Category Archives: Uncategorized

Welcome to Camp Au Pair in America!

When kids are out of school for the summer, it doesn’t take long for them to become bored and sometimes that leads to sibling squabbles and mischief. Even though they don’t realize it, they are usually missing routine and predictability in their daily schedule. One solution is to make fun plans to keep them busy! 

Each week this summer we will share a different Camp Au Pair theme. These weekly themes are designed to give you ideas to keep your host kids occupied and engaged all summer long. They will also be learning. (But shhhh, don’t tell them that part.) Check back each Friday, for the next week’s theme. This gives you a chance to make plans and gather materials for the next week. For each theme there will be crafts, games, snacks and activities. You can just use these ideas or add your own and customize the themes to fit the ages and interests of your host children.

Here are the themes you can look forward to:

  • Nature Exploration
  • Art Experiences
  • Under the Sea
  • Science (STEM)
  • Bugs & Butterflies
  • Cars and Trucks
  • Backyard Safari
  • Dinosaurs
  • Explore the World
  • Outer Space
  • Pirate Adventures
  • Princesses & Knights

Check out Summer Fun & Summer Holidays pin boards for even more ideas.

If you get some great pictures doing these activities with your host kids, please send those to your community counselor. We love to share your accomplishments and inspire other au pairs!

Let’s make this an amazing summer!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

image012Valentine’s Day, February 14 is a fun day in the U.S.  We exchange cards with loved ones and friends, give little gifts (candy, flowers), and take a few moments to tell all the people who are important to us that we care about them.

Valentine’s Day gives us the opportunity to do some crafts with the kids (especially during all the snow days).  Take a look at the Au Pair in America Pinterest page for some great ideas.

We have many “heart” expressions in English.  Let’s see if you know what these mean:

 

1.  from the bottom of my heart

2. break my heart or heartbroken

3. with all my heart

4. Cross my heart

5. from the bottom of my heart

6. have a  heavy heart

7. heart of the matter

8. with half a heart (half-hearted)

9.  wears his heart on his sleeve

10. heart of the matter

Celebrating St Lucia in Sweden, Sandra Persson

 

image2Lucia is a tradition that’s always been a part of my life. Every school in Sweden celebrates Lucia and every school arranges a Lucia train where one girl gets selected as the Lucia throughout lottery (not in preschool but in elementary and high school). Apart from the Lucia in the train there’s also a lot of “tärnor” which is girls, but they don’t have the crown like Lucia does, just tinsel in their hair and one candle in their hands and both Lucia and “tärnorna” wear white gowns. The boys dresses up like elves and gingerbread boys and as “stjärngossar” star boys. And then everyone walks in a long train and finally they stop in front of the audience and sings typical Christmas carols. The lucia has either real candles or electronic candles in her hair.

The day before Lucia we have something called “lussevaka”. During the night of “lussevaka” you stay up all night and bake saffron buns and drink “glögg” which is a typical Swedish Christmas drink which is mulled wine with raisins and other eatable things in it, you serve it warm. On the morning of Lucia, every Swedish family celebrates it by letting the kids wake up there parents with a plate of saffron buns, gingerbread etc. while singing typical Christmas carols such as “silent night”, but of course in Swedish.

The most common story of Lucia is that she would bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who lived hiding in the catacombs under the city. She would wear candles on her head so she had both hands free to carry things. Lucy means “light” so it’s a very appropriate name for her. December 13th was also the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, in the old “Julian” calendar and a pagan Festival of Lights in Sweden was turned into at Lucia day.

We also choose a national Lucia, which will sing live on Lucia day morning on the television.

Be Careful of Dehydration!

Step 1
Encourage your child to drink plenty of water. On hot days, children should drink significantly more water than usual, as they are losing more due to the heat.

Step 2
Do not wait until your child is thirsty to give him water. By the time they feel thirsty, they are already becoming dehydrated.

Step 3
Have other liquids on hand for your child to drink throughout the day. Juices also help with hydration.

Step 4
Be alert to changes in behavior.  A child may act confused or more irritable when they are becoming dehydrated/overheated.  Get them into cooler temperatures and drinking more fluids.

Step 5
Dress your child in lightweight clothing in the summer months, particularly if she’ll be playing outdoors in warm weather. You may also consider clothes that are well ventilated as they do not trap heat close to the body.

Additional Safety Note: When there are heat and/or air quality advisories because the weather is dangerously hot, you should avoid taking the children outdoors. Check with your host parents for further guidance on this topic.

St Patrick’s Day

ShamrockSo what is it and who was St. Patrick? Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. He is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. Most of what is known about him comes from his two works; the Confessio, a spiritual autobiography, and his Epistola, a denunciation of British mistreatment of Irish Christians.   Many people ask the question ‘Why is the Shamrock the National Flower of Ireland ?’ According to folklore the reason is that St. Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans. St. Patrick’s Day was first publicly celebrated in Boston in 1737 where a large population of Irish immigrants resided. Nearly 200 years later, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Ireland was held in Dublin in 1931. During the mid 90’s, the Irish government also began a campaign to promote tourism in Ireland on March 17th.

While many Catholics still quietly celebrate this day of religious observance by going to mass, St. Patrick’s Day has slowly evolved to become a celebration of Irish heritage. Through the years, along with legendary shamrocks, many symbols were included in festivities that are reflective of Ireland’s folklore, culture, and national identity (think leprechauns, ethnic cuisine, and wearing green). Other places that join in on this celebration include Japan, New Zealand, Argentina, and Canada.  New York City hosts the largest St. Patrick’s Day in the world with around 150,000 marchers.  In Chicago they turn the river green and other cities and towns all over America celebrate the day.  You’ll find many restaurants serving traditional Irish cuisine next week with corned beef and cabbage being the most popular,

You can find some fun games and activities including coloring pages, word puzzles and recipes for  children here:  http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/

To learn about St Patrick’s Day around the world

Celebrate International Education Week in Your Host Kid’s Classroom ~ Nov 18-22.

International Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States. Participation of all individuals and institutions interested in international education and exchange activities, including schools, colleges and universities, embassies, international organizations, businesses, associations, and community organizations is encouraged.
What can YOU do?

  • Prepare an Global Awareness Presentation for your host child’s class and present it during International Education Week. 
  • See our Facebook page for instructions
  • Ask me for help. You will receive a special Global Awareness Certificate!

·       For more ideas on fun ways to participate, visit:  International Education Ideas

Summer Safety Tips

Dehydration: The little ones, especially, forget to drink or to tell you that they need to drink. If you find the children not looking well and/or getting cranky toward the afternoon, it might be because they’re tired, or it might be because they’re dehydrated. Remember: By the time a person feels thirsty, he’s already partly dehydrated, so drink to prevent thirst, not to quench it. Common symptoms of dehydration are crankiness, headaches, aches in the joints and weariness. And don’t allow your child to fill up on juice or soft drinks; these are dehydrators. Water or child-appropriate hydrating drinks are best.

However, if you or your child has severe dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, reluctant to drink, unable to pee or cry, high fever, lethargy), call for emergency help and have your child sip an electrolyte-replacement fluid (such as Pedialyte).

Hot Cars: Don’t EVER leave children alone in the car — not even for a moment. Besides the danger of abduction, the temperature in a car can skyrocket in minutes. And, if you see an unattended young child in a vehicle, please call 911, the police or other emergency personnel. Your call could save the child’s life.

Drowning: Always actively supervise children in and around water. Infants and children can drown in bathtubs, swimming pools, ponds or almost any other water. Toddlers aren’t strong enough to lift themselves back out of a toilet, bucket, container or wading pool.

sunscreenSun Protection: Children’s skin and eyes are more sensitive to ultraviolet rays. Babies should be protected from direct sun entirely. Toddlers, preschoolers and older children should be covered well in sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) at least one half hour before going out in the sun. Sunscreen should be reapplied every hour or so, and it should be reapplied after the child has been in water. Don’t forget ears, hands, feet, lips and under the eyes. Also, make sure your child wears a hat and sunglasses when out in the sun for any length of time.

Au Pairs Celebrate Flag Day

Global Awareness celebrates Flag Day with a Flag Day competition.  Au Pairs were asked to submit their creative expression of their country’s flag.  We had so many wonderful entries.  I’d like to say a big thank you to Hollie Cottrell for her entry.Holly, UK And though she didn’t take a prize, she put a huge smile on my face for taking the time and patience to make such a beautiful flag/cake!  Yum. 

 We are so proud of our talented au pairs!

 

First Place ~ Sabine Formanek, Austria

Second place ~ Lena Petelko, Ukraine

Ukraine, Olena Petelko

Third Place ~ Mia Ng, MalaysiaMalaysia, Mia

     

 

Flag Day promotes International Team Work!

The best team prize went to :  Nitzan Dorenboim, Israel and Freddy Eixner, Germany ~ see how they made a German/Israeli flag out of cupcakes!

For the history of Flag Day and what it’s all about go to:  http://www.usflag.org/flag.day.html

Drive Safely in the Rain!

 

We’ve had a lot of rain on the Shoreline, and driving can be very dangerous!  If possible, stay in!  But if you must go out, please pay attention to these driving safety tips:

1. Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times! Keep all distractions, such as cell phones or even the radio, off and away from you. It is illegal to talk or text on your cell phone while driving!

2. Turn on your headlights.  This will make it easier for you to see what is in front of you; thus, preventing any accidents.

3. Keep a minimum of a good five car length from the car in front of you. You never know what other drivers are going to do or what could happen to you! If that feels too close or too far a rule of thumb is 1 second of following distance per 10 miles per hour. That holds true especially in bad weather.

4. Drive at or below the speed limit to the extent that you are comfortable with, and can see far enough in front of you to appropriately make driving decisions..

5. Be aware of hydroplaning. This is where your vehicle travels on top of the water and has NO or very little contact with the ground. Your traction is reduced significantly. To safely get out of a hydroplaning situation let off the gas and steer straight or slightly in the direction you must go. Do not make sudden motions and remain calm.

6. Avoid flooded roads. Never drive through standing or flowing water in a road way unless you have no choice or you are able to follow someone else to judge the depth of the water. Flooding the engine of your car can cause the engine to stall, and deep water can actually float your car and take it off the roadway.

7. Turn on the defroster if the windshield begins to fog. In hot, muggy weather, air conditioned air (which cannot contain as much moisture) will usually clear the inside of the windshield faster than non air conditioned.

8. Be aware that brakes can be affected by water. Wet drum type brakes are especially prone to decreased stopping power after driving through deep water.

9. Watch for splashing from potholes and pools of water that accumulate at clogged storm drain pipes and low areas of the pavement. Highways also develop “ruts” where the heaviest traffic tracks, and you may be able to position your vehicle while remaining in your lane to avoid these.

10. Beware of driving in the rain, especially at night. Motorcycles or even other dark-colored cars can be camouflaged amongst glistening raindrops on side windows and mirrors. It’s best to have a light colored car that isn’t easily camouflaged in the night.