Tag Archives: Southern Maryland au pairs

Father’s Day

Father’s Day in the U.S. is Sunday, June 21.

Father’s Day recognizes fathers, fatherhood and paternal bonds in general, as well as the positive contributions that they make to society.

The nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. However, it was not until 1972–58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official–that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States. Father’s Day 2020 occurs on Sunday, June 21.

You will find great ideas for projects you can make with your host children here on the Au Pair in America Father’s Day pinboard.

Create an out of this world Father’s Day card! How about a Father’s Day Fingerprint Dish ? Or a Building Memories with Dad Jar! Try making some salt dough to capture hand or footprints. Create a cool memory with this Glad You’re My Dad printable! Create a one of a kind pair of work gloves.  Create an artistic photo with the host kids!

Photo: Wellspring Community School {flickr}

Camp Au Pair – Nature Exploration

Now for some fun in nature!!! Get out and explore a bit, collect some treasures along the way! Most of these activities are easily created using items likely already around the house, but you may need to plan ahead a bit to have supplies on hand! Check with your host family about getting supplies to use!

 

So many great ideas! Check them out on the Au Pair in America Pinterest boards here!

Let’s Learn About:

  • The Baltimore Oriole. From their brief taxonomic hiatus to their intense sugar cravings, there’s a lot to know about these brilliant birds.
  • Make hummingbird nectar. Hummingbirds may be some of the smallest birds in the world,  but fluttering those tiny wings can be quite a workout. Flapping away at up to 90 beats per second burns up calories fast; to maintain their momentum, hummingbirds need to eat—a lot! To satisfy their speedy metabolisms, these busy birds consume half their body weight in bugs and nectar, feeding every 10-15 minutes and visiting 1,000-2,000 flowers per day.
  • Illustrator Johanna Basford teaches us how to draw simple birds.

Focus on History:

Rachel Carson, was a writer, scientist, and ecologist. She had a a life-long love of nature and the living world that Rachel expressed first as a writer and later as a student of marine biology.

Field Trips:

 

Check out Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center. They have a wonderful Fairy Lolly to play in and trails to walk along. Search for the Fairy Houses along the way! This summer, they are hosting an Enchanted Summer at the Garden. Admission is charged.

Historic St. Mary’s City walking trails are open year round.  While the living history portion of the center is by admission, hikers can travel a rustic 3.2 mile path through 700 acres of natural areas without tickets. This trail travels through woods and fields at water’s edge along Milburn Creek and the St. Mary’s River. This hike offers numerous opportunities to discover the native flora and fauna of the tidewater region.

Virtual Field Trip Options:

The Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma: Escape the confines of your home and take a virtual  field trip through Oklahoma’s vast wilderness by clicking through several 360-degree views of the Conservancy’s various preserves. You can also click on features of the landscapes to learn more about the unique prairie ecosystem.

Yellowstone National Park: Experience the main attractions of Yellowstone National Park from the comfort of your home! Feast your eyes on famous sights such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs and Mud Volcano. Scientists have also created 3-D models of some of the landscapes and geysers that are not to be missed.

Virtual dives:

You won’t need scuba gear to feel like you’re underwater with these stunning high-res 360-degree views of national marine sanctuaries like the Florida Keys, Monterey Bay and the Olympic Coast. You can even pair your device with a virtual reality headset for the ultimate immersive experience.

Webcams:

National Audubon Society Webcams: Explore a variety of webcam options, from Africa, farms, bears, puffins, wolves, honeybees, and even the Aurora Borealis.

Videos: Check out the cool videos at Bob’s Pennsylvania Wildlife Camera 

Resources:

Consider joining in the Free Forest School near you! Free Forest School ignites children’s innate capacity to learn through unstructured play in nature, fostering healthy development & nurturing the next generation of creative thinkers, collaborative leaders & environmental stewards.

Books:

Check out your library (or Amazon) for great books about the outdoors!

  • Backpack Explorer: On the Nature Trail.
  • My First Book About Backyard Nature: Ecology for Kids!
  • Hiking Day, by Anne Rockwell. A little girl and her family go hiking up a nearby mountain for the very first time. As they climb up and up the path, they see everything from a friendly toad to a prickly porcupine, tall leafy trees to tiny red berries.
  • Gator, gator, gator, by Daniel Bernstrom. A fearless little girl takes off in search of a giant gator–but she’s not going into that swamp alone! No way! She wants YOU, the reader, to come along. Off you go, peering through the lush landscapes, looking for that gator! But each time you think you see it? Oops! Just a fox. Or some ducks! Or a snake. Maybe you’ll never find the gator, gator, gator…

Photos by: Virginia State Parks {flickr}, rain0975 {flickr}, Nick Goodrum {flickr}, Fred Schroeder {flickr}, Cynthia Chan

Camp Au Pair – Outer Space & Flight!

Get ready to blast off as we explore outer space and flight this week! Ready for some serious fun? How about creating the phases of the moon with Oreo’s, exploring solar system mazes or building a space shuttle with recyclables? Try creating outer space themed lunches and snacks, flashlight constellations and answering the questions on “If I Could Be An Astronaut!”

Our Pinterest board is FULL of great ideas for you to use to explore outer space from the comfort of your own home! Moon rocks are optional!

Focus on History: They taught the world to fly!

Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights on December 17, 1903. With courage and perseverance, these self-taught engineers relied on teamwork and application of the scientific process. What they achieved changed our world forever. Click on the link above for many wonderful activities for kids!

Bessie Coleman, soared across the sky as the first African American, and the first Native American woman pilot. Known for performing flying tricks, Coleman’s nicknames were; “Brave Bessie,” “Queen Bess,” and “The Only Race Aviatrix in the World.” Her goal was to encourage women and African Americans to reach their dreams. Unfortunately, her career ended with a tragic plane crash, but her life continues to inspire people around the world. Click on her name to learn more about this amazing woman.

Resources:

Virtual Field Trip Options:

Webcams – You can do a google search for websites with webcams which allow you to observe space. Here is one from the International Space Station to get you started.

Videos – Look for fun videos on YouTube about outer space. Solar System 101 is good for school aged kids. The Planet Song is for toddlers and preschoolers. WALL-E, Zathura, Monsters vs. Aliens & Star Wars are all great family movies that fit with this theme. For older kids, movies like Hidden Figures and the Martian too, both are rated PG-13.

Books –

Amazon has a great list of books on outer space and astronomy.

Photo: AGeekMom; Photo.Resource.Org; Charles Edward Miller

Camp Au Pair – Art Exploration

It’s time for Camp Au Pair! In some areas, summer has started! In other areas, it’s about to start! Weekly, we will be posting Camp Au Pair themes throughout the summer! First up: Art Exploration!  Roll up your sleeves for some artsy fun next week!! Art is a great way to engage with your host kids and have a great time together!

For more great art ideas, check out the Au Pair in America Pinterest board!

The National Art Gallery has a wonderful option for kids. NGA kids interactives offer an entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history. Featuring a variety of art-making tools that encourage exploration and creativity, these computer-based activities are suitable for all ages. You can learn about each program by clicking on the associated thumbnail image. Download the Art Zone or NGAkids App applications to your Macintosh or Windows-based computer, or order the free CDs. There is also an iOS version of the NGAkids App for iPad.

Virtual Field Trip:

  • #MetKids is a digital feature made for, with, and by kids. Explore The Met with our interactive map and watch behind-the-scenes videos that feature kids just like you. With fun facts and creative projects for the galleries or at home, #MetKids has been inspired, tested, and approved by real kids ages 7–12.
  • Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center has several tour options –Educational Wildlife Tiles – Visit the Children’s Overlook in the Demas Family Discovery Garden, and view the ceramic tiles made by Southern Maryland artist, Parran Collery. The tiles feature birds, butterflies, and flowers that can be seen at the Garden.  Tour the first floor    Tour the second floorTour the Garden – Enjoy a walk along our wooded path and discover sculptures from our permanent collection on loan from the Smithsonian and The National Gallery of Art and other surprises along the way. Tour the Garden here.Social Distancing Field Trip:
  • The Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center has reopened their grounds for visitors.Grounds open daily 10am-5pm.  Please note the following:
    • Sculpture Walk & Trails are open!
    • Fairy houses are here! Look for the Nature Wand activity!
    • Fairy Lolly Creative Play Space & Arts Building are closed to the public for the time being.
    • Masks are encouraged, but not required; maintain at least 6′ from other family groups.
    • A staff member will be on duty in the Arts Building during operating hours; to reach them call 410-326-4640.

     

    To continue to serve our community and keep our gates open, we need your support.  Please pay what you can when you visit.  Ways to give are posted on site when you enter. Thank you for very much! For more info click here!

Art work by Sarah, age 7  Chalk drawing photography, Walter (1) {flickr}

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day in the U.S. is Sunday, May 10.

Mother’s Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well as the positive contributions that they make to society. It was established by Anna Jarvis, with the first official Mother’s Day was celebrated at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908.

Mother’s Day was officially established by President Woodrow Wilson as a holiday in the United States in 1911. The celebration of mother;s in not unique to the United States, however. More than 40 countries celebrate in some way! How about your country? Do you celebrate Mother’s Day? If so, this is a good opportunity to share culturally how you celebrate. Compare and contrast between the two countries! You can read about how several countries celebrate Mother’s Day here.

You will find great ideas for projects you can make with your host children here on the Au Pair in America Mother’s Day pinboard.

How about printable cards to color? Or a tin can butterfly planter! Try making some salt dough to capture hand or footprints.

Photo: Mrs. Flinger (Flickr)

Art Exploration

Roll up your sleeves for some artsy fun this week!! Art is a great way to engage with your host kids and have a great time together!

For more great art ideas, check out the Au Pair in America Pinterest board!

The National Art Gallery has a wonderful option for kids. NGA kids interactives offer an entertaining and informative introduction to art and art history. Featuring a variety of art-making tools that encourage exploration and creativity, these computer-based activities are suitable for all ages. You can learn about each program by clicking on the associated thumbnail image. Download the Art Zone or NGAkids App applications to your Macintosh or Windows-based computer, or order the free CDs. There is also an iOS version of the NGAkids App for iPad.

Virtual Field Trip:

  • #MetKids is a digital feature made for, with, and by kids. Explore The Met with our interactive map and watch behind-the-scenes videos that feature kids just like you. With fun facts and creative projects for the galleries or at home, #MetKids has been inspired, tested, and approved by real kids ages 7–12.
  • Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center has several tour options –Educational Wildlife Tiles – Visit the Children’s Overlook in the Demas Family Discovery Garden, and view the ceramic tiles made by Southern Maryland artist, Parran Collery. The tiles feature birds, butterflies, and flowers that can be seen at the Garden.  Tour the first floor    Tour the second floor

    Tour the Garden – Enjoy a walk along our wooded path and discover sculptures from our permanent collection on loan from the Smithsonian and The National Gallery of Art and other surprises along the way. Tour the Garden here.

Art work by Sarah, age 7

St. Patrick’s Day!

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner! Are you looking for creative ideas to share with your kids or host kids? Check out some of these great ideas!!  Oh, and don’t forget to wear GREEN on March 17th so you don’t get pinched!!

Knock Knock Jokes

Talk Like a Leprechaun

Lucky Leprechaun Name

Have a green scavenger hunt!

Marshmallow Shamrock Stamping

St. Patrick’s Day Science – Walking Rainbow

Green Pancakes

Easy Crafts

 

Photo: Walter {Flickr}

Cooking For & With Kids!

Cooking with children can help with many skills and encourage them to become an adventurous eater! It engages the senses, builds mathematics and critical thinking skills, explores science, build language skills, you can share your culture or learn about a new one together through food.

Check out these great tips for kitchen safety!

Ready to cook up a bit of fun in the kitchen? Check out these great ideas! Consider making animal pancakes for breakfast or a fun snack! Or a birdhouse sandwich for lunch!

How about a tropical fruit snack plate?  Or a fun popcorn mix? Or try some PB&J faux sushi?  Create a fruit filled rainbow!

Make your own granola bars! Or jellyfish sandwiches!

 

Photo: Melissa {flickr}

Valentine’s Day Bingo Cluster Fun!

Au pairs in Southern Maryland gathered for a fun evening of HEART bingo!

We played using conversation hearts as markers and everyone got a box of chocolates after our games! Conversation hearts were new to our au pairs and we had a lively discussion about them and we enjoyed reading the phrases to each other! Tiny bubble wands are always fun! Each of the au pairs were given one for themselves and enough to take home for their host kids!

International Potluck

Recently we gathered some of the local au pairs together for a delicious evening of international food sampling! A diverse collection of foods were served!

  • Steamed bread and melktert from South Africa.
  • Meatballs, potato salad, schnitzel, pancakes with cinnamon sugar / applesauce and Kinder chocolate from Germany.
  • Mung bean salad and Chinese sausage along with rice candy, White Rabbit candy, Poky Sticks and a jello type candy to celebrate Lunar New Year.
  • Kielbasa and pasta from Poland.
  • A chicken dish similar to chicken fricasse from Brazil.
  • Dragonfruit from Central America.
  • Representing the US – Oreos, apple pie, our interpretation of Chicago style popcorn (a mix of cheddar, caramel and regular buttered & salt) and Pop Rocks!

“I really enjoyed our International Potluck. It was so nice to talk about our home country, exchange traditions and of course to try something very typical from each country. It was super delicious and I really love spending time with all of you! I had super nice conversations. I tried everything and I think my favorite was Patrycja’s polish food, and the Chinese noodles! Actually, EVERYTHING was amazing! It was such a great experience. I had a wonderful time! Thank you for making this happen!”

  •  Emily, Germany

 

“I loved everything! The food was great and I loved the potato salad and the Chicago popcorn and how can I forget the pop rocks, it was really cool! I didn’t know what dragon fruit was and that is was cactus plant and that is indigenous to the America’s that was really cool. I honestly enjoyed everything. 

  • Zizi, South Africa

“The International Potluck was fun! Pauline and I were talking about it and we recognized that we only got to try very tasty dishes. There was nothing that we didn’t like! I personally tried all the food: Brazilian salad, South African bread, South African dessert, Polish Pasta, Chinese sausage and pasta salad and a lot of German and American dishes. It was really interesting and exciting and I can imagine that I will try some of the recipes either with my host kids or at back home.”

  •    Carla, Germany

“International potluck was a fantastic idea to bring different cultures together in a really simple way! All the dishes were very interesting and tasty! I was already familiar with German food and I really enjoyed it! Steamed bread was new to me, as well as Chinese sausage. This was also the first time I was introduced to pop rocks and it was really cool! Overall, I think that international potluck was one of the best ideas to bring au pairs together.”

-Patrycja, Poland

“I loved the potluck! I loved the variety of dishes we could try and I thought I was really interesting that some meals that come from different countries are actually similar to some meals I know. For example, the dessert that Danielle made (Melktert, South Africa), it reminded me a lot of a dessert my grandma used to make. So, I think that’s really cool! All in all I think it was a really cool idea for a cluster meeting and I totally enjoyed it!”

  • Pauline, Germany

 

“I really like the Chinese sausages and the dish Patrycja brought (Kielbasa and penne pasta). The Chinese sweet treats were a real surprise and taste different than I would have expected. The German food reminded me a lot about food back home since we have a lot of the same dishes.”

  • Danielle, South Africa

“I really enjoyed the potluck! I think that it was a really great and different way to learn about everyone’s culture! And especially Danielle’s dish (melktert) was sooo awesome!”

  • Rebecca, Germany