There's Knowledge to Be Found.. Even in the Summer

When summer arrives and school days end, parents often worry about whether or not their child can obtain educational value from the new action movie or the latest teenage vampire romance novel. Parents can all take a deep breathe of relief in knowing that any intellectual stimulation whether that be a film or book, can ingrain a passion in a child that might have not been there otherwise. It's not very difficult these days to be able to find such films and books. Not all of the films are recent nor the books, but the ideas behind them ring true even today. As I am professionally a nanny, I am also a student at the College of Charleston. I recently took a class involving the study of young adolescent literature therefore making my advice on this matter sound.


Some older films that I find fascinating and I feel that many children would as well are the Indiana Jones films. George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have created a film collection that wonderfully mixes ancient history, action/adventure, and archaeology. 


Books involving the ever popular vampire romance genre do not have to be unintellectual. The novel Creeps features an onslaught of scientific research in the realm of parasitic diseases and the like. If your child is not already a fan of biology then this young adult read will surely have them interested. 


The best thing a parent can do when trying to push reading on their children is to allow their child to pick the novels they would like to read. Those books may not always be classics, but I expect any book for children and young adults that your child decides to read will have some intelletual impact them in the future. 


As far as films providing brain power, let's just say be careful to stay within the Indiana Jones archetype. Do not stray into thinking horror films will provide your child with a knowledge of surgery, just nightmares. Choose films such as this summer's Mr. Popper's Peguins, Harry Potter 7 Part II, and Pirates of the Caribbean 4. The first might incise in your child a curiousity for zoology, the second a passion to study England or the history of witchcraft, and the final could create a need in your child to study the history of Pirates, Spanish/English trade routes, mermaid legend and lore, and the Fountain of Youth. 


So no need to fear heading to the box office or Barnes and Noble this summer parents, there's plenty of brain friendly reading and viewing material out their for your little ones :)

Practically Perfect Origins

           As of this summer, I have officially launched my business, Practically Perfect. The idea to begin such a venture stemmed from my growing nannying jobs. I felt that as the calls came in for my services that creating a company of sorts seemed like the next logical step. I chose the name "Practically Perfect" because of the classic Disney film, Mary Poppins. The ever amazing nanny describes herself to the young Banks children as, "practically perfect", which is a motto I try to live by daily. No one can be truly perfect, but we can all try to live as practically and realistically as possibly.


         I wanted to write this blog because I feel that like Mary Poppins herself I have much to offer in the world of child care. I have had countless experiences with children of all ages and I would love to share my memories and advice with parents and other nannies. As a sort of nanny diaries, I will post day to day stories and lessons in child rearing. In today's society, I believe that with loving kindness and a firm hand one can raise their children to be practically perfect. ~