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Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp New York Family Brooklyn Family Queens Family Bronx Family Long Island Family Ultimate Guide to Afterschool Programs Annual Guide Long Island Special Child New York Special Child Ultimate Guide to Schools Ultimate Guide to Fall/Winter Fun

Our Favorite Parenting News Stories Of The Week

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We’ve all heard of helicopter parents, but now the term “snowplow parents” (read: those who attempt to clear any obstacles for their children at all costs) is gaining traction. Director of Residence Life at Sarah Lawrence College Carolyn O’Laughlin makes a case for easing up on the reigns. (The Washington Post)

Those who fell in love with the viral photos of a toddler and his puppy sharing some shut eye are about to see a lot more of the adorable napping duo! Theo and Beau (or rather their mom—our friend Jessica Shyba) just scored a book deal, with the first of two volumes set to hit shelves in 2015. (Huffington Post)

Playtex has issued a recall on its popular Hip Hammock Infant Carriers. Parents are urged to stop using the carriers after the company received 87 reports of buckles breaking and, in some cases, causing injury to babies. (The Stir)

Technology has helped reinvent many things, and Santa is no exception! Check out some of the clever ways kids can now interact with Santa digitally. (Babble)

With Christmas now being so entrenched in mainstream culture, it can be tough for parents who don’t celebrate to explain their sensibility to their kids…and even more so when one parent celebrates and the other doesn’t. One Jewish mom reflects on her feelings about Christmas as kid, and now as a mother. (Motherlode)

Still trimming the tree? Check out some fab (and super-easy) DIY ornament suggestions, all perfect for family bonding time and keeping kids engaged over winter break! (Elizabeth Street)

The eternal debate of whether or not to screen newborns for disease continues. This particular story about Matthew and Brianne Wojtesta concerns Krabbe disease, a deadly, neurological disorder. (NPR)

When a baby has two film/photography buffs for parents, what happens? The Cardboard Box Office happens, a project that recreates famous movie scenes using a few homemade props and a lot of creativity.  (Today.com)

Would you name your baby after your favorite forest critter? Kate Winslet would—and in fact, she did! Kate just gave birth to baby Bear Winslet! (Crushable)

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Gaga Madness

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Gaga is the hottest new sport in NYC. We've taken the fun of GAGA and pushed it into overdrive. Energetic coaches, pumped up music, sideline commentary, gear giveaways and more. Stay active and keep fit with this new craze that's sweeping the city.</span></p>

Speakitaly NYC

<p>SPEAKITALY NYC offers stimulating and entertaining lessons for children 0 to 16 years through a wide combination of activities based on the communicative approach anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference: active learning (group work, role plays, etc.) and practice exercises aimed to improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Kids will start speaking and using Italian in a very natural way.  Small classes capped at 6 students to make sure each one gets the needed attention and facilitate learners' progress. </p> <p>Our method is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications and more than 10 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.</p> <p>Our aim is to develop a range of Italian language skills while improving accuracy that will enable the students and participants to interact without stress or feeling rushed. We want to help those in the community really embrace not only the true culture in Italy but the Italian culture within New York City… Who doesn’t love what Italy represents in the kitchen, in history & in the arts?</p> <p>Speakitaly wants to support multilingual families who want to learn a new language or pass along their ancestor’s heritage and culture. Raffaella, the founder said: "We see language awareness and intercultural sensitivity as the milestones for an inclusive society. Italian, like all other languages, is an enrichment and a growth in every way. Vi aspettiamo!"</p>

Manhattan Mandarin

<p>Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools</p> <p>nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether</p> <p>in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our</p> <p>teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin</p> <p>language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to</p> <p>make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We</p> <p>look forward to working with you.</p> <p>- Jamie Keyte, Founder</p>