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10 Science Projects to Boost Investigative Skills in School-Aged Children

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill

Science sparks curiosity in even the youngest children, but as your children get older, they are ready for more complex experiments and concepts. Encourage them to explore the things that they love, but also set them up to explore things that are unknown to them. By creating a safe environment in which they can explore, you are setting them up to ask questions and investigate even further! Here are a few projects to get your young scientist involved.

• Magic ink – Using lemon juice, write a message on a piece of paper and let it dry. To reveal the message, hold the paper over a light bulb and watch as the message magically appears again! The heat from the bulb will react with the lemon juice and turn it brown, making it visible on the paper!
• Hover craft – You can make your own hover craft with an old CD, a bottle top (sports type) and a balloon. Use hot glue to attach the bottle top over the hole of the CD, making sure to leave the CD hole open. Once the glue has set, blow up the balloon and place over the bottle cap. When ready, release the balloon and watch the CD hover above the surface. Ask your child how they think it works, then research hover crafts together.
• Blobs in a bottle – Use a one liter bottle and add ¾ cup of water to it. Fill it the rest of the way with vegetable oil. When you add a few drops of food coloring, it will sink to the bottom and mix with the water. The last step is to add fizzing tablets, such as Alka-Seltzer, ½ a tablet at a time. Shake the bottle and watch the blobs float up and down in the bottle. Once the action stops, simply add another ½ of a tablet to see it all happen again.
• Balloon rockets – Place half of a straw on a long piece of string and attach the string on both ends so that it hangs straight across the room. Blow up a balloon and attach it to the straw with a piece of tape. Release the end of the balloon and watch your balloon rocket itself across the room.
• Rubber chicken – Place a chicken bone in vinegar for three days. Remove it from the vinegar and compare it to a chicken bone that hasn’t been submersed in vinegar. What is different between the bones? What happened to the one in vinegar?
• Oobleck – Oobleck is an interesting homemade substance that is fun to make! You need 4 tablespoons of corn starch, 1 tablespoon of warm water and a few drops of food coloring. Mix them together and watch the substances transform. What happened when you mixed the ingredients together? Can you separate them again?
• Floating ball – Use a straw to blow air up into the sky. While doing this, place a ping pong ball above the air stream and try to keep it there while blowing through the straw. Why does this work?
• Color flowers – You can make your own flowers with color! Fill a glass with water and add 10 drops of food coloring, then place carnations with stems in the colored water. Watch what happens to them as they begin to suck up the water from the glass.
• Gumdrop architecture – Use toothpicks and gumdrops to create bridges, skyscrapers and other buildings. Who can build the longest bridge? Who can build the tallest building? You can also use clay or marshmallows in place of the gumdrops. Compare using different mediums to stick the toothpicks together.
• Fossils – Gather some shells, rocks, feathers and whatever else you can find in nature. Form a boat out of a small piece of foil. Mix some Plaster of Paris together and fill the foil bowl. Lightly press your object into the plaster and remove it before it is all the way dry (Plaster of Paris dries fairly quickly, so work fast!). Create a museum of all of your artifacts!

Remember to be patient as your child makes a mess and asks a ton of questions throughout the science process; that’s what science is! Once your child finds out one piece of information, it will likely lead to wanting to know more about the world around her. Encourage her to ask questions, formulate theories and explore!

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10 Ideas for Summer Fun in Your Own Backyard

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill Summer is quickly approaching for kids, which means plans are being made, vacations are being scheduled and activities are waiting. With so much to do, it can seem like you’re always on the go, and moments at home are rare. Sometimes, though, the fun can be found in your own backyard. Here are a few ideas to get you started on creating summertime magic.

• Gardening – Have your child help you plan, plant and harvest a garden, then use those ingredients in your cooking together! Children are much more likely to eat things when they have had a hand in picking out the foods. Tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, strawberries, broccoli and
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  cauliflower are all fairly easy to grow in small spaces and are kid-friendly vegetables; start with a few and go from there.

• Water games – On hot days, set-up water games in your yard! Start by organizing a balloon toss or a sponge relay; from there, move onto speedboat races where you set up some small plastic boats in a pool and have kids race each other by blowing the boats across to the other side. Have your kids come up with games to play!
• Obstacle course – Use toys found in your yard to create an obstacle course for kids. Cones and hula hoops make great props to start with, and you can branch out from there by using boxes as tunnels, pool noodles as hurdles and whatever else you think of!
• Bubbles – Bubbles can provide hours of backyard entertainment for kids of all ages (and adults!). You can make your own to save money and trips to the store by combining 2/3 cup of Dawn or Joy dish detergents, 1 gallon of water and 2-3 teaspoons of glycerin. Simply stir together and use! You can create your own bubble wands with yarn and straws or even pipe cleaners!
• Treasure hunts – Use your yard to plan out a treasure hunt for kids. You can provide clues to each spot, and once they finish all the clues they will be led to the treasure (a cool treat, water toys or a beach ball).
• Scavenger hunts – Create a list of items for kids to find in the backyard. They can work as teams or as individuals to collect the items. Once they have the items, have a project area ready for them to incorporate their found objects into an art project.
• Lawn games – Lawn games always signal the beginning of summer! Teach your kids how to play bocce ball or croquet. Create a ring toss game together. You can even bring back some old favorites, such as kick the can or sardines.
• Forts – Use boxes, tables, blankets and some string strung between trees to create massive forts and hideouts for kids!
• Flashlight tag – There are many variations of flashlight tag, so adapt the game as needed. One version is where the person who is “it” has a flashlight and everyone else hides. Once the person who is “it” finds someone, they flash their light at them to signal that they’ve been caught. The last person caught is the new “it” in the next round.
• Backyard camping – Have a
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  camp out in your own backyard! Set up your tent, fill it with blankets and pillows and sleep outside! It’s a great way to introduce your kids to sleeping in the outdoors (the noises can be quite different!), while still being close to home with easy access to familiar comforts.

Summer is all about relaxing, creating your own fun and exploring new ideas. Let your imaginations take you to far off places where adventures await you and your children.

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Keeping Your Child Safe in the Sun this Summer

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill Your summer activities are planned, the camps are signed up for and the prospect of sleeping in a little bit each morning is on the horizon. However, before you send your kids outdoors to play, you need to think about how you’ll keep them safe in the sun. Knowing when to stay out of the sun and what sunscreen to apply while outside will not only impact the success of the summer by avoiding sunburns, it will also impact the health of your child for years to come. Sunburns that result in blistering have a very close association with adult diseases, including skin cancer. Thankfully, it’s easy to avoid damage from the rays of the sun by knowing the ins and outs of staying safe outdoors this summer. Apply sunscreen – Choose a non-toxic sunscreen that is activity specific for your child. For instance, water-resistant sunscreen will stick better to skin in the water, while sweat-resistant sunscreen is less likely to run down into eyes while running and playing. You should look for one that is broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) with a SPF of 30. Apply one ounce 20-30 minutes before going outside to allow time for the sunscreen to soak in and provide coverage. Make sure to apply sunscreen to places you wouldn’t normally think of, such as the ears, back of the neck and tops of feet! You should reapply every two hours at least, or more frequently if your child is sweating or in the water. Stay in the shade – The sun is the most intense between the hours of 10am and 4pm, so it’s best to plan activities in the shade during that time. Save activities that can’t be done in the shade for the early morning or evening hours. Cover-up – Have children wear rash guards and shorts while swimming, if possible. You can also find clothing with SPF built right into it now. Also, look for clothing specific to activities and encourage your child to wear it. There are lightweight but protective long-sleeve shirts and pants that will prevent some of the suns rays from getting to your skin. Wear a hat – Choose a hat with a wide brim to shield your face and eyes from the rays of the sun. Sunglasses – Protect your eyes with UV blocking sunglasses. Eyes are often neglected during the summer, so be prepared by having sunglasses handy. Cool and cloudy days – You can get burnt even on cloudy and cool days, so make sure that you provide adequate coverage even when the sun isn’t out in full force. Drink liquids – Always take frequent water breaks while outside, especially while running around and being active. Staying hydrated can greatly reduce the risk of heat stroke. Keep newborns out of the sun – Children under six months of age

should be kept out of direct sunlight, and sunscreen is generally not approved for infants under six months of age. Summer is a magical time for kids; schedules are thrown away and the freedom of playing outside for hours is enticing. Be sure that your kids are safe while playing out in the sun this summer, as a sunburn can ruin a perfectly good summer day quickly, not to mention cause long-term health effects that can easily be avoided by diligently applying sunscreen!

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Is it Really Safer to Ask Your Nanny Only to Drive the Back Roads?

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Erin

When one of the responsibilities you’ll be charging your nanny with includes driving your children to and from various activities, it’s perfectly

natural to be a bit nervous. After all, you’re entrusting incredibly precious cargo to the driving abilities of a relative stranger. For some parents, the best solution to the issue is the establishment of a rule that bans highway driving. When your nanny isn’t driving on the interstate or major highways with your children, the speed at which she travels will be restricted and she may encounter less traffic. Before you decide to forbid highway cruises when your kids are in the car, however, there are a few things that you might want to consider. Safety By the Numbers According the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the interstate system was established in order to help improve the safety of travel in the United States and to reduce the fatality rate of car accidents. While the sudden lane changes and higher rate of speed can make the highway seem like a more dangerous place, the truth is that this just isn’t always the case. From a statistical standpoint, interstates are generally safer than other types of roads. Paired with the fact that cars on the highway are traveling in the same direction at roughly the same velocity. On rural roads and back roads, this is not usually the case. When cross-traffic, cyclists, pedestrians and motorcycles are factored into the equation, the risk for impact actually rises. Statistics Versus Severity If you’re looking at the issue of back road driving versus interstate or highway transportation while your nanny’s at the wheel and the kids are in tow, statistics aren’t always the most comforting reassurance of your children’s safety. It’s also important to realize that while the statistical likelihood of your children being involved in an accident is actually lower if they’re on the highway, crashes that do happen on the interstate are often more severe than their counterparts on back roads with lower speed limits. Still, Federal transportation data collected in 2007 showed that 0.54 people were killed for every 100 million vehicle miles driven on urban interstates. Those numbers jump to 0.92 for every 100 million vehicle miles on urban highways and arterials, up to 1.32 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles on local urban streets. Rural Versus Urban Driving If you live in a rural or semi-rural area and your nanny will be driving your children to and from events in neighboring towns or cities, the risk of forcing her to take only rural roads jumps dramatically. The two-lane highway may have a posted speed limit of only fifty-five with fewer drivers that the interstate that runs into the same town, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s data shows that the risk of fatal crashes on rural roads is up to 2.5 times higher per mile traveled than on urban highways and interstates. Ensuring Your Kids’ Travel Safety The circumstances that surround your decision to either ban or allow highway driving are as unique as your family

itself. The area in which you live, the distance your nanny will have to travel and the frequency of trips with your kids in the car are all factors that will affect the statistical safety of your kids while they’re riding with Nanny. The one thing that’s universally true when it comes to making kids safer in a vehicle with a childcare provider is that it’s imperative to run a full background check on your nanny as part of a pre-employment screening process. That background check should definitely include, but not be limited to, her driving record. If your dream nanny interviews well and her driving record is questionable, you may want to rethink your decision regarding the extension of an employment offer or rework the schedule so that driving is never one of her responsibilities. Make sure that any vehicle a nanny drives with your kids inside is properly fitted with the appropriate seats and restraints, and that the children understand the importance of behaving in a manner that’s not distracting to the driver. Remember, there’s no such thing as being to cautious when it comes to protecting your kids on the road.

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How to Help a New Mom Feel Confident in Her Caregiving Skills

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Erin

Working as a nanny is a rewarding and exciting career choice, but it’s not just the children under your care that will need some assistance from time to time. Becoming a new parent for the first time is overwhelming for many women, especially those who are reassured that the mysteries of parenting will magically reveal themselves upon childbirth and a “mother’s instincts” will kick in to make the process as effortless as breathing. Helping a new mom become a comfortable, confident parent is not one of the responsibilities that are immediately assumed to fall under the purview of a nanny, but it is as essential to great nannying as showing up on time each day. Offer Affirmations, Not Accusations When a new mom cradles her baby awkwardly or offers a bottle of formula when you’re a staunch supporter of breastfeeding, it’s important to remember that the infant under your care is still not your child. Rather than accusing your employer of making mistakes with her baby, gently point out the ways that she could more easily manage parenting while offering plenty of affirmation of the ways that she’s doing a great job. Tread Carefully Becoming a parent is a joyful occasion, but it can be terrifying for a new mom. With the fear of being in charge of a new life and the overwhelming flood of hormones that accompanies delivery, it’s not uncommon for a mom to be a bit on edge. When you heap the very natural concern that comes along with leaving an infant under the care of a relative stranger on top of those fears and hormones, it makes it very necessary to tread carefully with your employer when you try to give her parenting advice. The last thing you want is to come across as demeaning or condescending, as hurting a new mom’s feelings can leave a newly-employed nanny back on the job hunt. Discourage Comparisons When your mom boss, her partner or friends and family compare her efforts and techniques to those of other parents, it can be a real confidence crusher. Gently discourage your employer from comparing herself to other moms, and offer her plenty of reassurance when others make those comparisons. Letting your

boss know that every mom has their own way of parenting their children may seem obvious, but it may also be just what she needs to hear at the moment. Skip the Jokes Making even a well-meaning joke at a new mom’s expense can be devastating to her, so make sure that you avoid the urge to poke fun when something inevitably happens. Regardless of how much comedic gold can be mined from an exploding diaper or a backwards onesie, squelch the urge to have a laugh at her expense. Know When to Be Hands-Off It’s often easier to take over when a new mom’s bumbling attempts to handle childcare chores takes longer than is strictly necessary or she’s obviously struggling. Swooping in to come to her rescue every time might help her in the short term, but it effectively robs her of the chance to learn by experience and can also make her feel completely inept. If you’re forever scooping the baby out of his mom’s arms to deftly handle something she was struggling with, it throws her own inexperience into sharp relief and makes it difficult to build any confidence in her own parenting abilities. Help to Assuage New Mom Guilt One of the most devastating things to a new mother’s confidence level can be the guilt she feels, be it over leaving her new baby under the care of someone else as she returns to work, breastfeeding difficulties that lead to formula feeding or even agonizing over vaccination choices. There are so many things for a new mom to feel guilty about, and very few of them are actually warranted. When you notice your mom boss struggling with feelings of guilt, do all that you can to subtly assuage it. Talk about your own choice to vaccinate and offer affirmations that you agree with hers and share stories about the lively and healthy babies that you’ve cared for who were exclusively bottle fed. Dealing with the mommy guilt that damages self-esteem is complicated, but it may be

one of the most important and helpful things you do over the course of your career.

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10 Must Have Qualities of the Next Royal Nanny

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Erin

With their baby due in July, Kate Middleton and Prince William have their work cut out for them in finding a nanny. Choosing the perfect nanny is not easy, especially for cautious first time parents that are so heavily featured in the public eye. It’s no wonder that there is a rumor that Kate is considering having her own mother come to the palace to fill the position! Perhaps they have not yet found anyone else who meets all the criteria that they’re hoping to fill. Here are ten qualities that the next royal nanny must possess.

• Genuine Compassion – The next royal nanny must have true compassion and love for the new baby. In addition to that affection, the nanny should also have compassion and empathy for the parents. Prince William and Kate will certainly be tired at times and perhaps overwhelmed, as most new parents are. They also will be under a tremendous amount of pressure as they try to shield their little one from the prying lenses of paparazzi from around the world. The right nanny will be empathetic and understanding, providing them with whatever they need as it comes up.
• Experience – The Duke and Duchess should ensure that they hire a nanny with plenty of experience working with children. The last thing that first time parents need is another newbie around the house. Rather, finding someone with wisdom and who has been down this path before can be a comfort to them, and they can rest easy knowing their baby is in good hands.
• Playfulness – The nanny hired by the Royal Family must be playful and lighthearted, and not only for the sake of the child. Kate and William will surely want their child to have days of
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  endless amusement and games, and the only way to handle some of the pressure from being so scrutinized by the public is a good belly laugh. A skilled nanny has lots of energy and makes every task feel like play, but a great celebrity nanny will be prepared to help her little charge laugh when the press descends.

• Respect for the Royal Parental Philosophy– No two sets of parents think alike. The perfect nanny is one who keeps in mind the philosophy of the parents, even when they are not present. The new nanny will need to ask questions to find out how Kate and William would like their child taught, fed and disciplined, and then adhere to their particular brand of parenting at all times. When the family in question is one of royal lineage, it’s even more important to adhere to both tradition and the standards of the family. Kate and William should be able to settle back, knowing that things are being done exactly as they would do them, even when they cannot be there themselves.
• The Ability to Multi-Task – All great nannies, as well as great parents, possess the ability to multi-task. This is mandatory for the new royal nanny! Never is there only one task to do when you are dealing with children. There are always many tasks needing your attention at once, and these can and will change at a moment’s notice. The royal nanny must be skilled in organization and be endowed with the ability to prioritize and re-prioritize as new things come up, especially when jaunts around the world are involved.
• Knowing When to Step Back – The right nanny knows when to take a step back. Sometimes, parents would like to step in to spend some time alone with their child or read their little one a story. The perfect nanny will take her cue and make herself scarce during these times.
• Creativity – The royal nanny should be creative. She should invent games and songs, solve problems in fun ways, and possess the ability to entertain at a moment’s notice. A creative nanny can stimulate a child and create sensory experiences for them to aid in their development. Boredom does not happen often with a creative nanny, which is essential for families that spend as much time traveling and doing good as the royals.
• Patience – All nannies must be patient. Children can be slower to move than adults. Children can also be slower to learn. Children can even be deliberately contrary, especially during their “terrible two’s.” Prince William and Kate will want someone with their child who will remain even tempered and kind, even if their patience is tried.
• Trustworthiness – As a mother, Kate will want to know that she can trust her nanny to attend to her child as she sees fit, even in her absence. She will need to depend on the new nanny to adhere to her wishes and to keep her child safe at all times. Furthermore, being privy to the personal life of the royal family, the new nanny must be discreet and committed to the best interest of the family.
• Excellent Communication Skills– Communication is key for all families with nannies. When parents cannot be there with their child, they want to know every detail about what they missed. An outstanding nanny will not only convey the day’s events verbally, she will also take videos and photos of priceless moments to share with Kate and William. In addition, she will be sure to convey any important information she may gather throughout the day, such as possible allergies, nightmares and the mastery of any developmental skills.

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Keeping Kids Safe While Playing Sports this Summer

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill Once the weather starts to get nicer, kids will begin spending more time outside engaged in

activities such as bike riding, swimming and organized sports. As they run around, ride their scooter and play baseball or tennis, they will inevitably get bumps and scrapes, which is a normal part of childhood. It’s up to you, however, to prevent the bigger injuries and illnesses related to these activities. Here are a few tips to get you started while you plan out your summer activities.

• Pre-season physicals – Before your child begins a new sport or activity, or even heads off to camp, it’s important to gain the all-clear from your pediatrician. Sports and camp physicals, much like a well-child visit, allow your physician to check over your child and declare them healthy enough for physical activity. They will be able to spot any trouble areas that may cause issues in the future.
• Know and follow the rules of the game – Knowing and following the rules of the game will ensure that your child has a positive experience in their chosen activity. Rules ensure that everyone is playing fairly, reducing the risk of accident and injury.
• Dress appropriately – Help your child dress in layers, especially in the spring and fall when the weather can be variable
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  throughout the day. It’s best to start with a base and add layers on top of that, such as a fleece or waterproof layer for warmth and to keep dry. When it’s hot out, it’s best to dress in light, breathable clothing. Your child should also wear shoes appropriate to the activity that they are playing.

• Check that the coaches are First Aid and CPR certified – It’s important that coaches are able to respond quickly and accurately
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• Wear protective gear
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  – Many sports require certain protective gear to wear while playing to keep athletes safe. Shin guards, well-fitting helmets and padding provide protection for injury-prone body parts and can help prevent your child from sustaining any injuries.

• Hydration – Always bring a water bottle with you to all activities! Have your child drink a glass of water about 20 minutes before an activity and then every 20 minutes while participating in an activity, especially as the weather grows hotter. Dehydration is a real risk to active children and can be easily prevented!
• Wear sun protection – Apply a sunscreen especially formulated for sports and sweat before you leave the house to give it time to soak in and provide optimal protection. You should reapply frequently while outside, especially with heavy sweating or if your child has been in the water. Provide hats and sunglasses for activities that can accommodate those accessories; it’s important to keep sun out of the eyes and face as much as you can!
• Warm-up and cool-down – Give children time to stretch and get their body used to the activity that they will be participating in; this will help prevent injuries and strains on their bodies while playing. After the game, give them a cool drink of water and allow them to take it easy to let their body recuperate.
• Sit out if ill or tired – Illness and tiredness can greatly contribute to sports-related injuries and illness. Allow your child to take a break if they aren’t feeling 100%.

Following these tips will help prevent sprains and strains, growth plate injuries and heat-related illnesses while your child is out on the field playing this summer. Allow them to have fun, but teach them the importance of safety at the same time. By keeping their body healthy and active now, they are guaranteeing an active lifestyle as they grow!

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10 Tips to Encourage Young Swimmers

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill

Water safety and knowing how to swim is generally at the top of the list for most parents and caregivers of young children. Did you know that you can teach your child to be more comfortable in the water and even begin to start her on her path to swimming? Here are a few tips to get you started!

1. Start slow – Begin by playing on the steps of the pool or in the shallow part of the lake or pond. Have her reach for toys just below the surface of the water and as she gets more comfortable with that, place the toys just out of reach so that she has to get her face partially wet to retrieve the toy. Have her start blowing bubbles in the water with you, make it into a game of racing boats, whoever makes bigger bubbles wins! You want your child to be comfortable when she is in the water with you!
2. Back floats – Learning how to float on your back is unnatural for your child! Being by supporting her head on your shoulder, with her body pointed away from you. You want her ears to be in the water if possible, but take it slow. Place your hands on her back and keep her afloat. Have her spread her arms and legs out and make a starfish! Sing a song or two to her while she is floating, make it a peaceful time for her. Let her know that you are still there and that she is doing a wonderful job! As she gains ability, instead of hands on her back, just use fingertips to keep her afloat.
3. Take your child under water with you – Begin by counting to three, holding your breath, and ducking under. Let your child watch you a few times, and then have her join in. Always use 1-2-3 before submerging your child, so that she can prepare by holding her breath!
4. Use the side of the pool or dock – Have your child sit on the edge of the pool or dock and practice falling in. At first, be right there to catch her and show her that you won’t let anything happen to her. As she gains confidence, let her fall further into the water and kick her way up to you. Eventually, you’ll want your child to feel comfortable falling into the water, coming back to the surface, and kicking back towards the wall or land. Practice this with her often so that she knows how to respond if she accidentally falls into the water!
5. Jumping in and turning around – Once your child has mastered entering the pool from a seated position, encourage her to start jumping into the water! Again, start slow, but work up to her jumping in by herself and getting back to the side of the pool. It’s more work, but it’s also a lot more fun for your child!
6. Flipping over for air – When your child is practicing floating on her back and is fairly confident at the skill, have her start taking a deep breath and flipping over to her belly, and then back onto her back. When s she starts swimming on her belly, this skill can be used to come up for a breath as she needs it.
7. Belly floats – Belly floats are a survival skill in the water, little energy is needed to maintain a floating position and as long as your child can flip over for air, she will be able to help herself in an emergency.
8. Torpedoes – Torpedoes are a fun way to introduce a forward swimming motion to your child! Have her put her hands out in front of her, clasped together if she can, and from a few feet away from the stairs have her hold her breath and “zoom” her towards the stairs. Your child should gain the sensation of propelling herself forward through the water! As she masters this skill, move back a bit further and try again from there. Be aware that as you move to new lengths your child may need a bit of extra help getting to the side, always be right there for her.
9. Kicking – You can start teaching kicking to your child by having her hold onto the side of the pool or the stairs and have her kick as hard as she can. You want her legs to be near the surface while she kicks, this will help her maintain a horizontal position while swimming. Once she is comfortable, give her a kickboard, have her put her face in the water, and kick towards the edge of the pool with it. While you are still teaching kicking to her, it’s a good time to introduce flipping over for air (going to the back float). You can do this without the kickboard a few times and then introduce the kickboard as needed. You’ll need to be right there, hands ready, to help her master this task.
10. Scooping – Finally, you’ll introduce scooping to your child. Have your child pretend that there is gold at the bottom of the pool and that she is digging for it. Have her use her hands to “scoop” the water while on her belly. Once she has accomplished this have her kick and scoop at the same time and use the same “zooming” techniques from earlier paragraphs. When she is ready, add in flipping over for air, and soon you’ll see your child swim from one edge of the pool to the other!

Please remember that you need to keep an eye on your child at all times around bodies of water, even if she knows how to swim. Each child will progress differently and it may take you a few weeks to get your child swimming or it may take you a few seasons! Work with your child and keep her comfortable! Swim with her often and make it fun!

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10 Science Projects for Your Pre-Schooler

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Erin

By Erin McNeill

Science for your young child doesn’t have to be technical, require complicated ingredients, or even take more than 15 minutes. Science should be an activity that explores cause and effect, encourages questions and researching answers, and fun! Here are a few activities to get your started with your child!

1. Baking soda and vinegar – Baking soda and vinegar is one of the simplest chemical reactions found around the home. You can start by putting a small amount of baking soda in a clear glass, add some vinegar and watch what happens. From here you can go onto to discussing volcanos and then make your own (create a paper mache volcano creating a well for the “lava”). Once you are ready, add some baking soda to the well, and pour in vinegar (you can dye with food coloring for special effects!) to watch it erupt! Baking soda and vinegar experiments can provide endless hours of fun, but you can also try to create the same reaction using other liquids found around the house (please make sure all are safe for children to be around!).
2. Melting and freezing – Water and ice are the simplest examples of melting and freezing, and can be found in your own kitchen! Make ice cubes with your child, explain what happens when you lower the temperature of water to below freezing. Melt the ice cubes with your child (it’s a great activity for those really hot days!) and discuss how the ice is changing back into a liquid and why. You can create larger ice blocks by filling larger containers with water and freezing for 24 hours, if you add food coloring before you freeze them you’ll end up with multi-colored bricks!
3. Trees and nature – Find a small tree in your neighborhood that your child can easily observe year-round. Have them observe the tree and record their findings in a journal. They should look at the leaves, at the trunk, the ground around the tree, and even get a bit closer to the tree and find out what insects might be using the tree. Visit the tree every few months and repeat the observations. Discuss what changes have occurred throughout the year. Taking your child’s photo by the tree each time will help your child see their growth compared to the growth of the tree!
4. Floating in the air – Find a spot at a local playground that’s up off the ground, high enough to drop objects from safely. Use this as your station to compare how different objects travel through the air. Gather items such as cotton balls, paper, feathers, pinecones, balls, and other objects you’d like to use in your experiments. You can drop them one at a time and observe what happens and then start making predictions about which object will fall more slowly to the ground when you drop two at the same time. Record your predictions and make a chart to document your findings!
5. Beating hearts – The human body can be fascinating to small children. If you have a stethoscope around the house, use it! If not, just put your hand on your chest and feel your heart, have your child do the same. Compare your heart beat to your child’s. Who’s is faster? Have your child run around for a few minutes and then compare what they are feeling now. Do different activities and discuss how it affects your heart rate. Talk about why the heart needs to beat faster when you are running around and why it’s slower while resting.
6. Weather – Young children are often fascinated by weather! Create a calendar and have your child track the daily weather, either by drawing a picture or describing what they see. Place an outdoor thermometer in a place where they can see it, talk about temperature together! You can discuss the different types of clouds that you see throughout the week or month and what they mean. Have your child try to predict the weather for the next day!
7. Bubbles – Bubbles are a staple of any childhood! Making them is an experiment in it’s self! Try catching them with dry hands, what happens? What happens if you put some bubble solution on your hands and then catch them? Use pipe cleaners to create bubble wands, make different shapes at the end. Does that affect the final shape of the bubble? What’s the biggest bubble you’ve ever made?
8. Shadow puppets – This is a great backyard or nighttime activity! Create shadow puppets with your kids, do the ones you know, make up new ones, and research ones that you don’t even know about! What happens when you move closer to the wall and further away from the light?
9. Weights and balancing – If you have a balance lying around this is the perfect activity for it! Gather household objects and start figuring out which ones are equal to each other. Which ones are heavier? Can you gather enough lighter objects to equal a heavy one? Why are some objects heavier than others even though they may be smaller?
10. Make slime – Slime can be made quite easily at home, though you’ll likely needs to pick up some Borax (found in the laundry aisle at the store). Mix equal parts water and glue together (add food coloring at this point as well, if you’d like colored slime), then add 2 tablespoons of borax and mix. Watch it transform from a liquid to a semi-solid. Once it’s all mixed together pick it up and play with it! Create a shape out of it, set it down, does it hold that shape? Stretch it out, what happens? Form it into a ball and pull apart quickly, what happened this time? Discuss what it’s not quite a solid, but yet not really a liquid either.

Science isn’t a neat and tidy activity, so be prepared to clean up when you’re done, but know that the experience your child gets out of doing experiments will be well worth any mess that is created in the process! Activities that encourage children to ask questions will help them gain broader knowledge on how the world works around them.

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Top Financial Tips for Nannies

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Erin

Nannies face some unique financial issues, issues that must be considered when they’re thinking of how to care for their financial health. As you navigate your finances, here are some things to consider that will help you stay on the right track. Insist on being paid legally. This is the most fundamental action you can take to protect your financial well-being. When you’re paid on the books, you get a lot of important benefits. For starters, you have proof of income, which makes you eligible to apply for a car or home loan, rent an apartment, lease a car or get a credit card. Without proof of income, you’re not able to establish or increase your credit score, something that can affect everything from future job prospects to auto insurance rates. When you’re paid legally you also qualify for unemployment benefits, which can be a lifesaver if you’re fired from your job and not able to find another one right away. You also qualify for worker’s compensation in many states, as well as disability insurance. If you’re hurt and unable to work, those additional benefits can help you stay afloat until you’re back on your feet. Save for federal and state income taxes. Your employer isn’t required to withhold federal or state income taxes from your paychecks. She is required to withhold your portion of Social Security and Medicare, though. Some employers will withhold income taxes because they’re already doing payroll, but many won’t. If you’re not having those taxes withheld, make sure you’re saving an appropriate amount from each check so you’re easily able to cover your end of the year tax bill. An online salary calculator can tell you how much you should be putting back, depending on your state and the number of personal deductions you claim. Ask your employer for a household account. There will probably be lots of times when you’ll want craft supplies, educational toys or other things to use on the job. Let your employer know what your needs are and ask for access to a household account to cover those expenses. Those things can quickly add up, and the expense is hard on a nanny’s budget. They’re also the basic supplies you need to do your job well, and it’s your employer’s responsibility to pay for them. It’s important to talk about setting spending limits around the needed supplies and making sure you provide a clear account of what you purchased and how much was spent. Save for retirement. If you worked at a company, you’d probably have the option of opting into a 401K or other retirement savings plan. As a nanny, you’re on your own when it comes to retirement savings. Retirement ages creeps up faster than most people think, so it’s a good idea to start saving as soon as possible. The earlier you start, the better off you’ll be. You can talk with a bank

representative or retirement specialist to get detailed information on the retirement program options that are available to you as an individual. Unfortunately there aren’t any tax benefits for your employer to match the funds you contribute, so you’ll have to save more to get to the same place others do through matching funds. This can be frustrating, but it’s another great incentive to start early. Take advantage of the health insurance tax breaks. As a nanny, you’re forced to get an independent health insurance policy rather than sign onto a company policy. This can be an expensive undertaking. However, if your employer pays for your coverage, it is tax free for you and her both. Even if full health insurance isn’t a current benefit, talk with your employer about restructuring your compensation package to take advantage of this tax break. She won’t have to pay you more for both of you to save money, and she may even be open to passing her savings onto you. Make sure you get mileage reimbursement. If you use your own car for work, you’re entitled to get the IRS mileage rate reimbursed for every mile you drive during your time at work. That includes running to the grocery store or pharmacy, picking the kids up from school and going to the zoo. If you’re doing it for work purposes, it counts. Commuting miles aren’t included. This reimbursement is designed

to cover the cost of wear and tear, gas and insurance. If you don’t make this reimbursement a required part of your compensation package, you could be losing out on literally thousands of dollars each year. That just doesn’t make good financial sense. Also remember that the IRS rate goes up every year, so make any needed adjustments each January. With some smart planning, nannies can stay on the road to a healthy and happy financial future.

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