Getting to Know You
(Written by Emily Thomas)
Kids are fun and full of energy, as all sitters know! They are truly a joy to be around. But not all kiddos are super social and when meeting for the first time there can be some hesitation mixed in with their excitement. As a sitter you want to set everyone up for success and start strong.
A great way to start out when sitters are meeting a new family and their children is to make the transition as smooth as possible. There are so many ways to make a wonderful first impression. Basics that most all sitters would include are introducing themselves with a warm smile, respecting the child’s personal space and expressing excitement to have fun with the child. Once through the initial introduction and transition of the parents leaving, the next step is getting the child to be comfortable and start building a relationship with them. A great way to keep them occupied, while also building trust, is to engage them in some fun activities. While the children explore the sitter provides unwavering presence and connection.
Indoor and Outdoor Activities
Sensory Bins: Sensory bins are a fun activity that allows the child to experience different textures. Set up can be simple with on hand materials placed in a large bowl or bin. Add some measuring cups and spoons for scooping, figurines for play and you’ve got yourself all set. Examples: pom poms, rice/beans bin, ice cubes, etc.
Arts & Crafts: These can be tailored to the child’s likes. This can also be used as something to show/give to parents when they return, which can offer reassurance that parents will return if they’re having a hard time. Examples: Make paper airplanes, ziploc bag paint (can use toys to assist), draw favorite animals/characters.
Dance Party: Everyone loves a good dance party, right?! A dance break is a great way to get the toddler moving and having a good time. This is also something you all can do together and create a bond.
Nature Collection: Going on a nature walk allows you to be in the presence of the children but not necessarily expecting them to be social with you. Taking a nice stroll around the neighborhood or even just in their yard can help familiarize yourself with their environment. Collect sticks, leaves, seeds, berries, etc. Count what you collected, create a collage or sort the items and talk about the differences between them.
Water Play: This classic activity is always a hit. Water play doesn’t have to be complicated! It can be a simple set up of a large bowl and some cups, toy figures and even soap to have some bubbly fun. It’s a great calming sensory play for most children - you can even set it up indoors at the kitchen sink if outside isn’t doable.
Outside Chalk: Another classic, make some fun pictures, create hopscotch, or even make it a sensory experience by grating the chalk and mixing with water, painting with fingers or dipping the chalk into water to make vibrant colors.
“Icebreakers”
An icebreaker is a game or activity that will “break the ice” for sitters and children. Sitters can use these any time, not only the first time with a new family. “Ice Breakers” are great because you can change any of these activities to fit different children’s level, age or number of children participating.
Tell Me A Story: The first person starts the story by saying a beginning sentence, such as “Once upon a time,” “Last weekend I saw,” or “When I woke up this morning”. The next person will add another sentence to add onto the story. This keeps going back and forth to create what typically turns into a very silly story! This icebreaker game tests memory, creativity, and silliness to get some giggles out. You can even write down the story as you go!
Four Corners: Create a boundary in the middle of a room, there will be an “agree’ side and a “disagree” side. Everyone starts in the middle. Taking turns, each person speaks a statement, for example “I love pineapple on pizza” or “I like dancing more than singing”. You would then move to the side that represents your opinion best.
You can add a timer, play music or count down so the students have to move quickly–or you can request they walk. It’s fun to see what their opinions are, and this icebreaker gets the kids making decisions fast!
Rose and Thorn: If a sitter is coming in the evening or hasn’t seen the children in a while this can be a wonderful activity to help share what the kids have been up to lately. They will give one “rose” = best part and one “thorn” = worst part. Kids love talking about their lives, what has been going on in their day-to-day, school, friends, etc. Plus, with this icebreaker game, you’ll get them thinking about the positives and negatives of something that happened and this can lead to a deeper conversation.
Show and Tell: A classic activity to encourage children to get comfortable by allowing them to talk about their most prized possessions. Ask the kids to bring you their favorite item, maybe a book, toy or lovey. Even better - bring one of your favorite things to share with them as well. Ask them to hold up their favorite thing and talk about why it’s their favorite. You can ask them questions about why they take it with them, where they go or how they got it or what they would like to do with it. Depending on the age of the kids, the session could get long which is perfect for the activity.