Martial Arts Family Studio in Soho will begin offering movement classes for toddlers beginning Jan. 7. The movement classes are designed to keep children ages 1 to 3 years old who have learned to walk active and features a series of age-appropriate obstacle courses. The facility also began offering music classes in September in addition to opening a new playroom.

Dec 14, 2018

A. Fantis Parochial School Partners With Vanderbilt for Phenomenon-Based Learning Program

A. Fantis Parochial School, celebrating its 55th year, began working with Vanderbilt University in August 2018 to revamp its curriculum for students in kindergarten-eighth grade. The program, headed by Jennifer Ufnar, Ph.D., the executive director of the Center for Science Outreach and research assistant professor of education at Vanderbilt University, is projected to continue for the next 3-5 years and is focused on incorporating phenomenon-based learning to the school’s curriculum.

Dec 14, 2018

Little Scholars Opens Bensonhurst Location

Little Scholars, a chain of early childhood education centers in Brooklyn, will open a new location in Bensonhurst this month. This will be the fifth location to open in the borough and will be housed in a new 6,000-square-foot facility that will include a private playground and modern NYC Department of Education-approved supplies and furniture. Children ages 2 to 4 can attend. After-school programs will be available for children in grades K through 5. An extended hours feature – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. – was implemented to help make childcare easier for working parents.

Dec 14, 2018

Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Performathon Raises Over $5,000 for Scholarships and Digital Piano Lab

After 12 hours of marathon recitals at the White Plains Music Conservatory of Westchester’s 2018 Performathon event and prize raffle so far, the nonprofit has raised $5,550 for its Scholarship Program and Digital Piano Lab. About 300 Conservatory students performed throughout the day, 20 vendors donated goods, and 28 parents and teen students volunteered their time, contributing to the positive energy on Saturday, Dec., 8. the community music school’s Performathon.

Dec 13, 2018

Signs of a Gifted Baby or Toddler

Let’s first understand what’s “normal” for a one year old. Developmentally, by twelve months, a child can say a few words, imitate your voice, distinguish different sounds and understand simple instructions like, “Drink your juice”. Does that sound crazy to you? Was your child doing these things before six months of age?

Family Day Trips and Destinations in NY, NJ, CT, MA, and PA

From museums and parks to festivals and beaches, this list has something for everyone, all within easy traveling distance from the New York City area, including Upstate New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania.

Dec 12, 2018

IKEA is Coming to the Upper East Side

The rumors are true, IKEA U.S. announced on Monday that it will be opening its first city store on the Upper East Side! The new location is contributing to the company's commitment to bringing IKEA to urban areas. The "IKEA Planning Studio" is slated to open in Manhattan in the spring of 2019. The store will open at 999 Third Avenue.

Dec 07, 2018

Where to Celebrate Hanukkah on Long Island

Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights that remembers the miracle of lamp oil lasting for eight days, is celebrated this year from December 2-10. Here's our list of the best events to celebrate Hanukkah, or learn about Jewish culture, from menorah lightings to musical performances and yummy foods. Experience Hanukkah in New York City regardless of your county, be it Suffolk or Nassau county. Also check out our roundups for Hanukkah events in Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen counties and New York City.

Nov 16, 2018

Cultural Festivals & Events in the NYC Area

Part of what makes New York City great is that it is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. You can teach your kids about different cultures through museum visits and books, or you can take to the streets to experience these cultures for yourself. Check out this list of 2018's cultural events and festivals in NYC and the surrounding area, and get to celebrating with your family!

Dec 12, 2018

When To Visit NYC's Museums, Zoos, and Gardens Admission Free

When to catch free admission at NYC's children's museums, zoos, aquariums, and botanical gardens.

Dec 12, 2018

The Benefits of Fostering a Child

Foster care changes lives in the nicest of ways—just ask Ann LiPuma of Wantagh, NY. She still vividly remembers the day she received an e-mail from Berkshire Farms Center & Services for Youth, asking if she’d be interested in becoming a foster parent to a 3-year-old boy. Ann, who had fostered a few other children previously, decided she had room in her life and her heart to take another child under her wing. Soon, she was introduced to Dustin.

Aug 14, 2018

Instagram-Worthy Moments from Kids' Activities & Programs in Queens

We asked some of our Queens partners to provide photos of the activities that go on in their walls. We posted the results to the @NYMetroParents Instagram account and are publishing them below. What follows are beautiful, dynamic photos of after-school activities, performances, health care professionals, schools, summer camps, and other child-focused businesses throughout Queens, including services for children in Jackson Heights, Middle Village, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Little Neck, Bayside, Astoria, Glendale, Elmhurst, and Flushing.

Dec 08, 2018

Instagram-Worthy Moments from Kids' Activities & Programs in Nassau County

We asked some of our Nassau County partners to provide photos of the activities that go on in their walls. We posted the results to the @NYMetroParents Instagram account and are publishing them below. What follows are beautiful, dynamic photos of after-school activities, performances, health care professionals, schools, summer camps, and other child-focused businesses throughout Nassau County, including services for children in Cold Spring Harbor, Farmingdale, Hempstead, Middle Island, Greenvale, Garden City, East Meadow, Jericho, Huntington, Glen Head, Melville, Mineola, Wheatley Heights, Huntington Station, and Port Washington.

Dec 08, 2018

Instagram-Worthy Moments from Kids' Activities & Programs in Suffolk County

We asked some of our Suffolk County partners to provide photos of the activities that go on in their walls. We posted the results to the @NYMetroParents Instagram account and are publishing them below. What follows are beautiful, dynamic photos of after-school activities, performances, health care professionals, schools, summer camps, and other child-focused businesses throughout Suffolk County, including services for children in East Setauket, Aquebogue, Central Islip, Ronkonkoma, Riverhead, Smithtown, North Lindenhurst, Northport Village, Dix Hills, Southampton, Miller Place, Huntington, Melville, Bellport, and Wheatley Heights.

Dec 08, 2018

Instagram-Worthy Moments from Kids' Activities & Programs in Westchester

We asked some of our Westchester County partners to provide photos of the activities that go on in their walls. We posted the results to the @NYMetroParents Instagram account and are publishing them below. What follows are beautiful, dynamic photos of after-school activities, performances, health care professionals, schools, summer camps, and other child-focused businesses throughout Westchester County, including services for children in Mamaroneck, White Plains, Scarsdale, New Rochelle, Larchmont, Hawthorne, Briarcliff Manor, Dobbs Ferry, Eastchester, Purchase, Mount Vernon, and Rye, and in nearby Greenwich and Stamford, CT.

Dec 08, 2018

Instagram-Worthy Moments from Kids' Activities & Programs in Brooklyn

We asked some of our Brooklyn partners to provide photos of the activities that go on in their walls. We posted the results to the @NYMetroParents Instagram account and are publishing them below. What follows are beautiful, dynamic photos of after-school activities, schools, tutors and test prep centers, summer camps, health care providers, and other child-focused businesses throughout Brooklyn, including services for children in Red Hook, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Greenpoint, and Bay Ridge.

Dec 08, 2018