Take a moment to day to remember victims of the 2001 September 11 attacks, often referred to as 9/11 (pronounced nine-eleven) On this day, hijackers intentionally crashed two airplanes in to the World Trade Center in New York City causing them to collapse. Hijackers crashed a third airliner into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. The fourth plane crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania, after some of its passengers and flight crew attempted to retake control of the plane.
Yearly Archives: 2011
September is…Baby Safety Month
Enroll in an infant/child CPR and first aid class. This will be a valuable investment of your time. Ask your counselor for details or visit http://aupairinamerica.com/resources/life_in_the_us/insurance.asp. Au Pairs receive a copy of the Red Cross Scholarship Form and an Information sheet in their counselor-given “Welcome” packet.
You can also find many safety tips on the Au Pair in America website http://aupairinamerica.com/
In honor of Baby Safety Month, here are some more specific baby tips:
- Check the condition and sturdiness of toys. Discard any with sharp edges or those that are broken or falling apart.
- Check children’s clothing for loose buttons and strings.
- Is the baby’s pacifier still in good condition? If not, toss it. Never use strings to attach the pacifier to baby’s clothes or crib.
- Where do you set baby’s carrier when she’s in it? Not on the counter, or any high surface. Babies can wiggle and tip themselves over.
- Walkers can be dangerous (especially old ones that don’t meet today’s safety standards) because they allow baby to move very quickly and reach things they normally can’t. Never use around stairs.
- Stroller check. If your stroller is collapsible, be sure latches are secure before putting baby in. Always check that your child’s arms are out of the way when reversing handle directions so they won’t get pinched. Be sure to use that safety strap. Don’t hang overloaded or heavy bags on the handle of the stroller; this may cause it to tip over.
- Can you name the 12 most common choking foods for kids under five? Popcorn, hot dogs, chunks of meat, raisins, ice cubes, chunky peanut butter, nuts of any kind, hard candy, grapes, raw carrots, potato chips and corn chips. Don’t leave toddlers alone while eating; if they begin to choke you need to be nearby to assist.
- Get a piggy bank: this is a great place to put coins so they don’t end up on the floor, in the couch cushions and then baby’s mouth.
- Never leave your child unattended in the bathtub. If the phone rings, let the machine get it.
September is…Better Breakfast Month
With the start of school it’s easy to rush out the door and forget to eat a healthy and nutritious breakfast. Remember that children need a balanced diet including milk, meat, vegetables, fruit and grain. Breakfast should include at least three of those groups.
Homesickness/Culture Shock
Almost everyone experiences culture shock when they come to a completely new environment. Everything is different: the language, the food, the people. If you are feeling homesick or house-bound, call an au pair in your cluster and invite her to go for coffee, she understands exactly how you feel.
September 5 – Labor Day
Labor Day is the first Monday in September and was first celebrated in the United States on September 5, 1882 as a trade union holiday. Now Labor Day is seen as the end of summer and the beginning of school for many students. The day is often celebrated with picnics, sporting events and reunions.
Education – The Au Pair Requirement
Au pairs are required to complete six (6) semester hours of academic credit or the equivalent during the year. EduCare Companions must complete twice the requirement (12 hours), and Year2 au pairs are expected to take an additional three (3) credits for a six-month extension or six (6) credits for a 9- or 12-month extension. Your counselor can advise you of local educational opportunities. You can also review education options for your state on the Au Pair in America website at http://aupairinamerica.com/state/index.asp and there are links to local colleges in the column to the right under Education Options.
Internet Use
Make sure that anything you put in an email is something that you are comfortable having other people see. Your email might be forwarded without you knowing it.
Be Safe
While Driving…no talking, texting or tweeting. It’s against the law!
August 28th is Dream Day
Not everyone remembers their dreams but, if the children are old enough to tell you about their dream, it might be fun to create a dream log with words and or pictures. Children who have scary dreams may be helped by reading There’s a Nightmare in my Closet by Mercer Mayer or The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Dream by Stan and Jan Berenstain.
August 22nd- National Tooth Fairy Day
When a child loses a tooth the Tooth Fairy comes during the night to take the tooth and leave a surprise. The surprise varies by family, but is often money. What is the tradition in your country when a child loses a tooth? Losing teeth can be exciting or upsetting. These books may help the children understand the experience: Little Rabbit’s Loose Tooth by Lucy Bate, Andrew’s Loose Tooth by Robert N. Munsch.