Au Pair | Guia sobre cada faixa etária

 

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 Depois que você tem o Match aparecem varias informações novas no seu Application, (mostro um pouco nesse video).

Uma delas é um pequeno guia sobre as faixas etárias.

Copiei e ilustrei elas para vocês.

Todas as informações foram tiradas do site da APIA.

 

 

 

Your Infant

Birth To 1 Year

Note: The United States government, in issuing visas to au pairs, has stated that an au pair may not be left alone with a child less than three months of age. Care for that child, feeding, bathing, cleaning or playing with the baby, is allowed, but another responsible adult (Mom, Dad, Grandma, neighbor) must be in the house with the au pair at all times.

The first year of life is a critical time for the development of a child. Babies are learning memory, language, thinking and reasoning. All of the senses, hearing, touch, smell and taste allow a baby to discover the world around him. As an au pair, your ability to work with the parents to stimulate and support your baby in the way they wish will be critical to your success in your new role. In addition your attention to the safety of the baby will be, first and foremost, your most important job.

We will direct you to some websites established by the National Institutes of Health and the American Medical Association, both well-regarded sources for information regarding good health in America. They have information for the care of babies, and we encourage you to read all of this. Only your host family can direct you in the care of their child, but this information will establish a good foundation for you to begin your work. In addition, several areas will be important for you to begin to consider even before your arrive.

BONDING: Your ability to create a connection between you and the baby will be very important to your success. Bonding is the attachment that should develop between you and the baby. It allows the baby to trust you and look to you for care and stimulation. It makes your investment in the safety and development of the baby uppermost in your daily routine. You will not replace the parents, but during the time that you are caring for the child you are the person to whom the child will look for nourishment and all other needs. We know a child who cannot bond to the adults caring for him will experience "failure to thrive" which will affect his physical, emotional and intellectual development.

SAFETY: A baby is totally dependent on those caring for him for all his needs. It will be your job, when on duty, to create an environment in which the child is safe and has his needs met in a reasonable manner. As your child becomes more mobile, his curiosity and inexperience will make you the "watchman" for him, preventing injury from dangerous situations. You can never be too attentive to the activities of your child at any age. YOU MUST NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE, EVEN TO GO TO ANOTHER ROOM IN YOUR HOUSE. Host families will give you directions for the safe care they expect.

TRUST: It is necessary that your host parents feel confident in your knowledge of this age group and your investment in their child. You must observe the many responses of your baby in all situations so that you can be the eyes and ears for the parents. You may be the first to see the exciting progress of your child, but you may also be the first to observe issues of concern in areas of physical or developmental advancement. You should take seriously your role as a reporter for the family to meet the needs of the individual child for whom you are caring. Because your child, unlike any other age, has no ability to communicate his needs or wants, the family must trust that at all times you are working in the child's best interest.

Please use these websites as a basic introduction to infant care:

Developmental milestones for the first and second year
Infant and Newborn Care

Note especially here:

• Caring for the newborn baby
• Baby safety
• Coping
• Bonding with your baby

Please note the graph showing normal development of children up to the age of 1 year. Remember you may be the reporter for your family on your child's development.

An article that makes clear what doctors of children in America recommend.

Your Toddler

1 - 4 Years

Caring for a child in this stage of their early life is like climbing a mountain. It is filled with exploration, discovery and challenges, and the view from the top is amazing. This time in a child's life is one of learning and testing of the world and people around him. Cathy Malley of the University of Connecticut says that toddlers are "long on will and short on skill". They each have their own timetable, so learning comes at different times and in different ways. During this stage they will learn to walk, talk, relate to others and be independent.

A child of this age must never be left alone. They are interested in everything around them but know no limits regarding their own safety. The role of the caregiver is one of allowing exploration, encouraging testing, rewarding learning and providing a safe environment for security and physical wellbeing. This is an important and demanding job, but the rewards are great - with a hug, a kiss or a shared treat. Children of this age give much more that they take.

Nutrition is a consideration at every age, but at this time bodies and minds are growing at a fast pace. Proper nutrition contributes to overall health, prevents medical problems and ensures full development. Prevention of childhood obesity, a growing problem in the US that leads to lifelong health issues, must begin early. Children of this age should:

• Eat a balance(d) diet of a variety of foods
• Eat a diet that includes whole grains, fruits and vegetables
• Eat a diet moderate in fat, sugar and salt

Avoid feeding problems by:

• Teaching a child to feed himself as soon as possible
• Providing healthy choices
• Allowing experimentation
• Preventing fighting about eating and foods. A balanced diet should be judged over a week, not a day.
• Avoiding using food as a reward

You should:

• Set a good example with your own eating habits
• Talk to the parents is you are concerned about nutrition or behavior around eating time

For more information on nutrition:

www.keepkidshealthy.com/preschool/preschoolnutrition.html

There are so many activities for children of this age group, and we will give you more information at orientation. Reading would be the most important activity in which you can engage with your child. Reading plays a crucial role in brain development, and daily reading should begin at birth. Reading:

• Engages the ears and eyes
• Provides bonding with the reader
• Develops an ageless and lifelong experience
• Increases language skills

Finally, take the time to explore these websites to understand the developmental stages of this age group. Remember that children develop their skills at different times, in different ways and according to the needs they have. Providing a safe environment for investigation and discovery will be your most important job.

If your child is two:

www.nncc.org

If your child is three or four:

kidshealth.org

Your Middler

5 - 10 Years

Children between the ages of 5 and 10 are generally considered to be in "middle childhood." This period is characterized by the development of relationships beyond the family unit. Most children begin elementary school at around the age of five and are introduced to a broader range of people including: teachers, coaches, other caregivers and a larger social group. It is interesting to be with this age child and to see how they integrate the world beyond their immediate family. During this time period the opinions of non-family members may become increasingly important to a child. Parents (and au pairs) are no longer the world's experts! Children may try out their new independence by being a little rebellious.

This is an exciting time for children but can also feel stressful as they learn to balance new environments, school expectations, and a variety of relationships. You, as the au pair, can provide stability as they move through their increasingly complex life. Below we offer some ideas about how you can be helpful to a child of this age. Also, we encourage you to review some of the following websites for more in depth information about this life stage and suggestions for working with children of this age.

Ways to support your middler

• Provide structure, but when possible let your child help make the rules
• Maintain a sense of humor
• Recognize your child’s developing language and reasoning skills. If they have made a mistake try to talk through the situation and problem solve for the future.
• Give lots of positive attention and try to support their decision making efforts

Web sites to explore

pediatric.healthcentersonline.com
www.nncc.org
www.cfc-efc.ca
www.ces.ncsu.edu

Your Adolescent

10+

The period in life from puberty (onset of sexual maturity of the body) to the time when a young adult leaves home (usually for college/university in American host families) is referred to as adolescence. This stage of life is characterized by a complex set of physical, social and emotional developments. While the minute to minute care of an adolescent may not be as demanding as that of a younger child, it is in many ways more complicated and challenging for the au pair. Since the primary goal of the adolescent child is to become independent, it takes good communication and planning between parents and au pairs to support this growth while maintaining a safe and happy environment for the adolescent.

As you begin to think about caring for your older child we encourage you to visit some of the websites that are listed below. We have selected resources that are respected in the United States and that will provide you with useful information about the development and needs of older children. We suggest that you learn about adolescent development in general and then explore more closely areas for which you may have specific responsibility, such as homework and safety. In all cases you must confirm with your host parents that you understand their expectations and standards.

Some things to consider as you prepare to work with an older child:

ROLE MODEL: When host parents select an au pair for an older child they usually indicate that they are seeking a young woman who will demonstrate very high standards for her work as well as for her personal life. They are eager for their children to have a young adult who can be an example of good work, social and health habits. This is known as being a role model.

COMMUNICATION: One of the most essential ingredients to a successful relationship with your older child will be your ability to establish good communication. Children of this age are developing independent thinking skills and moral codes. It is critical that they feel listened to and that their opinions are considered.

SAFETY: Older children are very interested in being independent. They often wish to try new things and to go places on their own. This makes life complicated for the au pair who is responsible for their safety. It is critical that you, your host parents and your older child have clearly established rules regarding personal and physical safety. Areas to consider may include Internet safety, mall safety, and requirements for keeping in contact.

HOMEWORK: You may be asked to assist your child with his/her homework. It is important that you understand your host parents' expectations in this area. Adolescent children should be expected to complete their own homework assignments; however, you may be asked to help them manage their time, to provide supervision in this area, and to offer some academic support. Again, it is important that you, your host parents, and your child all understand clearly what is expected.

The following websites will provide you with some background and guidance for the topics mentioned above. Please use these as a foundation for your year in America. Feel free to expand your research and to explore these issues with your host family. Note: Although these websites often refer to parents, the information they offer is valuable for any caretaker.

Communicating with adolescents
Communicating with adolescents.
Helping with homework
Helping with homework.
Internet Safety

Special Families

Each family is "unique" or "special" in many different ways. In Au Pair in America we have both traditional and less-traditional families. Family is defined as a group of people living together and acting as a single household. These people may be related by birth or marriage or choice. In the family with an au pair, at least one member of that family, the au pair, is a chosen member. The important element of any family is the caring and love that members hold for each other and demonstrate on a daily basis.

There are many varieties of less-traditional families participating in Au Pair in America. You may find yourself choosing a family such as this and exploring the infinite ways in which people can make commitments to those they love. Does your family match one of these alternatives?

• Single parent family
• Children by adoption
• Divorced or separated host parents
• Special needs parent
• Gay or lesbian parents
• Grandparents as parents

What do you want to know about your family?

• Does your own family have any likeness to the host family? (Is anyone divorced, adopted, challenged, etc?)
• Have you had an experience in a situation like this?
• What does your culture think about a family like this?
• What does your own family think about your decision?

Please choose one of the following websites to read more about your host family.

*Gay/lesbian parents

www.hrc.org

*Divorced/separated parents (Scroll down to "Reducing your child's stress")

www.kidshealth.org

Single parent families

www.topwahms.com

Grandparents as parents

ohioline.osu.edu

Adoptive parenting

parenting.aol.com

Parents with disabilities

www.disabledparents.net