Presidents Dayis a Federal holiday created to commemorate the births of former Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12).
In 2019, Presidents Day is celebrated on February 18th. Throughout America, Presidents Day is observed by big sales in the stores and no mail delivery. School is probably closed on February 18th in honor of Presidents Day, too.
Presidents Day Fun Facts and Questions for Host Kids
The United States has had 45 presidents. How many can the children name?
Who has been president during their lifetime?
Take a look at American coins and bills; who are the Presidents pictured on each coin and bill?
Apostrophe or not? You’ll see references to the holiday as Presidents Day, President’s Day, and Presidents’ Day. Learn more about the confusion surrounding whom this holiday honors in this Washington Post article.
Valentine’s Day is a time of love, friendship, giving, and caring. Americans use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell friends and family how much they care. Celebrated on February 14th, children usually exchange cards at school on that day or one close to the holiday.
Whether you’re staying home with the kids during a blizzard, a polar vortex, or just because it’s cold and dreary, the hours inside the house during winter can seem endless for everyone. But with just a bit of preparation, you can ward off the winter doldrums and keep everyone smiling. Here are some ideas to get your started:
APIA’s Pinterest Pinboards are loaded with indoor craft ideas and activities for kids of all ages:
America’s Test Kitchen has recipes and STEAM-focused, hands-on activities designed to get kids ages 8-13 cooking, experimenting, and exploring in the kitchen. Learn more by visiting America’s Test Kitchen Kids and following them on Instagram.
Making Paper Snowflakes: Cutting paper snowflakes is a fun and simple indoor winter activity. Tip: For younger kids, keep the designs simple to avoid frustration. Here’s a great video showing you how to cut some of your own.
Imagine if you went to the hospital and the doctors and nurses seemed more interested in texting or tweeting than caring for you. How would that make you feel about yourself and about them? Would you think that you were getting the treatment you deserved? Would you feel like paying the bill after your stay?
Being a childcare provider is a very important job because you are helping to shape our next generation. What message are you sending to your host kids when you would rather interact with phone than with them? How will they feel about themselves and about you? Children feel as though everything is about them. They will see this as a rejection of them and they will be more likely to act out.
Safety Comes First
Not paying enough attention to your host kids poses safety concerns too. Accidents happen, but when an adult caregiver is close by and appropriately supervising children, the chances of a major injury are dramatically reduced.
Technology Best Practices
When you are working, you should not do any of the following:
Text/Talk to friends/family on the phone
Chat/Instant Message with friends/family online
Use Skype or FaceTime
Email
Tweet
Update your status on Facebook or any other social media
Use Snapchat, WhatsApp or any other app or social media site
Watch YouTube videos
Upload photos on Instagram
Play video games
Use the phone or other device while driving (Never do this- even when you aren’t working!)
Exceptions- the only time it’s okay to use your computer, phone, tablet, etc. while you are working is when your host parents have given your specific permission to do the following:
Text/Call your host parents
Help your host children find a pre-approved website (like Nickjr.com)
A job-related task that your host family has asked you to complete
When in doubt- ask your host parents!
Finally, do not text, scroll through Facebook, answer your phone, etc. when eating meals with your host family or while talking with your host parents. Even if you think you’re a great multitasker, your host family will think you are being rude.
Going unplugged during work may seem impossible, but think about this — even if you work 45 hours a week, you still have 123 hours left in the week for all of that other stuff, or about 70 hours (if you are getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night).
A Note to Host Parents
Please be clear about what you consider acceptable technology use during work hours to avoid misunderstandings. Your au pair is most likely very accustomed to being plugged in at all times. She doesn’t intend to be rude, but she might not realize how her actions will be perceived. Please use this information as an opportunity to begin a dialogue on the issue.
During the last week of December and first week of January, many host kids will have between ten days to two weeks off from school for winter vacation. The thought of having the kids home for multiple days during the winter can send even the most seasoned childcare giver into a panic. Cold weather, shorter days, extra sugar, later bedtimes, and visiting relatives can be a challenge, but with some pre-planning, you can provide your host kids with a vacation to remember.
Play tourist with your host kids. Again, use the free time to explore DC. (Use the DC Guides section to help.) We live in an amazing city!
Tip #2: Dress the Part
Designed by Freepik
Winter has finally arrived in DC. It’s important to dress for cold weather and to make sure that your host children are dressed warmly too. If this is your first experience with really cold weather, ask your host parents for advice on staying warm. For more info, read this blog post from October: It’s Cold Out There! A 2018 Guide to DC Winter Weather.
Help the kids organize their toys and rooms with these suggestions. With mom and dad’s permission, perhaps your host kids can donate some of the toys they have outgrown. This will create more room for the new toys from Santa.
Looking for a fun baking activity? Gingerbread is a delicious way to celebrate the season!
Tip #4: Make a Date
Playdates can be a great way for kids to socialize and work on the important skills necessary for being a good friend. Talk with your host family about planning a playdate over winter vacation. With their permission, you can use our cluster list to find an au pair who lives near you and has host kids who are compatible ages with your host kids. If hosting doesn’t work, you can also make plans to meet up at the library for a free story hour or crafting session.
Brr! In need of some ideas to keep the kids entertained this winter? Here’s a roundup of several great local blogs full of suggestions for spending the day exploring DC both before and after the holidays.
Nov 23 to Jan 1 (except Dec 24, 25 and 31) |5 – 9 PM
#DCZooLights includes live music performances, tasty winter treats and plenty of opportunities for holiday shopping. More than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland complete with two dazzling laser light shows set to music.
The 96th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting at The Ellipse in President’s Park on November 28, 2018, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi)
Nov 29 to Jan 1 |10 am-10 pm weeknights/11 pm weekends
The National Christmas Tree will be lit every day starting from approximately 4:30 p.m. as part of the “America Celebrates” display at President’s Park (White House). The walkway surrounding the National Christmas Tree features 56 state and territory trees decorated with handmade ornaments that are unique to each tree. Please visit the National Park Service website for the most up-to-date information.
US Capitol Christmas Tree
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building in Washington DC, December 6, 2018. (Forest Service photo by Cecilio Ricardo)
Dec 7 to Jan 1 |Nightfall-11 pm
This year’s 80-foot-tall #uscapitolchristmastree traveled over 3000 miles from the Willamette National Forest in Oregon to Washington, DC, aboard a 106-foot-long truck and trailer. Seventy smaller companion trees from Oregon also decorate government buildings and public spaces around Washington, DC. Oregonians contributed 10,000 handmade ornaments celebrating the state’s cultural history and people, landscapes, natural resources, and fish and wildlife.
#GeorgetownGLOW invites visitors to reimagine the season of light through outdoor public art. Click here for more information about this year’s art installations and to download a map.
Looking for more fun ways to celebrate the holiday season in DC?
Gingerbread boys and girls and a history of gingerbread cookies. Source: The Decorated Cookie
Gingerbread is an important part of many cultures’ holiday celebrations. Gingerbread men, gingerbread houses, and even gingerbread-flavored coffee are just a few of the yummy treats available this time of year. DC-based cookie guru Meaghan Mountford details the history of gingerbread cookies on her fabulous website, The Decorated Cookie.
Gingerbread Books
The story of the Gingerbread Boy has been retold in many versions. Head to your local library and check out a few of these fun books:
Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett.
The Cajun Gingerbread Boy illustrated by Berthe Amoss
The Gingerbread Boy by Richard Egielski
The Gingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone
The Gingerbread Man: An Old English Folktale illustrated by John A. Rowe
The Gingerbread Man illustrated by Karen Schmidt
The Gingerbread Man illustrated by Pam Adams
The Gingerbread Man by Eric Kimmel
The Gingerbread Man retold by Jim Aylesworth
Make Your Own Gingerbread Cookies
A gingerbread man gift card holder adds a bit of homemade love to standard gift cards. Source: The Decorated Cookie
Excited to make some of your very own gingerbread? Below is a recipe for gingerbread cookies. (Don’t forget to use American measurements and temperature settings!)
Preheat oven to 350F
In a large bowl, sift together:
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon nutmeg
In a smaller bowl beat together:
¾ cups brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter
1 egg
2/3 cup of molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla
Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. Roll out on a lightly floured surface and cut out cookies. Bake on a greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes. Place on a rack to cool. Decorate.
Gingerbread Fun Without the Baking
If you aren’t a baker, head to almost any store (Target, 5 & Below, Safeway, Giant, Harris Teeter are just a few) to buy a kit to make a gingerbread house, It will include everything you need ~ just add your imagination!
Even More Gingerbread Ideas
Quicker and easier to make than gingerbread cookies, try gingerbread man marshmallows for Christmas. Source: The Decorated Cookie
Or if you’re ready to take your gingerbread to the next level, The Decorated Cookie has loads of fun ideas. If you decide to try any of these projects out, be sure to post pictures on our cluster group page on Facebook.
This time of year, it’s easy to get distracted, and when you’re distracted you’re at a greater risk for holiday crime.
Here are some important tips that are always a good idea, but especially during the holiday shopping season.
Always pay attention to your surroundings. Avoid distractions like using cell phone or listening to music when you are coming and going from stores.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Take just the amount you need or use debit or credit cards.
Keep your money in your front pocket. Pay close attention to your wallet when you are in crowded places like buses, metro, and elevators.
Be careful not to lay your purse or bags down on the floor or out of your sight at the mall.
Save your most expensive purchases for the end of your shopping trip, so you aren’t carrying them with you for long periods of time.
Whenever possible, shop during daylight hours and if you must shop after dark, go with a friend.
If you’re not driving yourself to go shopping, use the Metro Trip Planner before going out to minimize time waiting at the bus stop or metro station. Never accept a ride from a stranger.
Be aware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Criminals will use different methods to distract you and steal your belongings.
Look around the parking area when you are leaving.
Do not approach your car alone if there are suspicious people in the area. Return to the store and ask security to walk out with you or wait for a family or other group of people to walk out at the same time with you.
Trust your instincts, If something seems suspicious or unsafe, you are probably right.
Each month, Au Pair in America provides a calendar full of fun activities and helpful information for everyone in the family.
