SitterTree Resources: Insights on Babysitting and Childcare

The sequence of playing skills and interests in young children usually follows a typical pattern and is directly linked to underlying brain development and maturity.

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Though the age in which children will engage in these activities varies slightly, the major areas of playing and their commonly observed sequence is:

1. Constructive: building towers with blocks or Lego, puzzles, train sets, emptying and filling objects.
2. Grouping and sorting: organizing and classifying objects based on various characteristics.
3. Functional: using objects for their purpose in a play setting (ie. pretending to eat from a spoon, telephone play).
4. Representative: representing an activity with a doll or object (ie. feeding a doll).
5. Sequential: playing out a common daily sequence (ie. mealtime or bathtime).
6. Symbolic: using objects to create an entire pretend scene (fort, tent, dollhouse).

So What?

Though children with older siblings may adopt certain play behaviors earlier than first-borns, this sequence should help you to consider if your toy box is age and stage appropriate. Most children will be able to indicate what they are interested in. By observing their behavior closely, and by watching their reactions after seeing a new activity, you will be keenly aware of when they are ready for a new challenge.

Offering stage-appropriate toys and activities requires your consideration and time but can be accomplished with simple household items. without the need to purchase expensive new toys.

A note about the author:

Dr. Randa Grob-Zakhary, MD Ph.D. is the Founder of The Babyboost Institute for Early Learning and Development. Want more tips? Purchase Babyboost: 50 Critical Facts on Amazon.

SitterTree is heading to Athens, Ga just in time for Valentine’s Day! Our local team will begin recruiting babysitters in the area in January 2019. Family registration will open by mid-February. Athens-Clark County families will soon benefit from the best-vetted babysitters in the business!

Families won’t be the only ones to benefit! Students at the University of Georgia and young professionals in the area will have easy access to babysitting gigs. In 2018, Atlanta sitters earned nearly $1M in babysitting wages from SitterTree jobs. We are thrilled to invite Athens sitters to join our current network of babysitters. 

SitterTree has sustained significant growth in the Atlanta market for the past three years while maintaining our high quality, with sitters averaging 97 percent 5-star ratings from Atlanta moms. All signs point to adding another market and giving more families the opportunity to experience the peace of mind SitterTree sitters provide!

Expanding our services to a new metro area is the next step in our long-term goal of bringing SitterTree’s proven business model and technology to markets around the country. We are excited to meet sitters and families in the Athens-Clarke County area, and we look forward to becoming a trusted resource for them.

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At the Park Talking Tips

The park is full of new creatures and places to talk about with your baby. Watch what your baby is attracted to and help them describe their new surroundings.

Conversation starters from Talk With Me Baby

• “Do you hear that? Sounds like birds chirping and singing in the trees. If we look up, we can see the tree branches, where the birds live and build their nests.”
• “Look at all the green grass in front of us. Would you like to walk on the grass? Let’s take off your shoes so you can feel the grass under your feet. Ooh, feel that? That feels different, doesn’t it?”

Download the Talk With Me Baby app for more talking tips.

Talking Tips are provided by Talk With Me Baby, an Atlanta organization working to bring the concept of language nutrition into public awareness and educate caregivers on the importance of talking with their baby every day, in an effort to close the word gap. 

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At a BBQ/Picnic Talking Tips

A community BBQ or family picnic is a great time for your baby to experience new sights, smells and words. Encourage other family members to take over the talking as well, introducing your baby to everyone and everything that’s happening around them.

Conversation starters from Talk With Me Baby

• “Mmm, smell that? That’s a smoky barbecue smell. It makes me feel hungry. How does it make you feel? Let’s go find out what everyone is cooking.”
• “Your brother has a football. Do you see the football? Here, hold the ball. Can you throw the football to your brother? Good throw!!”

Download the Talk With Me Baby app for more talking tips.

Talking Tips are provided by Talk With Me Baby, an Atlanta organization working to bring the concept of language nutrition into public awareness and educate caregivers on the importance of talking with their baby every day, in an effort to close the word gap. 

Your profile picture and “What Makes Me a Great Sitter” text are what families and SitterTree coordinators see first. Make a great first impression by following these tips for creating a perfect sitter profile!

Profile Picture

Make moms love you before they meet you! Remember this profile picture is for a babysitting position. Select an outdoor picture that is light, bright, and friendly. Be sure the picture is close enough for moms to see your smile! Avoid using a selfie as they are not professional.

What Makes You a Great Sitter?

Tell parents what makes you qualified – the best choice. 1) Highlight your experience with children and their ages and stages. 2) Share your favorite go-to activities. 3) Highlight why you love babysitting. Be authentic, and try to go a bit deeper than “children are the future.” Triple-check your spelling. 

Download Grammarly to ensure your grammar is top-notch!

Finishing Touches

Adding up to date babysitting references and a current CPR certificate are great additions to creating the perfect sitter profile!

• CPR Certification: Many families value CPR-certified sitters. Search for local courses and get certified! Upload a current copy of your certificate and we’ll mark you as certified.
• References: Add three paid babysitting references (remember, no family members).

Your sitter profile is your first impression to families. The profile should be inviting and give parents insight on the 5-star sitter they will be selecting. With these tips, you will be landing jobs in no time! If you have questions, always reach out to your Sitter Coordinator.

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Food Shopping Talking Tips

The grocery store is a great place to talk with your baby about food, shapes and colors. It’s also a good place for you and your baby to interact with other people and each other while you shop.

Conversation starters from Talk With Me Baby

• “It’s apple season! My favorite apples are green apples. Do you see the green apple? Green apples are fresh and tart to eat! Let’s get three green apples. 1, 2, 3 green apples go in our cart.”
• “Ooh, look at all these orange carrots. You love mushed carrots! Carrots are a delicious treat. Would you like to get some carrots today? Here, why don’t you hold the carrots while we shop?”

Download the Talk With Me Baby app for more talking tips.

Talking Tips are provided by Talk With Me Baby, an Atlanta organization working to bring the concept of language nutrition into public awareness and educate caregivers on the importance of talking with their baby every day, in an effort to close the word gap. 

It’s that time of the year. Once again, 365 days have glided by and we’re back to the starting line. The weeks before a new year arrives, we often take time to reflect on the past year. We think back to January and the New Year’s Resolutions we set. Did we stick with them or were they completely forgotten before February 1st? 

We all have personal goals and resolutions that are sure to differ from one person to the next person, but there are five resolutions we’ve all made at least once in our lives. 

Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions

1. Book More Date Nights

Dating your partner is important. Parents need time to stop and remember why this whole thing started. Or, maybe you’re flying solo and have been meaning to get back on the dating scene but good excuses not to are readily available. Numero Uno Excuse: I can’t find a sitter on short notice.  Um, wrong. SitterTree is committed to helping couples and solo parents keep at least one resolution this year.  In fact, we’ll not only provide the sitter – we’ll take care of the whole night.

In addition to our monthly Give-Away, SitterTree is giving parents 20% off our yearly Select Membership. That’s unlimited bookings every month for a year. This is one resolution you can keep!

Use Code: RESOLUTION and get 20% off SitterTree’s Yearly Select Membership.

2. Exercise More

We know, it’s hard to put down that Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter. We also know it’s even harder to find time to hit the gym in-between meal times, nap times, carpool and those precious 10 minutes of Instagram scrolling.

3. Learn a New Skill or Hobby

How many times did you almost sign up for that cooking class? Or, think about clearing your mind with a little Namaste (i.e. Yoga)? But, every time you go to press submit, something (or someone) seems to distract you. You take one step away and your Great British Baking dreams are history. 

4. Save More / Spend Less

You did really well with your savings goal for the first quarter of the year. The budget was on track, with a little cushion, but then life happened. Unexpected home repairs, camp fees were due, a splurge here and there, and the kids needed different athletic shoes for three different sports. 

5. Travel More

Your Pinterest board is now overflowing with tropical getaways which are starting to feel like figments of your imagination.

SitterTree gives away a free date night every month!

We recognize the hard work parents put in each and every day to raise their children. However, no one human can do it all. It’s okay to ask for help. SitterTree is here to lend a helping hand and give parents some well deserved time off. Don’t let another 365 days go by without accomplishing at least one of your New Year’s resolutions. Sign up at sittertree.com and book your first sitter today. 

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At the Library Talking Tips

The library offers amazing resources for babies and families, especially over the summer months. Take advantage of the children’s room at your library to introduce your baby to plenty of books and literacy tools.

Conversation starters from Talk With Me Baby

• “We’re going to get some books at the library. I’m excited about picking out some new books to read to you! Let’s say hello to the librarian before we look at books. Good morning!”
• “Which books would you like to look at today? I see you reaching for this blue book about trucks. Would you like to check this out and take it home? I’ll put it in our bag to check out.”

Download the Talk With Me Baby app for more talking tips.

Talking Tips are provided by Talk With Me Baby, an Atlanta organization working to bring the concept of language nutrition into public awareness and educate caregivers on the importance of talking with their baby every day, in an effort to close the word gap. 

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Getting Dressed Talking Tips

Explain what you are doing while you are getting your baby dressed. Tell your baby what is going on at each step, and use this situation to introduce body parts as well as clothing names.

Conversation starters from Talk With Me Baby

• “Now it’s time to get dressed for our day! Let’s start with your pants. One leg goes in one side of the pants. There we go! And now the other leg. Thank you for your help!”
• “It’s cold today so we’re going to put a hat on your head to keep you warm. Feel how soft the hat is? This hat will keep you nice and toasty today!”

Download the Talk With Me Baby app for more talking tips.

Talking Tips are provided by Talk With Me Baby, an Atlanta organization working to bring the concept of language nutrition into public awareness and educate caregivers on the importance of talking with their baby every day, in an effort to close the word gap.