Valentine’s Day (February 14) 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. Children usually exchange cards at school.
Are you looking for Valentine’s Day activity, recipe and craft ideas? Look no further… Au Pair in America has a Pinterest pinboard devoted to Valentine’s Day.
Photo: Clever Cupcakes (Flickr)
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
Next Monday is a federal holiday in the USA– Martin Luther King Jr. day. Why do we clebrate him?
Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist in the 1950s and 1960s. He led non-violent protests to fight for the rights of all people including African Americans. He hoped that America and the world could become a colorblind society where race would not impact a person’s civil rights. He is considered one of the great orators of modern times, and his speeches still inspire many to this day.
King was born in the segregated south, but at age 15 spent a summer working in tobacco fields here in CT. He wrote to his mother “I never thought a person of my race could eat anywhere, but we…ate in one of the finest restaurants.” He also wrote of attending church with white people. Later he wrote “After that summer in Connecticut, it was a bitter feeling going back to segregation. I could never adjust to the separate waiting rooms, separate eating places, separate restrooms, partly because the separate was always unequal, and partly because the very idea of separation did something to my sense of dignity and self-respect.”
Here is a link with information about the history of this holiday including a biography of Dr. King, a quiz for kids and a junior crossword. Maybe you can do something special with your host kids to acknowledge the day!
https://www.ducksters.com/biography/martin_luther_king_jr.php
To read the full I Have a dream Speech go to:
Au pairs with Au Pair in America volunteered once again at the Young Women’s League of New Canaan’s second annual children’s Fun Run. The girls, from many different countries, managed the Face Painting tables. All proceeds benefited local charities.
It’s important to have effective morning routines so children get off to school without stress. Older children can help plan their routines.
Here are some specific ideas for minimizing morning madness on school days:
The Workman’s Holiday ~ Dedicated in honor of the worker, Labor Day is also known as the “workingman’s holiday”. The holiday is dedicated to all workers in the United States in respect and appreciation for the work they do in or outside of the home, union or non-union, big companies and small companies, and au pairs too! As long as you work somewhere at something, this holiday is for you! It is a day to celebrate your contribution to American working life and the work you do.
The First Labor Day ~ The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882 and was started by the Central Labor Union in New York City. In 1884, it was moved to the first Monday in September where it is celebrated today. Labor Day quickly became popular and one state after another voted it as a holiday. On June 28, 1894, the U.S. congress voted it a national holiday.
The End of Summer ~ Labor Day is also viewed as the unofficial end of summer. While the Fall Equinox is still a couple of weeks away, kids go back to school and summer vacations are over. This day is celebrated with a long weekend off from work and union-sponsored parades. Many people celebrate this weekend with one last picnic. It is also the date that many people close up the swimming pool, and put away their boats.
Was it McGuire or Maguire? Either Peter McGuire or Matthew Maguire is the Creator of Labor Day. Peter J. McGuire, was an active labor organizer. He was also general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. He was believed to be the first to suggest a day be dedicated to American workers and their accomplishments. Matthew Maguire however, was secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York in 1882 and many believed that he proposed the holiday in 1882.
So What do Americans eat on Labor Day? Picnics and barbecues are popular ways to celebrate Labor Day. Old standards are hamburgers, corn dogs, coleslaw, potato salad corn on the cob, baked beans and sliced tomatoes. Finish up with sliced watermelon, apple or blueberry pie and freshly churned ice cream 🙂
What can you do with the kids on Labor Day? Schools are usually closed on labor day so the children are home for the day. Generally Americans love long weekends and it is an extra special time for families to be together. Join in and be part of the family activities. Enjoy your first Labor Day Weekend in the United States. If you recently arrived this is a great weekend to bond with the kids and get to know them. Go for a bike ride, play in the back yard, go to the park or enjoy the beach and the pool before the fall weather arrives. For indoor quiet activities try these:
Click here for Labor Day coloring pages:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/labor-day/
Click here for Labor Day short stories for children:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/labor-day/short-stories/
Presidents Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of the first US president, President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22 ~ Washington’s actual day of birth ~ the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.
To see a listing of all U.S. presidents go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents. Click on each president to find out who they were and what they achieved during their presidency. Most American school children have to learn their presidents, this is a great site to go through with them and test their knowledge!
The Workman’s Holiday ~ Dedicated in honor of the worker, Labor Day is also known as the “workingman’s holiday”. The holiday is dedicated to all workers in the United States in respect and appreciation for the work they do in or outside of the home, union or non-union, big companies and small companies and au pairs too. As long as you work somewhere at something, this holiday is for you! It is a day to celebrate your contribution to American working life and the work you do.
The First Labor Day ~ The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882 and was started by the Central Labor Union in New York City. In 1884, it was moved to the first Monday in September where it is celebrated today. Labor Day quickly became popular and one state after another voted it as a holiday. On June 28, 1894, the U.S. congress voted it a national holiday.
The End of Summer ~ Labor Day is also viewed as the official end of summer. While the Fall Equinox is still a couple of weeks away, kids go back to school and summer vacations are over. This day is celebrated with a long weekend off from work and union sponsored parades. Many people celebrate this weekend with one last picnic. It is also the date that many people close up the swimming pool, and put away the boats.
Was it McGuire or Maguire? Either Peter McGuire or Matthew Maguire is the Creator of Labor Day. Peter J. McGuire, was an active labor organizer. He was also general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. He was believed to be the first to suggest a day be dedicated to American workers and their accomplishments. Matthew Maguire however, was secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York in 1882 and many believed that he proposed the holiday in 1882.
So What do Americans eat on Labor Day? Picnics and barbecues are popular ways to celebrate Labor Day. Old standards are hamburgers, corn dogs, coleslaw, potato salad corn on the cob, baked beans and sliced tomatoes. Finish up with sliced watermelon, apple or blueberry pie and freshly churned ice cream. Sound good? Want to try a recipe?
http://www.whats4eats.com/salads/potato-salad-recipe
http://www.whats4eats.com/salads/sweet-coleslaw-recipe
http://www.whats4eats.com/desserts/blueberry-pie-recipe
What can you do with the kids on Labor Day? Schools are usually closed on labor day so the children are home for the day. Generally Americans love long weekends and it is an extra special time for families to be together. Join in and be part of the family activities. Enjoy your first Labor Day Weekend in the United States. If you recently arrived this is a great weekend to bond with the kids and get to know them. Go for a bike ride, play in the back yard, go to the park or enjoy the beach and the pool before the fall weather arrives. For indoor quiet activities try these:
Click here for Labor Day coloring pages:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/labor-day/
Click here for Labor Day short stories for children:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/labor-day/short-stories/
Now that back to school sales are in full swing, it is easy to think that summer is over and the kids will be back in school soon – and in some parts of the country, they are! But, many of us are still trying to find ways to keep our kids entertained and occupied for just a few more weeks. Whether your children are with parents orau pair, in camp or home with you- having a toolbox of fun activities can make the summer feel like a vacation for all! Check out the below links to help you master the end of summer like a pro.
http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/activities/school_age_children.asp
http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/activities/toddlers.asp
http://www.pinterest.com/ftbco/camp-crafts/
http://fun.familyeducation.com/play/outdoor-activities/33394.html
Enjoy the sunny days to come!
by Jean Quinn
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11. Help your kids make cool Mother’s Day gifts! Explore Au Pair in America’s hand-picked collection of Pins about Mother’s Day on Pinterest.
Today is Earth Day! The goal of the day is to “increase awareness, responsibility and action towards a clean, healthy future for all living things.” Take some time today to do your part to help the earth: go to a park or other public space with your host family and pick up trash, ensure your host children are recycling everything they can, or plant a tree.
Here are some activities you can do with your children that will help raise awareness! 😀
