{"id":3265,"date":"2014-02-22T10:39:50","date_gmt":"2014-02-22T15:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.aupairinamerica.com\/mdf\/2013\/02\/22\/big-kids-need-interaction-too\/"},"modified":"2015-01-30T18:52:09","modified_gmt":"2015-01-30T18:52:09","slug":"big-kids-need-interaction-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.aupairinamerica.com\/mdf\/2014\/02\/22\/big-kids-need-interaction-too\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Kids Need Interaction, Too"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"KidsJust because a child is old enough to occupy themselves, doesn’t mean that they should be expected to do so the majority of the time.\u00a0 Host families have a certain expectation of activity and involvement for their children. Get the kids engaged and active. You can be more fun than the TV or video game.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Problem:<\/span>
\nBut, my kids don’t want to do anything but watch TV or play video games.<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution:<\/span>
\nInstead of saying – “Would you like to <\/span>(fill in the blank with any activity)<\/span>?\u00a0 The answer will often be, “No.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Try this – “Now we are going to <\/span>(fill in the blank with any activity.)<\/span> or “Would you rather do\u00a0 ___ or ____?”\u00a0 (Make sure both the choices are things you approve of.)<\/span>
\nYour chances of co-operation are greatly increased. Even kids who are reluctant to try new things will usually get in the spirit of things and have fun, if you pick a good activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Problem:<\/span>
\nI don’t know what to do with school age kids?<\/span><\/p>\n

Solution:<\/span>
\nHere are a few easy ideas to start with.\u00a0 Look for more on the internet and the library.\u00a0 Google “activities school age kids” or “activities tweens”<\/span>
\n-Cooking<\/span>
\n-Making things (check craft stores like Michael’s for kits and models that are age appropriate)<\/span>
\n-Going fun places (check the Cluster Google Map<\/span> for all kinds of great places in the local area including pottery making, jewelry making, farms, museums and more)<\/span>
\n-Sports (soccer, tennis, swimming, bicycling, roller skating, ice skating, and more)<\/span>
\n-Visit places in the area like the library, museums and attractions in DC, mini-golf and go-karts<\/span>
\n-Let them teach you to do something they enjoy.\u00a0 Kids this age love being the expert.<\/span>
\n-Get outdoors and visit local parks.\u00a0 You can even make a project of reviewing all the local parks (what kind of equipment they have, is there shade, water fountain?)\u00a0 They can write this up and keep, so they remember which ones they want to go to again and which ones to skip in the future.<\/span>
\n-Let them help you search and plan some activities.<\/span>
\n-Check on the APIA Pinterest page<\/strong><\/a> and here on our cluster blog for<\/span> ideas.
\n-If your host children are in scouts, find out if there are things that they need to complete that you can work on with them.\u00a0 Even if they are not in scouts, I suggest you check your local library for Cub Scout Handbooks (Tiger, Wolf, Bear & Webelos.)\u00a0 They are full of activities appropriate for boys (and girls) from age 7-11.<\/span>
\n-If you have a GPS, try taking them geocaching. <\/span>Here<\/span><\/a> is a website with all the details.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note: Always get permission from your host parents before taking the kids places.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contest:<\/span> The firs<\/strong>t <\/span><\/strong>au pair in my cluster<\/strong> <\/span><\/strong> to send me a message (email or Facebook) telling me their favorite activity to do with school age kids will win a prize!<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just because a child is old enough to occupy themselves, doesn’t mean that they should be expected to do so the majority of the time.\u00a0 Host families have a certain expectation of activity and involvement for their children. Get the kids engaged and active. You can be more fun than the TV or video game. Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[37,397,510,1041,908],"class_list":["post-3265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","tag-activity","tag-fun","tag-interaction","tag-kids","tag-tweens"],"yoast_head":"\nBig Kids Need Interaction, Too - Au Pair Chatter<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Big Kids Need Interaction, Too - Au Pair Chatter\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Just because a child is old enough to occupy themselves, doesn’t mean that they should be expected to do so the majority of the time.\u00a0 Host families have a certain expectation of activity and involvement for their children. 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