On February 28, one of the biggest earthquakes recorded in history hit central Chile. The 8.8 quake caused massive damage leaving many areas without electricity, water and phone lines.  As of today, the death toll recorded is over 700 lives.

Gloria G. Grabois, our Local Area Representative in Central New Jersey, is from Chile and has relatives and close friends in the country. She was kind enough to share her feelings about how this tragedy has affected her and her family and friends.

“My attention has been diverted this week due to the earthquake in Chile, where I am from, as only now, almost a week later I know that my family and friends are well although there are a handful of close friends that we are not able to contact, which I hope is due to technological issues only.  Although any loss of life is too much, the numbers are not what one would expect after such a catastrophic event.

My family suffered only the irrelevant material losses that can be easily replaced but, I think only in the last few days, the reality of this earthquake has really set in and they now realize the monumental rebuilding task that is ahead of them. From so far away, the feeling of impotence is paralyzing as for many days we had no way of communicating with our loved ones. But this is the age of communications and I am not a ‘technologically savvy person’ but I am now grateful for having Blackberries, Facebook and Skype, which were the only way to get some news.

Now, the task ahead is also the responsibility of us, the ones living abroad, to help our country in any way possible, especially the children who have experienced the magnitude of the unimaginable-- "the big one"-- and still, even now they live they young lives with tremors and aftershocks that almost reach earthquake levels.

I am deeply thankful for everyone who has expressed their concerns.  Chilean people are strong and it is their faith, grace and love for one another that will make them rebuild again."

Our condolences go out to all the Chilean people. We hope the rebuilding process goes smooth and those who still have not been able to contact their family members are able to do so.

The Health Department in Utah is joining forces with local media to create awareness about an alternative to common tobacco products. The tobacco industry is coming up with a new way to introduce nicotine products to its potential consumers: Gum.

Nicotine Gum is easier to use than the regular cigarette. There's no lighting up, or no spitting required and the nicotine gum packages have the same layout and design of a regular gum package. The lack of smoke or smell makes them very deceiving for parents or teachers and harder to be detected.

"Tobacco companies spend nearly $60 million a year here in Utah on their marketing, and they are eager for new customers to replace those who die each year from their deadly products. Products such as the ones we see here today show they are not relaxing their efforts, and neither can we," says Kathy Baebler, health educator with the Salt Lake Valley Health Department.

The Department of Health advises parents to be aware of what these products look like and the potential harm they may cause. Parents should talk to their teens about them and let them know that they are not a good alternative to smoking. There is no such thing as a safe tobacco product.

Although nicotine gum might not directly cause certain kinds of cancers because of the lack of smoke, it is just as bad if not worse for the health. This is because the doses of nicotine are much higher, which makes them even more addicting.

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology has reported that nicotine harms the linings of our arteries which leads to the build-up of plaque, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, nicotine suppresses insulin output creating a hyperglycemic condition in smokers. The bottom line is that nicotine is a poison, and the human body is much better off without it.

Utah has launched a Quit Line toll-free at 1-888-567-TRUTH to help smokers trying to quit. It is a free service where people are connected to either quit-smoking services from the person’s health plan or to a quit coach at the Quit Line. Quit line services are completely confidential and available in English and Spanish.

goAUPAIR’s new Au Pair Preview allows families to search, review and compare hundreds of well-qualified and prescreened available Au Pairs.

SALT LAKE CITY, MARCH 1, 2010 -- goAUPAIR is excited to announce its new Au Pair Preview. The Au Pair Preview allows families to search, review and compare hundreds of well-qualified and prescreened available Au Pairs without having to fill out any application.

Unlike any other Au Pair search tool in the industry, the Au Pair Preview is available with no cost, no commitment and without having to take the time to apply.  With other agencies and companies, families have been limited in their search for Au Pairs by a set number of candidates chosen for them by their Au Pair agency or even a computer.  Now with the Au Pair Preview, they will be able to search with any combination of qualities they want with access to hundreds of pre-screened and travel ready Au Pairs.

Families can now search Au Pairs on different criteria including nationality, language spoken and more. The new search function will empower parents and give them the option to hand-select the Au Pair that best meets the unique needs of their family at their own convenience.

The Au Pair Preview also allows families to learn more about goAUPAIR’s available Au Pairs, making their decision process substantially easier.  Families can see pictures of Au Pair candidates, read about their child care experience, interests and learn why they want to be an Au Pair in the United States. Information regarding age, education, English rating and availability are also viewable.

“We are extremely pleased with the Au Pair Preview and the unique benefits it offers families looking for child care,” said, Devon Kapler, director of information technology. The new Au Pair Preview is unique because of three things. It’s available to the general public at no cost and with no requirement to apply. It offers the ability to search Au Pairs who are prescreened, qualified and ready to come to the United States. And it also lets you search hundreds of Au Pairs according to the parameters you set.”  

In addition to searching, reviewing and comparing candidates, potential Host Families are able to express interest in the available Au Pair candidates with just a click of their mouse. Doing so will allow one of goAUPAIR’s dedicated Placement Coordinators to send more information about that specific Au Pair to the family for their review. The Au Pair Preview is available to all families free of cost and without having to apply at www.goAUPAIR.com.

About goAUPAIR
goAUPAIR has been providing quality child care for over 20 years. Beginning as a nanny company in 1987 goAUPAIR soon expanded to include Au Pairs and was one of the original Au Pair Program sponsors designated by the Department of State in 1989. goAUPAIR has representatives in over 50 countries on 6 different continents and in over 65 American cities with headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information about goAUPAIR and the Au Pair program please visit http://www.goaupair.com.

Utah’s Granite School District is implementing a new program to help kids learn another language while still in elementary school. The program called Dual Immersion, works by giving kids, starting as early as 1st grade, 50 percent of their instruction in English and 50 percent in another language. Reading and Language arts classes are taught half of the day in English. While classes like math, science, or social studies are taught in their targeted language. Art, music, and P.E. can be taught in either language.

The project coordinators at Granite School District  "because of the teaching strategies used, the students learn the concepts and skills for the subject area and develop the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in another language.” The Dual Immersion program has been implemented for over 25 years in the United States; Granite School District will be using all those years’ research and experience to bring this program to Utah.

It is interesting to note that students who learn a second language increase their brains' ability to solve problems and there is no better time to learn a second language than when children are in elementary school.
The goals of this program are to “develop literacy skills in both English and the target world language such as Spanish, French, or Chinese while attaining academic achievement that is at or above their grade level as measured by Utah core testing.”

Along with teaching children another language, the program helps students create cultural sensitivity, making them more aware of the different cultures and people that share the world they live in. According to Granite School District web site the school strives  "to prepare Granite School District students academically, linguistically and socially for the challenges and needs of our global community.”

The success of the program can be previewed by the Chinese Summer Camp program, held in two of the district's schools. This program called “Startalk” is a collaboration with fluent BYU Chinese teachers. The program works in the same way, with half-day classes in Chinese during eight days.  Recreation and P. E. activities are also based on the Chinese culture to help kids better understand Chinese traditions and practices.  

Studies have shown that children who learn a language before their teen years have higher chances of acquiring a native-like pronunciation, plus introducing children to new languages broadens their view, prepares them for their future careers by sharpening their communication skills and gives them opportunities to understand people with different backgrounds and absorb more of the cultures.

For more information about Granite School District Dual Immersion Classes visit their Web site.

Hiring a Chinese Au Pair is becoming a growing trend for American families. According to the New York Times, the drive behind this trend is the “desire among ambitious parents to ensure their children’s worldliness, as such parents assume that China’s expanding influence will make Mandarin the sophisticates’ language decades hence.” So here are some interesting facts about China and Chinese Au Pairs:

China is known to be a country full of history and ceremonies. Appropriate manners are expected from everyone, especially towards the elderly. China’s total land area comprises more than 9.6 million square kilometers with four time zones. The national language is Mandarin, which is one of the five working languages in the United Nations. Cantonese is also one of the local dialects, more common in the south of China. The Chinese language has been in use for over 6,000 years. The country's total population is 1.328 billion (2008) and it comprises about 22 percent of total population in the world. China is also one of the four oldest civilizations in the world with a written history of more than 4,000 years. 

Chinese youth want to become Au Pairs in U.S. to improve their English and experience some of the American culture. Taking college credits in the U.S. increases their potential for a better career when they go back home.  They also want to share their traditions and backgrounds with American families.

Potential Strengths of the Chinese Au Pair
1. Bright, eager and willing to work hard.
2. Well mannered and respectful of host parents and elders.
3. Can expose your children to the Mandarin language.
4. May adapt quickly to a new culture without significant homesickness or depression.

Possible Weaknesses of the Chinese Au Pair
1. May not be used to large families and become overwhelmed with lots of children.
2. She may not be accustomed to American children, who are generally outspoken and direct. Be patient, have a sit-down talk with her and explain the cultural differences between American and Asian children.
3. She may be very quiet in the beginning and you may feel she is not happy, but be patient and usually she will begin to open up as she gets to know and care for your family.

Most of our Chinese Au Pairs have worked or volunteered as tutors for younger children. Nearly all of our Au Pairs from China are qualified to work with infants based on their daycare and babysitting experience. goAUPAIR has had successful experiences matching American families and Chinese Au Pairs, for that reason we are always pleased to help families find their perfect match. If you are interested in Chinese Au Pairs, feel free to let us know or search for them in the Au Pair Preview.

China is the Featured Country for February at goAUPAIR, which mean Host Families that match with an Au Pair from China get $100 off Au Pair program fees.

For more information:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/05/us/05aupair.html
http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/chinese-au-pairs-on-the-rise-834810.html

Healthy foods and children don't always make the happiest combination. Parents and care givers may have a hard time making children happy about their food choice and introducing a healthy eating lifestyle.

We all know healthy habits contribute children's overall well-being and help them grow and develop healthy bodies. Parents can be a little confused and frustrated when trying to introduce healthy foods. “Unfortunately, some parents over-think what to do about their child's eating habits, which give way to practices like forcing kids to clean their plates. And some parents don't think about nutrition at all, letting their kids eat a lot of junk food and drink a lot of juice. So, it's important to find a balance.”

When we understand a little better some of the basic facts about children's nutrition, we can avoid mistakes. Here are some tips for parents and care givers about children's nutrition: You may go from having an infant who eats a large variety of vegetables and fruits and three big meals a day, to a toddler who is a much more picky eater and eats much less. Surprisingly to many parents, that can be very normal -- as long as their toddler is gaining weight and growing and developing normally, and isn't filling up on milk and juice. In fact, many toddlers simply eat one good meal each day, and then just pick at their other meals. Your toddler's diet will likely be made up of about 16 to 24 ounces of milk (low fat milk once your child is 2 years old) and 4 to 6 ounces of juice, and be eating 2 snacks and 2 to 3 meals.”

It is important to know that although toddlers may not eat everything that it is offered to them, we should always continue to present a variety of healthy foods like vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Children are more willing to accept food if they are not pressured or forced to eat them. “Remember that this is a period in your child's development where he is not growing very fast and doesn't need a lot of calories. Also, most children do not eat a balanced diet every day, but over the course of a week or so, their diet will usually be well balanced.”

Most experts also advise that kids will eat more vegetables and fruits if parents or care givers start offering these foods when they are infants. Parents should also set a good example to kids with their food choices and by eating healthy. Also, a good tip is to mix vegetables and fruits in the food that the kids already like.

According to the American Heart Association, the best nutrition advice to keep your child healthy includes encouraging him to:

• Eat a variety of foods
• Balance the food he eats with physical activity
• Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol
• Avoid foods with a lot of added sugar and foods high in salt
• Choose a diet that provides enough calcium and iron to meet his growing body's requirements
• Avoid a lot of fast food, caffeine, juice, and soda

For more information about children and healthy eating visit

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3030485

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childrens-health/HQ01107

Au Pair programs give young people all over the world the opportunity to experience cultural exchange and to learn more about American culture and traditions. Although the Au Pair program is a great learning experience for both Au Pairs and Host Families, at times it can be a little difficult for Au Pairs who have to adjust to a new culture and language.

Adjusting to a different culture is not always an easy process; in fact it is a process that has been studied by many psychologists and social relations experts. Everyone who travels to a foreign land experiences cultural shock in some way. It comes from not knowing what to expect and how to react in some circumstances, but this challenge can be a great opportunity to learn and to develop some new social skills. Some stages in this adjustment process have been categorized and described as the following:

The first stage is called the “honeymoon stage”; it is usually when Au Pairs first arrive to the country. Au Pairs are excited about the differences in cultures and are interested to learn more about them. “The focus is on the sense of success in being in the new culture; curiosity and interest in the novelty of the new surroundings; and an appreciation and anticipation of the opportunities to be found in the new culture.”

Usually after the first stage comes the crises phase, also known as the culture shock stage. “In this stage, the primary focus is on the differences between one’s home culture, the new culture and the conflicts that arise due to these differences.” Some of these conflicts can include not knowing what to expect from people, not being understood the way you intended and noticing that some people are somewhat prejudiced against people from different cultures. “A sense of lack of control of one’s life may lead to depression, isolation, anger, or hostility.” (Michael Winkelman, “Cultural Shock and Adaptation”) This is the hardest phase, but once it is passed, the next phase is the recovery stage.

After having spent some time in the new culture, people begin to resolve some of the conflicts they may have experienced and also begin to regain a sense of appreciation that they might have experienced in the first stage.” In this stage, Au Pairs are usually more adapted to the new culture, know the language a little better and understand what to expect from people and different situations.

The recovery stage is usually followed by the Adaptation Stage. “This stage consists of people developing a realistic understanding of the similarities and differences between their home cultures and the new culture, so that they have clearer ideas about what they like and dislike in each.” The main characteristic of this stage is tolerance. Generally, Au Pairs have molded themselves to fit in the culture, and have a clearer understanding of why things work they way they do.

If you have ever spent some time in a different culture you can relate to some of those stages. It is important to know some people won’t engage in all of the stages and others will go through them in a different order.  However, understanding that this is a normal adjustment process will help families know what to expect when receiving an Au Pair in their home.  

For more information about cultural transition and adaptation, visit the websites:

http://www.counselingcenter.illinois.edu/?page_id=133

http://www.asu.edu/clas/shesc/projects/bajaethnography/shock.htm