by Lela Nargi What makes a career tech guy chomp at the bit to open his own elementary school? The “disheartening” experience of applying for preschool on behalf of his own daughter. “It’s insane,” says Max Ventilla, founder of AltSchool, a four-location network of independent micro-schools in San Francisco, the first of which he opened in September […]
What Kids Really Gain from Arts Education: One Mom’s Personal Reflection
By Lela Nargi It’s a late evening in early December and I’m sitting with my tween daughter in a stiflingly heated, baldly lit, packed-to-the gills auditorium near Coney Island, waiting for Mark Twain middle school’s winter concert to begin. We’ve come out to see a friend of my daughter’s sing with her 7th grade choral class. […]
Meet Mara: Babysitter and Future Genetic Counselor!
Mara has been working with kids and families since she was in middle school so it comes as no surprise that she’s now pursuing a career in genetic counseling, where she’ll be able to help people each and every day. Since joining UrbanSitter in 2012 Mara has sat for around 100 different families, and says […]
Meet Kate Talbot: Successful Author, Content Creator, and Digital Strategist… and an UrbanSitter Babysitter!
Kate Talbot has built her successful career by using digital storytelling to empower communities at brands like Kiva and Virgin America, as well as scale early-stage startups for growth. In her free time, she writes for online publications like Social Media Examiner and KISSmetrics, educating small business owners and entrepreneurs on how to successfully use […]
Entertaining and Educational Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
No matter where you live on the planet, April 22nd is Earth Day. Don’t let the day pass you by without taking advantage of the opportunity to celebrate and help your family do its part in protecting our planet. Here are fun ways to get the kids involved, build lasting memories and start healthy habits, […]
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s Birthday (and Read Across America Day), March 2
The beloved children’s author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss, was born March 2, 1904. Children around the world celebrate his birthday by reading his treasured books and spending time in school and at home doing fun activities that reflect his brilliant work. Don’t miss out on the chance to have some fun with your kids! Here […]
Chores for Children
Part of being a parent is taking the time to teach kids about responsibility. Assigning kids chores is an ideal way to do just that, and also a way to instill self-discipline, routine, and the importance of being a contributing member of a family and eventually a self-sufficient member of society. Chores also help kids […]
Educational Apps Your Kids Will Beg to Play
Now that you’ve downloaded the new UrbanSitter Mobile App for yourself, how about adding a new app to your phone or tablet for your kids? It’s likely the old stand-bys aren’t holding your kids’ attention like they used to. Wondering how to find a game that’s fun to play and is also more than just […]
Talking to Kids about the Upcoming Election
Even little kids are likely to notice the growing excitement around the upcoming presidential election. Campaign signs, tv commercials and news coverage, bumper stickers and conversations about the candidate are abound. Don’t miss this great opportunity to teach your kids a bit about how our country selects leaders and to begin teaching them about good […]