Author Archives: Dominique Ortiz

A FUN DAY HELPING OUT AT AFAC

A group of 30 + au pairs from Au Pair In America joined the volunteers at AFAC (Arlington Food Assistance Center) to sort out and carry crates of non perishable food items collected today by the boy scouts all around Arlington.IMG_0204IMG_0203

Many of them expressed an interest in coming back during their free time to help serve their community and give back.IMG_0205

Want to know more about au pairs?

“Au pair” means “on par” or equal. Au pairs and EduCare companions are international visitors who travel to the United States on a J-1 Visitor Exchange Visa to acquire a better understanding and appreciation of American life while living with an American family and caring for their young children. View our au pairs available now.

Au pairs and companions become full-fledged family members, sharing a cultural exchange experience that often leads to a lasting relationship with the host family.

Au pairs on our Au Pair or Extraordinaire programs care for children of all ages – infants from three months of age, pre-school and school age. EduCare companions are au pairs who care exclusively for older children who are in school for a full five days a week.

All au pairs and companions make a commitment to participate in the program for 12 months. Those in good standing at the end of 12 months have an option to apply for an extension of duration of stay to continue their participation an additional 6, 9 or 12 months.

If you are eager to learn about another culture by hosting a young woman who, in turn, provides child care, then one of our program options can meet your expectations.

– See more at: http://www.aupairinamerica.com/aupairs/#sthash.Yro1tawm.dpuf

HEALTHY HABITS

Now that cooler weather is upon us and the flu season is here, we wanted to offer some general suggestions and reminders to help you and the children under your care to stay healthy throughout the year.

Keeping a healthy body, mind and spirit= Balance

Get enough sleep

Eat healthily

Exercise regularly

Take some time each day to relax

Rest or slow down when you feel tired

Maintain a balance between work, rest, relaxation and your social life

Go outdoors! Even when it’s cold.  Cold air doesn’t cause illness, staying cooped up inside with the germs usually does it. Plus the sunshine (Vitamin D) is good for you.

Protect yourself and others

Please remember that preventing illness and the spread of disease protects not just you and your family, but also children who may have serious conditions affecting their ability to fight off infections. Kids who may have asthma, diabetes, heart disease, severe allergies, cystic fibrosis, cancer or other conditions are more vulnerable.

Avoid spreading germs, wash your hands, cover your cough, and stay home if sick

Cover coughs or sneeze with the crook  of your elbow or a tissue-not your hand

Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water will help prevent the spread of influenza, strep throat, stomach viruses, and many other diseases.  Please keep children home from school if they have a respiratory illness, fever, diarrhea or vomiting.

Shower regularly

Avoid contact with people who have cold or flu symptoms

Keep a clean and healthy home environment

Keep frequently touched surface clean(kitchen counters, computer keyboards and computer areas, telephones, doorknobs)

Keep the children’s play area and toys clean

Keep your bedroom dust free as possible.Vacuum regularly and empty your waste basket daily.

Prevent the flu

Did you know the flu virus can knock you out for a week or more? Symptoms include high fever and severe head and muscle aches. Infection can lead to complications like ear and sinus infections, dehydration, and bacterial pneumonia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine each year.

Where can you get the flu vaccine?

Flu vaccines are available NOW in medical offices, pharmacies and at your County Public Health Division.  Go to http://health.arlingtonva.us/flu/  to find out about a place near you.

You don’t need to have a regular doctor or nurse to get the flu vaccine.

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Have a safe and healthy Fall Season!

Applying for a library card and getting the kids excited about reading

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Arlington county (www. library.arlingtonva.us)and Falls Church (www.fallschurchva.gov/424/Library) libraries offer story time on a weekly basis.Don’t miss out on them and locate a branch that is close to you.

They also host additional events such as Nanny club,Paws to read and the American Girl program.

Visit your local branch or check the website to find one that offers a program best suited to your child.

You can also check out other options at Barnes and Noble in Clarendon (store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/2068),Bartons Child’s Play on Lee Highway(www.bartonschildsplay.com) or Kinder Haus Toys on North Fillmore Street(www.kinderhaus.com)

Au pairs, don’t forget to apply for a free library card-both Arlington and Falls Church cards can be used at any libraries in our cluster.

To apply ,go to any local library,fill out an application and provide a valid proof of address.

Valid proof of address includes (but is not limited to) a driver’s license, bill or delivered mail.

HAPPY READING!

FUN IN THE SUN

banner_kalinova_gayYoung babies should be kept out of direct sunlight. Keep the baby in the shade or under a tree, umbrella or stroller canopy.

Dress babies in lightweight clothing and use brimmed hats.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside.

Try to keep children out of the sun in the middle of the day when the sun is strongest.

PLAYGROUND SAFETY

The basic rule of playground safety: watch the children at all times, particularly near swings.
Some playgrounds are on school grounds and should be avoided if the school children are outside playing.
Whenever you go out in warm weather, remember to bring along drinks.
It is important to apply sunscreen, even if it is hazy.
Safety around water is particularly important. A child can drown in just a few inches of water. Whenever you are near water you must never leave a child alone – if the phone rings, take them with you or let it ring! Always stay within arm’s reach when the children are in water.

JOIN US AT THE CULTURAL FAIR SATURDAY APRIL 5th FROM 1:00pm to 3:00pm

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Au Pair in America is hosting a DC Regional Cultural Fair

Au pairs representing over 35 different countries will provide: children’s activities, performances, visual displays, face painting and a cultural parade. This event is open to the public. Anyone interested in learning about other cultures and the Au Pair in America program are invited.

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Saturday, April 5, 2014
1:00-3:00 PM
Spanish Ballroom
Glen Echo Park
7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, Maryland 20812


March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day

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St. Patrick is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland.  St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in the US since 1737.  Traditional icons of the day are the shamrock, leprechaun, the color green and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In Chicago, they city celebrates with a parade and the Chicago River is dyed green.

Fun activities to do with children:

Torn Paper Shamrocks
Draw a shamrock shape on a piece of paper. Have the children tear pieces of green construction paper, and glue them inside the lines for the shamrock shape.

Creating The Color Green
Ask the children what colors you need to make green.  Then supply them with blue and yellow paint and white paper.  You should start with your yellow and add a little amount of blue. Ask the children to mix the colors to get their favorite shade of green.  Discuss  how all the colors of green are a little different.

Shamrock Search
Cut out many shamrock shapes and hide them around the room. Have the children search for them like an Easter Egg hunt.

Shamrock Sequencing
Cut out many different sizes of shamrocks. Four or five will be fine. Have your child arrange the shamrocks in order of size, largest to smallest, or smallest to largest.

Treasure Hunt 1
Draw a simple map of your house. Hide a “treasure” somewhere in your house, something like a snack, or maybe a treasured toy. Explain the map to your child. Tell them where each room is. Next say there is a hidden treasure in the house, and the map is going to help them find it. Draw an X on the map where you have hidden the treasure. Help your child look for the treasure

Don’t miss the St Patrick’s Day Parade in DC: http://dc.about.com/cs/familyactivities/a/StPatsParade.htm

Happy St Patrick’s Day!