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NEVER leave a child alone in a car , even for a minute!

Outside Temperature : images-1

101º F

Inside Vehicle Temperature:

140º F

Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the window slightly open.

Teach children not to play in any vehicle.

Lock all  vehicle doors and trunk after everyone has exited  –especially  at home. Here is a great suggestion from one of my cluster’s host moms:

One thing I always do now—

ALWAYS Leave my door (drivers door) Wide OPEN when I get out of the car.  Then I unload the kids and ensure everyone is out before I go back and close my door. That way I know everyone is out before there is potential for locking anyone in. 

Keep  keys out of children’s reach.

Check vehicles and trunks FIRST if a child  goes missing.

 

 

Have a safe summer everyone:-)

 

SPRAYGROUNDS in Arlington,VA

Au Pairs,

Memorial Day is behind us which means Arlington Parks and Recreation has officially opened the spraygrounds around the county.

Spraygrounds are parks where kids can splash and play with water; it’s a great place to cool off a bit this summer, they are free and open from now til Labor Day weekend.

Check if there is one near you and confirm with your host parents that it is okay to bring your host child/children to one of them:https://parks.arlingtonva.us/parksfacilities/spraygrounds

Don’t forget sunscreen and bug spray:-)

 

Memorial Day celebration


Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering and honoring people who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday is observed every year on the last Monday of May.  Many cities and towns host parades (check local websites to get information).  Families and friends often relax and enjoy picnics, cook outs, opening the pool or a trip to the beach.

·         The federal holiday was originally called “Decoration Day” and was first observed on May 5, 1868,

·         Following the battle of Gettysburg, women from Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, placed flowers on the graves of the fallen soldiers.

·         The “National Moment of Remembrance Act” was signed on Dec. 20, 2000, by President Bill Clinton, designating 3 p.m. as a moment set aside to “pause and consider the true meaning of this holiday.”

·         Memorial Day unofficially marks the beginning of summer for many Americans

 Looking to celebrate this very important day? Check what Arlington, VA has to offer:

https://www.stayarlington.com/blog/observe-memorial-day-in-arlington/

 

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

It is cold outside….

snowmanHere are some ideas to keep you busy during the winter  months:

A is for Art – try drawing, painting or gluing
B is for Baking – bake a dessert together for dinner
C is for Clay – Use non-hardening clay or play dough to shape and mold
D is for Dance – put on a lively tape
E is for Exercise – be sure to get some everyday
F is for Friends – invite some over
G is for Greenhouse – find a local greenhouse to visit to enjoy the sights and smells
H is for House – make a playhouse from a large appliance box
I is for Ice skating – take the children to a local rink
J is for Jigsaw puzzle – be sure to pick one that isn’t too difficult
K is for Kitchen science – try a safe experiment
L is for Library – borrow some new books
M is for Movie – make one with a video camera, or watch one
N is for Necklace – make one out of cereal or macaroni
O is for Origami – learn to make simple paper creations
P is for Puppets – socks make easy and fun puppets – put on a show!
Q is for Quiet Time – everyone needs some of this
R is for Reading aloud – choose a good book and a comfortable place to sit
S is for Seeds and Suet – put out food for the birds and watch them eat
T is for Tent – make one from old blankets and chairs
U is for Unplugged – do a day with no TV
V is for Variety – try something new everyday
W is for Walk – take one in any weather (be sure to dress appropriately)
X is for Xylophone – make your own with glasses, water and a metal spoon
Y is for Year – make a calendar or scrapbook to remember the year
Z is for Zoo – visit the animals

Celebrating Presidents Day

 

 

So What is Presidents Day Anyway?

Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present.

To see a listing of all U.S. presidents go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents.  Click on each president to find out who they were and what they achieved during their presidency.  Most American school children have to learn their presidents,  this is a great site to go through with them and test their knowledge!

Winter Driving Tips

winter-driving

There are some basic rules to remember to stay safe in the car in difficult driving conditions:

  • Start early and take your time
  • Accelerate slowly especially on hills
  • Drive slowly to avoid having to stop while going up a hill, as it will be hard to start again
  • Don’t make any sudden turns or stops,
  • Be sure that the mirrors and windows are always free of snow and ice,
  • If you skid, try to steer in the direction the car is sliding to regain control.
  • The changes in temperature sometimes cause potholes in the streets. If you don’t see the pothole in time to steer around it, apply the brakes before hitting the pothole and release them just before you reach the pothole. If you keep the brake on as you hit the pothole it will do more damage to the tire.
  • Try to keep your gas tank at least half full.
  • If your wheels spin on ice switch to low gear, even on automatics.
  • Leave extra space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Remember that bridges and exit ramps are icier than roads.
  • Ask what kind of brakes your car has and how to use them in case of a skid.

HEALTHY TIPS

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Now that cooler weather is upon us and the flu season is approaching, 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.  You don’t need to have a regular doctor or nurse to get the flu vaccine.

To find flu shots near you go to http://vaccine.healthmap.org/ and type in your zip code.

Have a safe and healthy year!

FALL BACK….

daylight savingsDON’T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK THIS WEEKEND.

You will be setting your clock back one hour, following the adage of “spring forward, fall back.” The extra hour gives you a chance to catch up on the sleep you lost in March when the clocks moved forward and Daylight Saving Time began.

What will you do with that extra hour?

HALLOWEEN

 

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It`s Halloween! It`s Halloween!
The moon is full and bright
And we shall see what can`t be seen
on any other night:

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,
Grinning goblins fighting duels,
Werewolves rising from their tombs,
Witches on their magic brooms.

Jack-o’-lanterns grinning,
Shadows on a screen,
Shrieks and starts and laughter…
This is Halloween!

Happy and Safe Halloween Everyone!

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS:

Alphabet letter S Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
Alphabet letter A Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
Alphabet letter F Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
Alphabet letter E Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
Alphabet letter H Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.
Alphabet letter A Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
Alphabet letter L Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
Alphabet letter L Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
Alphabet letter O Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
Alphabet letter W Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
Alphabet letter E Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
Alphabet letter E Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Don’t stop at dark houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
Alphabet letter N Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

HAPPY BACK TO SCHOOL with Global Awareness

Wishing you all a very happy and safe” BACK TO SCHOOL”

 

Are you interested in becoming part of our global community?

Global Awareness is a free educational program offered thru Au Pair In America . The goal is to promote multi-cultural understanding within the communities in which Au Pair in America  au pairs live.

To find out more about this wonderful program, please click here .

Au Pair In America au pairs, click here to find out how you can take part in a global awareness activity in your community.

Happy learning and happy sharing!