What Does Autumn Look Like?

Using Our Senses to Enjoy Autumn The most beautiful sight in Autumn is the changing colors of the leaves. This provides opportunities to create leaf rubbings and other leaf related crafts. We can rake leaves together, which naturally leads to jumping in leaf piles! Kids also love collecting acorns and seed pods, watching migrating birds, and […]

Look What I Did With a Leaf! By Morteza E. Sohi

Weekly Trip to the Library Review by Elaine Magliaro I was a second grade teacher for many years — and for many of those years I taught a science unit on trees, forests, and soil. Every September, I would take my students for a walk in the woods. We would look at the different kinds […]

Has a Child You Cared For Been a Vicitm of Bullying? Review of "Oliver Button Is a Sissy"

Weekly Trip to the Library for Nannies and Au Pairs In New Jersey (NJ) the law, known as the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, became effective this September. The Anti-Bullying Law is considered the toughest legislation against bullying in the nation. Each NJ school must designate an antibullying specialist to investigate complaints; each district must, in […]

First-Graders Assure a Nation After September 11

Review of September 12th…We Knew Everything Would be All Right by Masterson Elementary students of H. Bryon Masterson Elementary School September 12th…We Knew Everything Would Be All Right is a great book for children and adults. It delivers a message of hope in the wake of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. The authors […]

Nannies and Au Pairs are "Shadow Mothers"

Weekly Trip to the Library for Nannies and Au Pairs Shadow Mothers: Nannies, Au Pairs, and the Micropolitics of Mothering by sociologist Cameron Lynne Macdonald examines the complicated personal relationships between working mothers and the nannies and au pairs that work in their homes. The author examines what it means to both mothers and childcare workers […]

Having Age-Appropriate Discussions About Hurricanes

Children’s Books About Hurricanes! As the east coast of the United States prepares for a hurricane this weekend it’s important to have age-appropriate discussions about hurricanes with children to help relieve some of their anxiety. We recommend including the following age-appropriate children’s books about hurricanes to help children understand the storms. We have included both […]

Children’s Books About the First Day of School

Weekly Trip to the Library Reading children’s books about going to Preschool, Kindergarten, or First Grade is a great introduction to school and to help reduce separation anxiety for kids. Also, since all kids like to play school we recommend playing Kiddie College to help prepare children for school. Children learn through play and playing school with […]

Reading and Learing About Caterpillars and Butterflies

Weekly Trip to the Library Each Saturday on the Be the Best Nanny Newsletter blog we take a Weekly Trip to the Library for nannies and au pairs. The following book and activity are from Scholastic, a terrific resource for reading and learning with kids. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle The story of The Very […]

Fun for Nannies and Au Pairs: Teaching with Clifford’s Big Idea

Weekly Trip to the Library for Nannies and Au Pairs When children are given opportunities to try new things, they gain confidence and belief in themselves. Learning about one’s own potential early in life can help motivate and inspire young children to become the best they can be! Read Clifford’s Family (Clifford’s Big Ideas)and Clifford […]

Children’s Books and Activities About the Stars and Comets

Weekly Trip to the Library for Nannies and Au Pairs The Glow-In-the-dark Planetarium Book by Annie Ingle Unlike some “glow-in-the-dark” books this one actually has an educational purpose! While looking at it with the lights turned off, constellations such as Ursa Major, Leo, Taurus, and Orion magically appear along with planets and shooting stars. When […]