Taking Advice

 

Maybe I’m just unsure of myself, but during my first year of parenthood I’ve found myself constantly consulting books for advice on everything baby-related. Between my former job as an editor at New York Family and my obsession with doing the right thing, I’ve amassed at least 30 titles covering everything from newborn care to breastfeeding to sleep. I’ve found some books to be more useful than others–and some I’ve found to be indispensable. Here are the five that have become my go-to favorites.

 

Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality. This book can be a lifesaver in the weeks after you arrive home with your infant and you’re nervous about everything from your baby’s hiccups to her dirty diaper count. Written by two pediatricians affiliated with the American Academy of Pediatrics, it covers every facet of infant care in a straightforward and no-nonsense way. It’s also great to read before you bring baby home to help you prepare!

 

The New Basics: A-to-Z Baby & Child Care for the Modern Parent. This book by Tribeca Pediatrics founder Dr. Michael Cohen moves beyond the first months to address literally all the concerns a new parent may have about their child’s physical and behavioral development from infancy on up. It’s organized in an easy-to-follow A to Z format so you simply look up whatever issue you’re interested in–from biting to naps to walking–to find succinct advice on the topic. It’s useful as a quick reference guide when you don’t want to wade through too much information.

 

 

 

Touchpoints: Birth to Three. This book is less about the ins and outs of baby care and more about child development. It is immensely helpful in helping a parent understand the many different phases an infant–and then a toddler–goes through as he or she grows. From milestones like learning to crawl and eating solids to sleeping (or not) through the night, authors and pediatricians T. Berry Brazleton and Joshua Sparrow cover all the major events in a child’s early life and are gifted at explaining what they must be like from the child’s perspective, making readers more empathetic as parents. The book is also simply an interesting read.

 

Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child. There are lots of books about child sleep out there, but this is the bible to so many parents. Written by pediatrician Dr. Marc Weissbluth, it covers sleep issues from birth to adolescence–with most of the focus on the first two years or so. Many parents find his research on sleep science extremely helpful  in understanding their child’s sleep issues–like why a baby might nap better at a certain time of day or the reasons they wake up at specific times at night. He also offers a range of plans for solving child sleep problems, from “let cry” to “partial ignoring.”

 

Wonderplay. If you’re a new parent, you’ve probably often found yourself wondering what to do all day with your infant or toddler. Written by the heads of the 92nd Street Y’s children’s and parenting programs, this book offers some great ideas. Divided into sections based on age, the book covers birth through the preschools years. It includes lyrics to favorite songs, exercise and moment games, arts and crafts ideas, and much more.

 

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Play On! Studios

<p>Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games!</p> <p>Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun!</p> <p>Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show!</p> <p>During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we’ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us.</p> <p> </p>

Chelsea Piers Summer Sports Camp

<p><span style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #ffffff;">Chelsea Piers Summer Camp in Chelsea and NOW Brooklyn, offers both Preschool and Full-Day camps where children can learn, play and have fun. With flexible weekly enrollment, your child can join us for a week or all 11 weeks. Camp runs from June 19 to September 1. In Brooklyn, campers receive three swim periods per week with the option to add a 30-minute swim lesson to their camp day at an additional charge. </span></p> <p><span style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #ffffff;">Save 15% when you enroll by 2/28!</span></p> <p><span style="caret-color: #222222; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; background-color: #ffffff;">NY: [email protected] <br />BK: [email protected]</span></p>

Center for Architecture Summer Programs

<p>The Center for Architecture promotes public understanding and appreciation of architecture and design through educational programs for K-12 students and teachers, families, and the general public.</p> <p>Summer Programs give curious kids an opportunity to dive into an architectural topic of interest and test out their own design ideas. Each program explores a different theme through art and building activities, design challenges, guided investigations of architectural examples, and special site visits.</p> <p>Summer Programs are week-long classes, Monday – Friday, for students entering grades 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12 in Fall 2023. This summer, we are offering programs both in-person at the Center for Architecture and online. Need-based scholarships are available (application deadline May 1).</p> <p>2023 Programs run June 26 – August 25. Topics listed below. See website for specific dates, prices, scholarship information, and registration.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Grades 3-5</strong></span></p> <p>Parks and Playgrounds</p> <p>Treehouses</p> <p>Building Bridges</p> <p>Animal Architecture</p> <p>Architectural Wonders</p> <p>Lunar Living</p> <p>Store Design</p> <p>Dream House</p> <p>Skyscrapers</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Grades 6-8</strong></span></p> <p>Green Island Home</p> <p>Treehouses</p> <p>Digital Design: Lunar Living – Online</p> <p>Skyscrapers</p> <p>Digital Design: Bridges</p> <p>Public Art and Architecture</p> <p>Survival Architecture</p> <p>Digital Design: Tiny Houses</p> <p>Store Design</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Grades 9-12</strong></span></p> <p>Drawing Architecture – In-Person</p> <p>Drawing Architecture – Online</p> <p>Architectural Design Studio (2-week program)</p> <p>Digital Design: City Design – Online</p> <p>Digital Design: Tiny Houses – Online</p> <p>Pop-Up Shop</p> <p>Digital Design: House of the Future</p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </p>