“Coyotes All Around” to Teach Rounding Numbers and Coyote Craft

“Coyotes All Around” by Stuart J. Murphy is perfect for teaching rounding numbers to first, second, and third graders. Clever Coyote thinks it’s time for lunch — and also time to show her friends how, with some simple rounding, she can add up numbers in her head. If only she were as good at hunting […]

Action Water Painting with Kids

Jackson Pollock was a modern, abstract artist that painted the way he felt by dripping, pouring, and splattering paint all over large canvases on the floor using sticks and dowels. He showed an abstract expression of his feelings through his art. Some people called them drip paintings. Some called them action paintings. I read the […]

“The Chinese New Year Dragon Nian” and Make a Fire Breathing Dragon

This is the year of the dragon for Chinese New Year, making it the perfect time to read “The Chinese New Year Dragon Nian” by Virginia Loh-Hagan and make a fire breathing dragon with the kids. “The Chinese New Year Dragon Nian” explains why people light firecrackers, wear red, and give food offerings to celebrate […]

“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, […]