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Looking for a unique, non-competitive, and highly interactive afterschool experience for your child? The Three Village Historical Society + Museum, 93 North Country Road, Setauket presents its first-ever STEAM-based afterschool program for children ages 7 to 10, Time Travelers Passport to the Past. 

Students will be able to wear historical costumes, play original historical games, tour the exhibits, handle various historical artifacts that typically are viewed only behind glass displays in museums, and enjoy hands-on historical activities such as hand crafting your own herbal tea blend, carding wool, candle dipping, and more! 

Classes will be held on the following Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: 

Feb. 4: Pomander Balls — Create your own pomander ball as you learn the history of making fragrances. 

Feb. 11: The History of Tea — Use the herbs that American colonists had in their gardens to craft your own herbal tea. 

Feb. 25: How to Be an Archeologist, A Mock Archeology Activity — See if you can find artifacts such as musket balls and arrowheads in our mock dig site while understanding how real artifacts are discovered. 

March 11: Growing Up on Long Island — Children will be making candles and carding wool to understand what it is like to be a child in the American colonies. 

Give your child the opportunity to explore history in a fun, creative, and interactive way! 

Fee for the four sessions is $175 per child, $125 TVHS members. Space is limited. Register by Jan. 30 by visiting www.tvhs.org.

For more information, call 631-751-3730, or email [email protected].

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INTO THE WILD Meet lemurs at the Long Island Game Farm's children's program on Jan 25. Lori and Steve Biegler, Lsb Photography

PROGRAMS

First Steps in Nature

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown continues its First Steps in Nature series for ages 2 to 4 on Jan. 24 at 9:30 a.m. with hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more. Children will gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Animal Tracks and Trails: Wild Behaviors

Children ages 7 to 12 are invited to join The Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability for Animal Tracks and Trails: Wild Behaviors at the Long Island Game Farm, 489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville on Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to observe a variety of animals including, wallabies, lemurs, deer and tortoises, each with its own unique behaviors and adaptations. $40 per child. To register, visit www.longislandgamefarm.com. 631-878-6644

Icy Creations: Make Your Own Icicle Art

Celebrate the beauty of winter through art and imagination at the Long Island Explorium, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson during the Port Jefferson Ice Festival on Jan. 25 and 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Craft shimmering icicles that sparkle like those hanging from rooftops and tree branches. Add a frosty touch with glitter and unique designs to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Admission fee is $8 adults, $6 children. 631-331-3277

Year of the Snake Craft

Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor on Jan. 29 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Free snake craft for kids with admission while supplies last. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768, www.cshfishhatchery.org 

Perler Palooza

Save the date! Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket invites children in Grades K to 6 (with parent/caregiver) to stop by on Jan. 31 between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. for Perler Palooza! Kids can grab a template or let their imaginations run wild to create a fuse bead project of their choice.  No registration required. Open to all. Bring a friend! Questions? Email [email protected]

THEATER

‘Frozen Jr’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Frozen Jr. from Jan. 18 to Feb. 23. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. Tickets are $25 per person. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Hansel and Gretel’

Theatre Three, 423 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off the new year with Hansel and Gretel from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8 with a sensory friendly performance on Jan. 26. Go into the woods for an outrageous adventure with the world’s most famous brother-and-sister team, Hansel and Gretel. A feeble father, a wicked stepmother, and a well-meaning if misguided witch add up to hilarious hijinx. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Frozen Jr’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport kicks off the new year with a production of Frozen Jr. from Jan. 25 to March 2. When faced with danger, princesses Anna and Elsa discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. This enchanting musical features all of the memorable songs from the hit Disney film and will thaw even the coldest heart! All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘Beetlejuice Jr.’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Beetlejuice Jr. on Feb. 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. The talented Winter Class students bring the ghost-with-the-most to life. A wickedly fun musical adventure that promises laughter and mayhem. Tickets are $25. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

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Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon
Cedar Beach Winter Wonderland Walk Saturday, Jan. 11. Photo by Bill Landon

By Bill Landon

With a break in the incessant wind, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11,  featured a Town of Brookhaven sponsored Winter Wonderland Walk at the Cedar Beach Nature Center in Mount Sinai. The attendees were treated to a guided tour where they observed the cold and stark beauty of the beach and the salt marsh and learned how wildlife adapted to survive the winter conditions and the important role that native plant life plays in the fragile ecosystem.

 

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E.T. PHONE HOME Catch a screening of 'E.T. The Extra-terrestrial' at the Cinema Arts Centre on Jan. 19.
PROGRAMS

First Steps in Nature

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown continues its First Steps in Nature series for ages 2 to 4 on Jan. 17 at 9:30 a.m. with hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more. Children will gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Lunar New Year Celebration

Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington on Jan. 18 from noon to 5 p.m. Learn about Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and Vietnamese culture at this free family event for all ages with live dance performances at 12:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. and live martial arts demonstrations at 3:45 p.m. Free. 631-380-3230. www.heckscher.org

Story & Craft with Nana Carol

The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on Jan. 20 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008

Reptile Scavenger Hunt

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor presents Fact vs. Fiction All About Reptiles scavenger hunt on Jan. 20. Drop in between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to explore the hatchery and learn all about reptiles. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768, www.cshfishhatchery.org. 

Patterns in Nature

As part of its Pollywog Adventures series,  Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor presents Patterns in Nature on Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. Children ages 2 to 5 will enjoy an indoor activity, craft, story and then head outside (weather permitting) to feed trout. $20 fee includes admission for the day for one child and one adult. Pre-registration required at www.cshfishhatchery.org. 516-692-6768

THEATER

‘Frozen Jr’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Frozen Jr. from Jan. 18 to Feb. 23. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. Tickets are $25 per person. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Hansel and Gretel’

Theatre Three, 423 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off the new year with Hansel and Gretel from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8 with a sensory friendly performance on Jan. 26. Go into the woods for an outrageous adventure with the world’s most famous brother-and-sister team, Hansel and Gretel. A feeble father, a wicked stepmother, and a well-meaning if misguided witch add up to hilarious hijinx. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Frozen Jr’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport kicks off the new year with a production of Frozen Jr. from Jan. 25 to March 2. When faced with danger, princesses Anna and Elsa discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. This enchanting musical features all of the memorable songs from the hit Disney film and will thaw even the coldest heart! All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

FILM

‘E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids series with a screening of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on Jan. 19 at noon. After a gentle alien becomes stranded on Earth, the being is discovered and befriended by a young boy named Elliott who introduces “E.T.” to his brother and his little sister, and the children decide to keep its existence a secret. Rated PG. Tickets are $13 adults, $5 children. www.cinemaartscentre.or

Send your calendar events to [email protected]

 

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Girl Scout Troop 2059 in Long Beach decorated bowling pins as a craft project. Photo courtesy of Maple Family Centers
Lisa Varallo, a league bowler at both Maple Lanes RVC and Jib Lanes, poses with her creation.
Marlon Enriquez, who runs the pro shop at Jib Lanes in Flushing, shows off a pin decorated by his daughter.
Samples of decorated bowling pins that were submitted to Maple Family Centers’ pin contest.
Samples of decorated bowling pins that were submitted to Maple Family Centers’ pin contest.

Each year, Maple Family Centers replaces all the pins at its five bowling centers with brand-new ones. This year, the company came up with a fun way to involve the local community by staging its inaugural Holiday Pin Decorating Contest.

Beginning Thanksgiving week, the teams at Maple’s five bowling centers distributed thousands of free pins to bowlers and community groups upon request, inviting them to paint or otherwise decorate their pins and enter their creations in the contest. To enter, participants had to upload a photo of their decorated pin by New Year’s Eve.

“We were amazed by the community’s response,” said Teresa McCarthy, Director of Community Outreach for Maple Family Centers. “Libraries, schools and numerous Girl Scout troops requested pins so they could decorate them as a craft project. We dropped off a bunch for the Long Beach Public Library’s kids’ programs, and then they requested more for the adults.”

With five bowling centers in two states – Maple Lanes RVC in Rockville Centre; Coram Country Lanes in Coram; Jib Lanes in Flushing.; Maple Lanes Countryside in Clearwater, Fla.; and Maple Lanes Lakeland in Lakeland, Fla. – Maple uses thousands of pins each year. “We used to sell back old pins to a company that would refurbish them and/or redesign them into ‘Happy Birthday’ pins, some of which we would hand out at our bowling centers,” said Maple Vice President Joe LaSpina. “But that company went out of business during COVID, and we had several years’ worth of used pins – maybe about 10,000 – sitting in inventory.”

Many contest participants created their pin designs with acrylic paint. Others used collage or décollage. About 75% of the entries featured holiday themes, such as snowmen, nutcrackers or Christmas trees. “One of our bowlers, who is a genuine artist, created a ‘storm’ theme that featured the logo of Storm, which is one of the largest bowling ball manufacturers,” said LaSpina. “He gave it to us to present to the owner of Storm as a holiday gift.”

Two winners – one adult and one youth (under 18 years old) – were chosen from each bowling center. The winners each received a free Family Fun Pack, which includes two games of bowling and shoe rentals for up to eight people. “We received a lot of amazing entries, which made it very difficult to select the winners,” McCarthy said. All contest participants received a coupon for a free game of bowling.

Many schools on Long Island requested pins for their art projects, including Baldwin High School, Charles E. Walters Elementary School in Yaphank, Coram Elementary School, Hempstead High School, Holy Angels Regional School in Patchogue, Lynbrook High School, Marion High School in Lynbrook, the Long Beach Special Education Program, and Ridge Elementary School.

“We were thrilled that so many bowlers, as well as schools and community groups, wanted to join in the fun and create decorative bowling pins,” McCarthy said. “Since we regularly upcycle pins, we plan to continue this project in the future.”

For more information about Maple Family Centers, visit www.maplelanes.com.

All photos courtesy of Maple Family Centers.

 

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A scene from the Taylor Swift laser light show. Photo by Jennifer Donatelli

By Jennifer Donatelli

While her Eras Tour may be over, you can still experience Taylor Swift’s music in a whole new way — without shelling out thousands for tickets. In an exciting blend of music, technology and astronomy, the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium in Centerport is hosting a dazzling laser light show featuring the music of one of the biggest artists of the 21st century.

The Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, known for its innovative educational and entertainment programming, has introduced the Taylor Swift Laser Light Show, a unique fusion of astronomy and pop culture. The planetarium’s state-of-the-art dome transforms into a visual spectacle, immersing audiences in Swift’s iconic hits like “Anti-Hero,” “Fearless” and “Shake It Off.”

“This is not your average concert but a celestial experience,” said Dave Bush, director of the Vanderbilt Planetarium. The show combines intricate laser projections, animated visuals and stunning astronomy displays synchronized to Swift’s chart-topping music. Each song is carefully paired with vibrant light patterns and celestial imagery, evoking the awe of stargazing alongside Swift’s unforgettable melodies.

For Swifties and fans of immersive entertainment, this event has become a must-see. “She’s a Swiftie, and I love laser light shows,” said Matthew Verstraten, a history teacher from Middle Island who attended the show with his fiancée Angelina Shtenger.

Tara Moore, who attended with her family to celebrate her birthday, shared her excitement, saying, “I’ve followed Taylor Swift since she was 17 and playing country music. The laser show was an amazing experience filled with music, lights and excitement.” Her five-year-old son Finn added enthusiastically, “I’m a Swiftie too!”

The planetarium’s advanced projection and audio systems ensure a flawless experience, with every light beam and color shift perfectly aligned to the rhythm and emotion of the music. The show’s appeal is wide-ranging, offering something for everyone — from die-hard Swifties to families seeking an educational yet entertaining outing.

Roz Katz of Farmingdale and Jonathan Winter of Woodmere admitted they weren’t familiar with Swift’s music when they bought tickets, but after the show, they were singing “You Belong with Me” in the lobby. “It was incredible!” they said.

The Taylor Swift Laser Light Show has become one of the planetarium’s most popular offerings, drawing audiences for over a year and a half. “We thought it would be successful, but the magnitude has been unbelievable,” said Bush. “It’s a concert-like experience without the high ticket prices.”

The show, which features 12–14 tracks per performance, changes its setlist every six weeks to keep the experience fresh. Audience members often come dressed for the occasion, wearing glow-in-the-dark necklaces, heart-shaped glasses and other concert-inspired accessories.

For more information on the show and other events, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

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Catch a screening of the original 'Jumanji' at the Cinema Arts Centre on Jan. 12.
PROGRAMS

First Steps in Nature

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown continues its First Steps in Nature series for ages 2 to 4 on Jan. 10 at 9:30 a.m. with hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more. Children will gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Adaptations, Hibernation, and Migration

Children ages 7 to 12 are invited to join The Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability for Adaptations, Hibernations and Migration, at the Long Island Game Farm, 489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville on Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Participants will learn about the incredible adaptations animals use to find food, protect themselves, and endure seasonal changes while observing a variety of species like lemurs, zebras, capybaras, and playful goats. $40 per child. To register, visit www.longislandgamefarm.com. 631-878-6644

My Grown Up and Me

Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington  & PJ Library present My Grown Up & Me, a program for ages 18 months to 4 years, on Jan. 12 from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Children and a parent or caregiver will enjoy a craft, snacks and storytime. $20 per child. For more info or to RSVP, email: [email protected]. 631-425-5835

Storytime Under the Stars

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its  Storytime Under the Stars series on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. A live narrator at the front of the theater will bring selected picture books to life, with pages projected onto the Planetarium dome so families can enjoy the illustrations and follow along. Between stories, an astronomy educator will explore seasonal constellations visible from here on Long Island. All children are invited to wear their comfiest pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal. Admission is $8 per person, $6 members. Register at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Story & Craft with Nana Carol

The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on Jan. 13 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008

Amazing Amphibians

As part of its Pollywog Adventures series, Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor presents Amazing Amphibians on Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. Children ages 2 to 5 will enjoy an indoor activity, craft, story and then head outside (weather permitting) to feed trout. $20 fee includes admission for the day for one child and one adult. Pre-registration required at www.cshfishhatchery.org. 516-692-6768

Moon Myths

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Tiny Tots program, Moon Myths, on Jan. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5 will enjoy short walks, story time, animal visitors, and crafts with a parent/caregiver. $4 per child. Reservations taken on eventbrite.com.

THEATER

‘Frozen Jr’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Frozen Jr. from Jan. 18 to Feb. 23. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. Tickets are $25 per person. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Hansel and Gretel’

Theatre Three, 423 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off the new year with Hansel and Gretel from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8 with a sensory friendly performance on Jan. 26. Go into the woods for an outrageous adventure with the world’s most famous brother-and-sister team, Hansel and Gretel. A feeble father, a wicked stepmother, and a well-meaning if misguided witch add up to hilarious hijinx. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Frozen Jr’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport kicks off the new year with a production of Frozen Jr. from Jan. 25 to March 2. When faced with danger, princesses Anna and Elsa discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. This enchanting musical features all of the memorable songs from the hit Disney film and will thaw even the coldest heart! All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

FILM

‘Jumanji’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids series with a screening of Jumanji on Jan. 12 at noon. When young Alan Parrish discovers a mysterious board game, he doesn’t realize its unimaginable powers, until he is magically transported before the startled eyes of his friend, Sarah, into the untamed jungles of Jumanji! Rated PG. Tickets are $13 adults, $5 children. www.cinemaartscentre.org

Send your calendar events to [email protected]

 

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METRO photo

Overwhelmed by the thought of having to pick the best preschool for your child? Emma Clark Library’s Preschool Fair is back on Saturday, January 11 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.  This is a great opportunity to speak informally with many local preschools all in one room, ask questions, and help narrow down your search and choose which schools you’d like to tour.  This event has no registration and is open to the public.

Representatives from preschools in Three Village and the surrounding area will be at the event, including

– Children’s Community Head Start
– Faith Preschool
– Harbor Country Day School 
– Kiddie Academy
– Laurel Hill School
– North Shore Montessori
– Our Savior New American School
– Play Groups School
– Setauket Presbyterian Preschool
– Smithtown Nursery School

Emma Clark Library is located at 120 Main Street in Setauket. For more information, email [email protected] or call 631-941-4080 ext. 123.

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Photo courtesy of StatePoint

What are TikTok’s privacy settings? Can parents control what advertising their children see on Facebook? How do parents limit the amount of time their children spend on Instagram?

A new parent tool, the Glossary of Digital Media Platforms, offers the answers and will be handy for parents of children trying out new phones or other tech-related holiday gifts. The American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health developed the free resource, which contains detailed information on popular digital platforms, including Apple, Discord, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, TikTok and X, with more to come.

“Parenting around media can be so challenging,” said Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP, co-medical director of the Center of Excellence. “Figuring out what apps and settings are best for your family is an important part of the conversation. At the center, we created the Glossary of Digital Media Platforms to make it a little easier for parents to learn about each app and figure out what settings and tools exist to keep their kid safe while connecting online.”

Users click on a platform to learn about its default and customizable safety settings; messaging and friending controls; screen-time management settings; parental controls and more.

Parents aren’t the only ones looking for assistance when it comes to the online world. Pediatric providers, teachers and others who work with children and teens can introduce the glossary briefly during clinic visits, back-to-school nights, in newsletters, or other communications and encourage families to have conversations about safe and balanced relationships with social media. The tool can also facilitate conversations on concepts like private versus public accounts, time limits and how to block or filter upsetting content.

Here are some examples of how the glossary can be used:

• If children have iPhones, parents can learn more about the Family Sharing feature, which includes settings to limit who a child can contact, downtime/do-not-disturb settings and the Ask To Buy option that requires a parent to approve purchases.

• If social media and notifications are distracting teens at night, families can use the glossary to look up apps and how to silence notifications or activate other nighttime settings.

• For teens who are stressed out by negative content on social media feeds, the glossary contains information on tools to curate feeds and block and filter content.

• If a child’s school has a phone policy, families can look up device or app settings to silence distracting apps during school hours.

The glossary joins a roster of resources available at Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, which includes conversation starters for parents concerned about how their children are using social media. The center’s activity cards can help young children build healthy relationships with media and their devices before they grow into teens and young adults.

Megan Moreno MD, MSEd, MPH, FAAP, co-medical director of the Center of Excellence, urges parents and other adults to avoid taking a doom-and-gloom approach when talking about the sometimes-dangerous social media landscape with kids.

“We can give ourselves grace for these initial reactions of worry and fear, but we have a choice to make on what we want our reaction to be going forward,” Dr. Moreno said. “We can choose open-mindedness. We can choose curiosity. We can choose evidence over hype, and we can stay centered on our children and families.”

Visit the site here.

Source: StatePoint Media

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Photo courtesy of TMB Model Train Club

TMB Model Train Club at the Upper Room Church, 722 Deer Park Ave., Dix Hills hosts a Model Train Show Open House on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 5 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Can’t make it? The club will also hold an open house on Jan. 18 and Feb. 8 from 11 am. to 4 p.m. and Jan. 19 and Feb. 9 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy  multiple trains from prewar to the most modern O gauge trains running at all times. Fun for the whole family. Free admission. For more information, visit www.tmbmodeltrainclub.com

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