Itsy Bitsy Spider Characters

One of the most popular finger plays is the “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” It’s fun using props to act out the story while singing the song. I had my school-aged Nanny Kid help make the characters in the song for her younger sibling. Click here to learn how to use other finger plays with the children […]

Cardboard Box Harp

Banjos, guitars, violins, cellos and harps are just a few of the types of Chordophones that all make sound by vibrating strings. Resonators can be made with tin cans, wooden boxes, and cardboard boxes. This is how to make a lap harp out of a cardboard box and rubber bands with children. You can purchase […]

Thanksgiving Maracas

Make some music with these colorful maracas crafted from recycled toilet paper rolls. Allow the children you care for decorate their maracas with typical Thanksgiving autumn colors and decorations. This project is a great sensory activity for young children. You Will Need: Toilet paper rollsDuct tape Construction paper in autumn colors Rice or small beadsGlue […]

June 2021 US Nanny Association Newsletter

Click here to see the June 2021 US Nanny Association newsletter discussing how nannies can use music at their job.

Homemade Kazoos

Creative Wednesdays A kazoo is a very simple musical instrument, made up of a hollow pipe with a hole in it. They may be simple, but these little noisemakers are a great way to explore sound with kids. In this activity have the kids investigate how kazoos work by building their own. Thin plastic, waxed […]

Cinnamon Rolls

Cooking for Kids Cinnamon rolls are the quintessential comfort food. The perfect cinnamon roll is super soft and fluffy, perfectly chewy, packed with cinnamon flavor, and covered in a luscious cream cheese cinnamon roll icing. I found this recipe in Real Simple Magazine. You Will Need: DOUGH: 3 ¾ cups plus 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, […]

How Can You Protect the Earth?

Earth Day Project Earth Day will be celebrated this Friday, April 22 and this weekend in communities throughout the world. Some simple and tangible ways to help the kids in your care protect the world is by recycling; not wasting water; walking or biking to school and activities; turning off lights; and not littering. In […]

Thanksgiving Cornucopias

Cooking With Kids Cornucopias, sometimes called Horn of Plenties, are a common symbol of Thanksgiving. Typically cornucopias are filled with the produce, flowers, and foods of the harvest. Here’s a quick and easy cornucopia made with ice cream cones for the kids for Thanksgiving. What You Need: Waffle Cones or Large Sugar Ice Cream Cones Favorite […]

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano

Weekly Trip to the Library This is a great book to help young children notice the small changes that come ever so gradually with the shift from winter to spring. After a long snowy winter a boy and his dog decide to plant a garden. They dig the brown earth, they plant, and they wait. […]

What Are Your Favorite Fingerplays and Preschool Songs?

Why Nannies Should Use Fingerplays and Musical Acitivities with Children According to Dr. Harry Steckman of the Steckman Studio of Music in Oak Park, Illinois, nannies should use age-appropriate musical activities to aid in child development. Within just a few weeks after birth babies respond to human voices with gurgling. By seven- to eight-months-old children move their […]