Providing researched based educational resources to meet the needs of Long Islanders
It’s tempting to buy holiday gifts for children that are heavily promoted on television and in toy store catalogues. However, a gift for a child should be safe and developmentally appropriate to suit the skills, abilities and interests of the child. Here are some things to consider to make the holidays safe and happy. Under…
The holidays are coming! I always get excited knowing that I will be busy knitting and crafting—sometimes all the way until Christmas Eve. I love knitting and find time to knit throughout the year. However, the holidays bring a renewed burst of creativity that encourages me to find projects that challenge me, while at the…
Bad weather days often present the challenge of keeping children occupied without screens. There is great temptation to let your child spend hours on a computer; however the often forgotten activity of fort building can be fun, educational, and important for your children’s development. Creativity Building forts fosters creativity. There are no rules or instructions…
Children of preschool age (3-5 years old) and older can reap many benefits from helping out in the garden. Learning how to help plants grow can foster responsibility and patience in children. Families can become closer as children and parents share a common interest they can work on together. To reap the full benefits of gardening…
By Maxine Roeper Cohen, M.S. Having grown up with cats and dogs being part of the family, I cannot imagine my life now without having animal companions share my home. There is nothing like the unconditional love a dog gives you every day. Cats teach us contentment and a quiet appreciation. All of our family’s…
Dear Friends, If you have attended a parenting workshop, a nutrition education program, or received assistance in managing your diabetes, you know that the Family Health and Wellness Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County serves the changing needs of families residing in our county. Our programs provide information on diabetes education, nutrition, developing…
By Christina Di Lieto In the past few years many foods have been made into milk beverages, but are these nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk? We know that cow’s milk is a great source of calcium which is important for bone health, and muscle growth and maintenance. Look for milk that is fortified with vitamin…
If you’ve been following us, you know that our passion is providing parents like you with research-based information for your family. With concern around COVID-19, below is another trustworthy resource from Washington State Extension regarding COVID-19. “Resources for Parents and Caregivers as well as Fun Tips and Activities for Children and Families” to help you…
By Maxine Roeper Cohen, M.S. Preschoolers want to make friends with other children—and they should! There is a natural progression from solitary play during infancy to playing alongside others during the toddler years. Learning to make friends is an important task and part of your child’s growing social development and interest in the world. Playing…
By Alysa Ferguson, RD, CDE The pumpkin is carved, the costumes are ready, it’s time to trick-or-treat! If your family is like most, this can mean a month or more of candy laying around everywhere. While candy and treats can and should be a part of Halloween for children (yes, even children with diabetes), there…