What, When, Where: Events This Week in NYC for Kids

We're really excited about this week's events; science, music, history, art and more! Get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather with your little ones, and as always, for more fun ideas check out Time Out New York and Mommy Poppins.

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WHAT: American Museum of Natural History Family Party

Kids will LOVE this event (and we’re pretty sure parents will as well)! Kids get to explore the museum, interact with live animals, play the role of scientist exploring exciting new artifacts, dress-up in various historical costumes, enjoy live music and dance and so much more. Your family will have a blast and learn in the process. Learn more here.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 21st, 5:00 pm

WHERE: American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West, Upper West Side, New York 10024

http://www.amnh.org/join-support/benefit-events/21st-annual-family-party

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WHAT: For only $10/family art lovers ages 4 to 7 will enjoy a tour of the collections, with an emphasis on use of color in art. They will get to have some hands on craft time experimenting with colors. Arts and crafts is a wonderful way for children to develop creativity. Learn more here.

WHEN: Sunday, October 19th

WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn

http://brooklynmuseum.org/

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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” - Plato

WHAT: BAMkids Music Concert Series (Baby Loves Salsa)

New this fall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music will be holding a series of international music performances in various genres of music, which parents and children can participate in. Your little ones will love the sing-a-longs and dancing and can even lend a hand in performing with instruments! Learn more here.

WHEN: *TODAY- Saturday, October 18th

WHERE: Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Ave., Fort Greene, Brooklyn

http://www.bam.org/

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WHAT: Big Apple Circus: Metamorphosis

The circus is back in the Big Apple! Watch the amazement on your children's face as they watch the incredible acrobatics, juggling, transformation acts, contortionists, talented animals and countless other incredible feats. As an added bonus, kids get in free on Wednesdays! Don't miss it! Learn more here.

WHEN: Friday, October 17th- October 31st, varying times. See link above for more information on showtimes.

WHERE: Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, Address:W 62nd St., Upper West Side, New York

http://bigapplecircus.org/

What, When, Where: Events This Week in NYC for Kids

Looking for something to do this week with your kids? Here's a list of family-friendly events happening in NYC. Check out Time Out New York and Mommy Poppins for more ideas!

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WHAT: Giant Pumpkin Carving

It's officially pumpkin-carving season! Head over to the New York Botanical Garden to check out Food Network's two-time winning pumpkin sculptor, Ray Villafane, transform giant pumpkins into Halloween-themed art for the Haunted Pumpkin Gardens. Children under 2 attend for free! Learn more here.

WHEN: October 18-19, 10am

WHERE: Bronx River Parkway, New York Botanical Garden, NY 10458

http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2014/haunted-pumpkin-garden/

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WHAT: Jack-o-Lantern Storytime

With Halloween right around the corner, your kids will love this pumpkin and jack-o-lantern themed story time at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, complete with fun take-home toy. Learn more here. 

WHEN: Friday, October 17th, 10:30am

WHERE: 421 E. 61st Street, Upper East Side

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WHAT: Children's Soccer

Kids ages 3 to 11 can enjoy a FREE game of laid-back soccer, where they can rid of some energy while learning basic soccer skills such as dribbling, passing and team work. Learn more here. While you're at it, check out all of the great events for kids at Battery Park here. 

WHEN: Every Tuesday through October 28th, Kids 3-4 years: 2:30-3:15, Kids 5-7 years: 3:30-4:15, Kids 8-11: 4:30-5:30. 

WHERE: Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Battery Park, Chambers Street, New York

http://bpcparks.org/event/soccer-for-prechoolers/2014-10-14/

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WHAT: Creative Dream Playhouse

Let your children delve into their imagination in this creativity-inspired play space. Children have full freedom to explore this 3,000 sq. foot facility, creating their own fun experience. Reservations are required, and snacks and drinks are included. Learn more here. 

WHEN: Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through December 31, 2014

WHERE: Creative Dream Entertainment, 25 Waterside Plaza, Plaza Level, New York, NY 10010

This Week in Early Childhood Education

There have been many significant efforts this week around the United States to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education, so we wanted to highlight some of them for you.

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Montour County, PA 

There was a meeting of the Early Childhood Educators, also known as the Montour County Advocates for Children. Their aim is simple yet effective: prepare young children for school. The Early Childhood Educators engage with families in their community, providing transition support for children going into an early learning setting or Kindergarten, and they provide various resources for childhood education. They provide families with information to help them choose an early education center for their children and they provide information on child development and the appropriate learning activities for the child's age. They also hold events that showcase early learning such as displaying children's artwork in downtown Montour and fun events at the courthouse.

The Early Childhood Educators of Montour County group is comprised of various members of the community, all sharing the common interest of bettering the quality and availability to early childhood education. They will meet three more times this year, and we're looking forward to their next initiatives.

Charlotte, NC

As you may have seen in a previous blog post (here), PNC has recently developed the "Grow Up Great" plan, which is focused on preparing young children for school. This plan has many different initiatives, and this past week they have given a grant that will benefit over 700 children in Charlotte. The initiative is called "Get Ready with Words" and the aim is to expand children's bilingual vocabulary, and to improve early childhood education in low-income areas. Further meetings to discuss the program will occur this week, so check back for updates!

Chicago, IL

BIG news in early childhood education in Chicago. Earlier this week it was announced that the City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools will be expanding access to early childhood education, particularly in low-income areas. A $9.4 million investment by 10 schools and a $4.5 million state capital grant will allow 1,500 young children to attend Pre-K.

Chicago's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, said: "In Chicago, high-quality pre-k and kindergarten is not the exception, it is the expectation. This will provide all of our students with the foundational learning necessary to take them on to college, career, and a successful future."

Auburn, NY

Let's wrap up this list with an ECE inititaive close to home. On October 19th, SUNY Cayuga Community College in Auburn will host the Seanna M. Donley "Growing Together" Early Childhood Education Conference, and it was just announced that Lisa Murphy, founder of the Rochester-based childhood education company Ooey Gooey will be the key note speaker.

The conference provides Cayuga County educators with workshops where they will learn new valuable information from experienced educations and professionals. Lisa Murphy's goal is to create child-centered environments that foster learning in a safe and fun space. Murphy's seven points that she feels holds the foundation of ECE together are "create, move, sing, discuss, observe, read and play". We'll be sure to provide an update after the conference!

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There have been many efforts made in the United States in recent months in early childhood education, so this is just a snapshot, but we will continue to provide updates! Feel free to comment and share other initiatives that you have heard about. We're always interested to see positive steps taken for ECE.

What, When, Where: Events This Week in NYC for Kids

We have some great unique events this week lined up for you and your children to enjoy in this beautiful fall weather! As always, check out Time Out New York and Mommy Poppins for more fun events for you and your family!

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WHAT: The Amazing Maize Maze & Pumpkin Patch

Help your kids gather clues and solve puzzles to work their way through this three acre corn maze, and afterwards enjoy a walk through the pumpkin patch. The maze is free for children under three! Click here for more info. 

WHEN: October 11th, 11am

WHERE: 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, Queens

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/the-amazing-maize-maze

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WHAT: Muppet Vault Superheroes

Muppets AND Superheroes? This event has them both, and your kids are sure to love it. They'll enjoy clips, trivia, sing alongs and giveaways. The best part? Parents can enjoy muppet-themed drink specials while their kids enjoy the muppet show. Learn more here. 

WHEN: October 8th, 7:00 pm

WHERE: Housing Works Bookstore Cafe, 126 Crosby Street, Soho, New York

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WHAT: Firefighter Appreciation Weekend

For your little aspiring firefighters: here is their chance to meet New York firefights, hear heroic rescue stories, learn some fire safety tips and enjoy demonstrations. Learn more here. 

WHEN: October 11th and 12th at 10:00 am

WHERE: Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Pier 86, 12th Ave., Midtown West, New York 

http://bit.ly/10CgSBH

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WHAT: Grand Opening of LEGO Flagship Store

Who doesn't love LEGOs? (Except for parents who have had the misfortunate of stepping on them of course). Families have been invited to come help the LEGO Masters build a 20-foot tall LEGO model of the Statue of Liberty out of legos in Madison Square Park. Admission is free! Learn more here. 

WHEN: October 10th through the 13th. (Oct. 10th- 4-6 pm, Oct. 11-13th- 11-6pm)

WHERE: Lego Store and Madison Square Park, 200 5th Ave. at 23rd. 

http://stores.lego.com/en-us/stores/us/flatiron-district