Can’t decide which nanny is best suited for your needs? This is the perfect time to reach out to a professional nanny service and speak with one of our professional nanny consultants. We are uniquely qualified to explain the wide range of credentials and experience that our nannies bring to their chosen profession. Personality traits that would fit well with the dynamic in the home is also a key factor in making this crucial decision.
When interviewing a nanny it is always helpful to keep in mind the various activities that a highly qualified nanny can bring to the family. A professional nanny service can be of great help in guiding you through the interview process.
There are many fun and educational activities a nanny can do to help develop your infant or toddler’s love of learning. Depending on the child’s age and interests, professional nannies always have stimulating and engaging activities ready for the children to enjoy. Some of them are:
Activities for infants ages 0 to 6 months:
At home
- Listening to music and sounds
- Singing and humming lullabies and happy tunes
- Reading stories in English and/or another language Speaking in soft and different pitches and tones
- Soothing baby massages before naps and/or during tummy time and after baths.
Outdoors
- Depending on the weather and time of the year, and with zero to very minimal physical contact with strangers
- Walks around the neighborhood where sounds from the street are introduced without over-stimulating the child.
- Trips to parks and museums where visual curiosity is introduced to the infant child.
(When do you think Monet started appreciating flowers and landscapes?)
Activities for Infants ages 7 months to 18 months:
- Singing and dancing
- Scribbling using crayons to introduce shapes and letters.
- Pointing out colors, sounds and letters when exploring the outdoors and parks .
- Having a small playgroup is always fun whether it is indoors or outdoors- Spending time with other children at a young age helps to develop social and communication skills, and probably long term friendship for all involved.
- Introducing the senses of the body by feeling objects, color recognition, identifying sounds, and even tasting (age appropriate snacks).
- Art projects like finger paintings and play dough can be messy, but a good way to cultivate hand and eye coordination.
- Exercises like helping children stand and walk while holding on a rail to strengthen their core and leg muscles, and to develop much needed balance.
Educational Activities for Toddlers 18 months to 3 years old:
- Planting flowers and herbs in pots. (Try planting jelly beans and grow lollipops!)
- Food preparation and Baking – let them help pick pre-cut fruits and vegetables from the fridge for them to snack on; let them assist in measuring ingredients for their favorite bread or cookies. Watch those chocolate morsels!
- Drawing and painting – let the children enhance their skill set through freedom of expression or by giving examples to follow. Toddlers are notorious for mimicking.
- Composing silly songs and dancing – your child may not be the best singer-dancer but always encourage and support them.
- Dress up and role playing – creativity and imagination usually result from children copying their role models. Professional nannies are always ready to engage and inspire the children.
- Playing and making musical instruments – you can make one yourself out of your recycled materials, like cans, boxes, plastic bags, rubber bands, and voila! You have drums and stringed instruments.
- Playing in the park with friends, playing ball, tag, hide and seek, exploring trees and plants, and my favorite “I spy!”.
- Flying kites and paper airplanes – you can make your own kites and paper planes to make this activity more fulfilling.
- Collecting flowers, leaves, and branches for scrapbooks and art projects
- Visiting dog parks and pet shops – while children enjoy playing with dogs, make sure to double check with owners before approaching them. This teaches children to be gentle and kind to animals.
- Make your own toys such as puzzles, board games, paper dolls, cubes, and boxes.
- Writing letters to members of the family with colorful drawings.
In conclusion, it is always good to remember that children are not passive observers, but active participants and contributors, if not initiators! A professional nanny service can help you find that perfect nanny to keep stimulated your infant or toddler with fun and educational activities.
Written By
Rosalie Aguilar
