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  Living in a city gives you so many opportunities with access to all the amenities you might need. It is easy to get wrapped up in the city life travelling from one place to another and forgetting about setting time aside to spend time outdoors. Now luckily if you live in a place like Madrid there are lots of parks around that are great for getting children to spend time outdoors but even as the colder months start it is important to spend time in the fresh air. Spending time outside ensures you get enough Vitamin D, to improve bone strength, and stabilises your mood. Taking a walk and enjoying nature can decrease anxiety levels and boost your immune system. There are a multitude […]

In the UK on 31st October there are celebrations for Halloween. Here in Spain it is more commonly known as El Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Halloween in Spain is the start of a three-day celebration. Far from what you find in America or the UK, this is not a commercial holiday. In Spain, this time is all about honouring the dead and celebrating the continuity of life. The specific customs and rituals that can be observed are similar to those seen in Mexico. Different regions of Spain also have different traditions. Northern Spain is known for having a more Celtic background while Barcelona has its Catalan traditions. Whatever this festive period means to you, it gives the opportunity to switch things […]

This post is going to be aimed at younger children at the point where they are just starting to learn English. A lot of these games will be entertaining but start to introduce basic vocabulary. As a parent or a babysitter, these games would be a great way to get the children to start picking up English. Game 1: Treasure Hunt This game is a classic for kids and can be adapted to incorporate teaching English. Get some treats or healthy snacks and hide them around the house. Then you can write clues that are in English to help them find the treasure. For example, you could hide something in the cutlery drawer and the clue could be ´fork´. Keep it simple if the children […]

How can you make sure the first day goes smoothly? There are several ways you can help prepare your babysitter so they are ready for their first time alone with your children. Remember they are coming to a new environment with new people so you want to help get settled on their first day. The happier they are, the happier your child will be. Firstly, it might be a nice idea to do a trial run. Have them babysit for an hour or two while you are still in the house. That way the babysitter and your child will feel more comfortable with one another. It will also allow you to learn more about the type of babysitter they are, putting any worries you have […]