Don’t Let Summer Bite

The summer heat attracts seasonal bugs. Ants, ticks, flees, and mosquitos tend to bite more during the summer months. Kids spending more time outdoors during these warmer days, run a higher risk of being bit by bugs. While dressing children in long sleeves during the summer may not seem practical, parents and caregivers might want to consider thin, loose-fitting clothes that don’t include bright colors. Linen is a great alternative for shorts and tank tops. The light and loose material allows for children to be covered and cool.

            Wearing socks and sneakers instead of sandals when playing in grass can reduce chances of being bit. Be sure to also avoid dusk and dawn. These periods are when bugs tend to bite most aggressively. Scented soaps and lotions left on the skin add to the aggressive biting.

When kids want to be outside, just be sure to pick the right bug repellant. DEET, a slightly yellow oil believed to repel insects, is one of the most common ingredients in most bug sprays. Some repellents include extra ingredients to remove the DEET chemical. However, most experts agree that repellents with DEET have the best protection. Parents and caregivers have to keep in mind that products with higher DEET concentrations aren’t necessarily stronger than those with lesser concentrations; they just tend to last longer. If children are going to be outside for a few hours, repellent with 10% DEET will work. For longer days outdoors, 20% DEET proves more effective. Always consult a physician before applying bug repellent to children under the age of three.

            As a bonus, many bug repellents come with built in sunscreen, but be aware. These products should be used with caution. Sunscreen is meant to be re-applied multiple times throughout the day, while bug repellents, especially those containing DEET, are not. It is best to think about sunscreen and repellent as separate applications. Summer is a time to enjoy the long days outdoors. Kids should be able to play outside without the summer bite!

Idea from: Summer Safety

Summer Won’t Limit Learning

Summer vacation provides a much needed break from the structured routine of the classroom for kids. However, parents and caregivers should feel reassured that three months of non-academic stimulation won’t derail the learning process. Here are a few summer activities that will keep previous lessons fresh, while prompting kids to learn new material:

1. Find a good book. If kids are of reading age, take a trip to the local book store and let them choose a book. Kids will be more inspired to read if the material interests them. After they’re finished, allow them to explain the plot, their likes and dislikes, and whether or not they would recommend the book.

2. Have a math drill. While preparing dinner, shout out some addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division problems. Make math a game. See how many questions the kids get right within 60 seconds.

3. Turn the backyard into a science lab. Planting a garden will help kids understand the process of floral growth and reproduction. As flowers and plants begin to bloom, the kids have the opportunity to learn the individual parts of the plant and their functions.

4. Communicate with teachers. Ask kid’s teachers if there are any worksheets or activities they recommend as a summer refresher or prep for the upcoming school year. Teachers may also suggest a summer enrichment program.

5. Visit a museum or aquarium. These outings allow kids to learn about history, science, and aquatic life while having fun. Museums and aquariums sometimes offer student discounts, group discounts, or free days. Check your local museum or aquarium for details.

If kids maintain some form of structure throughout the summer, the transition back into a daily routine may be less stressful when classes resume. Summer can be educational and fun at the same time!

Cool Meals for the Warm Weather!

When school lets out, routine will fade away into the lazy days of summer. Packing lunches full of fruits, whole grains, and calcium give way to “quick bites” from the ice cream truck, pizza shop, or sandwich shop. The idea of a warm meal falls away and kids look towards popsicles, chips, and cookies. Summer months should give children an opportunity to relax and enjoy a little time outside of the rigidity of “classroom” rules though not run the risk of developing unhealthy eating habits.

          Fresh fruits go hand in hand with summer. Encourage healthy eating by taking children on a day trip to a local “pick-your-own” farm. Kids will have a chance to try delicious fruits and exercise as they walk throughout the farm. Once the fruit is home, nannies and parents have the opportunity to try new recipes that encourage healthy eating. Making fruit salads, pure fruit juice, non-fat yogurt smoothies, and fresh fruit skewers, all picked from the farm, are great ways to make meals and snacks exciting and fun.

          Another idea is to encourage kids to plant their own garden. They can decide what to grow, learn about caring for seeds, and ultimately picking their own fruits and vegetables. These “personal” farms don’t have to be planted in a large field. Local department and hardware stores sell seeds, the right dirt, and small pots to keep outside in a small area. Giving young children the “farm to table” experience is a fun way to promote healthy eating.

          As meal time approaches, transition away from the stove and venture outside to the grill. Grilled chicken, fish, and vegetables are healthy choices for daily dining. There are a variety of fruits & vegetables that can be grilled. Do a “taste test.” Which do you like better, a grilled banana (use bananas that are not over ripe!) or “raw” banana, a grilled pineapple or a raw pineapple? Be mindful of young children near hot grills. Grilling outdoors leads to eating outdoors. Kids love the opportunity to eat outside; they may not realize they’re still on the same healthy eating plan.

Surprising Seasonal Allergy Triggers

With spring rapidly approaching, allergic reactions have spiked as compared to the winter months. Allergy symptoms consist of sneezing, runny nose, watery or itching eyes, skin rashes, and common cold-like symptoms. To control these symptoms, many doctors prescribe seasonal medications or even yearly medical regiments to control allergy attacks. According to Prevention.com, the most effective way to decrease allergic reactions is to understand their triggers.

     Surprisingly, summer fruits are first on the list of agitators. Grass or ragweed allergy sufferers are advised to take precaution when eating apples, peaches, pears, and melons when these fruits are in season. Baseball parks, America’s pastime, overflow with an influx of families during the spring and summer months. Ironically, the dust and dirt from the field may contain high levels of spores, causing allergy symptoms to surface. Be aware and take precautions such as carrying allergy medications in case of an attack. After the baseball game, be careful of jumping directly into the pool to cool off. Diving into water instead of easing the body in can trigger asthma or allergy symptoms because of the sudden temperature drop. As the evening approaches, be sure to remain downwind during those late night camping adventures or bonfires. Smoke inhalation weakens the body’s immune system causing allergy symptoms to worsen.

     Lastly, on those beautiful summer days, think about the way heat traps pollen and diesel bringing allergens closer to the ground. It’s a good practice to always check the weather report for air quality. If quality is low, take precautions. 6 Surprising Seasonal Allergy Triggers

The Summer Slide

Can you believe summer is almost done? School will be here sooner than we know it because once again the summer has gone way too fast!  As we prepare our little ones to head back to the classroom in September, have you found that certain skills that were mastered by your children in June have begun to deteriorate? In other words, has the “summer slide” has found its way into your house?

The “summer slide” is described as the loss in learning that occurs when students are not engaged in scholastic, academically enriching activities for a prolonged period.  By the end of summer vacation, the average student loses approximately a month’s worth of learning acquired from the previous year.  And it doesn’t end there, as studies have shown the impact is cumulative. A 2007 Johns Hopkins University study found that by ninth grade, about two-thirds of the achievement gap in reading, for example, can be attributed to summer learning loss that took place in the first five years of schooling.

Nationally, there are approaches being discussed to prevent learning loss over the summer months.  However, as parents and caregivers what can we do here and now to help our children?  Today The Philadelphia Nanny Network wanted to share some ideas to help spark some creativity as we get ready for Back to School. Here are just a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing and help make summer fun also equal summer learning.  There are still precious few summer days left, here are some ideas that both parents and nannies can work on together to make the most of them:

1.       Build a family game – game building is a very creative approach to science and math.  This is a great way to develop problem-solving skills while allowing children to be innovative.  Nannies can help the children work on a plan for the game, research and get supplies.  The children and nanny can build the game together.  After nanny hours, parents and children can play the game together, and the children get to “teach” the parents how to play.

2.       Find a reading program at the local library or bookstore that can fit into the children and nanny’s daily schedule.  Visit http://www.readwritethink.org/parent-afterschool-resources/ for additional resources on summer reading that can be carried into the new school year.  Parents can ask the child about the “rose” (best) and “thorn” (worst) part of the trip and read a library book before bed.

3.       Do a project together as a family.  Summer is the perfect time to complete DIY projects around the house.  Assign each family member an age appropriate job to research and complete.  Nannies can help the children plan budgets (math), plan out measurements (math and science), colors (problem solving) and so much more.  Projects can be incorporated into a fun family project to be enjoyed throughout the year.  With parents, the children can complete the project.  Each new day, the children can give a status update to the nanny and show off the work that was done.

It takes a village, and these are just a few ways that parents and nannies can work together so that children are ready to hit the books when school starts.

Is your child ready for the upcoming school year?  If so, what did your family network do to keep the “summer slide” out of your home and in the back yard where it belongs?

Fun Summer Activities for Kids in Philadelphia

Looking for some fun summer activities in and around Philadelphia?  Look no further! Here are some highlights to what will be a fun-filled and memorable summer.  The activities cover a broad range of interests, from nature to theater and food.  And by food, I mean the favorite food group of most kids, ice cream!!

The Tyler Arboretum

If you have never visited this 650 acre arboretum, it is time to pack up and take your kids to this natural wonderland, full of walks and short hikes through rare plants, ancient trees and historic buildings.  Need a better reason than that?  The Magical Habitats Exhibition, which will be ongoing through the summer, has been described as a “fantasy come to life.”  Elves, gnomes, wizards and fairies occupy this brand-new neighborhood of natural dwellings.   If this isn’t your cup of tea, check out the Totally Terrific Treehouses Exhibition, back by popular demand for another year of climbing and exploring.  Bring a picnic and enjoy the view from these beautiful treehouses! 515 Painter Road, Media. Call (610) 566-9134 or visit tylerarboretum.org.

Robin Hood at the Media Theater

Who doesn’t enjoy the eternal tale of Robin Hood and his mischievous merry men?  This rendition of the British folk story takes children and adults alike back into the magical Sherwood forest.  This musical adaptation will entertain kids from ages 5 and up.  The children will love the young cast’s humor and be singing songs all the way home!  June 4-July 30. $10/kids, $12/adults. 104 E. State St., Media. Call (610) 891-0100 or visit mediatheatre.org.

Alex’s “Original” Lemonade Stand

Having become a regular summer sighting across the country, Alex’s Lemonade Stand returns to its original location in Wynnewood for a special event.  Here is where a young girl made the best out of her childhood cancer, following the popular optimistic saying -when life give’s you lemons, you make lemonade.  Help raise money for this great cause with fun, food, games and an exciting butterfly release! Last year’s event raised $100,000 and this year they hope to top that.  If you're there by 1pm and like to dance (who doesn’t?), make sure to learn the dance to Katy Perry’s “Fireworks”, found on their website!  June 11. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Penn Wynne Elementary School, 250 Haverford Road, Wynnewood. Call (610) 649-3034 or visit alexslemonade.org.

Super Scooper All You Can Eat Ice Cream Festival

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!! Reward your kids, teach them about the negatives of too much dessert and donate to a good cause all at the same time!   Wawa’s Welcome America! Celebration benefits the Joshua Kahan Fund’s fight against pediatric leukemia.  For just a $7 per person, you and your kids can enjoy ice cream from 20 vendors, including Haagen-Dazs, Ben& Jerry’s, Edy’s and Turkey Hill. July 2-4. Noon-5 p.m. daily; 6-9 p.m. July 2. Walnut Street and Columbus Boulevard at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia. Call (215) 683-2200 or visit welcomeamerica.com.

Local Sports

For all of you who aren’t Phanatics or are looking for cheaper activities, there are other great sporting events to take your kids to around Philadelphia.  Love tennis? Go check out the WTT’s  Philadelphia Freedoms in action.  Opening July 6^th, the schedule contains highlighted visits from superstars Venus Williams, John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Lindsay Davenport and the top-ranked doubles team of the Bryan Brothers.  Better with your feet than your hands? Check out the first-place Philadelphia Union.  Watch them kick around the soccer ball in their brand-new stadium, PPL Park, led by star players Carlos Ruiz and Danny Mwanga.  For a special treat, help them welcome to Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field one of the best teams in the world, Real Madrid, known as “Los Galacticos” (The Superstars) on July 23^rd.  The Freedoms play matches through July 19. $8-$85. 800 E. Lancaster Ave., Villanova. Call (610) 896-2890 or visit philadelphiafreedoms.com for a full schedule.

The Union plays games through August. $25-$150. PPL Park, 1 Stadium Drive, Chester. Call (610) 859-3100 or visit philadelphiaunion.com for a full schedule.

Need some more ideas?  Check out an expanded list of great activities for adults and kids at manlinetoday.com