Author Archives: Rosa Woodhams

Global Awareness Visits Local Libraries

Au Pairs from many different countries have been participating in “Little Linguist” programs at local libraries. They present mini-language lessons to the children in addition to reading stories, singing songs, and playing games from their home countries.

The pre-school children attend the presentations for ½ hour weekly.  They enjoy learning about other cultures on a level they can appreciate. Parents as well as the children have fun engaging with the au pairs. They know only too well the importance of meeting your global neighbor in today’s world.

 Meet Your Global Neighbor is a Global Awareness Program sponsored by the American Institute for Foreign Study.

Welcoming Spring!

Holi, the Indian festival of colors, marks the onset of Spring in India.  It is a unique celebration of high spirits, when the new season is courted with an onset of rich colors. It is like a grand kaleidoscope that glorifies all the hues that tinge and renew the lives on earth.

Observed since ancient times, Holi is one of the most popular Hindu festivals.  With increasing migration of Indians into other nations, Holi is now observed with as much fanfare in India as in places abroad wherever there is the presence of a Hindu community.

 The celebration of Holi has different aspects. It is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, a carnival of colors, a community festival,  and a tradition of ancient spring rites.  The main event of Holi is indeed a carnival of colors. On this day, children, friends and neighbors come out on the streets and the excitement to color-anyone-you-see in shades or red, orange, blue, green, and purple takes over.

It falls on the full moon day of March, the month when the nippy north wind bows out to the refreshing and rejuvenating breeze from the south, heralding the onset of the ensuing summer in this part of the world. The time when the seasonal cycle is caught on a transition. This is when nature starts donning new color. The air is filled with promises of warmth and new lives, as the earth discards the wintry glum to greet the bright sun of summer.

 To mark the renewal and rebirth of life, Holi is a time to remind us to celebrate life, through the simple pleasures and joy of being alive.  Happy Holi!!

 

Dental Health

It’s always important for children to brush their teeth, but here is a special reminder!

 Brushing should last 2-3 minutes!  Use a timer to see how long the children actually brush. I bet you’ll be surprised! Use the timer on yourself as well-brush for 2-3 minutes each time you brush!

Visit www.healthyteeth.org for lots of good information on dental hygiene!

Jan. 31-Introduction of Scotch tape

 On this day in 1928, Scotch tape was sold for the first time!  Think about how often we use scotch tape.  Most of us have at least one roll in our home.  I have at least three roles at any one time!

Here’s a rainy-day project to do with the kids using scotch tape:

You can use double-sided tape to make an easy and attractive vase or pencil holder.

You need a small container (a clean, smooth-sided glass jar or bottle, or a small can for younger children), double-sided tape, a ball of heavy string, yarn, or cord, and glue. First, wrap the container in double-sided tape to cover the whole outside. It may be easiest to do this with short strips of tape that touch or overlap slightly. Then, secure the end of the cord where it will be covered and wind it around and around in tight rows to completely cover the container. Secure the very end of the cord with a few drops of glue. A wide mouth container is a good holder for pens and pencils. A smaller opening is good for flowers.

A Day at the Rink!

It was cold but lots of fun!

It was cold but lots of fun!

Sunday found us at the CT Sports Center for skating with the New Haven, Westport, and Fairfield clusters.  Thank goodness there was a hot chocolate stand!

Winter Fun

Fun with my au pair!  

It’s easy to sit around and wish for spring, but winter is here, lots of cold weather and lots of time spent indoors. Don’t let it get you down. The “winter blues” can hit anyone and I’ve found the best way to get around what we commonly call “cabin fever” (too many hours inside), is to KEEP BUSY.

Here are some cold/rainy weather activities to do with the children:

ABC’s of Winter Fun

A is for Art – try drawing, painting or gluing
B is for Baking – bake a dessert together for dinner
C is for Clay – Use non-hardening clay or play dough to shape and mold
D is for Dance – put on a lively tape
E is for Exercise – be sure to get some everyday
F is for Friends – invite some over
G is for Greenhouse – find a local greenhouse to visit to enjoy the sights and smells
H is for House – make a playhouse from a large appliance box
I is for Ice skating – take the children to a local rink
J is for Jigsaw puzzle – be sure to pick one that isn’t too difficult
K is for Kitchen science – try a safe experiment
L is for Library – borrow some new books
M is for Movie – make one with a video camera, or watch one
N is for Necklace – make one out of cereal or macaroni
O is for Origami – learn to make simple paper creations
P is for Puppets – socks make easy and fun puppets – put on a show!
Q is for Quiet Time – everyone needs some of this
R is for Reading aloud – choose a good book and a comfortable place to sit
S is for Seeds and Suet – put out food for the birds and watch them eat
T is for Tent – make one from old blankets and chairs
U is for Unplugged – do a day with no TV
V is for Variety – try something new everyday
W is for Walk – take one in any weather (be sure to dress appropriately)
X is for Xylophone – make your own with glasses, water and a metal spoon
Y is for Year – make a calendar or scrapbook to remember the year
Z is for Zoo – visit the animals

 Listen to Music and Dance Day
Don’t let the rain or snow stop you from being active. Put on a lively tape and dance around the house today.  Show the children some traditional dance moves from your country!

Tea Party Day

Mix up some warm cocoa or milk and invite the dolls or stuffed animals for a tea party

Art Day
Make today an art day – try drawing, painting, creating with glue or clay.

 Make a necklace today– use a licorice “shoelace” (the really long thin ones) and cereal for young children and then they can eat the whole thing.  For something less sticky, use string instead of the licorice.

 Puzzle Day

Do a puzzle or make one of your own. Find a fun picture in a magazine and glue it to lightweight cardboard. Cut into shapes.

 Make a Pie

Pies are popular every day and are easy to make if you buy a prepared crust in the freezer or dairy section of the grocery store. Try this easy recipe:

Chocolate Pie

Purchase pre-made pie shell and Jell-O instant chocolate pudding.  Prepare pie shell per directions.  Let cool.  Prepare pudding, pour into pie shell, let set for an hour and voila!  Dessert is served!

 Pet Rocks
Make an imaginative pet using a smooth stone. Draw a face with marker or paint. Decorate with feathers, sequins, yarn, buttons, or whatever else you can find.

Winter Health

Childcare focus– At some point this winter your host child will probably develop a fever, i.e. a body temperature that is higher than the normal 98.6 F.  It is very important to realize that fever itself is not an illness-only a symptom of one.  When your host child has a fever, his/her heart rate and breathing will speed up slightly in addition to feeling slightly warm. She/he may appear flushed and perspiration may be present as well.  Do not give medicine to your host child with out the permission of your host family.  There are strict guidelines for dosages and they MUST be followed.  Keep host family contact information close on hand so you can call or email with questions.

Remember to wash hands often during flu season-this is especially important when preparing food.  The American Academy of Pediatrics always has helpful tips.

January 18, Martin Luther King Day!

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, but he is honored on the third Monday of the month with a federal holiday. Martin Luther King Jr. was an important leader of the Civil Rights Movement here in America during the 1950s and 60s. The holiday was created as a day to remember his fight for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all races and peoples, and as a time to remember the message of change through nonviolence.

Christmas in Australia

Stephanie enjoyed a long, wonderful trip to Australia with her host family over the holidays.  She sent us holiday greetings and lots of photos.  Here are a few photos from Steph!

Beautiful dolphins

Beautiful dolphins

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Nature at its most beautiful

Nature at its most beautiful

Are the Winter Pounds Adding Up?

The holidays are a delightful time of year-full of fun, good cheer, and lots and lots of cookies!! Typically, au pairs gain 5 kilos while in the U.S.  Part of that can be attributed to the change in diet, and the American focus on food during the holidays certainly doesn’t help keep the pounds off!

 Here are some tips for Au Pairs and anyone else who finds their jeans getting too tight:
• Eat breakfast – it’s the best way to start the day.
• Drink water – 4 glasses or more a day, more when it is hot or when you are active.
• Downsize your portions – how much you eat is as important as what you eat.
• Play actively with your kids.
• When you have children napping give yourself at least five minutes of exercise for every hour of computer time.
• If you can’t afford to join a gym then rent an exercise DVD and work out with it.

Many gyms are offering great discount rates at this time of year. Look around for the best offers.  If you’re approaching the end of your year in the U.S. and you’re worried about going home with those extra kilos, don’t panic! And don’t starve yourself.  All au pairs tell us that they return to their pre-U.S. weight as soon as they’re home.

Happy New Year to All!