Demands on today’s preteens and teens different from our experiences

Something happens to most children when they are nearing their teen years. Think back to your own experience. Reaching puberty is complicated and consuming and that part of it never really changes. What changes are the needs and demands of today’s young people in this strong digital age, in an age when so much information is at their fingertips, literally.

There is a lot of confusion in the years that begin at 10, 11 or 12 and go on through to the 20s, and also a myriad of changes. All kinds of things are affected, like sleep, moods, growing pains of all kinds, and certainly awareness of sexuality.

I remember back to my own preteen and teen years and can recall how exciting it was and at the same time how challenging. Experiencing that time through my daughter showed me that although many things stay the same, a great deal has also changed. Kids these days are more informed, more aware and less insular than we were. The internet has added its influence as well as social media.

New pressures, competitive realities, and, of course, being kids in a major and busy metropolis like New York City all add their effects to what used to be more innocent times in one’s growth experience. These kids are savvy and in the know. They are tuned in and connected. Often, as parents, we struggle to keep up with them. It remains our responsibility however, to keep aware of their circumstances and try to remain current.

The main reason we focus on teens this month is because many of the high schools in our communities are having open houses for next year’s registration. Whether you are interested in public or private options, there is something for everyone and we’re proud to present some of the terrific schools located around the boroughs. It’s an important time for our kids and they need us to be vested and engaged along with them. Make sure you look around carefully for the best school option for your child’s needs.

Happy Fall! Thanks for reading.

Relevant Directory Listings

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Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp

<p>Aviator Sports Summer Day Camp offers five daily rotating activities such as swimming, ice skating gymnastics, rock climbing, parkour, indoor/outdoor turf, and courts plus more in its ample 175,000 sq. ft. facility and 35-acre outdoor area. Aviator Summer Camp also offers off-site and on-site field trips such as a day at Green Meadows Farm, Launch Trampoline Park, and a Brooklyn Cyclones game. The summer camp runs from 9 am-5 pm with early drop off and late stay available. Bus transportation is also available throughout Brooklyn. Lunch and an afternoon snack are included. Sign up by February 28th to receive up to $300 off camp with early bird discounts.</p>

Penguin Coding School

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Penguin Coding School believes that </span><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">anyone can code</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The most compelling motivation for learning to code is that it enables building something kids can call their own. What makes this approach "worth it" for the kids is that at the end of the road, they see that their code actually does things in the real world. Not in some playpen, but in the real Internet where anyone can access it. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Programs:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong> </strong>Penguin Coding School </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">provides comprehensive coding education to kids ages 5-18. In-person & Online classes are available in Scratch, Minecraft, Roblox, Python, Javascript, Java, Robotics, and Mobile Apps. Their small class size, award winning teachers and age-appropriate curriculum ensure every child will learn coding with a smile. Penguin Coding has in-person classes and summer camps in Cobble Hill and Park Slope, as well as three Massachusetts locations. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free Trial Classes: </span></strong></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115c8d0a-7fff-6ffb-9ee2-4fd4aa248c0a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sign up for our award-winning</span><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://penguincodingschool.com/freetrial?utm_campaign=FreeTrials&utm_source=NYF&utm_medium=Directory"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">free trial classes</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They offer a 60 minute free trial class in Scratch, Python, Roblox, Java, Robotics and much more! Appropriate for absolute beginners as well as those with some experience (trial classes are used to place students in the right level).</span></p>

Launch Math+Science Camp

<h1>Launch Math + Science Centers</h1> <p>For more than 15 years, Launch Math + Science Centers have provided toddlers to tweens with inspiring math instruction and STEM-based camps and classes. Launch offers a true educational experience for students with small group sizes and big opportunities for learning. For Summer 2024, Launch Math + Science Centers offers exciting and educational one-week STEM summer camps for kids from kindergarten to 7th grade (5-12 years old). With a 4:1 camper-to-staff ratio, children at Launch’s exciting specialty summer programs explore the adventures of archaeology, discover the details of robotics, reveal the wonders of chemical reactions – and that’s just the beginning. Each week is jam-packed with hands-on STEM projects and fun camp activities.</p> <h2>The Camp Day</h2> <p>Each camp day kicks-off at 9:00 am and consists of designated educational segments that are designed to inspire.</p> <p>-STEM Projects (core lessons and builds tied to the theme of the week)</p> <p>-STEM Discoveries (challenge-based learning through problem-solving activities)</p> <p>-Active Adventures (a blend of tech and camp games in Central Park)</p> <p>-Math Mania! (engaging mathematics-based projects and activities)</p> <p>Standard dismissal is at 3:30 pm, with the option to extend to 5:00 pm.</p> <h2>Weekly Camp Themes</h2> <p><strong>Juniors (K+1st Grade)</strong></p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Marine Biologist!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… An Archaeologist!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Sports Doctor!</p> <p>I Wanna Be… A Techie!</p> <p><strong>Kids (2nd-4th Grade)</strong></p> <p>Coding + Animation</p> <p>Remarkable Robots + Marvelous Machines</p> <p>Potent Potions + Fizzing Formulas</p> <p>Rocket Science: Destination Mars</p> <p><strong>Tweens (5th-7th Grade)</strong></p> <p>Coding + Game Development</p> <p>Rockin' + Robotics</p> <p>Chaotic Chemical Reactions</p> <p>Architecture + Engineering</p> <h2>Register Early, Save Big!</h2> <p>Huge discounts for Early Bird enrollments. Register by March 31st and receive $200 off EVERY camp after the first.</p> <p>For well over a decade, Launch has delivered engaging STEM programs for children throughout New York City. Real-life rocket scientist, Scott Heifetz, founded Launch with one mission in mind: Inspire children to love and learn math and science!</p>