Apples: Songs, Books, Fingerplays and a Snack

Apple Fingerplays, Songs, Books and a Snack by Glenda Propst

When the leaves start falling,and the weather starts getting a little cooler you know it's time to pick apples.
This is a great outing for  nannies to do as a group.
Apple Season is a great time to be outdoors, go on nature walks or make a great snack with the apples you pick. Today I am going to share with you some "Apple" fingerplays, songs, books and snacks.

The Apple Tree
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay up high in the apple tree (point up high)
Two little apples smiled at me (make apples with fist and smile)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (Pretend to shake the tree)
Dowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn came the apples (Make motion like apples falling out of tree)
MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....were they good!!!!!!! (rub tummy)

Apples
Eat an apple; (Bring right hand to mouth) Save the core. (Close right hand in fist) Plant the seeds. (Bend down touch hand to ground) And grow some more. (Extend both arms out)

Here's a great Raffi song about Apples and Bananas. If you don't know the tune, you can listen to it or buy it here

Apples and Bananas
I love to eat Apples and Bananas
I love to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas
I love to eat, eat, eatapples and bananas
I love to ate, ate, ateapples and bananas (say with the long A sound)
I love to ate, ate, ate apples and bananas
I love to eat, eat, eat epples and benenes (say with long E sound) I love to eat, eat, eat epples and benene
I love to ite, ite, ite ipples and bininis I love to ite, ite, ite ipples and bininis (Long I sound)
I love to oat, oat, oatopples and bononos (Long O sound)
Repeat I love to ute, ute, ute upples and bununus (Long U sound)
Repeat I love to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas


You can find lots of great books about apples here and don't forget the one by Dr. Suess:
10 Apples Up on Top
Here's a recipe from Family Fun for some Apple Dip that is sure to be a hit with kids of all ages.
Apple Dip Ingredients


1 1/3 cups peeled, cored, and diced apple

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons apricot preserves

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

INGREDIENTS FOR CHIPS:

5 (6-inch) flour tortillas

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

Combine all the dip ingredients in a bowl, then cover and refrigerate the mixture until chilled.

Brush the tortillas with butter, then cut them into wedges.

Arrange the wedges on a greased baking sheet, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and bake at 350º F until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let them cool before serving. Serves 4 to 6.
 
Here's one more simple apple snack for Apple Season.
Take an apple and cut it into wedges. Give each child 2 wedges. Spread peanut butter (if your child is not allergic, if your child is allergic you could substitute almond butter or sunflower butter) between the wedges. Then take mini marshmallows and add teeth to your smiling mouth.
Feel free to share your favorite apple activity here.
If you would like to feature your craft ideas here on Creative Nanny Wednesday, email Glenda(at)regardingnannies(dot)com

Creative Nanny Wednesday ~All About Me Book

Whether you are a Professional Nanny, teacher or grandparent, mom or dad,
Check out the All About Me Book today  by Greta Schraer
Regarding Nannies to learn about todays craft!

Camp Nanny

by Kellie Geres
Regarding Nannies Development Team

One of the best times I had as a nanny was the time I spent with twins in Atlanta. An amazing group of nannies in the area that in the summer, put together Camp N.A.N.N.Y (Neat Activities planned by Nifty Nannies for You – catchy huh!)

The organizers of Camp N.A.N.N.Y created a summer of events and outings for participants to ensure a fun summer for all! For a small fee ($10 per family) you got access to their calendar of events, a custom designed t-shirt, contact list of participating nannies and children and the opportunity to attend any or all planned events.

Some of the events included …
A tour of the local fire department and lessons in fire safety and goodies (fire hat, stickers, books, etc.) for the kids.
A visit to an exotic animal shelter, personalized tour and picnic.
Pool day at a local nannies swim club.
Visit to a local community airport, tour and lunch at the restaurant while watching the planes come in.

Nanny Karen Yatsko has planned three weeks this summer for her 11 year old charge and six of her friends’ ages 10-12 years. Camp Karen (her boss came up with the name) events include …
Monday, Wednesday and Friday are craft days and Tuesday and Thursday are for cooking. Outings include goofy golf, movies, tie-dye t-shirts, volunteering at a local animal shelter, bowling and NEW this year is Geo-Caching (http://www.geocaching.com/). Camp Karen is so popular there has been a waiting list! The parents pay a fee to cover costs, Karen plans out a calendar in advance and everyone has a great time!

Want to plan your own Camp NANNY?
Come up with a name.
Determine camp costs … printing, mailing, t-shirts, misc. supplies, venue costs.
Determine cost to join.
Gather info on area attractions, community venues, kid friendly attractions.
Create registration packet.
Plan your calendar of events.
Get the word out to area nannies, nanny group members about your summer plans.
Have FUN!

Next week, we’ll bring you theme ideas and more summer camp ideas you can use to make this the best summer ever for your kids and charges.

St. Patricks Day poster by Nanny Gael Ann and her creative assistant

St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Looking for a fun way to decorate for St. Patrick's Day?
Just grab your little leprechaun(s) and paint a shiny shamrock poster.

You will need:
One large poster board
Black permanent marker
Light corn syrup (1/2 to 1 cup)
Green food coloring ( a few drops)
Foam craft paint brush

1) Mix a few drops of green food coloring into the corn syrup.
2) Draw a large shamrock on the poster board. If you need a little help drawing the shamrock just think three hearts and a stem. I cut a large heart from a plain piece of 8.5 by 11 paper and then used it to trace around to form the three "leaves" of the shamrock and then added a stem.
3) Paint away little leprechauns. It dries fairly quickly but retains that wonderful shine.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Nanny Gael Ann and her creative assistant!

Introducing..............Regarding Nannies

Introducing: Regarding Nannies

Together with Alice Shaffer and Kellie Geres, we have created a new blog that will focus on all aspects of being a nanny.
Each week we will bring you:
Monday Moxie – is a roundup of nanny tidbits, news from the industry, some of our favorite websites and more.
Tuesday Tip Jar – the best and most useful tips to help you in your personal and professional lives.
Wednesday – Let’s Be Creative! Join The Creative Nanny as we bring you crafts, recipes and activities from guest contributors and some of our favorite websites and blogs.
Table Talk Thursday – interviews with some of today’s top nannies, profiles of nanny support groups and guest writers bringing you perspectives on issues we all face.
Financial Friday – The Financial Nanny brings you tips and resources for savings, spending and being financially secure.
We will also have giveaways, product and book reviews, and much, much more!
To kick things off we are giving away FOUR INA Memberships – one each week, starting today, July 6. The details of this give away will be released later today.
Visit every day, tell your friends and become a part of the site dedicated to YOU!