Monthly Archives: November 2014

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.”


It’s National Game and Puzzle Week!

Most 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. Find favorite games at this link:  http://boardgames.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/familygathering.htm


Play with peanut butter!

PeanutButter.jpg

Peanut butter is a favorite food for many children in the U.S, and also a major allergen. Ask your host parents before feeding your host child peanut butter. Some children might like to eat it plain, but it is too sticky and can cause a child to choke. Always put the peanut butter on bread, a cracker, a piece of apple, a celery stick or some other fruit or vegetable.

Tired of eating peanut butter? The kids can play with it too! This is one of the few times it is really okay to play with your food as the play-dough is edible, but only for children over the age of one year.

Peanut Butter Play-dough

  • 3 1/2 cups peanut butter
  • 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups honey
  • 4 cups dry milk powder

In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter and confectioners’ sugar. Then beat in the honey and fold in the milk powder. Divide the dough into small portions and refrigerate or freeze until you are ready to use it.