New York Family August 1, 2011

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BEACH READS GRILL EATS FAMILY FESTS

SMARTAPPS FOR SMART KIDS TV STAR, DESIGNER,

MATERNITY GURU:THE RISE OF ROSIE POPE

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August 2011Established 1986

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The Baby Expo of All Baby Expos!October 15th & 16th At Pier 92

The largest and most family-friendly consumer event in the United States this year is expected to attract thousands of new and expectant parents from the New York Metropolitan Area.

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10 New York Family | August 2011 www.newyorkfamily.com

insideAugust 2011

FEATURES38 | everything’s Coming Up rosieHow “Pregnant in Heels” Star Rosie Pope Became The Mommy Maven Of The Moment

v BaCk to sChool43 Private vs. PublicTwo Perspectives On The Quality Of Education, The Money And Everything In Between

46 the Joy of shoPPingSchool Tools: From Locker Organizers To Lunch Sacks, Key Gear To Stock Up On Before The First Bell Rings

48 new school on the blockOne Of The Nation’s Most Successful Nursery School Franchises, The Goddard School, Takes On Manhattan

50 click and learn15 Smart Apps For Smart Kids

v sUmmer’s end54 better beach booksFrom The Quirky To The Provocative To The Hilarious, We’ve Got Your Genre Covered

56 grill MarksFeed Your Face (And The Family) With These Recipes From Our Yummy Delicious Blog

60 coMe one, coMe all Road Trip-Worthy Family Fests

64 the fit faMilyKeeping Your Clan On The Health & Wellness Track

colUmnS14 | editor’s note The Most Relaxing Time

20 | it’s my party Birthday Celebrations At The Plaza Hotel, Dave & Buster’s, and The New York City Fire Museum

22 | a good ideaWhen Kids Care: How To Foster Volunteerism And A Passion For Service From An Early Age

26 | a speCial plaCeCAUTION: Kids At Work! A Chelsea Studio For Arts And Music Hones In On The Importance Of Creative Exploration In Little Ones

28 | aCtivity of the monthWhy Chess?: How The Classic Board Game Is Enjoying A New Renaissance With Young Minds

32 | starting oUtManaging Milestones: 10 Tips From The Authors Of The Essential Guide to Baby’s First Year

34 | new parent mUst-havesOur Favorite Things: A Preview Of Noteworthy Products From New York Family’s Upcoming New Parents Expo

74 | the last wordIn Search Of A Helping Hand: A Psychologist Talks Through Her Unexpected Parenting Dilemma

dEpARTmEnTS16 | welCome to the familyThe New Parents Expo, two great giveaways and what’s happening at newyorkfamily.com

18 | BUzzworthyA private school admissions handbook, YouTube for kid critics, a nostalgia arts & crafts service, and more

68 | ten ideasOur monthly round-up of family fun in the city

70 | CUltUre for kidsAugust’s best exhibits, performances and attrac-tions for families

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The cover: Clothing by Rosie Pope Maternity, Jewelry - her own, Hair and Makeup by Karina Montoya for FACE atelier,

Photography by Thaddeus Harden (thaddeusharden.com), Shot on location at Conservatory Water in Central Park

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Publisher John Hurley212-268-3086, [email protected]

AssociAte Publisher Mary Ann [email protected]

senior Account MAnAger Gina [email protected]

new PArents exPo Rebecca Martin212-284-9732, [email protected]

circulAtion Joe Bendik [email protected] coordinAtor Jennie Valenti

[email protected]

business MAnAger Shawn [email protected]

Accounts MAnAger Kathy [email protected]

Manhattan MediaPresident/ceo Tom Allon

[email protected]

cFo/coo Joanne [email protected]

Founding Publisher Barbara Witt

director oF interActive MArketing And digitAl strAtegy Jay Gissen

[email protected]

web Production director Lesley [email protected]

events MAnAger Stephanie [email protected]

new york Family is a division of Manhattan Media, publishers of Avenue magazine, our town, west side spirit, new york Press, Mitzvah Magazine, the capitol, city hall, city Arts, chelsea clinton news, the westsider and the blackboard Awards.

editor And co-Publisher Eric [email protected]

senior editor Whitney [email protected]

AssociAte editor Kat [email protected]

Art director George W. [email protected]

style director Joy [email protected]

listings editor Sandy [email protected]

Production MAnAger Mark [email protected]

dePuty Production MAnAgers

Ed Johnson [email protected]

Jessica Balaschak [email protected]

Photo editor Andrew [email protected]

contributing PhotogrAPhers

Heidi Green, Thaddeus Harden, Michael Jurickcontributing writers

Melanie Dostis, Kelly Farrell, Allegra Levine (Style), Gavriella Mahpour,

Maria Riley, Nancy Ryerson, Elora Tocci

© 2011 Manhattan Media, llc | 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor, new york, ny 10016 | t: 212.268.8600 | f: 212.268.0577 www.manhattanmedia.com

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editor’s N O T E

I proudly admit to having a hand in the

first question our writer Megan Maxson

put to Rosie Pope in this month’s cover

interview on page 38: “You’ve been a bal-

lerina, model, private detective, a neurosci-

ence student at Columbia, and you’re now

a mommy concierge and maternity store

owner turned reality show personality.

How did you end up taking this journey?”

When I originally met Rosie a few years

ago, she had already checked off all of those

boxes except for her big new gig as the mom

concierge at the center of Bravo’s “Pregnant

in Heels.” Put when I first heard the news

about the show earlier this year, I wasn’t

surprised. Rosie is a fun, adventurous spirit

who is also smart, kind and trustworthy—

and you need all of that if you’re going to

advise anxious and vulnerable expectant

moms. . .while the cameras are rolling.

One of my favorite moments in our

interview is when Rosie talks about calm-

ing her own anxieties. “I was teasing my

husband because he keeps telling me to

do yoga, but having all that quiet [left me]

much more anxious,” she says. “The most

relaxing time is being with my kids.”

At the end of August, I’m going on a

long-awaited and much-needed family va-

cation with my wife and two children (ages

7 and 11), which will involve a considerable

amount of road-tripping through some

beauteous parts of Utah and Colorado. I

plan to remember Rosie’s quote.

What are you doing this month? What-

ever your answer, our August issue is here

for you with terrific round-ups of grilling

recipes (page 56) and beach reads (page

54)—and a guide to crazy-fun summer fes-

tivals scattered about the North East (page

60) for those of you ready for a family road

trip of your own.

And as much as we’d like to hold the

fall in abeyance forever, we gently ease

into it with education-related stories on

apps for learners (page 50), the appeal of

chess (page 28), and the character-building

wonders of making volunteerism a part of

childhood (page 22).

Finally, I offer a special shout-out to

Julie Averill, of the Chelsea-based Kids At

Work (page 26), one of our favorite early-

childhood educators now about to have a

child of her own.

A very happy August to all,

Eric [email protected]

The MostRelaxing Time

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Since 2004, The Dwight School has offered Mandarin classes beginning in kindergarten. Today, Mandarin is offered from pre-k through 12th grade.

In 2008, Dwight became the fi rst American independent school toestablish a partner campus in China. Dwight advises and operates the Dual Diploma (Chinese and American) program at Capital Normal University’s High School in Beijing, the fourth ranked high school in the country.

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ONTHE W E B

T O T H E F A M I L Y� co� W

WIN TICKETS TO ARTHUR ASHE KIDS’ DAY!Any budding athlete will jump at the chance to play games and watch pros at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on August 27. Events include obstacle courses, a juggling workshop and, of course, tennis clinics and racquet-related games. You can even watch the pros practice for the US Open and snag their auto-graphs. The day caps off with a live performance at Ashe Stadium from a big name star – past performers include Justin Bieber, The Jonas Brothers and Rihanna. The activities on the grounds are free, but the concert is a ticketed event. And New York Family is giving away four passes to the performance! To enter to win, write to us at [email protected] and put “Arthur Ashe” in the subject line and include your contact information. Deadline to enter is Friday, August 19.

Our online classes guide is a hotspot for all the best in programs including art, cooking, sports, language, mommy & me classes, mu-sic, cultural enrichment…and the list goes on! From day classes to after-school offerings, we have something for everyone, from tod-dlers to teens. To make your web-surfi ng and classes-cruising a bit easier, the editors at New York Family have redesigned the page’s search engine to optimize your time online. Now you can easily hunt by class category or neighborhood. And with hundreds of listings, from martial arts to social skills, you’re bound to fi nd something special for your little one, or yourself! Have a wonderful idea or suggestion for our classes guide? Please write to us at [email protected].

CARNIVAL FOR A CAUSERally up the fam and head to the Max Cure Foundation’s 3rd Annual Roar for a Cure Carnival on Saturday, August 20 to play carnival games, catch musical performances, chow down on snacks and spot celebs, all while raising money for pediatric cancer research. The Max Cure Foundation hopes to surpass last year’s total carnival fundraising: $400,000! This year’s event will be “A Roar for Katy” in memory of a Sag Harbor 12-year-old girl who passed away from cancer in December. Teach the tots about the value of supporting a great cause while having a day of fun in the Hamptons. For more information, visit maxcurefoundation.org.

Attention new and expectant parents from the tri-state area! We look forward to see-ing you at the New Parents Expo this fall on October 15 and 16 at Pier 92 in Manhat-tan. Featuring such renowned speakers as Vicki Iovine (author of The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy), Liz Lange (of Liz Lange Maternity), Rosie Pope (star of “Pregnant in Heels”), and Dr. Bob Sears (co-author of The Baby Book), the Expo will help parents make the most of an exciting new stage in life. Helping new moms and dads discover many of the best products in maternity, baby and toddler from national and local companies, the Expo will offer an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of fam-ily and parenting. To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit newparentsexpo.com. (For more details, see page 34.)

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WIN BANANAGRAMS GAMESSummer picnics are a classic way to spend quality time with your family. Adding games into the mix totally ups the fun factor tenfold! To get you started, we are giving away our own picnic fruit basket set of BANANAGRAMS games. This 3 game prize-pack includes, the original BANANA-GRAMS, PAIRS IN PEARS, in which players must race to make pairs of connecting words in matching patterns, and APPLETTERS, a fast-paced game similar to dominoes where players connect letters instead of dots. All games come in durable cloth pouches for easy travel. And for even more BANANAGRAMS brainy fun, we will also include BANANAGRAMS for Kids, a puzzle book featuring 130 word games. To enter, send us an email explaining why you’d like to win: [email protected] and put “Bananagrams” in the subject line. Be sure to

include your contact info, including address. Deadline to enter is Friday, August 26.

CONTESTS & GIVEAWAYS

THE NEW PARENTS EXPO

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r i d e i n S t y l e It’s about time safety became cool! Dominating the scene of scooters, boards and bikes is the ingenious 3D Raskullz helmet. Combining the traditional helmet model with the simple mis-sion to “Protect the Head—Inspire the Imagination,” these whimsical creations encourage active little guys to don fashionable head gear before hitting the streets. The Raskullz line features a variety of motley characters and designs, such as Shark Attax, Radgon and Cutie Cat. Each comes with a back story to help kids get to know their newest safety friend. Adding to the high style factor are aerodynamic cooling vents, a shock absorbing EPS inner shell and adjustable straps. For more information, visit raskullz.com.

i n w i t h t h e o l d Summertime unearths the question: what to do with all the clothes your youngster has outgrown? Forget casting away such sentimental values to storage; remember them always with The Great Remember, the creative brainchild of Brooklyn artist Lisa Waltuch. Wistful parents simply choose a design-appliqué, mosaic or locket, send in their child’s no longer needed wears, and wait as it re-turns as modern art. Nostalgia never looked so good! With these personalized unique pieces, busy parents can easily transform their home décor into a stroll down memory lane. For more informa-tion, visit thegreatremember.com.

C l e a n C l ot h e S w i t h a C l i C kIf you’re looking to ditch the powdered soap, Laundry Local is a quick-and-easy fix for time-strapped par-

ents. The website does it all with a 3-step process that gets clothes out the door and back again, minus the baby food stains. With email notifications, an online payment system and local neighborhood delivery

and pick-ups, Laundry Local has you (and your threads) covered. Check another errand off your list and let them do your dry cleaning, too. Pricing and scheduling varies by neighborhood. For more information,

visit laundrylocal.com, or call 888-702-WASH.

P r i vat e S C h o o l C o n f i d e n t i a lFinding the right New York City private school for your child can be daunting. These academic outlets are notori-ous for being some of the most competitive in the nation; and trying to comprehend their admissions process can cause serious stress. Fear not! Help is on the way. The NYC Private School Admissions Handbook: An Insiders’ Guide to the NYC Admissions Process From Nursery Through On-Going Schools by Jennifer Brozost, M.A. and Vimmi Shroff, M.A. is an easy-to-read manual that demystifies the city’s private schools. These former Admissions Officers (and NYC mothers), explain how to prep for the dreaded parent & child interviews, write clear application essays and navigate school tours. With chapters like “Is Your Relationship With Your Nursery School Director Just As Important As The One With Your In-Laws?,” “How NOT to Get Your Child Into a School,” and “Top Tier Schools—A Myth?,” this book is a light-hearted but informative approach to our city’s complex, private school system. For more information, visit nypeas.com.

k i dt u b eEver wish there was a safer version of YouTube just for kids? KidzVuz.com, the only online destination of its kind, allows underagers to safely post user-generated reviews of anything under the sun. Think of it as an outlet for youth and by youth (ages 7-12) to express their ideas

and opinions about whatever is on their mind. Kids can sign up, post a review and comment on other members’ videos. Categories include: Tech, Toys

& Games, Movies & TV, Books & Magazines and Obsessions. Posting content and rat-ing reviews or products encourages children by helping them earn points towards collectable badges. And rest assured: KidzVuz is entirely safe and does not ask for any personal information. Videos are only posted after being reviewed by web monitors. And later this month, KidzVuz will be sharing film instruction to teach tweens all about camera work and directing, in addition to launching school programs that will integrate KidzVuz into the classroom. Stay tuned! For more information, visit kidzvuz.com.

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I t ’ s m y

miguel Reich celebrates his 4th birthday at the New york City Fire museum.1: A gaggle of giggling guests delight in a magic show. 2: The party’s #1 fire chief embarks on a scavenger hunt. 3: Miguel, here with Mom and Dad, makes blowing out the candles a family affair. 4: The perfect FDNY-themed confection, fit for a four-year-old.Photos by Heidi Green (heidigreen.com)

sophia Kasirer celebrates her 4th birthday in the Eloise suite at the Plaza Hotel.1: Party guests primp with Eloise-approved dress-up attire. 2: The birthday girl readies to blow out her perfectly pink cupcake tower.3: A palette of personalized treats complement the ultra-sweet birthday theme.Photos by Jordan Elyse (jordanelyse.com)

Jared Klein celebrates his 8th birthday at Dave & Buster’s.1: The birthday boy basks in the glory of his baseball-shaped cake. 2: Jared takes a break to flash a smile with sister, Rachel.3: Party-goers wait patiently for an arcade game to reward them with tickets. 4: Aunt Jen, Uncle Rich, and cousins Brooke and Jake pile up the most tickets.Photos by Jennifer Lee (jenniferleephotography.com)

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B Y N A N c Y R Y e R s o NMath tutoring helps students master algebraic equations. Vio-

lin lessons can make you a virtuoso. Little League practice bolsters teamwork. But what can a kid do to acquire a more basic, but less tangible skill—becoming a productive and compassionate member of society? Volunteer!

Volunteering is one of the best ways for young people to connect with their community. Whether kids and teens volunteer with peers at school, start their own project, or follow in mom and dad’s charitable footsteps—it’s never too early to start fostering a do-good spirit.

“Volunteer work exercises kids’ empathy muscles,” says Christopher Caruso, Executive Director of generationOn, a na-tional volunteer organization with a youthful slant. What originally began in New York City as the non-profit Children for Children, generationOn was created to give younger kids the opportunity to give back to their communities. Now part of the hefty Points of Light Institute volunteer network, generationOn works with schools, businesses and community organizations to form kid-oriented volunteer clubs as well as offer hands-on opportunities.

Where to start? It’s all about your child’s individual interests. “A kid is more likely to be inspired if it’s an issue they care about, or that fits in with their world,” Caruso explains. “Start with, what is that child passionate about? Let’s say it’s poetry or music. How do you share your love of music or your gift and passion with others?”

With projects that involve collecting or donating possessions like toys, even little ones can get into the giving spirit. “If you think about birthdays and receiving presents and going to the library to get books, then you can think about kids who don’t have access to those things and how you can help,” Caruso suggests, put-ting things into perspective.

Caruso also says that younger people respond well to projects that involve animals. Ollie’s Place, a cat adoption center in the East Village, normally accepts volunteers 15 years and older. But through August 30, Ol-

lie’s is offering a special “Kitty Kamp” for whisker lovers ages 6–10 years who are interested in learning more about shelter cats. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Bideawee also accept volunteers 16 and older. If your tot is too young to clean a cage or take a mutt for a stroll, she can still collect pet supplies and donate them to local shelters.

For older kids, deeper engagement with a project helps to grow interest and further dedication. “Operation Chicken Soup,” a program that teaches tweens and teens about hunger-related issues in NYC and beyond, takes place at The Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Manhattan. With a cheery demographic of 20 to 30 tweens and up to 60 high-schoolers, both crews cook meals for the West End Intergenerational Residence, the Council of Senior Centers and the B’nai Jeshurun Homeless Shelter.

“I think it’s really important when you’re doing a program like this to get the message across as to why you’re doing it,” says Yael Gavronsky, Director of Teen & Tween Programs at The JCC. “We have them reflect on the issues, and ask if they have any family members who have ever been homeless or in need.”

Plus, the participants love to cook. With the help of a certified chef, they whip up everything from pizza bagels to Mediterranean meals. Teens sometimes even help the tween group with cutting vegetables or supervision, and great bonds have been born over soups and salads. “Some of the kids meet their best friends in these programs,” says Gavronsky.

Age restrictions got you down? While some spots like hos-pitals and homeless shelters require volunteers to be over the age of 18, don’t let that be a discouraging factor. When The Hewitt

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School student Harley Sherwood, 15, started collecting prom dresses for Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Pediatric Prom for chil-dren with cancer, she was only 10.

After her grandmother died of breast cancer, Sherwood was in-spired to get involved with a cause. And although you must be 18 to volunteer at the prom itself, she has collected glamorous frocks from friends and peers, and hopes to expand her project to other private and public schools. So far, she’s collected 425 dresses.

“The connection I felt symbolized something bigger than a simple donation of money,” says Sherwood. “The project’s goal is to give [the cancer patients] hope as well as a sense of normalcy for one night.”

Sherwood is just one example of how a young person can be proactive about volunteerism—transforming the notion of philan-thropy from an obligatory duty into a real passion. “Sometimes even the word ‘volunteering’ can have negative connotations if it’s school mandated, for example, and not self-driven,” says Caruso.

But that doesn’t mean parents can’t lend an invisible hand. Keeping up a grateful spirit around the house can be enough to subtly inspire children to help out. One family-oriented community service organization is The Fresh Air Fund, which sends inner-city kids to families with country homes for a week-long summer break.

“My wife and I both come from families where volunteerism and some self-sacrifice was a part of our upbringing,” says real estate developer Brian Edwards of the Upper East Side. He and his family have hosted a boy from the Bronx for five years and a boy from Brownsville, Brooklyn at their Hamptons home for two years now as part of The Fresh Air Fund’s programming. “It may be a lot easier to write a check, but the returns on a real sacrifice of personal time are far more satisfying to us.”

Edwards’ son, Quinn, is 10—the same age as the two boys they host. Together, the trio spends a week swimming, playing board games, riding bikes, collecting berries and crabbing. Elec-tronics and TV are off limits, but Edwards says the kids somehow manage to stay busy and have a great time. “We’re not hosting to entertain the children but rather to give them some simple plea-sures that many kids aren’t able to enjoy,” says Edwards.

Edwards adds that when they first started hosting the boys, Quinn, who grew up essentially as an only child because his sib-lings are much older, had to learn how to share his toys. But now, he runs and plays with the boys like best friends.

“The best part has been the company of having other kids to play with,” says Quinn. A Boy Scout, he has also helped package food for the homeless with the Brick Presbyterian Church on the Upper East Side.

Even around the house, Edwards says he keeps up a spirit of pitching in without being heavy-handed. His family’s most popu-lar phrase? What can I do to help? “We’ve taught Quinn that he should look to volunteerism as an easy way to help others,” says Edwards. “In most cases it simply involves showing up.”

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p l a c ea special

B y G a v r i e l l a M a h p o u r

This is the story of a large, airy studio nestled in a quiet corner of Chelsea. Shelves, boasting art supplies and musical instruments, line the perimeter. Large, boldly colored butterflies (painted by tiny fingers, of course) perk up the patrons passing through.

Welcome to Kids at Work. A vibrant, caring and structured environment in which kids up to four years in age can experience music and art at their own pace.

Founder, Owner, and Head Instructor Ju-lie Averill—an accomplished musician who has performed with members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra—conceptual-ized Kids at Work while working as a pre-school teacher for various play-based centers. “I felt like I could create something on my own that really focused on the children and the teachers,” Averill explains. “Not so much on the growth of the business or marketing.”

What began in 2007 as a once-a-week art class is now a thriving program with an eclectic array of offerings including the ever-popular “Sun Sessions,” a summer music class in Washington Square Park.

This past spring, Kids at Work moved to their new location in Chelsea in order to accommodate their burgeoning success. For Averill, designing the space was a labor of love. “My father-in-law did every-thing. My whole family came together and the only real professionals we had were the people who painted. Everything else was just sweat and tears,” she gushes.

Averill purposely created an unclut-tered, zen-inspired zone so as not to over-stimulate youngsters. “When toddlers come in and it’s quiet, I feel like they can be more decisive and just start working. It’s not sensory overload,” she explains.

Fine arts organizations such as Kids at Work are highly imperative to the creative development of young minds. “Music,

especially for very young children and babies, is really the first thing that you can evaluate a baby’s response to,” say Averill. She feels strongly that children have an outlet for self-expression. “Even if parents aren’t going to send their kids to a program like mine, I think it’s important that they put the tarp on the kitchen floor and put out the finger paints. I remember my aunt doing that for me when I was a toddler. It’s a huge memory of mine.”

One of the ways in which Kids at Work stands out from the herd is with their flex-ible drop-in policy: once a parent registers their child for a package of classes they can come to those classes at any time during the semester. Averill chimes in, “I decided to try [the flexible drop-in policy] and see if I could make it work. I knew that nobody else did it. People have been really happy and I think they appreciate it.”

Kids at Work also teams up with a few local businesses. Averill collaborates with

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www.newyorkfamily.com August 2011 | New York Family 27

ABC Gym Kids for an open play program at their facility in the winter and a camp at Kids at Work during the summer. They also work with Taste Buds, a cooking school for little tykes.

In addition to its arts and music pro-gramming, the studio hosts birthday parties for toddlers. Parents can choose either a crafty or musical expe-rience, or a combina-tion of the two, and the rest is taken care

of. Kids at Work provides the children with all the ingredients nec-essary for party pizzazz, including food, balloons and goodie bags.

Having mastered the fundamentals of kid-friendly arts & crafts and tunes, what does the future hold for Averill and her team? Coming fall, Kids at Work hopes to offer evening prenatal

classes for expectant parents in Manhattan. “I think there’s a huge hole in New York City for prenatal programs that are not sponsored by doctors or hospitals,” Averill observes. They also plan to add more Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) classes, a parenting program that teaches adults how to develop autonomy and independence in children under two years of age. Currently, Kids at Work is one of just two places in NYC that offer this west coast-based vision.

During “Jam Sessions Babies,” a Tuesday afternoon class, nine-month-old Ruby sits on the soft blue rug clutching green and red shaker eggs. She concentrates intently on Averill’s grinning face as she shakes the sand-filled plastic ovals. Ruby wiggles to the sounds of a strumming guitar. And for a moment, it’s as if the well-lit room radiates back with a charm that’s almost tangible. Averill seamlessly feeds off of Ruby’s delight—for her, it’s all in a day’s work.

For more information on Kids at Work, visit kidsatworknyc.com.

Julie Averill

SPECIALPLACE_0811.indd 27 7/22/11 2:05 PM


O F T H E M O N T HActivity

B y E l o r a T o c c i

When Spencer Ha fi rst began talking, he spoke with a speech

impediment. Now, at 10 years old, Spencer describes himself in his

school yearbook as “very talkative.” He attributes this transforma-

tion not to a dedicated speech therapist or years of verbal exercises,

but to a game that, at fi rst glance, seems completely unrelated to

chatter: chess.

Spencer began playing chess fi ve years ago when instructors

from NYChessKids began teaching programs at P.S. 77 Lower Lab,

where he attended elementary school. He liked playing so much,

that he continued taking lessons and practicing regularly. Three

years later, he was competing in tournaments.

“When I fi rst started, I just played for fi ve minutes a day,”

Spencer says. “But then I got more serious and now chess is a really

important part of my life.”

The proof is in the pudding. Chess encourages kids to think

critically and strategically. It can help developing minds put on

their metaphorical thinking caps and get their brains ready to

analyze. NYChessKids offers lessons in the morning before classes

start so that kids can “warm up” their brains for the academic day

ahead. Playing chess in the morning is like going for a run at sun-

rise – it leaves you energized and ready to work. It also boosts test

performance; chess players are more likely to think through their

responses and read questions critically.

“Chess really trains a student’s mind to be an independent thinker

and doer,” says Saudin Robovic, Founder and Owner of NYChessKids.

“It provides focus, strategic thinking…and good sportsmanship. All

these qualities can help our students address problems in life.”

Spencer agrees: “Basically, you use your mind more in chess,

and it helped me get better grades.”

But Spencer Ha isn’t the only kid bitten by the chess bug.

Teachers can actually see differences in their students who play the

game. Chess is becoming increasingly popular in schools around

the city, and parents and educators are raving about its education-

al, social and emotional benefi ts.

Chess-in-the-Schools, a nonprofi t for lower-income students that

sends instructors into New York City public schools to teach chess as

part of the curriculum, taught in 50 venues this past year and has an

enormous waiting list of schools hoping to get in on the action.

In response to the demand, which Marley Kaplan, President

and CEO of the organization, says has swelled signifi cantly in

the last 10 to 15 years, Chess-in-the-Schools spearheaded Project

Chess. The program trains teachers in chess instruction to embed

in their lesson plans and pass along to their students.

“A lot of [the kids] have home lives that are really challenging, and

then they fi nd chess and it really just opens up an avenue for them,”

Kaplan says. “It gives them the confi dence to look at life differently.”

There are other pastimes, of course, that train the brain. But

while classic games like Scrabble and checkers are not to be dis-

credited, Kaplan says that the possibilities with chess are endless.

Learning how the game works is just the beginning.

“After you learn how to play…you just keep developing your

mind and skills,” she says. “In other games you reach a limit, but in

chess you can always do more.”

Although kids who play chess used to be thought of as stereo-

typical brainiacs, the class valedictorians and science fair winners,

it’s no longer the case. Kaplan stresses that the game is an enrich-

ment vehicle for all youth. Regardless of school performance or

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academic ability, it’s a fair playing field on the chess board. In

fact, 20 percent of the kids who participate in Chess-in-the-

Schools are special education students.

“Chess is a universal language,” Kaplan says. “It’s a game

that anyone, from the time you’re 5 to 105, can play.”

Besides the thinking skills that the game develops, chess can

do wonders for a child’s self-esteem. Although a novice may

lose more often than win at first, they feel validated knowing

they outwitted their opponent when they get to declare “Check

mate!” And those positive feelings translate to the classroom.

Although the game is non-competitive when kids are first

getting acquainted with the pieces, it can become extremely

challenging as things progress. Tournaments are the Olympics

of the chess world – once a kid learns how to play the game,

competitions show him just how good he really is.

But it can become intense, as tears and frustration start to

creep in.

“That’s when you have to just stop and remind kids that

it’s a game,” Kaplan says. “In chess, losing can actually be much

more valuable than winning. Once you make a mistake in

chess, you rarely make that same mistake again.”

In many instances, a mistake becomes apparent as soon as

your opponent makes her next move. But although chess play-

ers play to win, there’s a strong sense of camaraderie. Students

often play on behalf of their school, and they root for each

other. It gives them a sense that they’re part of something big.

Chess is also more of a spectator sport than you might think –

kids watch each other’s games and give pointers. They also dole

out compliments when their friends do well, and are there for

support if they don’t.

“I’ve met so many people through chess,” Spencer says. “I

make friends at tournaments and even if someone beats some-

one else, no one really gets mad.”

Sounds like a win-win.

Where To PlayAfter-School Programs (open to the public)P.S. 116P.S. 163SMS (Special Music School)Solomon Schechter For more information, visit nychesskids.com.

Fall Programs With Open EnrollmentVillage Chess ShopP.S. 151 Y.C.S.P.S. 59Manhattan Youth DowntownP.S. 183For more information,visit chessnyc.com/chess-academy.

Other ResourcesMarshall Chess Club, marshallchessclub.orgBrooklyn Chess Club, brooklynchessclub.comChess for Children, chessforchildren.com/lessonsNew York Chess & Game Shop,newyorkchessandgameshop.comChess-in-the-Schools, chessintheschools.org

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o u tStarting

B y E r i k a L a n d a u M D a n dA b i g a i l B r e n n e r M D

In ancient times, stones (aptly known as milestones) were

placed alongside roads at specific intervals to help travelers mea-

sure distances and, therefore, their progress. In terms of human

development, a milestone (from the Latin word “milarium”) is a

complex set of skills and tasks that most children can achieve at a

certain age. So what does this mean with regard to parenting?

As a parent, it’s natural to worry about your baby reaching

age-specific milestones. To give you a bit of a head start and to ease

some of your fears, here’s a summary of what to expect within the

first year, with important tips on how to keep your growing boy or

girl on track.

1. Babies are unique individuals. They develop at their own

pace. Constantly comparing your child to other babies of the same

age or stage, or even to your other children, will only create un-

necessary anxiety.

2. Be wary of “the window.” Babies are given a time frame in

which to reach their milestones and after that window of op-

portunity has passed, you need to consult with your pediatrician.

Your doctor will direct you to the appropriate specialists, or will

tell you to wait before intervention. In some cases, short term

speech, physical or occupational therapy will be effective. In other

instances, one may need to work with a team of specialists. The

sooner a problem is detected, the better the outcome will be.

3. The Milestones To Watch At Any Age.GroSS And FIne MoTor: the ability to move and control the

muscles in the body

LAnGuAGe SkILLS: the ability to use sounds and, eventually,

words to communicate

CoGnITIve deveLopMenT: the process involved in learning

and understanding

SoCIAL SkILLS: the ability to interact with family, peers and strangers

4. Age-Specific Milestones: Newborn

GroSS MoTor: The baby lies on the back with curled legs and

closed fists and can lift the head when lying on the stomach.

FIne MoTor: The baby grasps objects when placed in the palm.

They have specific reflexes including the Moro (startling reflex),

grasping, rooting and stepping reflexes.

LAnGuAGe: The baby makes some sounds, sometimes during sleep.

CoGnITIve: The baby looks at light, can see about 10-12 inches

from their face, and can track an object about 30 degrees. They

hear noises and react to them.

Two MonthsGroSS MoTor: The baby’s legs are straighter and less curled.

When placed on the stomach, the baby will lift the head and chest.

FIne MoTor: The baby is able to hold an object for a short pe-

riod of time. All of the other reflexes are still present.

LAnGuAGe: Cooing begins.

CoGnITIve: The baby can follow objects past midline (at 180 degrees).

SoCIAL: Your baby will smile in response to stimuli.

Three MonthsGroSS MoTor: Your baby is moving more than before. Some

babies start turning.

FIne MoTor: The baby will attempt to reach and grab a toy but

Managing Milestones

10 smart tips From the authors of The Essential Guide to Baby’s First Year

STARTINGOUT_0811.indd 32 7/22/11 3:52 PM


will miss it. The Moro reflex disappears at this age.

Language: new sounds emerge such as aaah and gaaah.

CogniTive: Your baby smiles for a longer period of time.

Four Monthsgross MoTor: Your baby is able to lift the head and the chest

when lying on the back.

Fine MoTor: The baby reaches and holds onto objects, can bring

the hands to the middle of the body, and pushes with the feet when

held up.

Language: The baby laughs and shows emotion.

CogniTive: Your baby likes music and starts recognizing familiar faces.

Five-Six Monthsgross MoTor: The baby can roll over, back to stomach, and is

able to sit with support. The head does not lag as before.

Fine MoTor: Your baby can hold a bottle.

Language: Babbling begins.

CogniTive: The baby knows that an object is hidden, tries to

find it, but doesn’t get it yet.

soCiaL: The emotions are stronger now. The baby can respond to

sadness and happiness.

Seven Monthsgross MoTor: Your baby can put weight on the feet when

placed in a standing position. sitting is more stable.

Fine MoTor: The baby will reach and hold larger objects, starts

transferring from one hand to the other, and can hold smaller

objects with the palm.

Language: vowels are starting to be used.

CogniTive: The baby explores everything by putting objects in

the mouth.

soCiaL: The baby does not like to be left alone and prefers parents

and caregivers over strangers.

Eight Monthsgross MoTor: Your baby sits well without support and takes

steps while holding on to furniture (cruising). There are many

forms of crawling including: on all fours, “commando,” backwards

and sitting and moving very fast from one side to the other. some

babies don’t crawl at all. They just stand up, and that’s perfectly fine.

Fine MoTor: They hold objects with the fine pincer grasp—be-

tween the thumb and index finger. Babies like feeding themselves.

Language: Your baby responds to “no”, shakes the head and

imitates sounds.

CogniTive: Your baby can find hidden objects.

soCiaL: stranger anxiety begins.

Nine-Ten Monthsgross MoTor: The baby crawls and/or cruises well.

Fine MoTor: The fine pincer grasp is completely mastered.

Language: Your baby is louder and more vocal, using many syl-

lables while babbling.

CogniTive: He/she points at things with the finger, can follow

one command and loves banging toys together.

soCiaL: The baby will stop when told “no”. He/she likes looking at

pictures, starts feeling different textures and loves the mirror.

Eleven Monthsgross MoTor: He/she may start walking with both hands held.

Fine MoTor: They start to find a dropped object.

Language: Your baby may start to say mama or dada.

soCiaL: Peek-a-boo is a favorite.

Twelve Monthsgross MoTor: The baby starts walking with one hand held.

Fine MoTor: He/she picks up and finds objects when dropped.

CogniTive: Your baby can imitate adults.

soCiaL: The child follows commands and can play simple games.

5. Be on the look out for something wrong. at all ages, it’s es-

sential to assess the baby’s muscle tone, if there is a significant delay

in more than one developmental skill, and if the baby doesn’t react

or communicate.

6. Adjust the timeline for premature babies. if, for example,

the baby was born one month prematurely, calculate the baby’s

developmental age by subtracting the number of weeks from the

actual due date. at four months, the baby will have the milestones

of a three-month-old. eventually, the premature baby will catch up.

7. Introduce your child to others of the same age. even if they

don’t play together, babies will be interested to explore the sights

and sounds of another.

8. Interact with your child. Talking and singing will help your

little one develop their own verbal and comprehension skills, and

soon enough, your baby will understand you. read to your child.

Hold them while you walk around or do things in the house—explain

what you’re doing and seeing. give them age-appropriate toys, but

remember that your presence and interaction can never be matched.

9. Your worries are not unfounded. if you’re worried about

anything, talk to your pediatrician. ask questions, learn what kind

of help is needed, and make sure that the lines of communication

are open between everyone. Feel free to ask for a second opinion.

after all, you are the parents, you spend the most time with your

children and you are, in many instances, the first to know if some-

thing may be wrong.

10. Take good care of yourselves. ask for help if you feel tired

and overwhelmed. enjoy your baby’s first year! k

STARTINGOUT_0811.indd 33 7/22/11 3:53 PM


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Elephants on Parade Footies by Magnificent Baby

Magnificent Baby’s footies will have your tot dressed faster than

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Lollisoft SD Bunk Beds byResource FurnitureFounded in 2000, Resource Furniture offers a line of unique space-transforming furniture, all designed and made in Italy. With separate day and night functions, space-savers like the Lollisoft SD bunk beds are ideally suited for city apartments with growing families. Offering more than 40 beautifully-designed and completely customizable systems available for children, teens and adults, Resource Furniture can breathe new life into your limited city storage space. Versatility at its best! Starting at $6,500, resourcefurniture.com

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KeyFit® 30 Infant CarSeat by ChiccoVroom! Vroom! Who’s ready

for a road trip with a new-born? Don’t be intimidated. The KeyFit® 30 Infant Car Seat accommodates infants from 4 to 30 lbs, with features including a one-pull harness tightening and loosening system, thickly-padded infant insert to give extra support for smaller babies,

and EPS energy-absorbing foam. To make installation easier, the vehicle base

utilizes an innovative LATCH management system with a one-pull tightening strap, as well as easy belt routing, a spring-loaded adjustment foot, and easy-to-read bubble level guides on each side. This premier infant car seat makes hitting the road a cinch! $179.99, chiccousa.com

YoBaby Meals by Stonyfield FarmStonyfield Farm, maker of delicious organic

yogurts, brings us YoBaby Meals for little guys 12-24+ months. Each one a deli-

cious 3-in-1 combination of yogurt, fruits and veggies, these meals pack a powerful punch with flavors like pear

& green bean, peach & squash, and apple & sweet potato. Made with whole milk yogurt, a 4 oz. cup provides two-thirds of a

combined daily serving of fruits and veggies, plus other essential nutrients like zinc and vitamin A. Healthy ba-bies, raise your spoons! $2.89 for a four-pack, stonyfield.com

gunapod by gunamunaThe first major overhaul in the sleep sack market in 15 years, the oversized gunapod is a fully wearable baby blanket for optimum comfort. With its patent-pending all-around zipper, moms (and

dads!) on-the-go have easy access for diaper changing, easy dressing and temperature ventilation. A cut above the rest, this blanket is made out of a cozy fabric with a roomy fit. Comfortable and functional. What more could a baby want? $29.50, gunamuna.com

Better Basics Harper Crib by giggleThis crib is everything fantastic baby furniture should be—from the quality construction with solid birch wood to the clean, classic lines that fit every décor and every budget. The giggle Better Basics Harper Crib is a new parent’s dream, while meeting some very important giggle cri-teria, including Good Value, Multi-stage, Space saving/Compact, and Tested. Sweet dreams, for you and your baby. $550 for Walnut finish, giggle.com

Baby Buggy® The official charity for the New Parents Expo, Baby Buggy is in its tenth year of operation as a non-profit dedi-cated to providing families in need with essential gear, prod-ucts and clothes for children from newborn through 12 years old. Founded by Jessica Seinfeld, Baby Buggy has generously donated more than 4.9 million items—in-cluding cribs, strollers, cloth-ing, diapers and bottles—across the country. For more informa-tion, please visit babybuggy.org

the nation’s biggest event for new parents this year register at newparentsexpo.com Calling all new and expectant parents! Coming this fall to Pier 92 in Manhattan, our New Parents Expo is expected to be the single biggest event for parents in the nation this year! This mega-show will enable parents to discover the best maternity, baby and toddler products from national and local companies, and will offer an inspiring menu of lectures, seminars and demonstrations from experts in the world of family and parenting. You’ll get the lowdown on strollers, car seats, nursery furnishings, safety products, early enrichment programs, infant and toddler toys, high chairs, baby bottles, lactation consultants, child CPR, family apps and countless other new parent essentials and resources. Highlights of the expo will include:

a speaker series with informational seminars featuring…

vicki iovine, author of the girlfriends’ guide to pregnancy

liz lange, founder of liz lange maternity

rosie pope, star of bravo’s “pregnant in heels”

dr. bob sears, co-author of the baby book

a stroller test drive track

a mother’s lounge with refreshments

a fashion runway show

The event will be held October 15 and 16 at Pier 92. Tickets are $35 in advance; $40 the day of the show. To learn more about the New Parents Expo and to purchase tickets, visit newparentsexpo.com, find it on Facebook or follow it on Twitter @NewParentsExpo.

MUSTHAVES_0811.indd 35 7/25/11 4:10 PM

Grand Opening

Fall 2011Learning Through Play

Early Birds from 7:30am and After School 3pm to 6pm

Infant to 6 years and 6 years to 12 years after school program

41 Grand Street Brooklyn, NY 11211www.2by2preschool.net • [email protected]

Call 718-812-1910 or 347-512-2202

212-721-0090 • 606 Columbus Avenue (89th & 90th Sts.) • www.columbusgymnyc.com

Gymnastics CLASSES

AGES 6 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS

Established in 1988, Columbus Gym is the largest and longest

running gym program on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

Our state-of-the-art 3000 square foot gymnasium features

every piece of equipment imaginable for superb classes and

birthday parties.

Columbus Gym classes keep the spirit of fun while teaching

children 6 months to 12 years. The Tiny Tot Fitness

Program concentrates on balance, coordination,

and fi ne motor skills along with sports, props, and

circle time. Mini gym/super gym classes provide an

introduction to basic skills using all pieces of apparatus

(vault, balance beam, bars, fl oor, and trampoline). All

classes are non-competitive and child-friendly.

Co umbusGym

Columbus Gym classes keep the spirit of fun while teaching

FABULOUS GYMNASTICS

BIRTHDAY PARTIES!

Pre-Professional Ballet Program and special

Boy’s ClassesAges 7-18

Mother & Child ClassesAges 2-3

Pre-Ballet, Tap, Modern and Drama

Ages 3-6

Adult Open ClassesAll Levels

Ballet, Tap, Zumba,Jazz, Pilates and Yoga

The fall semester begins September 19th. Call or

email for registration and schedule information.

BalleT aCademy eaST1651 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10128

212-410-9140 [email protected] www.baenyc.com

Partials_0811.indd 14 7/21/11 4:12 PM

Not every kid wants the same kind of camp, and we want happy campers! That’s why St. Bart’s is offeringthree options that include swim every day:

St. Bart’s Day Camp • June 8th – August 21st

Perfect for 3 1⁄2 to 8 year olds: swimming every day, sports, art or science, dance, plus a wholelot more on our rooftop playground!Island Sports Camp • June 22nd – August 21st

For 7 – 13 year olds who like something a little more sporty. Start the day with science, art, yoga or drama, then jet off for a day of softball, soccer, and tennis. The day concludes back at St. Bart’s with swimming instruction in our indoor pool.Adventure Camp • June 22nd – August 21st

This camp is great for 8 – 13 year olds who aren’t crazy about sports but are into art, science and a little adventure. This camp offers two (2) educational/recreation trips per week in and outside of Manhattan. Also includes some sports, yoga, drama and a weekly art/science showcase.

Summer at St. Bart’s also offers flexible scheduling, the Breakfast Club, Lunch and After Camp program. To register, schedule a family tour at your convenience, or receive more information, contact Eileen Reddy at (212) 378-0203, [email protected] or visit our website: www.stbarts.org.

St. Bartholomew’s ChurchPark Avenue at 51st Street • www.stbarts.org • 212.378.0203

Not every kid wants the same kind of camp, and we want happy campers!

That’s why Summer at St. Bart’s offers four options that include swim every day:

Age 3-4.5 years 9am to 12:30pm• Arts and Crafts • Sports in our gym • Dance and Movement • Rooftop play

Age 7-13 years • TWO educational/recreational trips/week• Arts and Crafts • Sports in our gym • Dance and Movement

• Yoga • Drama • Karate • Science

Tiny Tot’s at St. Bart’s June 6th-August 19th

Age 4.5-7 years 9am to 3pm• Arts and Crafts • Sports in our gym • Dance and Movement • Rooftop play

• Fun with Science • Karate • Drama • Extended day options

St Bart’s Day Camp June 6th- August 19th

Adventure Camp June 20th-August 19th

Island Sports Camp June 27th – August 19th

Age 7-13 years • Special trips once a week/private bus•Field Sports at Roosevelt Island • Tennis lessons • Soccer • Softball • Kickball • Ultimate Frisbee • Relay Races • Touch Football • and more…

Summer at St. Bart’s also offers flexible scheduling, the Breakfast Club, Lunch and After Camp programs.

Contact Eileen Reddy at 212-378-0203, [email protected] or Janette Coleman at [email protected].

www.stbarts.org.

MAGIC’s Fall Open House

Please come for a day filled with fun!

Saturday, September 10th

11:00 am - 2:00 pmFun and games for the whole family plus two showings of

Big Top Science Presented byMad Science at 11:30 am and again at 1:00 pm

Fall Classes Begin September 14th

Meet our dedicated teachers, tour our facility and don’t forget to enter to WIN a FREE 17-week class

Call us today at 212.737.2989 or visit us at www.74magic.com

Under the red canopy at 510 East 74th Street (off York Avenue) - New York 212.737.2989 www.74magic.com

NYFamilyAugust-Half-V-OpenHouse2011.indd 1 7/8/2011 7:06:12 PM

Partials_0811.indd 6 7/21/11 4:13 PM


o io iiEVERYTHING’SCOMING UP

HOW "PREGNANT IN HEELS" STAR ROSIE POPEBECAME THE MOMMY MAVEN OF THE MOMENTBY MEGAN MAXSON PHOTOS BY THADDEUS HARDEN

CoverStory_0811.indd 38 7/22/11 5:42 PM


I t’s easy to see why the producer

of Bravo’s “Pregnant in Heels”

was drawn to Rosie Pope when he

first saw her—pregnant and screaming at

construction workers—at the site of her ma-

ternity store on Madison Avenue. Pope is a

tough cookie when she needs to be. But she’s

also effortlessly charming (hello, that smile!)

and exudes three-scoops-please delight

when talking about what drives her most—

being a mother, and helping others enjoy the

experience of becoming a parent, too.

At first glance, Pope seems to be the

quintessential New York mommy–she’s

got a fabulous career, a former Wall Street

hubby-turned business partner, two super

cute sons (James and Wellington), and

a place on the Upper East Side. So who

would have guessed that she wants her

story to end with a house and a big family

in Charleston, South Carolina? With a pied-

à-terre in the city, of course.

So, you’ve been a ballerina, model, private detective, a neuroscience student at Columbia, and you’re now a mommy concierge and maternity store owner turned reality show personality. How did you end up taking this journey?

I grew up in a household where it

didn’t seem abnormal to have really big

career swings if that’s what interested you.

My mother was a doctor and a genetic

researcher, and my father was a geophysicist

and then in the 80s he became a very suc-

cessful ballet dancer. When I was eighteen,

they let me come to New York to dance and

I think that’s when I started to grow up for

the first time. I spent my whole life trying

to get straight A’s and trying to be [the] best

ballet dancer and not thinking about what I

wanted to do. When I came to New York, it

was a city full of so many interesting people

and opportunities—that’s when I started to

try to find myself and it led me to all these

interesting things.

What inspires you to take on new challenges?For me it’s really important to be

happy. I think it makes you a better person,

makes a marriage better and it definitely

makes you a better parent. It’s really hard if

you get into a rut of responsibility and be-

fore you know it, life’s going to pass you by.

You just finished the first season of “Preg-nant in Heels.” How would you describe

your show to someone who hasn’t seen it?It’s a show that that tracks me and my

more outlandish clients in New York City

and their requests on the way to giving

birth. Although at face value, all of their

requests seem kind of insane, underneath it

all, they have the same insecurities that ev-

erybody has about being a parent and they

just want to celebrate [the experience of new

parenthood] and want to be well-prepared.

How do you explain the show's appeal?Even though on the outside it’s about

pregnancy, it really touches on human

emotions—fear, responsibility, love—all

the things we go through. When you first

try to get pregnant or you know someone

getting pregnant, you don’t really know

much about it. Then all of a sudden, the

floodgates open and everyone tells you

these stories. It’s one of those subjects that

seems kind of secretive until you’re in it. I

think people want to know more.

You’ve done a lot for your clients—help pick out baby names, help find nannies. What has been your most challenging request so far?

On the show, one of the ladies wanted

to be painted naked on a horse. But for

me, it wasn’t so much the request that was

challenging. The underlying issue was that

her mother had died when she was very

young and she was terrified that in some

way she would leave her baby, too. She

worked at a zoo and was really good with

animals. So my point was that those are

going to be the same instincts that you’re

going to use to take care of the child, only

stronger. And for her, having a painting

of her on a horse with her baby [was]

what she needed to look at every morn-

ing to remind herself that she could do it.

It sounds like such a crazy request, and it

was, but underneath it was one of the most

touching stories.

How has the show changed your life?I get nervous if my children cry on the

street. People look at me weird. People expect

me to be like the Baby Whisperer and then

my kids are crying. But honestly, it’s changed

my life for the better. I am really touched

[when] traveling outside New York City [by]

how many people are inspired by the show—

especially the fertility story. It’s really made

me feel a lot closer to all of our fans and it

makes me want to do it more and more.

What made you decide to share your story about trying to get pregnant with your audience?

I felt that if I didn’t tell the story of my

pregnancy, I wasn’t being honest about

what we’d been through. I’ve known so

many people who have had difficulties with

fertility and I thought that there were very

few people in the media openly talking

about it. Ever since it happened, I’ve been

so glad that we did it. Many people have

come up to me and thanked me for putting

it out there because they felt so alone with

the struggles they were having.

Can you tell me about your store, Rosie Pope Maternity?

We have a motto—“every day is a baby

shower.” When you come into the store,

it’s very celebratory. We have chandeliers,

mocktails, candy and cupcakes, and a lot of

really fun music. It’s an experience, not just

shopping. We have everything from diaper

bags to dresses to t-shirts and nursing bras.

What makes the clothes in your store so unique?

I really try to design them so they also

work after you’ve had the baby. We work

a lot on fit and cut, and we don’t just rely

on stretch fabric with spandex to make

things work. I spend a lot more time on the

tailoring to make it a great piece for your

wardrobe in general.

Where did you learn to design clothes?I don’t have a traditional design back-

ground. I didn’t have any money in college,

so I made all my own clothes. And I think

my science background lent to the fit aspect.

You’ve partnered with Citibabes with re-gard to your MomPrep courses. How do you decide what classes to offer in MomPrep?

The thing about the New York moms is

“I get nervous if my children cry on the street…People expect me to be like the Baby Whisperer and then my kids are crying.”



that you don’t have a lot of time. You want

things that are convenient—so we have a

studio Uptown on Madison Avenue and

we also wanted to have classes Downtown

[where Citibabes is located] so people

didn’t have to travel. I think that taking

the core curriculum classes gives you the

confidence to enjoy your baby more. They

include: A-Z of Childbirth & Newborn

Care, Infant CPR & First Aid and Prenatal

Breastfeeding. Then we have a lot more

classes that come [from working] with

clients privately. Whether it’s decorating

the nursery or baby showers, I like to turn

those [experiences] into an affordable class

for everyone.

How do you manage it all—your own show, designing, having a store and being a mom?

I gave up sleep the last few years. But

I’m really lucky because I work with my

husband who left his job on Wall Street

last summer. We run the business together

and have an amazing team. We are able to

control our schedule, to some extent, which

allows us to tag team with the kids and it

gives us a lot more flexibility than if we

were in a more corporate environment.

Speaking of your husband, tell me how you met.

We got into the elevator together [at

the Gansevoort Hotel] and one of the other

men was trying to hit on me. And Daron,

who’s a southern gentleman, stepped in

and sort of saved the day. And that guy, by

the way, ended up being a guest of honor at

our wedding. So I always tell people to look

around when you’re in an elevator—you

never know.

Tell me about your children. My oldest son, James, is almost

three and is very energetic. I think he’s a

genius, but I know probably every parent

[says that]. He’s very into role play, but

apparently I suck. I take everything a

little too literally. And my youngest son,

Wellington, is five months and is the

complete opposite. He’s very calm and

relaxed, and likes to hang out and watch

what’s going on. I appreciate every single

second I have with them—it’s the high-

light of every day for me.

How has your view of the city changed since becoming a parent?

I thought that once I became a parent, I

would want to leave instantly. But the com-

plete opposite happened. I think especially

for young children, it’s brilliant. The space

is a little bit limited, but that’s why we have

places like Kidville and Citibabes.

As a mom, why do you like living on the Upper East Side?

It’s very family-oriented and there are

lots of little shops, coffee stores and baker-

ies, so it feels very community-driven and

it’s away from the madness a little bit. We

love getting cookies at Sarabeth’s!

If you get a chance, what’s your favorite way to pamper yourself?

Honestly, I’m not good with that at

all—I just end up stressing out. I was teas-

ing my husband because he keeps telling

me to do yoga, but having all that quiet

[left me] much more anxious. The most

relaxing time is being with my kids.

What do you see in your future?I would really like to start expanding

our store into different cities. But I’m also

interested in working on product lines that

are more affordable so that we really reach

a lot of our fans.

If you could give one piece of advice to all pregnant women, what would it be?

Take the time to enjoy yourself. I think

the more education you’ve had and the more

things you’ve read and the more people you

talk to—it will just give you the confidence

and the tools so that when your baby comes,

you can relax and enjoy them and [actually]

have the time to get to know who they are.

Adore Rosie? Us too! You can catch her at our New Parents Expo on October 15 and 16 at Pier 92, where this supermom and super-entrepreneur will be a special Keynote Speaker. For tickets, visit newparentsexpo.com.See page 34 for more info.

See Rosie In ActionAT THE NEW PARENTS EXPO


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Two PersPecTives on The QualiTy of educaTion, The Money and everyThing in BeTween

cSB a c k t o

BACKtoSCHOOL_0811_ej.indd 43 7/22/11 4:05 PM


Private SchooLvictoria Goldman outlines Why Private School education is “the Best Money can Buy”

B Y M A r l A W A s s e r M A NVictoria Goldman has written two well-

regarded guides to New York City private

schools: The Manhattan Directory of Private

Nursery Schools, which will come out

with its 7th Edition in June 2012, and The

Manhattan Family Guide to Private Schools

and Selective Public Schools. She also served

on the Board of Trustees of the Riverdale

Country School, from which her two chil-

dren graduated, for eight years.

What are some of the biggest consider-ations for a family debating private school education for their child? The biggest

factor is student-teacher ratio. You will get

smaller classes almost overall at a private

school. That doesn’t just apply to New York

City; it is a national issue. What also stands

out most about private schools is that they

have better facilities and better specials. For

example, the art programs, athletics, science

labs…The facilities can dovetail with the

program. Private schools might

even have a wider range of

curriculum. But there are no

absolutes when you compare.

It is apples and pomegranates.

It is just very, very different

and though both are fruit and

you will get educated, there are

huge differences.

If a family is fortunate enough to be accepted to a special public program, such as Hunter or Anderson, do the considerations for private schools change? Not really. The

facilities are still lacking. And when you get

all the way down to the end of the road,

the college offices give more individualized

attention at a private school. When we say

private schools are supportive, we mean it in

such an overarching way. The price is high,

averaging about $40,000 a year, but it is the

best education money can buy.

For a family who is struggling with the financial decision of whether to send a child to private school, does it make sense to choose public school for the early

years? Obviously, it depends on the family.

It also depends on the quality of the local

public school. You need to consider the

competitiveness of your local public school

and the teacher-student ratio, along with

your finances. And, finally you also have

to consider proximity to home and social

benefits. When I say social benefits, I mean,

what can your kid get programmatically

out of that public school? Does the school

have a sports team that your kid would be

interested in, or does it have a good drama

teacher for your kid who is interested in

theater? And, if the child plans to move to

private school later, is it competitive enough

Daniel Burnstein, Poly Prep

PuBLic SchooLclara hemphill Discusses Why Public School is the Best choice For Many Families

B Y s A r A h s e l t z e rClara Hemphill has written compre-

hensive guides to New York City public

elementary schools, middle schools and

high schools and is also the Founder of

insideschools.org, which offers well-report-

ed and flavorful descriptions of the city’s

public schools. She has two children, ages

15 and 18, who have both been educated in

the public school system.

How should parents who want to become fully educated about their public school begin their search? Your first option

is, of course, your neighborhood school,

which you can locate by calling 311 or

searching the Department of Education’s

website at schools.nyc.gov. In large parts of

Manhattan, the neighborhood schools are

not just fine but really excellent, particular-

ly in District 2, which is the East Side south

of 96th Street (but not the Lower East Side)

and the West Side south of 59th. If you live

in another area, you should still check out

your neighborhood schools. Some of them

are good, and some of are great.

What if the local school ends up being not-so-great? Your next option would be

schools that either accept kids outside of

your attendant zone or schools that are un-

zoned. On the Lower East Side, for example,

there are a bunch of progressive schools

with which a lot of parents are really happy.

And on the Upper West Side, there are a

number of schools that take kids from out-

side their attendant zone based on a lottery.

Your third option is a gifted and talented

[G&T] program. A final option is a charter

school, which accepts children in a lottery.

What should parents consider when deciding whether a given elementary school is a good choice for their child?

If possible, I think it’s really important to

visit schools when class is in session. The

most important thing I look for is the level

of engagement of kids. Bad signs include

if the kids are bored out of their minds

or if they are goofy and all over the place.

I look for rich classroom libraries, lots of

fun-to-read books, picture books, atlases

and fiction. I don’t like schools that rely too

heavily on textbooks. Another thing I look

for is the quality of children’s work on the

walls. I like to see a variety of work that’s

initiated by the kids, not just posters put

out by textbook companies.

What are some questions parents can ask when they visit schools? One of the

key questions parents can ask is how the

school handles different levels of ability

within the same class. Some parents jump

to put kids in a G&T program because

they’re afraid they won’t be challenged in

a regular classroom, but what’s important

Andrew schwartz, Ps 151



that the kid will be able to stand up?

So if you don’t plan to send your child to private school for grades K – 12, are the early years or the later years more important? It is

so individual. It depends on your family; it

depends on your child. Let’s say, you went

to a great private school for grades K–8, and

then went to Stuyvesant High…That might

work out great. Or, you can go to a great

public school, like P.S. 6, for K–5 then apply

to private school and wind up at any one of a

number of fabulous private middle and high

schools like Riverdale, Dalton and Trinity.

There’s a lot of switching in both directions.

Does being at a private school allow parents greater input regarding who teaches their children? There is a great deal

of integrity in private schools; it isn’t a case

of the tail wagging the dog. Parents can-

not have teachers fired, but they can have

conversations with administrators about

individual learning styles and making good

matches in terms of teachers and coaches.

Do private schools attract better teachers? In a lot of cases, public schools

have the more credentialed teachers. Pri-

vate schools, however, have more latitude

to hire non-credentialed teachers who

may be experts in their field; for example,

a historian teaching history or a drama

department head who is a playwright

and director when he is not teaching. It

would be an over-generalization to say

that you get better teachers at private

schools. What you get is better instruc-

tion, because it is more individualized

attention. But even at this astronomical

price of $40,000 a year, your kid can get a

bad teacher and have a bad year.

If you place a high value on diversity, will you be disappointed at a Manhattan private school? You are not going to find

much diversity. The schools are between 10

and 20 percent financial aid, and there are

very few full rides, whereas a normal public

school represents the community.

When a child leaves a private school, what has all that money bought besides a solid education? These private schools

have such wonderful values and traditions.

There is a polish the kids receive. The tradi-

tions at private schools give the students an

identity, a connectedness to their school.

When a kid leaves P.S. 6, he is not bleed-

ing P.S. 6 colors. When a kid leaves Horace

Mann, she bleeds crimson. There is a

community that you are buying into that

extends beyond the academics.

If you had an overall message for par-ents struggling with the decision about private school, what would you say? In

New York City, there is so much choice that

it is a luxury to go to school. There are so

many different public options and so many

different private options, and everyone finds

his or her place somewhere and usually, but

not always, is happy, gets a great educa-

tion and goes on to higher education fully

prepared. The case for private school is very

strong. But it is exorbitant…it costs about

$520,000 to go K–12 once you throw in

the contribution to the headmaster’s fund.

If you don’t have that kind of money, it is

fine and understandable. More importantly

than all of this is the case for good parent-

ing. Support your child, be a member of the

school’s community and transcend any and

all cliques as you would advise your child.d

in any classroom is the teacher’s ability to

find work that’s appropriate for everyone.

One of the ways you can identify that in a

classroom is if one child is reading Frog and

Toad and another is reading Charlotte’s Web.

What do you tell parents who are con-cerned with the cost of private school but fear that public schools will not give their kids the same kind of personal attention?

The public schools have large class sizes and

facilities that are often somewhat run down.

But what I think is really important is the

quality of interaction between the teacher

and the kids. Sometimes you get larger classes

in neighborhoods like Tribeca or the Upper

East Side where the teaching is so good that

parents will do what they can to get their

kids in that school. The contractual limit for

kindergarten is 25 kids per class. It’s 28 for

grades 1 to 3, and 32 for grades 4 to 6. And

ultimately, the issue of where to send your

child can really depend on your child: do

you have a robust child who can thrive in a

rough-and-tumble atmosphere or a delicate

child who might not be able to? In general,

my advice is save your money for college.

Besides the lack of tuition, what are some

advantages of a public school education?

A lot of parents are concerned by rampant

materialism and consumerism in our cul-

ture, and while there’s some of that in the

public schools there’s probably less [than in

private schools]. People talk a lot about hav-

ing friends of all races and social classes. In

elementary school, my daughter had friends

who lived in brownstones and friends who

were the children of superintendents living

in basement apartments. It exposes them to

a wide range of human experience.

It seems that public elementary schools in parts of New York are excellent. How do middle schools compare? I had two chil-

dren in District 2 middle schools. I was very

happy with the quality of their education.

There are some excellent middle schools,

but there are very few ordinary neighbor-

hood-zoned middle schools in which you

can enroll your child. Middle schools have

traditionally been the weak link in the city

public school system. Visit the schools.

What you look for is very similar actually to

what you look for in elementary schools.

How have public high schools been evolving? There are eight specialized schools,

nine including LaGuardia Arts—which

requires an entrance audition. This [city]

administration has focused really strongly

on creating new small schools. In Manhattan

there really are no more neighborhood high

schools. Everybody has to go through this

process of school choice. The good news is

that there are a lot of good schools out there;

the bad news is it’s an agonizing process.

Wait lists have become a greater issue.

What would you do to change things in the system if you could? Strengthen the

neighborhood schools. School choice only

works up to a point. There hasn’t been as

much attention paid to the average stu-

dents, particularly on the West Side. There

are spots for superstars and spots for reme-

dial education, but there isn’t much for kids

in the middle outside of District 2. School

choice helps some kids get better options

than they would otherwise, but it doesn’t

solve the problem, which is the shortage of

adequate schools. d

Editor’s Note: This piece originally ran in the

July 2007 issue of New York Family. It has since

been updated to reflect the experts’ current opinions.



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B Y M A r i A r i l e Y

Next up in our series of new city schools is The Goddard School®

on the Upper West Side. This September, Bill Swan and Maria Conti,

Manhattan parents who have endured the preschool admissions

process, are opening their doors. Swan, along with Goddard Systems

CEO Joseph Schumacher, recently chatted with New York Family and

shared insights into what sets these schools apart from the rest.

Why Goddard?Bill Swan: One of the aspects of the Goddard model that attracted

us was the involvement of the owner. The Goddard model is that

the owners are present on a daily basis. The Education Director

is therefore freed up to be in the classroom with the teachers,

monitoring, coaching, making sure the model is followed

and dealing with special issues with children. Her devotion

is specifically and 100% to the educational aspect of the

program, and not caught in the administration aspects. That’s

unique to The Goddard School.

Joseph Schumacher: We want to present a high-quality child-

care alternative owned by members of the community.

We think that gives us the benefit of having a

locally-owned school operated by a member

of the community but with all the advan-

tages of a large corporation.

Curriculum VitaeBill Swan: I’m a clinical psychologist, Ph.D. I did

work as an Associate Dean, but the most im-

mediate, direct relevant experience is that I

ran my own consulting business for over 20

years. I have the entrepreneurial background,

business management background and aware-

ness of the educational world.

Maria [Conti] has an MBA and a Masters in

Counseling. We each had been moving in separate spheres, but

this enterprise is going to bring us together. We both love children;

we have our own child, a seven-year-old daughter. We both went

through the preschool process ourselves not long ago.

New School In The CityBill Swan: The impetus for opening up a preschool started with

touring our child through a number of them in Manhattan. There

is a relentlessness of that process. As we went through the process

there are a number of fine, wonderful, strong schools out there,

but I did notice that some didn’t seem to care that much about the

parents’ schedule or special circumstances or even bother to have

the basic customer service skills that you would think would be

present in a business.

Joseph Schumacher: Our quality assurance is the foundation

of what we do—health, safety and security. Once we have those

standards, there is great opportunity for creativity and flexibility

by the individual franchisee. Things like…what we call enrichment

programs, which are programs in addition to the standard curricu-

lum—yoga, sign language, second language and fitness, and things

of that nature.

Bill Swan: The four and five-year-olds have smart boards, reminis-

cent of CSI, where they move things around on the glass in front

of them. The children can draw on them, touch what they drew,

move it to another part of the screen, and combine it with what

another child did. It’s a fabulous opportunity to engage children in

something interesting and have them work together on a project.

School PhilosophyJoseph Schumacher: Our program is based on [Jean] Piaget and

its contextual learning, playful learning. Our students are so very

different, and we really embrace all the differences. A typical God-

dard student is a child that’s interested in learning and having fun.

The Goddard teacher has a base education, a love of teaching and

real intellectual curiosity. All the lesson plans are teacher-prepared

and that provides a lot of flexibility in the event, for instance,

you’re doing a lesson plan about spiders and there’s a thun-

derstorm outside that catches the kids’ attention. You’re

not locked in to staying with spiders. Kids learn

best in what their most interested in at the time.

For more information, visit goddardschool.com.

Blockone of the Nation’s Most

Successful Nursery School Franchises

the Goddard School—takes on Manhattan on

theSchoolNew


1243 Third Ave.New York, NY 10021

Tel: 212-879-8076

112 East 86th St.New York, NY 10028

Tel: 212-831-8010

STATIONERY & SCHOOL SUPPLIES

ARTS & CRAFTS

Back-to-School

StateNews_0811.indd 1 7/21/11 5:18 PM


B y G a v r i e l l a M a h p o u r

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world,

savvy parents have turned to mobile apps

to entertain (read: occupy and distract)

children. However, apps can also serve as

learning tools. In the spirit of on-the-go

enrichment, we’ve come up with our top 15

educational apps for children.

General AppSesame Street’s The Playground: Can you tell

me how to get to Sesame

Street? Now everyone’s fa-

vorite place is easily acces-

sible via this kid-friendly app. Elmo must

catch a lost puppy in this fully illustrated

original Sesame Street story. The app in-

cludes a coloring book, Elmo’s Everyday

Words and Big Bird’s Big Ideas, which

teaches your little one new vocabulary.

Ages: 4 and up

Spelling AppsAlphabet Animals: This fully

animated,

interactive

app is perfect for toddlers who are just

beginning to learn their ABCs. Each letter

of the alphabet features a colorful animal

flashcard that moves and makes sounds.

Alphabet Animals is an easy way to teach

tots their letters, while monkey-ing around.

Ages: 3 and up

WordGirl Word Hunt: By

Scholastic Inc., this hunt

builds children’s vocabulary

skills in a new and exciting

way. In this creative app, evil villains have

taken over the city and your child must

save the day by collecting the correct words.

With 20 WordGirl stories and over 100

definitions to learn, this vocab tester is sure

to challenge. Ages: 4-8

Math AppsTally Tots: Teaches toddlers

how to count to 20 in an

easy-to-use format. Each

number is explained using

sound and animation. The number 7 is

introduced with a seven-layered sandwich,

the number 2, by two racecars speeding on

a racetrack. Guaranteed to keep little ones

occupied for hours! Ages: 3-6

Park Math: Teaches

pre-school through

first grade children

basic arithmetic skills,

like sequencing and

addition, via seven entertaining animal-

based games in the great outdoors. This

app features two stages of difficulty

(three for iPad users) so kids can play at

their own skill level. It also includes the

music of popular nursery rhymes like

“This Old Man” and “Here We Go Round

the Mulberry Bush.” Ages: 3-7

Writing AppsSuper Why!: Based on the

hit PBS kids show, this

versatile app includes a

variety of literacy games.

Kids can choose from

selections such as Wonder

Red’s Rhyming Time, in which Wonder

Red must find the missing rhyming words

from her basket, and Super Why’s Story

Saver, where children can help Super Why

select words that complete the sentences in

the story. Players are rewarded with virtual

stickers that can be collected in their very

own “sticker book.” Ages: 3-6

iWriteWords: Kids can

improve their handwrit-

ing with this unique

game. Using their finger

to trace the dotted lines

of 70 words and 20

numbers, iWriteWords enhances writing

skills and coordination. For added interac-

tive fun, turn your iOS device and watch

as the current word slides off the screen to

reveal the next one. Ages: 4 and up

Science Apps8 Planets Pro: Outer Space

never looked so good. 8

Planets Pro lets little scientists

explore space without leaving

the couch. They can choose

from an array of activities like

placing the planets in their

correct order and filling in the

missing letters in each planet’s name. Par-

ents can also view a report card detailing

their child’s “out of this world” progress.

Ages: 5 and up

National Geographic Kids: Introduce

your kids to the

worlds of natu-

ral science and

world culture.

Purchasing this app gains access to National

Geographic Kids magazine and its fascinat-

ing articles. But the fun doesn’t stop there!

Additionally, there are “weird-but-true

facts,” games, puzzles, jokes and quizzes for

the whole family. Ages: 6 and up

CliCk And leArn15 educational Apps That inspire

Curiosity And learning

cSB A C k T o


History AppsAmerican Museum of Natural History’s Dinosaurs: Watch

dinosaurs come to life! In the

app’s Dinosaurs Mosaic sec-

tion, children can view more

than 800 images from the Mu-

seum’s extensive fossil archive.

Each photo includes informa-

tion about the paleontologist

who unearthed the fossil, as

well as facts about individual dinosaurs. In

the Stories section, kids can listen to tales

detailing even more dino-ventures. Ages:

8 and up

Revolutionary War: Com-

bining historic paintings,

multimedia presentations,

and first-hand accounts, this app takes kids

back in time to the days of the American

Revolution. A “revolutionary” new app

with sections like Causes of the War, Major

Battles and Events, and Myths and Stories,

there are also 200 biographies of the key

players. Plus, you and the kids won’t want

to miss your peek at the past reading letters

between John and Abigail Adams.

Ages: 12 and up

Foreign Language AppsGlobal RoosElementaryTranslation: A great

learning tool for children

who are becoming fa-

miliar with a second lan-

guage. The app features

10 fundamental phrases in 8 languages

including: French, German, Korean and

Sign Language. Budding linguists will be

able to learn key words like “hello,” “good-

bye,” “thank you,” and “friend.”

Ages: 4 and up

Immersive Spanish: This

app will have your child

speaking español in no

time. Advanced phonetic

spelling technology allows

students to learn the

proper pronunciation of

words and sentences. Im-

mersive Spanish is made up of progressive

units so kids advance at their own pace.

¡Perfecto! Ages: 5 and up

Five Websites For Worldly WisdomNick Jr. Boost: A new website from Nickelodeon where, for a small monthly member-ship fee, children can play fun, educational games. Featuring kids’ favorite Nick Jr. characters such as Dora and the Backyardigans, the games engage math, literacy, sci-ence, computer skills and more. Plus, there is a Parent Center where adults can check on (and encourage!) their children’s progress in each category. Ages: 3-6

TIME for Kids: The magazine’s website specifically designed for intellectually curious juniors. It features games and articles on national news and entertainment stories. There’s even a Homework Helper that provides educational links for children in subjects like sci-ence, math, social studies and language arts. Also, kids should check out the Writing Help section for tips on how to write top-notch papers. Ages: 7 and up

Wonderopolis: Children with curious minds will love Wonderopolis, a website founded by the National Center for Family Literacy, that answers head scratchers like, “How Do Dinosaurs Get Their Names?” and “How Can You Talk Without Speak-ing?” Every day features a new “wonder,” a short article on anything from history to government, from food to the weather. Ages: 7 and up

DOGO News: This website offers kid-friendly news articles on various topics like sports, the environment and international affairs. DOGO (meaning “young” in Swahili) provides an enrich-

ing platform for children to stay informed on the latest of the web in a safe, friendly environment. They can even post comments on the site’s monitored message board. Ages: 8 and up

Kids Post: Kids Post is The Washington Post’s youth news website where children can read up-to-date articles, play games, complete jigsaw puzzles and vote on polls. It is a terrific tool for school or a way for idle minds to pass some time with web enrichment. Ages: 8 and up




Music & Music Theory Apps

Drum Circle Kids: A percussion game that allows youngsters to

bang on five instruments including the conga, Chinese drum and

Caribbean steel pan. Little ones can simply jam out to dozens of

sound combinations or touch each instrument to learn about

its history. They can also uncover ambient sounds hidden in the

scenery. Ages: 3 and up

Pianist: Your little one will thoroughly enjoy this music app that trans-

forms your iPhone into a full-size keyboard. Pianist features lifelike

graphics including keys that de-

press at the touch of a hand and

a metronome to keep track of the

rhythm. The best part? Kids can

record their own compositions

and play them back for all to hear.

Ages: 3 and up

BONUS APPS FOR PARENTSiKidNY: Parents can access tons of per-

tinent NYC info using this handy app.

Created by a New York City mother,

iKidNY offers directions and infor-

mation on indoor activities, outdoor

adventures, subway elevators and family

restaurants. Perfect for moms and dads

on-the-go!

MyCityWay: Designed to

make life a little easier by help-

ing parents locate the nearest

wireless hotspot areas, pur-

chase movie tickets and check

live traffic cams to ensure fast

traveling. With apps for cities

like New York, London and

Paris, this is a must-have guide

for busy urban families.

All apps are available for

purchase on the iTunes website.

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Summers E N D

B y M a r i a R i l e y

No summer vacation feels complete with-

out a few great beach reads tucked in your

tote. Here’s our must-read short list with

something for parents, the little ones and

bookworms of any age.

QUIRKY. S’Mother: The Story of a Man, His Mom, and the Thousands of Alto-gether Insane Letters She’s Mailed Him

by Adam Chester takes a hilarious look at

a helicopter mom to the extreme. Ches-

ter welcomes readers into his world of

s’mothering by sharing handwritten notes

from his overeager mama and retelling

stories of teenage embarrassment.

HILARIOUS. A bedtime story exclusively

for grownups, Go the F--- To Sleep by

Adam Mansbach, challenges sleep-deprived

parents everywhere to lighten up and laugh

at themselves. Mansbach weaves tradi-

tional storytime illustrations with real-life

bedtime scenarios—kids fighting sleep and

parents fighting the urge to yell expletives

until they finally doze off.

INSPIRING. The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder Through the Seasons is the ultimate guide to liv-

ing a quieter lifestyle centered around

nature. Authors Amanda Blake Soule, the

SouleMama blogger, and Stephen Soule

explore a simpler way to raise a family and

embrace the natural world. Available in

bookstores this month!

PROVOCATIVE. Carolyn Evans shares

her relationship-salvaging techniques in

Forty Beads: The Simple, Sexy Secret for Transforming Your Marriage. This humor-

ous (albeit in-your-face) “manual” derives

from Evans’s first-hand experiences with

her own struggling mar-

riage. With chapters like,

“Sex or a Dark Chocolate

Dove Bar?” and “Hitting

the Reset Button” reading

Forty Beads feels more like

indulgence therapy.

CREEPY. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs just

hit the shelves earlier this summer. An

overnight success, this intriguing young

adult novel was named best book of the

month by Amazon. Sixteen-year-old Jacob

travels to a mysterious island off the coast

of Wales, uncovering frightening details

about children who occupied “the Home”

years before, including his own grand-

father. Vintage photography escalates its

haunting charm.

PASSIONATE. For all of you hopeless

romantics out there, The New York Times

bestselling author Jane Feather delivers

with her latest historical romance novel,

A Wedding Wager. 18th-Century London

creates the perfect backdrop for lovers in

turmoil, inheritance woes and family tur-

bulence. Readers are sure to devour every

bloody word.

GRIPPING. The Man in the Rockefeller Suit by Mark Seal, a Contributing Editor

for Vanity Fair, is a true-to-life page-turner.

This is the unbelievable story of a man

obsessed with having it all, madly craving

the American Dream to the tipping point

of obsession. As one review aptly describes

it, Seal captures the idiosyncrasies of “a

real-life Talented Mr. Ripley.”

TOUCHING. Award-winning journalist

Melissa Fay Greene opens her home and

candidly shares her story of raising a family

of nine children—five adopted from Bul-

garia and Ethiopia. No Biking in the House Without A Helmet is a light-hearted and

honest look at adoption, raising children

and defining family.

INTELLECTUAL. If you’re into pondering

the great mysteries of the mind, then you’ll

want to check out neuroscientist David

Eagleman’s Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain. Exploring the deep crevices of

brain function and subconscious thought,

Eagleman examines scientific research,

breaking down concepts in a way that every

reader can comprehend.

ADORABLE. From the award-winning

Mo’s Nose™ Scentsational book series, for

ages 4-8, Margaret Hyde’s Mo Smells Pink follows rescue dog Mo on his “pink-infused

play date.” The story’s theme, permeating

with pink aromas of grapefruit bubble bath

and peppermint stick ice cream, illuminates

the value of friendship with eye-catching

illustrations.

CAPTIVATING. Five words . . . The Inven-

tion of Hugo Cabret. Author Brian Selznick

follows up the 2008 Caldecott Medal Win-

ner with his latest novel, Wonderstruck. Once again Selznick wows readers with an

interwoven tale of magical pictures and an

intriguing story of two children living 50

years apart and their simultaneous journey

in search of something more.

BetterBeach Books

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Outright Hilarious, We’ve Got Your Genre Covered

’

ENDofSUMMER_0811.indd 54 7/22/11 2:23 PM

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Partials_0811.indd 12 7/22/11 4:30 PM


Feed Your Face (And The Family)

With These Recipes From

Our Yummy Delicious Blog

Honey-Hoisin Marinated Skirt SteakSkirt steak is my favorite cut of beef – brawny, tender and relatively inexpensive. If you’re feeling ambitious, throw some chopped scallions and/or minced garlic into the marinade.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 3-5)1/3 cup Hoisin sauce2 TB soy sauce1 TB honey1/4 cup canola oilFreshly ground pepper to taste1 – 1.5 lbs. skirt steak, cut cross-wise into two or three piecesIn a glass baking dish, whisk together the Hoisin, soy sauce, honey, canola oil and freshly ground pepper. Place the steak in the marinade and turn to coat. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. If you get the chance during the day, turn over the steak pieces occasionally.An hour before grilling, remove the dish with the steak from the refrigerator.Preheat the grill or a stove-top grill pan. When the grill is hot, grill the steaks until medium-rare, about four minutes per side, depending on the steaks’ thickness. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes loosely covered with foil. Slice and serve.

Jenna Helwig, rosaberry.com

Grilled Pork Tenderloin

For our first suburban sum-mer, the grilling aspirations were high. But by mid-June, my waistline started to resemble a hot dog. Enter pork tenderloin—healthy,affordable and fabulous.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)1 whole pork tenderloin, approximately 1 lb1 tsp dried thyme1 tsp dried rosemarySalt to tasteFreshly ground pepper to taste2 garlic cloves, mincedOlive oil

Season pork tenderloin liberally with thyme, rosemary, salt and pepper.

Place it in a Ziploc bag, add the minced garlic and coat with olive oil.

Marinate the pork overnight in the refrigerator or for at least one hour.

Allow to sit at room temperature while prepping the grill. Preheat to

medium high. Grill pork tenderloin 5-6 minutes on each side for a

total of 25-30 minutes until nicely charred. Allow to rest for 5 minutes,

slice and serve on a platter with fresh rosemary and thyme.

Jill Valente, peanutbutterandjilly.com

Sweet & Spicy Mango Grilled ChickenThis sweet and spicy sauce came together in a snap during naptime and I let the chicken marinate in it all afternoon. I used fresh mangos from home and added some extra heat with chili powder and spicy ketchup.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4-6)2 large bone-in chicken breasts or 4 to 6 boneless skinless breasts

MaRkSGRIll

Summers E N D’


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2 medium mangos, peeled and cubed4 garlic cloves, peeled1 tsp chili powder1/2 cup spicy ketchup1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, if using non-spicy ketchup1 tsp kosher salt

Blitz all of the above ingredients in a blender. Use half of the sauce to

marinate the chicken in a baking dish. Reserve the rest to brush on

while grilling, about 10 minutes per side.

Kelsey Banfield, thenaptimechef.com

Grilled Zucchini FlatbreadFor the grill or the oven—wherever your heated hands (and hungry stomachs) beckon you.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 6)Flatbread Dough1 cup warm water1 TB sugar1 TB active dry yeast3 cups all-purpose flour2 TB olive oil1 tsp salt

Grilled Zucchini Topping3 zucchinis1 1/2 cup firm mozzarella2 TB olive oil1 pinch salt1 pinch pepper1/2 red onion or shallot, thinly sliced2 TB parmesan, gratedDough

In a large bowl slightly mix together the water, sugar and yeast. Wait

3-5 minutes until mixture becomes foamy. In another bowl combine

flour, olive oil and salt.

Once water mixture becomes foamy mix together the dry and wet

ingredients until a soft dough forms.

Knead dough for 7-10 minutes until smooth. Place kneaded dough in

a warm place and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Flatbread

Slice zucchini into coins or using a peeler slice into long strips. Brush

with oil and place on hot grill to form grill marks.

Grate mozzarella with a cheese grater.

Divide flatbread dough into 6 even pieces and roll out into long flatbreads

or round pizza shapes, sprinkle with some cheese.

Lay grilled zucchini pieces and onion over mozzarella, get creative!

Sprinkle parmesan, salt and pepper to taste.

Jessi Walter, tastebudscook.com

MiniMunchers Funky Chicken

We call this the “funky” chicken in our household as the mari-nade looks a little wonky, but pay no mind as it tastes delicious.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 3-4)1 egg1 cup cooking oil1 cup cider vinegar1 TB sea salt1 TB freshly ground pepper 1 tsp chicken seasoning 4 chicken breasts with skin

Put all ingredients in a bowl and marinate for at least 3 hours in the re-

frigerator. Save some in a separate bowl to put on chicken while grilling.

Grill for 15 minutes on each side, high basting with extra marinade

every 4-5 minutes.

Carla Sullivan, minimunchers.com

Curried Chicken Salad

Leftover grilled chicken? Don’t let it go to waste. Whip up this scrumptious salad for lunch the following day.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4) 2 1/2 cups leftover marinated chicken, cubed 2 TB Safflower Mayonnaise 1 cup quartered red, seedless grapes1/2 cup dried cranberries Dash of curry powder Handful of diced sugar snap peas or celery

Combine ingredients and chill. Serve over a bed of greens or on crackers.

Tracy Gary, intuition-nutrition.com

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Summers E N D

B y M e l a n i e D o s t i sReady for one last hurrah before the summer season dwindles? The

Northeast is awash with fabulous end-of-summer events! From

boat racing (with a dash of dragon flair) to everyone’s favorite curi-

ous primate—your calendars will thank us.

Maine Lobster Festival (August 3-7)This annual five-day claw fest boasts lobster eating contests, a little

lobster diaper derby, a lobster crate race and over 20,000 pounds

of seafood servings. Whew! Enjoy carnival rides and games, road

races and tours of the U.S. Coast Guard station. Don’t miss out on

the coronation of the 2011 Sea Goddess and watch as her and King

Neptune, floats, drills and more march their way down Main Street

in the big parade. Rockland, ME, mainelobsterfestival.com.

Musikfest (August 5-14)As their website slings: “Musik + fest = awesome.” How can it not

be? It’s a 10-day music palooza! The historic Bethlehem district

will feature delicious eats, family fun and of course loads of ear

candy—most of which is free. This year’s spectacular line-up in-

cludes tween pop star favorites Miranda Cosgrove and Nick Jonas.

Also performing: Maroon 5, Train with Gavin DeGraw, and over 50

others! Bethlehem, PA, musikfest.org.

Curious George Cottage Family Festival (August 13-14)

Everyone’s favorite primate is ready to meet his doting fans. Delight

over storytime, explore nature trails, get crafty and munch on yum-

my banana pancakes—all with the infamous Curious George by

your side! Little ones can also sing and dance to the Mango Groove

Steel Band and Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys. Other

event highlights include planetarium shows, rocket launching, a

mad science show plus a traveling barnyard. Don’t forget to visit the

Man with the Yellow Hat! Waterville Valley, NH, thereycenter.org.

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival In New York (August 13-14)Over 1,000 participants will row-row-row their (dragon) boats

at this annual festival. Win “oar” lose, this cultural and sporting

celebration guarantees fun with live performances and ethnic food

galore. Come rain or shine! Flushing, NY, hkdbf-ny.org.

Atlantic City Air Show (August 17)

For thrills at Atlantic City just look up as military and civilian pi-

lots perform heart-stopping maneuvers, formation flying and solo

routines. Catch performances and demonstrations by the U.S. Air

Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Golden Knights, Super Hornet

and many more gravity-defying acts that will keep the whole family

mesmerized. Atlantic City, NJ, atlanticcitynj.com.

Pittston Tomato Festival (August 18-21)

Take a bite out of summer! Lap up all the delicious food, games

(bingo, anyone?) and rides, as well as live entertainment. Don pro-

tective goggles and bombard friends with as many rotten tomatoes

as you’d like or watch as little Mr. and Miss Tomato are crowned

for the parade. On an even juicier note, proceeds benefit local

charities. Pittston, PA, pittstontomatofestival.com.

Dutchess County Fair (August 23-28)During this jam-packed six-day fest, take a leisurely stroll through-

out the 162-acre fairgrounds. Complete with a craft tent, wildlife

exhibition and carnival, the whole family can catch performances

by country stars Kellie Pickler, Travis Tritt and legendary rockers

REO Speedwagon. Rhinebeck, NY, dutchessfair.com.

The Great New York State Fair (August 25-September 5)

For a final taste of summer, the mother of all fairs supplies every-

thing from a puppet parade to a petting zoo. Families can compete

in a talent showcase or even a flower show. For musical musings,

treat yourself to a concert featuring big name acts like Maroon 5,

Journey and Lady Antebellum. Syracuse, NY, nysfair.org.

American Folk Festival (August 26-28)

With four unique stages, this festival brings music, song, and

dance from all around the globe to Bangor. Purchase original

handcrafted items and savor dozens of ethnic foods (like alligator

bites and spanakopita). After getting your fill, stop by The Chil-

dren’s Village—broken down into four cultural neighborhoods—

for kiddie crafts like Mexican tissue-paper flowers.

Bangor, ME, americanfolkfestival.com.

Downtown Plymouth Waterfront Festival (August 27)

Revel in all the family fun through favorites like the Ducky Dash,

carnival rides and help pick Plymouth’s own idol in their 6th An-

nual Competition. Cap the summer off with live entertainment

and a meet-and-greet with Wally the Green Monster.

Plymouth, MA, plymouthwaterfrontfestival.com.

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Dasha Wellness presents Its ChIlDren’s Wellness program: Generation D was created in response to the high demand from New York City parents for one-on-one, customizable

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Summers E N D

B Y K e l l Y F A r r e l lIn late summer when the kids are still off from school and daily

schedules have run amok, it’s easy to cast exercise by the wayside

in favor of lazy beach days or cool indoor afternoons. But don’t let

health and wellness melt away under summer’s hot sun. To help you

and the kids stay on track (and in shape!), we’ve gathered some fun

ideas on how to keep families active straight through Labor Day.

For Moms (With The Kids)If little ones are in tow, look into a local branch of Stroller Strides—a

program that specializes in working out with your baby. According to

Stroller Strides National Fitness Director Farel Hruska, the hour-long

workout uses the baby carriage, environment and resistance tubing

to create a comprehensive mama workout. Not to mention the added

social aspect. “So many [new moms] feel like the gym world–if they

went before–doesn’t fit in her life very well anymore,” says Hruska.

“Stroller Strides is an extraordinarily welcoming and supportive en-

vironment. It is built for every level of fitness to feel challenged and

supported.” For more information, visit strollerstrides.com.

For Moms (Without The Kids)Going solo? Give yourself a break Wednesday evenings (through

September 21) with Yoga on the Hudson. Bring your own mat for

these hour-long Hatha yoga classes beginning at 6:30pm. The sun

setting over the river hits the perfect end-of-day note in a workout

that can alleviate the stresses that come with motherhood.

For more information, visit nycgovparks.org.

For DadsGolf in the city is easier to find than you might have imagined.

So next time you hit the green, say “no” to that convenient time-

saver known as the golf cart. Although it makes the distance

between holes so painless, you’re not doing yourself any favors

health-wise. According to golflink.com, the average man will

burn 1,442 calories in a round of golf if he nixes the cart and

carries his clubs instead. Enlist the services of a caddie and you

will still burn about 1,226. But riding in a cart dips total calories

burned down to 882. If golf isn’t your thing, then consider join-

ing an organized sport through NYC Social Sports Club. The

organization offers co-ed sports leagues in everything from flag

football to water polo.

For more information on golf in the city, visit golfinnyc.com.

For The Kids With the recent success of the U.S. women’s soccer team, kicking

the black-and-white ball is once again the sport of summer. “Kids

associate the summer months with fun and having a good time!”

says Soc Roc soccer clinic Founder James Christie. “If we can get

kids to be very active and exercising all summer, they will associate

exercising with fun.” With so many great programs like Soc Roc,

Super Soccer Stars, Carlos Oliviera Soccer Academy, Soccer by

Coach Fher and Kick & Play, you might want to consider enrolling

your child in this activity that is fun and exciting and also offers a

good workout without too much competition or stress.

For more information, visit jcsocroc.com.

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As parents, we usually find ourselves doing things for others, mainly our children. But when selecting a personal trainer, it’s important to put yourself first. Here are some quick tips from Glenn Dickstein, Founder of NeighborhoodTrainers, on what to keep in mind when considering a fitness trainer.

1. Looking and feeling great are the ultimate goals most want to achieve through exercise. Following those, you’ll find that setting a good example for kids is another reason to get in shape. Whatever the reason, a certified personal trainer can help you jumpstart the process.

2. If you’re preparing to invest time and money in personal train-ing, make sure you’re ready to commit, admit, and submit. You have to be willing to listen to and follow the directions of another person, which is sometimes the hardest part of training. Remem-ber, you are hiring a professional who knows what is best for you.

3. Employing the services of a personal trainer produces benefits from the gym floor to the playroom floor. At the gym, your personal trainer will work with you to create a customized workout plan that will help you exercise more efficiently. Your newfound strength and energy will trickle down to other aspects of your life. Family time may become more active and interactive.

4. If you are a stay-at-home parent, currently homebound with a newborn, or if time is at a premium, a fitness professional will come right to your home. A lot of exercises can be performed in your own living room.

5. When planning your family budget, consider setting aside some of the “recreational” funds for a fitness stint. For the same price as your child’s semester of gymnastics, you can schedule some sessions with a trainer. Aim to have her create a custom-ized workout plan that she can teach you to perform on your own.

For more information, visit neighborhoodtrainer.com.

For The Whole Family (With Young Children) Plan a weekly family outing to one of the city’s 54 public pools and

organize competitive races for your water babies. Or head out to

the park for some carefree games of tag, Red Light Green Light or

Wiffle Ball. You’ll have so much fun reliving your own childhood

and watching your tot create his own memories that you won’t

even realize an afternoon of fitness has flown by.

For more information, visit nycgovparks.org.

For The Whole Family (With Older Kids)It’s easy to think of Manhattan as a concrete jungle, but there are

plenty of ways to exercise and enjoy the island’s natural beauty,

especially in summertime. Carolyn Brown, a nutritionist with

Foodtrainers, suggests a family bike trip along the Hudson or free

kayaking. At the Downtown Boathouse, take out kayaks on your

own for 20-minute intervals, or enroll in introductory classes on

Wednesday evenings. Kids under 16? They’ll need to go on a boat

with an adult. Older rowers are free to take out their own. For more information, visit foodtrainers.net and downtownboathouse.org.

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1010GREAT IDEASFOR AUGUST

New York Family | August 2011 www.newyorkfamily.com

August 20LET’S GO FLY A KITE[All Ages]Whether you’re stressed, bored, happy or just searching for some family fun, the solution is simple: Go fl y a kite! From 11am to 4pm, join NYC Parks for a day of soaring heights. The FlyNYC Festival will include workshops on the art of kite-making and the proper way to fl y those pa-per diamonds high. It will also feature live entertainment and activities to set the tone for a light-hearted, breezy afternoon. (Riverside Park South, Pier I at 70th Street, 212-360-1319, nycgovparks.org)

August 6SAND WARS[Ages 6+]Head on down to Coney Island to witness a scintillating sculpture show-down. The Sand Sculpting Contest, one of the highlights of the famed Brooklyn amusement park, returns to celebrate 21 years. The sandy beach will swell with pros and pails (plus amateurs) who will compete to create soaring edifi ces and characters. At the end of the day, see who walks away with the grand cash prize. Beyond sandy fun, this day boasts rocking live music and kiddie entertainers. There’s also loads of goofy people-watching to be had as participants dressed as mermaids and cartoon favorites parade about. The event runs from 12-5pm, con-test registration begins at 11am. (Coney Island Boardwalk and Beach, 718-266-4653, astelladevelopment.org)

August 6, 13, 20 DANCING IN THE STREETS[All Ages]Put on your fi tness face and get ready to make the most of those hum-drum August Saturdays. Experience the city like you never have before—sans traffi c! From 7am-1pm you can walk, bike, run, party and laugh along the Summer Streets route, which spans from the Brooklyn Bridge to the tip-top of Central Park. The route also includes the option to use a low-traffi c street to scoot over to the Hudson River Greenway, Harlem or Governors Island, so you can plan the length of your family’s open-air time as you wish. Get acquainted with green methods of city transporta-tion (a la biking) or just work your muscles and enjoy sunny summer mornings. (Foley Square Rest Stop, Chambers and Centre Street, 212-504-4115, nycgovparks.org)

August 11ALFRESCO BROADWAY[All Ages]The best part of Broadway musicals are, well, the musical bits! From 12:30 to 1:30pm, catch the on-pitch stylings from Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, Avenue Q, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Perfect for children (or adults) who may not have the attention span to sit through an entire performance, or for families who just want to get out and enjoy some (free) tunes in the fresh air. (Bryant Park, 212-768-4242, bryantpark.org)

August 11A CHORE THING[All Ages]Ever feel like you were born in the wrong era? Get a taste of the early 1800s at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum. Learn how hotels operated some 200 years ago by completing chores the hotel staff had to do back in the day with the museum’s “touch collection.” If your kids tear past the domesticity without giving it a second thought, remind them that some youth had to do 19th Century-style cooking, cleaning and laundry every day! This family program is free for museum members. For non-museum members, it is $10 for adults and $2 for children under 12. (Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, 421 East 61st Street, 212-838-6878, mvhm.org)

10GoodIdeas_0811.indd 68 7/25/11 9:40 AM

To submit an event listing, please email [email protected].

Sign up for New York Family’s popular weekly e-newsletter

with tips on activities, shopping, and parenting at

newyorkfamily.com.

August 13 and 14LET’S BE CIVIL[Ages 5+]This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Civil War—so what better time than the present to refresh your noggin about the War Between the States? The National Park Service, in conjunction with living historians, will bring the past to living color for families at Gov-ernors Island. Don’t miss historical weapon demos, music and other family-friendly activities. Use the weekend to get better acquainted with the men and women of Governors Island and the members of the Confederate Army who were imprisoned there. (Governors Island, 212-825-3045, govisland.com)

Through August 19 MOVE OVER, DOROTHY [Ages 7+] TheaterWorksUSA presents The Wizard of Oz like you’ve never seen it before. “The Yellow Brick Road” is a salsa and meringue-infused

musical that tells the story of a modern Latin American teenager, Dora. Hedging away from her roots, Dora prefers to hang at the mall (oh, teens!) rather than respect her culture’s traditions. Showing that there’s “no place like home,” this magical journey sweeps Dora from her Quinceañera party to a strange new land where she and her new amigos must find La Maga while avoiding La Bruja’s devilish tricks. In order to return home, she must learn to embrace both sides of her cul-tural identity. Free tickets are available at the theater on a first come, first serve basis beginning one hour before the day’s first performance. (Lucile Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher Street, 800-497-5007, theatreworksusa.org)

August 20-21HOLLER AT HARLEM[All Ages]On Saturday, August 20, as part of Harlem Week, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce will host Summer in the City—an all-day fair celebrating the community. Throughout the day there will be dancing, live music, food, games and arts & crafts. There will also be youth swimming demonstrations, a Black College Expo, and vendors selling jewelry, clothing and sculptures. The day concludes with an Outdoor Film Showcase at St. Nicholas Park. The following day (Sunday, August 21), the festivities continue with Harlem Day. Catch an inter-national music concert, an adult fashion show and a film tribute to the late-great screen icon, Lena Horne. (Various locations throughout Harlem, 212-862-8477, harlemweek.com)

August 27AN OVERHEAD SMASH[All Ages]Start off the biggest tennis tournament of the year with the pros at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day! From 9:30am-12:30pm there will be free tennis matches, live music and attractions throughout the grounds. In the afternoon, Arthur Ashe Stadium will come alive with just-for-fun exhibition matches and skills competitions with Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, Novak Djokovik and other tennis stars and celebrities. All ages and skill levels will be accommodated—The Hess Express Obsta-cle Course will challenge kids to test their agility, balance, running and tennis skills, while USTA Serves Tennis Skills is designed especially for very young children or those with disabilities. And if you get all tennis-ed out, take a break with face painting, hair braiding, juggling and plate spinning, player meet-and-greets and balloon artists. (USTA Bil-lie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows Corona Park near 111th Street and 49th Avenue, 718-595-2420, usopen.org)

Through End of SeptemberBUILD A GORILLA[All Ages]LEGOs have taken over the Bronx Zoo! The Wildlife Conservation Soci-ety and LEGO have teamed up to create The Great Summer Zoofari: A LEGO Wildlife Expedition, an initiative designed to connect visitors to endangered wildlife in a fun and creative way. The Zoo is cur-rently exhibiting life-sized animal replicas made out of LEGOs. These sculptures are displayed alongside their real-life counterparts; pink

flamingos by the Pheasant Aviary (standing in water!), a giant, sculpted gorilla next to the Congo Gorilla For-est. The Zoo will provide a “Passport” to Zoofari par-ticipants, which will guide them through the exhibit. Children can also help LEGO Master Builders construct a huge Mystery Mural in the Dancing Crane Pavilion. (Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx,718-367-1010, bronxzoo.com)


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TheaTers andPerformancescobble hill cinemas Beginning August 12, catch Sarah’s Key, about a journalist (Kristin Scott Thomas) who uncovers the shocking story of a Jewish family during the Holocaust. The film may not be appropriate for younger kids, but the older set and parents can appreciate the historical aspect. 265 Court Street, Brooklyn, 718-596-9113, cobblehilltheatre.com.

lincoln cenTerOn August 6, families can jam to the urban folk music of Tres Leches. The creative trio appeals to all ages. The David Rubenstein Atrium, Broadway at 62nd Street, 212-875-5456, lincolncenter.org.

PuPPeTworks The classic tale of “Little Red Riding Hood” will steal the stage on August 6, 7, 27 and 28. The show is appropriate for ages 3 & up. 338 Sixth Av-enue, Brooklyn, 718-965-3391, puppetworks.org.

skirball cenTer forThe Performing arTsThis NYU-based cultural center will shake and shimmy on August 13 with Blaze the Stage. The show will spotlight hip-hop and R&B acts of BET/106 & Park fame, and will include special appearances from Blind Fury and Travis Porter. 566 LaGuardia Place, 212-352-3101, skirballcenter.nyu.edu.

symPhony sPaceOn August 6 and 28, Symphony Space will present The Kid/A Dog’s Life in high-definition. See just how fun and timeless Charlie Chaplin slapstick is with newfound picture clarity. Peter Jay Sharpe Theatre, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, 212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org.

ViTal TheaTre comPanyPinkalicious can’t control the urge to eat pink cupcakes, and her indulgence lands her at the

doctor’s office. Weekends through August 28, families can laugh (and wince) with Pinkalicious as she struggles to fight pink fever. The Union Square Theatre, 100 East 17th Street,pinkaliciousthemusical.com.

showsToPPersfor kidsfor all agesgazillion bubble showThis high-impact show features light effects, lasers and, of course, millions of bubbles, large and small, to create a dazzling production. For tickets, call 212-239-6200. New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street.

John TarTaglia’s imaginoceanA live black-light puppet show chronicles the undersea adventures of aquatic friends Tank, Bubbles and Dorsel. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit telecharge.com. New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street.

mary PoPPinsThe Supernanny takes to the stage in this hit musical by Disney. For tickets, call 212-307-4747 or visit ticketmaster.com. New Amster-dam Theatre, 214 West 42nd Street.

The lion kingDisney’s blockbuster movie on Broadway is a combination of puppetry, actors and special effects–a truly magical experience. For tickets, call 212-307-4747 or visit ticketmaster.com. Minskoff Theatre, 200 West 45th Street.

for ages 8 and uPcaTch me if you canFollow con artist Frank Abagnale as he passes for an airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer, but is hunted by an FBI agent. For tickets, call 212- 757-8646 or visit ticketmaster.com. Neil Simon

Theatre, 250 West 52nd Street.

mamma mia!There’s not much to the simple plot about a woman finding her real father as she prepares to wed, but ABBA’s tunes keep the feet tap-ping. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit telecharge.com. Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway.

sisTer acTYou’ll laugh and cheer as Disco queen Deloris transforms a convent’s drab choir into a glamorous singing sensation. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit telecharge.com. The Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway.

The addams familyWatch and laugh as this kooky, beloved clan sings and dances its way around confusion. For tickets, call 212-575-9200 or visit ticketmaster.com. Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street.

wickedThe Wicked Witch of the West finally commands the spotlight. For tickets, call 212-307-4100 or visit ticketmaster.com. Gershwin Theatre, 222 West 51st Street.

for Tweensbilly ellioTA funny and heartwarming musical about a boy with a dream and a talent for dance, with a musical score written by Elton John. For tickets, call 212-239-6200, or visit telecharge.com. Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street.

The book of mormonFrom the creators of “South Park,” this religious musical satire tells the story of two young Mor-mons who travel to Northern Uganda to spread the gospel. For tickets, call 212-239-6200 or visit telecharge.com. Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 West 49th Street.

The PhanTom of The oPeraThe longest-running show in Broadway history delivers mystery, love and heartbreak. For tick-ets, call 212-239-6200 or visit telecharge.com. Majestic Theatre, 247 West 44th Street.

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Thursday: 11AM Saturday: 10AM, 12PM & 3PM

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We’ll have so much fun together!

Peter Jay Sharp Theater 416 West 42nd StreetFor tickets: ticketcentral.com 212.279.4200THEOHMIES.COM

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museums andattractions american museumof natural HistoryMore than 200 live frogs, from the tiny golden Mantella frog to the enormous African bullfrog, are featured in “Frogs: A Chorus of Colors.” Central Park West and 79th Street, 212-769-5100, amnh.org.

Bronx ZooKids will go wild for “Madagascar!” Visit wild-life—lemurs, cockroaches and crocs—from the world’s 4th largest island. 2300 Southern Bou-levard, Bronx, 718-220-5100, bronxzoo.com.

Brooklyn cHildren’s museumOn August 12, enjoy “Flamenco Vivo” with Car-lota Santana, a performance that upholds the purity and traditions of classical Spanish dance while pushing the art form’s boundaries. 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-735-4402, brooklynkids.org.

cHildren’s museumof tHe artsFor the rest of the summer, check out CMA’s Free Art Island Outpost on Governors Island ev-ery Friday-Sunday. Don’t miss the animation & film lab in the Our Lady of the Sea Chapel. 182 Lafayette Street, 212-274-0986, cmany.org.

cHildren’s museumof manHattanOn August 27, meet costumed character Curi-ous George at 11am, 2pm or 3:30pm. 212 West 83rd Street, 212-721-1234, cmom.org.

el museo del Barrio El Barrio Today Arts Cluster invites you to come explore their eclectic neighborhood. Highlights include the Graffiti Wall of Fame, Julia de Burgos Boulevard and local murals. Saturdays from 11:30am-1:00pm. 1230 Fifth Avenue, 212-831-7272, elmuseo.org.

GuGGenHeim museumOn August 14, join the Guggenheim for “Flat and Fat.” Age-appropriate discussion will ac-company perusing flat (2-D) and fat (3-D) works around the museum. 1071 Fifth Avenue, 212-423-3500, guggenheim.org.

intrepid sea, air& space museum August 7 is Coast Guard Appreciation Day; get hands-on Search and Rescue demonstrations. On August 20 and 21, come for Police Appre-ciation Day. Meet members of the department, including the Scuba team and Canine unit. Pier 86, 12th Avenue and 46th Street, 877-957-SHIP, intrepidmuseum.org.

liBerty science centerOn Sundays in August, visit the “One World,

One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure” and take an imaginary trip to the moon with Big Bird, Elmo, and Elmo’s friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu. Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, 201-200-1000, lsc.org.

tHe metropolitanmuseum of artBeginning August 30, The Met will debut the “9/11 Peace Story Quilt” Exhibit. In collaboration with New York City students, the quilt poignantly conveys the importance of cross-cultural and religious communication to achieve peace. 1000 Fifth Avenue, 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.

tHe morGan liBraryand museumEvery Saturday in August from 2-4pm, the drop-in program “Colors a la Cart” invites families to explore a collection of natural dye sources as well as centuries-old dyeing recipes. 225 Madi-son Avenue, 212-685-0008, themorgan.org.

museum of tHecity of new yorkOn August 13 at 2pm, families can design their own building, inspired by the architecture of America’s past at the “American Style: Family Workshop.” 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, 212-534-1672, mcny.org.

new york aquariumVisit the Touch Pool where children can touch sea stars and horseshoe crabs while talking with volunteers about sea life. 602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-265-34l74, nyaquarium.com.

new york Botanical GardenKids can learn how flowers become fruits in

the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Cre-ate a pollinator puppet and pot a plant! 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, 718-817-8700, nybg.org.

new york Hall of scienceForge family fun through do-it-yourself projects and design-based challenges featured at the Maker Days on August 6-7 and August 20-21. 47-01 111th Street, Queens, 718-699-0005, nyscience.org.

new york police museum Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Mo-torcycle Squad! The NYPD exhibit will feature vintage department-used motorcycles, including a late 1940s-model classic Red Indian Motor-cycle. 100 Old Slip between Walter Street and South Street, 212-480-3100, nycpm.org.

ripley’s Believe it or not!Watch out for a Transformer invasion! Ripley’s Times Square is receiving a new Transformer ex-hibit—statues made from recycled car and truck parts. 234 West 42nd Street, 212-398-3133, ripleysnewyork.com.

ruBin museum of artExplore Chinese culture at “Quentin Roosevelt’s China: Ancestral Realms of the Naxi.” Features 40-foot long painted scrolls, pictograph-filled manuscript pages and interactive stations where kids can follow the path a young Quentin Roo-sevelt took when he journeyed to Lijiang, China in 1939. Kids can create their own messages using the Naxi pictographic script. 150 West 17th Street, 212-620-5000, rmanyc.org.


Performance_Museums_0811.indd 72 7/22/11 4:49 PM

Telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200MAJESTIC THEATRE, 247 West 44TH St. www.PhantomBroadway.com

Broadway’s Longest-Running Musical...EVER.


T H E W O R DastL

B Y D A R C Y L O C K M A NNot so long ago, when my daughter was 16 months old, she

began swinging her hand at my face as I nursed her. Purposefully, I

thought. Pointedly. She smacked me once, and then again, turning

her eyes up toward mine and grinning in that devilish way she did

when she cruised over to the TV and held out her hand as if to touch

its fl at screen. Her father and I had been encouraging her to keep her

hands off. “No touching the TV, Liv,” we’d say sternly. “Do you want

a time out?” She’d giggle and say “No,” shaking her head so emphati-

cally that her curls bobbed. But she usually touched the set anyway.

A “time out” meant sixty seconds on the couch. We weren’t

sure she was able to make sense of the concept yet, though it felt

like something we should’ve known, given that we are both psy-

chologists. In grad school, where we met, we studied psychoanalyt-

ic theory, which has a lot to say about the emotional development

of children, but less about learning theory tactics like negative pun-

ishment. I Googled “time out” but the results were mixed. What I

couldn’t look up was how to resolve the inner confl ict about my

baby hitting me: I didn’t like being struck, but if I stopped her was

I communicating that it wasn’t okay to express her ambivalent feel-

ings toward me?

I presented my dilemma to my friend, Megan, who is not a psy-

chologist and doesn’t have children. “Well you don’t want her hitting

other kids, right? She’s got to learn.” Megan was always so reasonable.

I nodded, but secretly wasn’t sure that even the gentle blows deliv-

ered to her pre-school classmates were problematic, at least until she

had the vocabulary to put the feelings behind hitting into words.

I ran my ideas by a supervisor I sometimes work with—more

than a little abashed to be bringing up my personal concerns—but

I thought another psychologist would understand. “Try telling her

‘that hurts Mommy,’” he suggested. Empathy? His kids were older.

That probably worked with them.

Some time went by and my daughter started physical therapy;

at 18 months she still wasn’t walking independently. She’d stroll

long distances but slowly, and always holding my fi nger. “I think

she’s just scared,” her therapist told me. “Start pulling your hand

away.” She might as well have told me to throw my baby girl into a

swimming pool, or to pretend to abandon her on the subway. My

hand, I thought, if whisked away without warning, might impede

her ability to trust. How could I do that to my child, who I loved to

the moon and back?

“It’s just the fi rst of a series of things you’ll have to do that will

seem mean but are for her own good,” my mother said to me in a

singsong voice on the phone. I held back the fi rst thing that came

to mind, which was biting and had to do with her apparent wish to

justify all the not-nice things she’d done to me as a child. They were

only to promote your growth. I’d learned long ago, and many times

over, that my mother was not comfortable with my ambivalence.

Talking about my daughter with her often felt loaded.

My therapist and I shared a laugh about my mom’s comment.

Her offi ce was the place I needed to be airing my idiosyncratic

parenting concerns. I thought they were the worries of one who

is (perhaps overly) informed, when really they were rooted in my

own experiences of being mothered, by someone who wasn’t as

thoughtful about her parenting as I would’ve liked.

In the end, I decided to stop my daughter from swinging her

little hand at me. “No hitting,” I’d say. She kept trying anyway.

Darcy Lockman is a clinical psychologist in practice in New York

City. Her memoir about training to be a therapist will be published by

Doubleday in 2012.

A Psychologist Talks ThroughHer Unexpected Parenting Dilemma

H HIN SEARCH OF A

My hand…if whisked awaywithout warning, mightimpede her ability to trust.

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New York Family August 1, 2011

Documents

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