More Springtime Activities

Simple Seed Sort In this easy activitiy children will examine seeds for similarities and differences. You Will Need: A variety of seeds Large pieces of paper Markers What to Do: Give children a large number of seeds and ask them to separate paper into two sections or draw two circles on a piece of paper. […]

In What Direction Do Seeds Grow?

It doesn’t take much to actively engage children in fun springtime learning activities. Plants have growth hormones that respond to the Earth’s gravitational pull. This causes roots to always grow down and stems to always grow up. This is called geotropism. Here is an easy science experiment to do with the children in their home. […]

When boys have nannies, they’re more likely to become womanizers: psychiatrist Dennis Friedman

BY Rosemary Black DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER NYDaily News Could your baby boy turn into a serial womanizer if you hire a nanny? That’s the claim of psychiatrist Dennis Friedman, who says handing off child-rearing prematurely could give your son double standards where women are concerned later in life, according to an article in the […]

Springtime Observations

For Nannies and Au PairsBy Melani Roewe Spring brings wonderful little surprises peeking up at you as you venture out for a walk with children. Little shoots of pale green grasses, pointed spears of crocus and daffodil plants, and the teeniest white, pink, or blue five-petaled flowers of thrift and phlox are getting ready to […]

Everything for Spring!

Weekly Trip to the LibraryBook Review of Everything for Spring: A Complete Activity Book for Teachers of Young Children: Activities for March, April, and May by Kathy Charner (Editor), Joan Waites (Illustrator) Today is the first day of Spring! Did you know that flowers, birds, and rain teach math, science, dramatic play, and language skills? […]

Be Quoted in Best Nanny Newsletter — Take Monthly Poll About Sleep Issues

Do You Get Enough Sleep?By HOLLY EPSTEIN OJALVO A new study reports that napping can improve the brain’s ability to absorb new information. Do you ever have the opportunity to nap? Do you get enough sleep overall? Roni Caryn Rabin reports on a new study showing the power of a power nap: It turns out […]

Irish Mulligan Stew

Cooking for Families Each year I cook corned beef, cabbage, and scones with the children I care for on St. Patrick’s Day. But this year I wanted to try a new Irish dish. This speedy stew simmers in less than an hour, is named for the Irish, and can be enjoyed all year round. Mulligan […]

Easy Shamrock Necklace

Saint Patrick’s Day Project This is an easy project to make with your Nanny Kids for Saint Patrick’s Day. I had the kids trace cookie cutters onto construction paper but you can Google and print out clover shapes to use as well. You Will Need: Green and White Construction Paper or Poster Board Safety Scissors […]

St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt for Nannies and Au Pairs

Pot of Gold Scavenger Hunt from familyeducation.com Scavenger hunts are so much fun. Have the children help you make a treasure chest. Then the nanny or au pair can make the clues to lead the children to their pot of gold. You Will Need: Newspaper Unfinished wooden or cardboard treasure chest (You can buy a […]

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Weekly Trip to the Library for Nannies and Au Pairs “They say it’s like true love, good help. You only get one in a lifetime.” — Kathryn Stockett Talk about a page-turner! I have never had more trouble putting down a book than the novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Anyone who gravitates towards the […]