A Child Grows In Brooklyn

crafts

http://www.craftsforkids.com/projects/1100/1101/1101_1.htm

kiwi

A two-piece serving of kiwifruit has twice the vitamin C of an orange, as much potassium as a banana and as much fiber as a serving of bran flakes – all for about 100 calories. Kiwifruit is also a good source of magnesium, is sodium free and a low-fat source of vitamin E.

http://www.zesprikiwi.com/nutrition.htm

Kiwifruit also has a moderate to low glycemic index of 52, making it a good fit in most diabetic diet plans. And green kiwifruit also works well as a natural digestive aid.

                                           

Talk I am doing for new and expectant moms

PARK SLOPE: NEW/EXPECTANT MOMS BEST RESOURCES
Monday, Nov. 3: 12-2 pm
This is a workshop that I love to do. I go through what I think are the best resources in Brooklyn based on my experiences, those of my friends and the word on the "street" so to speak. This is when I get to tell you all I have heard/know that I can't always put on the blog.  I like to think of this seminar as "everything you wanted to ask that parent in the playground but didn't know where to start....." I give you a big handout with my favorite resources from the best day cares, lactation consultants, playspaces, etc. It  also ends up being a small support group too as you meet other new or expectant moms.  I am doing it through Baby Bites. Come lunch at Barrio, corner of 7th Ave and 3rd Street, Park Slope and talk! $35 in advance; $40 at the door (cash or check only at the door) Chana@babybitesbrooklyn.com
http://babybitesnyc.com/luncheons_brooklyn.htm#E5

A New Website for A Child Grows

I have been working on putting out a new website and today it launches!

Some of the new features include:
A Google calendar that will feature events. Check it out for something to do before you roll out that morning. It is easy to add the events to your own Google calendar. If you click on an event, it will give you full details, as well as a map and sometimes even a photo of the building or storefront.

Gifted and Talented Program Deadline and Details

Joyce Szuflita  of NYC School Help wrote me yesterday to update us on the Gifted and Talented Program. You can follow all school news at her fantastic blog. (I would suggest subscribing to her newsy newsletters for all school info to keep up to date)

This is from Joyce:
The Gifted and Talented information is out. You can pick up  
Instruction Booklets that contain a portion of a sample test,  
instructions and a "Request for Testing" application at your local  
elementary school or any DOE Enrollment Office. (There is an  
Enrollment Office in Brooklyn Tech High School on South Elliott  
between DeKalb and Lafayette. Go to the door with the handicap ramp and the office is downstairs) You can also download the instructions and Request for Testing (but not the sample test) online. http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/GiftedandTalented/EligibilityApplications/default.htm
Make sure that you get the appropriate booklet for your child's age.

The Request for Testing form is due Nov. 19 and must be hand delivered. If your child is currently enrolled in a public school, deliver it to the school. The DOE has suggested to the schools that  
they have a book to sign as proof that you delivered the form. Your school may or may not follow their suggestion, but it doesn't hurt to ask. If your child is not currently enrolled in a PS, hand deliver  
the form to the Enrollment Office and make sure that you get a receipt.

The testing will take place in Jan. and Feb. The children already enrolled in a public school will take the test during the school day at their school, but not necessarily with their teacher. All other children will be tested on a Saturday or Sunday. The test is made up of two parts, the OLSAT and BRSA. The sample test that is included in the booklet is the OLSAT portion which counts for 75% of the grade. The OLSAT is not like the ERB or Stanford Binet. The student can do very well without talking at all. It is all about listening and managing concepts, not verbal expression. The other part of the test is comprised of a colorful flip book that deals with things like color, shapes and sizes. The test for K has fewer questions than the test for 1st grade and takes about 25 - 40 minutes depending on the child. A child that is testing into K is seen on a one on one basis and there is no need for the child to fill in their own bubbles (let  
the test taker do it. It tires the kids out) Children applying for 1st Grade are seen in groups of 5 and need to fill in their own bubbles. Children are graded by small age increments, e.g. 4yrs 0 months and 4yrs 2 months are graded together.

You should take the opportunity to tour the schools that have G & T programs in your District now, even though you won't have to decide which schools you would like until you receive your child's results in the spring. If your child scores in the 90th percentile or higher they will be offered a seat in one of the programs within your school District. If they score at the 97th percentile or higher they may be  
offered a seat in a citywide G &T school. The city is opening a citywide G & T school in Brooklyn next fall, but the location is not  
decided yet.

Daylight Savings Sleep Tips

I met Janeen Hayward, a parent consultant at Swell Being, at the New York Healthy Birth Fair last summer.  I was impressed by her and the list of parent services that her company offered: sleep, nutrition, feeding and toilet training help and more. They do a lot of seminars around the city, on the web and are starting to do some in Brooklyn. Janeen is doing a toilet training seminar on November 8th in Brooklyn that I am trying to get to - I just need to  put in a request for a babysitter through our babysitting co-op!

Daylight savings is coming up this weekend and this can be a disruption in your child's (*and yours!) sleeping. Janeen was kind enough to share her daylight savings sleep tips to us. Here they are:

I know, I know.  Daylight savings time again.  It always comes too soon.  Fret not, these simple tips for babies (6 months and older) and toddlers will help you stay on track with your good sleep habits.  Give your children a few days to settle in to the new time.  After they adjust to the new clock, the only thing left to dread is the sun setting at 4 p.m.  Ugh.

1. Put your child(ren) to bed on Saturday night (11/1) at the regular time.

2. Wake up with your child(ren) at the normal wake up time on Sunday morning (11/2).

3. Set your clocks back one hour.  This is where you stretch out the time.

4. Put your child(ren) down for the first nap at the regular time per the clock.**  This will mean that s/he has been awake a full hour longer during this window and may need some help to stretch out the time.  Going outside and getting lots of sunlight and fresh air is a great way to keep kids awake when you’re stretching them.

5. Follow the clock for naps and bedtime from here forward. It can take a few days for your child to fully adjust, so be patient and consistent.

**Younger children may have a harder time stretching a full hour without becoming overtired.  In this case it may be better to stretch them 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon or to stretch them slowly over several days.

Date Night

My favorite "what to do" blog is Brooklyn Based. They have kindly supplied the coolest date night suggestion- a night of short stories.

They also have great viewing tips for the Marathon. Check it out here.

MONDAY: Don’t Sweat the Short Stories
The not-for-profit storytelling org The Moth hosts its first Brooklyn StorySLAM ever, at 8pm at Union Hall. Yarn-spinners with a tale related to sweat — the night’s theme — should sign up at 7:30pm; 10 entrants will be selected at random to recite their story onstage. site>>

A Child Grows Event Picks

Daylight savings time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night....and, yes, there is life after Halloween in Brooklyn. Scroll down to get non-Halloween events.

ROCKAWAY BEACH: EGYPTIAN MAZE
Thursday, October 30- November 1: 6-9 pm
Rockaway Artists Alliance in Fort Tilden (a retired army base by the beach in Rockaway Queens -only 2 minutes from the Marine Park Bridge which connects Rockaway to Brooklyn) is putting on a maze of Egyptian Horrors. "I Want My Mummy" is supposed to be a spooky maze with Anubis - Egyptian God of the Underworld, pyramids, mummies and other shocking finds. The event runs from 10/30/08 - 11/1/08, 6-9pm, free and plenty of parking.   Recommended for ages 7 & up. Last year they had over 2000 visitors.  Fort Tilden is part of the National Park Service and is located at Beach 169th Street, Rockaway, NY 11695.
For more info please visit: www.rockawayartistsalliance.org

FORT GREENE: HABANA POST'S HALLOWEEN DANCE PARTY AND COSTUME CONTEST
Friday, October 31: 5pm – 10pm
Bring your little Goblins and Ghouls to Habana Outpost for a fun and safe night featuring dj John Oliver, candy, games and a costume contest. Free. Costume contest at 6:00pm
Habana Outpost
757 Fulton Street Brooklyn, (MAP)
http://ecoeatery.com/

CLINTON HILL: CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN WALK
Clinton Hill, Friday, October 31: 5-9 pm
This festive, fun walk is a blast. Birch loves it and you can't believe all the costumes and performances. (This listing info is courtesy of Clinton Hill Blog--thanks!)
Starts at 5 pm at the Community Garden, DeKalb/Hall. Children in costume, under 12, with parents can pick up the map of many homes with generous treats. Clinton Hill residents are getting ready with bigger and more exciting displays and shows than ever.  Check out the amazing block long show at 313 Clinton Ave. between Lafayette and DeKalb...for more info go to www.clintonhillblog.com

WILLIAMSBURG: WITCHES WALK
Friday, October 31: 4 pm-6:30 pm
At 4pm parents & kids are asked to meet Willyburg Witch @ Flying Squirrel. At 5pm a Halloween Parade will take off from Flying Squirrel and head to kid-pit-stops off of Bedford Avenue-  Willyburg's Witch will lead the walk: Sweet William (112 N. 6th Street- btw. Berry and Wythe), Area Kids (218 Bedford Ave at N. 5th), Mini Jake (178 N. 9th Street btw. Bedford and Driggs), Green Dome Garden (North 12th Street between Driggs & Union). 718.218.7775. Follow up with the Mamalu Halloween Bash- see below.

WILLIAMSBURG: HALLOWEEN BASH AT MAMALU
Friday, October 31: 6:30 pm
Mamalu hosts live music and a costume contest, plus their always delicious organic food! (more tempting than the candy to me!) Mamalu Play & Munch Ground, 232 North 12th Street, Williamsburg; $5 www.mamalu.us

BOCOCA: ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY
Friday, October 31, 4 pm
Wear a costume and sing and march around the park with music!
All welcome! Sponsored by the Cobble Hill Association

 

BOCOCA: HALLOWEEN MUNCHKIN PARTY
Friday, October 31, 9 -12 pm
This bash is for children ages 0-5. Paint a pumpkin, have your face painted, dance and sing. Bring your children in their costumes for a fun time. Call 718.237.1862 or visit the website for more information.
Families First, Inc.
250 Baltic Street, Brooklyn
718-237-1862
www.familiesfirstbrooklyn.org

PARK SLOPE CIVIC COUNCIL'S HALLOWEEN PARADE AND COSTUME CONTEST
Friday, October 31: costume contest: 4-6 pm: parade: 6:30pm
Pre-Halloween Parade Party, 4:00 to 6:00 pm. At 4 pm, Roberto Falck Photography will be taking photos of the kids in constume, from 4:30-4:55, you can register to be in the contest and finally at 5 pm is the actual contest! The winners will be presented with a winner's banner to carry at the beginning of the Parade. Join huge puppets and other Halloween friends at the Civic Council's Halloween Parade. The parade, for children of all ages, starts at 6:30 pm at 7th Avenue and 12th Street and proceeds  to Union Street . Participants may join the parade at any point along the route.

FORT GREENE: BAM'S BOO!
Friday, October 31: 4 pm
3000 Brooklyn ghouls and goblins fill the streets surrounding BAM for the annual Halloween outdoor festival. The afternoon-to-evening block party of free family entertainment includes a moon bounce, carnival games, storytelling, stilt walkers, candy giveaway, and costume contest. A word of warning: for the last 2 years the speakers have been so loud we had to leave- so just be aware this may happen again this year!
 Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Avenue, between Ashland Place and St. Felix Street in Fort Greene. 718-636-4100. www.bam.org

WEST MIDWOOD HALLOWEEN PARADE
Friday, October 31: 5:30pm
Gather at 5:30 pm for cookies, doughnuts, cupcakes, and apple juice. The parade meets at the dead end (train cut) on the west side of Glenwood Road between E15th & E16th. If you walk down Rugby Rd to Glenwood it's the dead end you see right there. The parade will begin at 6:15 pm and will proceed down Glenwood toward Westminster Road and then circle back again. All are welcome, especially kids in costumes. The parade usually ends around 6:45 pm for trick or treating in the area. 

BAY RIDGE: HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS AT OWL'S HEAD PARK
Friday, October 31: 4- 7 p.m.
Join the ghosts, goblins, and other creepy creatures for their annual haunting of Owl’s Head Park. Fun-filled activities for all ageS (718) 965-8913. http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/OwlsHeadPark/events/143411.

BAY RIDGE: HAUNTED WALK AND FREE FAIRYTALE FOREST AT OWL'S HEAD PARK
Friday, October 31: 3:30 -7 pm AND  4:30 - 8 pm
Pick-A-Party will be hosting A Free Fairytale Forest in Owls Head Park in conjuction with Marty Goldens Annual Haunted Halloween Walk. The Fairytale Forest will be for minors only accompanied by adults or a guardian over 18.  No unattended teens or children will be allowed in the Fairytale Forest.  They will have a free pumpkin patch where you can choose your own pumpkin to take home, meet and greet your favorite characters (nominal fee for a picture with them), free face paint, tattoos, balloon animals and much more.  There will be inflatable rides and a dracula food court.  There will be a free magic show at 4:30 (time is not set in stone yet I will keep you updated) and a costume contest. The Fairytale Forest begins at 3:30 and goes until 7 pm.The haunted walk will start at 4:30 - 8 pm. Marty Golden has been hosting the Haunted Halloween Walk in Owls Head park for nearly 17 years. Meet at the top of the hill in Owl's Head Park for the Haunted Halloween Walk. This walk is a fun but really not for the little ones. There are usually about 15 scary scenes and skits that you walk through at your pace. http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/OwlsHeadPark/events/143411

  BAY RIDGE: TRICK OR TREATING
 Friday, October 31
THANKS TO Time Out New York Kids for this information!
Start your mini-tour of this festive Brooklyn neighborhood at Hip Squeak (8119 Third Ave between 81st and 82nd Sts; 718-745-3705, hip-squeak.com) and Hip Tween (8321 Third Ave between 83rd and 84th Sts; 718-836-1965), where costumed staff will give out ......see full listing at Time Out New York Kids

BOCOCA: TRICK OR TREATING
Friday, October 31
I got an email from a reader that she and her neighbors have been doing a Halloween table on Bergen Street (between Hoyt & Bond) for the past fifteen plus years. They set up a table outside 167 Bergen, and distribute home-baked cupcakes, hot & cold cider, candy, apples, and good cheer.  Last year they had more than 200 children stop by!!! The whole block turns out to sit on their front stoops and pass out treats, and to socialize with each other.

 DITMAS PARK: ALBERMARLE ROAD PARADE
Friday, October 31: 6 pm
Albemarle Road Parade: Gather at the corner of Westminster Road & Albemarle for the Annual Albemarle Parade with snacks available before the parade kicks off. Costumed children can join the parade. Albemarle between Stratford and Argyle Roads

 DITMAS PARK: TRICK OR TREATING
Friday, October 31
THANKS TO Time Out New York Kids for this information!
Check out Cortelyou Road, where the proprietors of the Farm on Adderley (1108 Cortelyou Rd between Stratford and Westminster Rds; 718-287-3101, thefarmonadderley.com) will be..... see full listing at Time Out New York Kids

CLINTON HILL: STILL HIP'S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Friday, October 31: 2-5 pm
A float parade. No need to sign up, just bring your best costume and join the fun! DJ Catnip will be spinning at 3, Kowboy the fire eater at 4 and a surprise local mom-photographer taking snapshots of your little one in costume for $10 a shot and candy too of course.
Still Hip
www.stillhipbrooklyn.com
moms@stillhipbrooklyn.com
283 Grand Ave (btw. Lafayette and Greene)
Brooklyn, NY (Clinton Hill)
718-398-0008

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: Bag Decorating and Monster Mash
Now and Friday, October 31: 6:30 pm
The Moxie Spot will have trick or treat bag decorating leading up to Halloween, where you can decorate reusable bags to fit your devilish mood. Come back after Trick or Treating to get some food into the kids before a candy meltdown sets in.

The Monster Mash: Costume dance party starts at 6:30pm on the 2nd Floor.
The Moxie Spot
81 Atlantic Avenue (a Hicks Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.themoxiespot.com

BOCOCA: BAX FAMILY FRIDAY HALLOWEEN DANCE PARTY
Friday, October 31, 2008: 9:30am-11:30am
For children ages 1-4 with their parents or caregiver. Admission: $20 per family. BAX Family Fridays features a playspace (tunnels, tents, playhouses, a parachute, big and small balls, scarves, hoops and more!) from 9:30am - 11:00am. Come in costume.

Daylight savings time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night....

BEDFORD-STYVESANT: DAY OF THE DEAD
Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2nd: 11:00 am-6 pm
Check out the museum's renovation while looking at their collection of skeleton puppets and Mexican objects that reflect the Dia de lso Muertos- or Day of the Dead. This holiday is celebrated once a year to honor loved ones who have passed away. You can also create artwork and run around in their playspace.

BEDFORD-STYVESANT: SCIENCE INVESTIGATORS CLUB- GOOEY SCIENCE
Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2nd: 2 PM
Become a chemist and experiment with oozy creations. Meet a slippery-skinned animal and test your own batch of goo for its squish, bounce, and stretch.

MANHATTAN: HUDSON RIVER PARK
Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2nd: 12- 9 pm
(thanks to www.gocitykids.com for this listing- this is great for kindergartners and up...sounds very fun and a great way to drag the Halloween celebrations out)
Pier of Fear
The center of the fun is the Maze of Horrors, featuring 4000 square feet of rooms and hallways with full sets, lighting, and sound, animated with live actors. For the last hour of the evening the haunted house is at its scariest - and more appropriate for older kids (ages 10-13). Timid types can hang out with the Striking Viking Story Pirates and face painters. Mask decorating, wax hands, rides, and more await as well. At Pier 54 (W 13th Street and the West Side Highway). Tickets are distributed on a first come, first served basis and time slots fill up quickly.
212.533.PARK
http://hudsonriverpark.org
West Side Hwy and N Moore Street
New York, NY 10014
Ages: 5-13
Cost: Free; some activities require a $2 fee.

ALL OF BROOKLYN: NYC MARATHON
Sunday, Nov. 2: 8:40am - 1:20 pm. (don't forget daylight savings time!)
So, your first question is probably why did I list those times up above for the marathon? Well, those are the predicted arrival times in Brooklyn for everyone from the wheelchair runners to the elite runners to Wave 3 runners (the you and me runners).  There are great viewing points in Brooklyn - check out the official website to see the actual course and timing. If anyone has a favorite or suggested spot for viewing the marathon, please let the rest of us know by commenting on this post. Thanks!

BOCOCA: HARVEST FESTIVAL
Sunday, Nov. 2: 2-5 pm
A new playroom has opened up on Tiffany Place. I am curious about it  but won't be able to go, so maybe some of you can let me know what you think of it. They will have snacks, crafts, face painting and balloon animals and complimentary playroom gift certificates for the first 25 children.  The place is called Aunt Bee's Backyard Indoor Playroom.  It is at 20 Tiffany Place. 718-624-2212.

PARK SLOPE: NEW/EXPECTANT MOMS BEST RESOURCES
Monday, Nov. 3: 12-2 pm
This is a workshop that I love to do. I go through what I think are the best resources in Brooklyn based on my experiences, those of my friends and the word on the "street" so to speak. This is when I get to tell you all I have heard/know that I can't always put on the blog.  I like to think of this seminar as "everything you wanted to ask that parent in the playground but didn't know where to start....." I give you a big handout with my favorite resources from the best day cares, lactation consultants, playspaces, etc. It  also ends up being a small support group too as you meet other new or expectant moms.  I am doing it through Baby Bites. Come lunch at Barrio, corner of 7th Ave and 3rd Street, Park Slope and talk! $35 in advance; $40 at the door (cash or check only at the door) Chana@babybitesbrooklyn.com
http://babybitesnyc.com/luncheons_brooklyn.htm#E5

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS & PROSPECT HEIGHTS: SPECIAL NEEDS WORKSHOPS
Wednesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 12
I have never heard Gary speak, but have heard him recommended. He has a valuable database of Resources for Children with Special Needs (http://www.resourcesnyc.org/ and http://www.resourcesnycdatabase.org/). He has some free training sessions he is offering this fall and winter. The seminars are both for families and professionals that need programs and services for children with disabilites.
November 5, 2008 Advocacy Skills for Parents 10 AM-1 PM at Brooklyn Heights Library   280 Cadman Plaza West Bklyn. 11201
November 12, 2008 Early Childhood Services: Birth to 5 10AM-1PM at Central Library Grand Army Plaza Flatbush Ave. and Eastern Parkway 11238

Some of my favorite "green" things......

I have always wondered about pacifiers. Birch is addicted to his "bobo". When I think of how many hours Birch sucks on his (11 hours a night), I worry about the latex and type of plastic he is sucking on. This pacifier, sold at El Goo, is made out of pure caoutchouc (rubber), which is a sustainable raw material. There is no artificial coloring, parabens, PVC, or phthalates; it is BPA (bisphenol-A) free. It is made in Europe and made the highest European safety rating, and you know how much better Europe is in enforcing quality standards.

Earth's Best Toddler toothpaste got one of the highest ratings from the Environmental Working Group's excellent database on cosmetic safety. This toothpaste is fluoride-free so you use it for children aged 6 months to 3 years (or until your child learns to spit).  The calcium lactate helps keep cavities at bay and is kosher. There are no preservatives. We have been using Oral B for a while now, and I am going to switch as soon as I can get to Fairway or a health food market.

A new "green" toy store opened up online called The Natural Toy Box. I like this cookware and dining set made from recycled plastic milk jugs for $37.95. It does seem a bit expensive, but it is 27 pieces and it is all recycled and the material has a nice feel. If you want to spend less, take a look at their recycled tea set of 17 pieces for $24. Lucky for us, The Natural Toy Box is giving our readers a 10% off your entire purchase. Enter:10%CGIB when you shop there. The code is good until November 25, 2008.

 

I love the Medela glass baby bottles. The Medela plastic bottles have always been Bisphenol A-free and so are these of course, but these glass bottles are truly "green". They can be recycled with other glass items when you are done with them, or use them for storing homemade salad dressing (as my friend does). I never thought I would prefer glass bottles, but I do: you can tell the temperature of the milk right away, they heat up faster, I don't wonder if the glass will break down in the dishwasher like I do with plastic and they fit onto my pump in style.

Gender Colors- Pink, Blue and......Purple

Here is a photo of me holding my nephew Vaughn and my daughter Willow. Can you guess which one is the boy and which one is the girl?

Of course you can. The boy (Vaughn) is wearing blue and the girl (Willow) is wearing pink. Putting these colors on bald babies allows us to easily identify their gender. Of course this is helpful when babies are young but why does it continue far past that stage? Pink is the sign of the feminine or "girl" and blue the signifier of male or "boy."

But, how did it get this way? At some point our culture decided to assign colors to identify the two genders. So when did it happen?

It seems that looking through art history, boys and girls typically wore long white gowns, similar to christening gowns. Then in later years, you see children depicted in suits or dresses- but not gender identifying colors. At some point this changed and certain colors were assigned genders. But not pink for girls and blue for boys! Apparently prior to the 1920's the color assignment was actually reversed.  The belief was that red hues were strong and fierce and therefore more appropriate for boys. Blue was paler and gentler. An American newspaper in 1914 advised mothers, "If you like the color note on the little one's garments, use pink for the boy and blue for the girl, if you are a follower of convention." [The Sunday Sentinal, March 29, 1914.]

I am not sure when the color reversal changed back to what we know today, nor is anyone else for that matter. There are varying opinions out there: that it occurred in the 1950's with the invention of appliances and products, that the Nazi's use of the pink triangle for homosexuals became an identifier  for feminity or that it was a byproduct of trying to return to women being "women" after WWII during which they had been working in men's jobs (okay, that's my theory), but what we do know is that a girl often chooses pink and a boy does not. Why is this? There is a scientific study by Princeton University that explains that, "kids become aware by age two that there are two distinct genders and that they belong to one of them. Securing a place in one's gender is important to a child's psychological development. One easy way for a child to achieve this security is by adopting the color assigned to his gender by society and rejecting the other " However, the researchers still found that girls that were raised outside of the typical gender colors, still desired pink: they called this the Pink Frilly Dress (PFD) phase. But, honestly, is it truly possible for a child of North America to be raised outside of our gender coloring system?

Two scientists from Newcastle University in England differ from the Princeton researchers.  Based on their study, they felt that there was an actual genetic difference. They found that girls had a preference for red to light red hues over the universal preference to the blue color in different cultures.

An artist, JeongMee Yoon has been studying girl's and boy's preferences for pink and blue, respectively. She has been photographing both her daughter (see PHOTO) and son with their pink and blue objects. I love looking at all the objects that her children have collected. You can see how girls products are "pink" and the boy's objects are "blue" (or at least a cool color, like green) as a result of marketing . In Yoon's ongoing study,she found that in the 3rd or 4th grade, a girl's preference for pink turns to purple. Can any researcher explain that?!

We are on NBC News tonight at 11 pm!

Thursday night and Friday morning we were on wnbc.com being interviewed about the babysitting co-op we are in that Amanda (fellow mom) founded a couple of years ago.

You can see my original post about it here. 

Halloween Events

HERE IS OUR LISTING OF HALLOWEEN EVENTS. KEEP CHECKING IT AS IT WILL BE UPDATED AS NEW EVENTS COME IN!

BRONX: BRONX ZOO'S BOO AT THE ZOO
October 18–19 & 25–26: 11-4 pm
They have the weekends packed with activities, including magic shows, spooky stories, costume parades, and musical hayrides. Visit with bats, cats, and creepiest critters. They have a special offer: One child in Halloween costume will receive a free child’s limited admission ticket with the purchase of one full price adult limited admission ticket. Activities (from 11am to 4pm) include: face painting, pumpkin carving, clowns, hayrides, costume parade, crafts and magic shows. I think the costume parade sounds magical- march with animal characters including a larger-than-life grasshopper! Bring the camera for a brief meet and greet following the parade. The parade occurs at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. (Parades run approximately 15 minutes.) and begins at Zoo Center; Ends at Events Lawn. For full details and times of events go to http://www.bronxzoo.com/this-season-at-the-zoo/events-calendar/boo-at-the-zoo.aspx

LONG ISLAND CITY: HALLOWEEN HARVEST FESTIVAL Saturday, October 18: 11AM- 2 PM
Socrates Sculpture Park will host a FREE event celebrating Halloween and the fall harvest with activities.  Visitors can make Halloween costumes and have their  faces painted; listen games; enter their dog(s) in the5th annual Canine Costume Contest at 1pm (registration at front gate); try harvest foods from Long Island City café, Sweetleaf; picnic in the Park; or just hang out. The 2008 Halloween Harvest Festival also takes place amid the EAF08: 2008 Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition, an exhibition of contemporary sculpture, featuring works by the Park’s fourteen artists-in-residence.“Superheros” is the theme of the 2008 Festival, with free activities including: Superhero costume making workshops with artists; live music by the Japanese Action Comic Punk Band, Peelander-Zee; interactive games with Free Style Arts Association; and Transformation!  Facepainting by Agostino Arts . At 2pm, The Red Door Theatre Companywill present a special performance of The Witches by Roald Dahl. A blanket or lawn chair is recommended.  

PARK SLOPE: HARVEST FESTIVAL
Sunday, October 19th: 11- 4 pm
There will be farm stands, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting and live music by Mr. Ray & Princess Katie & Racer Steve at 1:30 pm.
Old Stone House at JJ Byrne Park (3rd Street & 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY)

 

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: GRAVESEND INN HAUNTED HOTEL
October  16, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31, 2008
Theatreworks' high-tech haunted hotel, the Gravesend Inn, returns again this year. Produced by Theatreworks, City Tech's resident theatrical troupe with design, construction, and operating support provided by students and faculty. Voorhees Theatre, 186 Jay Street (north of Tillary), Brooklyn, NY  $6 for adults, $4 for students (with ID) Call 718-260-5592 for recorded information. Call 718-260-5588 during regular business hours. For hours and more information visit http://www.entertainmenttechnology.org/gravesendinn/index.html You can also see a video of last year's haunted hotel and decide yourself it is too scary for your little ones. I watched it and it looks pretty spectacular.

WILLIAMSBURG: PUMPKIN CARVING AND DECORATING
There will be a free pumpkin party at The Painted Cloud on Saturday October 18th, 2-5 pm
all you have to do is to bring your pumpkins (some will be available to purchase if you need one) and make a mess! They will help you carve spooky jack-o-lanterns or create glittery glowing pumpkins and enjoy snacks and treats while you work. Please RSVP.

CONEY ISLAND: HALLOWEEN AT THE A-SCARIUM
Friday and Saturday, October 25-26: 12-4 pm
Come meet our sea monsters at the New York Aquarium’s annual Halloween celebration. You’ll find lots of holiday fun inside our arts and crafts center, including a station for making scary sea creature masks and a pumpkin patch. Venture into our haunted house and board the Haunted Mine 3-D Ride, sure to provide you with a deep-sea chill! Activities for this event are free with general admission. Children ages 3–12 years who wear a costume get in free when accompanied by a paying adult! Events are from 12-4 pm that include Agostino and Company's face painting that will transform your child into their favorite sea creature, there will be carnival activities and feedings and demonstrations.http://www.nyaquarium.com/

DUMBO: TRACHTENBERG FAMILY SLIDE SHOW PLAYERS
Saturday October 25th: 3 pm
Maybe you have heard of this family group? Tina and Jason Trachtenburg, along with their thirteen year old daughter Rachel, put on a show complete with slideshows and organic cooking lessons. They were written up with glowing reviews in Time Out New York and our friends saw them and loved them. Here is a blogger's thoughts on them. Here are the details: 3:00 pm Rachel (the daughter) will share some of her favorite activities such as audience sing alongs, puppet shows, interactive arts and crafts, environmental messages, and cooking segments complete with snack time in a set her mom created. Arts and Crafts Goodies Supplied!!  So be ready to Get Creative!! See them at Galapagos:16 Main Street at the corner of Water Street, Dumbo, Brooklyn. Here is where you can go to get tix: http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=RAC3

CARROLL GARDENS: PS 58 HALLOWEEN CONCERT
Friday, October 24: 5 pm
AudraRox and Toxic Muffin are hanging it all out for this concert. They will be in costume- and hopefully you will too. It is a costume concert. $5 admission
PS 58 is 330 Smits St, Between and Carroll St &  1st Place. Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn

 

      

FORT GREENE: FG PARK HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
***MOVED TO SUNDAY OCT. 26 B/C OF PREDICTED BAD WEATHER. WILL RUN FROM 12 PM TO 3:30 PM.

Saturday,October 25 with a raindate of Sunday,October 26: 11:30- 5 pm
Register at 11:30 at top of the hill,near park's building for the Dogs Costume contest;"The Great Pupkin"sponsored by PUPS. Contest starts at Noon. (I LOVE this event- it is a riot!) 12:30 the rest of the Festival should be set up and ready to go. There will be a Pumpkin Patch, Face Painting, Live performers, Hay Ride and more culminating in a Children's Halloween Costume Contest and Parade at 4pm.

PARK SLOPE: PROSPECT PARK ZOO'S BOO AT THE ZOO
Saturday and Sunday, October 25 and 26: 11-4:30 pm
Activities (11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) include: Feel free to wear your Halloween costume to the zoo; many staff members and volunteers will also be in costume. Pumpkin Pickin' Time - The first 200 zoo-goers each day will get to pick and decorate their own pumpkin! Follow the darkness through the zoo's legendary Haunted Barn to encounter scary characters like a vampire, a mummy, and the swamp thing! (12-4:00 pm) The baboons will have a smashing good time when they receive their Halloween pumpkin treats! (3:30 p.m.)  Learn about all things creepy and crawly when Nettie the Wildlife Witch puts on her spooky shows that include live animals such as snakes and lizards. Zoo-goers can get in the spirit of Halloween with face painting-choose from a pumpkin, ghost, bat, or spider design.   (12 to 3 p.m.) Check out the spooky Discovery Center, which will be decorated for Halloween. Get caught up at the Spider Web Marsh to learn all about these creepy crawly creatures that are almost synonymous with Halloween. (12 to 4 p.m.) Regularly scheduled sea lion feedings at 11:30 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m.Prospect Park Zoo - $6.00 for adults, $2.25 for seniors 65 and older, $2.00 for kids 3-12, free for children under 3. Zoo hours are 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. weekdays, and to 5:30 P.M. on weekends and holidays, April through October. The Prospect Park Zoo is located at 450 Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. For further information, call 718-399-7339 or visit www.prospectparkzoo.com

PARK SLOPE: PUPPETRY ARTS THEATRE HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL
Saturday, October 25: 12-5 pm
There will be arts and crafts, food, a haunted house with monsters and games. There will be a haunted house, bounce house (I call that a moon jump!), games and fun.  There will be a Silent Auction with autographed items from the Rangers, Jets, and Knicks, as well as tourist attraction and restaurant gift certificates. The first 200 children receive a gift bag filled with over $50 in Trick or Treats! Kids costume contest at 3 pm.  Rain or shine this indoor event has Free Admission all day and is handicap accessible. $1.00 snacks, games, and activities, $2.00 Haunted House, and $3.00 Bounce House.12-5 pm. Funding from this event goes directly to community outreach provided by Puppetry Arts. Located behind PS 372 of 512 Carroll Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn- the Recreation Center is on First Street between 4th and 3rd Ave nearest to the R train at Union St and the F train at 4th Ave. www.puppetryarts.org
PS 372- The childrens School
512 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY 11215

WILLIAMSBURG/GREENPOINT: TOWN SQUARE'S CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN PARADE AND PARTY
Sunday, October 26: 4 pm
Costumed kids of all ages will meet up at 4 pm at 176 Java St (b/w
Manhattan & McGuiness). Led by NY's Finest Jazz Ensemble, everyone marches down Manhattan Avenue to Norman and back again. Party to follow (for kids up to 12 years of age). Party admission is $5 for 1 child/1 adult
& includes arts/crafts, food/drink, games, contests, music.

FORT GREENE: HABANA POST'S ECO-FRIENDLY HAUNTED HOUSE
October 25th, 26th and 27th
Habana works is teaming up with The Green School to design a completely “green” haunted house. It’s free fun for kids of all ages. 2-7pm. After a scare in the haunted house, give back to people in need and give blood to the  New York Blood Center for a blood drive on Saturday, October 25th  12- 5:30pm
Habana Outpost
757 Fulton Street Brooklyn, (MAP)
http://ecoeatery.com/

BOCOCA: NYC EXPLORERS FABOOLOUS FESITVAL
Saturday, October 25: 2-6 pm
New York City Explorers, 388 Atlantic Avenue
A haunted house, a Fear Factor eating contest and a fun Monster Mash Dance. http://nycityexplorers.com/
BoCoCa Location
388 Atlantic Ave (Between Hoyt and Bond)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 625-NYCE (6923)

PARK SLOPE: PROSPECT PARK HAUNTED HALLOWEEN WALK
Saturday, October 25: 12 - 3 p.m
On a walk to Lookout Hill you can see Halloween's creatures such as zombies, witches and wolf men. There will also be a puppet parade! That begins at Prospect Park Southwest and 16th St. Stop by the carnival on the Nethermead that will have game and treats.  All free.

 BROOKLYN HEIGHTS:PACKER'S PUMPKIN PATCH
Sunday, October 26th: 11am to 4pm
Packer Collegiate Institute is hosting its annual Pumpkin Patch celebration – a day of games, rides, spooky fun, barbecue and more…Pumpkin Patch is a vital fundraiser for the school, with activity and game bracelets costing $40.00 each. Joralemon Street will be packed with rides, the garden will be bustling with Monster Makeovers, arts and crafts and dunk tank, and the school will offer Haunted Houses for both big and little visitors! Tickets are available online at www.packer.edu/pa/pumpkinpatch 170 Joralemon Street, in Brooklyn Heights.

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: HALLOWEEN PARADE
Saturday, October 25th: 2008- 10:00 AM
The Annual Halloween Parade at Pierrepont Playground is a costume brigade! A bake sale will be held to benefit the Brooklyn Heights Playground Committee. In case of rain please check our website for updates www.bhplaygrounds.org

CROWN HEIGHTS: BROOKLYN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM'S MONSTER MASH
October 31, 2:30-4:30PM, under age 5
October 31, 5:00-6:00pm, for all ages
Touch slithery snakes, get your face painted, and hear spooky stories. Come in a costume, if you like.  This is the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s first Halloween since its big makeover, and the 109-year-old institution is showing off the renovated space with a big celebration. From 2:30 to 4:30pm, tots under age five can enjoy face painting, trick-or-treat-bag decorating, Halloween storytelling and a disco sing-along. Starting at 5pm, tykes ages five and up can listen to frightening tales, touch slithery snakes and groove to Afro-Cuban music. There’s no costume contest, but kids are welcome to come all dolled up nonetheless.

PARK SLOPE: THE BROOKLYN LYCEUM'S HALLOWEEN STORYTELLING FESTIVAL FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES
Sunday, October 26th – Thursday, October 30th
The festival will showcase noted storytellers Robin Bady, Gerald Fierst, Jonathan Kruk, Mara McEwen and Julia Morris, who will delight and bewitch toddlers, tweens, teenagers and grownups with contemporary and classic tales of ghosts, witches, monsters and gigantic pumpkins. Tickets are $10 (kids under 2 are free). Free admission is available to adults who present a membership to one of the following Brooklyn cultural institutions: The Brooklyn Children's Museum, Green-Wood Cemetery Historic Fund, and The Old Stone House, or a receipt from one of the following Brooklyn restaurants: Two Boots, Perch Café, Dizzy's or Tom's Restaurant.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.brooklynlyceum.com or at the door the day of the show.  The Brooklyn Lyceum is located at 227 4th Ave, between Union and President St. in Brooklyn. Telephone is 718-857-4816.

PROSPECT LEFFERTS: BROOKLYN BOTANICAL GARDEN'S GHOULS AND GHOURDS
Sunday, October 26: 12-6 pm
This event always has a lot to offer; music with John Carlin and the Kids Music Underground, Guy Davis, the Von Swing Family, The Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, Bash the Trash: meet celebrated children's book authors and illustrators, gape at stilt walkers, see Thai pumpkin carving, get inked at their tattoo parlor, make some crafts with gourds and recycled junk instruments. For full details go to bbg.org.

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: PUMPKIN CARVING
Tuesday,October 28th: 5 p.m at 143 Montague Street.
The Montague Street BID is sponsoring a  pumpkin carving and raffle.  Heights resident Hugh McMahon, who has demonstrated his amazing pumpkin-carving skills on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and The Late Show with David Letterman, will be coming to Montague Street! Meet in front of Spicy Pickle, 143 Montague Street,  for a carving demonstration. Spicy Pickle will offer a free tasting menu of panini and pizzas.

ROCKAWAY BEACH: EGYPTIAN MAZE
Thursday, October 30- November 1: 6-9 pm
Rockaway Artists Alliance in Fort Tilden (a retired army base by the beach in Rockaway Queens -only 2 minutes from the Marine Park Bridge which connects Rockaway to Brooklyn) is putting on a maze of Egyptian Horrors. "I Want My Mummy" is supposed to be a spooky maze with Anubis - Egyptian God of the Underworld, pyramids, mummies and other shocking finds. The event runs from 10/30/08 - 11/1/08, 6-9pm, free and plenty of parking.   Recommended for ages 7 & up. Last year they had over 2000 visitors.  Fort Tilden is part of the National Park Service and is located at Beach 169th Street, Rockaway, NY 11695.
For more info please visit: www.rockawayartistsalliance.org

FORT GREENE: HABANA POST'S HALLOWEEN DANCE PARTY AND COSTUME CONTEST
Friday, October 31: 5pm – 10pm
Bring your little Goblins and Ghouls to Habana Outpost for a fun and safe night featuring dj John Oliver, candy, games and a costume contest. Free. Costume contest at 6:00pm
Habana Outpost
757 Fulton Street Brooklyn, (MAP)
http://ecoeatery.com/

CLINTON HILL: CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN WALK
Clinton Hill, Friday, October 31: 5-9 pm
This festive, fun walk is a blast. Birch loves it and you can't believe all the costumes and performances. (This listing info is courtesy of Clinton Hill Blog--thanks!)
Starts at 5 pm at the Community Garden, DeKalb/Hall. Children in costume, under 12, with parents can pick up the map of many homes with generous treats. Clinton Hill residents are getting ready with bigger and more exciting displays and shows than ever.  Check out the amazing block long show at 313 Clinton Ave. between Lafayette and DeKalb...for more info go to www.clintonhillblog.com

WILLIAMSBURG: WITCHES WALK
Friday, October 31: 4 pm-6:30 pm
At 4pm parents & kids are asked to meet Willyburg Witch @ Flying Squirrel. At 5pm a Halloween Parade will take off from Flying Squirrel and head to kid-pit-stops off of Bedford Avenue-  Willyburg's Witch will lead the walk: Sweet William (112 N. 6th Street- btw. Berry and Wythe), Area Kids (218 Bedford Ave at N. 5th), Mini Jake (178 N. 9th Street btw. Bedford and Driggs), Green Dome Garden (North 12th Street between Driggs & Union). 718.218.7775. Follow up with the Mamalu Halloween Bash- see below.

WILLIAMSBURG: HALLOWEEN BASH AT MAMALU
Friday, October 31: 6:30 pm
Mamalu hosts live music and a costume contest, plus their always delicious organic food! (more tempting than the candy to me!) Mamalu Play & Munch Ground, 232 North 12th Street, Williamsburg; $5 www.mamalu.us

BOCOCA: ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY
Friday, October 31, 4 pm
Wear a costume and sing and march around the park with music!
All welcome! Sponsored by the Cobble Hill Association

 

BOCOCA: HALLOWEEN MUNCHKIN PARTY
Friday, October 31, 9 -12 pm
This bash is for children ages 0-5. Paint a pumpkin, have your face painted, dance and sing. Bring your children in their costumes for a fun time. Call 718.237.1862 or visit the website for more information.
Families First, Inc.
250 Baltic Street, Brooklyn
718-237-1862
www.familiesfirstbrooklyn.org

PARK SLOPE CIVIC COUNCIL'S HALLOWEEN PARADE AND COSTUME CONTEST
Friday, October 31: costume contest: 4-6 pm: parade: 6:30pm
Pre-Halloween Parade Party, 4:00 to 6:00 pm. At 4 pm, Roberto Falck Photography will be taking photos of the kids in constume, from 4:30-4:55, you can register to be in the contest and finally at 5 pm is the actual contest! The winners will be presented with a winner's banner to carry at the beginning of the Parade. Join huge puppets and other Halloween friends at the Civic Council's Halloween Parade. The parade, for children of all ages, starts at 6:30 pm at 7th Avenue and 12th Street and proceeds  to Union Street . Participants may join the parade at any point along the route.

FORT GREENE: BAM'S BOO!
Friday, October 31: 4 pm
3000 Brooklyn ghouls and goblins fill the streets surrounding BAM for the annual Halloween outdoor festival. The afternoon-to-evening block party of free family entertainment includes a moon bounce, carnival games, storytelling, stilt walkers, candy giveaway, and costume contest. A word of warning: for the last 2 years the speakers have been so loud we had to leave- so just be aware this may happen again this year!
 Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Avenue, between Ashland Place and St. Felix Street in Fort Greene. 718-636-4100. www.bam.org

WEST MIDWOOD HALLOWEEN PARADE
Friday, October 31: 5:30pm
Gather at 5:30 pm for cookies, doughnuts, cupcakes, and apple juice. The parade meets at the dead end (train cut) on the west side of Glenwood Road between E15th & E16th. If you walk down Rugby Rd to Glenwood it's the dead end you see right there. The parade will begin at 6:15 pm and will proceed down Glenwood toward Westminster Road and then circle back again. All are welcome, especially kids in costumes. The parade usually ends around 6:45 pm for trick or treating in the area. 

BAY RIDGE: HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS AT OWL'S HEAD PARK
Friday, October 31: 4- 7 p.m.
Join the ghosts, goblins, and other creepy creatures for their annual haunting of Owl’s Head Park. Fun-filled activities for all ageS (718) 965-8913. http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/OwlsHeadPark/events/143411.

BAY RIDGE: HAUNTED WALK AND FREE FAIRYTALE FOREST AT OWL'S HEAD PARK
Friday, October 31: 3:30 -7 pm AND  4:30 - 8 pm
Pick-A-Party will be hosting A Free Fairytale Forest in Owls Head Park in conjuction with Marty Goldens Annual Haunted Halloween Walk. The Fairytale Forest will be for minors only accompanied by adults or a guardian over 18.  No unattended teens or children will be allowed in the Fairytale Forest.  They will have a free pumpkin patch where you can choose your own pumpkin to take home, meet and greet your favorite characters (nominal fee for a picture with them), free face paint, tattoos, balloon animals and much more.  There will be inflatable rides and a dracula food court.  There will be a free magic show at 4:30 (time is not set in stone yet I will keep you updated) and a costume contest. The Fairytale Forest begins at 3:30 and goes until 7 pm.The haunted walk will start at 4:30 - 8 pm. Marty Golden has been hosting the Haunted Halloween Walk in Owls Head park for nearly 17 years. Meet at the top of the hill in Owl's Head Park for the Haunted Halloween Walk. This walk is a fun but really not for the little ones. There are usually about 15 scary scenes and skits that you walk through at your pace. http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/OwlsHeadPark/events/143411

  BAY RIDGE: TRICK OR TREATING
 Friday, October 31
THANKS TO Time Out New York Kids for this information!
Start your mini-tour of this festive Brooklyn neighborhood at Hip Squeak (8119 Third Ave between 81st and 82nd Sts; 718-745-3705, hip-squeak.com) and Hip Tween (8321 Third Ave between 83rd and 84th Sts; 718-836-1965), where costumed staff will give out ......see full listing at Time Out New York Kids

BOCOCA: TRICK OR TREATING
Friday, October 31
I got an email from a reader that she and her neighbors have been doing a Halloween table on Bergen Street (between Hoyt & Bond) for the past fifteen plus years. They set up a table outside 167 Bergen, and distribute home-baked cupcakes, hot & cold cider, candy, apples, and good cheer.  Last year they had more than 200 children stop by!!! The whole block turns out to sit on their front stoops and pass out treats, and to socialize with each other.

 DITMAS PARK: ALBERMARLE ROAD PARADE
Friday, October 31: 6 pm
Albemarle Road Parade: Gather at the corner of Westminster Road & Albemarle for the Annual Albemarle Parade with snacks available before the parade kicks off. Costumed children can join the parade. Albemarle between Stratford and Argyle Roads

 DITMAS PARK: TRICK OR TREATING
Friday, October 31
THANKS TO Time Out New York Kids for this information!
Check out Cortelyou Road, where the proprietors of the Farm on Adderley (1108 Cortelyou Rd between Stratford and Westminster Rds; 718-287-3101, thefarmonadderley.com) will be..... see full listing at Time Out New York Kids

CLINTON HILL: STILL HIP'S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Friday, October 31: 2-5 pm
A float parade. No need to sign up, just bring your best costume and join the fun! DJ Catnip will be spinning at 3, Kowboy the fire eater at 4 and a surprise local mom-photographer taking snapshots of your little one in costume for $10 a shot and candy too of course.
Still Hip
www.stillhipbrooklyn.com
moms@stillhipbrooklyn.com
283 Grand Ave (btw. Lafayette and Greene)
Brooklyn, NY (Clinton Hill)
718-398-0008

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: Bag Decorating and Monster Mash
Now and Friday, October 31: 6:30 pm
The Moxie Spot will have trick or treat bag decorating leading up to Halloween, where you can decorate reusable bags to fit your devilish mood. Come back after Trick or Treating to get some food into the kids before a candy meltdown sets in.

The Monster Mash: Costume dance party starts at 6:30pm on the 2nd Floor.
The Moxie Spot
81 Atlantic Avenue (a Hicks Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
www.themoxiespot.com

BOCOCA: BAX FAMILY FRIDAY HALLOWEEN DANCE PARTY
Friday, October 31, 2008: 9:30am-11:30am
For children ages 1-4 with their parents or caregiver. Admission: $20 per family. BAX Family Fridays features a playspace (tunnels, tents, playhouses, a parachute, big and small balls, scarves, hoops and more!) from 9:30am - 11:00am. Come in costume.

No more "Good Job!"

This has been gnawing at me for months.  I have been saying, "Good job, good sharing, or good _______ (fill in the blank) far too often.  Not only am I sick of hearing myself say it, I am tired of hearing my husband say it and I suspect Birch is sick of hearing it. How did I get into this terrible habit? 

When I think back, it started with the concept of positive reinforcement. The thing is I KNOW better.

Papa Tree and I took Birch to a parent-child class to a waldorf school where one of the teachers advised us against constant praise like, "Good Job!". It appears we didn't fully listen.  Now Birch is at a montessori school. When I picked him up last week, Birch was placing a doorstop against a door.  He exclaimed, "I did it!".  His teacher said, "I see you put the doorstop there. That will help keep the door open." Birch smiled. He didn't need her to say, "Good job!", he felt proud himself. He only wanted acknowledgment that an act had been performed.  Months ago, I went to a seminar about the value of "Play" by Dr. Forman,  a renowned speaker. He talked about play especially as it relates to the Reggio Emilio philosophy.  He advised against qualitatively commenting on a child's behaviour. He suggested that when a child plays it is best to "say what you see": to describe to the child what they are doing. Then to ask them a question to push them to think about the action more comprehensively. So with all this information, why do I still say, "Good Job!"?  I think it makes me feel that I can have some control over Birch's behavior. That I can direct him to good behaviour with this positive reinforcement. That I want to make him feel good. That he genuinely HAS done a good job and I want to acknowledge it.. It's convenient and easy to say and makes me feel good too. But will he eventually just do good deeds so that he can get my praise? What happens when I'm not there? Am I making him dependent on me? Will he start to look to me to tell him what is good or what is bad? I don't want to tell him how to think about his actions: I want him to evaluate them for himself....don't I?

With all of this brewing in my brain, my sister gave me a handout she acquired from her childrens' school. It is an article by Alfie Kohn, titled, "Five Reasons to Stop Saying, 'Good Job!'" Kohn says "Good job!" is "the opposite of praise. 'Good job!' is conditional.  It means we're offering attention and acknowledgment and approval for jumping through our hoops, for doing things that please us." Arggh....I feel bad enough already! But even worse, Kohn says that "scientific research has shown that the more we reward people for doing something, the more they tend to lose interest in whatever they had to do to get the reward.  Now the point isn't to draw, to read, to think, to create-the point is to get the goody, whether it's an ice cream, a sticker or a "Good job!". So what do we say?

Here is what Kohn suggests you say when your child does something that is awesome.

1. Don't say anything. This is what the waldorf teacher was trying to get us to do.
2. Say what you saw. This is what Birch's montessori teacher did.  It lets the child know that, yes, you saw what they did. Kohn says that a more detailed description may be appropriate at times too like, "that was a very heavy doorstop that you moved into place. That doorstop will help keep the door open for the next class of children." Kohn uses the example of a child drawing a picture. For a more detailed description, you might say, "Boy, you sure used a lot of purple today!" or "This mountain is huge!" This is feedback, not judgment. Or, if your child does something generous, Kohn says, tell your child how it makes the other person feel. "The dog was so happy that you pet him, it made him feel so good. See how his tail is wagging?" You aren't telling the child how YOU feel about her sharing.
3. Talk less and ask more. This is what the Reggio Emilia expert told us in his seminar. He suggested that you can "say what you saw" but then add a question to push the envelope. He used the example of a girl who was pretending to pour tea for her peers. Then, he suggested, ask the girl, "was that a lot of tea or a little tea you just poured?" Kohn suggests to ask more too. He mentions that if you like a drawing ask the child what she likes the best about it.

But so how do we work to encourage positive behaviour and discourage negative behaviour which seems to be the main reason I use "Good job!"? Kohn suggests bringing the child into the decision making process. You need to sit down with the child and ask, "What do you think we can do to solve this problem?" It helps a child to learn to make decisions, solve problems and see how their ideas and feelings are important. Bribes and threats don't do that. (Though I have to say that threatening no book at bedtime seems to be currently working....!) And, I wonder, is it truly possible to discipline without threatening to take something away for misbehaviour? My friend who has 5 children and loves Kohn's philosophy thinks "no." She thinks that threats are necessary sometimes.

Finally, of course you do want to praise your child. Kohn says, that's fine, but consider your motive- is "it to help a child to feel a sense of control over her life----or to constantly look to us for approval? Are they helping her to become more excited about what she's doing in its own right---or turning it into something she just wants to get through in order to receive a pat on the head?"

Great Place To Donate Baby Gear and Clothing

I went to an event that Big City Moms put on a few weeks ago. They had quite a few vendors and service providers there. One that was new to me was Baby Buggy. However, it isn't that new: it was founded by Jessica Seinfeld in 2001 as a non-for-profit to help needy New York families (including Brooklyn). Yes, this is the Jessica Seinfeld who married Jerry Seinfeld the comedian and wrote the book, Deceptively Delicious. (Baby Buggy was apparently not new to Urban Clarity organizer Amanda who included it on her full writeup for us on Places to Donate).

Baby Buggy collects gently used and new clothing, product and gear for 0-4 years old. They accept clothing, bedding, blankets and towels, sealed packages of diapers, wipes, bottles and bath products, lightweight folding strollers, cribs, exer-saucers, high chairs, bouncers, swings, toys and books.

They pick up in all 5 boroughs. They charge for a pickup: $21 in Manhattan and $29 for Brooklyn for 5 pieces (meaning 5 bags, boxes or 5 big pieces).  The pickup fee is totally deductible. You can also schedule a free drop-off at their warehouse.

Baby Buggy
http://www.babybuggy.org/
306 West 37th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10018
212-736-1777

The Best Shopping This Weekend

There are two cool events this week and weekend for those of you who seek out the handmade.  One is Vida's Market which handpicks vendors who specialize in unique designs. Vida's market is only put on a few times a year, and this Saturday is their Fall Market.  My friend Liz over at Cool Mom Picks says, " Vida's Market is absolutely one of the best curated markets of handmade gifts and goodies for parents I've ever attended. The offerings were exquisite with no clunkers in the bunch. They should change the name to the "Just The Good Stuff Market."
I love some of the designers that will be showing their wares there......take a look at eeceeb's *yes that is the name*, artist's pants. I love them. These white cotton twill pants come with darted knees and, most importantly, washable markers. Your child can sit and draw on her pants while waiting for the interminable dinner to end or while waiting for you to pick her up from school. Then, just wash the pants and all the marker comes out and your child gets a fresh canvas to begin again!   Another vendor at Vida's that I like is Murzilka. Check out her Mao jacket with leopard and hot pink- so great! And how about that newsboy cap?!

Vida's Fall Market will be on Saturday, October 18th at The Greenwich Village School at 116 W. 11th Street from 10-6 pm.  They have a Holiday one coming up December 13th and 14th too. I can't wait!   

GUMBO in Brooklyn is the other place to stop and shop this week and weekend.  They are in the middle of a sale that ends this Sunday, October 19th. I can always find lots of things in GUMBO. When I was there last weekend I bought an awesome 7 am enfant hat for Willow that was at a killer price and some white tights that were impossible to find anywhere else. I coveted these ponchos GUMBO had and was contemplating buying one- but luckily didn't have enough money on me that day! (I may have to go back this weekend...) GUMBO is having a 20% off store-wide on all items not already marked down* and 50% off summer women's clothing. The ponchos are on sale, as well as scarves, clothing for babies, fall wraps for women and more. (*Does not include artwork on exhibit and also for sale.) 

The adorable handmade hats with the side tassels are made by local designer Tomo and were a bit sellout at Atlantic Antic last weekend.

Gumbo, 493 Atlantic Avenue (bet. Nevins & Third)
718-855-7808 Open daily 11-7.

 

Watching the Debate

Date Night- tonight .....maybe you want to watch the last presidental debate out and about rather than just at home. If so, Brooklyn Based has some great local bar suggestions...(click here for full article)

A Child Grows Event Picks

FOR A FULL LISTING OF ALL HALLOWEEN EVENTS GO TO OUR HALLOWEEN GUIDE

BRONX: BRONX ZOO'S BOO AT THE ZOO
October 18–19 & 25–26: 11-4 pm
They have the weekends packed with activities, including magic shows, spooky stories, costume parades, and musical hayrides. Visit with bats, cats, and creepiest critters. They have a special offer: One child in Halloween costume will receive a free child’s limited admission ticket with the purchase of one full price adult limited admission ticket. Activities (from 11am to 4pm) include: face painting, pumpkin carving, clowns, hayrides, costume parade, crafts and magic shows. I think the costume parade sounds magical- march with animal characters including a larger-than-life grasshopper! Bring the camera for a brief meet and greet following the parade. The parade occurs at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. (Parades run approximately 15 minutes.) and begins at Zoo Center; Ends at Events Lawn. For full details and times of events go to http://www.bronxzoo.com/this-season-at-the-zoo/events-calendar/boo-at-the-zoo.aspx

LONG ISLAND CITY: HALLOWEEN HARVEST FESTIVAL Saturday, October 18: 11AM- 2 PM
Socrates Sculpture Park will host a FREE event celebrating Halloween and the fall harvest with activities.  Visitors can make Halloween costumes and have their  faces painted; listen games; enter their dog(s) in the5th annual Canine Costume Contest at 1pm (registration at front gate); try harvest foods from Long Island City café, Sweetleaf; picnic in the Park; or just hang out. The 2008 Halloween Harvest Festival also takes place amid the EAF08: 2008 Emerging Artist Fellowship Exhibition, an exhibition of contemporary sculpture, featuring works by the Park’s fourteen artists-in-residence.“Superheros” is the theme of the 2008 Festival, with free activities including: Superhero costume making workshops with artists; live music by the Japanese Action Comic Punk Band, Peelander-Zee; interactive games with Free Style Arts Association; and Transformation!  Facepainting by Agostino Arts . At 2pm, The Red Door Theatre Companywill present a special performance of The Witches by Roald Dahl. A blanket or lawn chair is recommended.   

ROOSEVELT ISLAND KIDFEST
Saturday, October 18: 2 PM and Saturday, October 25: 2 pm

Roosevelt Island has started a Kidfest this year. They are having live performances every Saturday in October from 2-4 pm. They also have facepainting, kids rides.  The concert is free and open to the public and the shows will go on rain or shine. This Saturday Uncle Rock. Next Saturday, October 25th is Audra Rox. KidFest attendees can use their metro cards on both the F train to Roosevelt Island or Roosevelt Island's trademark Tram. The performance venue at Riverwalk Commons is just steps from both the subway stop and the Tram. By the way the Commons has a large grass area to hang out on. For more information go to www.rooseveltislandkidfest.com 

PARK SLOPE: HARVEST FESTIVAL
Sunday, October 19th: 11- 4 pm
There will be farm stands, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting and live music by Mr. Ray & Princess Katie & Racer Steve at 1:30 pm.
Old Stone House at JJ Byrne Park (3rd Street & 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY)

 

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS: GRAVESEND INN HAUNTED HOTEL
October  16, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31, 2008
Theatreworks' high-tech haunted hotel, the Gravesend Inn, returns again this year. Produced by Theatreworks, City Tech's resident theatrical troupe with design, construction, and operating support provided by students and faculty. Voorhees Theatre, 186 Jay Street (north of Tillary), Brooklyn, NY  $6 for adults, $4 for students (with ID) Call 718-260-5592 for recorded information. Call 718-260-5588 during regular business hours. For hours and more information visit http://www.entertainmenttechnology.org/gravesendinn/index.html You can also see a video of last year's haunted hotel and decide yourself it is too scary for your little ones. I watched it and it looks pretty spectacular.

WILLIAMSBURG: PUMPKIN CARVING AND DECORATING
Saturday October 18th, 2-5 pm
There will be a free pumpkin party at The Painted Cloud on
all you have to do is to bring your pumpkins (some will be available to purchase if you need one) and make a mess! They will help you carve spooky jack-o-lanterns or create glittery glowing pumpkins and enjoy snacks and treats while you work. Please RSVP.

BABY WEARING AND CLOTH DIAPERING
Tuesday, October 28: 12 pm
The ultimate Brooklyn resource for babywearing Megan Davidson, will do one of her workshops at Still Hip Brooklyn. She starts at 12 pm. Bring your slings, pouches and more that you want to understand better or come to see what different styles are for you. After this workshop she will do one at 1:15 pm about cloth diapering.  To register for either one send an email to brooklyndoula@gmail.com
(PHOTO: Megan wearing my Willow!)

READATHON FOR PS 11
Saturday, October 18th: 2-4 pm
PS 11 will host a kick-off event for their first annual Readathon at Brownstone Books, located in Bedford-Stuyvesant and at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.  Brownstone Books will donate 15% of sales from everything in the bookstore to PS11.  There will be readings by PS11 teachers, staff, parents and children from their favorite books from 2pm to 4pm at the Bed-Stuy location. 
Customers who mention PS11’s book sale will qualify for the 15% donation to PS11.   There will also be a PS11 wish list for customers to purchase books for the classroom. For further information about Brownstone Books, please visit www.brownstonebooks.com.

DEVELOP DON'T DESTROY WALKATHON
Saturday, October 18th
We can still fight Atlantic Yards- really. And as families we know how important it is to fight development like this that makes housing without schooling options, doesn't consider traffic patterns and safety, not to mention the environmental pollution. You have a chance to raise money by walking (kids welcome!) or to sponsor someone or a team already walking.The walkathon will end at the Brooklyn Lyceum where you can hear DJ Delphine Blue and the Atomic Grind. Walkers and their sponsors get in free! Time of the party is from 8-11 pm with free food and a cash wine/beer bar.

SKATE(BOARD) DAY
Sunday, October 19: 1- 4 pm
Bring your skateboard to Thomas Greene Park on  and skate with your friends.  Homage, a local skate boarding store will help provide ramps and supervision.  Music and refreshments will be provided. FREE.  The event is sponsored by Friends of Douglass Greene Park. The park is located near the Gowanus Canal between 3rd and Nevins Street, and Douglas and Degraw Streets. www.friendsofdouglassgreenepark.org

POTTY TRAINING SEMINAR
Saturday, November 8: 4 -5:30 PM
Janeen Hayward, founder of Swellbeing, will talk about potty training strategies. I think I better attend this class. I am feeling very guilty about diapering 2 children. It is $30 for a single and $45 per couple. Payment required in advance and refreshments will be served. RSVP to chana@babybitesbrooklyn.com . Lap babies only.

Car Seat Expiration

Megan Davidson, doula and baby wearer and cloth diapering instructor, came over last week. We got to talking my old used car seat we are using for Willow. She asked me if I knew that car seats expired. EXPIRED??!! I had absolutely no idea. Megan said she was going to write an article about that for her blog. I asked if she would let me repost it here for you all. Happily, she agreed. And here it is:

Many parents are not aware that all car seats come with an expiration date printed into the plastic of the seat itself (check the back of your seat). Be very aware of this when borrowing seats from other parents or buying used car seats for your child. Also confirm the history of the car seat - even a seat that appears to be perfect should never be used again after being in an accident. They are a single-use product when it comes to accidents, even ones in which no one was hurt.

The expiration date for car seats is typically 6-7 years after the seat was produced. Manufacturers agree that the plastic in car seats can begin to degrade, although they acknowledge that this weakening does not magically begin to occur when you hit the expiration date, but rather, that some where around 10 years after production they begin to see evidence of compromise in the materials.

This builds in a pretty hefty margin between expiration and deterioration, and I hear many parents argue that this is a ploy to sell more seats and make parents consume more. The expiration date, however, is not simply a reflection of quality control for the safety of the plastic, but also a concern about new information about how to manufacture car seats.

The seat I bought when my son was born in 2002, for example, was then discontinued when they found that 3-point harness seats were less safe than 5-point harnesses, despite looking safer with the additional bar in front of the child. I had to replace that seat when this new information became available. This seat would now only be just over 6 years old and reaching the expiration date, finally taking a less-safe seat out of circulation. Ten years earlier they had also changed the buckling mechanism on car seats and shifts in technology and knowledge continue to improve the quality and safety of car seats.

Please check your car seats and only use used car seats you know the full history behind. Many websites, including Mothering.com's discussion boards, feature safety information about car seats and reviews of different models available. Review them when buying a new seat, installing your seat, or evaluating whether a used seat is a reasonable option for you.

            

Best Places to Eat Before.......

I am going to the galleries in Chelsea today and last night I was trying to find a good place to meet a friend for a quick bite. I did a google search and ran across this article from New York Magazine.  It has their recommended places to eat when going to theater, galleries, concert, etc. I thought it was really helpful plus I have been to a few of these restaurants and do think they are really good.

The best places to chow down in the Theater District, near the Garden, and more.

Illustration by Rodica Prato. 

• The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

• Centolire 1167 Madison Ave., 212-734-7711

  Pino Luongo (the Mario Batali of his era) is personally slinging the linguine these days, and the food’s better than ever. Do not miss the sea-salt roast chicken.

• Shakespeare In The Park

• Onera 222 W. 79th St., 212-873-0200

  Give this modern-Greek kitchen 48 hours notice, and you can feast on the $65 offal-tasting menu, which includes goat brains and calf’s tongue; but refined à la carte dishes like goat-cheese manti, sea urchin with haloumi fondue, and braised-goat moussaka are equally impressive.

• Lincoln Center

• Telepan 72 W. 69th St., 212-580-4300

  Bill (Mr. Local) Telepan melds haute-American technique with the hearty flavors of his Hungarian ancestry, and his wine director makes the most of a deep and intriguing cellar.

• Carnegie Hall

• Yakitori Totto 251 W. 55th St., 212-245-4555

  Once you get over the fact that nothing goes to waste at this friendly Japanese skewered-chicken specialist, you’ll marvel at what you’ve been missing—namely, nicely charred chicken tail, skin, even “soft knee bone,” as well as breast, wing, and thigh.

• Theater District

• Esca 402 W. 43rd St., 212-564-7272

  Try to book your show tickets in conjunction with wild-salmon season (May to July). No one has more respect for the genuine article than fisherman-chef Dave Pasternack who, along with partner Mario Batali, invented crudo as we know it.

• Madison Square Garden

• Camino Sur 336 W. 37th St., 212-695-4600

  This sleeper Pan-Latino restaurant lights up a bleak garment-district block with haute arepas, empanadas, a first-rate rib eye with chimichurri, and expertly muddled mojitos.

• West Chelsea Galleries

• Tía Pol 205 Tenth Ave., 212-675-8805

  Because sometimes nothing you see on any walls looks as artful as Alex Raij’s seasonally inspired specials.

• Jury Duty

• New Yeah Shanghai Deluxe 65 Bayard St., 212-566-4884

  We might bolt into Blaue Gans for a quick wienerwurst, but in Chinatown, it’s hard to resist the unctuous lure of Yeah’s glazed- and-braised pork shoulder.

• Yankee Stadium

• Feeding Tree 892 Gerard Ave., the Bronx; 718-293-5025

  An estimable curried goat, a toothsome jerk chicken, and a bubbling oxtail stew all within out-of-the-park slugging distance of the house that Ruth built.

• Shea Stadium

• Sentosa 39-07 Prince St., Flushing; 718-886-6331

  For Malaysian food worth riding the 7 train one stop out of your way: a dependably flaky roti canai, a nicely spiced beef rendang, and a bevy of shaved-ice concoctions riddled with beans, seeds, and syrups.

• Brooklyn Academy of Music

• Convivium Osteria 68 Fifth Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-857-1833

  Thomas Beisl is closer, but who doesn’t like to stretch their legs before a hefty dose of Scandinavian realism? The tripartite Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese menu is as rustic and appealing as the room.

Date Night Pick of the Week

So for date night this week, I picked BrooklynBased's awesome event that they are throwing.
Here is the event as they sized it up. For more information go to their blog.

The Big Brooklyn Pig Roast
Let’s be honest — you’re either coming to the pig roast, or planning on it but haven’t bought tickets yet, because there is no better way to spend the night than to see Tom Mylan carve a 200-pound heritage hog fired over a pit beneath the stars on the Gowanus, with a Sixpoint in hand as three live bands kick out the Americana jams. It’s for a great cause to boot, and tickets are selling quicker than you can say “Snap, Cracklin’, and Pop.” Complete deets here>>

What you need to know:
Friday, October 10 at The Yard, 388-400 Carroll St.
Doors open at 6
Cash bar; $1 Sixpoints until 7
Tickets include all food and are $32 advance, available here>> and $40 at the door
Free for kids ages 10 and under
Rain or Shine