The Baby Guide: What To Do With The Under Two’s
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Days at the pool are over and with the temperatures dropping there will be fewer opportunities to play in the park. You may be new to town, or new to this mom thing. Or perhaps you’ve recently had your second or third baby and the very thought of being stuck inside all winter is reminding you too much of the movie The Shining. You may also be back at work and looking an activity for your nanny or caregiver and baby. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. There are a ton of things to do around here with babies. Take your pic:
Get Out the Door:
My cousin’s husband said something once that I thought was really funny and true. He said a new baby is kind of like a fancy new bag. You like to look at it and take it out and all the other women ooh and ahh over it, but other than that, it doesn’t do much. (Clearly he wasn’t on diaper duty.) My point is, under 6 months or so, there isn’t a whole lot that a baby can do, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t get out there and meet some other moms in your situation. Make a new friend or two. Here’s where to go:
The Scarsdale Library: 54 Olmstead Rd. Scarsdale. Scarsdalelibrary.org
The Library offers a bunch of new programs for babies and caregivers. For the youngest there is Mother Goose for pre-walkers on Friday mornings and class graduates can move to walkers on Thursdays. Full disclosure, I do PR for the library and I try to avoid any conflict by not writing about them here. However, I went to these before I started working for the library and I think these classes are adorable. It’s low key and sweet and it’s always nice to get kids into a routine of going to a library, even when they are very young.
JCC: 999 Wilmot Rd. Scarsdale www.jccmw.org
The JCC offers a Baby and Me class for first time moms to help them meet new people and explore topics such as infant development, sleep and your relationships with others. The JCC also offers music and art classes for toddlers and as they grow, there is a nursery school program.
For Twins and More:
If you are a new parent of twins or triplets finding time in the day to brush your teeth may be hard. Getting out the door in one piece may feel like a small miracle. The good news is there are moms like you in our area who can help with advice, understanding and even some hand-me-downs. Lower Westchester Mothers of Multiples is a club that coordinates meet-ups and activities for families of twins or more. Scarsdale mom Michelle Bates is the co-president of the club. Mothering multiples may feel overwhelming so this group is a good place to find support from people in your situation. The best thing to do is to Google Lower Westchester Mothers of Multiples and it will direct you to the link.
Get Movin’
There are a bunch of places in the area to get your kid moving and having fun. With any luck, these activities will lead to long naps afterwards
Gym Time: Congregational Church, Heathcote Rd. www.gymtimeplace.com
Kids 3 months-5 years love running and playing and listening to music here. Parachute time is a big hit. Parents say “it’s low key and fun… and the staff is really flexible and offer a great mix of structure and free play.” It is also a big hit with the nanny set. One working parent says that her caregiver made a group of friends here and her toddler had amany playdates as a result.
Great Play of Scarsdale: Midway Shopping Center, Central Park Ave. Scarsdale www.greatplay.com
This great gym is clean and bright and lots of fun for kids 6 months to as old as fifth grade. “The coaches/teachers are attentive, super-friendly and energetic,” raves one mom. “The activities are varied each week to keep the little ones stimulated and learning.” Your child will probably get the most out of it if you sign them up once they start walking.
Bonus: Shop-Rite, CVS, Dennys, Lakeshore Learning and Starbucks are right there, so you can do your errands afterwards.
Tumblebugs 826 Scarsdale Ave. Scarsdale http://tumblebugsny.com
If you haven’t been to Tumblebugs yet, you are either new to parenthood or new to town. This place is very popular for activities and birthday parties and the slides and the giant trampoline will make any adult want to be a kid again. Your child will probably get the most enjoyment out of these classes if they are comfortable walking. They also offer newly designed Mommy and Me classes for really little ones and are proud supporters of Mothers of Multiples.
Kidville: 777 White Plains Rd. Scarsdale www.kidville.com
If you moved up from the city, depending on where you lived, you may already be familiar with this tot activity center. Kidville offers such classes as Big Muscles for Little Babies. They also offer free use of the play area at certain times of the week. With winter approaching this is very enticing. Check out Little Maestro classes too. More on that in the Groovin section.
Here are some ideas for multitaskers who want to incorporate their own workout into activity for their baby.
Stroller Strides : Multiple Locations www.strollerstrides.com:
A fitness program that you can do with your baby in the stroller. You’ll be running, toning and doing strength intervals all while the baby is by your side. It’s a good way to meet other moms and get in a work out. One drawback is that you have to work out in public (Kenisco Dam, The Westchester before it opens) and post-baby moms may be feeling less than stellar about this idea. But remember, there is safety in numbers and no one is going to be mean with a baby by your side!
Yoga : The Scarsdale Library offers a Mommy and Me Yoga class monthly fore pre-walkers.
Destination Maternity at The Source at White Plains also a similar class and schedules it more frequently. www.destinationmaternity.com
Applause 114 W. Boston Post Rd Mamaroneck will also be offering a pilates class that allows you do exercise while the baby is next to you.
Swim: While you may not be able to do laps, the JCC and White Plains YWCA 515 North Street, White Plains offer group swim classes for babies. These are cute and it’s a good way to get your kids used to the water at an early age. Plus the pictures opportunities are adorable. You do have to get into your swimsuit and into the water for these -- and your caregiver may not be too thrilled to get wet. Try these links for more information: http://ywcawhiteplains.com/html/swim_classes, http://www.jccmw.org/aquatics.htm#childrensclasses
Get Groovin'
Music classes are great for little babies. From the time they can sit up and clap there are classes they can enjoy. It also gives you a chance to sit and let someone else do the entertaining.
Music Together: Located at Over the Moon Music on 78 Garth Road http://www.overthemoonmusicandmore.com the philosophy behind these classes is that all children are musical (the cantor who did my Bat Mitzvah may beg to differ) and if given the right tools children can sing and dance and play music as easily as they can walk and talk. These are classes for children of all ages, but depending on the time of day you take the class, you may find kids the same age as yours. Over The Moon has a large clean and calm room that babies love to crawl around and explore.
Applause 114 W. Boston Post Rd Mamaroneck http://applauseny.com
Cute and fun music classes that you can enjoy too. Applause is home to Broadway Babies and Rock n Roll Babies. The teachers are cool and the songs are all ones you can sing along to as well. They introduce letters of the day and new instruments to the kids. Depending on the age of your child, that part of the class may go over their heads, but the heart is in the right place and I can say from experience that these are among my favorite classes.
Musical Munchkins: Housed at Kidville this is a great musical class in a convenient location. The songs are easy and sweet and you will find yourself humming them to yourself during the day. If you want to check out a Musical Munchkin class for free, they offer them once a month at the Scarsdale Library, but be warned that they fill up very quickly though.
Get Schoolin’
As your baby grows you will start to think about nursery school. There are so many to choose from and there are several that have programs for kids under two years old. Here are a few:
The Hitchcock School 6 Greenacres Ave. Scarsdale http://hitchcockschool.com/
From as early as 6 months this school offers a program 4 mornings a week and you can choose how many days you want your baby to attend. The school is housed at the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, but the school is non-denominational.
First Friends at Kol Ami: 252 Soundview Road. White Plains www.nykolami.org
This is a program on Tuesday mornings for children 15 - 22 months to get them started in school, socialization and motor skills. A parent or caregiver is required to stay, so it will give your or your caregiver a chance to meet some of the other Kol Ami families. Kol Ami also offers a summer program for children entering the two’s program in the fall.
Mazel Tots at Scarsdale Synagogue, Ogden Rd. Scarsdale http://sstt.org
The program begins with a Parenting program where parents meet for 10 sessions to talk about issues facing parents today. Childcare is provided for these sessions. Then in the winter, the Toddlers, join the school. The program helps children separate, get into a routine and prepare for school. Mazel Tots also provides a summer program for children starting at 18 months.
Westchester Reform Temple: 255 Mamaroneck Rd. Scarsdale http://wrtemple.org
WRT hosts a variety of programs for little ones. The first is Bagels and Babies. It’s a free play group for children under 2 and their caregivers or parents, and as the name says, there are bagels. (Coffee too) The synagogue also holds Mommy and Me and Nanny and Me programs as well as a Nanny Class, which deals with issues of safety, communication and discipline.
If we haven’t mentioned one of your favorites for children ages 0 -2, share the information in the comments section below.
Jen is a freelance journalist who has covered the economy and markets for over a decade at a major financial news outlet. She lives in Scarsdale with her husband and 2 children. Jen has yet to bake a successful batch of cookies.
Sign Up For Halloween Window Painting Now!
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Pull out your paint brushes and put on your thinking cap .... it's almost time for the Halloween Window Painting Contest in Scarsdale. The Scarsdale Parks and Recreation Department will hold the Annual Halloween Window Painting Contest and Parent/Child Halloween Window Painting program on Sunday, October 23rd from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. All youths who reside in or attend public or private schools in Scarsdale in grades 1 – 10 are eligible to participate in this event. Register online at http://reconline.scarsdale.com before the deadline on Wednesday, October 12th.
In addition to the window painting programs, there will be a Costume Parade held in the Village streets by Chase Park. The parade line up begins at 2:45 pm in front of Chase Park. The parade will start at 3:00 pm. Special entertainment and refreshments will be provided after the parade. All pre-e and elementary School children are welcome to participate in the costume parade.
For questions, call the Recreation Department at 722-1160
Kinderangst
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There were a flurry of emails and texts last week in my little world. Most of them went like this: "How was the first day? Great! She loves her teacher. You? Great. No tears from either of us! I’m so happy. I just wish this rain would stop." And, "How’d it go? Good. I like the teacher. There are like 5 Max’s in his class. I wonder how that’s going to go. But otherwise, he’s really happy."
My daughter and her friends started kindergarten last week. It’s a really big deal. How could it not be? Kindergarten.
I know a lot of parents can’t believe it when their little ones hit a milestone like this; shaking their heads saying it feels like yesterday their child was a just a little baby. Not my girl. It feels like she’ll be applying for a driver’s license any minute.
Kate has always been brave, full of sass and ready for anything. “Kate’s a champion,” my husband says when she does something amazing- which in our minds- is often. She stuck her head under water in her first swim lesson when she was three. She’s kind and polite (usually) when we stick her in new situations with adults, which is probably too often and not terribly fair. Born a month early and weighing only 4 pounds, she was the smallest baby in the nursery at Tisch Hospital that week. No NICU. No extra days in the hospital. Tiny and tough. Champion, indeed.
That’s why I was a bit overwhelmed- ok- I freaked out- when Kate had a bit of a hard time adjusting to school. The first day went well. She instantly liked her teacher after she complimented Kate on her shirt and told her that she liked fancy things too. Kate took her hand and walked into the classroom. There were no tears. Mike and I beamed with pride as we walked out the door. This was going to be great.
Pick up was fine too. Since it was raining I took her and her brother to the mall for a lunch and something special to celebrate her first day (apparently heaven to a little girl is a Claire’s store). Then, the meltdown. She pitched an epic kicking and crying fit for everyone at the Westchester to see. Ok. Fine. It was a big day, I can’t say I was all that surprised by the outburst.
But this was the tip of the iceberg of meltdowns, cries and dark moods, we experienced last week. While the weather forecast perpetually had a chance of a thunderstorm last week, we lived under a perpetual chance of tantrum. I was floored. I kept trying to ask and engage her to see if something happened at school or I would try a different tact and only speak in positives.
“So, what was your favorite part of your day? Who is your favorite girl or boy in class? Want me to see if I can set up a playdate?”
The answers were as negative as a 15 year-old’s:
“Nothing. No one. Why can’t I just stay home and play with you?”
I explained that home schooling isn’t really my thing.
Drop offs were fine. No drama there. Pick-ups were ok. While the other kids were playing in the playground for a few minutes after school, Kate would often ask to go home. She missed her friends from nursery school. Each night she’d ask if she had to go back. I was beside myself. I’m a nerd. I loved school. I got married in September because I love this season so much. How can my daughter not love school? And I wished I knew what was making her so unhappy.
Friday it was sunny and her teacher went outside while the kids played. I tried to appear casual but I’m sure came across like a total pain in the neck parent she dreads:
“So, how’s it going?”
“Fine”.
“Really?”
“Yeah. She’s fine.”
Great. Now she thinks I’m a nut.
The weekend was good, Kate was back to acting like herself. I told myself that she just needed time to adjust, but come Monday morning she was nervous again. She was silent as we walked to school. But then we walked in the door she smiled and ranoff with barely a wave good-bye. Oy. I don’t get it, I thought to myself.
I emailed my friend who I consider an expert because she has a second grader about the situation. She emailed me back reminding me of some of the troubles she had in the past with her daughter who in my mind is all but perfect.
“Get plenty of sleep and drink heavily,” she wrote at the end of the email. The woman is a sage.
Then the back-to-school picnic came. Kate ran right in and I don’t think sat down for a second. Kate was thrilled to see friends and her teacher. This time I leveled with the teacher. I knew the picnic wasn’t the place to talk about it, but I had to know what was going on at school. This time, she swore Kate was fine and promised she’d tell me if there was a problem and this time I believed her. Kate played and played until the rain came. We ran all the way home.
“I didn’t want to leave. I love school.” Suddenly the skies cleared. I don’t think we’ve seen the rain since.
Jen Geller is a freelance journalist who has covered the economy and markets for over a decade at a major financial news outlet. She lives in Scarsdale with her husband and 2 children. Jen has yet to bake a successful batch of cookies.
Scarsdale Welcomes STEP Student
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The Keltz family of Greenacres welcomed a new school year and a visiting student into their home this September. Alisa Studway from Memphis, Tennessee will be living with the Keltz family while she attends Scarsdale High School for two years as a STEP student. STEP, which is celebrating its 45th anniversary, is the Scarsdale Student Transfer Education Plan, an independent community program that identifies promising students of color and enables them to attend Scarsdale High School for their junior and senior years. The program offers qualified students access to Scarsdale High School's strong college preparatory program and extensive extracurricular activities, as well as the cultural and recreational resources of the New York metropolitan area. While in Scarsdale, each visiting student lives with a host family and is encouraged to become an integral part of the Scarsdale community. By offering students exposure to a different and challenging environment, STEP prepares them to take positions of leadership and responsibility in a multi-cultural society.
Scarsdale's STEP program was founded in 1966. Its original goal was to share the educational opportunities at Scarsdale High School with students from segregated Southern schools of limited resources. Since that time, STEP has expanded its recruitment base to include students of color from areas throughout the United States. Graduates of the program have matriculated at colleges and universities such as Carnegie Mellon, Emory, Fisk, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Ithaca, George Washington, Williams, Washington University and Yale. Many former STEP students have continued their education at the graduate level, pursuing law, medical, business and Ph.D. degrees.
The latest STEP student, Alisa (call her Lisa) ,heard former STEP student, SHS grad and 2009 Lehigh sophomore David Bougard speak about STEP at her high school. She immediately looked up STEP, filled out an application and submitted it. She came to Scarsdale in April with her mom for an interview and the entire STEP board was impressed with her composure, determination and poise.
Lisa says that SHS doesn't seem much different from her old school, just bigger. Her STEP sister, Sarah, runs cross country at SHS and convinced her to join the team as well. She has never run before but now is part of the cross country team. She's exhausted but enjoying it. She is benefitting from the new peer counseling group run by Dean Nancy Thompson and Youth Outreach Worker, Lauren Pomerantz. They meet every Monday for the first half of the year and Keith Martinez, the returning STEP student who is a senior, is an advisor for this group. The STEP Club at the high school has organized a few get-togethers with Lisa; lunch at Metro after the first day of school and dinner at Italian Village on Saturday night, the 10th.
Her host family includes Lynn Buckvar Keltz and Martin Keltz, and their three children, Sarah, a SHS senior, Robbie, a SHS 
freshman, and Jonathan, in sixth grade at SMS. They expressed interest in becoming a host family a little over a year ago. Sarah is a good friend of Will Hunerson, who hosted another STEP student. She brought the idea of hosting a student to Lynn and Martin who say that their kids were the inspiration for them to welcome a STEP student to their family.
STEP held their Welcome Dinner and Board meeting on Wednesday, September 14th at the home of Beth Ehrich. The organization is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year with a cocktail party on November 5th where they will honor Eric Rothschild, one of the founder's of the program. They expect a number of former STEP students and host families and all are welcome.
This year Elizabeth Gruber is the senior co-chair of STEP with Ilyse Tretter serving as the junior co-chair. This year, SHS has two STEP students in school. STEP student Keith Martinez returned to Scarsdale in time for football practice on August 17th after spending time at home in South Dakota. Earlier in the summer, he went to a college preparatory program, College Horizons, at the University of Rochester and also attended football camp at Franklin and Marshall with the SHS football team. He came back "home" to his Scarsdale family, the Steiners, and fell easily into his routine as a SHS senior. Former STEP student David Bougard is doing well as a sophomore at Lehigh University.
Interested families who would like to learn more about participating in the program should contact STEP at P.O. Box 278, Scarsdale, NY 10583 or email STEP at info@scarsdalestep.org
Pictured at Top: Lisa Studway and Keith Martinez
Pictured Above: Nicole Steiner, Mara Steiner, Keith Martinez, Lisa Studway, Lynn Keltz, and Brandon Steiner
Cub Scouts Welcome Event
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Scarsdale Cub Scout Pack 440 is having its annual “Klondike” kick-off event welcoming new boys and existing cubs from all Scarsdale and nearby elementary schools in grades 1 - 5. Build a campfire, participate in team-building activities, meet parent leaders and learn about this year’s exciting activities. The event is on September 25 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Hitchcock Church (6 Greenacres Avenue – entrance near parking lot). Newcomers please come 15 minutes early. Cub Scouting is non-sectarian --- all are welcome. More information: call Tod Cooperman (722-0116) or click here :
Pictured at top: Scarsdale’s George Primoff (left) and Noah Cooperman (right). At a June Boy Scouts camp out.
