International Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Italian Recipes for San Gennaro Day

International Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Italian Recipes for San Gennaro Day

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The Feast of San Gennaro has evolved from a one-day religious commemoration in the Old Country to an 11-day celebration of food and culture in the Little Italy section of Manhattan. Saint Januarius — a bishop, martyr, and the Patron Saint of Naples – is most famous for the miraculous liquefaction of his blood. The Feast is celebrated on September 19th by the Roman Catholic Church and the 21st in the Eastern churches. If you can’t make it down to the cannoli-eating contest on the 14th or the many other events taking place in NYC, consider using this excuse to have an ethnic feast day at home with your kids. Cooking is a fantastic way to solidify the familial bond and teach your children important skills.

Rao’s Meatballs

Rao’s Restaurant in East Harlem

Your family may never see the inside of the legendary Rao’s. The 119-year-old East Harlem restaurant take neither reservations, nor walk-ins. There are only 10 tables and you need to “know-a-guy-who-knows-a-guy.” However, you can prepare and taste their most iconic dish at home! Rumor has it, their in-house secret is that they use all veal, but the recipe they share includes ground beef and pork as well – perhaps because it’s more likely to hold together. Pecorino Romano cheese, garlic, and oregano add savory flavor. Meatballs are always a kid-favorite! You can pair these with Rao’s Homemade Marinara, which can be purchased by the jar at Target and on their website — or made at home.

Get the recipe here.

Veal Cutlets Milanese

Patsy’s Italian Restaurant

The Scognamillo Family owns a well-known dynasty of food. Their beloved restaurant, Patsy’s, was a favorite of famous crooner Frank Sinatra. One of Frank’s favorite dishes was the Veal Milanese. It’s a simple recipe flavored by fresh herbs like parsley and oregano, as well as Parmigiano-Reggano and lemon, which makes it an easy weeknight meal. Chef David Rocco recommends serving veal alongside carrots and spinach with vinegar.

Get the recipe here.

Prosciutto & Fig Bruschetta

Felidia & Becco

Felidia & Becco opened right in the heart of the theatre district’s Restaurant Row in 1981.Today it’s still the sort of place that inspires foodies to become chefs. Generally speaking, Bruschetta is the perfect size for little hands. This recipe’s innovative add — sweet fig — inarguably appeals to tiny tastebuds. At the same time, you can Introduce your kids to more sophisticated flavors with lesser-used ingredients like prosciutto and sage honey. There are many ways to cook this – in a pan, over a charcoal fire, or in the oven.

Get the recipe here.

Eggplant Parmesan

Fresco by Scotto

Local Restauranteur Rosanna Scotto told Hamptons Magazine her mother knew Parmigiana so well, she could make it with her eyes closed. She and her siblings, Anthony and Elaina, first thought their family dish wasn’t “glamorous” enough for their Manhattan restaurant, but they continued to wow friends at home in Southampton with it. After much soul searching and after hearing the kids ask grandma for “chicken pajamas” again and again, they “came to a Parmigiana moment” and decided to “do it big” for all to share. Even though the kids may not be able to pronounce it, you’ll be surprised by how willing even the fussiest eaters are to gobble up vegetables with this Eggplant Parm recipe. The best part for little chefs is all the fresh cheese grating action.

Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Biscotti

Union Square Café

Children old enough to fully appreciate Play-Doh and roll long “snakes” out of it will enjoy fashioning this classic Italian treat. Made with cocoa, an extra egg, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, sugar, a touch of espresso, and all the usual mix-ins, whipping up Biscotti with the family is a labor of love. Each recipe makes 60-80 biscuits, so if you have extra give Biscotti as a gift. They will stay fresh for two weeks in an airtight container or you may freeze them for a few months and serve as an after-school snack or quick breakfast treat.

Get the recipe here.

We hope you enjoy these Italian-American recipes with your family and all the 92nd San Gennaro Day celebrations throughout the city. For more information, visit https://sangennaro.nyc. If you’re looking for Italian language lessons or more cultural activities for your children, contact Shine to ask about our current offerings, which includes trips, workshops, classes, and parties.

A Few Fun Things To Do In NYC and The East End Before Summer Is Over

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“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well,” once said Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin. The thought of these warm, sunny afternoons coming to an end is enough to put a brief chill in your bones. Thankfully, New York City and Long Island’s East End offer a plethora of last-minute events, giving us that one last taste of summer. Here are a few activities we recommend…

Color Factory

The Color Factory pop-up exhibit started in San Francisco and makes its Soho debut on August 20th in a 20,000 square-foot commercial space located at 251 Spring Street near Avenue of the Americas. It’s hard to imagine what your Instagram might be missing, but how about wading in a bright yellow sea of 207,000 balls? Or perhaps you’d like a photo of your little ones on rainbow-colored stairs that seem to go on for miles? Kids and grownups alike will love grooving on the luminous dance floor, designing their own custom color ice cream scoop, walking along a giant infographic to reveal their “secret color,” and gazing upon floating balloons with wishes for the world written by students at 826NYC. The collection of 16 unique exhibits inspires wonder and fosters art appreciation. Before you leave, be sure to grab a “Local Color” neighborhood map that directs you to 20 unique color experiences hidden in downtown Manhattan to discover.

The Color Factory
251 Spring Street
Manhattan, NY 10013

Get your tickets here. (Kids 2 and under are free!)

Pier 2 Pop Up Pool

While McCarren Park’s new pool soaks up the spotlight, you and your family can slink off to Brooklyn Park’s coolest “hidden gem.” The Pop-Up Pool is a small, kid-friendly 3.5-foot-deep pool that allows just 60 people in at a time between 10 am and 5 pm. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to get free, “first come first served” wristbands for your 45-minute session. You’ll also find a nice sandy beach area with umbrellas, prime for relaxing; a concession stand serving burgers, dogs, and ice cream; plus you have all the beauty of Brooklyn Bridge Park at your disposal, with its playgrounds, picnic tables, rolling greens, volleyball courts, soccer fields, and public art displays. Try to go on a weekday when it’s less crowded if possible. Otherwise, keep the sprinkler park on Pier 6 or a stop at Ample Hills Creamery on Pier 5 in mind as your back-up option to avoid disappointment.

Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 2
150 Furman St.
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Candytopia

The Candytopia interactive art installation is recommended for anyone who has ever dreamed of eating their way through the Candyland board game or taking a tour of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. You’ll be treated to candy portraits inspired by Andy Warhol, Van Gogh, and Leonardo daVinci. You’ll see flying unicorn pigs, a candied sphinx, and a pit of marshmallows. There’s no shortage of photo opps throughout the sugary spectacle. Gummy candies, chocolates, nostalgic favorites, and other sweets will be provided throughout your tour to satisfy your sweet tooth. This whimsical wonderland is only open August 15th through November 15th, so get in while you can!

Penn Plaza
145 W 32nd Street
New York, NY 10001

Get your tickets here! (Children 3 & under are free.)

2018 Riverhead Railroad Festival

Train-obsessed kids can get a close-up look at some of Long Island’s historic railcars August 25th-26th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take the 10:15 AM Greenport Scoot to visit the Greenport Museum, with a ride back to Riverhead at 12:50 PM. Ride on a restored 1964-1965 LIRR World’s Fair park train. Visit a historic Lionel layout. Race miniature locomotives. Purchase your own train set. See G, O, HO, N and Z scale layouts. See historic blacksmithing demos. Enjoy refreshments and live music.

Railroad Museum of Long Island
416 Griffing Avenue, Riverhead
Fourth Street, Greenport

Get tickets at the box office for just $10. (5 and Under free!)

Harbes Family Farm Watermelon Festival

Calling all watermelon lovers August 25th-26th from 10 am to 7 pm! Harbes Family Farm welcomes you to a day full of contests from watermelon rolling to seed spitting. Kids will love the Barnyard Aventure – a singing hayride that tours the 100-acre farm, complete with pig racing and other friendly farm animals. Other highlights include: giant bouncing pillows; a goat bridge and mountain slide; a Sports Zone with baseball, football, and basketball toss games; and a hands-on preschooler playland. Adults will be treated to the relaxing sound of live rock, pop, and blues in the courtyard from 1-5 pm. Don’t forget to pick your own perfect watermelon and grab a bottle of their award-winning wine to take home.

Harbes Farm & Vineyard
715 Sound Avenue
Mattituck NY 11952

 

Contact Shine to find out many more ways to make the end of summer meaningful.

What Are NYC Parks Doing For Earth Day & Arbor Day?

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Environmental conservationist Wendell Berry once said: “The world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children.” This month, we have two excellent opportunities to get the kids outside, thinking about nature, and learning about good stewardship of the Earth. Even the littlest gardeners-in-training can understand the beauty of a flower, the joy of getting their hands dirty, and gratitude for the warm sunshine. New York City offers a bounty of beautiful parks to visit any day of the year – but, most meaningfully, on Earth Day and Arbor Day.

Celebrate Earth Day 2018 on April 22nd

Few cities do Earth Day like New York City. Rooted in 1970, Columbia University activists convinced the mayor to shut down Fifth Avenue for the day and encourage demonstrations in Central Park. About 100,000 people visited Union Square to express support for the holiday throughout the course of the day, with swells of 20,000 at any given time. The idea was to get Americans out into the spring sunshine to peacefully express their wishes for environmental reform.

Here are a few places to take the kids on Earth Day:

  • Wave Hill House – Sculpt a mini garden with brightly colored oil clay, take a free meditation session, plant a green-roof birdhouse, design your own gratitude flag for the community garden, and leisurely tour the 28-acre public garden in the Bronx with views of the Hudson River and Palisades. Its scenic beauty attracted the likes of Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain, so why not you, too?
  • Pelham Bay Park – Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in NYC – three times the size of Central Park, in fact. Among the 2,700 acres, you’ll see Orchard Beach, two golf courses, baseball fields, tennis courts, the historic Bartow-Pell Mansion, and salt marsh wetlands that attract egrets, herons, and red-winged blackbirds. For the 25th consecutive Earth Day, the disability-friendly Playground For All Children is host to a memorable day of arts and crafts, volunteer opportunities, sensory gardens, music, and live performances. The volunteer project starts at 10 a.m. Call 718-430-1891 for more details.
  • Fort Tryon Park – If you’re looking for a meaningful way to get older kids involved in volunteer work, join the Friends Committee of the Fort Tryon Park Trust and NYC Parks for their annual Beautification Day from 10 am to 2 pm in the Heather Garden. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants. Plants, tools, and gloves will be provided. Afterward, enjoy arresting views of the Hudson River, George Washington Bridge, and the Palisades.

If you’re in the mood for a family hike, the Urban Park Rangers will be doing guided tours at Flushing Meadows Corona Park (Queens), Seton Falls Park (Bronx), Inwood Hill Park (Manhattan), and Marine Park (Brooklyn). If you’re really into the activism aspect of Earth Day, you can take part in a number of events sponsored by the Earth Day Initiative throughout the month.

Celebrate Arbor Day 2018 on April 28th

The first American Arbor Day dates back to 1872, when newspaper editor and future Secretary of Agriculture Julius Sterling Morton oversaw the planting of one million trees in Nebraska City. The day was celebrated with a 1,000-person parade, each classroom planting a tree that they would tend to throughout the year, speeches from public dignitaries, and the singing of “America.” It became an official nationwide observance by 1882. Today, Arbor Day continues to be an important fortification against deforestation.

Try these NYC Arbor Day celebrations:

  • Wave Hill – Kids ages 5+ will love donning a hard hat and safety tree-climbing harness to explore the canopies of an old sugar maple at the Junior Arborist Station. Afterward, you can taste fresh maple syrup in the shop. Youngsters who like crafting are treated to a sensory experience, making bark rubbings out of wax paper, burlap, cheesecloth, leather, paper, and yarn. Educational guided tours round out this fun-filled Arbor Day celebration.
  • Prospect Park – The Audubon Center at the Boathouse invites you to a free day of crafts, games, and nature-inspired activities. Nature enthusiasts will receive a Discovery Pack nature activity kit, learn about the parks’ tree species on a guided tour, and spread mulch to protect tree roots.
  • Planting Fields Arboretum – From 11-4 on the 28th and 29th, bring children ages 4+ to see circus performers, face painters, Smokey the Bear, petting zoo animals, caricaturists, live music, railway exhibits, and seedling giveaways.

For hands-on tree planting fun, get involved at Battery Park (Manhattan), Evergreens Cemetery (Brooklyn), or contact the Million Trees NYC project to find out how your family can get involved.

 

Contact Shine to learn about our nature-themed enrichment activities and parties.

Best Enrichment Activities for Autistic Children

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About 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder in the United States – a rate that has doubled over the last 15 years. Researchers estimate that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism can be as high as $2.4 million. But even harder than the financial burden, is the emotional toll it takes as parents try to help their children through behavioral issues, social stigmas, and a world that, at times, doesn’t seem to fit their needs.

For Autism Awareness Month, we’d like to shine the spotlight on a few local programs, events, and groups taking great strides to create safe, accepting spaces where kids and parent can take a break, relax, and enjoy what all children should have access to – stories, songs, sensory activities, and socializing.

Upcoming Autism-Friendly Events in NYC

  • Air Play – Watch in amazement as colorful umbrellas, balloons, and acrobats take flight in New Victory Theater. The accessible 11:30 am, April 14th performance offers special features like lowered sound, dim-not-dark lighting, a calming corner with fidget toys and bean bag chairs, gender neutral restrooms, and autism specialists available to lend a hand.
  • Autism-Friendly Program for Ages 6-18 – Visit Queens County Farm Museum on Wednesday, July 25th from 9-11 am to observe livestock such as goats, sheep, alpacas, pigs, hens, and steer. Take a tractor-drawn hayride. Tour the growing fields, sensory gardens, and historic farm houses. Families will receive a site-specific social story and trip preparation sheet prior to the visit.
  • Big Umbrella Festival – For the month of April, Lincoln Center is hosting its first-ever theatre festival geared toward young audiences on the spectrum. Kids can explore jazz instruments, the world of chamber music, ballet movements, storytelling, short films, puppetry, and sensory-filled performances that are warm and welcoming. Don’t miss the hugely popular Light Show or Up and Away.

Autism-Friendly Programs in NYC

  • Adaptive Climbing – With centers in Brooklyn and Queens, Brooklyn Boulders invites children ages 4-17 to try out rock climbing for a discounted price, geared specifically toward individuals with disabilities and their siblings. If your child loves the affordable and accessible clinics, there are opportunities to climb outdoors, travel, and engage in friendly competitions.
  • Sensory Friendly Films – Participating AMC locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens invite families with children 2+ to special engagements on Tuesday evenings, as well as the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, where the sound is turned down and the lights are turned up. Kids can sing, dance, get up out of their seats, and express themselves without reprimand. The latest screenings include Ready Player One and Rampage for older kids, as well as Sherlock Gnomes and SGT Stubby for the younger squad.
  • The Discovery Squad – The American Museum of Natural History is one of our favorite field outings. Who doesn’t love giant sea mammal, dioramas, and real dinosaur bones? On select Saturday mornings, you can take a 9 a.m. guided tour customized to kids ages 5-14 on the spectrum, developed in collaboration with the Seaver Autism Center. Spots are selling out, so be sure to advance register for an upcoming tour on July 14th, August 4th, or September 1st.

Come Join Our Shine Family!

We all want the best for all kids – for them to reach their true potential. Research shows that art therapy, storytelling, and inclusive classrooms offer some of the greatest benefits for kids who fall within the spectrum. Shine camps, classes, workshops, and parties provide inclusive settings, where all kids can explore multiple modes of learning. We also offer on-location activities and support for birthday parties, as well as Family Coaching.

Contact us with any questions on our offerings to see how we might be the missing piece of the puzzle you’ve been looking for to help with your family dynamic.

Additional Resources:

Science Daily – Art Therapy Best Practices For Children With Autism, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170720103604.htm

Autism Parenting Magazine – Ways Storytelling Can Benefit Autism Kids, https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/ways-storytelling-can-benefit-autism-kids/

Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry Longitudinal follow-up of academic achievement in children with autism from age 2 to 18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28949003

8 Ways To Escape Your Winter Blues in NYC

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Whether you’ve been taking Vitamin D supplements or not, the extended cold, gray, blustery days gets to the best of us. Instead of sitting through another mind-numbing day of dishes, laundry, and toy pickup, grab your little besties and see what NYC has to offer in February.

1. Ice Skating – Four is about the best age to begin ice skating with your child. Grab a cup of hot cocoa after a free skate at Midtown West’s Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. Go on a weekend morning or before 5 pm on weekdays to beat the rush. Lasker Rink in Harlem is never terribly crowded. Central Park’s Wollman Rink has the most fabulous view of Midtown, especially by moonlight. Rockefeller Center is one of the pricier places to go, but it appeals with a charming setting in the heart of the city. Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers offers lessons and indoor skating.

2. Tubing – If you’re up for 90 minutes of driving, Mount Peter in Warwick offers adventure for kids big and small. Kids 42 inches and up can ride the conveyer up and tube down an exhilarating 600-foot hill. Smaller guests are treated to the Little Tikes tubing hill and a kids’ play area for $20. Tandem tubing is allowed for guests 36-48 inches, but prepared to supervise. Skiing and snowboarding are available on the mountain if you’re up for the exercise.

3. Hot Chocolate Date – Manhattan’s best cocoas are experiences in a cup. MarieBelle in Soho serves up batter-thick South American cacao blended with banana in Tea Party worthy china. Max Brenner is a whimsical place full of whirring machines spinning the chocolate alongside your table before it goes into a ceremonial mug alongside dessert pizza, sugar waffles, crepes, chocolate fondue, or whatever you fancy. The City Bakery in Flatiron is the home of an annual Hot Chocolate Festival and offers a new flavor each day, with 4-ounce shots and mini marshmallows available for the littlest cocoa lovers. Dylan’s Candy Bar is not only the sweets emporium of the celebrities, but a hotspot of mouth-watering chocolate.

4. Play Cafes – Indulge in a delicious espresso with your adult friends while the kids explore the play market, various vehicles, and walk-in dress-up closet of City Owlets in Long Island City. The Coop in Brooklyn is the perfect place to grab lunch and leave the mess in the gated kids’ play area, which includes a kitchen, soft blocks, bins of clean baby and toddler toys, rocking horses, shopping carts, and interactive playthings. Or you may sip on adult beverages at the classy Lark Café in Flatbush, which offers a spacious, bright playroom with drop-in hours and classes.

5. Indoor Water Park – Coco Key Water Resort in Mount Laurel, New Jersey is just under two hours from Manhattan, but it’s well worth the trip. If you’re zonked from all that swimming, you can always stay the night in the hotel. Facilities include a lazy river, aquatic jungle gym, activity pools, baby wading pools and slides, and 1,000 feet of water slides.

6. Butterfly Conservatory – The butterflies are on display on the second floor of the American Museum of Natural History from the beginning of October through the end of May. Mingle with over 500 majestic winged creatures, including Monarchs, Swallowtails, Blue Morphos, and Large Owls. In the wonderful 1,200-square-foot, 80-degree vivarium, surrounded by tropical flowers and lush vegetation, it’s easy to lose yourself and forget it’s still winter in New York.

Looking for more suggestions? Let Shine bring the party to you! Our creative custom programming includes holiday workshops, art classes, themed play dates, parties, and day trips. Contact us for details.

Resources for Winter Activities Near NYC:
• http://iceskatingworld.com/how-old-should-my-child-be-to-start-ice-skating-2/
• https://mommypoppins.com/kids/ice-skating-in-nyc-10-outdoor-ice-rinks-most-open-this-month
• https://mommypoppins.com/newyorkcitykids/ultimate-nyc-hot-chocolate-crawl
• https://mommypoppins.com/kids/snow-tubing-for-kids-near-nyc-best-tubing-spots-less-than-two-hours-from-new-york-city
• https://www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/things-to-do/best-indoor-water-parks-near-nyc
• https://mommypoppins.com/new-york-city-kids/play-gyms-sports-centers/city-owlets-lics-newest-play-space-for-tots-and
• https://mommypoppins.com/new-york-city-kids/indoor-activities/the-coop-toddler-friendly-cafe-opens-in-bay-ridge
• https://www.amnh.org/calendar/the-butterfly-conservatory

International Kid-Friendly Food: Top 5 Recipes For Chinese New Year

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With traditional lion dancers, festive floats, firecrackers, shopping discounts, arts and craft vendors, and Chinese folk music symphonies, New York City is a great place to be for Chinese New Year. Chinatown is a bustle of activity for the Lunar New Year. Behind all the pomp and circumstance, local Chinese families celebrate privately with their relatives, sharing the most important meal of the year. Whether near or far, reunions are a symbolic gesture to be thankful for the past year and hopeful in the new.

New Year’s Eve dinners vary by region, but typically include chicken, fish, or pork in the south of China and homemade dumplings in the north. Every Chinese New Year dish signifies something, whether it’s to wish for a year of completeness with a whole chicken, abundance with two whole fish, happiness and longevity with noodles, family togetherness with sweet rice balls, or wealth with dumplings.

Steamed Fish

A family recipe from Long Island Food Blogger Jessica Lee Binder, courtesy of NY Daily News

Fish represents an increase in prosperity and good luck. This recipe uses white fish like striped bass, which has a lighter flavor likely to appease kids. The sauce – made from seasoned soy sauce, thin-sliced fresh ginger, scallions, vegetable oil, and a pinch of sugar (the only other ingredients you’ll need) – is savory enough to make kids forget they’re eating from the sea. The food is ready in just 15 minutes, and goes great with sticky rice. You can get additional tips for steaming a whole fish from The Woks of Life if you’ve never done it before.

Get the recipe.

Rice Chicken Casserole

From Kei Lum Chan, co-author of China: The Cookbook, courtesy of MyDomaine.com

We can all appreciate the simplicity of a one-pot main course. Chicken is the heart of this dish, which signifies prosperity. Until recent times, the Chinese people only served chicken on festival days or birthdays. Chicken thighs – considered the best part of the bird – were reserved for the elders. This quick recipe requires 20 minutes of marinating and 20 minutes of cooking in a dutch oven. Chinese sausage is the one tricky ingredient that may require a separate trip to a Chinatown butcher shop. Trust us, it’s worth it! Lap Cheong is made from pork or liver, marinated, and smoked for a smoky, sweet, salty taste as sumptuous as candied bacon. Like many Asian dishes, additional flavors in this dish come from ginger, soy, garlic, and scallions.

Get the recipe.

Fast Pot Stickers

From Mark Bittman, NY Times Food Columnist

Pot stickers are sometimes called “Little Purses.” Fittingly, they symbolize prosperity and riches in the year to come. You can do them with homemade dough, but it can be tedious even with a food processor, as you’re kneading and rolling out dozens of two-inch circles before filling and cooking. One easy alternative is to use pre-made wrappers widely available in any supermarket. Folding is intuitive and sealing requires a little beaten egg. The dumplings are browned in oil, simmered in water, and browned again. You can fill the dumplings with whatever you prefer – ground pork, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, shrimp, even shiitake mushrooms and tofu for a vegetarian twist. You can also freeze uncooked dumplings on a baking sheet, seal in a plastic bag, and keep them for up to two weeks to save time.

Get the recipe.

Niángāo

From Chef Mireille, Courtesy of The Schizo Chef

Niángāo is a steamed rice cake with a history dating back at least 1,000 years ago to the Liao Dynasty. The word loosely translates to “year rise,” symbolizing increased prosperity and higher status for adults, physical growth and better academic success for children. The round shape symbolizes family togetherness and completeness. If you love someone, you give them niángāo to wish them the best. This popular New Year dessert is popular at NYC bakeries like Wok Wok, Lung Moon Bakery, Shanghai Café, Tygershark, and Fay Da Bakery – but why not make it yourself in just 10 minutes? Traditionally, the cake — made of rice flour, brown sugar, coconut milk, almond extract and chopped nuts — is steamed in banana leaves, and then later cut up, coated in raw egg, and fried. This simplified recipe comes from Chef Florence Lin, the author of five Chinese cookbooks who is in her nineties, but still spry and cooking with her niece.

Get the recipe.

We hope you enjoy cooking with your children to celebrate Chinese New Year in 2018. Other fun activities include: making DIY Chinese drums, giving red envelopes containing money, creating DIY paper lanterns, and crafting soda bottle cherry blossoms to symbolize the beginning of spring. Be sure to check out the big parade and other local festivities. Also, don’t forget Shine offers additional party entertainment, workshops, classes, and cultural experiences to inspire young minds. Contact us to learn more!

Additional Reading:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

Constructive Play is the Secret to Cultivating a Creative Mind at Any Age

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Parents are inundated with advertisements for hundreds, if not thousands, of toys claiming to make their children “smarter” or more interested in math and science careers. Yet, the vast majority of these assertions are empty promises, backed by no evidence whatsoever. Today’s children spend an enormous amount of time in front of TVs, computers, and video games – with unknown long-term effects. Early evaluations suggest diminished ability to process information, recall, and concentrate.

Building blocks are a timeless classic, with stones and rocks likely a child’s earliest playthings. In 1693, English Philosopher John Locke referenced alphabet blocks as a way to make learning to read a more enjoyable experience. Numerous scientific studies make the case for block play as a brain-building activity. From mathematics and science, to fine motor skills and literacy, blocks set the foundation for learning. Though oft-overlooked for its simplicity, the building block is a gold mine for skill building in our midst.

How Does Block Play Affect the Developing Mind?

Decades of research show that children who play with blocks:

Beyond scientific measurements of achievement, children engaged in block play are flexing their creative muscles, as they dream, build, and express themselves. They gain confidence as they stack the tower higher and overcome small adversities. Children first discover that they can bring their unique ideas to life. They explore the notions of object continuity and permanence. As they work in a group setting, they are studying the work of others, cooperating, taking turns, sharing materials, asserting themselves, and boosting their attention spans.

Stages of Block Play

The National Association for the Education of Young Children notes eight different stages of block building that children advance through:

  1. Discovering blocks – exploring the physical properties of carrying, dropping, and packing.
  2. Stacking blocks – using repetition to create basic structures.
  3. Complex stacking – incorporating dramatic play as rows become train tracks or highways.
  4. Making enclosures – engaging in more pretend play to imagine animal pens and houses.
  5. Creating bridges or arches – exploring trial and error by connecting blocks together.
  6. Combining enclosures and bridges – advancing to more daring and complex combinations.
  7. Building with patterns and symmetry – sorting, seeking equivalency, and tending to details.
  8. Building block structures that represent pretend playobjects – roleplaying and planning.

Make Your Block Play More Constructive

There’s always room for involved parents to join the fun. Experts recommend:

  • Making time each day for blocks at home.
  • Supporting the child’s decision making with positive statements.
  • Prompting (ex: “Let’s build a castle”), but following the child’s lead.
  • Talking about shapes, sizes, colors, and number of blocks while playing.
  • Using spatial words like “beside,” “beneath,” “over,” “under,” and “above” to narrate.
  • Asking open-ended questions about the building process (like “Do you think it’ll balance?”)
  • Adding in character toys, cars, zoo animals, or other structures to encourage pretend play.
  • Cutting animal pictures in half and taping them to Mega Blocks to encourage matching.
  • Saving household materials like boxes, cans, and Popsicle sticks for creative building.
  • Occasionally changing the scenery, taking blocks to the garden, sandbox, or the park.
  • Experimenting with Edo Blocks, Jumbo Blocks, or Giant Waffle Blocks (preschool & up).
  • Using pictures, diagrams, or games to encourage specific construction projects (for older kids).
  • Combining block play with story time, illustrating parts of the story with blocks and accessories.

Join the Shine Block Party!

Block Party, one of our signature classes and workshops, is the perfect introduction to the constructive arts for the Legos-Lover. Aspiring architects experiment with different building materials, from sugar cubes and marshmallows, to tree blocks and sculpting materials. We also offer custom classes of up to 12 sessions for advanced builders. Parents and kids alike love our hands-on approach that feels like free-spirited fun, but also lays the foundation for math, science, and artistic talents for years to come.

RESOURCES:

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

Why Your Kids Should Learn a Second Language

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“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”

– Psycholinguist Frank Smith

 

Young children naturally absorb new information like sponges and delight in the process of learning. Language instruction is a beneficial experience for toddlers as young as three years old. Not only does it give you something fun to do with them, but there are many developmental, social, and economic benefits. At Shine, we make second language learning interactive, engaging, and fun.

Key Facts on Learning A Second Language at an Early Age

Children who learn a second language have better:

Choosing A Second Language For Your Child

You may consider choosing:

  • A heritage language that carries cultural and personal significance, like German or Italian.
  • A profitable language like Mandarin Chinese, which analysts say is ideal for career development.
  • A popularly spoken language, such as Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, or French.
  • Kid-friendly languages like Spanish, found in TV (Dora the Explorer) and books (Skippyjon Jones).
  • An etymological language like Latin, which helps kids understand the root of English words.
  • Easier languages to learn that are written and pronounced the same, such as Spanish or Italian.

What Does It Take For Children To Learn?

Linguists say the most effective teachers are parents, caregivers, immersion schools, and living abroad. Daily preschool classes can be helpful – but only if backed up by foreign language books and time spent with au pairs or babysitters who speak the language. Toddler programs and once-a-week classes train the ear to help kids get a head-start on learning the language later.

“To really learn a foreign language, children must spend 30 percent of their waking time exposed to it,” Christina Bosemark, founder of the Multilingual Children’s Association, told the NY Times. Children with less exposure will have the capacity to understand the language, but will be hindered in speaking it correctly.

Susan Behrens, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders at Marymount Manhattan College, adds: “If you introduce a language in the spirit of play and being embedded in their daily lives, you’re going to be much more successful than if you say, ‘Okay, you’re going to class now.’”

Parents Love Shine’s Listillos Language Immersion Program

One of our most popular programs is Listillos, a Spanish immersion class that uses storytelling, music, visual arts, games, and dance to give children a better understanding of the language and culture. Children as young as pre-school will spend time learning vocabulary and culture based around a particular theme, while older kids will delve into the culture of Spanish-speaking countries with art activities featuring Dia de los Muertos flowers, luchador masks, Colombian, molas, and Aztec codex. Going one step further, the Listillos Uno-a-Uno program adds in private, one-on-one instruction that includes cooking, field trips and advanced art projects. A native Spanish speaker teaches this bilingual class designed for ages 2-10.

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

Fantastically Fun Indoor Activities for NYC Kids When It’s Cold Outside

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Baby, it’s cold outside! Probably by now the kids are bouncing off the walls. Let the idle house sit clean for a day while you’re out making family memories. Here are some indoor escapes that will make you forget about sleet and snow, while encouraging the best in your little ones.

The New York Botanical Gardens 

The balmy temperature and fresh air of the New York Botanical Gardens is the perfect antidote to the blustery cold winter months. Not only will you enjoy festive seasonal decorations, but they also host a Holiday Train Show from November 22nd – January 15th. Model G-scale trains zip down half a mile of track, past 150 local landmarks from the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty to the Chrysler Building and the Rockefeller Center. This winter, kids can participate in a sing-a-long performance with Thomas the Train, ride on the Evergreen Express, craft a puppet or evergreen door swag, watch holiday films like “Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas” and “Shrek the Halls,” and tour the outdoor winter wonderland trees.

 

National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey

This new, immersive experience in Times Square features 60,000 square feet of groundbreaking advances in lighting, audio, and visual animation effects that make your family feel as though you’re exploring an undersea world. Sea turtles, dolphins, and fish swim above, below, and past you in the first exhibit, which shows you a coral reef during the day. Next, you’ll plunge into the coral reef at night to see bioluminescent sponges, coral, and eels, set to a symphony of sound. See Humboldt squids battle, move through a dreamlike kelp forest maze, and play “copycat” with adorable sea lions that look amazingly real, but respond to your every move. Older children will love the 3-D dome with sharks, stingrays, and humpback whales swimming by. More photo opps and learning experiences await in the National Geographic Exploration Hall. This amazing exhibit will enthrall kids and adults of all ages, but as an added bonus, the little ones under two are free!

The Children’s Museum of Manhattan

Kids ages 6 and under will find something to love about the five-story, 40,000 square-foot institution of learning and culture. From immersive dance studios and a crawl-through version of the digestive system, to Dora the Explorer play areas and collaborative workshops with local artists, there is much to do and see here. Kids are encouraged to consider cultures and traditions from around the world. S.T.E.A.M. learning activities take place daily. This time of year, “Hip-Hop Holidays” performances, Christmas Tree ornament making, and “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel” are popular events.

The Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater

If you haven’t seen it yet, the long-running production of “The Three Bears Holiday Bash” is on from November through December 30th in Central Park. Children ages 3-8 will revel in 45 minutes of comedy, song, dance, and puppetry that includes sing-a-longs for “I Have A Little Dreidel” and “Feliz Navidad.” Director Bruce Cannon pulls from the traditions of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and “The Night Before Christmas” to include everyone in the festivities. Critics called the songs “catchy,” the marionette bears “adorable,” and delighted in the surprise appearance from marionette Santa. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so be sure to get there early to get your little ones a spot in the front row. Shows generally take place at 10:30 and 11:30 am Monday through Friday, or 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. After being closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, performances are will briefly resume from December 26th-30th at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. before wrapping up. That’s not all the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater is up to this holiday season. They’re also hosting craft activities on December 11th (decorating dreidels); 15th (making elf stick puppets); and 29th (making kwanzaa stick puppets).

If you’re still at a loss for how to spend winter break in Manhattan with your children, contact us at Shine. We offer pop-up classes, workshops, city adventures, parties and events, and classes to keep kids (and sometimes parents!) wildly entertained. If you have an undefined yearning for substantial ways to enrich your children’s lives, we have the answer you’re seeking.

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

10 Festive Ways To Keep The Kids Entertained At Your Adult Christmas Party

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You’ve decked the halls and planned your dinner menu. Now all you have to do is figure out how to keep all the children attendees satisfied so the adults can mingle and have a good time. Nothing puts the lid on holiday cheer more than a screaming babe, after all! Here are a few creative and practical suggestions for a truly enjoyable winter get-together with family and friends.

1. Give them space.

When combining kids and adults, the first step to sanity is to give the youngsters their own defined space – either a floor of the house, a room, or even simply a craft table. Have this area safety-proofed and stocked with fun.

2. Hire help.

A babysitter can come in handy when you’re hosting an event or hoping to have time for adult conversation. Having a full-time person assigned to “damage-control” is a wise decision to keep juice cups filled, diapers dry, and minor disagreements settled before they escalate. If you’ve never hired a babysitter before, College Nannies and Tutors and UrbanSitter are good places to start.

3. Set up a food decorating station.

If you don’t mind a little bit of mess, tape your table with brown craft paper or white butcher paper and set up a cupcake or cookie-decorating station. Toppings may include different color frosting, sparkle decorating gel, edible googly eyes, sprinkles, M&Ms, candy canes, and other miniature candies. Another neat idea is to have each child bring a dozen or two of their favorite Christmas cookies. Blindfold each child and feed them a cookie, asking them to guess what type it is.

4. Stock a craft table.

Arts & Crafts can be as elaborate or as simple as you wish. For younger kids, you can put out a few Christmas-themed coloring books and crayons. Play-Doh can be jazzed up for the holidays with glitter, holiday cookie cutters, rolling pins, and accessories like felt or buttons to “build snowmen.” For older kids, you can find inexpensive all-in-one craft kits. For instance, Michaels has foam Christmas houses, ornaments, snow globes, letters to Santa, pop-up cards, banners, wood scene painting, cross-stitch, painting, and beading activities that only cost a few dollars each. We also love these Milk Carton Gingerbread Villages recommended by Happy Hooligans.

5.  Make it musical.

Kids of all ages love music. Setting up an MP3 player with Christmas music can make the difference between child anarchy and a group of happily-singing, merry little elves. Even better, you may consider setting up a few microphones for karaoke. Toddlers will get a hoot out of a Christmas caroling themed party that supplies matching hats and scarves, along with hand-held instruments like jingle bells, tambourines, triangles, and drums. In this scenario, it’s best if you have an adult to guide them through a few of their favorite songs. A Christmas songs board book can provide the playlist if you don’t have a karaoke CD or YouTube playlist ready.

6. Plan for fun.

A few pre-planned activities are exciting for kids earlier in the evening when energy levels are high. Guests as little as two can appreciate a Candy Cane Hunt, which is a wintry version of an Easter Egg Hunt. Simply hide wrapped candy canes around the house before your little guests arrive and see how many they can uncover. Finders keepers! The activities you choose don’t have to cost a lot. For example, this Jingle Bell Toss game from Playground Parkbench is kid-friendly and costs you less than $5 to set up. Whether you have a photo booth or not, a few dress-up props go over well with budding imaginations. Older kids might enjoy this Christmas Saran Wrap game, where they compete to unravel a ball of plastic wrap to get to goodies stored inside until the person next to them rolls doubles with a pair of dice. You can also print these Christmas words, cut them into small slips, and place them in a stocking for a few rounds of Christmas Pictionary, a fantastic game for artists young and old.

7. Stock up on board games.

Games can be fun if there is an older child, babysitter, or adult willing to preside over the festivities. There are tons of holiday-themed board games for older kids. Some of our favorites include:

8. Plan for a visit from Santa.

Surely you know someone who is willing to don a white beard and a suit to make the kids happy. You can ask each parent to bring a little something wrapped for Santa to give their child or buy a few inexpensive gifts yourself – like holiday books or stuffed animals. If you can’t hire or enlist a Santa, consider magicians, balloon artists, face painters, musicians, or puppeteers who can make the night memorable.

9. Schedule down-time.

Parties can be overwhelming for kids. Sometimes all it takes is “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” or “Elf” — with a bowl of popcorn and a few mugs or sippy cups of hot cocoa — to settle everyone back down. You may also gather the kids around the fireplace with a basket of holiday books for story time. If you want to make it really special, plan for your visit from Old St. Nick to include a story reading with the children.

10. Call Shine!

Holiday parties are one of the things we do best at Shine. We’ll come to your event fully stocked with dedicated staff members, craft supplies, and custom-themed activities to delight and entertain your youngest guests. Leave set-up and clean-up to us as we transform your kids’ area into a space of seasonal cheer. If you decide to DIY your party this time around, we hope to speak with you in the New Year to discuss how Shine can add that “special something” to your next event.

RESOURCES:

http://www.toronto4kids.com/December-2012/Tis-the-Season-to-Party/

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/820822/How-to-throw-a-kid-friendly-holiday-party

http://momblogsociety.com/entertain-the-children-as-adult-parties/

https://mom.me/entertainment/5999-what-do-kids-while-you-throw-party/

https://www.modernmom.com/9b2cd05e-1ae3-11e1-9f7f-404062497d7e.html

https://www.thespruce.com/christmas-caroling-party-ideas-4117222

https://www.thespruce.com/christmas-song-party-games-4119766

http://www.parenting.com/food-recipes/holiday/holiday-parties-8-ways-to-keep-kids-entertained-while-adults-mingle

By Jenn Fusion for Shine

Jenn Fusion is a Buffalo, NY based wordsmith with more than a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing informative and insightful articles for business clients. Her work has been featured online and in print editions of USA Today, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Houston Chronicle, as well as niche publications for vice presidents, celebrities, music, and beer. You may have seen on Huffington Post Live TV or heard her on Minnesota Public Radio. Best of all, she’s the mother of busybody toddlers Josephine and Henri.

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