Au Pair Child Care Guide

Welcome to Your InterExchange Au Pair Program!

The coming months will be an exciting time full of new people and experiences. InterExchange hopes this guide will be a helpful resource for you over the course of your program and beyond.

Review the contents of this guide often; however, a guide shouldn’t replace frequent communication with your host parents. They can answer any questions you have, and a good partnership with them will make your program the best it can be.

Introduction

Stages of Child Development

Infants (1-12 Months of Age)

Toddlers (1-3 Years of Age)

Preschoolers (3-5 Years of Age)

School-Age Children

Important Child-Care Topics

Communication

Daily Rituals and Life with Children

Dealing With Problem Behaviors

Difficult Goodbyes

Discipline: Staying Positive

Using the Telephone

Working With Children With ADHD

Safety With Children

Dental Problems and Emergencies

Taking Care of Yourself

Child Care Test

This test is meant as a review of content in the Child Care Guide, and is not part of your application process. We recommend taking time to consider all of these questions before your au pair placement begins.

Bibliography

The American Academy of Pediatrics. Caring for Your School-Age Child. New York: Bantam, 1995.

Butler, Shelley, and Kratz, Deb. The Field Guide to Parenting. Worcester, MA: Chandler House, 1999.

The Editors of Parents Magazine. The Parents Answer Book. New York: St. Martins, 1998.

Farrington, Renee. “Tips & Toys: For Valuable Play Experiences at Home.” (26 Dec. 2001).

Hodgins, Dan. “What Children Can’t Do…Yet.” (26 Dec. 2001).

Kelly, Marguerite, and Parsons, E. The Mother’s Almanac. New York: Doubleday, 1975.

---. The Mother’s Almanac II. New York: Doubleday, 1989.

Koman, Aleta, with Myers, Edward. The Parenting Survival Kit. New York: Perigee, 2000.

Leach, Penelope. Your Baby & Child. New York: Knopf, 1977.

Levine, Joni. “Liar Liar Pants on Fire.” About.com: Parenting: Daycare/Preschool. 200. (26 Dec. 2001).

---. “Taming Temper Tantrums.” About.com: Parenting: Daycare/Preschool. 2001 (26 Dec. 2001).

McNamara, Barry E. and McNamara, Francine J. Keys to Parenting a Child with Attention Deficit Disorder. Hauppauge: Barrons, 1993.

Moss, Robert A., M.D. and Dunlap, Helen Huff. Why Johnny Can’t Concentrate: Coping with Attention Deficit Problems. New York: Bantam, 1995.

Oesterreich, Lesia, M.S. “Ages and Stages.” National Network for Childcare. 1995 (27 Jan. 2002).

Rimm, Sylvia. Raising Preschoolers. New York: Three Rivers, 1997.

Child Care Guide

Introduction Infants Toddlers Preschoolers School-Age Children Communication Daily Rituals Problem Behaviors Difficult Goodbyes Discipline Using the Telephone Children with ADHD Safety First Aid, Illness, and Injury Dental Emergencies Taking Care of Yourself Child Care Test