Yearly Archives: 2014

Happy Birthday Beethoven!

One of the greatest composers, Beethoven was born in Germany in 1770. Read the story about how his Symphony of Friendship is played in Japan every year at Christmas: http://www.mandala.co.jp/B9/P00E.html.

Enjoy music with the children

  • Start by listening – to children’s music, classical music, and even just the ticking of a clock, the rain falling, or the wind in the trees.
  • Make rhythms: clap hands, stamp feet, hop and jump.
  • Dance to the rhythms of music on the radio.
  • Make your own instruments: an empty milk jug is a good drum; two sticks or two lids create wonderful rhythms.
  • Sing! Don’t be afraid to make up your own songs. Record them to play for the host parents.

Time for gingerbread!

Gingerbread men.jpg

Gingerbread is an important part of many cultures’ holiday celebrations. The story of the Gingerbread Boy has been retold in many versions. It might be fun to make some gingerbread cookies and read the story.

Visit the Library!

  • Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett.
  • The Cajun Gingerbread Boy illustrated by Berthe Amoss
  • The Gingerbread Boy by Richard Egielski
  • The Gingerbread Boy by Paul Galdone
  • The Gingerbread Man: An Old English Folktale illustrated by John A. Rowe
  • The Gingerbread Man illustrated by Karen Schmidt
  • The Gingerbread Man illustrated by Pam Adams
  • The Gingerbread Man by Eric Kimmel
  • The Gingerbread Man retold by Jim Aylesworth

Head for the Kitchen!
Make a batch of gingerbread and bake and decorate a tray of gingerbread boys. Read the story while they bake.

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • In a large bowl, sift together
    • 3 cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • In a smaller bowl beat together:
    • 3/4 cup brown sugar
    • 6 tablespons butter
    • 1 egg
    • 3/4 cup 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.

Why should you choose an au pair?

Tips for Host Families

Why do families choose to use the services of an au pair? There are lots of reasons.

First of all, au pairs provide experienced, loving, live-in childcare. Every au pair has hours and hours of experience caring for children. Families can look at their applications and see exactly what ages and what kind of care and match that experience with their needs.

Second, au pairs bring cultural awareness and diversity to American families. Many families enjoy learning about different cultures and traditions. It is also common for people to want their children to be comfortable with people of different backgrounds, particularly in today’s international business world.

Third, au pairs can be much more economical than traditional childcare, particularly for families with multiple children. Au pairs currently cost about $350 per week, plus room and board. This includes the au pair’s stipend and educational allowance, her flight to and from the US, and the agency fees for things like insurance. This is per family, NOT per child.

Au pairs coming through Au Pair in America are carefully vetted, go through a state-of-the-art orientation upon their arrival in the US, and have ongoing, local support in the person of a local Community Counselor. The CC also provides ongoing support to the host families from their initial contact with the agency, through the selection process, and during the year. Our counselors have an average of about 12 years experience and are very familiar with the visa requirements, the educational opportunities in the area, and how to deal with possible issues, such as homesickness. The agency provides health insurance and liability insurance, and 24 hour emergency support.

Having live-in childcare is definitely not the right option for every family, but if your family is considering it, look into having an au pair. It could be the answer you’re looking for!

Have a safe holiday!

As we approach the holiday season, I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the laws regarding alcohol consumption in the United States. At this time of year you may be invited to holiday parties and events where alcohol is served.

It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drink alcohol. Even if you are over 21 please be mindful if you are with other au pairs who are under 21 and the risk they take if they break the law. Using fake id’s is also illegal. Of course, drinking and driving is extremely dangerous and puts lives at risk. You should never drink and drive and getting arrested for drinking and driving has very serious consequences in this country. Also, be a good friend and don’t let your friends drink and driver. You have invested a lot to be here to enjoy your experience in the United States and I want all of you to be successful. Be safe and don’t take unnecessary risks.

Always put safety first and enjoy the holidays!

Make a musical instrument!

Make your own instruments with children aged 4-8 and then sing and march along.

Drum: You need a coffee can or a round carton like the kind oatmeal comes in. Poke holes for a string so that the child can wear it around his neck; find two sticks to beat the drum.

Stringed Instrument: Cut a hole in the cover of a shoebox and tape the cover to the box so it doesn’t fall off. Stretch rubber bands over the box and plunk away. Try different rubber bands – wide and narrow, tight and loose.

What does my au pair do at orientation?

Au Pair in America provides a comprehensive Orientation for all our au pairs before they go out to their host families.  When each au pair arrives at the NY airport, she is welcomed and transported to the the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown, NY.  There she is met by an Au Pair in America Orientation staff member, given some valuable information, room assignment and a chance to check into her room for rest. Three full days follow started each day with early wake up calls.   The importance of being on time is emphasized so the meeting run smoothly and au pairs learn to understand the importance of time in America.

998798_10152025733573792_1279016968_n[1]Noelle from Germany was welcomed to America by their Community Counselor, Cindy Garruba.  She is going to a family in Pt. Jefferson, LI, NY and will be joining a cluster of about 30 au pairs.

At Orientation the agenda includes:

  • An Introduction the United States and Au Pair in America
  • “The Three No’s” – No drugs, no alcohol under 18 and never while driving or caring for children, no child abuse (Au Pairs are sent home if they abuse drugs, alcohol or children!!)
  • The Role of the Community Counselor
  • Living in America – Cultural adaptation and communication with their American families
  • Childcare safety and media
  • American Red Cross Child Safety Workshop
  • The American Family
  • Child Care in America – managing American Children – Communication and discipline
  • Living in America – auto insurance and health insurance
    Au Pairs during Red Cross training at Orientaion

    Au Pairs during Red Cross training at Orientaion

They also have 3 meals a day, time to socialize with the other au pairs and the Orientation Staff.  There is even an evening tour of NYC!  Au Pairs submit questions anonymously all week and every question is answered by the staff to the group before they go home.

Au Pairs leave Orientation on Day 4 at 3 PM and head out to 35 states and hundreds of host families.  Everyone is excited to depart and begin a year as an Au Pair in America!

Make a scratch picture!

scratch art picture

This is a fun art project for children ages 7 and up. You need paper, crayons (make sure you have a black one), and a paper clip. Take one crayon and rub it over the paper. Use the flat side of the crayon and rub hard. Take another color and do the same to another part of the paper. Cover the whole paper with different colors of crayon. Now, take the black crayon and color over all the other colors until the whole paper is black. With a paper clip or any other pointed but not sharp object, draw a picture by scratching through the black crayon. The other colors will show through where the drawing is scratched.

It’s national game and puzzle week!

2175221420_2cf3f4bcc9_mMost children love to play games – ball games, card games, board games, word games, guessing games. Playing games is important because it helps children learn how to handle disappointment when they lose. It also helps them to learn to take turns and how to follow rules. Play their favorites or teach them a new game from your childhood.

Check out a selection of games from around the world HERE on the Global Awareness website.

Photo: viZZZual.com (Flickr)

The holidays are coming!

With the holidays coming it’s a good time to remind everyone about program rules on holidays and vacations.

Holidays

  • Host families are NOT REQUIRED to give au pairs any specific holidays.
  • Each host family will make different arrangements on holidays, some au pairs will be off and others will be required to work.
  • Au pairs should NOT make plans for holidays without checking with your host family FIRST.

luggage maliasVacation

  • Au pair earns 2 weeks of paid vacation during the course of her year.
  • The host family can pick a week and the au pair can pick a week, if an agreement is not reached.
  • All vacation should be preplanned (at least 4 weeks in advance.)
  • All au pair’s friends and/or family visits/vacations should be pre-approved prior to purchasing a ticket.
  • If an au pair travels with their host family, it should be discussed UP FRONT whether this is the au pair’s vacation or if she is working.
  • If an au pair travels with the host family to work, the host family is required to pay for her transportation, lodging and meals.

Important: An au pair MUST have her DS2019 signed PRIOR to her departure from the US. More info. about this can be found on the right side of this page under “Travel Links for Au Pairs.”