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…socks, paper bags, Popsicle sticks, magazines…use your imagination.
Photo: Jodimichelle
Fun with Gingerbread!
Gingerbread is an important part of many cultures’ holiday celebrations. The story of the Gingerbread Boy has been retold in many versions. Below is a recipe for Gingerbread Cookies. If you aren’t a baker, head to your local retailer and you can get a kit to make a Gingerbread house, it will include everything you need-just add your imagination!
Gingerbread
Preheat oven to 350F
In a large bowl, sift together
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon nutmeg
In a smaller bowl beat
¾ cups brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter
1 egg
2/3 cup of molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla
Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. Roll out on a lightly floured surface and cut out cookies. Bake on a greased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes. Place on a rack to cool. Decorate.
Driving – Traffic tends to be heavier around the Holidays. Leave earlier than normal and take your time. Remember, au pairs can be asked to pay up to $500 of the deductible for an accident.
Photo: epSos .de
Click here for more safety tips
Safe Toys and Gifts Month – Before school vacation starts, take some time to check toys for broken parts, sharp edges and loose pieces that could be swallowed by very young children. If you are choosing a holiday gift for children you care for, make sure any toy is age appropriate and cannot harm the child.
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar.
In Hebrew, the word “hanukkah” means “dedication.” The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E. Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish people’s successful rebellion against the Greeks in the Maccabean War in 162 BCE. A ritual re-dedication of the Temple occurred after the Jewish people’s victory. It is believed that there was only enough oil to keep the lamps burning for one day but the small bottle of oil miraculously lasted for eight days. Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is referred as the Feast of Lights or Festival of Lights for this reason.
For fun and educational activities for children go to http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/hanukkah/
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
Photo Robert Couse-Baker (Flickr)
Don’t forget to give your counselor your education proof.For more information about education visit the Au Pair in America website: http://www.aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/education.asp
Photo: Sean MacEntee
Check with your host parents before you buy a child a toy that requires close supervision – electrically operated toys, shooting toys and games, chemistry sets, and the like. Remember, too, that younger children may have access to toys intended for older children once the toy has been brought into the home.
Daylight Savings time in the United States begins at 2.00am on Sunday morning. This means you move the clock hands forward by an hour when you go to bed on Saturday night. It is also interesting to note that time changes in other countries may not be happening this weekend. Most of Europe does not change until the last Sunday in March. For more information about the history and why we do this check out, http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/
Sunday, looks to be a rainy day… so head out to Nationals Park to spend the afternoon warm and dry indoors at the DC Metro Area Cultural Fair.
Each child will receive a passport and can travel from country to country (35 in all!) as Au Pairs from our area present what is wonderful about their countries. There will be performances all afternoon, plus face painting and coloring of international place mats to take home!
RSVP here. Don’t have time to RSVP or want to decide last minute? No problem!
Just show up and you will be more than welcome!
Click here for more information
Help us celebrate 30 years of Au Pair in America and the U.S. Department of State’s au pair program! You’re invited to a fun afternoon of educational country displays, performances by au pairs, a photo op, face painting, and other fun activities for children. Au Pair in America staff, host families and au pairs from over 30 countries will be in attendance. Come learn about the au pair program and enjoy a fun and educational afternoon!
Please RSVP by April 15th
Click here to RSVP
We hope to see you there!
To get there by Metro: Take the Green Line to Navy Yard/Ballpark.
If driving: Free parking in Lot B for all attendees.
Entrance: Centerfield gate and take the ramp/escalator to reach the club.
