summit View Family you will likely find a renewed excite- Myrna Beth haskell of my time over the last 15 years Therapy in Winston Salem, N.C. ment about your relationship and a was spent volunteering for our local Allow your child to navigate the chance to do those things you hadn’t schools in various capacities. An world solo without too much inter- had time for in the past. office at home and a flexible sched- ference. Blackham points out, “Kids My husband and I have already ule allowed me to be involved in going away to college need to know made several plans to do those countless ways, as an honor society their parents have confidence in their things we didn’t have time for while advisor, PTA president, and booster ability to make it on their own.” running to swim meets or attending association president, to name a She advises parents to provide coun- jazz concerts. Of course, there are few. When my daughter reached for sel, but to be careful about offering an occasional college events to attend her diploma, it marked the end of a abundance of unsolicited advice. as well. It truly is a joy to see that chapter in both of our lives. “Sometimes unsolicited advice familiar smile on your child’s face The months prior to the big day had communicates a lack of confidence when he spots you in the crowd. me thinking about my new role as par- in their ability to solve their own ent. Does the parenting role change? problems.” tips and tales What is the best way for an empty Be aware that your child is used “My husband and I loved having nester to forge forward? Should one to setting his own rules while living an empty nest! It allowed us to re- find a new hobby, explore the globe, away from home. kindle as a couple.” or clean out the basement? “It’s key to recognize that when Cheryl Frazier-Woods, Poughkeep- your child returns home during sie, NY Your new role breaks, they are returning as an “You may offer counsel, but don’t Your role has changed, not ended. adult, not as a child.” be hurt if it’s rejected. It can be Your kids will need you — at some Blackham says that college-age harder than when they were living level — even when they’re 40. children should respect being back at home.” in their parents’ home, but parents John Keller, Earlville, NY need to be cognizant of the natural shift in the relationship. note from the author I’ve found that explaining expec- Now that my youngest has gradu- tations works best. For instance, if I ated from high school, my writing ca- ask my son to text me when he gets reer will be taking another direction. back to the dorm after a visit home, I wanted to let my readers know that I might couple this with, “Humor me. it has been my pleasure exploring the If I know you are back safely, I can teen years with all of you — my fel- continue with my day.” low parents and hundreds of experts in the field of adolescent develop- a lifestyle change ment. I have learned so much during Since the daily responsibilities of this journey. I would like to thank the parenting have waned, you’ll have hundreds of parents who sent in tips more time to delve into those things since the column’s inception in 2009. you’ve put off time and again. I would also like to thank my editors. For couples, there can be a re- Your professionalism and guidance newed energy to their marriage. have meant the world to me. Dr. Donald K. Freedheim, profes- Myrna Beth Haskell is a feature writer, sor emeritus of psychology at Case columnist, and author of, “Lions And Ti- Western Reserve University, ex- gers And Teens: Expert Advice and Sup- plains, “When all the children finally port for the Conscientious Parent Just Like graduate from high school, a life ad- You” (Unlimited Publishing LLC, 2012). For justment needs to take place. When details, visit www.myrnahaskell.com.

36 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 BROOKLYN HEIGHTS MONTESSORI SCHOOL prepares students with critical thinking and problem solving skills essential for success in our rapidly changing world

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 37 Parenting Helping twins find their individuality

Parents helPing Parents Sharon C. PeterS, Ma

Dear Sharon, We have identical twin daughters who rely on each other for just about everything. They dress alike, act alike, and are each other’s best friends. They are 12 and we are concerned that they are too dependent and lack any individuality. Are we justified in our concern, and do you have any advice for us moving forward?

Dear parents, unique qualities, encouraging any plorations, and helps communicate It is a true gift when twins such as distinct friendships, academic in- that mom and dad enjoy being with your daughters get to have strong, terests or recreational activities as them individually, not just as a unit. close relationships. It can also be im- frequently as possible. I’ve talked to many parents of portant to foster twins’ individuality, This can mean that parents need twins who have reported that it as doing so can help them grow into to find ways to get different chil- was at times difficult to help their adults who have had the opportu- dren to separate places at the same children become more independent. nity to understand and pursue their time. Such steps can be useful even This can be particularly true as own goals and aspirations. Here are if twins are reluctant to do things children get closer to adolescence. a few relatively simple ideas that can without the other and initially be- Teens and pre-teens are often in- help. Even when twins are identical come upset at parental suggestions. creasingly reluctant to “alter their there are usually noticeable differ- Another basic but effective tool is routines,” because of a mom or ences. I usually suggest that parents for moms and dads to spend regular dad’s opinions, but adult guidance of twins appreciate and foster these time alone with each child. In cir- is an important part of parenting. cumstances when twins are particu- It can help to remember that when Sharon C. Peters is a mother and director of Parents helping Parents, larly intertwined I suggest arranging twins have some separate relation- 669 President St., Brooklyn (718) 638–9444, www.PhPonline.org. an hour or two every week to do ships and interests they have even If you have a question about a challenge in your life (no issue is too big something of each one’s choosing. more to share with each other. Best or too small) e-mail it to Dear Sharon at [email protected]. This can help parents practically wishes as you continue to help your support personal interests and ex- twins grow.

38 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 teens Applying to college or high-school seniors all have to polish your essays and check Hence, you need to sell whatever sets across the nation, it will soon your personal information. you apart from others. To decide how F be time to start applying for I wanted to present myself, I evaluated colleges. The college application pro- Do your research my talents and the activities I partici- cess can be overwhelming, especially For a first-time college applicant, pated in, looking for passion and con- with heightened competition and in- the process itself can be confus- tinuity. In the end, I presented myself creased pressure on students to gain ing. Some high schools offer free as a writer, based on my experience acceptance into the top universities. discussion panels and tutorials for as a columnist for this magazine and A letter It is easy for students to focus purely parents and students who might not my success in writing contests. on the end goal of receiving an ac- know where to start. Take advan- Bear in mind, selling yourself to from college ceptance letter, but the college ap- tage of this help, but do your own colleges doesn’t always entail em- AglAiA Ho plication process is a journey filled research. My family and I sat down phasizing a talent or skill, as col- with many decisions and obstacles. and discussed the process many leges and universities often look for My experience applying for college times, talking to relatives and friends cultural and economic diversity. At had its share of successes and regrets who completed the process already, times, colleges may choose students — lessons I hope might help others doing our own individual research, based on socioeconomic class, first- through this trying time. and reading college forums. generation college students, minori- Additionally, there are also early ties, and students whose parents start early application processes available for have attended the same school. Ex- Deadlines for most applications students who want a faster decision. plore these options and use them to lurk around December and January, These are early action and early your advantage. so it is important to start think- decision, depending on the college. ing about college before your senior Each has restrictions and require- Do not lose sight year. Ask yourself basic questions ments, which vary from school to of high school such as, “Do I want to attend college school. Early application can be ben- One of the most common mis- away from home,” or, “Would I rather eficial for those who are set on a takes I have seen my peers make is attend a large university or liberal particular college. By applying early, overinvesting their time in the col- arts college?” you might have a better chance of lege application process. Remember Starting the actual application pro- being accepted. that, while getting into college is cess as soon as you can is a great your goal, your job is still a high- idea. The Common Application, which Have a game plan school student. Make sure that you is used by many universities, as well Once you have completed your continue to learn and put effort into as supplemental material specific to research and have compiled a list your high-school classes. The knowl- individual colleges are often released of colleges you wish to apply to, you edge you accumulate now will be a during the summer before your senior need to get organizes. If you are plan- foundation for college. year. Start working on these applica- ning on applying to multiple colleges, Even after the acceptance letter tions early! I began working on my deadlines and various supplements arrives, do not lose sight of high applications in August, a decision I can become jumbled. Deadlines for school. The term “second term se- am glad I made. The earlier you start, applications may overlap or be only nior” is notorious, referring to stu- the more time you will a few days apart. To avoid missing a dents who have been admitted into deadline (which unfortunately hap- college and do the bare minimum to pens to far too many applicants), uti- complete high school. It is foolish to lize checklists and schedules to keep stop caring about school, in general, track of all impending due dates. but senior grades can be important When I was applying for college, I cre- if you eventually chose to transfer to ated an spreadsheet that kept track another college. So do not let your of all of the colleges I was applying to, grades slide. the required material, and deadlines, It is hard to believe that almost two as well as my progress with each ap- years ago, I was in the same boat as plication. This strategy helped me high-school seniors are today. The manage my time and prioritize which experience applying for college was application I needed to work on first. an eye-opener. My journey helped me discover my strengths, achievements, Learn to sell yourself and passions, as well as my weak- Unfortunately, the college appli- nesses and faults. In the end, I came cation process is not solely a merit- out knowing not only what college I based system. Private universities would be attending in the fall, but also want the best students, but they also more about the person that I was. look for applicants who can make Aglaia Ho is a rising sophomore at Wil- unique contributions to their school. liams College and a native New Yorker. 40 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 Lice lessons By Ruth hanley plan, so that you’ll be ready when you can. Vacuum car interiors, mat- What to do necessary: tresses, and the surfaces of furni- arents dread getting that note Keep calm and buy the sham- ture and floors in your house and when they from school or a text from poo. Head lice are common among wash sheets frequently for the next P another mother that a class- children 3 to 12 years of age, though few weeks. Store items that can’t mate has lice. They cautiously give children as young as 2 months old be washed in garbage bags that visit your their kids’ hair a quick search, find a can be treated with an over-the- are closed up and set aside for two louse, and panic. Memories of child- counter lice shampoo. If you are weeks. hood experiences make us recall the pregnant or have a child younger “Adult lice can survive up to 55 home myths and stigma about lice. Lice than 2 months old, consult your hours without a host and eggs can are not a sign of a dirty house or a doctor about other available treat- hatch up to ten days later,” says Dr. dirty child, and they can show up ments. Over-the-counter shampoo Winch. “It takes 12 days for a newly on anyone. In fact, six to 12 million treatments usually contain only one hatched egg to become an adult.” school-aged children are treated for percent permethrin solution, which Cleaning and doing laundry can lice each year. is enough to be neurotoxic to lice, seem overwhelming, but don’t as- “We all seem to equate it with but very mild to humans. sume you’re surrounded by these cleanliness, but really, it’s more like Home remedies abound on blogs nefarious creatures. Head lice crawl, catching the flu or a cold from some- and websites, but they are not rec- rather than hop or fly, and are not one,” says Mary Spryer, a California ommended for use alone. Dr. Roberta transmittable to or from your pets. mom of two. Winch, pediatrician at Pediatric As- Also, according to the American The way to ease the panic sociates in Sammamish, Washing- Academy of Pediatrics, unless there caused by this minuscule menace ton found that mayonnaise helped is a heavy infestation, a louse isn’t is to equip yourself with a good her pick the nits out of her child’s likely to wander off a person’s head, long, thick hair, but she recom- because as soon as it does, it starts mends using a lice shampoo to to die of starvation. kill the live lice first. an ounce of prevention. Check Get comfortable with your child’s hair once a week for a comb. There is a reason lice or nits. Lice Knowing You, a lice that nit-picking means being removal chain on the West Coast excessively concerned with has the motto, “Take a peek once a small details. Nits are small week.” If you find one in your weekly white lice eggs that are tear- search, you’ll likely catch it early drop shaped and stick to one and have a milder case. Remind side of the hair shaft. A louse your child not to share helmets, hair is light brown and can be as bands, brushes, or hats. It is also tiny as a carrot seed. Lots of helpful to use a lice-repellent sham- debris can get stuck in your poo and detangling solution (such child’s hair and look like lice: as Fairy Tales) on your child’s hair food, flakes of dry skin, dirt and keep it in a ponytail or braid for or plant matter. However, lice school and camp. move and nits cling to the Ultimately, educating yourself hair shaft and are hard to re- about how to look for lice and check- move. If you can flick or blow ing regularly are the best ways to it away, it’s not a nit. avoid getting lice. Tara Clark, a mom Use a spray bottle of water of two girls from Washington State or detangling solution to wet- says, “Talk to friends with children comb your child’s hair with of a similar age, and you will learn a fine-toothed lice comb. that everybody deals with it. It Wipe your comb on a paper helps to know you aren’t the only towel and check for nits on one.” Take it from moms who have the towel. Continue each day been there. until you no longer find nits Let’s get real about lice. When as you comb. Letting your they show up at your house, it’s not child watch a movie, read a the end of the world. Things will get book, or play a handheld gam- better, but first you’ll have a lot of ing device will help her sit laundry to do! still. Ruth Hanley has two daughters and you’re gonna do a lot of she did a lot of laundry, vacuuming, laundry. Wash and dry cloth- and combing last year when lice came ing, bedding, and stuffed ani- to visit her house. She was glad to see mals on the hottest setting them go.

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 41 Parenting Talking with teens Dear Dr. Karyn, listen more.” So often many of us are ing guys, I’ll often (not always) talk I saw you recently on TV talking quick to give solutions when really “sideways” — we’ll both face the same about practical strategies parents can our kids just want us to listen. direction. This approach reduces eye use to get their kids to talk, and I was Choose good timing: Timing is contact and makes communication fascinated. I have three daughters everything. Think of the time of day more comfortable. Driving in a car or and realize there are many things I’m that’s worked best in the past. When doing an activity can allow this ap- doing wrong in my communication have you gotten your kids to talk proach to happen naturally. with them. I started feeling empow- before? For most kids, it’s at night or Know your body language: Dear ered listening to your suggestions. after school — not in the morning! Ninety-three percent of communica- Would you mind e-mailing me that top Know your emotions: Parents, tion is non verbal, e.g., eye contact, Dr. Karyn 10 list? Thanks for all your help with be aware of your emotions. Kids are tone of voice, facial expressions. It’s Dr. Karyn GorDon parents and teens. We need all the incredibly aware of how their par- important for parents — for all people help we can get. ents are feeling. If parents are more — to start being aware of their body relaxed and easygoing, kids are more language. Do you talk too much? Talk ’m so glad to hear you feel em- likely to talk. If parents are stressed too little? Do you give too many solu- powered. I’ve coached parents out or anxious, kids are more likely tions? Do you frown? Do you avoid I and youth for nearly 20 years to keep things to themselves. eye contact? Do you apologize when and have learned firsthand there are Be alone: Kids are more likely you’ve done something wrong, and if many things parents can do to en- to talk if it is just them and their not, what message do you think that courage their kids to talk. And there parents. sends to your children? What is your are some things that will push them Think of a past success: Every child body language communicating? To away. So as you requested, here is has a secret formula that gets him to help you with this, ask your children my top 10 list of things parents can talk. Think of a past success when directly keeping in mind they may or do to encourage their kids (of any you got your child to talk. Where were may not have the words to answer. age) to talk. This is not an exhaustive you? Who was with you? What time of Or you can purchase my resource list but one to get you thinking: the day was it? How were you feeling? “Analyze Your Teen,” a four-part CD Be safe: Parents need to be a safe How was he feeling? Start looking for series and 40-page workbook. In the place. Kids don’t talk if they feel their these golden opportunities. workbook is a report card template parents are going to judge them, tell Know your child’s and your designed by a group of teenagers. other people confidential informa- learning styles: An auditory learner If you give this report card to your tion, or make fun of what they are won’t need to have eye contact dur- child allowing him to evaluate your saying. ing communication while a visual communication, you will have 100 Listen more: Last year, I asked learner will. Meanwhile, a hands-on percent clear direction about what more than a thousand kids what or kinesthetic learner will need to you need to work on. This tool is ex- they needed from their parents that doodle or do something while she tremely helpful! would encourage them to talk with talks and, often, an auditory learner Listen and be open for feedback: them. The no. 1 response was “to will think the kinesthetic learner is Often, children will tell parents what not listening. Not understand- they need, but often, parents are too ing how learning styles impact busy or not emotionally prepared to communication often leads to really pick up these signs. The only frustration and anger. Get to way we improve is if we are open to know your child’s learning feedback. The problem is: if our egos style and how this impacts are too fragile or we suffer from low her communication with you. self-esteem, we tend to take things Know gender communica- personally and find it difficult to hear tion differences: Girls like eye criticism. My encouragement is that contact, many guys do not. relationships only improve if we are This is really important to un- able to acknowledge what we are derstand in parent-child rela- doing well while also acknowledging tionships. It’s important for fa- the areas that need work. thers to understand that, often, Dr. Karyn Gordon is one of North daughters need to have eye America’s leading relationship and par- contact from them or they will enting experts. She is a regular contribu- think their dad is not listening tor to “Good Morning America,” founder to them. Similarly, it’s impor- of dk Leadership, best-selling author of tant for mothers to understand “Dr. Karyn’s Guide To The Teen Years” that, often, sons will find eye (Harper Collins), and motivational contact too intense. When I’m speaker to a quarter of a million people. coaching girls, I’ll give them Visit her at www.dkleadership.org and eye contact. When I’m coach- on Twitter: @DrKarynGordon.

42 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 Parenting Flatbush Jewish Center is your home for the Talking with teens High Holidays! Dear Dr. Karyn, listen more.” So often many of us are ing guys, I’ll often (not always) talk I saw you recently on TV talking quick to give solutions when really “sideways” — we’ll both face the same about practical strategies parents can our kids just want us to listen. direction. This approach reduces eye use to get their kids to talk, and I was Choose good timing: Timing is contact and makes communication fascinated. I have three daughters everything. Think of the time of day more comfortable. Driving in a car or and realize there are many things I’m that’s worked best in the past. When doing an activity can allow this ap- doing wrong in my communication have you gotten your kids to talk proach to happen naturally. Flatbush Jewish Center is a friendly and diverse Conservadox Dear with them. I started feeling empow- before? For most kids, it’s at night or Know your body language: community. Join us and be inspired by the beautiful traditional ered listening to your suggestions. after school — not in the morning! Ninety-three percent of communica- prayer of our clergy, Cantor Aron Schwartz and Mr. Menachem Would you mind e-mailing me that top Know your emotions: Parents, tion is non verbal, e.g., eye contact, Dr. Karyn 10 list? Thanks for all your help with be aware of your emotions. Kids are tone of voice, facial expressions. It’s Keisler. We welcome guest Rabbi Aron Korenblit who will join Dr. Karyn GorDon parents and teens. We need all the incredibly aware of how their par- important for parents — for all people our clergy in helping seal us in the book of life. help we can get. ents are feeling. If parents are more — to start being aware of their body Rabbi Korenblit is a well known radio host, columnist and educator. relaxed and easygoing, kids are more language. Do you talk too much? Talk ’m so glad to hear you feel em- likely to talk. If parents are stressed too little? Do you give too many solu- Call powered. I’ve coached parents out or anxious, kids are more likely tions? Do you frown? Do you avoid I and youth for nearly 20 years to keep things to themselves. eye contact? Do you apologize when to reserve your and have learned firsthand there are Be alone: Kids are more likely you’ve done something wrong, and if family’s tickets many things parents can do to en- to talk if it is just them and their not, what message do you think that today! courage their kids to talk. And there parents. sends to your children? What is your Flatbush are some things that will push them Think of a past success: Every child body language communicating? To Jewish Center away. So as you requested, here is has a secret formula that gets him to help you with this, ask your children Rosh Hashanah 327 East 5th Street my top 10 list of things parents can talk. Think of a past success when directly keeping in mind they may or September 24-26 Yom Kippur Brooklyn, 11218 do to encourage their kids (of any you got your child to talk. Where were may not have the words to answer. October 3-4 age) to talk. This is not an exhaustive you? Who was with you? What time of Or you can purchase my resource (718) 871-5200 list but one to get you thinking: the day was it? How were you feeling? “Analyze Your Teen,” a four-part CD Be safe: Parents need to be a safe How was he feeling? Start looking for series and 40-page workbook. In the place. Kids don’t talk if they feel their these golden opportunities. workbook is a report card template parents are going to judge them, tell Know your child’s and your designed by a group of teenagers. other people confidential informa- learning styles: An auditory learner If you give this report card to your tion, or make fun of what they are won’t need to have eye contact dur- child allowing him to evaluate your saying. ing communication while a visual communication, you will have 100 Listen more: Last year, I asked learner will. Meanwhile, a hands-on percent clear direction about what more than a thousand kids what or kinesthetic learner will need to you need to work on. This tool is ex- Enter to Win! they needed from their parents that doodle or do something while she tremely helpful! would encourage them to talk with talks and, often, an auditory learner Listen and be open for feedback: them. The no. 1 response was “to will think the kinesthetic learner is Often, children will tell parents what not listening. Not understand- they need, but often, parents are too ing how learning styles impact busy or not emotionally prepared to communication often leads to really pick up these signs. The only New York Parenting is giving away a frustration and anger. Get to way we improve is if we are open to know your child’s learning feedback. The problem is: if our egos beautiful new Britax Affinity stroller, style and how this impacts are too fragile or we suffer from low her communication with you. self-esteem, we tend to take things just perfect for New York City streets. Know gender communica- personally and find it difficult to hear tion differences: Girls like eye criticism. My encouragement is that contact, many guys do not. relationships only improve if we are This is really important to un- able to acknowledge what we are Must live in the five boroughs to participate. derstand in parent-child rela- doing well while also acknowledging tionships. It’s important for fa- the areas that need work. thers to understand that, often, Dr. Karyn Gordon is one of North daughters need to have eye America’s leading relationship and par- contact from them or they will enting experts. She is a regular contribu- think their dad is not listening tor to “Good Morning America,” founder Log onto www.NYParenting.com/stroller for this contest. Fill out the to them. Similarly, it’s impor- of dk Leadership, best-selling author of form completely. It’s as simple as that. One lucky family will be chosen by tant for mothers to understand “Dr. Karyn’s Guide To The Teen Years” that, often, sons will find eye (Harper Collins), and motivational October 1st and it will be delivered to your door. contact too intense. When I’m speaker to a quarter of a million people. coaching girls, I’ll give them Visit her at www.dkleadership.org and eye contact. When I’m coach- on Twitter: @DrKarynGordon.

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 43 Parenting Everyone’s a critic ast Saturday, I decided to the rest of her was fully covered, the only thing I hadn’t packed in take a walk with my youngest and it’s early August. her enormous baby bag. I had dia- L daughter Julia and get some Since becoming a parent, I’ve pers, wipes (both scented and un- coffee. It was a brisk morning, she learned that people seem to think scented), diaper cream, formula, was up, and I know that soon she they have a license to give other bottles, bibs, rattles, two changes will outgrow her carrier, which I love parents unsolicited advice and sug- of clothes as well as pajamas, and using. We walked to the nearest deli, gestions. anything else you could possibly and on our way out, I saw my nanny’s This used to really bother me. imagine. I forgot to pack a blanket. mommy 101 husband walking to work. We said I’ll never forget going to my Why couldn’t she have asked me for angelica sereda “hello,” and before I could say “good mother’s house just a few short anything else? Anything else and I morning,” he was asking why I hadn’t months after my oldest child Olivia would’ve looked like supermom. put socks on her. was born. I was a new mom and Instead, she commented, “Ugh, I was caught off guard. I just still unsure of how to travel with Mothering 101!” wanted to exchange greetings, not a baby. (Actually, I still don’t know I felt like a huge mom failure, and feel like I was in trouble or a bad what I’m doing.) She was taking it wasn’t long before I locked myself parent. Yes, as I mentioned, it was photos of Olivia and had asked me in her bathroom, so I could cry. I a brisk morning, but what’s cuter for a blanket. was new at this parenting game, than a barefoot baby? Besides, Well, wouldn’t you know, it was naturally sensitive, extremely hormonal — and, not to mention, dra- matic. Since then, we’ve had a lot of “incidents.” I didn’t pack enough baby lotion, or the right kind. I didn’t coordinate the girls’ outfits, etc. There’s always something we do (or don’t do) that someone is going to have an opinion about, especially when it comes to parenting. But nowadays, I don’t get so hung up about it. My kids are safe, they’re happy, and they’re fine. I think parents of older kids and adults see young parents and look back at that time when they were still figuring things out, and when their children were young. Perhaps they are a little wistful when looking back. Giving advice to new parents might make them feel connected to that time in their life again. It really used to bother me as a new mom — all the comments from family, friends, and even complete strangers on how I should do something differently — but now I don’t take it personally. Maybe doling out advice to another parent helps them live vicariously, if only for a moment, through another new mom. So, if reprimanding me on the street for not putting socks on my baby makes you feel like you’re helping me out, I’ll bite my tongue and resist the temptation to get defensive about my choices. When it comes to parenting, everyone wants to feel like they know best.

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 45 Advice Dealing with your attention-seekers My husband and I work full-time dren’s negative, attention-seeking it). When arguments took place, she and have three children in elemen- behaviors along with “fair-pairs,” the refrained from storming into the TV tary school. They are constantly opposite of them. The biggest annoy- room to nag, scold, ground, repri- Family seeking attention and we try to give ance was her children arguing over mand, lecture, moralize and preach, them our best, but they always de- which programs to watch, so when which actually reinforced the very Journal mand more. I know all kids seek at- she was washing dishes and noticed behaviors she wanted to stop. In- RobeRt MoRton tention, but it is getting out of hand. them watching television in peace, stead, she executed “planned ig- Any tips? she put down the dish towel, sat noring” by using headphones and with them for a spell, and told them listening to her favorite music on ttention-seeking is universal, how much she appreciated their get- Pandora while finishing the dishes. especially with younger chil- ting along. The favorite dessert was Especially for the many families A dren. But, when kids seem never served immediately after din- with both parents working, it ben- “locked-in” to an attention-seeking ner. Instead, she brought it in the TV efits to catch children being good mode, combining the “planned ig- room on a tray and the three of them and not take their praiseworthy be- noring,” “catch them being good,” would enjoy it while watching televi- haviors for granted. Studies reveal “fair-pairs” and “time-out” strategies sion together. The dishes could wait that the average American parent usually improve the situation. Essen- a few minutes! spends seven minutes a week per tially, try to ignore undue attention- Applying fair-pairs helped Donna child. Why not top that average? seeking as best you can and give catch her children being good and to Write into your week-at-a-glance cal- them praise, closeness, hugs and notice their praise-able behaviors. endar special time with your chil- a pat on the back for acting appro- She continued to put down the dish dren — go to the library for story priately. towel and give them attention and time, make a cake (use ready-made For example, I counseled a parent approval when they were “watching mix!), read a book together, play named Donna. She listed her chil- television in harmony” (as she listed Legos or a board game, color or finger paint, make a snowman, walk through Central Park, visit a pet store — the list is endless. Yes, it’s normal for children to seek attention from others, for it is a fundamental human need. But, when it gets out of hand, as you stated, clear boundaries need to be set for absolutely unacceptable behaviors. No child can be the center of attention all the time, so Donna calmly and with few words applied time-out by making them take their show on the road, to their respec- tive bedrooms. It’s difficult to be the center of attention without an audience. Some say parenting is one of the most difficult jobs on earth, but it teaches you the meaning of uncon- ditional love. Your three children are the greatest gift you will ever receive, so I hope these four strategies that worked well for Donna will help you, too. Robert Morton is a retired school psy- chologist and adjunct professor in the School of Leadership & Policy Studies at Bowling Green State University. Contact him at the Family Journal (www.family- journal1.blogspot.com).

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 47 HealtH New York hospitals among nation’s best

ith all of the pressures and head- W aches that come HealtHy with living in possibly the most fast-paced city in the living world, New Yorkers can take Danielle Sullivan comfort in the fact that we have the nation’s top hospitals available to us to keep us on the move and healthy. According to U.S. News & World Report, which ranked more than 4,700 hospitals in the country, New York City has three hospitals which rank in the top 17 across the nation: New York-Presbyte- rian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell came in at number six, and NYU Langone Medical Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center ranked 15 and 16, respectively. In addition to the overall performance of these medical centers, New York City also ranked quite high in medical specialties. Memo- rial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center ranked number one in cancer and The Hospital for Special Surgery came in at number one in orthopedics. In total, 50 of the 180 New York Kettering for treatment, and she after having their son who suffers metropolitan area hospitals were credits her long-term recovery from autism, they realized that he deemed excellent in one or more with the doctors there. is receiving the very best medical specialties. “My doctors at Sloan were won- care (and education) right here in Some municipal hospitals took derful,” said Daniels. “They were New York City. top honors in specialties as well. very thorough and truly caring When asked if the news of New Harlem Hospital and Bellevue were through chemo[therapy] treat- York City’s top performing hos- recognized for their excellence in ments. I still see them now for pitals surprised her, Gomez said, nephrology (the branch of medi- regular visits.” “Absolutely not.” She also said she cine that deals with the physiology Daniels also had a knee replace- would not consider raising her son and diseases of the kidneys). ment performed at The Hospital For in any other city, “Why would I go This news is not a surprise to Special Surgery and says she had a anywhere else, when we have the many native New Yorkers who re- great experience during that opera- best treatments and doctors right alize that not every city has such tion and hospital stay, as well. outside our door?” quality medical care available. Pa- Many parents and families rely Danielle Sullivan, a mom of three, tricia Daniels, a Windsor Terrace on the quality medical care of- has worked as a writer and editor in native who has since transplanted fered in New York. Mariel Gomez of the parenting world for more than to Edison, N.J. and is a 10-year Brooklyn Heights says she and her 10 years. Sullivan also writes about breast cancer survivor, says that husband often considered leaving pets and parenting for Disney’s Bab- when she was first diagnosed, she the city to move to a slow-paced ble.com. Find Sullivan on her blogs, knew immediately she would make farm or rural town in middle Amer- Just Write Mom and Some Puppy To the regular trek to Memorial Sloan ica before they had children, but Love.

48 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 HealtH Leif Ericson Day School New York hospitals Success without Stress ◗ Small Class Size ◗ Graduates to nest Nursery-Grade 8 high schools among nation’s best ◗ Computer Technology Lab ◗ Christian Values ◗ Professional, Caring Sta ◗ Afterschool Program ith all of the pressures and head- ◗ Environmental Education W aches that come Program HealtHy with living in possibly the most fast-paced city in the ◗ Community Chapel & living world, New Yorkers can take Assemblies Danielle Sullivan comfort in the fact that we have the nation’s top hospitals ◗ Performing Arts Program available to us to keep us on ◗ the move and healthy. Integrating NYS Learning FREE UPK Full Day 8 am – 2:30 pm According to U.S. News & Standards FREE Extended Day 7 am – 7 pm World Report, which ranked Call today to learn more about more than 4,700 hospitals in the country, New York City Leif Ericson Day School’s 49 year history FREE Breakfast - Snacks And Lunch has three hospitals which of quality education in a safe, caring environment rank in the top 17 across the CALL TO REGISTER 718–355–9660 nation: New York-Presbyte- (718) 748-9023 | 1037—72nd Street rian Hospital of Columbia Brooklyn NY 11228 • http://ledsny.org REGISTER NOW - SEATS ARE LIMITED and Cornell came in at num- Like us on facebook ber six, and NYU Langone 898-900 Rogers Ave. /Bet. Snyder And Albermarle/ Medical Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center ranked 15 and 16, respectively. In addition to the overall performance of these medical centers, New York City also ranked quite high in medical specialties. Memo- rial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center ranked number one in cancer and The Hospital for Special Surgery came in at number one in orthopedics. In total, 50 of the 180 New York Kettering for treatment, and she after having their son who suffers metropolitan area hospitals were credits her long-term recovery from autism, they realized that he deemed excellent in one or more with the doctors there. is receiving the very best medical specialties. “My doctors at Sloan were won- care (and education) right here in Some municipal hospitals took derful,” said Daniels. “They were New York City. top honors in specialties as well. very thorough and truly caring When asked if the news of New Harlem Hospital and Bellevue were through chemo[therapy] treat- York City’s top performing hos- recognized for their excellence in ments. I still see them now for pitals surprised her, Gomez said, nephrology (the branch of medi- regular visits.” “Absolutely not.” She also said she cine that deals with the physiology Daniels also had a knee replace- would not consider raising her son and diseases of the kidneys). ment performed at The Hospital For in any other city, “Why would I go This news is not a surprise to Special Surgery and says she had a anywhere else, when we have the many native New Yorkers who re- great experience during that opera- best treatments and doctors right alize that not every city has such tion and hospital stay, as well. outside our door?” quality medical care available. Pa- Many parents and families rely Danielle Sullivan, a mom of three, tricia Daniels, a Windsor Terrace on the quality medical care of- has worked as a writer and editor in native who has since transplanted fered in New York. Mariel Gomez of the parenting world for more than to Edison, N.J. and is a 10-year Brooklyn Heights says she and her 10 years. Sullivan also writes about breast cancer survivor, says that husband often considered leaving pets and parenting for Disney’s Bab- when she was first diagnosed, she the city to move to a slow-paced ble.com. Find Sullivan on her blogs, knew immediately she would make farm or rural town in middle Amer- Just Write Mom and Some Puppy To the regular trek to Memorial Sloan ica before they had children, but Love.

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 49 school officials, other parents, and appropriate leaders to improve the situation for your child. Find a support group of parents coping with mental illness. Make an intentional Parenting the choice to not hide in shame. Don’t let it destroy your family. Support one another. Unite together as a team, educating other children in the family of the illness while being sensitive to your child’s feelings about the diagnosis. Don’t allow troubled child siblings to demoralize or make fun of their behavior. Help your other chil- By Gayla Grace dren understand their sibling cannot How to seek always control his or her behavior. he recent suicide of In addition, stay calm in the face of help for well-loved actor Robin danger or unusual behavior. T Williams reminds us let your child know you love of the fragility of life and the him and will always be there for mental illness inescapable reality of mental him. Children with mental illness illness. Adults and children need more reassurance than other alike struggle with depres- children. They need to feel loved sion, anxiety, attention defi- and understood, even on days when cit hyperactivity disorder, their behavior spirals out of control. conduct disorder, bipolar Make your home a safe place and en- disorder, and a host of other courage your child to ask questions diagnoses every day. and express his feelings. We were Unfortunately, society careful to avoid situations that might often shames and disregards cause anxiety for our daughter such those struggling with men- as leaving her alone or placing her in tal illness. It’s easier to deny a vulnerable situation. there’s a problem than con- Keep an open mind about solu- front it and seek support. But tions. Don’t dismiss an alternative mental illness shouldn’t go without exploring it. Stay educated unnoticed. about ongoing research to determine The National Institute of the latest methods of treatment. Seek Mental Health says, “Men- others’ opinions on available options tal disorders are common and try different methods. among children in the United I was resistant to medicating my States, and can be particu- daughter in the beginning, but her larly difficult for the children psychiatrist helped me recognize themselves and their caregivers. yourself. Start with your child’s pe- that counseling alone wasn’t enough Just over 20 percent (or one in five) diatrician and ask questions about due to her heightened emotions. children, either currently or at some behavior that seems unusual. Learn After several months of counseling, point during their life, have had a se- all you can. You don’t have to have she learned how to manage her anxi- riously debilitating mental disorder.” a medical background to begin to ety and was able to come off the I was devastated when my old- understand mental illness. You know medication a few years later. est daughter was diagnosed with an your child better than anyone and • • • anxiety disorder at 6 years old. Ac- can offer valuable insight to medical The impact of mental illness in cepting the reality that she needed professionals. children cannot be denied; but with medication to control her behavior I was first told my daughter had the proper tools and education, more created feelings of failure for me as a attention deficit hyperactivity disor- children can get the help they need parent. But through education, pro- der, but I suspected something dif- to overcome its devastating effects fessional help, and other means of ferent. As I continued to inform her and lead productive lives. A mental support, we managed to doctor of her symptoms, the correct illness diagnosis doesn’t mean your help her through her el- diagnosis emerged, which led to ap- child will never lead a normal life. Mental health organizations ementary and teen years propriate help. I’m thankful to report my daugh- National Institute of Mental Health: and put her on the path let go of your guilt. It’s not your ter recently graduated from college www.nimh.nin.gov to emotional wellness. fault. Parents of children with men- with an early childhood education Mental Health America: www.mental- If you suspect your tal illness are quick to blame them- degree and is excited about her next healthamerica.net child is suffering from selves and hide in shame, but there’s chapter in life as a role model for National Alliance on Mental Illness: mental illness, don’t wait no reason to take responsibility for children struggling with issues she www.nami.org to seek assistance. De- a biologically based mental illness. has learned to overcome. National Coalition for Mental Health Re- nial doesn’t make it go Don’t feel guilty that your child be- Gayla Grace holds a master’s degree covery: http://ncmhr.org/ away. Here are a few tips haves differently than your neigh- in psychology and counseling and, as Substance Abuse and Mental Health Ser- on what to do: bor’s child. Good parenting doesn’t a freelance writer and mom to five vices Administration: www.samhsa.gov Seek professional solve mental illness. children, is passionate about educating help while educating Break the silence. Talk with parents on mental health.

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 51 HealtH Kids and pertussis Diagnosing and treating whooping cough I’ve read that there have been a lot of outbreaks of whooping cough around the country this year. My child has had a severe cough as well for the past few days — could it pos- Family HealtH sibly be whooping cough? Can chil- Dr. PramoD Narula, mD dren still contract the disease? Chairman of Pediatrics New York methodist Hospital o start, you need to confirm whether your child has been T immunized against pertussis (whooping cough). Childhood immunizations have been largely responsible for severely curtailing outbreaks of many diseases, including pertussis, since the diphtheria- tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP) is often part of a regular pediatric immunization schedule. However, even if your child has been immunized, if your child displays the symptoms of pertussis, you should seek treatment right away. Caused by bacteria called borde- tella pertussis, whooping cough is an inflammation of the respiratory tract. The disease is highly contagious, and commonly affects young children between 1 and 10 years old. Pertussis can also affect older children or teens who may not have been immunized, as well as adults whose childhood immunizations have worn off. At first, the symptoms of whooping cough are fairly mild, and can include a runny nose, congestion, low fever, and light coughing. Those symptoms may eventually become severe enough to cause spasms of coughing — often four or five hard, repeated coughs — followed by a “whooping” sound that results from the infected child gasping for air. Left untreated, the nasal and respiratory tract congestion can fants under 6 months of age. With ral immunity to the disease. How- lead to pneumonia. proper care, regular hydration and ever, the duration of that immunity During its early stages, pertus- suction to clear blocked nasal pas- varies from person to person, so sis can be treated with antibiot- sages, the coughing spasms should routine vaccinations against whoop- ics, which can sometimes prevent eventually subside. ing cough are recommended. the disease from worsening. How- Whooping cough can usually be Make sure you discuss any ever, once pertussis progresses to prevented with a series of regular questions you have about pertus- include severe coughing spasms, immunizations, so whether or not sis treatment or the pertussis vac- antibiotics may no longer be effec- your child has already had whoop- cine with your child’s pediatrician. tive. Physicians sometimes recom- ing cough, it is important to make Proper caution will go a long way mend hospitalization for children sure he gets immunized. Those who in ensuring that pertussis is no big with pertussis, especially for in- have had pertussis develop a natu- whoop.

52 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 HealtH HAPPINESS Is A Healthy Mouth Help Your Child Start The School Year Kids and pertussis With A Healthy Smile. Healthy Smile... Healthy Children Diagnosing and treating whooping cough I’ve read that there have been a lot of outbreaks of whooping cough around the country this year. My child has had a severe cough as well for the past few days — could it pos- Family HealtH sibly be whooping cough? Can chil- BROOKLYN FREE SCHOOL empowers students through Dr. PramoD Narula, mD dren still contract the disease? • Self-directed student initiatives Chairman of Pediatrics Dentistry For Children • No mandatory homework or tests New York methodist Hospital o start, you need to confirm • Collaborative curriculum whether your child has been Your Child’s Teeth Are Too Precious To Waste • Internship opportunities • Supportive community immunized against pertus- T A Proper Diet, Good Oral Hygiene • Deep commitment to play • Focus on diversity and social justice sis (whooping cough). Childhood immunizations have been largely And A Bi-Annual Check-Up From Age 1 To learn more about this unique Pre-K through High School responsible for severely curtailing CanSave Teeth And Money program, come to one of our information sessions: outbreaks of many diseases, including pertussis, since the diphtheria- Call Reneida E. Reyes, D.D.S., M.P.H. Today Pre-K Information Session: 9/3 9am tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP) is at her ofﬁ ce for your son or daughter’s appointments Open House: 10/22 6pm often part of a regular pediatric immunization schedule. However, One Hanson Place - Suite 706 Open House: 11/19 6pm even if your child has been immu- Brooklyn, NY 11243 nized, if your child displays the brooklynfreeschool.org symptoms of pertussis, you should (718) 230-0380 Fax (718) 230-0358 Brooklyn Free School | 372 Clinton Ave., Brooklyn, NY | (718) 499-2707 seek treatment right away. Caused by bacteria called borde- tella pertussis, whooping cough is Don’t Let Your Child Fall Behind an inflammation of the respiratory tract. The disease is highly contagious, and commonly affects young You Have A Pal children between 1 and 10 years old. Pertussis can also affect older L i k e u s o n children or teens who may not have To Give Your Child been immunized, as well as adults whose childhood immunizations A Headstart have worn off. At first, the symptoms of whoop- Preschool Program & Universal Pre-K ing cough are fairly mild, and can Ages 2-5 include a runny nose, congestion, low fever, and light coughing. Those • Full Day 8am-6pm • Educational Trips symptoms may eventually become • Certified Teachers • Social Service Staff severe enough to cause spasms of or follow us on • Healthy Meals & • Safe Indoor/ coughing — often four or five hard, Snacks Outdoor Facilities repeated coughs — followed by a “whooping” sound that results • Services For • Parent Committees/ from the infected child gasping for Special Needs Workshops air. Left untreated, the nasal and respiratory tract congestion can fants under 6 months of age. With ral immunity to the disease. How- PAL A&M Schwartz PAL Carey Gardens PAL World Of Creative Exp. lead to pneumonia. proper care, regular hydration and ever, the duration of that immunity 452 Pennsylvania Ave. 2964 W. 23rd Street 280 Livonia Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11207 Brooklyn, NY 11224 Brooklyn, NY 11212 During its early stages, pertus- suction to clear blocked nasal pas- varies from person to person, so 718-342-4141 718-372-4044 718-345-5219 sis can be treated with antibiot- sages, the coughing spasms should routine vaccinations against whoop- ics, which can sometimes prevent eventually subside. ing cough are recommended. PAL Woodside Early Learning Center PAL La Puerta Albierta the disease from worsening. How- Whooping cough can usually be Make sure you discuss any 50-37 Broadway 2864 W. 21st Street ever, once pertussis progresses to prevented with a series of regular questions you have about pertus- Woodside, NY 11377 Brooklyn, NY 11224 718-278-3616 718 -373-1100 include severe coughing spasms, immunizations, so whether or not sis treatment or the pertussis vac- antibiotics may no longer be effec- your child has already had whoop- cine with your child’s pediatrician. tive. Physicians sometimes recom- ing cough, it is important to make Proper caution will go a long way Please Call For InFo mend hospitalization for children sure he gets immunized. Those who in ensuring that pertussis is no big www.palnyc.org with pertussis, especially for in- have had pertussis develop a natu- whoop. Facebook Search: NYParenting

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 53 Education College readiness ReadiStep test evaluates 8th-graders’ critical skills

dear teacher, for college and career goals. magazine or a neighbor can provide At my eighth-grader’s school, the You can find out more about Rea- leads to classes that might interest students have the opportunity to diStep on the College Board’s web- him. As far as finding sports teams take a test called ReadiStep next site at readistep.collegeboard.org/ goes, this can be a bit more difficult. Dear Teacher month. It’s related to the SAT in some students-parents. Sports teams are typically spon- Peggy gisler and way. Exactly what is this test, and sored by communities or local or- Marge eberts what are the advantages of taking it? the must-dos for true ganizations. A neighbor with a child parental involvement your son’s age or even an older child dear parent, dear teacher, should be a good resource for find- You are right about the ReadiStep I know that parental involvement ing out what is available locally. test being related to the SAT. It is the is closely related to my children’s Finally, go out and meet your first step in the College Board’s Read- success in school. What else do I neighbors. They will know of other iness Pathway System, which is de- need to do beyond attending parent- children who live close by. signed to measure students’ readiness teacher meetings and volunteering from the eighth through 12th grades in their classrooms? Keeping track of for college and careers. The next step is children’s progress the PSAT, and the final step is the SAT. dear parent, at school ReadiStep is typically offered in Being involved in your children’s ed- dear teacher, eighth or ninth grade, and individual ucation does not take any special skills. What is the best way to keep on students can only take this test if it is What it takes is time, attention, and top of how my kids in elementary offered by their school. If the test is common sense. Here are some basic school are doing? not given at a school, parents and stu- ways you can and should be involved: dents can ask the school’s adminis- • Read notes and newsletters from dear parent, tration about offering it. There is a fee the school. First of all, report cards will quickly of $8 for each answer sheet scored to • Ta l k with your children’s teach- clarify whether your children are acing defray the cost of administering it. ers regularly. their schoolwork, sliding by, or encoun- The main advantage of taking Rea- • Keep up with the homework tering great difficulty. Beyond this, diStep is that it helps students and your children are doing. study the work that they bring home. their families understand the strength • Read and discuss work your chil- If their papers are bleeding with of their critical reading, math, and dren bring home with them. red marks almost every day, it is time writing skills, as well as the skills they • Read aloud to your children, and for a chat with their teachers. Par- may need to work on as they transi- encourage them to read. ents also can see the progress their tion to high school. Plus, schools are • S e t high standards for your child. younger children are making by di- able to use the test to identify those • C r e a te a climate for learning in viding their papers by subject areas. who are ready for more advanced your home. Then they can look over the papers work, such as AP courses, and those every few weeks and see if their chil- in need of remediation. Helping children find dren are truly mastering the current About four weeks after the test, friends in a new city work. A child may start out making a the results are available. At that dear teacher, lot of errors when a new concept is time, students can review their re- We have just moved to a new city introduced and then gradually show sults with a teacher or other school where my son, a fifth-grader, goes to that he is understanding it. staff. They also can talk about the a private school. Unfortunately, none In this electronic age, it has be- types of courses they should take in of the kids in his class live close by. come easier and easier for parents high school to prepare themselves How can I help him find after-school to know what is happening in their playmates in our neighborhood? children’s classes. In many schools, teachers use the school’s web pages dear parent, to detail exactly what is being stud- Most children in your son’s situa- ied in their classes. And in many tion will find friends in three places: schools, teachers put homework as- organized groups, such as scouts; signments, class participation points, classes, from swimming to karate to and quiz and test scores online. art; and team sports. Parents should send questions and You can find the scouting activi- comments to dearteacher@dearteacher. ties in your neighborhood by calling com or ask them on the columnists’ web- the scouting district office. If your site at www.dearteacher.com. son has an interest in learning a © 2014 Compass Syndicate Corporation particular skill, your local parenting Distributed by King Features Syndicate

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 55 WOMEN Nutrition and diet help for new moms

eptember means back- ing (and Foodtrain- to-school time for ers creator Lauren S the kids — and pos- Slayton’s “Little FABULYSS sibly some extra time to Book of Thin” diet take charge of our well- and exercise plan- FINDS being as well. How much ning book) are plan- LYSS STERN do you love shopping for ning and timing, all new back-to-school and the good news supplies? I love getting is that new moms my boys new backpacks are generally fairly and lunchboxes. (I have schedule-oriented, a feeling this year will so it works well. It be all sports-themed ac- has lists for moms cessories.) Bento boxes such as “top 10 things for lunch boxes? Kale to deal with while the chips for the kids? It’s baby naps,” which I all about eating healthy appreciate. for the entire family. And once the baby Second to brides, is sleeping a little there’s no group of more, and you’re green women more motivated lighted to exercise, to lose weight and feel Foodtrainers will up their best than new the weight-loss ante a moms. And some have bit. turned to a service Post-baby they field called Foodtrainers, more complaints from in which nutrition- new moms about a feel- ists work with clients ing of “mushiness” than to highlight all the anything else, so they important dos and employ “secret weapon don’ts of healthy eat- foods” that are known to ing. They even offer a decrease body fat. Slay- prenatal service and ton, also the mom of two during the third tri- boys, can’t give away all of mester visit will go her secrets, but you may over a Fresh Direct want to shop for sunflower shopping list. seeds the next time you’re Once moms-to- at the market. be have their ba- There’s no reason why bies, they can sim- nutrition or weight loss has ply click the online to be miserable and boring. list to have all of the essentials Foodtrainers help keep it delivered to their door. never suggest iffy or risky items light and fun! The nutritionists will also sug- to clients who are breastfeeding. This September, we will pack gest food delivery services that They will also take into account our children healthy lunches for can provide meals (I adore Food the issues new mothers may face. school — and we should not be Matters , www.foodmattersnyc. Baby blues? Snack on Health skimping on DeLysscious healthy com — Tricia Williams is a menu Warrior’s chia bars; chia is rich snacks and meals for ourselves. magician) to help new moms while in omega 3s to boost your mood. Foodtrainers [65 Central Park West they make that “adjustment” to These bars also curb your appetite. between W. 66th and W. 67th streets sleeplessness and the emotional (I love them!) Not making as much on the Upper West Side, (212) 769- and hormonal roller coaster that is milk as you’d like? Oatmeal to the 4300, http://foodtrainers.com] postpartum life. rescue. Mother-in-law driving you Lyss Stern is the founder of Di- Women should take comfort nuts? Sorry, there are limits. vaLysscious Moms (www.divamoms. that Foodtrainers nutritionists will The cornerstones of Foodtrain- com).

56 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 WOMEN 2014-15 Nutrition and diet Private/Independent School Guide help for new moms on NYParenting.com eptember means back- ing (and Foodtrain- to-school time for ers creator Lauren S the kids — and pos- Slayton’s “Little FABULYSS sibly some extra time to Book of Thin” diet take charge of our well- and exercise plan- FINDS being as well. How much ning book) are plan- LYSS STERN do you love shopping for ning and timing, all new back-to-school and the good news supplies? I love getting is that new moms my boys new backpacks are generally fairly and lunchboxes. (I have schedule-oriented, a feeling this year will so it works well. It be all sports-themed ac- has lists for moms cessories.) Bento boxes such as “top 10 things for lunch boxes? Kale to deal with while the chips for the kids? It’s baby naps,” which I all about eating healthy appreciate. for the entire family. And once the baby Second to brides, is sleeping a little there’s no group of more, and you’re green women more motivated lighted to exercise, to lose weight and feel Foodtrainers will up their best than new the weight-loss ante a moms. And some have bit. turned to a service Post-baby they field called Foodtrainers, more complaints from in which nutrition- new moms about a feel- ists work with clients ing of “mushiness” than to highlight all the anything else, so they important dos and employ “secret weapon don’ts of healthy eat- foods” that are known to ing. They even offer a decrease body fat. Slay- “A delight for both prenatal service and ton, also the mom of two during the third tri- boys, can’t give away all of kids and adults mester visit will go her secrets, but you may over a Fresh Direct want to shop for sunflower AMAZING!” shopping list. seeds the next time you’re Once moms-to- at the market. Stage and Cinema be have their ba- There’s no reason why bies, they can sim- nutrition or weight loss has ply click the online to be miserable and boring. list to have all of the essentials Foodtrainers help keep it “JAW DROPPING!” delivered to their door. never suggest iffy or risky items light and fun! Time Out NY Kids The nutritionists will also sug- to clients who are breastfeeding. This September, we will pack gest food delivery services that They will also take into account our children healthy lunches for can provide meals (I adore Food the issues new mothers may face. school — and we should not be “Move over Blue Man Group & Stomp, Matters , www.foodmattersnyc. Baby blues? Snack on Health skimping on DeLysscious healthy com — Tricia Williams is a menu Warrior’s chia bars; chia is rich snacks and meals for ourselves. iLUMINATE is in the house!” magician) to help new moms while in omega 3s to boost your mood. Foodtrainers [65 Central Park West Times Square Chronicles they make that “adjustment” to These bars also curb your appetite. between W. 66th and W. 67th streets sleeplessness and the emotional (I love them!) Not making as much on the Upper West Side, (212) 769- NOW LIVE in the heart of BROADWAY! and hormonal roller coaster that is milk as you’d like? Oatmeal to the 4300, http://foodtrainers.com] postpartum life. rescue. Mother-in-law driving you Lyss Stern is the founder of Di- Telecharge.com 212-239-6200 iLuminate.com Women should take comfort nuts? Sorry, there are limits. vaLysscious Moms (www.divamoms. LAUNCHING SOON! New World Stages, 340 W 50th St. that Foodtrainers nutritionists will The cornerstones of Foodtrain- com).

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 57 Relationships Online life & divorce

ver flirt online? Isn’t it harm- vorce,” according to the article. In If we are honest with ourselves, less? More broadly, does other words, a lot of married people answering a few straightforward E using social media — and Fa- using Facebook are having marital questions can reveal a lot about cebook in particular — affect your difficulties. ourselves and our relationships: marriage? However, as the authors acknowl- • I s being on Facebook in any way An article in the July issue of edge, the study does not tell us affecting my marriage? Computers in Human Behavior, a that Facebook causes unhappy mar- • D o I do anything on Facebook “journal dedicated to examining the riages and divorce. that I wouldn’t want my partner to Divorce & use of computers from a psycho- Social network sites may reduce know about? logical perspective,” attempts to ad- marriage well-being through addic- • A m I (or is my partner) spend- Separation dress this question. An abstract of tion, sparking feelings of jealousy ing so much time online that it Lee Chabin, esq. the article, “Social network sites, between partners, or facilitating ex- keeps us from being together? marriage well-being and divorce: tramarital affairs. The authors found • A m I jealous or suspicious of my Survey and state-level evidence “excessive use of social media has partner’s Facebook activity? Is my from the United States,” is available been associated with compulsive partner jealous? online. use,” which may create “psychologi- • W h a t do I get from being on Survey “results show that using cal, social, school and/or work diffi- Facebook? Attention? Support? Am social network sites is negatively culties in a person’s life.” These phe- I trying to get something online, correlated with marriage quality nomena, in turn, may trigger mar- because I don’t or can’t get it from and happiness, and positively cor- riage unhappiness and, ultimately, my spouse? related with experiencing a troubled divorce. It can be frightening and painful relationship and thinking about di- According to the article, Fa- to do so, but we may need to ask: Is cebook in particular creates “an my marriage: a) strong; b) in trou- environment with potential situa- ble; or, c) over? tions that may evoke feelings of If your relationship is strong, con- jealousy between partners, harm- gratulations! Just don’t take this for ing the quality of their relationship” granted. because of how easy the website If your marriage is in trouble, do makes it to search for people, i.e. you want to save it? If so, the sooner exes or crushes. you begin, the better. One step you On the other hand, it may be that may need to take is to change your rather than causing “problematic online habits. Contact with a past relationships” and divorce between partner may need to stop. Be open couples, “divorcees and individu- to getting outside — and in-person als in unhappy marriages use Face- — help, for example from a mari- book and social network sites more tal counselor, mediator or support often because it proves beneficial to group. them by providing emotional sup- Is the relationship over? If so, are port.” If so, then Facebook would you finding support on Facebook, be connecting “people with friends, or just hiding out because you are family, and other strong ties. That unwilling to deal with real life head means that divorcees or people on? going through difficult moments in Social networking has benefits. their marriage would choose this Enjoy Facebook. Use it construc- social network site to communicate tively. But don’t risk your marriage with their close contacts, trying to (if you value it), and don’t let it oth- achieve psychological well-being,” erwise interfere with your life in the the authors explain. Social network “real world.” sites can help in leading “users to New York City and Long Island-based connect with people that are going divorce mediator and collaborative di- through similar problems in order vorce lawyer Lee Chabin helps clients to receive emotional support.” end their relationships respectfully and My takeaway from this study is without going to court. Contact him at that, while there is still much to be [email protected], (718) 229– learned about how social media af- 6149, or go to http://lc-mediate.com/. fects us, we already know a lot. With Follow him on Facebook at www.face- some introspection — which isn’t book.com/lchabin. always easy — we can understand Disclaimer: All material in this column is for infor- the motivations for many of our ac- mational purposes only and does not constitute legal tions; and the likely consequences. advice.

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September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 59 Learning from the seasons By Joshua Greer Vivaldi. Practice keeping the beat type using a botanical guide. Fun ways to throughout the piece. For a greater Music: If you complete the ac- ave you ever taken your kids challenge, try this activity with the tivities throughout this article, you teach your grocery shopping and then faster first and third movements. will be sharing all four sections of H had them tally the purchases art: View “The Poppy Field” by the brilliant classical piece, “The by food group and spend the rest of Claude Monet. Discuss what clues Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi, children — the day making a full-color chart? the painting gives about the season so this is a good time to intro- As homeschoolers, we are always and the emotions that each color duce or review the instruments in looking for ways to make everyday reflects. Have your child create a an orchestra. A wonderful website throughout events educational. It takes some similar brightly colored painting of for this is www.sfskids.org, which intentionality to pull this off, but the a favorite summer scene. was created by the San Francisco the year result is kids who are immersed in Language: Read “The Berenstain Symphony. There you can see and education and see learning opportu- Bears Go on Vacation” by Stan and “play” every instrument in an or- nities everywhere. Jan Berenstain. Even younger read- chestra. Then, listen to the first It’s fortunate, then, that nature ers can try this one on their own, movement of “Fall” and have your provides such a great classroom, and it has a typically strong mes- child try and pick out the instru- and some of the greatest opportu- sage about enjoying family and ments that can be heard within that nities for learning come four times making the best of difficulties. movement. a year when the seasons change. Sometimes less is more. As I’m art: View “The First Thanksgiv- Why not make the most of nature’s sure you noticed, none of these acing” by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris. cycles by setting aside a special day tivities costs a great deal of money, Have your children explain why dif- of learning every three months? Fol- and there is just a small amount of ferent people are dressed in unique lowing are some ideas for celebrat- preparation involved in obtaining ways and how the people are treating and discovering each new sea- music, books, and basic materials. ing each other. Our understanding son with younger children. However, these special activities of early Thanksgivings is forever will add depth to your homeschool- changing, but this painting does Summer ing experience and give your kids have a lot to teach about the early Math: On the first day of sum- something unique to look forward colonial period. mer, track the temperature every to with each changing season. Language: Read “The Little Red hour throughout the day and use Hen.” There are many versions of the data to create a line graph to Autumn this children’s book, but it’s great show how the temperature rises Math: Record the high tempera- for fall, because it shows the food and falls. Explore why this occurs ture on the first day of the season. cycle from planting a seed to eating and whether there seems to be any There are many clip-art thermom- the produce, with lessons about co- pattern to the temperature going up eters that can be printed for this operation and determination along or down. activity, but find one that has both the way. science: Prepare for a bug hunt Celsius and Fahrenheit, so you can by marking off a small section of compare the systems with your Winter grass and having your child predict child. Practice this concept by giv- Math: Use a clip-art thermometer how many insects can be found ing a temperature in one system again to record the day’s high tem- there. Then get down on hands and and having your child estimate its perature. Use a number line to show knees to look for critters. For even equivalent in the other system. your child different temperatures at more action, turn the soil over and science: Take a walk through the which events occur, starting with check for worms and grubs below neighborhood or a park and search the freezing and boiling points of the surface. Keep track of the num- for leaves, collecting as many differ- water. Explore other temperatures, ber and types of insects found. You ent kinds as possible. Once home, such as the temperature at which may also have to keep track of any sort the leaves by size, color, edge, cookies are baked or the tempera- bugs that your kids try to convert and structure. Have your child find ture inside a cave. into pets. at least three different ways to sort science: If you have icicles, mea- Music: Listen to the second the leaves into groups. If you have a sure the length of several of the lon- movement (Largo) of “Summer,” by little more time, determine the leaf gest ones. This activity has count-

60 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 mometer. Look up the historical averages for your area and compare the day’s temperature to the average. Use this discussion to explore other averages, such as the average height of your family or the average number of stuffed animals each child has. (If any of your children are like my daughter, this could lead to a lesson on infinity.) Science: Plant a bean or pea seed along the edge of a clear plastic cup where your child will be able to see the root system develop. Have your child predict how many days it will take to break through the soil, and track the results. If you have outdoor space or a larger pot, this can become an experiment that leads well into the summer, giving your child a chance to predict how much a plant will produce and to explore how plants create their own seeds. Music: Listen to the first movement of “Spring” by Antonio Viv- aldi. Have your child call out “high,” “low,” “fast,” “slow,” “loud,” and “soft” as you listen to the music. This exercise builds awareness of diversity in pitch, tempo, and vol- ume, plus it’s a great way to motivate attentiveness throughout this beloved classical song. Art: View “Fishing in Spring” by Vincent van Gogh. Discuss how the different colors reflect spring, and have your child write or tell a story about what is happening in the painting. Language: Read “The Magic School Bus Inside a Beehive” by Joanna Cole. As with all of the Magic School Bus books, this book includes a bunch of fun science activities, interesting characters, and engaging illustrations. The setting of this adventure is spring, and this book introduces children to a very close look at the creatures that make so many of our flowers and fruits possible. Joshua Greer is just finishing his first year as a homeschooling dad, less varieties. You might have chil- Music: Listen to the first move- tivities they see in the painting. after 10 years of teaching English in dren estimate the lengths before ment of “Winter” by Vivaldi. The Language: Read “Katy and the public schools. He is married to Debra measuring, measure in inches and song was composed to resemble Big Snow” by Virginia Lee Burton. and they have three young children. centimeters, average the lengths, the season it represents, so have This delightful tale by the author He is a freelance writer, editor, and or graph the results. If you have your child listen for the sounds of of “Mike Mulligan and His Steam social media specialist, and he blogs budding knights like I do, you may winter. You might help by brain- Shovel” offers a good opportunity about raising kids at josh-greer.blog- also need to let them have an icicle storming beforehand about what to discuss different modes of trans- spot.com. sword fight. If you don’t have any sounds and ideas people associate portation and occupations within a Copyright 2012, used with permission. All rights icicles, have your child measure with winter. community. reserved by author. Originally appeared in the July 2012 her shadow at one-hour intervals Art: View “Hunters in the Snow” issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the family education magazine. Read the magazine free at www. throughout the day, each time pre- by Pieter Bruegel. Discuss what col- Spring TOSMagazine.com or read it on the go and download the dicting what the next hour’s mea- ors are used to give a wintry mood, Math: Again, record the day’s free apps at www.TOSApps.com to read the magazine on surement will be. and ask kids to point out winter ac- high temperature on a blank ther- your mobile devices. September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 61 Technology Ensuring teen sleep or growing children, adequate going to want to hear this, but sleep sleep is every bit as impor- experts are convinced that being on- F tant as nutritious food and line before bedtime makes it harder daily exercise. Yet, ever since Edison to fall asleep. For one thing, light is flipped on the first electric light, a stimulant that interferes with the experts have been worrying about sleep cycle. In addition, many on- whether any of us are getting enough line pastimes — competitive games, sleep. Now, researchers are warning social media “drama,” provocative GrowinG Up that online amusements, especially programs — activate emotions that social media, are sabotaging sleep. thwart sleep. If your teen resists online Not long ago, the New York Times the idea of disconnecting at bed- Carolyn Jabs ran an anxious story about adoles- time, talk about what’s going on. cents who “vamp,” staying up all Some teens whose lives are heavily night and using cellphones to surf, scheduled feel that their only un- text, tweet, play games, and binge- structured time occurs after “lights watch their favorite shows. Appar- out.” Others experience fear of miss- ently, some teens even text in their ing out whenever they are offline. sleep, sending messages they don’t Understanding why your teen wants remember the next day. a phone under the pillow may help The best way to counteract these you work together to establish better trends is to teach good sleep hab- boundaries and balance. its when kids are little and parents becoming self-aware. Teens are are firmly in control. Throughout more likely to make sleep a priority elementary school, it’s a good idea to to help kids develop a genuine ap- when they are aware of their own establish a clear bedtime by count- preciation for the benefits of sleep patterns, so encourage your child ing backward 10 to 11 hours from so they will make healthy decisions to keep a sleep diary. What time did when a child needs to be up in even when you aren’t around. Here she get into bed? How long did it take the morning (for current research are some points worth making: to fall asleep? What was happen- about how much sleep kids need, How much is enough? Rather ing immediately before bedtime? Did visit www.parentingscience.com/ than arguing about how much sleep she wake up spontaneously (a sign sleep-requirements.html). To help she needs, make your teen respon- that sleep was adequate)? When was kids fall asleep, guide them toward a sible for behaviors associated with your child tired during the day? Did predictable, self-soothing routine: A being well-rested. Can your child get she take a nap in the afternoon? How warm bath. Getting things organized up at the right time in the morning long? Did she wake up refreshed or for the day ahead. Low lights. Soft and do what needs to be done with- groggy? Doing this for a week or two music. A bit of reading. A snuggle out nagging from you? Can she stay may help your teen make the con- with a stuffed animal. The specific awake and pay attention at school? nection between better sleep and ingredients may vary depending on Is your teen able to get through most better performance during the day. child’s age and temperament, but days without being hostile, grouchy Finally, remember that children experts point out that learning to do or irritable — all common side ef- who lead full and complicated lives something consistent in preparation fects of fatigue? Explain to your child may need help with the kind of off- for sleep has lifelong benefits. that when the answer to all these line relaxation that leads to restor- In middle school, children grow questions is yes, you will back off ative sleep. Depending on your fam- rapidly, so they still need more sleep about bedtime. But if you see slip- ily’s values, you may want to en- — and less social media — than page in schedules, grades or moods, courage your child to pray, count they think they do. Sleep experts you’ll need to reassert control. blessings, meditate, keep a gratitude recommend that bedrooms be tech- The risks of too little. Teens need journal, focus on deep breathing, or free zones — no cellphones, video to know about research showing that write down problems so they can be games or televisions. Period. Get an too little sleep has consequences for set aside. All of these are time-tested old-fashioned alarm clock, and insist physical and mental health. In addi- strategies for stepping away from the that all devices observe a curfew in tion to the negative effects on mood pressures of a 24-7 world and finding a room you can supervise. Make it a and attention, sleep deprivation is peace at the end of the day. goal for everyone in the family to get also associated with higher blood Carolyn Jabs raised three computer- an hour of tech-free time before bed. pressure and an increase in stress savvy kids, including one with special By high school, most kids will hormones. Teens may also be inter- needs. She has been writing Growing challenge these rules, so parents ested to know that some research- Up Online for 10 years and is working need new strategies. The most ef- ers have connected too little sleep to on a book about constructive responses fective is to talk to teens about how increased feelings of hunger, which to conflict. Visit www.growing-up-online. plenty of sleep at night makes them may lead to weight gain. com to read other columns. happier during the day. The goal is online seductions. Teen aren’t Copyright, 2014, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.

62 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 BOOKSbooks Rethink American history

or most of your life, you’ve eaten tion took shape.” Indians fought what’s put in front of you. the Pilgrims, Pueblo Indians re- F You’ve also swallowed most volted against the Spanish, Brit- everything you’ve been taught in ish colonies fought amongst school, particularly in history class. themselves, and the colonists But did you ever think that there fought against the British. The are two sides to it all — what you’ve colonists didn’t get much land learned and what others perceive? when the war was over, but Maybe there’s more to history than through the decades, the what your textbooks have said, so United States grew. THE BOOK read “A Most Imperfect Union” by Ilan Immigrants, who “know Stavans, illustrated by Lalo Alcaraz, what it means not to have WORM and you’ll find more to chew on. something they cherish,” con- TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER History, says Stavans, is “plastic.” tributed literature, food, and more, all provoking here in a fascinat- One person sees things one way, some- of which has had “a powerful effect ing everything-old-is-new-again way, one else notices something different; on American culture.” Americans in- since similar events from decades we remember the big events, but not vented new transportation methods, ago are again in the news. Because the everyday. This “contrarian,” likes movies, new music, photography, of those fresh outlooks on old-new to poke around the hidden recesses of and all kinds of science. We’ve taken issues, Stavans’s point of view and history, to see what might be missed, good, worked through bad, and made Alcaraz’s drawings may lead you almost-wrong, or just interesting. an “amazing patchwork landscape … to some reflection of your own this We already know, for instance, that that’s always striving for perfection.” school year. Columbus didn’t “discover” America. In his introduction, author Sta- If you’re the kind of person who Not only did the Vikings get here long vans explains why he enjoys “con- enjoys creating your own opinion before he did, but there were people trarianism”: he’s an immigrant about old tenets, if you love dissen- here even before that. Native Ameri- himself, which gives him an indi- sion and debate, or if you want the cans — a continental population now vidual perspective on American kind of history book your father estimated to be up to 100 million — history and an inclination to ques- never had, then “A Most Imperfect had culture, religion, trade, and orga- tion things that he believes need Union” is a book you’ll savor. nized government. questioning. “A Most Imperfect Union,” by Ilan Sta- But “clashes … are how the na- And you’ll find plenty of thought- vans [269 pages, 2014, $25.99]. Say ‘aloha’ to ‘Lulu in Honolulu’ our daughter tries to be But it was okay. Lulu, “the world’s meaning personality, and her adven- helpful. She keeps her most freckled fish out of water,” tures were fun. Y room clean, cooks su- was perfectly happy to wear SPF- Finally, I realized what I really per-easy meals, and keeps her 50 clothing, dorky shoes, and thick didn’t like about this book. little brother quiet. sunscreen while she attended Ohana First, its formatting makes it seem But sometimes her well- Day Camp. The camp was where she slow. Author Elisabeth Wolf presents meaning plans backfire, such met her best friend, Noelani, who this tale as though it were a movie as in the new book “Lulu in was the finest hula dancer Lulu had script, which means it’s filled with Honolulu” by Elisabeth Wolf, ever seen, but who seriously lacked directions and asides that don’t play when Lulu Harrison’s parents “koa” (bravery). well. Kids might like the hook for really wish they’d left her in Both of Lulu’s parents were over- awhile, but I didn’t. Los Angeles! worked, and the film was over bud- I also greatly disliked Lulu’s too-busy- It was supposed to be the get, which meant that they didn’t for-her, rich-and-famous, gorgeous-and- family vacation of a lifetime, have any free time. Lulu tried to help they-know-it parents. On the first page, with a little work on the with a few schemes that seemed like this 11-year-old character compared side: beautiful Fiona Har- great ideas, but she just made things herself to them, and came up woefully rison was directing a new worse every time. Then Fiona got short. That made me sad. film on location in Honolulu, and her fired, and she threatened to send I’m always a big know-your-audi- handsome husband, Linc, was the Lulu back to Los Angeles. Alexis was ence-advocate, and that goes doubly star. They brought along 16-year-old, mad, too. Was there any way to get for this book. It’s not totally horrid. bikini-obsessed Alexis, who’d been her “ohana” (family) to forgive her? It’s worth a try, but keep in mind: a model once; and 11-year-old Lulu, I struggled for the better part of your 8-to-10-year-old might love who had frizzy hair, freckles, and a an evening to read “Lulu in Hono- “Lulu in Honolulu,” or she might not total inability to hula. lulu,” and I wasn’t sure why. The even want it around. That’s not good when you’re story’s basically good; young girls “Lulu in Honolulu,” by Elisabeth Wolf spending the summer in Hawaii. will get a kick out of Lulu’s well- [280 pages, 2014, $6.99].

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 63 healthy eating classroom by letting kids help cook. Allowing children to be involved in meal preparation gives them a sense of responsibility and increases the likelihood of them trying healthy foods.

The athlete Hydration is important for everyone, but especially for children involved in sports. Even slight dehy- dration can lead to impaired memory and fatigue, so kids need to hydrate before, during and after physical activities. Limit sweetened beverages like soda and juice and encourage your children to drink water. If your child is reluctant, add fresh fruit or a small amount of 100 percent fruit juice to help make water sweeter. On game day, avoid sending your kid with a sports drink and instead pack her water and a snack such as a banana or orange.

The over-achiever Back-to-school means the return of extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports and after-school programs. Meal preparation is key for families that are always on-the- go. Ease the stress that comes with Healthy food a child’s busy schedule by packing lunch and snacks the night before, or even cooking meals a week in advance.

The child with food allergies Food allergies are a growing prob- for every kid lem in this country, affecting one in 13 children. Returning to school can By Maxine yeung introduce new, healthy foods in a increase the risk of an allergic reac- How the right fun and visually appealing way, and tion among children with food aller- chool is back in session, and encourage children to “eat the rain- gies, because it’s difficult to control a diet can fuel while every child is different, bow” by incorporating colorful fruits school environment. S making sure your children and vegetables. Use cookie cutters Parents need to inform school maintain a healthy diet during the to turn food into fun shapes and al- officials about their child’s food al- a successful new school year should be a priority ways pair healthy foods with other lergies and make them aware of trig- for everyone. Whether you have a ingredients children already enjoy. gers, signs, and medication. Families school year brainiac, star athlete, or a child with For the pickiest of eaters, try hiding can also ask about accommodations a peanut allergy, Montefiore Medical healthy foods in meals they love. their school can make for students Center’s associate wellness dietitian For example, blend vegetables in the with food allergies, such as peanut- Maxine Yeung shares important nu- meat used for spaghetti and meat- free tables, meal service practices, tritional advice that will set your balls. and restricted food zones. child up for success. The eager beaver The early- or The picky eater If your child is always willing to late-luncher Parents of picky eaters need to lend a hand, letting her get involved Children need to eat frequently, show kids how to eat healthily, not with meal planning is a fun way to and while a snack is a good idea for just talk about it. Being a good role introduce new foods. Grocery shop- most young students, it’s essential model and leading by example will ping as a family gives kids an oppor- for kids whose lunch is scheduled encourage kids to follow. But don’t tunity to make healthy food choices very early or late in the day. expect it to happen right away. For with their parents and offers a plat- Healthy snacks, like other meals, some children, it can take up to 15 form for discussing healthy habits. need to be balanced with protein tries before they will eat a new food. In the home, parents can turn and fiber, and should be low in sugar, Patience and repetition are key: their kitchen into a fun, interactive, saturated fat, and salt.

64 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 Villains get their day “Batman: Assault on Arkham” is system and how casually the ratings there is content that is inappropriate Kid critics a direct-to-video animated superhero are letting mature content into PG-13 for younger kids. This film is out on film. Kids First film critics Keefer B. and films without warning. I can’t com- DVD and Blu-ray now. weigh in Anthony A. weigh in. plain, since this film gives us a clear — Keefer B. heads up! I will say, towards the end, See Keefer’s video review here: igorous! This is your typical, one of the film’s characters says, “M- http://youtube/HC0hWerdQsg on Gotham entertaining comic book film, ------” and then the audio cuts off. • • • V only this time you’re cheering I don’t believe that counts as using his movie is funny, but has a lot action for, and looking from, the bad guys’ the “F” word. of action, violence, and gore. I point of view. The characters are dynamic. As T really enjoyed this movie and I Amanda Waller (C.C.H. Pounder) much as I love heroes, I adore vil- hope you will, too. assembles a team of six criminals, lains. A protagonist is nothing with- The film is all about a group of called The Sui- out an antagonist and these crimi- super villains cide Squad. nals take the cake. “Batman” villains called The Sui- Their mission are unlike your regular, “Want to cide Squad. They is to break into take over the world” bad guys. They have to listen to Arkham and re- are complex criminals that are as- a government trieve The Rid- sassins, deranged psychologically, employee named dler’s (Matthew destined to kill and maim for fun, Amanda Waller Gray Gubler) and sometimes all of the above at who wants to cane. However, it once. kill the Riddler. If does not go ac- What’s even better, these charac- anyone from The cording to plan. ters are lesser known villains such Suicide Squad This film is as King Shark (John DiMaggio), Cap- tries to run or rated PG-13 for violence, sexual contain Boomerang (Greg Ellis) and disobey, or if they try to kill Amanda, tent, and language, and I agree with more — all with their own vendetta they will die. All the members have this film’s judgment. Not long ago, I both personal and business. This a bomb in the back of their neck, wrote a blog post about the rating creates engaging conflict between which she can set off, and it will blow the characters. their heads clean off. So they all go The artistry in the animation to Arkham to try to kill the Riddler never ceases to amaze me. Batman’s for her. universe is dark and brooding with The main characters in this movie lots of shadows and dim lights. Col- are The Joker (Troy Baker), Har- ors like red, green, and purple are ley Quinn (Hynden Walch), Batman done in darker shades instead of (Kevin Conroy), Deadshot (Neal bright tones. The characters all have McDonough), Killer Frost (Jen- costumes and designs that define nifer Hale), Captain Boomerang them. The brightly colored suit of (Greg Ellis), The Riddler (Matthew the Joker (Troy Baker) stands out Gray Gubler), Amanda Waller (CCH from the rest of the characters while Pounder), King Shark (John Dimag- still looking like a part of the world gio), and Black Spider (Giancarlo Es- he lives in. posito). My favorite character in the My favorite character is Deadshot movie is Deadshot, because he may (Neal McDonough). Deadshot is the be a bad guy, but he is more like a leader who only wants to be with good guy. He will do anything for his his daughter. He’s cunning, a sharp daughter, even if he has to kill a few shooter, and deadly. He even man- people. I guess that explains why he ages to get into Joker’s mind and out- is in prison. smart him. That’s impressive. My favorite part in the movie is My favorite scene is when the when The Joker gets out of jail and squad is up against Batman (Kevin kills a few people, because it has a Conroy). This takes place in a build- good amount of action. It also had ing full of confiscated belongings a little gore and involves a smoke from the criminals of Arkham. So if bomb. It is really cool and since The you’re a comic book fan, like me, see Joker’s out of jail, no one is laughing how many different Easter eggs you but him. can spot. Plus this is one of the rare I would recommend this movie times you see Batman do what he for ages 12 to 18 because it has a few does best. bad words, killing, and gore. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars — Anthony A., age 12 and recommend it to 13- through See Anthony’s video review here: 18-year-olds. As I mentioned earlier, http://youtube/IH_1raUfFFI

September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 65 CalendarSEPTEMBER

Hooray! It’s the 21st annual Bus play so you can hop aboard and Festival at the NY Transit Museum see what bus travel used to be. Hop aboard a on Sept. 28. Then visit the IdeaLab to design Come on down and learn all and build your own vision of the about the Bus of the Future, includ- perfect bus of the future. Suitable vintage bus ing the new technologies such as for all ages. alternative-fuel engines, Real-Time Bus Festival, Sept. 28 from 11 Bus tracking, and Select Bus Ser- am to 5 pm. Free with museum vice vehicles. All of these innova- admission. tions are making the rides safer, New York Transit Museum [Boerum faster, and better for the environ- Place at Schermerhorn Street in Brook- ment. The museum’s collection of lyn Heights, (718) 694–1600; www. vintage buses will also be on dis- mta.info/mta/museum]

66 BROOKLYN Family • September 2014 Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar Calendar 10:30 pm; Free. The Amateur Astronomers Associa- Submit a listing tion of New York guides you on a trip This calendar is dedicated to across the universe. bringing our readers the most comprehensive list of events in Further Afield your area. But to do so, we need Start with Art and Music: Metro- your help! politan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. Send your listing request to at E. 82nd Street, Manhattan; (212) brooklyn[email protected] 570–7710; www.metmuseum.org; 2–3 — and we’ll take care of the rest. pm; Free with museum admission. Please e-mail requests more Children look, move, and sing while than three weeks prior to the exploring art and music together in the event to ensure we have enough galleries. This month’s theme is Art in time to get it in. And best of all, the Round. it’s FREE! Fri, Sept. 5 In Brooklyn Fri, Aug. 29 Kite Festival: Coney Island Beach, In Brooklyn W. 10th St. and the Boardwalk; (718) Back to school jam: Brooklyn Chil- 417–4917; 10:30 am– 5 pm; Free. dren’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at Join in for the fourth annual Kite St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; Festival and see more than 20 elabo- www.brooklynkids.org; 11 am; Free Learning the fun way rate kites flying high above the beach. with museum admission. Presented by the American Kite Fliers Enjoy the last days of summer va- Families Learn and Play at the block play. Kids construct large- Association. Brooklyn Children’s Museum on scale block sculptures and work cation with snacks, crafts, music and Further Afield giveaways. Sept. 18, 19, and 20. with representatives from Imagi- The Brooklyn Children’s Mu- nation Playground. “The Dancing Fox”: Cathedral Family camping: Salt Marsh Nature seum and the Imagination Play- Learn and Play on Sept. 18, 19 of St. John the Divine, 111th Street & Center, 3302 Avenue U; (718) 421– Amsterdam Ave., Manhattan; (212) ground present Learn and Play, and 20 from 3 to 6 pm. Free with 2021; 6 pm; Free. 929–4777; 7:30 pm; $14, $7 for chil- Join rangers for a night out under where families build and play museum admission. dren & seniors. the stars and in a tent. Families chosen with Imagination Playground blue Brooklyn Children’s Museum [145 Five enchanting tales from the by lottery. blocks. The workshop is designed Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks Avenue, shared folk traditions of Jews and Fireworks on the beach: Coney to strengthen developmental, so- (718) 735–4400; www.brooklynkids. Arabs, including the writings of Sufi Island Boardwalk, Boardwalk between cial, and language skills through org] mystics, along with fables and folklore W. 10 and W. 15th streets; 9:30 pm; of the region. Free. The night sky lights up over Coney pm; Free. sack race, spoon race, stilts and other Sat, Sept. 6 Island with bombs bursting in air and Two-day event featuring world-fa- old-fashioned games. lots of oohs and aahs! In Brooklyn mous unicyclists performing stunts and Further Afield giving lessons. Annual TEAL Walk: Prospect Park Sat, Aug. 30 Labor Day At The Met: Metropoli- Band Shell, Prospect Park West and tan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. at Ninth Street; (718) 965–8900; www. In Brooklyn Sun, Aug. 31 E. 82nd Street, Manhattan; (212) 570– tealwalk.org; 8 am–1 pm; See website. Be a train operator: New York Further Afield 7710; www.metmuseum.org; 11 am–3 This walk-run raises funds and pm; Free with museum admission. awareness for ovarian cancer survivors Transit Museum, Boerum Place at NYC Unicycle Festival: Noon–5 Children, ages 5–12, spend Labor and families who have been touched Schermerhorn Street; (718) 694–1600; pm. Governor’s Island. See Saturday, Day enjoying family programs at the by the disease. www.mta.info/mta/museum; 2–4 pm; Aug. 30. museum. Free with museum admission. Kite Festival: 9:30 am–5 pm and Children 10 years and older take 7:30–9 pm. Coney Island Beach. See control of a subway car and operate Mon, Sept. 1 Thurs, Sept. 4 Friday, Sept. 5. it over virtual miles of track. Limited In Brooklyn capacity. In Brooklyn Art workshops: Boerum House & Labor Day in the Park: Prospect Fishing clinic: Prospect Park Audu- Home, 314 Atlantic Ave.; (212) 274– Park Band Shell, Prospect Park West bon Center, Enter park at Lincoln Road 0986; cmany.org/events/explore; 10 Further Afield and Ninth Street; (718) 965–8900; and Ocean Avenue; (718) 287–3400; am – 2 pm; Free. Hans Christian Andersen Sto- www.bricartsmedia.org/cb; Noon–6 www.prospectpark.org/audubon; 6–8 Children work with teachers to cre- rytelling: Hans Christian Andersen pm; $2 per ride, ($9 for a book of 5 pm; $5 per person. ate their very own unique project. The Statue, 72nd Street and Fifth Avenue, tickets). Families learn about catch-and- event is hosted by The Children’s Mu- Manhattan; hcastorycenter.org; 11 am; Celebrate the day with hours of release fishing. Experienced natural- seum of Manhattan. Pre-registration Free. family fun — take a ride on the ists teach participants how to attach required. Listen to Andersen tales and other carousel. bait, cast a line and try to hook that Seining: Marine Park, Burnett St. and stories, folktales, and fairytales from Race around the farm yard: Lef- big one. For children 8 years and older. Avenue U; (718) 421–2021; www.ny- around the world told by a group of ferts Historic Homestead, 452 Flatbush Reservations required. All equipment cgovparks.org; 11 am–1 pm; Free. brilliant storytellers. Ave. between Empire Boulevard and provided. The program teaches participants NYC Unicycle Festival: Gover- Eastern Parkway; (718) 789–2822; Journey to the Stars: Brooklyn how to catch fish using nets. Manda- nor’s Island, Colonels Row, Manhat- www.prospectpark.org; 2–4 pm; $3. Bridge Park, Old Fulton St. and Furman tory safety review given by Rangers. tan; www.nycunifest.com; Noon–5 Have fun and participate in a potato Street; www.nycgovparks.org; 8:30– Continued on page 68 September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 67 Calendar Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar Continued from page 67 Sat, Sept. 13 Storytime: Barnes and Noble - Park Slope, 267 Seventh Ave. at Sixth Street; In Brooklyn (718) 832–9066; www.barnesandno- High School Workshop: PS 105, ble.com; 11 am; Free. 1031 59th St. at Ft. Hamilton Parkway; Grandparents are in the spotlight in (718) 759–3921; www.cec20.org; 9:30 this reading event chock full of stories am; Free. and activities. Parents learn the ins and outs of Autumn Moon Festival: Lief testings and admissions, what a spe- Ericson Park, 66th Street and Eighth cialized high school is and how to Avenue; (917) 660–2402; Noon–5 pm; apply; understanding the high school Free. directory and what school is right for your child. RSVP recommended. Celebrating the cultural history of Hosted by Community Education China with dance and song. Parade, Council District 20. clowns, Ronald McDonald, antique convertibles and Caribbean dragon Art workshops: 10 am–2 pm. and dancers. Boerum House & Home. See Saturday, Sept. 6. Depot time: New York Transit Mu- seum, Boerum Place at Schermerhorn Kite Festival: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Street; (718) 694–1600; www.mta. Old Fulton St. and Furman Street; info/mta/museum; 1:30 pm; Free with www.nycgovparks.org; 11 am – 3 pm; museum admission. Free. New York’s 4,431 buses roll out Watch your kite soar above the from 30 different depots throughout Manhattan skyline. Kites will be avail- the five boroughs transporting riders. able for purchase or bring your own. Children learn all about these giant Hunt for Wild Raisins: Grand Army houses for buses, where to find them, Plaza, Union Street between Flatbush and how to design their own. Avenue and Prospect Park West; (914) Leap Frog Leap Band: Barnes and 835–2153; www.wildmanstevebrill. Noble - Park Slope, 267 Seventh Ave. com; 11:45 am; $20 ($10 children un- at 6th Street; (718) 832–9066; www. der 12). barnesandnoble.com; 2 pm; Free. Join “Wildman” Steve Brill for a na- Come to fit made fun camp. Limited ture hike and forage for the edible space and supplies, sign up in store. and medicinal wild plants and mush- A tale for little dinos rooms that fill the park. This is a four- Further Afield hour walking tour, wear appropriate “The Dancing Fox”: 7:30 pm. Ca- BAMKids begins its fall pro- with games and other activi- clothing. thedral of St. John the Divine. See Fri- grams with a Book Festival Book- ties. Columbia Waterfront Fall Festi- day, Sept. 5. end event featuring a reading of “Dinosaur vs. School” interac- val: Street Fare, Columbia St. between “Dinosaur vs. School” and other tive reading at the Book Festival Degraw and Union streets; www.car- Sun, Sept. 7 stories on Sept. 20. Bookend event, Sept. 20 at 10:30 rollgardensassociation.com; Noon–5 pm; Free. In Brooklyn Author Bob Shea shares an am. Free. interactive reading of his latest- Brooklyn Academy of Music Hill- Family friendly event featuring rides, Kite Festival: 9:30 am–5 pm. Coney est installment of his Dinosaur man Studio [321 Ashland Pl. and animal rescue adoption truck, street Island Beach. See Friday, Sept. 5. series. Children 2 to 5 years Hanson Place in Fort Greene, (718) food fare, live music, dance performances and raffles, lots of raffles. Depot time: 1:30pm. New York old can enjoy the reading along 763–4100; www.bam.org]. Transit Museum. See Saturday, Sept. 6. Harvest Fair: Green Gems, Glen- more Ave. and Fountain Avenue; (212) Garden tour: Brooklyn Botanic Gar- 788–8070; Noon–4 pm; Free. den, 1000 Washington Ave., at Eastern and use colorful ink to create a one-of- Fri, Sept. 12 Parkway; (718) 623–7220; www.bbg. a-kind print. Celebrate the thousands of commu- org; 2–3 pm and 3:30 – 4:30 pm; $12 In Brooklyn nity gardeners and green professionals ($15 non-members). at this fair that includes food demos, Tues, Sept. 9 “Josie and the Fourth Grade domino tournament, gardening work- Family friendly peek inside the gar- shops, live music, harvest contest, face dens, learn about garden plots and Further Afield Bike Brigade”: Barnes and Noble painting for children along with bal- make a tasty treat. Pre-registration re- Grief counseling: COPE, 1177 Av- - Park Slope, 267 Seventh Ave. at 6th loon art and double Dutch jump rope. quired and online. Cancelled in case of enue of the Americas at 46th St., Man- Street; (718) 832–9066; www.barne- inclement weather. hattan; (516) 484–4993; 7–9 pm; Free. Depot time: 1:30 pm. New York sandnoble.com; 5:30 pm; Free. Transit Museum. See Saturday, Sept. 6. Further Afield Bereavement support group for adults who have lost a sibling. New Josie Garcia is the optimistic 9 year “The Dancing Fox”: 7:30 pm. Ca- “Where the Wild Things Are”: members must speak to Karen old and the the crusader for prevent- Barnes and Noble - Park Slope, 267 thedral of St. John the Divine. See Fri- Flyer, executive director prior to first day, Sept. 5. ing disasters. Visit with the author at Seventh Ave. at 6th Street; (718) 832– meeting. 9066; www.barnesandnoble.com; 2 Block Printing: New York Hall of Sci- this special event. pm; Free. ence, 47-01 111th St., at Avenue of Sci- Thurs, Sept. 11 Storytime celebrating 50 years of ence, Queens; (718) 699–0005 X 353; Further Afield Maurice Sendak’s classic. In Brooklyn www.nyscience.org; 10:30 – 12:30 pm; “The Dancing Fox”: 7:30 pm. Ca- $8, plus museum admission. Journey to the Stars: 8:30–10:30 Further Afield Children ages 18 months and older pm. Brooklyn Bridge Park. See Thurs- thedral of St. John the Divine. See Fri- Grief counseling: COPE, 317 Madi- carve groovy designs into foam blocks day, Sept. 4. day, Sept. 5. son Ave. at 42nd Street, Manhattan; 68 BROOKLYN Family • September 2014 Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar Calendar (516) 484–4993; 11 am–12:30 pm; “Dinosaur vs. School”: Brooklyn Free. Academy of Music Hillman Studio, 321 Bereavement support group for Ashland Place; (718) 763–4100; www. adult siblings who have lost a sibling. bam.org; 10:30 am; Free. New members must speak to Karen An interactive book reading of the Flyer, executive director prior to first latest Dinosaur series with author Bob meeting. Shea. Following the event there will be a book signing. Suitable for children 2 “The Dancing Fox”: 7:30 pm. Ca- to 5 years old. thedral of St. John the Divine. See Fri- day, Sept. 5. Met Life Early Learner Perfor- mance - Meet the Strings: Brook- lyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brook- Sun, Sept. 14 lyn Ave. at St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www.brooklynkids.org; In Brooklyn Noon and 1 pm; Free with museum Special day: New York Transit Mu- admission. seum, Boerum Place at Schermerhorn Hear beautiful melodies and learn Street; (718) 694–1600; www.mta. about string instruments with instruc- info/mta/museum; 10 am–noon; Free tors from the Noel Pointer Foundation. with museum admission. Trav-o-lution university: New The museum is partnering with Ex- York Transit Museum, Boerum Place at treme Kids & Crew for another exciting Schermerhorn Street; (718) 694–1600; day for families with special needs chil- www.mta.info/mta/museum; 1:30 pm; dren. Families explore the museum be- Free with museum admission. fore it’s open to the public, participate How did we get from horse drawn in arts and crafts and games. streetcars to motorbuses. Children get Arts and crafts: Brooklyn Children’s honorary degrees in trav-o-lutionary Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. science by learning all about the history of travel;. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www. brooklynkids.org; 11:30 am and 2:30 Curiosity Day: Barnes and Noble - pm; Free with museum admission. Park Slope, 267 Seventh Ave. at 6th Pre-schoolers start a brand-new year Street; (718) 832–9066; www.barne- with fun art activities in the Totally Tots sandnoble.com; 2 pm; Free. art studio. “Curious George” is on the menu. Let’s go fly a kite! Stories, activities, and giveaways. Clubhouse Jamboree Fam- ily Day: Music Pagoda in Prospect Go fly a kite to the highest can bring their own, purchase one Learn and play: 3–6 pm. Brook- lyn Children’s Museum. See Thursday, Park, Center Dr. at East Drive; www. height at the Kite Festival at at this fun annual event, or just Sept. 18. prospectpark.org; Noon–7 pm; Free. Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sept. 13. watch others’ soar high. A fun-filled day of music for all ages. No matter the color or the Kite Festival on Sept. 13 from Family camping: Prospect Park, shape — there’s the diamond, box, 11 am to 3 pm. Free. Parkside Ave. and Ocean Avenue; (718) Depot time: 1:30 pm. New York 421–2021; 6 pm; Free. Transit Museum. See Saturday, Sept. 6. winged box, sled, delta, and power Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 (Old Join rangers for a night out under kite — they will all be flying high Fulton and Furman streets in Brook- Further Afield the stars and in a tent. Families chosen at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Families lyn Heights; www.nycgovparks.org) by lottery. “The Dancing Fox”: 7:30 pm. Ca- thedral of St. John the Divine. See Fri- Further Afield day, Sept. 5. Tues, Sept. 16 museum admission. Stamp Club For Kids: Collectors Cardboard Creations: New York Children learn and play and Club, 22 E. 35th St., Manhattan; (212) In Brooklyn Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., at strengthen developmental, and lan- 683–0559; [email protected]; www.collectorsclub.org; 10–11:30 am; Avenue of Science, Queens; (718) Crafting: 12:30–2:30 pm. Jewish Chil- guage skills. Free. 699–0005 X 353; www.nyscience.org; dren’s Museum. See Monday, Sept. 15. Journey to the Stars: 8:30–10:30 Kids, ages fourth grade and up, 10:30 – 12:30 pm; $8, plus museum pm. Brooklyn Bridge Park. See Thurs- enjoy this fun and educational intro- admission. Wed, Sept. 17 day, Sept. 4. duction to stamp collecting. Space is Children ages 18 months and older In Brooklyn limited; early registration is encour- design new ways of joining cardboard aged. All materials are provided. pieces to transform them into cool Crafting: 12:30–2:30 pm. Jewish Chil- Fri, Sept. 19 creations. dren’s Museum. See Monday, Sept. 15. Fifth Annual World Maker Faire: In Brooklyn New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., at Avenue of Science, Queens; Thurs, Sept. 18 Learn and play: 3–6 pm. Brook- Mon, Sept. 15 lyn Children’s Museum. See Thursday, (718) 699–0005 X 353; www.ny- In Brooklyn In Brooklyn Sept. 18. science.org; 10 am–7 pm; Ticket prices vary. Crafting: 12:30–2:30 pm. Jewish Crafting: Jewish Children’s Mu- A festival of invention, creativity Children’s Museum. See Monday, Sept. seum, 792 Eastern Pkway at Kingston Sat, Sept. 20 and resourcefulness. Six hundred mak- 15. Avenue; (718) 467–0600; www.jcm. ers exhibit their projects in addition In Brooklyn museum; 12:30–2:30 pm; Free with Learn and play: Brooklyn Children’s to performance, demonstrations and museum admission. Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Art workshops: 10 am – 2 pm. a speaker roster including authors, in- Get creative with a variety of Jewish Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www. Boerum House & Home. See Saturday, novators, and leading thinkers in the themed crafts. brooklynkids.org; 3–6 pm; Free with Sept. 6. Continued on page 70 September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 69 Calendar Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar

Continued from page 69 6:30 pm; Free. Hip Tot family day: Greenwood bon; Thursdays and Fridays, Noon–4 Maker movement. Join with Mama Donna Henes and Park, 555 Seventh Ave. at 20th Street; pm, Now – Fri, Aug. 29; Free. celebrate the Autumnal Equinox. Bring (718) 499–7999; www.greenwoodpar- Children use fun games and ac- dogs, kids, drums and plenty of spirit. kbk.com; Noon–5 pm; Free. tivities to learn what makes birds so Sun, Sept. 21 Fall Dance Party with DJ Mishbehav- special. In Brooklyn iour and a boogey down art project Tues, Sept. 23 Carousel: Prospect Park Children’s Cultural Connections: Brooklyn with Barking Cat Studio. Corner, 452 Flatbush Ave. at Ocean Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. In Brooklyn Family Day: Greenwood Park, 555 Avenue; www.prospectpark.org/visit/ at St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; Crafting: 12:30–2:30 pm. Jewish Seventh Ave. at 20th Street; (718) places/carousel; Thursdays – Sundays, www.brooklynkids.org; Noon; Free Children’s Museum. See Monday, Sept. 499–7999; www. hiptot.com; Noon–3 Noon–6 pm, Now – Sun, Aug. 31; $2 with museum admission. 15. pm; Free. per ride ($9/a book of 5 tickets). Have your family meet the brass Presented by Hip Tot enjoy a fun day Take a ride on the park’s historic family of instruments during an inter- at the park. Toot your own horn with carousel. active concert featuring the science Sat, Sept. 27 Trummytones and story time with Jas- Prospect Park and fun of making music. In Brooklyn Animal encounter: min Ortiz reading “My Puffy Brown Audubon Center, Enter park at Lin- Shofar Factory: Jewish Children’s MAP NYC: New York Transit Mu- Crown,” plus musical crafts. coln Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) Museum, 792 Eastern Pkway at Kings- seum, Boerum Place at Schermerhorn Fall Family Fun: Waterfront Mu- 287–3400; www.prospectpark.org/ ton Avenue; (718) 467–0600; www. Street; (718) 694–1600; www.mta. seum Barge, 290 Conover St. near audubon; Thursdays and Fridays, 3–4 jcm.museum; 12:30pm and 2:30 pm; info/mta/museum; 1:30 pm; Free with Reed Street; (718) 624–4719; www. pm, Now – Fri, Aug. 29; Free. Free with museum admission. museum admission. waterfrontmuseum.org; 1 pm; $13 ($10 How did Snappy get its name? Find Get ready for Rosh Hashanah and There are more than 468 square for kids). out in this fun event. have a blast — participate in a hands- miles in New York City that buses Two performances aboard Red Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier on step-by-step process of crafting a travel everyday. Children learn all Kayaking: Hook’s antique floating theatre. 2 Dock, Bklyn Bridge Park Greenway; shofar and discover the different types, about the different routes. www.nycgovparks.org; Saturdays, 10 and the different sounds each makes. Eco Heroes Save the Climate: Eco Heroes Save the Climate: 2:30 pm. Brooklyn Children’s Museum. am–3 –pm, Now – Sat, Aug. 30; Free. Trav-o-lution university: 1:30pm. Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 See Saturday, Sept. 27. Glide along the water while kaya- New York Transit Museum. See Satur- Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks Avenue; king with the Brooklyn Bridge Park day, Sept. 20. (718) 735–4400; www.brooklynkids. Further Afield Boathouse’ floating dock. Children org; 2:30 pm; Free with museum “Cat in the Hat”: Barnes and Noble Harvest Time Jam: New York Hall under 18 must have an adult guardian admission. of Science, 47-01 111th St., at Avenue present. All levels welcome no experi- - Park Slope, 267 Seventh Ave. at 6th Children of all ages enjoy a half-hour Street; (718) 832–9066; www.barne- of Science, Queens; (718) 699–0005 ence required. film from Hippo Works that inspires X 353; www.nyscience.org; 10:30 – sandnoble.com; 2 pm; Free. Touch tank: Brooklyn Children’s Mu- children to be Eco Heroes. Take a trip 12:30 pm; $8, plus museum admission. Enjoy a day with the Cat in the Hat. seum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks with Simon the Hippo and friends and Children ages 18 months and older Storytime and activities. learn about the changing climate, the Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www.brook- smash and stir seasonal fruit into a lynkids.org; Wednesdays, Saturdays Further Afield role of carbon dioxide and methane yummy batch of homemade jam. and the good eco-habits that can be and Sundays, 11:30 am–12:30 pm and Fifth Annual World Maker Faire: developed. After the film, children play 2:30–3:30 pm, Now – Sun, Aug. 31; New York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th a matching memory game and take Long-running Free with museum admission. St., at Avenue of Science, Queens; Children of all ages touch a starfish, home a coloring page. In Brooklyn (718) 699–0005 X 353; www.ny- a horseshoe crab, or a sea snail. science.org; 10 am–6 pm; Ticket prices Further Afield Pop-Up Pool: Pier 2 Uplands, Fur- vary. man St. and Columbia Street; Daily, 10 Sensory room: Brooklyn Children’s Celebrate Latin America: Metro- Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. A festival of invention, creativity am–6 pm, Now – Mon, Sept. 1; Free. politan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www. and resourcefulness. Six hundred mak- Jump in the water is fine. The 30-by- at E. 82nd Street, Manhattan; (212) brooklynkids.org; Tuesdays, Thurs- ers exhibit their projects in addition 50 foot pool includes a sandy beach 570–7710; www.metmuseum.org; 1–5 days, Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 to performance, demonstrations and and play area with food and drinks pm; Free with museum admission. am–12:30 pm and 2:30–3:30 pm, Now a speaker roster including authors, in- from Lizzmonade and swimming les- Connect and celebrate during the – Sun, Aug. 31; Free with museum novators, and leading thinkers in the sons available. annual museum-wide festival. Bring admission. Maker movement. family and friends to explore art, enjoy Kids’s Discovery Stations: Brook- For children with autism spectrum Sunday Studio: Metropolitan Mu- performances and stories, create, and lyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washing- disorder and their families. Space lim- seum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. at E. 82nd more. ton Ave., at Eastern Parkway; (718) ited, first come first served. Street, Manhattan; (212) 570–7710; 623–7220; www.bbg.org; Tuesdays The Art of Math: Brooklyn Chil- www.metmuseum.org; 1–4 pm; Free Sun, Sept. 28 – Saturdays, 10:30 am–12:30 pm, Now with museum admission. – Fri, Aug. 29; Free with admission to dren’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; Try your hand at creating works of In Brooklyn the gardens. www.brooklynkids.org; Saturdays and art in the galleries in this drop-in pro- Families drop by for a craft and learn Annual Bus Festival: New York Sundays, 12:30 pm, Now – Sun, Aug. gram. Focus on a different art form about plants, composting and garden Transit Museum, Boerum Place at 31; Free with museum admission. each session with family-friendly activi- Schermerhorn Street; (718) 694–1600; stories. Children learn all about shapes, tri- ties led by an artist. www.mta.info/mta/museum; 11 am–5 Art Kid: Brooklyn Children’s Museum, angles, squares. pm; Free with museum admission. 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks Avenue; Mon, Sept. 22 Come on down and enjoy the 21st (718) 735–4400; www.brooklynkids. Ezra Jack Keats Story Hour: annual festival and discover The Bus of org; Fridays, 11:30 am, Now – Fri, Sept. Children’s Corner - Imagination Play- In Brooklyn the Future. Visitors see new technolo- 26; Free with museum admission. ground, Flatbush Ave. and Ocean Av- enue; www.ezrajackkeatsfoundation. Crafting: 12:30–2:30 pm. Jewish gies, learn about tracking buses, select Children 5 years and older explore a org; Saturdays, 2 pm, Now – Sat, Aug. Children’s Museum. See Monday, Sept. bus service, and also view the collec- new style each week. 15. tion of vintage buses. For all ages. 30; Free. Then visit the IdeaLab to design and Blooming naturalist: Prospect Park Gather at the Peter and Willy statute Drumming in the Dark: Grand build your own vision for the perfect Audubon Center, Enter park at Lincoln for a storytelling adventure. Army Plaza, Union Street between Flat- bus. Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) 287– bush Avenue and Prospect Park West; 3400; www.prospectpark.org/audu- History workshops: Lefferts His- toric Homestead, 452 Flatbush Ave. 70 BROOKLYN Family • September 2014 Our online calendar is updated daily at www.NYParenting.com/calendar Calendar between Empire Boulevard and East- org; Weekdays, 9:30 am–5 pm, Satur- ern Parkway; (718) 789–2822; www. days and Sundays, 10 am–6 pm,; $6 prospectpark.org; Saturdays and Sun- (adults,) $5 (children and seniors,) plus days, 2–4 pm, Now – Sun, Aug. 31; $3. museum admission. Make your own Nine Man Morris Golfers of all ages can learn about board, learn how to play the olden- key science concepts such as propul- time game and take it home. sion, gravity, escape velocity, launch Family Concert: Brooklyn Bridge window, gravitational assist, and more! Park, Pier 1, Furman St. and Middagh Dinosaur Safari: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Street; www.nycgovparks.org; Satur- days, 3 pm, Now – Sat, Sept. 27; Free. Southern Blvd. at Boston Road, The Bronx; (718) 220–5103; www.bronx- Walk across the gangplank of a renovated coffee barge and enjoy a fam- zoo.com; Weekdays, 10 am–5 pm, ily-friendly event. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am–5:30 pm, Now – Sun, Nov. 2; $20.95 ($16.95 Summer Safety: The Jewish Chil- children; Free for children under 3; dren’s Museum, 792 Eastern Pkway.; $18.95 seniors). (718) 467–0600; www.jcm.museum; Sundays – Thursdays, 10 am, Now – Mysteries Revealed features more Sun, Aug. 31; $13 ($10 seniors). than 30 dinosaur species and how sci- Children travel the “Safety Road” entists reconstruct the fossil pieces. and learn the basic rules of street and The ride runs through the zoo and pedestrian safety, and take a stroll Photo by Filip Wolak has fully animatronic dinosaurs as they through a mini city street, complete move and snarl. The 40 foot T-Rex is with traffic lights, crosswalks, and a joined by deinonychus, prodohadros, shopping strip. Get arty at the Whitney stegosaurus and edmontonia. Museum closed for annual The whole family will enjoy and process. The event is suit- Little New Yorkers: New-York maintenance: Brooklyn Children’s Koons Family Day at the Whit- able for children of all ages. Historical Society DiMenna Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. ney Museum of American Art on Koons Family Day, Sept. 27, History Museum, 170 Central Park Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www. Sept. 27. The exhibit, Jeff Koons: 9:30 am to 11 am. Free with mu- West at 77th Street, Manhattan; (212) brooklynkids.org; Closed. A Retrospective, features a seum admission. 873–3400; nyhistory.org; Tuesdays and The museum is closed for its annual giant sculpture of a balloon dog, Whitney Museum of American Fridays, 3:30 pm, Now – Fri, Aug. 29; exhibit facility maintenance program. Free with museum admission. Will reopen on Sept. 13. a larger-than-life sculpture of Art [945 Madison Ave. between Play Doh, hands-on-activites, E. 74th and E. 75th streets on the This program introduces New York Farmers Market: Marcy Plaza, Ful- and American history to the littlest gallery stations, and fun ways Upper East Side, (212) 671–1846; ton St. and Marcy Avenue; Wednes- New Yorkers with weekly age-appro- to learn about the artist’s work www.whitney.org] days, 10 am–5 pm, Now – Wed, Oct. priate themes and engaging hands-on 29; Free. activities. Best for ages 3-5. Get fresh fruit, baked goods, yummy veggies and tons of vendors. prospectpark.org; Saturdays and Sun- Grand Central Terminal, 42nd Street Haunted Pumpkin Garden: New days, 2–4 pm, Sun, Sept. 7 – Sun, Oct. and Park Avenue, Manhattan; (212) York Botanical Garden, 200th St. and Blooming naturalist: Prospect Park 26; $3. 878–0106; www.grandcentralterminal. Kazimiroff Blvd., The Bronx; (718) Audubon Center, Enter park at Lincoln Cook popcorn and apple pie on an com; Monday – Friday, 8 am–8 pm, 817–8700; www.nybg.org; Mondays Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) 287– open hearth while playing games and Saturday and Sunday 10 am–6 pm; – Thursdays, 1:30–5:30 pm, Fridays, 3400; www.prospectpark.org/audu- doing fun craft projects. Free. 1:30 – 5:30 pm, Saturdays, 10 am to bon; Thursdays and Fridays, Noon–4 This exhibition celebrates the 50th 5:30 pm, Sundays, 10 am–5:30 pm, pm, Mon, Sept. 1 – Fri, Sept. 26; Free. Touch tank: Brooklyn Children’s Mu- and 75th anniversaries of the 1939 and Sat, Sept. 20 – Fri, Oct. 31; Free with Children use fun games and ac- seum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www.brook- 1964 Fairs. With a variety of postcards, garden admission. tivities to learn what makes birds so photos, ephemera and souvenirs, the special. lynkids.org; Wednesdays, Saturdays Youngsters experience guided activi- and Sundays, 11:30 am–12:30 pm and exhibition shows how transportation ties, play inside a pumpkin house, go Animal encounter: Prospect Park 2:30–3:30 pm, Sun, Sept. 14 – Sat, was a symbol for the future, its poten- on a scavenger hunt for fall fruits and Audubon Center, Enter park at Lincoln Nov. 1; Free with museum admission. tial effect on modern American life, nuts; look for worms, put on a show Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) 287– and the technological advancements Children of all ages touch a starfish, at the Pumpkin Puppet Theater, read 3400; www.prospectpark.org/audu- in transportation that American corpo- a horseshoe crab, or a sea snail. spooky stories, watch seeds sprout. On bon; Thursdays and Fridays, 3–4 pm, rations claimed would make a better Mon, Sept. 1 – Fri, Oct. 3; Free. Sensory room: Brooklyn Children’s world possible. Saturday and Sunday children partici- Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. pate in a costumed parade that travels How did Snappy get its name? Find Science Playground: New York Hall Marks Avenue; (718) 735–4400; www. throughout the Children’s Adventure out in this fun event. of Science, 47-01 111th St., at Avenue brooklynkids.org; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Garden. Pop-Up Audubon: Prospect Park of Science, Queens; (718) 699–0005 X Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 am– Audubon Center, Enter park at Lincoln 353; www.nyscience.org; Weekdays, Creepy Creatures of Halloween: 12:30 pm and 2:30–3:30 pm, begin- Road and Ocean Avenue; (718) 287– 9:30 am–5 pm, Saturdays and Sun- New York Botanical Garden, 200th St. ning Sun, Sept. 14; Free with museum 3400; www.prospectpark.org/audu- days, 10 am–6 pm,; $4, plus museum and Kazimiroff Blvd., The Bronx; (718) admission. bon; Saturdays and Sundays, Noon–5 admission. 817–8700; www.nybg.org; Saturdays For children with Autism Spectrum pm, Sat, Sept. 6 – Sun, Oct. 26; Free. Children are encouraged to explore and Sundays, Noon and 2 pm, Sat, Disorder and their families. Space lim- Children enjoy fun programing, Na- science through slides, seesaws, climb- Sept. 20 – Fri, Oct. 31; Free with gar- ited, first come first served. ture on the Go, Nature’s Helpers, and ing webs, a water play area, sand den admission. Family Bird Watching. Further Afield boxes, and more, weather permitting. Youngsters meet slithery snakes and Hearth Cooking: Lefferts Historic Traveling in the World of To- Rocket Park Mini Golf: New scaly reptiles, and learn why they are Homestead, 452 Flatbush Ave. be- morrow: The Future of Transporta- York Hall of Science, 47-01 111th St., scary at all. Each weekend features a tween Empire Boulevard and Eastern tion at New York’s World’s Fairs: New at Avenue of Science, Queens; (718) different creature from small snakes, Parkway; (718) 789–2822; www. York Transit Museum Gallery Annex at 699–0005 X 353; www.nyscience. snapping turtles and a Tegu Lizard. September 2014 • BROOKLYN Family 71 Fire safety can be fun By Shavana aBruzzo ated terrific new songs and music On SteveSongs’ “Little Rosalie,” videos with fire safety in mind, so kids can sing and dance along, as Ro- he facts are red-hot and so- that mom, dad, and the kids can salie and her little brother learn four bering. bond over the critical world of fire important steps to follow when they T A person dies in a fire ap- prevention. hear the smoke alarm. Recess Mon- proximately every 169 minutes in But first, fire up your knowledge key’s “What’s That Sound?” takes America, someone is injured every of the essentials, says Mr. Steve. a thrilling ride on Sparky’s flying half an hour, smoking is the lead- “The key to fire safety for chil- smoke alarm, while kids learn what ing cause of fire-related deaths, dren is to teach them that when it takes to stay safe in a fire. View the and cooking is the primary cause of they hear the beep-beep-beep of a sizzling videos at the Sparky website residential fires, states the Centers smoke alarm, they need to get out or on YouTube. for Disease Control and Prevention. of the house and find a safe, outside Don’t forget to check out the “The The National Fire Protection Asso - meeting place,” says the entertainer, Case of the Missing Smoke Alarms,” ciation takes the whose real name is Steve Roslonek, an exciting new app out Sept. 1 burn out with and whose music takes audiences that’s jam-packed with games, activ- a fun-filled, on “not just a musical journey, but an ities, coloring pages, and lots more. family-friendly entertaining, interactive and educa- Related lesson plans will be posted approach to fire tional one,” states the Boston Globe. on the Sparky website shortly there- safety for Na- Roslonek, Recess Monkey, and after. tional Fire Pre- national fire-safety mascot Sparky National Fire Prevention Week vention Week — the Fire Dog will help kids, fami- is a personal wake-up call for Mr. Oct. 5 to Oct. 11 lies, schools, and communities learn Steve, too. — that will make about how to prepare for a fire and “It’s a great reminder for our fam- eager fire-safety cap- prevent it from happening with en- ily to create our own fire escape tains of even small chil- gaging apps, music videos, lesson plan, and agree upon an outside dren. plans, activity sheets, and an e-book meeting place in the case of emer- Kids’ musicians Ste- and games for kids age 3–10, avail- gency,” he says. veSongs — also known as able for free download at sparky- National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. “Mr. Steve,” co-host of PBS KIDS schoolhouse.org — the Sparky 5–11; sparkyschoolhouse.org or www. — and Recess Monkey have cre- Schoolhouse website. nfpa.org. 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September 2014 • BROOKLYN FaMiLY 73 New & Noteworthy BY LISA J. CURTIS DIY rock star In on the yolk There are many virtuous rea- Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights sons to give your child music les- serve up songs ranging from folk to sons, but there is also that wonder- punk, making a really “Good Egg.” ful, purely selfish motivation: “I, In her latest album, Leeds bares her the parent, have ‘learn to rock on Big Apple pride, imagin- an electric guitar’ on my bucket ing a Dino on the Upper list, and I will now live vicariously West Side and gently through my child.” needling the uber cool Making it even easier to nurture kids from her Williamsburg nabe your little rock star, Upper West in “Hipster in the Making”: “I ride my Side-based Rafael Atijas has just bike in my skinny jeans / that I bought put an electrified version of his at the thrift shop off Bedford you see.” And the delightfully geeky Leeds Loog guitar on the market. With Speaking of the clothes making joins with the Pop Ups’s Jacob Stein just three strings, Electric Loog the man, er, boy, as Halloween ap- in a tuneful discussion of idioms in guitars are easier for kids to tune proaches, in Leeds’s “Confusing Cos- “The World is Your Oyster” where and play than the traditional six- tume”; she sings about a penchant she cheerfully egg-sploits every yolk, string, partly because there are for sporting homemade disguises, er, joke.” fewer strings and also because the despite bristling over the question: “Good Egg” CD by Joanie Leeds and the neck is slimmer and easier for them “Who are you supposed to be?” Nightlights, $15, www.joanieleeds.com. to get their little hands around. Electric Loogs are available in a v inta ge, pa stel color pa lette ; choose from blue, green, red, white, or yel- ‘Peanut Butter’ is in a jam low. They also arrive in pieces, so you and your child will become in- Terry Border’s “Peanut Butter & ings of rejection before he finally timately acquainted with the inner Cupcake!,” is the sweet story of a makes a friend. This artist’s message workings of the instrument when for free on loogguitars.com, so it won’t new kid in town who endures help- is conveyed through photographs of you assemble it. be long before you, er, your child, is his main characters fashioned from A series of how-to videos featuring strumming like Keith Richards. children’s menu foods anthropomor- music educator David Mills, dubbed Electric Loog II guitar, $199, www. phized with wire limbs. A soccer ball- the “Loog Academy,” can be viewed loogguitars.com. toting piece of bread slathered with peanut butter is surprisingly able to convey determination, loneliness, and happiness — and he doesn’t Adventure in Chinatown even have eyes! Border’s “Peanut Butter & Cupcake!” (Philomel) can Just in time for the mid-autumn starring New Mouse City reporter be enjoyed by readers of all ages, moon celebrations, Entertainment Geronimo Stilton, the main charac- especially those 3 and older. Please One has released “Geronimo Stil- ter of the adventure-rich Scholastic sir, may we have some more? ton: Going Down to Chinatown,” book series, now celebrating a de- “Peanut Butter & Cupcake!” by Terry a set of four animated episodes cade in print. Here, Stilton is on a Border, $17.99, barnesandnoble.com. quest to piece together a treasure map and pursue its prize all the way to Beijing. Viewers are given at the knee; or blueberry- a taste of Chinese culture and a Foxy news and-white striped tights with mouse version of Qin Shi Huang Di’s bold red hearts at the knee. terra-cotta army, where Stilton’s Great Britain-based cloth- These cotton-rich tights in- bumbling cousin Trap hilariously ing line Mini Boden has cre- clude 24-percent nylon and 3 triggers a domino effect, knocking ated a line of colorful, wood- percent elastane, and they’re over the priceless 2,000-year-old land-themed novelty tights machine washable. Girls rang- sculptures. that finally put a fashionable ing in age from 18 months- After watching, visit Manhat- focus on those long neglected to-two-years all the way up tan’s Museum of Chinese in Amer- joints — the knees! Choose to 11-to-12-years old will keep ica, which will celebrate the mid- from berry and purple tights cozy and warm all winter long autumn moon on Sept. 6. with sweet, orange-faced with a pair of these adorable “Geronimo Stilton: Going Down to foxes at the knees; or a foun- tights. Chinatown” DVD, $12.98, www.amazon. tain blue and gray version Mini Boden Novelty Tights, com. with purple and yellow birds $18, www.BodenUSA.com.

74 Brooklyn Family • September 2014 The NCE CIE at the Cosmic Cove! S

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