February 2 – Ground Hog Day – Traditionally, the groundhog is supposed to wake up on February 2, and come up out of his burrow. If he sees his shadow, he will return to the burrow for six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, he remains outside and starts his year, because he knows that spring has arrived early. In the U.S., the “official” groundhog is kept in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and is called “Phil.” Though not based in science, it is a fun US tradition.  The movie, starring Bill Murray is hilarious!

February 3 Chinese New Year – The oldest and most important festival in China is the Spring Festival, more commonly known in the West as Chinese New Year. 2011 is the year of the Rabbit.  The celebrations generally run from February 2 through February 15, the day of the lantern festival celebration.

February 6- Super Bowl Sunday! – This year’s game features the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Green Bay Packers.  The Super Bowl is the annual American Football championship and a popular time for friends to gather in front of the TV. Each year millions of people watch the game, the half-time show – or just the commercials!  People will be talking about the commercials for days. To learn more about football visit the “Life in the US” section of this website http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/football.asp

February 8 Boy Scout Day – Boy Scout Day celebrates the birthday of Scouting in America. It was on February 8th 1910 when William Dickson Boyce filed incorporation papers in the District of Columbia and created the Boy Scouts of America.  If your host child is a Boy or Girl Scout, think about doing a Global Awareness presentation for the troop. 

February 14 – Valentine’s Day –  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.  Children usually exchange cards at school.  A fun activity to do with the children is to have them make their own Valentine’s Day cards for their parents, friends and school mates.

February 17- Random Acts of Kindness Day – Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. So…perform a few random acts of kindness- hold the door for a stranger, let someone go ahead of you in line at the grocery store, pay the road toll for the car behind you, give a compliment…the ideas are endless. See if you can “pay it forward” and make today a great day!

February –21 President’s Day – (Westport schools are closed Feb. 21-25th)  President’s Day is a Federal holiday created to commemorate the births of former Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12). Throughout America, Presidents’ Day is observed by big sales in retail stores, closed schools and no mail delivery.  Things to do with children: The United States has had more than 40 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?

February 18 – Louis Tiffany – Born in 1848 Tiffany (whose father started the Tiffany jewelry store) was a very fine painter but is best known for his work in stained glass. Make your own “stained glass” by following these easy instructions. This is a perfect use for broken crayons. Spread out newspaper and make crayon shavings (a small pencil sharpener is perfect for this). Cover the ironing board with newspaper and sprinkle the crayon shavings on a square of wax paper. Cover with another square of wax paper and more newspaper. Press the paper with a warm iron until the wax of the crayons is melted. These look beautiful hung in the window! Make a frame out of construction paper if you wish.

February 20 – Post Office – On this day in 1792 the first postal service was created in the United States. Preschool and young elementary age children will love to create their own post office at home. You need envelopes (you can use new ones or save the return envelopes from junk mail), a rubber stamp and inkpad, stickers and some paper. Children can write a note or draw a picture to put in the envelope. They can use the stickers as stamps and the rubber stamp to make the “postmark.” They can deliver the mail to bedrooms or you can create mailboxes by stacking a few empty shoeboxes on their sides.

 

Childcare focus-Whether you are at the park, in the backyard or in the playroom, stay with the children at all times!  If you are on duty the safety and well being of the children is your job.  If you have a middle-schooler, who is able to walk to and from school, or play outside with friends, you still need to know where he/she is and whether an adult is present. Make plans for when he/she will call you, where you can find him/her, and what time you expect him/her home.

Driving- Due to the enormous piles of snow, drivers are having difficulty seeing other cars when pulling out on to a street.  Slow down.  Be ready to stop and/or use your horn to warn drivers not to move forward and cut you off. 

Education- Have you given your counselor your proof of education yet?  All proof of education must state your name, ID number, school attended, course title, and number of credits/hours earned. If I do not have proof that your education requirement has been completed, your completion bonus, if you are eligible to receive one, will be withheld and you forfeit the opportunity to extend.

The following documents are acceptable proof of your education completed:

~Letter from the school on letterhead

~Completion certificate from the school

~School transcript

 

Safety –Childproofing With shorter days and colder weather, you and the children are probably spending more time inside the house. Please be sure that the house is “childproof” with these simple tips:

• Children are curious; many small children put everything into their mouths. Be sure no small objects, plastic bags or long cords are within the child’s reach.
• Be sure that laundry soap and other cleaners are out of reach of the children.
• Keep medicines, and cosmetic items such as mouthwash, perfume, nail polish, and hair spray  out of reach of children
• Keep scissors and knives out of reach.
• Store the toys that belong to older children out of reach of babies and toddlers.

 

Hints for success– Respect the privacy of others. Be considerate and appreciative, especially when using things that do not belong to you.

Enjoy February!