Claire Burgess
@belles28
Early Years Consultancy Manager
Over my career I have been asked hundreds of times ‘what made you want to be a nanny?’ and my answer has always been simple, I love being around children and making lasting memories with them. This hasn’t changed and over the years I have seen what a privileged position we nannies have; there are very few professions where you get to influence another person’s life in such a way that you help shape who that person will be in later life. It is amazing what children remember as they grow up and one of the best parts when working so closely with children is seeing precious memories being made and thinking, they’ll remember this for life.
For me last weekend was a great example of how memories are
made with children in the simplest of ways by doing and experiencing things
with others. Research has shown that children
learn more effectively through hands on experiences and emotional connections
with others rather than being told about something.
On
Saturday, a family who I met through my work with Tamba, came to visit me at my
parent’s farm. The afternoon started
with two shy 3 year old twin boys and their 11 year old big brother but quickly
developed into a memory making adventure!
Watching the 3 boys look longingly at the tractor, asking if
they could sit in it and then having the opportunity to ride in it was
wonderful. Taking it in turns to have a
go and then congratulating each other with a hug when they finished their
tractor driving experience highlighted their shared love of the experience, and
their smiles just said it all.
Then it was time to feed the calves and there were 2 very
keen little helpers! From mixing the
milk powder to watching the calves drink, there were lots of questions and new
learning opportunities. It was hands on
learning in the truest sense of the word!
The afternoon ended with us asking the boys what the best
bit was, two answered with “the tractor ride” and the other one “all of it!” – can’t
ask for much better than that! I think I
can safely say that lasting shared memories were made on Saturday afternoon and
as a Norland Nanny it’s pretty special to have been part of it.
Everyday Norland Nannies around the world are making
memories with children, what memories are you making this summer? Some great
activity ideas have been shared by our Norland Nannies via #NorlandNannyActivity
on Twitter and Instagram, start memory making with your children/charges today!
Wonderful memories xx
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