Tag Archives: children

Halloween Safety Tips for Au Pairs and their Children

trick-or-treating-2011
Halloween is a very exciting time for kids in the United States (and for their au pairs, too!). It involves costumes, decorations, and “trick or treating”. To make sure that Halloween is safe for your kids, take some time to talk about safety for the holiday, including being a safe pedestrian, costume tips, and avoiding a candy “binge”. Taking the time to talk about it in advance will help on Halloween night, when the children might be too excited about costumes and candy to think clearly.

Caregivers must ensure that kids are visible to cars when they are outside trick or treating, and that they take precautions while walking. Children should go out with an adult, cross the street at corners or crosswalks, and look both ways before crossing the street. Carry a flashlight or glow sticks, and incorporate reflective materials into costumes.

If you are driving, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic that evening, drive slowly, and be alert in residential neighborhoods. As always, avoid any distractions in the car.

Check candy for any signs of tampering before children eat anything. Any treats with a torn wrapper should be discarded. Also discard any home-made treats which may have been received from strangers.

Have fun!

Summer Safety Tips

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During the summer months we need to take some added precautions to keep children safe in the sun and by the water. We recommend you review these safety tips together as a family to make sure everyone understands how important they are. Have a wonderful and safe summer.
•Avoid long periods of sun exposure especially between 10:00am and 4:00pm
•Apply sunscreen of at least 15 SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays should be worn on sunny and cloudy days
•Infants should be dressed in lightweight clothing covering as much skin as possible and brimmed hats to shade the face
•Stay hydrated, drink water throughout the day
•Intense activities and sports should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels
•Actively supervise children in and around the water, giving them your undivided attention. Appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults
•When in the water there should be an adult at arms length from young children at all times
•Children who cannot swim or who are not strong swimmers should wear water wings or life jackets when in the water
•Never leave children or animals in a car unattended

Memorial Day in the United States

Au Pairs will be celebrating the Memorial Day Holiday weekend with host families, children and friends. This is a day of celebration — there will be parades, hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, a lot of people will be dressed in red, white and blue, and many American flags will be on display. Generally, the American Flag is flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, and is then raised to the top of the flag pole. Memorial Day is a day to remember those men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the United States of America. Following is information about the history of Memorial Day in the United States.
Memorial Day 2014

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states then others followed. It is now celebrated on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays).

Americans honor those who have lost their lives by visiting cemeteries, placing flags and flowers on graves, flying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon, attending parades and participating in the “National Moment of Remembrance” at 3.00pm.

Children can be a part of Memorial Day too. Here are some links to children’s activities:

http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdykws.htm

http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdymcr.htm

http://www.usmemorialday.org/activities/flag/index.htm

http://sunniebunniezz.com/memdyjbc.htm

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” ~Maya Angelou

President's Day – February 17

President's Day
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 the 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?

Thanksgiving Fun For Kids!

Thanksgiving fun for kids

Here are some activities that au pairs can do with their children to celebrate Thanksgiving. Click here to find crafts, coloring sheets, spelling worksheets, math puzzles, nametags and more. Enjoy!

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/thanksgiving/

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/thanksgiving-crafts-ideas

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/23-clever-crafts-to-keep-the-kids-busy-on-thanksgiving

Happy Hanukkah!

Menorah

Hanukkah begins at sundown this evening.

Au Pairs may find fun and educational activities for children at http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/Dreidel

Directions to play the Dreidel game. Play for Hershey kisses, a great way to have fun with the kids when they are home from school! http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/dreidel-game.html

Halloween Activities for Children

Halloween and kidsHalloween and kids 2
October 3lst, is a holiday that is widely celebrated by virtually everyone, its origin lost to current practice. Children dress up in costume – witches, ghosts, and vampires are classic favorites, but anything goes. With the availability of commercial costumes, children can be their favorite action hero or cartoon character, and some girls never tire of being princesses and ballerinas. In the evening children go house to house in costume, ring the doorbell, say “Trick or Treat” and are rewarded with candy or other treats. Some schools have the children come in costume, and there may be parties in the neighborhood. Adults dress up too, so don’t miss
out on the fun! If you are the one at home answering the door to distribute candy, children love a friendly greeting, and to know that their costume is appreciated. Activities for a week or two before Halloween:
• Make simple paper decorations to display for Halloween. Ghosts, witches, bats, pumpkins, jack-o’-lanterns and black cats are all easy to draw and cut out. Mount them on doors and windows to view from outside.
• Check your local library for Halloween stories, ghost stories or stories about witches. There are picture books for young children as well as scarier stories for school age children. Try reading these in the dark if you think your children are brave enough!
• Design and create home-made costumes. Masks are difficult for children to see through,especially at night; face paint is safer (be sure it is the kind that washes off easily). Costumes can be made from an odd assortment of clothes (thrift stores might be a good source for that special touch) or from cardboard boxes, or fabric. Involve the children in the process and it will be a Halloween to remember for all of you! Spray paint works well on boxes (children should not use spray paint themselves). Some ideas from boxes: Candy Bar, Prisoner in jail, space alien (add some aluminum foil, bottle caps etc.), pilot in an airplane and jack-in-the-box.

HALLOWEEN NIGHT

Small children might become frightened of masks and costumes; help them to feel safe. Discuss with your host family what they do about the collected candy. Many children are not allowed to eat the candy until it is inspected to be sure that everything is in a sealed wrapper (there have been some unfortunate ‘tricks’ in the past). Some children are allowed to eat unlimited quantities, others only a certain amount at a time. Some families might give some of the candy to charity collections at school. For additional Halloween night safety tips, see: http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/safety_tips/halloween.asp

International Education Week – November 12 – 16, 2012

IEW

This important week, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the U.S. Department of Education, is observed across the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world. It is always celebrated the week before the American Thanksgiving holiday. International Education Week is an opportunity for au pairs and exchange students to share with their host communities information about their culture, history, government, language, food, holidays school systems and traditions.

International Education week would be a great time for au pairs to volunteer to share their culture and customs with schools, libraries or other organizations in their local communities. American children and adults are always curious about other cultures and customs, and au pairs can provide them with a wealth of valuable, interesting information. For more information about International Education Week, visit their website: http://iew.state.gov/
Rhode Island Au pairs who would like assistance planning their presentation can refer to Au Pair in America’s Global Awareness Website or contact your community counselor.

Au Pairs who offer a cultural presentation during International Education Week will receive recognition on the IEW website and will receive a letter of appreciation from Au Pair in America.

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Halloween Activities for Au Pairs and Children in Rhode Island

2011 HalloweenHalloween is celebrated on October 31st in the United States. It is a favorite family celebration – a time for traditions such as dressing in costumes, trick-or-treating around the neighborhood, and carving pumpkins. American children dress up in funny or scary costumes and go “trick or treating”. The neighbors are expected to respond by giving them small treats. Adults may also dress in costume for Halloween parties. The name “Halloween” comes from the Christian tradition. It is derived from “All Hallow’s Eve.” October 31st is the eve of All Hallows day, better known as All Saints Day. This is a day when the church celebrates and remembers the lives of the saints.

Most au pairs will be celebrating the American tradition of Halloween for the very first time this year. If you are looking for fun ways to celebrate with your children…here are some of the Halloween attractions that will be going on in the Rhode Island area:

Boo Bash: Providence Children’s Musuem; October 29, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM http://www.childrenmuseum.org/
Children can play bewitching games galore, have hands-on fun with imaginative arts and “witch crafts,” explore an eerie environment, mix it up in the mad scientist’s laboratory and much more. Come in costume and have a blast at the biggest Halloween bash around!

Costume Parade: Meet at the Gazebo in Pawtucket Park, Narragansett Parkway, Warwick, October 29 at 1:15 p.m. Participants will trick or treat (wear a costume and bring a treat bag) through the village to the Village Playground in Edgewood for games, goodies and music until 4 p.m. Free. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Evening of Horror: Mystic Performance Workshop, 40 Washington Street, Providence. Haunted house with spooky sounds, children’s activities and family activities, including apple bobbing, face painting and horror move scream. Last entrance to the haunted house is 6:45 p.m. 4 – 7 p.m. $8; $5 ages 12 and younger.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. 401-785-3510. RogerWilliamsParkZoo.org
Thousands of pumpkins set in a magical display or artistry. Carved jack-o-lanterns depicting people, places and scenes from popular culture to old time favorites and everything in between. Nightly 6-10 p.m. Ends November 6. Call or visit website for pricing.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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Creepy, Crawly Family Fun Weekend: October 29, 2011 to October 30, 2011. Take a look at the gross, creepy and crawly things that make Halloween special with spooky activities and Museum creature features! Free goodie bags for each visitor. Location: Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Avenue. Time: noon-4 p.m. Cost: Free with Museum admission of $2. Information: www.providenceri.com/museum/special-events

Annual Host Family Event-September 26, 2010

CakeBear

 

  

 Au Pair in America
Annual Host Family Event
For Host Parents, Children, and Au Pairs

Date: Sunday, September 26, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

23rd Annual Apple Festival
Johnston Memorial Park
1583 Hartford Avenue
Johnston, Rhode Island

You’ll find me at the Au Pair in America table (look for red balloons). I’ll be there all day — stop by when it’s convenient for you, and spend as little or as much time as you’d like! Festivities will be fun for the entire family, and will include:

Live Entertainment
Arts and Crafts
Pony Rides
Children’s Train Rides
Face Painting
Kids’ Zone
Games for all ages
Wellness Fair
Live Cooking Demos
Apple Pie Competition

Free Admission, Plenty of Free Parking and Shuttle Service, Easy Access to I-95 and I-295