{"id":52,"date":"2014-02-22T14:05:07","date_gmt":"2014-02-22T19:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.aupairinamerica.com\/mdl\/?p=52"},"modified":"2014-10-09T10:56:49","modified_gmt":"2014-10-09T14:56:49","slug":"big-kids-need-interaction-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.aupairinamerica.com\/mdl\/2014\/02\/22\/big-kids-need-interaction-too\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Kids Need Interaction Too!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Kids-play-LabyrinthX-2--300x199\" Just because a child is old enough to occupy themselves, doesn\u2019t mean that they\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 should be expected to do so the majority of the time. 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.<\/p>\n

Problem:<\/strong> But, my kids don\u2019t want to do anything but watch TV or play video games.<\/p>\n

Solution:<\/strong> Instead of saying \u2013 \u201cWould you like to (fill in the blank with any activity)? The answer will often be, \u201cNo.\u201d Try this \u2013 \u201cNow we are going to (fill in the blank with any activity.) or \u201cWould you rather do ___ or ____?\u201d (Make sure both the choices are things you approve of.) Your 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.<\/p>\n

Problem:<\/strong> I don\u2019t know what to do with school age kids?<\/p>\n

Solution:<\/strong> Here are a few easy ideas to start with. Look for more on the internet and the library. Google \u201cactivities school age kids\u201d or \u201cactivities tweens\u201d<\/p>\n

-Cooking -Making things (check craft stores like Michael\u2019s for kits and models that are age appropriate)<\/p>\n

-Going fun places<\/p>\n

-Sports (soccer, tennis, swimming, bicycling, roller skating, and more)<\/p>\n

-Visit places in the area like the library, museums and attractions in DC, mini-golf and go-karts.<\/p>\n

-Let them teach you to do something they enjoy. Kids this age love being the expert.<\/p>\n

-Get outdoors and visit local parks. You can even make a project of reviewing all the local parks (what kind of equipment they have, is there shade, water fountain?) 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.<\/p>\n

-Let them help you search and plan some activities.<\/p>\n

-Check on the APIA Pinterest<\/a> page and here on our cluster blog for ideas.<\/p>\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. Even if they are not in scouts, I suggest you check your local library for Cub Scout Handbooks (Tiger, Wolf, Bear & Webelos.) They are full of activities appropriate for boys (and girls) from age 7-11.<\/p>\n

-If you have a GPS, try taking them geocaching. Here<\/a> is a website with all the details. Note: Always get permission from your host parents before taking the kids places.<\/p>\n

Contest: The first au pair in my cluster to send me a message (email or Facebook) telling me their favorite activity to do with school age kids will win a prize!<\/p>\n

Article credit: CConnally<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just because a child is old enough to occupy themselves, doesn\u2019t mean that they\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 should be expected to do so the majority of the time. 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":43,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[4,11,41,58,65,68],"class_list":["post-52","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-activities","tag-big-kids","tag-geocaching","tag-library","tag-museums","tag-pintrest"],"yoast_head":"\nBig Kids Need Interaction Too! - Au Pairs in Southern Maryland<\/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 Pairs in Southern Maryland\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Just because a child is old enough to occupy themselves, doesn\u2019t mean that they\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 should be expected to do so the majority of the time. 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