Wednesday's Creative Nanny: A Year in the Life

A Year in the Life
by Alice Shaffer

Over the past year several of my friends have taken a monthly birthday photo of their newborn. The child is in the same chair and holds a piece of paper that says "Today I am 1 month old- January 6, 2010" I thought this was a great way of showcasing the way the child grows and develops in the first year of life. It got me thinking...why stop at the end of the first or second year-why not include older kids in elementary school, middle school or high school even. I am going to try this with my charge who is in middle school this month. I am not too sure he will go for it, but I can only try.

What you need:
a camera-digital
a notebook-70 page spiral works (one for each child)
pen
crayons
your child(ren) or nanny charge(s)

How to Document a Year in the Life:

1. Decide on a date each month to work on your book. Like the 2nd Tuesday of each month.
2. Take a monthly photo with the child holding a sign with the date on it. For an older charge, you can have them decorate the page with various drawings.
3. Have the child write their full name on the page marked "January"
4. You can then print their photo and put it under their signature.
5. Have the child write the answers to some of the following questions or others that you think of. If you child is not old enough to write, ask them the questions.

• What did you eat for breakfast today? (or whatever meal just passed)
• What is your activity schedule for the day? (school, classes, activities, sports)
• How tall are you?
  
• What size is your shirt?
• What size is your pants?
• What size is your foot?
• What is your favorite color?
• What is your favorite activity to do?
• What is your favorite computer game/website etc?
• What is your favorite food?
• What book are you reading now?
• Who is one of your good friends?
  
• What is your favorite sport to play?
• Did anything new happen since last month? (new pet, braces, new car, new nanny etc)

The list is unlimited in what you want your charge/child to answer. Have your child come up with some questions as well. When you get to December you will have a great "Year in the Life" of the child. This is really neat to look back at the photos to see how they have grown and changed. The handwriting samples are exciting to look at as well. You can also make a "Smilebox" of this to send out to the family members at the end of the year.

Happy 2010!