“Winter Trees” by Carole Gerber and Bubble Wrap Painting

Have the kids paint with bubble wrap to make a snow covered tree after reading “Winter Trees” by Carole Gerber. In “Winter Trees” a boy and his dog stroll through the winter forest discovering seven different types of trees. This book is a fun early introduction to tree identification and a great way to encourage […]

Make a Sled after Reading “Snow Day!” By Lester L. Laminack

Going to the library with children weekly is fun. The parents you work for and the children you care for will love doing crafts projects that correspond to the children’s books you borrow from the library. After reading “Snow Day!” by Lester L. Laminack make a sled out of craft sticks with the kids. In […]

Using Positive Opposites to Encourage Good Behavior in Children

As a nanny I cannot, and should not, ever tell parents how to raise their children. But while working as a nanny I do like trying to use parenting concepts that encourage good behavior in children, while making kids feel good about themselves. Dr. Alan Kazdin is the author of “The KAZDIN Method for Parenting […]

“Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin and Paper Plate Taco Craft

After reading the beloved book “Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin make tacos out of paper plates with children. A 7-year-old child in my care also made a dragon out of a toilet paper cardboard tube. Don’t forget to serve your Nanny Kids tacos for lunch or dinner after reading this book! While reading “Dragons […]

“A Hundred Thousand Welcomes” by Mary Lee Donovan

There are almost as many ways of making someone feel welcome as there are people on our planet. To welcome another is to give that person and yourself a chance at a new connection, a new friendship, and maybe even new eyes through which to view the world. Journey around the globe as “A Hundred […]

“How to Grow a Friend” by Sara Gillingham

How to Grow a Friend by Sara Gilmingham uses a lovely metaphor that teaches valuable lessons in how to treat others and make friendships blossom! Making a friend takes patience, care, and room to bloom — just like growing a flower. “To grow a friend first plant a seed in good soil.” A page turn […]

Make Collages with “Perfect Square” by Michael Hall

Perfect Square is a square book about a square that undergoes many changes of shape and of color. The square starts out as a red, four cornered shape. However, in the pages it is cut into tiny pieces, ripped into strips, and painted a variety of colors. With each new challenge from the unseen force, […]

Playing Dress Up with “Collage Workshop for Kids” by Shannon Merenstein

Collage Workshop for Kids: Rip, snip, cut, and create with inspiration from The Eric Carle Museum by Shannon Merenstein is an excellent resource for caregivers and is a pleasure to share with children from toddlers to primary school-age children. Artist Shannon Merenstein wrote the book with the art educators from the Eric Carle Museum. Eric […]

“Look What Brown Can Do” by T. Marie Harris

Called a modern black history book, “Look What Brown Can Do!” by T. Marie Harris teaches readers about inspiring contributions to black history and encourages kids to dream big. “Look What Brown Can Do!” can help raise the self esteem and awareness of young black and brown children about the many great people that came […]

“The Other Side” by Jacqueline Woodson

It is understandably hard for children who currently live in diverse neighborhoods to understand racial segregation — but it’s an important part of American history children should be taught about. In The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, the young African-American narrator named Clover, lives beside a fence that segregates her town. Her mother instructs her […]