Monthly Archives: January 2013

Flu Season – Helpful Tips

Dear host families and au pairs,

See below helpful tips from the Center for Disease Control on preventing the spread of germs and dealing with flu-like symptoms.

Since some of the recommendations are open to interpretation (ex. avoid contact with sick people), it is recommended that host families and au pairs discuss the proper procedures in sufficient detail to make it clear what is appropriate and expected in a given household.

Helpful Tips

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has helpful tips on everyday preventive actions to STOP the spread of germs:

1. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

2.  If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

3. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.

4. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

5. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol based rub.

6.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

7. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu.

8. To find out more information about the flu and how it may affect you visit the CDC website at cdc.gov

Pinata-making Workshop

PINATA is a one of the most enjoyable imports from Latin American countries that has made countless appearances across the country at children’s birthday parties. It is a large, brightly decorated container made of paper-mache (often in the shape of an animal, star, or cone) and suspended from a height. Blindfolded children attempt to smash it with sticks to release candy and toys contained within.NOLPinataworkshop


On a Saturday afternoon au pairs joined piñata-making workshop presented by Scarlett Alaniz at the Newcomb Art Gallery in the Waldenberg Art Center on Tulane campus. Immediately after, Rosy, au pair from Mexico, shared with other au pairs her tips on making piñatas in a slightly less elaborate but equally successful way.  No doubt a few home-made piñatas will soon show up at kids’ parties in the area.

After singing Happy Birthday to Esther from Spain and enjoying both B-day cake and Mardi Gras King Cake, au pairs decided to have some more fun at the parade. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

NOLTulanepinataworkshopNOLEstherbirthdayNOLPinataTulane

Puppets

PUPPETS are a wonderful way to enjoy art and drama and to develop language skills.
They can be used with all ages of children.  The youngest children can watch you perform and talk to the puppet.  Starting at about age 3 the children can help make the puppets and put on simple ‘shows.’  You can make a puppet from almost anything.  Here are some ideas to get you started.

Finger puppets:
♦ Draw a face on your fingertip.
♦ Draw on strips of paper and tape them around your fingers to make different characters.
♦ Decorate the fingertips of an old glove with felt, yarn for hair and beads or buttons for eyes;
make a whole family on one hand.
♦ Cut out simple animal or people outlines on cardboard.  Do not include legs or feet but leave a wide bottom edge.  Cut out two holes near the bottom – large enough to put a finger through each hole.  Your fingers can make this kind of puppet dance or walk.
♦ Almost anything slipped over your fingertip can make a puppet – try making faces on a paper cup, or a ball.  Put a cloth napkin over your hand first to give the puppet some clothes.
♦ A toilet paper tube can be used vertically for a soldier or other figure, or horizontally for a dragon or other long animals.  Just put the tube over your finger to make it move.
Stick puppets:
♦ Make a drawing of an animal or person and glue it to the end of a Popsicle stick.  You can drawhair or make the hair more interesting using curled paper.
♦ Cut out photographs of members of the family or friends and glue them to sticks.  You can act out real family events.
Sock Puppets:
♦ A simple puppet can be made from an old sock by adding hair and eyes.  Put your thumb in the heel and your fingers in the toe of the sock to make the mouth.
♦ For a fancier version cut a plastic lid in half and then tape it together to make a hinge.  Glue this mouth in place at the toe end of a sock.  This makes a great dragon.
Paper Bag Puppets:
♦ Take a lunch size paper bag and draw a face on the flap at the bottom of the bag.  Glue on hair, ears or other features.  Put your hand inside the bag.  Move the flap up and down to make the puppet talk.
♦ To make an owl glue or draw eyes under the flap.  Draw eyelids and eyelashes on the flap.  Add wings, ears and feet.  When you move the flap up and down the owl will blink.
Making a Stage for the Puppets
♦ Hide behind the back of a couch.
♦ Use the edge of a table covered with a tablecloth or turn a table on its side on the floor.
♦ Balance a mop handle or broom stick between two chairs and hang a large towel or blanket over the stick to make a stage.
♦ Make a puppet theatre out of a large cardboard box (appliance size).  Cut a window for the
puppets.  Operate the puppets from inside.

Enjoy the show!

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the “I Have A Dream” speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968.  Shortly after he died, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single “Happy Birthday” and a petition with six million signatures, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000.

Martin Luther King Day is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups.

Here are some fun activities to do with children on this holiday:

http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/mlk/games.htm