ML Interest Tag: childhood-development

Boost Baby’s Sleep with a Smart Bassinet

by Katie L. Carroll

These amazing baby nappers use smart technology to help babies sleep so tired parents can rest too. By using motion, sound and light, these smart bassinets mimic a mother’s calming womb or a parent’s comforting arms to create the ideal environment for newborn’s sleep. Prices vary. A lot. Find the right one for your budget below.

SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet from Happiest Baby

Tamara Leigh Photography

Created by pediatrician and child development expert Dr. Harvey Karp, the SNOO is a responsive bassinet that combines gentle rocking, white noise and safe swaddling for a womb-like environment. Smart technology gives the bassinet the ability to automatically respond to baby’s cries with increased motion and sound. The bassinet comes with a mattress, three organic cotton swaddles that keep newborns in a safe sleeping position, an organic cotton sheet, and a water-resistant cover. The mobile app allows caregivers to view sleep patterns, customize settings, and receive helpful tips. While buying it carries a hefty price tag, you can also rent this sleeper for $129 per month.

Check out our review of the SNOO here. 

Available at happiestbaby.com, $1,595.

mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet

4moms

With five unique motions—car ride, wave, kangaroo, tree swing, and rock-a-bye—that mimic the natural movements of parents and other caregivers, this bassinet is designed to help newborns fall asleep fast and stay asleep. There are also five speed options and four white-noise choices that can all be controlled with the Bluetooth-enabled 4moms app. The firm, flat sleep surface comes with a water-resistant mattress and sheet.

Available at 4moms.com, $375.

Chicco Close to You 3-in-1 Bedside Bassinet

Chicco

The 3-in-1 design makes this combination bedside sleeper, portable bassinet and changing pad a real deal. Keep baby close by and adjust to the right height for your bedside, or roll it into any other room and lock the casters into place. Soothing melodies and vibrations lull baby to sleep. When it’s time for a diaper change, flip the quilted mattress over to the waterproof changing-pad side. The fabrics are machine-washable. This sleeper accommodates babies up to 20 pounds, or until they push up on hands and knees, and the changing pad is for little ones up to 35 pounds.

Available at chiccousa.com, $300.

HALO Luxe Plus Series Vibrating Bassinet

HALO

This bassinet has a 360-degree swivel and lowering bedside wall that make it easier for new moms to tend to their newborns. The soothing center includes four sounds, two levels of vibration, a nightlight and floorlight, and a timer. It comes with a newborn insert that provides a snug sleeping surface that mimics the womb. The fabric is machine-washable and the sleeper includes a waterproof pad and fitted sheet. The bed itself can be removed from the stand, so baby can nap wherever you are.

Available at halosleep.com, $200-$350.

Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet with Cry Detection Technology

Graco

The built-in microphone hears baby’s cries and automatically adjusts the bassinet’s setting to lull baby back to sleep. The Sense2Snooze includes a head-to-toe soothing motion with three different speeds, two-speed vibration, and a variety of noise options. You can even save your newborn’s favorite combination of settings for quick calming action. There is a dimmable light and a reversible canopy for optimal light options. A storage space keeps all the essentials close at hand.

Available at gracobaby.com, $232.

Fisher-Price Soothing Motions Bassinet

Fisher-Price

The gentle swaying motion of this sleeper can be activated by parent or baby to send your little one off to dreamland. An overhead mobile rocks along with the bassinet, and light features include a projector that can be removed to use as a tabletop soother. Calming vibrations, songs and sounds all help create the right sleep environment. The removable sheet is machine-washable and the pad can be wiped clean.

Available at fisher-price.com, $180.

Cradlewise 3-in-1 Smart Crib

Cradlewise

Combining a bassinet, crib and baby monitor all in one, the Cradlewise adjusts as baby grows. The noiseless bouncing mechanism can respond to baby's wake-up cues before they cry and does not disturb sleeping parents. The built-in monitor has video, audio and a night-vision camera that can be monitored from home or remotely. Once your newborn grows out of the higher bassinet level, the mattress can be dropped to crib level for use by a toddler. In addition to a customizable app, the sleeper can be operated with hand gestures.

Available at cradlewise.com, $1,800. 

—Katie L. Carroll

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The Day the Tables Turned

By Jordan Lamping

Five years ago I became a teacher; five years ago I also became the mother to a son in heaven. On August 12th, 2016, I came home from my first new teacher workday. It was exhilarating and exciting, and for the first time in a long time, I knew I was exactly where I should be. I had no idea that a few short hours later, I’d find myself in the hospital in preterm labor with our first child. That same day, we lost our son Jaxon at only 21 weeks.

I found myself wondering how on earth I was going to go back into that classroom and teach a room full of 28 kids when I had just lost my own. Nevertheless, I did it only four short days later. And now, looking back, I know that that choice completely changed my life. I knew that was exactly where I was meant to be.

Fast forward to April 2, 2017, I found myself in the same space. In preterm labor, this time with twin boys. That day, we lost our boys Everett and Bryant. Again, nearly immediately after, I threw myself back into my work. Now here we were, struggling with what to do next. We wanted to be parents more than anything, and we knew we had so much love to give. So in January 2018, after 7 long months of bed rest, we welcomed our angel on earth, Maddox. And we were smitten.

Being a teacher is often a double-edged sword. You’re educated on child development just enough to be hypercritical of not only your work but also the work within your own home, with your own kids. Maddox was a spitfire from the day he was born. So independent, but so kind-hearted and eager to explore the world. I can also tell you down to the minute when I realized that something wasn’t right.

I was sitting in the viewing area at his very first swim lesson. I had convinced my husband to get in the pool with him (more like I lost at rock, paper, scissors), so I struck up a conversation with the mom sitting next to me. Her daughter was in Maddox’s class, and we had discovered that they were only a few days apart. Maddox nearly doubled her in size, but she had something Maddox didn’t; eye contact, pointing, talking to her mom, waving, blowing kisses. She had effortless interaction, and meaningful engagement. There we sat behind the glass, her receiving waves and kisses, and me desperately trying to have Maddox even look at me.

That’s when I knew.

We are blessed with the most incredible pediatrician, turned family friend, and within minutes of this realization, I had sent her a text message.

“I think Maddox has autism.”

Although no one around me was on board at the time, they supported me, and they listened, and I could never put into words how grateful I am for that.

The following month, Maddox turned 18 months old. We had speech evaluations, occupational therapy evaluations, and physical therapy evaluations. It was determined that my 18-month-old was currently communicating at the level of a 3-to-6-month-old. His repetition had also worried them to the point of needing weekly occupational therapy sessions, as well as speech.

The next few months were a blur, I never stopped. I googled, I tried finding Facebook groups, anything I could do to find even a glimmer of hope. And that’s where this journey of autism becomes lonely. Before this, I had no idea how broad this spectrum truly is. No two journeys are the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all description.

This past winter, we had Maddox’s first preschool evaluation to have his IEP written. Even though I had gone through the diagnosis and all the therapies, and all of the sleepless nights I spent worrying, this was the hardest for me.

For the first time, I was on the other side of the table.

I suddenly found myself trying to flip the switch from teacher to mom. I wasn’t advocating for accommodations for my students anymore, I was doing it for my own child. And although I had always had the greatest empathy for the parents of my IEP students, this was different. Now, we had something even greater in common. In that moment, I came to understand them better than ever. I understood why they were so passionate, sometimes to a fault, about making their child’s educational experience the best it could possibly be.

I can’t tell you how scary it is to send your 3-year old into a building with adults that you don’t know and who don’t know you. But I can tell you that it’s even scarier when your child can’t talk to you about their day, and they can’t communicate with you in the same way that typically occurs at their age.

Maddox’s diagnosis may have turned our world upside down, but now we fight every single day to turn the world right-side-up for him.

And although I had grown used to being the teacher at that table, I was now fighting to become comfortable and aware of my new place, on the other side of the table.

 

This post originally appeared on Finding Cooper’s Voice.

My name is Jordan Lamping and I am the mother of an amazing three year old son named Maddox, who was diagnosed with autism just over a year ago. I'm also a teacher, and the creator of The Other Side of the Table blog. 

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9 Things That Happen When You Encourage Solo Play

by Teresa Douglas

Can we let you in on a little secret? You don’t have to hover and constantly try to entertain your kids. In fact, according to experts, it’s better for your little ones and their imaginations if you start fostering their independence by giving them time to play alone. We’ve rounded up a few parenting experts who share why they recommend solo play to help your kiddos become more well-rounded as they grow. See their reasons below.

1: Develop Responsibility

Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

“For preschool-age children, solo/solitary or independent play allows children the freedom to make their own rules, which helps them understand they can make choices and can learn from those choices,” "says Donna Whittaker, VP of Curriculum and Education at Big Blue Marble Academy." It’s a lot harder to blame someone else for a mess if your kiddo plays alone. They learn that choices lead to consequences.

Suppose your child isn’t accustomed to independent play. In that case, Whittaker recommends starting by helping them to understand their play options by saying something like: “While I am on my work call, you can draw a picture for me, put a puzzle together or use blocks to build something. I can’t wait to see what you have accomplished by yourself while I was busy on my call.”

2: Lower anxiety

Eren Li via Pexels

As humans, we feel better when we control our environment. When children play alone, “they learn that their play does not have to be guided or influenced by others and gain a sense of being in charge of what happens and when it happens. This is how children develop a sense of self-efficacy, resilience and responsibility,” says Whittaker. 

Making choices and working independently on solutions when the stakes are small can lead to big benefits when children get older. If your preschooler comes to you to solve a problem that came up during solo play, try asking them how they would solve the problem if you weren’t there. 

3: Boost Creativity

Allan Mas via Pexels

Next time your mini complains of boredom, tell them you’re stretching their creative muscles. “Prominent writers, poets and artists have described profound creative leaps that originated with a quiet moment and nothing to do, epiphanies that emerged from extended periods of day-dreaming that began as ‘boredom,’" says Jeanne Huybrechts, Chief Academic Officer at Stratford School. “Numerous psychologist-researchers have established that boredom can trigger mind-wandering, which leads to creativity. Moments of boredom should be cherished, or at least recognized as an opportunity to spark creative learning in kids and find things that interest them.” 

If your crew doesn’t want to flex their creative muscles, give them a clear start and end time. Get a timer and tell the kids that they need to play independently until they hear it ring. According to Huybrechts, chores “allow one to be physically busy, but with a reduced cognitive load that allows for daydreaming.” So if your children don’t know what to do while they wait for the buzzer to ring, you can always suggest they clean something.

4: Drive Resiliency and Life-long learning

Allan Mas via Pexels

Unlike screen time, solo play requires active engagement from your child if they want entertainment. In the beginning, they might not know how to build their games. But don’t be too quick to help them out of their boredom. 

As Allison Wilson, Senior Director of Curriculum & Innovation at Stratford School, says, “It’s not the boredom itself that helps children acquire these skills — it’s what they do with the boredom that can support creativity, independence, self-confidence, and even mental wellness. The next time you hear your child say, “I’m bored,” embrace an open-ended task or encourage a bit of mess or outdoor play. You might be surprised to see how quickly your child turns boredom into a budding new interest or skill.”

5: Teach Happiness in Solitude

Monstera via Pexels

According to the latest US Census data, 37 million people–roughly 28% of all US households–live alone. Teaching children to enjoy their own company can lead to a more fulfilling life down the line. They will have strategies for entertaining themselves because you allowed them to hone their skills while they lived at home. And adults who flourish on their own won’t stick with a toxic partner because they fear living alone. 

If your small fry needs an audience, start with ‘solo adjacent’ play. Whittaker suggests checking in with them often with verbal or nonverbal cues. “Explain that even though you will not be able to talk to them while you are on your work call; you can still see them and communicate with them by smiling or giving them a ‘thumbs up’ to let them know you appreciate their efforts to play all by themselves.”

6: Support Better Parenting

Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

There are only so many times you can play fire flower unicorn kitties without losing your ability to parent with empathy. Even if it’s for a few minutes, solo play allows you to catch your breath. Research from a team at the University of California, Riverside, shows that young children are better able to regulate their own emotions when parents are calm. 

Sometimes the best way to get your child to play alone is to tell them you need to take a calming activity break. Try saying, “I’m feeling a little over-excited right now, and I need to read for a few minutes to calm myself down. You can play with your stuffies or color something while you wait.”

7: Steer Little Problem Solvers

Elina Fairytale via Pexels

Real talk: Our littles know how to problem-solve. That’s why, when they get quiet, we run to find out what they’re doing. The challenge is steering that ability to more productive uses than, say, smearing peanut butter on the dog. 

Think about containing toddlers in an area while you work in an adjacent space nearby. “Kids learn to problem solve more when they don't have an adult right nearby for help,” says Meg St-Esprit, M. Ed in Counseling and Development, “They might figure out a way to get the Legos to do what they want them to do, figure out how to put Barbie's shoes on themselves.”

8: Supercharge Focus

Monstera via Pexels

When children play alone, they don’t have to keep checking in with someone else to find out if they are doing the right thing. Without distractions from other people and shiny devices, they can achieve a ‘flow state,’ where they’re fully absorbed in (and enjoying!) a task. This will come in handy during the school-age years when it’s time to study for tests and complete homework.

When it comes to helping toddlers focus, less is more. Put some toys out of sight and set others out where they can be discovered. Those blocks from grandma will feel exciting all over again if they’ve been gone for a while.

9: Discover Who They Are

Amina Filkins via Pexels

No one expects a four-year-old to settle on a career path. But independent play helps preschoolers to discover new interests. Whether they love trucks, dinosaurs, horses or trains, solo play also means never having to stop the game before they’re ready. 

The best way to support kiddos in discovering new interests is by exposing them to different things. Bring books back from the library. Borrow plastic horses from a friend with an older child. Keep old boxes from those Amazon deliveries and stack them in a corner. 

Then sit back and let your child do the rest. 

—Teresa Douglas & Leah R. Singer

 

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Top of The Heap: Our Favorite Manhattan Playgrounds

by Rachel Sokol

There’s no doubt that Manhattan’s playground game is strong, but some on the island go above and beyond, with design features that make them more of a destination than the basic park around the corner. From playgrounds featuring awesome jungle gyms for adventurous climbers to imaginative play spaces, hidden slides and a playground kids make themselves, there’s an outstanding playground for kids of every age. Keep reading to check out the best playgrounds in Manhattan where you can slide, climb, splash and imagine the day away. You should go at least one time; you’ll probably go many.

For a New Spot Downtown: Playscape at The Battery

The Battery

This cutting-edge, eco-inspired play area opened in December of 2021, but expect spring 2022 to be huge here. Its extended hours for the warmer months (7 a.m. - 9 p.m.) began March 2. Triple the size of the previous playground space in The Battery, Playscape was constructed post-Hurricane Ida and is built to flood and recover. Children experience five ecology zones: Bluff with five granite slides; Riverbed and Marsh with vast salt-tolerant gardens, elevated tree houses, and sand/water play; and Dune and Meadow presenting ShowBox, the first improv/puppet theater in an NYC playground. Other features include a climbing wall, rope ladders and a sandbox with "animals" (like a concrete octopus) waiting to be discovered. (Reminder: you can't visit The Battery with kids without taking a spin on the magical Seaglass Carousel, and if it's hot out, don't miss the Spiral Bosque Fountain. 

Playscape 
The Battery
State Street and Battery Place
The Battery 
Online: thebattery.org

 

To Beat the Heat On the West Side: Chelsea Waterside Playground

One of the newest playgrounds in the city (Domino Park and Pier 3 in Brooklyn also recently debuted) the Chelsea Waterside Play Area in Hudson River Park has always been a popular spot for locals and otherwise. A $34 million overhaul from architect Michael Van-Valkenburgh (his firm is behind the design of Brooklyn Bridge Park as well) brought playground equipment from Danish firm MONSTRUM to the northeast for the first time. Play structures include a giant, one-of-a-kind, multicolor Robina wood pipefish (found in the Hudson), and a 64-foot wooden slide. You'll also find sprinklers, a large sandpit, and limestone cattle head sculptures salvaged from an old building in the meatpacking district. After you’re done playing, hold hands and cross the West Side Highway to access a sprawling grassy field along the Hudson River. After you relax, go for a ride on the Pier 62 Carousel, featuring 33 hand-carved wooden animal figures, open daily for rides ($2 each).

Where: Chelsea, West 23rd St. and 11th Ave.

What’s in it for you: Lots of tree plantings for shade and shutting out city noise, and tiered granite seats made with material from Pier 54, where the Titanic was to have docked. 

Water feature: Gentle sprinklers. 

Restroom: There’s a Port-o-let in the playground for emergencies and a public restroom across the street on the north side of Chelsea Piers building.

To Splash and Slide: Heckscher Playground

Constructed in 1927, Heckscher Playground is the oldest playground in Central Park and the largest at 1.8 acres. It’s best known for its rock hills with ladders that lead down into tunnels, providing city kids with hours of exploration. Kids can also swing and slide in a shaded area, run and roll on a synthetic turf, and climb and splash in a large, maze-like climber and water feature with tunnels, ramps, and slides. There really is no shortage of things to do here. Plus, the playground is housed in a confined area — helpful for keeping your critters from darting into the Central Park Zoo.

Where: Columbus Circle, 7th Ave. and Central Park South from 61st to 63rd St.

What’s in it for you: Plenty of benches and green grass, lots of room to play. 

Water feature: Water spews from the highest point of the climber and down to elevated water channels, plus there’s a separate semi-enclosed area for tots to splash.

Restroom: Located at the playground entrance inside the Heckscher Building

For an Upper West Side Institution: Safari, or "Hippo" Playground

Hippo Playground Project

Much-beloved by the community (and taken extra special care of, thanks to The Playground Project), Hippo Playground takes its name from the impossible-to-miss Bob Cassily hippopotamus statues found "frolicking" in the park. There's something for all ages here, including swings, a wood play structure, jungle gym, a slide, a soft play surface, sand pit, and spray fountain. There's also picnic tables, and shade, to keep everybody cool. In the summer, there's free art in the park, as well as a free July concert series. (Check The Project's Facebook page for the day's happenings.) Come fall, head to the park for pumpkin carving and a Halloween parade. 

Note: Thanks to a renovation, the playground's Park House can now be booked as an affordable party space. Click here for booking inquiries.

The Playground Project also holds a boffo fundraiser every year (typically in the spring) with pony rides, a bounce house, petting zoo, face-painting, glitter tattoos, and much, much more. 

Where: Riverside Park at 91st Street

What's in it for you: Shady spots, and picnic tables. Plus free programming in the summer. (Plus: a cool Joan of Arc statue at 93rd Street!)

Water feature: Yes—in the shape of a hippo, naturally

Restrooms: Yes, on site.

Online: nycgovparks.org

For Play for Big & Small Kids: Margaret L. Kempner Playground

A major renovation of the popular Margaret L. Kempner Playground was completed in late 2019. Improvements include new custom-built wooden play structures, a central water spray feature, an accessible sandbox feature and the addition of a picnic area. This playground is a great spot for families with a big and a little kid; it's designed to accommodate kids ages 2-5, and 5-12, with separate but connected play areas for the two groups. For example, older kids can be challenged with net-climbing, while younger ones can tackle spinners and balance features. 

Where: Northeast side of the park at 94th. Enter at 96th Street.

What’s in it for you: Play for a wide range of ages, new plantings and a picnic area. 

Water feature: Yes

Restroom: No.

For a Playground You Can Hit Coming Or Going: Evelyn's Playground

You'd be forgiven for thinking this is called "Union Square Playground", because it anchors Union Square Park on the north side. A good spot for kids of all ages, the park has climbing structures, slides, swings, a gentle water feature in warmer weather, a generous sandbox, and a big giant silver dome to scale. A great spot to play in the heart of the city, and steps from the Union Square subway lines, making it easy to get to, and leave. Bonus features of the park include statues of Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln, and a dog run. 

Where: Union Square, Union Square West and E. 17th St. 

What’s in it for you: The famed Union Square Greenmarket is a stone's throw away. 

Water feature: Gentle sprinkler.

Restroom: Accessible restrooms are located on site. (There's also a Barnes and Noble across the street on 17th.) 

Online: nycgovparks.org

For an Arty Afternoon: Tom Otterness Playground

Way on the west side in the 40s, sits a gentle giant waiting to be scaled and slid down. The Tom Otterness Playground sits between two apartment buildings and it features a massive play-sculpture by the artist who gives the spot its name. (If the towering metal man looks familiar, it's probably because Otterness' whimsical work, "Life Underground", featuring similar tiny beings and alligators emerging from manholes, inhabits the subway station at 14th Street and 8th Avenue.) Canine lovers will also enjoy the dog run nearby — although watch your step: not everyone cleans up after their four-legged friend.

Where: Midtown West, 630 W. 42nd St. between 11th and 12th Aves.

What’s in it for you: You'll find some shady spots to get a respite from the sun, and will probably think the play-sculpture is pretty cool, too.

Water feature: No.

Restroom: Again, no. It's really about the art here.

For a Triple Play: Washington Square Park

NYC Parks

It’s been called “a battleground for chess enthusiasts,” but Washington Square Park (home to the famous arch) is so much more than that. For starters, it’s gone through some major renovations, so if your kids love to climb, this is a must-visit. Washington Square Park actually contains three playgrounds. The first is a small kids' playground for newly-minted walkers (that also has an infant swingset). There's also a play space for older kids where they can dig in the sand, run amok, and go down slides. Surrounded by artificial turf mounds, Washington Square Park is perfect for good old-fashioned play like rolling down a hill. In addition, a new rope, spider-web-like obstacle course in the southwest corner of the park offers extra fun for city kiddies of all ages. Note: The playground features JennSwings, which are full-body positioning support swing, adding an extra touch of safety.

Where: Greenwich Village, 4th St. to Waverly Pl. and Macdougal St. to University Pl.

What’s in it for you: Musicians such as jazz bands and a piano man entertain at all corners of the park. And yes, there are chess players for your little Bobby or Barbara Fisher to watch or challenge.

Water feature: The “big kids” playground has a mini-arch that sprays a tunnel of water; kids also like to jump in and out of the big water fountain in the middle of the park.

Bathrooms: Comfort stations on site.

For an Updated Park With Two Granite Slides: Billy Johnson Park

Pioneering landscape architect M. Paul Friedberg designed the Billy Johnson Playground (in 1981!) to be a rustic, mini reflection of the surrounding area in Central Park, featuring stone walls, bridges, a small shelter and naturalistic plantings. The big draw here is the 45-foot granite slide built into the landscape; not only is it fun to slide down, it's also a bit of an adventure to scale the slight grade to the top.

The playground recently underwent a major renovation and upgrade, which not only made it safer and accessible for kids of all abilities, but added many new features. Additions include new swings, a sand table, and refreshed rustic structures and seating. The renovation also added a dozen user-activated water jets to the playground's amphitheater area. 

A major new feature is a custom-designed net climber, made with climbable cables and nets on sloped embankments, with stairs, platforms, slides, and a rope bridge; designed for kids ages two to five, it will probably draw the attention of older kids, too. Keeping with the aesthetic theme of the playground, the structure's rustic timber posts are made from Douglas fir trees. 

Where: Upper East Side, E. 67th and Fifth Ave.

What’s in it for you: A brand new playground, spots to sit, some shade, and lovely plantings. The slide is adult-friendly, too.

Water feature: Yes

Restroom: No.

To Make Like King Tut: Ancient Playground

Just north of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Ancient Playground has a climbing pyramid, obelisk and sundial inspired by the museum’s collection of Egyptian Art. You’ll also find pyramid-shaped climbers with slides, and tunnels linked by concrete bridges to make older kids happy. Little ones like to explore an obelisk-shaped structure in the sandbox. Bucket, tire and strap swings will also get a squeal out of all ages.

Where: Upper East Side, East Side of Central Park at 85th St.

What’s in it for you: You’re right near the Met!

Water feature: Water runs from a central obelisk across two bridges and cascades like a mini-waterfall into an open area with water jets. A separate space for younger kids has spray nozzles set into a wall.

Restroom: Comfort station in the playground.

For Downtown Playtime: Nelson A. Rockefeller Park

BPCA

Nelson A. Rockefeller Park is best known as the large lawn at the north end of Battery Park where kids can run, tumble and play yard games with oodles of green space to spare. The park has a large playground that reopened in October of 2020 following a significant renovation, the last of upgrades to all four play spaces in Battery Park City. You'll find colorful climbing structures for older kids and plenty of sand, swings, and small slides for the toddlers and infants. There’s also a small kid-powered merry-go-round. All sports equipment, toys, books and games are available to rent for free, at the on site Park House — just bring a photo ID. 

Where: North end of Battery Park City, west of River Terrace

What’s in it for you: Soft rubber turf protects the knees and legs. Plus, there are picnic tables and benches to unwind and have some snacks.

Water feature: There are small water fountains inside the playground to keep little ones cool, or you can drop by nearby Teardrop Park featuring a natural rock climbing wall, which takes you up to a long slide back down.

Restroom: Located at the northwest corner of the Solaire Building, across the street from the Park House. 

For Fans of Secret Spots & a Fantastic Slide: Teardrop Park

The two-acre, sustainable Teardrop Park was designed by child development experts and it shows. The park's play elements are integrated into the awesome landscape, which allows children to interact with water, plants, rock, and sand. The shadier southern half of the park features a rock step-path that leads up to a long slide, two sand pits, “theatre steps”, and a water playground. The northern half of the park features a broad lawn (which receives lots of sunlight), park benches, a wetland, and a perched gathering area made from rocks, the last of which is an installation created by artist Ann Hamilton. Dividing these two areas is a large wall, composed of rocks brought to lower Manhattan from elsewhere in New York State. A short tunnel connects the two areas, and paths criss-cross the site, providing elevated views within the park and beyond as well as connections across the park. It’s a hidden gem of a spot for those really looking to connect with nature and take a literal few steps out of the hustle and bustle of New York City.

Where: Warren Street; Battery Park

What’s in it for you: Its relaxing vibe. Plus it’s not your run-of-the-mill playground.

Water feature: Water sprouts from the ground in a special section of stacked rocks, creating kid-friendly sprinklers.

Restroom: Located at the northwest corner of the Solaire Building, across the street from the Park House

For the Toddler Set: Toll Family Playground

Central Park Conservancy

The Toll Family Playground is a prime spot for toddlers and preschool kids, offering a full selection of features for a wide variety of play. The hallmark of the playground is two small house structures, a nod to similar shelters from the playground's original 1936 design. (The playground was renovated in 2018.)You'll also find a smaller slide and play structure, swings, spinner and spring toys and an area for sand plays that's sized for smaller children. 

Where: West side of Central Park at 84th Street, near Mariner's Gate 85th Street entrance

What’s in it for you: The playground is located at the base of Summit Rock, the highest point the the park and a popular point of interest. 

Water feature: A low-key water feature provides gentle sprays. 

Restroom: No

To Spark Creativity: Imagination Playground

Daniel Avila, NYC Parks

More than your standard swings and slides, Imagination Playground, designed by famed architect (and dad) David Rockwell, is a an interactive play space that prompts kids to engage in unstructured creative free play and make a play space of their own. Kids use sand, water and loose parts like giant foam blocks, mats, and fabric to engage in fantasy and cooperative play, as well as good old fashioned running around like nuts.
Where: The flagship Imagination Playground is located near South Street Seaport at Burling Slip (South St., Front St. and and John St.). Portable Imagination Playgrounds pop up in playgrounds around the city as well. (Check the Parks Department website for news on where they will be.)

What's in it for you: It's a pretty cool idea — and you'll probably want to play along!

Water feature: A separate water play area for hot weather fun is open during the summer at the Burling Slip locale.

Restroom: Public restrooms on site.

For a Waterwheel Near a LEGO Store: Madison Square Park

NYC Parks Department

Madison Square Park Playground is known as a smaller space with big fun. The playground features a jungle gym and appropriate play equipment for both tots and older kids. The highlight during the summer is when the 15-foot tall waterwheel and sprinklers are activated. Bonus: a LEGO store/experience is located a stone's throw away on 5th Avenue at 23rd Street.

Neighborhood: Flatiron

Where: Madison Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets

What's in It For You: Wifi hotspots, and Eataly is right across the street on Fifth Ave.

Water Feature: The aforementioned water wheel.

Restroom: No

For a Water Park with a Pirate Edge: Pier 51 Hudson River Park

Friends of River Park Trust

Ahoy, mateys! A neighborhood favorite with river views, Hudson River Park’s Pier 51 Playground is great for water lovers. At the heart of the playground is a wooden pirate ship. A spiral ramp leads to the lookout, then kids slide down into a water play area outfitted with huge water gushers and buckets. Kids can also "search for lost treasure" in the sand pit. A yellow, tree-like structure spritzes water for those who kiddies who can’t get enough of H20. Brass animals, such as turtles and crabs, adorn the playground and the sand play area and fences explain Manhattan’s ecological history. Little tots like wading in the moving stream and playing in the small spray sprinklers. Don’t forget your towels and sunscreen!

Where: West Village, Horatio St. at the Hudson River

What’s in it for you: It’s a public water park! Who needs a Montauk getaway?

Water feature: The whole park is a splash-splash paradise.

Restroom: Comfort station on site along the walking path.

For Fun for Everyone: Pier 25 Hudson River Park

Hudson River Park Trust

River Park’s Pier 25 Playground is the golden ticket of playgrounds with a rock climbing wall, two space-age climbing structures for big kids, small slides for toddlers, a modern merry-go-round, roomy sandbox, multiple swing sets and huge water play area. Not to mention, it’s next door to a skate park, snack shack, mini-golf course, beach volleyball court and soccer field. Need more?: how about a historic steamship and tugboat? There really is something for everyone here. The park also features an on-site (free) Art Shack, where kids can get crafty and creative at no cost.

Where: Tribeca, North Moore St. at Hudson River

What’s in it for you: Giving back! There’s an on-site snack bar with yummy treats, and proceeds support the park and Manhattan-based youth programs.

Water feature: Large buckets and spray cannons create a splashy, wet-and-wild time.

Restroom: Courtesy station located on site along the walking path.

—Rachel Sokol & Mimi O’Connor

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So Long, 2021! 9 Virtual Events to Ring in the New Year with Your Kids

by Kate Loweth

Let’s celebrate the end of 2021! If you are looking for things to do at home this New Year’s Eve, we’ve got all the suggestions for you. From parties with your favorite kid entertainers like the Story Pirates, to virtual balloon drops and a new year’s eve story time, we’ve got a full day of fun for you right here. Get your party hats on and get ready to celebrate 2022!

Asian Art Museum

36th Annual Bell Ringing Ceremony
Celebrate the new year with San Francisco's Asian Art Museum. In addition to the traditional blessing by Reverend Akiba, the chanting of the Heart Sutra, and the purifying 108 rings of a Buddhist temple bell, this year’s event also includes a look behind the scenes of the preparation activities at Kojin-an. We will learn about the meditative process of cleaning the temple, special seasonal decorations and foods and New Year tea practices. 11 a.m. PT. Event details. 

Noon Year's Eve Story Time
Kids can enjoy stories and music before counting down to the new year. They'll also have a blast having a virtual dance party!  11 a.m. PT. Event details. 

Virtual NYE Balloon Drop Celebration
Continuing a 20-year Bay Area tradition, the original Balloon Drop at Chabot Space & Science Center returns virtually with a colorful daytime countdown. To mark the occasion, Chabot will ring in the New Year with a Virtual Balloon Drop New Year Celebration. The event will include exciting STEM activities, a dance party, a family-friendly toast and the classic live balloon drop spectacle. 11 a.m. PT. Event details. 

Story Pirates

DJ Squirm-a-Lot's New Years Eve Bash
Your favorite Story Pirates DJ is planning a huge party to ring in 2022! This party will involve story creation, songs, games and special guests. Join this exciting New Year's Eve party that will be hosted from the moon! 12 p.m. PT. Event details. 

New Philharmonic Concert with the MAC
College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center is ready to help you ring in 2022 with New Philharmonic and Maestro Kirk Muspratt. Introduce the kids to Strauss waltzes and polkas, arias, light classical, pop tunes and movie music via a livestreamed concert. 1:30 p.m. PT. Event details. 

New Year's at the Needle
The Space Needle will usher in 2022 with a sensational and innovative new show for T-Mobile New Year’s at the Needle. This year’s celebration will feature striking visuals in a wondrous display of digital effects, engineered to bring you bigger thrills than ever before–all safely from the comfort of home. 11:35 p.m. PT. Event details. 

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Times Square's NYE Live
Times Square New Year's Eve host and street correspondents will provide live, commercial-free, webcast coverage of the festivities leading up to the Ball Drop at midnight including the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball at 6 p.m. EST, hourly countdowns, live musical performances, special guests and the pushing of the Waterford Crystal button that signals the Ball Drop at midnight. 3 p.m. PT. Event details. 

Rockin' Rockfish Noon Year's Eve
Celebrate the beginning of a new year with the Seattle Aquarium's Rockin' Rockfish Noon Year's Eve! Gather the family to enjoy the full New Year's Eve experience without staying up past bedtime. Join in this free virtual event featuring music from Mikey the Rad Scientist, a dance party, fun facts about how the animals in our care are spending the holiday, a count down at noon and more. 11:30 a.m. PT. Event details. 

THE FOUR C NOTES Virtual Performance
THE FOUR C NOTES are back for New Year's Eve after last year's sold-out concerts! Created by John Michael Coppola, best known for his appearance in Chicago’s long-running production of the Broadway, smash hit Jersey Boys, The Four C Notes are the Midwest’s only tribute dedicated to recreating the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons! Event details. 

—Taylor Clifton & Kate Loweth

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Help Is on the Way: Online & App Resources for Expectant & New Parents

by Eva Ingvarson Cerise

We all know parents are warriors who can work miracles on very little sleep. But we’re also human, and humans need support sometimes. These online resources can connect you with experts, answer your questions, calm your mind, and provide valuable help to you and your baby.

iStock

The Lactation Network
Get the breastfeeding support you need, including 100% health insurance-covered consultations with lactation consultants (in-home, in-office or telehealth), help choosing a breast pump, and lots of useful articles to support your nursing journey.

New Kind
Get one-on-one newborn support from certified postpartum doulas with years of experience in feeding, sleep and postpartum issues. Pick a plan, then get matched with an expert and meet them by video call.

Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS)
This nonprofit organization provides parents expecting rainbow babies with online support groups, in-person local groups, and an app with a milestone tracker, community support, self-care and coping tools and more.

pumpspotting
This breastfeeding app gives you access to experts for virtual consultations and connects you with a community of parents living that nursing life. Read articles tailored to your experience, based on baby's due date and the date you go back to work. There's even a crowdsourced map of places to nurse and pump, with ratings and photos.

Cluster
Get answers to all your questions about feeding your baby on Cluster, in a judgment-free, peer-powered community. Brought to you by baby nutrition company ByHeart, Cluster can set you up with appointments, classes and events with experts in the field, along with ways to connect with other parents with similar feeding concerns. Whether you're bottlefeeding or breastfeeding, you'll find answers about feeding and sleep, breast issues, setting schedules, baby digestive issues, bonding, self-care and more.

Motherfigure
This maternal wellness startup is committed to supporting mothers through pregnancy, childbirth and raising children through providing them access to care and education. Find childbirth education classes (online or in person); search for doulas, lactation consultants and more in your area; shop for maternity and nursing clothes; and read lots of first-person accounts and reviews.

smiling Black mom with white baby - money-saving tips
iStock

Exhale Parent
This educational resource gives new parents and parents-to-be the legal and financial information they need. If you have questions about topics such as maximizing paternal leave, writing a contract for a caretaker for your child, budgeting, creating a will or choosing a 529 plan, Exhale Parent can help. The site breaks down topics so they're easier to understand and lets you know the steps involved so you can tackle them efficiently.

boober
Founded by a doula, this online marketplace helps expectant and new parents find high-quality classes on childbirth and postpartum support (topics include infant CPR, pumping and newborn sleep), as well as vetted, expert maternal care providers, including lactation consultants, doulas and mental health therapists. Sessions are held in-person or virtually and include free live webinars.

Postpartum Support International
This organization offers online support groups, helplines & text services for new and expecting moms to help manage postpartum stress, isolation, anxiety and depression. Call or text the helpline 24/7 to leave a message that will be answered by a trained volunteer. There are weekly online support meetings for a variety of groups, including: pregnancy mood support, perinatal mood support, NICU parents, military moms, pregnancy and infant loss, and black mothers. Dads can also call for support or attend the monthly Just for Dads chat.

Parent Lab
Parent Lab offers online parenting courses (online or audio) on a variety of topics geared toward new parents, including dealing with anxiety, increasing quality time, screen time guidance, sleep, and coparenting. The team of experts includes child development experts, behavioral experts and parent coaches.

Nurture by NAPS
Founded by two labor-and-delivery nurses, who are also moms, Nurture by NAPS is a subscription service that offers evidence-based, instructional content on pregnancy through the first year of a child's life, including videos from medical professionals, live webinars, weekly live Q&A sessions, and the ability to ask nurses questions and receive an answer within 24 hours.

Herney via Pixabay

Tinyhood
Tinyhood is an app and website that provides advice and support to parents and parents-to-be. Through live online parenting classes and one-on-one consultations with experts, Tinyhood tackles a ton of topics, including developmental milestones, sleep, introducing solid foods, breastfeeding, your postpartum health and more. The experts range from certified lactation consultants and sleep consultants to pediatric nutritionists and potty-training specialists.

Major Care
If you need support as you care for your new baby, consider a doula service like Major Care. This organization matches moms with a certified postpartum doula that can provide 24/7 virtual postpartum care and support. This includes lactation, pumping, perinatal body care, vaginal healing and mood disorder screening and resources. You choose whether you want the services to begin before or after your little one arrives.

Tot Squad
This service offers virtual sessions with experts on home safety, sleep issues, lactation, car seat installation checks and doula services (prenatal, early labor and postpartum).

FoodSafety.gov
This government website lists exactly which foods pregnant women should avoid and why. There's also a handy graphic you can print out to make it easier.

Oleg Sergeichik via Unsplash

La Leche League International
This nonprofit organization provides education, training and advocacy around breastfeeding. There's extensive information on the website on issues related to breastfeeding, including food allergies, biting, caffeine, alcohol, mastitis, oversupply, reflux, tongue ties, vitamins and weight loss.

Kelly Mom
Kelly Mom provides tons of helpful, evidence-based information around breastfeeding, parenting, health and nutrition. Founded by a lactation consultant, the site is organized by topic (including pregnancy and ages & stages), so you can find the information you need.

Healthy Children.org
This website from the American Academy of Pediatrics hosts articles prenatal and baby information on a variety of topics. It covers milestones, nutrition, emotional wellness, immunizations, safety, family dynamics and health issues, all from a medical perspective.

Heal
Talk to doctors using phone or video chat. The video chat happens within the Heal app so there's no additional software to download aside from the app. Doctors can order labs, write prescriptions, and refer you to specialists, making it easy for you to get remote care from the comfort of your own home. Heal also provides mental health services from doctors of clinical psychology. Covered by many health insurance plans (check for yours on the Heal website). Currently available in the following states: Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C.

—Eva Ingvarson Cerise

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New Health & Safety Innovations for Babies & Toddlers

by Katie L. Carroll

Keeping your baby healthy and safe involves more than babyproofing. And new technology is here to help. Check out these recently released products that make your life with baby easier, healthier and safer. From thermometers and baby monitors to sanitizers and air monitors, they’re guaranteed to bring you peace of mind.

Sleek Socket Outlet Covers

Hide unsafe outlets with this clever cover! This ultra-thin cover connects to an extension cord with a power strip or surge protector. Keep those cords away from your baby and create a sleeker-looking living space at the same time.

Available at sleeksocket.com, $24-$34.

Coral UV 2 UV LED Sanitizer & Dryer

Make sure the items your kids put in their mouth are clean with this compact UV-C sanitizer. It's sleek and small enough to live on your kitchen counter for easy cleaning of toys, bottles and pacifiers—even stuffies and electronic gadgets. This ultraviolet sanitizer and dryer uses ultraviolet C lights to kill germs and bacteria in minutes, without the use of water or heat. Use the sanitizer or dryer on their own or use both combined. When you're not using the sanitizer for baby gear, pop in your cell phone, makeup brushes, shaver or toothbrushes for a cleaning.

Available at coraluv.com, $149.

NozeBot Electric Baby Nasal Aspirator

NozeBot

Designed by a pediatric ear, nose and throat specialist, the NozeBot takes cleaning boogies to a whole new level. This nasal aspirator uses hospital-grade suction to safely and hygienically clean your child's nose when they're sick. You place two fingers in the ingeniously designed nosepiece, leaving three fingers to help stabilize your child's head. It's portable and rechargeable, and the nosepiece and tubing are dishwasher-safe.

Available at amazon.com, $119.99.

Talli Baby One-Touch Tracker

Talli

The easiest way to log feedings, diapers, sleep, nursing, pumping and more! Push a button to sync with the app and add any notes in the app at your convenience, so you can track baby's routine and be better prepared for meetings with the pediatrician, lactation consultant or sleep consultant. There's even a miscellaneous button you can use for medication, baths, tummy time or other baby-related tasks you want to keep track of. Attach this user-friendly device to the wall in baby's nursery or bring it with you around the house to help you remember to use it. When you no longer need it, send it back through the company's buyback program.

Available at talli.me, $99 for a new tracker; $69 for a reconditioned tracker; $169 for a two-pack.

Ally Lockable Storage Containers

Ally

Little kids are lightning fast and have a knack for playing with exactly what you don't want them to. Avoid an unfortunate or dangerous situation with the Ally lockable storage container. In it, you can hide away your meds, supplements, passport, valuables, fancy chocolates and anything else you want to keep away from curious kids. The small size (9.25” x 6” x 3.5”) means you can easily tuck it away on a shelf or in a drawer, even the fridge or freezer, but it's sleek enough you won't mind keeping it on display. You choose your three-digit code and can reset it as needed if mombrain makes you forget. Comes in berry, navy and cream and makes an amazing baby shower gift.

Available at theallyco.com, $85.

Watch Your Mouth USB Safety Cover from Geddy's Mom

Playing with the free end of a plugged-in USB charger can be dangerous for kids, causing electrocution burns in more than 200 kids under age 5 each year. As a doctor of dental surgery, Dr. Sarah Shell had seen the traumatic injuries. And she and her neurologist husband had seen their own son put the loose end of a plugged-in charger in his mouth. So they worked with a team of other doctors, designers and engineers to create a product to keep kids safe. Just snap this safety cover over the free metal connector end of any standard USB cord and you keep curious fingers away from it. The plastic cover has a child-resistant lock and no small parts.

Available at geddysmom.com, $12.95 for a 3-pack.

Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced WiFi Baby Formula Dispenser

This is a game-changer for formula feedings: Thanks to the Baby Brezza app (iOS and Android), you can mix water and formula to the perfect consistency from your phone! Meaning, you can prep a bottle for your child from bed, from work, from the car, or wherever else you happen to be. Get alerts on your phone that tell you when the bottle is ready, when you're low on formula or water, or when there's no bottle in the machine. Choose from three temperature settings, and whether you want it to dispense 2-10 ounces of liquid. It works with all bottles and virtually all formula. brands.

Available at babybrezza.com, $299.99.

Baby's Brew Bottle Warmer

Give your baby a warm bottle of formula or breastmilk wherever you are, thanks to this portable, battery-operated bottle warmer. Great for road trips, park visits, camping and all of your daily excursions, the Baby's Brew warms your child's bottle in just 5-10 minutes and keeps it warm for 8-12 hours. Liquids can be warmed to four different temperatures, and it's compatible with many bottle types, either with or without an inexpensive adapter (check the website to find out if you'll need one). The warmer is sold on its own ($75) or in a set with a formula dispenser (pictured; $85).

Available at thebabysbrew.com.

VAVA Smart Baby Thermometer

No more waking a sleeping baby to take a temperature reading or getting up every hour to feel their forehead. Apply the small silicone patch (FDA approved and made with medical-grade adhesive) to your baby's armpit and this wireless thermometer will beep and blink red LED lights if their temperature rises above 100°F. Thanks to a 24-hour battery life, temps will be monitored all night long. The device also notifies you about low battery, disconnection and if the device falls off your baby. The large, backlit temperature reading is easy to see in the dark, or you can move the device to whatever room you're in to track the readings.

Available at vava.com, $79.99.

TruSens Air Purifiers

Here's what makes this air purifier a game-changer: It uses a separate sensor you can place across the room that measures air quality so the purifier can adapt to clean the air more effectively. The filtration system captures pollutants, allergens, VOC gases, airborne viruses and microscopic particles from every direction and then uses UV-C light to destroy germs and viruses trapped in the filter. Once the air is cleaned, the purifier pushes it out in two directions, so the filtered air flows throughout the room. TruSens also sells filters for specific concerns: pets, odor and allergy & flu. The unit comes in three sizes, for small, medium and large rooms.

Available at trusens.com, $149-$399.

Carseat CoPilot Automatic Alert System

Reduce the risk of forgetting your baby in the car with this alert system from American Home Safety Products. Clip this sensor to the straps of your car seat and attach the alarm to the keychain with your car keys on them. If you step more than 10 feet away from your car, an alarm will sound to let you know your baby is still strapped in to the carseat. This alert system comes with one sensor and two alarm key fobs.

Available at shop.ahspcompany.com, $39.95.

Nanit Complete Baby Monitoring System

This combination video and breathing wear monitor has everything you need for baby’s optimal sleep. The overhead camera allows you to see all that is going on in and around the sleep space and includes two-way audio. The camera also reads the fabric patterns on the included electronic-free breathing wear and sends real-time alerts right to your smartphone. There is a wall mount and a floor stand that keep cords safely out of reach and allow for easy portability when you're on the go. The app can show you all you need to know about baby’s sleep patterns and offers tips for making sure everyone has a good night. The Nanit Plus camera works with Amazon Echo and Echo Spot, and the complete baby monitoring system is eligible for purchase with FSA/HSA healthcare benefits. Add Nanit Pajamas ($29.99) to monitor baby's breathing motion in real time without wires or sensors. The pajamas work exclusively with Nanit cameras.

Available at nanit.com, $379.

Smart Beat Baby Breathing Monitor

What sets this breathing monitor apart is the fact that there is nothing for baby to wear. To monitor baby's every breath, the camera checks for movements 20 times per second, detecting motions too small to be seen by the human eye. The HD video streams to your smartphone or tablet and sends notifications for sleep apnea, if breathing falls outside the normal range, and for when baby falls asleep and wakes. There is no need for special sleepwear and the monitor is designed to work when baby is swaddled or in a sleep sack and when baby is in different sleeping positions. Other features include two-way audio, night vision and remote viewing.

Available at mysmartbeat.com, $249.50.

Airthings Wave Plus Indoor Air Monitor

Airthings Wave Plus Indoor Air Monitor

Rest assured that the air baby is breathing is safe and healthy with the Airthings Wave Plus indoor air quality monitor. Its sensors check the air for serious air pollutants, like radon, carbon dioxide, and total volatile organic compounds. It also monitors temperature, air pressure and humidity, so you can keep conditions optimal for baby. The app dashboard on your smartphone provides alerts and advanced analytics of air quality and offers tips for improving it. The battery is designed to last for up to two years.

Available at airthings.com, $229.99.

—Katie L. Carroll

 

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Just for Kicks: 8 Soccer Classes for Tots 5 & Under

by Nicole Findlay

Are you itching to be a Soccer Parent? You don’t have to wait for the wonderful world of weekend tournaments, pizza parties and participation trophies—the fun can start as early as age 12 months! All your tiny kicker needs is their first pair of cleats (or at least comfortable sneakers) and the happy smiles will soon follow. Scroll down to find a great list of Bay Area spots for the tiniest ones to get in on the world’s favorite game.

SFF Soccer Juniors

SFF Soccer

Top-quality coaches (including current and former collegiate players) lead soccer-based games to promote physical activity, develop confidence and improve coordination. Saturday morning classes are divided into four age groups with the youngest class helping kiddos become comfortable with a ball at their feet by using imaginative fun games, including obstacle courses. Heard of Tough Mudder? Well, at SFF Soccer, your kids can do a soccer-based Tough Toddler, wander through a soccer rainforest or go on a soccer treasure hunt. As kids get older, classes introduce fundamentals, build on basic skills and improve understanding of the game and team play.

Fun Fact: Kids can’t run off! All classes are held on a private gated field made of top-quality FIFA grade synthetic grass. After class, why not sip on a coffee (or maybe a beer or sangria?) and grab a bite to eat at one of the many food trucks at Spark Social SF.

Where: 701 Mission Bay Blvd., San Francisco
Age: 18 months to 6
Website: sffsoccerjuniors.com

Super Soccer Stars

Super Soccer Stars

Small class sizes at Super Soccer Stars ensure each child gets individual instruction. Age-specific programs, starting with a Parent & Me class for children 12-24 months, features adorable puppets (Mimi & Pepe!) and allows tots to balance, run, kick and play. As kids age, they advance to dribbling and shooting activities using fun imagery. For example, one week, your child will help plant a garden, while the next, they may travel to space or have a firetruck adventure. By age 4-5, classes focus on body movement with the ball while the concepts of teammates and teamwork are also introduced.

Fun Fact: Super Soccer Stars also offer private sessions where coaches come to you, anywhere and anytime to fit your schedule.

Where: Various locations throughout San Francisco, East Bay, North Bay and South Bay
Age: 12 months to 12
Website: supersoccerstars.com

SF Tots

Nicole Findlay

Locally owned with various locations all over San Francisco (sometimes even at the Zoo!), SF Tots teaches a variety of age groups. Classes start at 18 months and teach fundamental motor skills, socialization and coordination through story-based games, including props (think colorful scarves, hula hoops and pool noodles). Kids progress into advanced motor skills, gain independence and learn basic soccer skills like dribbling and kicking. Eventually, they move to scrimmages and the rules of soccer.

Fun Fact: SF Tots also run a basketball program for children 2 1/2 to 6

Where: Various locations in San Francisco
Age:18 months to 6
Website: sftots.com

Lil' Spurs

Spurs FC

As a Lil' Spurs player, youngsters are introduced to soccer, develop a love for the game and understand the importance of being a healthy athlete. Young players also have a unique opportunity to grow within a club through a recreational or pre-competitive soccer pathway.

Fun Fact: Within the Spurs FC family, current Spurs FC players assist Lil' Spurs classes, thereby creating mentorship opportunities for older players while giving back to the community and ensuring a low coach-to-player ratio for the youngest players.

Where: Tassajara Park, El Cerrito
Ages: 3 to 5
Website: spurssoccer.com

Soccer Shots

Soccer Shots

This national organization has soccer programs in over 200 territories across 37 states and Canada. Soccer Shots focuses on skill-building, a healthy lifestyle and character development. One week, the focus may be respect, while the next—teamwork or confidence. Three programs are offered: Mini (2-3), Classic (3-5), Premier (5-8).

Fun Fact: The business is consistently recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as the #1 Children’s Fitness Franchise in the U.S.

Where: After a successful summer at Cedar Rose Park in Berkeley, Soccer Shots expanded to Montclair Park in Oakland and will soon serve sites in Marin and San Francisco.
Ages: 2 to 8
Website: soccershots.com

Soccer Kids

Peter Idowu on Unsplash

Whether you've got a youngster who wants to play soccer like their older sibling, or an older sibling not quite ready for a competitive team, SoccerKids’ year-round classes are just what you need. With a maximum class size of 15 kids, plentiful dates and times to fit any schedule and coaches' bios to check out, SoccerKids makes it easy to inspire your future Cristiano.

Fun Fact: SoccerKids also offers TeeBallKids and BasketballKids! Why not try all three?

Where: Various locations throughout San Francisco and Marin
Ages: 2 ½ to 7
Website: soccerkids.com

Lil' Kickers

Pabak Sarkar via Creative Commons

This program wants kids to be good teammates—on and off the soccer field. With three locations in the Bay Area, Lil’ Kickers truly focus on child development by using soccer to help kids tackle key developmental milestones. At 18 months, your little one will start in the Bunnies class, where they'll learn balance and coordination while also running, playing as a group and kicking the ball. Micro classes are offered at age four, and while they are non-competitive, they are geared towards intermediate players and progressively introduce proper soccer skills.

Fun Fact: The curriculum at Lil’ Kickers was created by child development experts who tailor classes to match how kids learn at different ages.

Where:
Bladium Sports & Fitness Club
800 West Tower Ave., Bldg. 40, Alameda

Burlingamer
864 Rollins Rd., Burlingame

East Bay Sports 2411 Old Crow Canyon Rd., San Ramon

Age: 18 months to 7
Website: lil’kickers.com

Kidz Love Soccer

GraceFamily via Creative Commons

Winning and losing are a big part of American culture. Kidz Love Soccer offers an unconventional approach to sports based on sportsmanship, effort, learning and fun! Not interested in producing the next Lionel Messi or Mia Hamm, as their name suggests, Kids Love Soccer want their players to love  and be good at sports. Kidz Love Soccer teaches the fundamentals of the game through imaginative play and age-appropriate curriculum. The program starts with a Mommy/Daddy and Me class (2 to 3-year-olds) and progresses to pre-soccer and tot soccer. At age 5, classes focus on techniques, teamwork, skills and scrimmages.

Fun Fact: At Kidz Love Soccer, the score is always Fun to Fun!

Where: Brentwood, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Dublin, Mountain View, Pleasanton, Palo Alto, Newark, Concord, San RAMON, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Castro Valley, Lafayette
Ages: 2 to 12 
Website: KidzLoveSoccer.com

—Nicole Findlay

featured photo by the author

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Sesame Workshop Releases More Resources to Help Your Family Talk About Race & Racism

by Sarah Shebek

Kindness and inclusivity start at home and it’s never too early to start the conversation. As part of Sesame Workshop’s ongoing Coming Together initiative, new resources have launched specifically for military and veteran families. They emphasize racial justice, building a positive sense of identity, being an “upstander” and practicing self-care.

The content includes a special video featuring First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, a “Great Things” music video that highlights how military families can deal with “big feelings” and an “I Am Me” interactive game. You’ll also find professional development materials for work with military families and Sesame Workshop will partner with national military organizations to utilize these resources.

 

Previously, Sesame Workshop released content on the “ABC’s of Racial Literacy,” an ongoing initiative to help families talk about race and racism. You’ll find helpful videos, articles, printables and more so you can get everyone involved and engage even the youngest members of your family.

Five-year-old Wes and his father Elijah, first introduced in March, are back in two new videos. In “Proud of Your Eyes,” Wes helps his Filipino American friend Analyn process big feelings after she was teased about her eyes. In “Breathe, Feel, Share” Wes tells his family about getting teased for his lunch and they practice a simple coping strategy. You can also watch video featuring The Clutes, a Native family, that explores the ways families can talk to their kids about race and culture.

The kids in your home will enjoy printable activities, like “Welcome to Sesame Street, Wes and Elijah!” coloring pages and “I Am Somebody” cut-apart affirmation cards. And the grownups can read articles on “The 4 S’s of Anti-Racist Parenting” and “Racial Trauma and Responding to Racism.”

Sesame Street partnered with the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families and the National Black Child Development Institute to create these resources. You can find them for free in both English and Spanish online. Let’s come together at home to make the world a better place!

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Richard Termine, Sesame Street Workshop

 

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