Tag Archives: kids

The outing that wasn't

This month I teamed up with two other local counselors and we planned a trip to Concord, MA.  The au pairs were going to start canoeing at the South Bridge and make their way to the North Bridge.  There, we were going to welcome them with a prepared picnic.    Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate that day and on the next day, which was the rain date.

We made the best of it and I met my group of au pairs for an inside picnic at my house.   We sat around my table and had good conversations.    These meetings are a chance for au pairs to talk about their experience as an au pair and bring up topics to discuss with the group.  It is often very helpful for them to hear others talk about an issue that they might experience.

We also got a chance to say good-bye to Nadege who will be going home to France after 2 years.   We welcomed two new au pairs, Mai and Meilikano to our group.   I always have the departing au pair say a few words about her experience and suggest sharing anything she finds helpful with the newer au pairs.

For more photos please go to June Meeting

Au Pair in America Cultural Fair

On April 30, Au Pair in America sponsored a day of cultural education and fun at the Boston Children’s Museum.   With the help of local community counselors who each oversees a group of au pairs during their stay in the US, au pairs  came prepared to represent their countries from around the world.    Over the course of the afternoon, hundreds of enthusiastic children and parents toured the exhibition.   They collected country stickers to put in a passport handed out to them,  received earth and skin friendly tattoos, had their faces painted with country flags, and chatted with au pairs.

Traditional dance in authentic costume highlighted the presentation by Thailand while the German au pairs entertained visitors with traditional German spring egg craft and painting.  South African au pairs proudly painted their country’s flag on smiling faces, while a  colorful and tempting piñata dangled over the Mexico booth.  The colorful Costa Rican booth among other things offered Costa Rican expressions in glitter that visitors could practice with the help of  au pairs.  Au pairs from many other countries served as international teachers of the culture and beauty of their homelands as well.  Photos of this great event are available on our cultural fair link below.

Pictures from the fair

Children's Spring Craft


Handprint Lilies

Age 5+ can do this project pretty much solo (you may want to help them form cones from the handprints, depending on how crafty they are).  Any age from baby on up can contribute handprints for the project.

Materials:

  • construction paper  (green for leaves and a flower color)
  • straw
  • scissors
  • pencil
  • scotch tape
  • OPTIONAL:  pipecleaner

Instructions:

  • trace child’s hand onto a piece of construction paper, rounding out the palm
  • cut out the handprint

  • roll the palm into a cone and tape.  Don’t worry about the hole being too small, we can snip it open a bit if needed.

  • Cut pipecleaner into 1/4s.
  • Fold into a V shape
  • Push V into end of straw and put a piece of tape around.
  • Curl a bit.

  • Put end of straw into flower and push through so the pipecleaner is inside the flower.
  • Wrap each finger around a pencil to curl.

  • Cut a long leaf shape out of green construction paper and tape onto the straw.  Curl the leaf like you did the fingers.
  • We put two leaves on each stem.
  • An odd number of flowers always seem to look nicer in a vase.

2011 Cultural Fair

2010 Cultural Fair

2010 Cultural Fair

  • Where: 300 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
  • Date: April 30, 2011
  • Time: 11:00am–2:00pm

  • Local Au Pairs to participate in an International Cultural Fair at Boston Children’s Museum on April 30th On Saturday, April, 30th, au pairs from local families will host an International Children’s Cultural Fair at the Boston Children’s Museum from 11am to 2pm.  The au pairs, who are a part of Au Pair in America live with local host families for a year and care for their children.    The fair will be a celebration of culture geared toward families and children.  The au pairs will share songs, traditional dances, crafts and facts about their countries.  Children will be given a ‘passport card’ to collect country flags as they visit the displays which have been put together by au pairs from the many different countries.    All are welcome to attend the event at Boston Children’s Museum at 300 Congress Street, Boston MA.   The cultural fair is a great opportunity to interact with these young women who come from many countries around the world.    Pictures of last year’s fair.

Cold and Flu Season

Cold and Flu Season

The greatest number of children develops colds during the fall and winter months.  It is a virus that is spread from person to person, either by direct contact or by contact with the virus in the environment. Colds are most contagious during the first two to four days. 

Prevention– Simple hygiene measures can help to prevent infection with viruses. These measures include:

Hand washing is an essential and highly effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Hands should be wet with water and plain soap, and rubbed together for 15 to 30 seconds. It is not necessary to use antibacterial hand soap. Teach children to wash their hands before and after eating and after coughing or sneezing.  Make a fun game out of it.

Alcohol-based hand rubs are a good alternative for disinfecting hands if a sink is not available. Hand rubs should be spread over the entire surface of hands, fingers, and wrists until dry, and may be used several times. These rubs can be used repeatedly without skin irritation or loss of effectiveness.  Bring them with you wherever you go.

It may be difficult or impossible to completely avoid persons who are ill, although parents should try to limit direct contact. In addition, infants or children who are sick should not be sent to day care or school as this can potentially cause others to become ill.

Using a household cleaner that kills viruses (such as phenol/alcohol) may help to reduce viral transmission.  However, don’t overuse.

To boost your immune system, use supplements that contain Echinacea and Vitamin C.  Plus, get as much fresh air as you can and a good night’s sleep.

Flu Shots

Many au pairs and host families are looking for places to get flu shots this time of year. This year’s flu vaccine will protect against H1N1 (swine) flu, as well as other strains of seasonal flu.  Au Pair insurance does not cover immunizations, but there are lots of places to get flu shots for $30 or less.  If the host family is insisting that an au pair get a seasonal flu shot and she agrees to get it, the host family would be responsible for the expense.

If you are planning to get the seasonal flu vaccine, it is recommended that you get it as early as possible.

Check out the Massachusetts site at http://flu.gov/

Flu Shot locator:  http://www.findaflushot.com/

CVS Pharmacy and Minute Clinic: http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/promoContent/promoLandingTemplate.jsp?promoLandingId=1033&WT.ac=flushots_learn

Walgreens Pharmacy: http://www.walgreens.com/topic/health-shops/flu.jsp

Target Pharmacy and Clinic: http://sites.target.com/site/en/spot/flushot_locator.jsp

Au Pairs visit self defense class in Arlington

This month, our au pair group visited “Not-Me” in East Arlington, where owner Erik Kondo held a “Beyond Awareness – Physical Assertiveness for the Street”  self-defense class.  The class focused mainly on non-physical aspects of self-defense, like the decision not to be a victim, situational awareness, one’s attitudes and appearance,  assertiveness, body language, boundary setting, and steps on how to de-escalate an aggressive situation.   Erik and his assistants took us through potential aggressive situations and we got to practice strategies that we had discussed earlier.

This month’s meeting satisfies the State Department mandated quarterly childcare/safety meeting.   It also supports Au Pair in America’s high standard for safety.   Erik’s strategies can be applied to every day life and hopefully most of us will find ourselves remembering some of the things he taught us to keep ourselves and others safe.

We even made it onto the “Not-Me” blog.  Check it out at Not-Me.

For more pictures of our meeting please visit Au Pair Self Defense

Summer Safety Tips

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

The following summer safety tips come from the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site (http://www.aap.org.

FUN IN THE SUN

Babies under 6 months:

  • The two main recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn are to avoid sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight long pants, long- sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats that shade the neck to prevent sunburn. However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen with at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cold compresses to the affected area.

For Young Children:

  • Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15 and protect against UVA and UVB rays.

For Older Children:

  • The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
  • Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours – between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen – about one ounce per sitting for a young adult.
  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
  • Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

HEAT STRESS IN EXERCISING CHILDREN

  • The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
  • At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased during a period of 10 to 14 days to accomplish acclimatization to the heat.
  • Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs, even if the child does not feel thirsty.
  • Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated shirts should be replaced by dry clothing.
  • Practices and games played in the heat should be shortened and more frequent water/hydration breaks should be instituted.

POOL SAFETY

  • Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can’t reach.
  • Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
  • Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook – a long pole with a hook on the end – and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool.
  • Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
  • Children may not be developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.
  • Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”

BUG SAFETY

  • Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
  • Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
  • Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
  • To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
  • Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
  • Insect repellents containing DEET are most effective against ticks, which can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes, which can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.
  • The current CDC and AAP recommendation for children over 2 months of age is to use 30 percent DEET. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
  • The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to over 30 percent. Ten percent DEET only protects for about 30 minutes – inadequate for most outings.
  • The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. Children should wash off repellents when back indoors.

PLAYGROUND SAFETY

  • Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part.
  • Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these.
  • Make sure metal slides are cool to prevent children’s legs from getting burned.
  • Supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.

BICYCLE SAFETY

  • Your child needs to wear a helmet on every bike ride, no matter how short or how close to home. Many accidents happen in driveways, on sidewalks, and on bike paths, not just on streets.  Children learn best by observing you. Whenever you ride, put on your helmet.
  • A helmet protects your child from serious injury, and should always be worn. And remember, wearing a helmet at all times helps children develop the helmet habit.
  • A helmet should be worn so that it is level on the head, not tipped forwards or backwards.  The strap should be securely fastened, and you should not be able to move the helmet in any direction.  If needed, the helmet’s sizing pads can help improve the fit.

SKATEBOARD, SCOOTER, IN-LINE SKATING AND HEELYS SAFETY

  • Children should never ride skateboards or scooters in or near traffic.
  • All skateboarders and scooter-riders should wear a helmet and other protective gear; wrist guards are particularly important.
  • While in-line skating or wearing Heelys, be sure to wear appropriate protective equipment and only skate on designated paths or rinks and not on the street.

Au Pairs explore patriotism while mini golfing

Mini golfing group

Mini golfing group

American history came alive for my au pair group last weekend as we went mini golfing at  Golf on the Village Green in Natick, which carries a patriotic theme.  Among miniature historical builidings,  life-size statues and other Colonial replicas, au pairs were educated in the history of the freedom trail and had plenty of picture taking opportunities.

Now that it is summer time, our meetings provide a perfect opportunity for new au pairs to connect with peers and for au pairs that are leaving to say good-bye to the group and take care of last minute business with their counselor.

Once a quarter, Au Pair in America counselors are required to hold a childcare/safety meeting with their au pair groups.  This month’s meeting included a discussion about summer safety.  You can find the document under “Au Pair Info.”

For photos of our meeting, please go to Mini golfing photos

Au Pair in America Cultural Fair Boston

Mexican Table

Mexican Table

Chinese Table

Chinese Table

On Sunday, March 21, Au Pair in America brought the world to the Boston Children’s Museum.   Boston area counselors organized a Cultural Fair, open to their host families and to the public.

Au pairs from all over the world did an amazing job putting together information about their countries and presenting it at country tables.  They seemed very excited to share their culture with others. Parents and children talked to au pairs, played games, enjoyed crafts, danced, watched performances and learned words from different languages.   Children received passports and collected country stickers at each table.

Ukrainian Table

Ukrainian Table

This event provided an entertaining and educational afternoon for children and adults.  It also satisfied the State Department requirement that counselors offer annual host family workshops for their host families.  Au Pair in America prides itself in providing an excellent cultural exchange opportunity for host families and au pairs in addition to offering affordable and flexible child care.

Brazilian Dancing

Brazilian Dancing

French Table

FrenchTable
Learning Thai

Learning Thai

For more Cultural Fair photos, please visit Cultural Fair Photos and Heidi’s Photos