All posts filed under: Education

Classes, Clubs, and Camps for Kids

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There are so many ways for children to learn. Learning through the arts, or by engaging in a sport, or by learning circus acts, kids can expand their educational, cultural and physical horizons. Here are some of our favorite (and super fun) interactive programs where kids of all ages might discover hidden talents. NEW YORK ABRAKADOODLE (New York and various U.S. locations), 212-875-4100) Abrakadoodle teaches kids creative and life development skills through painting, drawing, digital art and photography, and a host of other mediums, creating portfolios of work that the children can take home and keep. This program reaches children through art, providing a network of art classes, camps and parties across the United States through an innovative mobile art education. It is designed for children 20 months to 12-year-old. APPLE SEEDS (10 W. 25th St., 212-792-7590, $895 for one-year membership) This indoor playground accomodates infants with a cushioned play area and allows toddlers to drive a wooden taxi, run a well-stocked deli or play on giant cushions in the sports playground. BABY BOOT CAMP …

Best Books for Kids

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Here is our selection of the top children’s books every child should read. To purchase books click on the link under the selected book. Green Eggs and Ham (I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Books) by Dr. Seuss As one of the most memorable children’s book of all time, this story teaches a lesson that every child needs to learn: If you’ve never tried it, you can’t say you don’t like it! Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brownand Clement Hurd  As a favorite bedtime story, this book is about a child’s nightly ritual of saying goodnight to everything he sees. The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton In this book, animals watch the sun go down and then prepare for bed. Boynton’s simple rhymes, goofy animals in goofy settings, and comforting stories make her books so appealing. Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton In this seriously silly book, Boynton’s famous animal characters are sure to educate and entertain young readers. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle This is a wonderful story with vibrant illustrations about a …

KIMOCHIS™ Sweet, plush characters with feelings

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MOMS & TOTS MAGAZINE interviews mompreneur Nina Rappaport-Rowan — the creator of KIMOCHIS™. The catalyst to launching KIMOCHIS™ was the devastation Nina felt after the Columbine tragedy in 1999. Nina first launched this line of characters in November 2008, hoping to help parents teach their children about empathy, kindness, resilience, and gratitude. KIMOCHIS™ have a purpose — they are lovable, educational, and can bridge connections and open communication with our kids. SHOP KIMOCHIS™ Q & A MOMS & TOTS MAGAZINE: WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR DEVELOPING KIMOCHIS? Nina Rappaport-Rowan: Turning 40 marked a pivotal time in my life. While I have always been satisfied with the choices I made in my career, I knew that I had something a little more purposeful to do. I was really struck by the Columbine incident. This continues to haunt me everyday. The idea that children are killing each other in schools is simply NOT ACCEPTABLE to me. I have to believe there are ways that we can stay connected to our kids, to make sure they are emotionally …

Book Review: Admissions

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Admissions by Nancy Lieberman 355 pp., hardcover Warner Books, 2004 by Marissa Guijarro Admissions is the wise-cracking story of the competitive world of private school admissions in New York City. Helen Drager, art curator and advisor, loses her sense of reality when it is time for her daughter, Zoe, to apply to private high schools. In the meantime, Helen’s friend, Sara, director of admissions at The School, negotiates the kindergarten admissions process for the first time in her career under the negligent and hostile supervision of a dallying supervisor, Pamela Rothschild, headmaster of the School. Helen’s focus becomes intolerable to both her virtuous daughter and faithful husband, Michael, a cooking show producer, and her most lucid moments surface while flirting with a prospective lover. Sara clings to her Midwestern sensibilities in a maelstrom of chaos and corruption at The School. Michael, in an effort to please Helen, mixes business with parenting while trying to secure a place for Zoe at the Fancy Pants School. The character we love to hate, Pamela, becomes further ensnared in …

Public School Admissions Tips and Timeline

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by Marissa Guijarro, Editor The New York City school system serves 1.1 million students in the five boroughs (Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island) and employs over 80,000 teachers. As a prospective parent/guardian of a NYC public school student, you should become familiar with the website New York City Department of Education. It offers comprehensive information on the available programs, thorough descriptions of curriculum, and suggestions for families. Reflecting the multi-lingual nature of New York, you can access information in several languages, including Spanish, Haitian-Creole, and Chinese. The most important section of the site includes starting and ending dates for filing an application to schools. By starting your search early, you will minimize any stress that sometimes accompanies this process. Registering and Enrolling Your Child for the 2010-11 school year Click on the tab on the left-hand side, “Choices and Enrollment” to get started. If you are registering your child for the first time, click on “Pre-Kindergarten Admissions.” This area provides information about how to find out your zone’s school, where you can register …

Top iPhone Apps for Tots

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Here’s our list of top tot-friendly apps (under $2.99) to help your little ones enjoy reading, singing, learning shapes, solving math problems, or simply just having some quiet fun time! Topple, Iphone App Screenshot Topple;  Free ($1.99 paid version eliminates ads): This is a Tetris-like game where you have to fit colorful shapes together as they fall from the top of the screen. 4 years and up TonePad; Free (.99cents for Pro version): TonePad is a fun way to make music and watch a colorful light show. The Pro version allows you to save your tones as cellphone ringtones. 4 years and up Bubbles:  This application is made for toddlers who need a fun distraction. It brings the simple pleasure of popping bubbles to your phone. Cute Math;  $1.99: Cute Math offers seven simple math games, perfectly animated. 3-6 years and up Curious George Coloring Book: This application includes over 40 unique coloring pages to choose from. You can store your child’s artwork in a gallery to use or e-mail it to friends and family later. Grover’s Number Special; …

The HereO Watch

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HereO has made a cool gadget to keep tabs on your kids. This GPS watch device connects with a mobile and web app to allow parents to keep track of where their children are at all times. The watch retails for $149, and is available in June 2015 (sold out at the moment). The GPS tracking service used by the app is paid on subscription basis, $5/month.

Teaching Kids About Money

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The Great Piggy Bank Adventure  is a virtual board game that educates kids (and adults) on the importance of wise financial planning (like paying for college or saving for a family vacation). Kids will learn about important financial concepts and use these lessons to complete the game and achieve their dream goals. While The Great Piggy Bank Adventure is designed for kids from ages 8 to 14, adults are encouraged to play with kids and get involved in their financial education.   

Build Your Child’s First Library

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Here’s a great start to building out your child’s first library. Click on the book to purchase. Green Eggs and Ham (I Can Read It All by Myself Beginner Books) by Dr. Seuss As one of the most memorable children’s book of all time, this story teaches a lesson that every child needs to learn: If you’ve never tried it, you can’t say you don’t like it! Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement HurdAs a favorite bedtime story, this book is about a child’s nightly ritual of saying goodnight to everything he sees.   The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton In this book, animals watch the sun go down and then prepare for bed. Boynton’s simple rhymes, goofy animals in goofy settings, and comforting stories make her books so appealing.   Moo Baa La La La by Sandra Boynton In this seriously silly book, Boynton’s famous animal characters are sure to educate and entertain young readers.   The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle This is a wonderful story with vibrant illustrations about a caterpillar’s …