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Week 17Week 19

Week 18 · Jan 11–Jan 15, 2027

Machines & Construction

CVC/final soundsThe Wild RobotBach + Herbie Hancock + electronic
MonHermann Park playgroundTueChildren's Museum HoustonWedHMNS Energy HallThuDiscovery GreenFriHouston Fire Museum

Illustrated film

Magnolia and seed

M says mmm, like magnolia. S says sss, like seed.

Morning outing

Houston Fire Museum

MidtownMostly indoorTimed / ticketed

Indoor

Opens at 10 am on Fridays. Plan to arrive then.

Closed on federal holidays.

Regular hours, checked Nov 11. Holidays and special events differ. Confirm before you go

TELL

Tell

At the fire museum, your child picks the best machine of the week and explains how one part works. Record 30 to 60 seconds.

  1. 1Your child chooses the week’s favorite discovery.
  2. 2Record a 30–60 second explanation — phone voice memo is fine.
  3. 3Celebrate the telling, not the polish.

Small and perfect. Let your child soak up the trucks, then draw one detail.

Rain plan: Children’s Museum Houston
Maps
Parents: books & supplies →Nanny: project setup & sessions →

Outing bag

0/5

Houston Fire Museum · tell kit. Use supplies already at home; follow the venue’s rules.

If useful

Afternoon · nanny guide

Set out one activity at a time. Shorten or stop when the child needs rest.

Quiet

15–20 min

child chooses 3 quiet options.

Set out: child chooses 3 quiet options. · A comfortable quiet spot

  1. Set out the quiet choices before lunch ends. Invite the child to choose one; keep the other choices nearby.
  2. Demonstrate just the first puzzle piece, lacing hole, or pattern. Stay nearby and let the child continue without correcting the result.
  3. Offer a familiar book if frustration grows. Give a two-minute warning before putting the materials in their basket together.

Try saying: “Would you like help getting started, or would you like to try?”

Circle

10–15 min

Read & explore CVC/final sounds

Set out: Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site · The Wild Robot · Paper · Crayon

  1. Read Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site together for about five minutes. Stop at one illustration and connect it to something seen at Houston Fire Museum.
  2. Write mat in large lowercase letters. Point and say m–a–t, then slide a finger under the word and say mat. Let the child join one sound or the whole word; stop after one successful try.
  3. Read a short passage from The Wild Robot for 3–5 minutes, stopping at a natural break. If attention fades, switch back to looking at pictures. Mark the place for tomorrow.

Try saying: “What do you notice in this picture that reminds you of our outing?”

After Circle · clap three words

2–3 minutes with the nanny. Listen to each word, clap its parts together, and choose the number. Then return to the day’s Studio activity.

More play →

Studio

15–20 min

Finish & share

Set out: 1 Large toy pulley · 1 length Cord, about 60 cm · 1 Paper cup · 1 Low stable support · 1 set Crayons · 1 roll Paper tape · 1 pair Adult scissors · 1 Work tray or table cover

  1. Draw the up-and-down movement and explain what the pulley changed.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Write one exact sentence the child says about the work and share it with the family.

Try saying: “What would you like to try or change next?”

Late day

10 min together, then 30–45 min play

Snack, movement & free play

Set out: Usual family-approved snack · Water · One familiar song · Open-ended toys

  1. Wash hands and sit together for snack and water. Follow the family’s food and rest routines.
  2. Play a familiar song. Spend two minutes clapping its beat, then move slowly and quickly with the music. Pause it for a freeze game; let the child lead a turn.
  3. Offer two play choices, such as blocks or pretend play. Stay available while the child directs the play, without adding another lesson.
  4. Give a five-minute transition warning. Tidy one small area together and tell the parents one specific discovery from today.

Try saying: “Would you like to build or pretend? You can choose how the story goes.”

Books today

After lunch, offer two books and let the child choose. During Circle, revisit one favorite illustration and ask what happened first and next.

  • Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site — Sherri Duskey Rinker
  • Fire Truck Dreams — Sharon Chriscoe
  • The Little Fire Engine — Lois Lenski
  • Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go — Richard Scarry

Chapter read-aloud: The Wild Robot. Read for 3–5 minutes and bookmark the stopping point.

Full basket

Music

Bach + Herbie Hancock + electronic. Play in the car 2-3 times; one 5-minute listening session; one instrument/movement session.

  1. Choose one familiar song from this week’s music. Listen once at a comfortable volume.
  2. Replay it and clap the beat together. Invite the child to choose a movement for the chorus.
  3. Pause for a freeze game, then let the child lead. Finish after 5–10 minutes while it is still fun.

Nanny note

Write the day the way it happened. Parents read it in the journal.

Moments
  • 1.

Parents · Week 18

Procure books & supplies

Machines & Construction

  1. 1–2 weeks ahead: choose 2–4 books to borrow or order. Check home for project supplies, procure missing items, and arrange any tickets or reservations.
  2. Before the week starts: mark books and materials as ready when they are available. Tell the nanny where to find them and what is still missing.
  3. During the week: respond to the nanny’s requests for missing supplies or replacements.

Parents · procure for the project

pulley sculpture

Buy, borrow, or find the materials below before the week starts. Make them available to the nanny; the nanny prepares the pieces and leads the project.

Gather for one child

0/8 ready

Check home first. Quantities cover this project; substitutes are fine.

Gather at home
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
  • Find
Buy or borrow if missing
  • Find

Books to borrow or order

Start with 2–4 picture books from this basket. Borrow from your library, reuse favorites, or order ahead. You do not need to buy all 15.

Amazon links search by title and author. Check the edition, format, seller and delivery date there before ordering.

  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon
  • Amazon

Chapter read-aloud: The Wild Robot

Find chapter book on Amazon

Nanny · Week 18

Prepare & lead the week

  1. Before the first session: check the materials, do the cutting, folding or assembly below, and set up the project bin during your workday.
  2. Each day: check weather and venue plans, pack the outing bag, set out books and music, and follow the daily nanny guide.
  3. After the activity: clean up, save unfinished work, and share one observation or supply request with the parents.

Nanny · prepare and lead

pulley sculpture

Use the books and materials the parents have provided. During your workday, prepare the pieces, set up the space, lead the sessions, and put the work away. Tell the parents if anything is missing.

Nanny setup · before the first session

  • The adult fixes a large pulley to a low stable support, threads a short cord and attaches a paper cup. Keep the cord controlled by an adult and put it away after use.
  • Nanny: allow 15–20 minutes during your workday for setup before the first project session. Set aside three 15–20 minute making sessions; stop earlier if the child is ready.

Monday · 15–20 min

Start the project

  1. The adult demonstrates lifting an empty cup by pulling the cord down.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Put the work and remaining materials together on the project tray for the next session.

Thursday · 15–20 min

Build on it

  1. Add one large paper ball and let the child help lift it while the adult controls the cord.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Put the work and remaining materials together on the project tray for the next session.

Friday · 15–20 min

Finish & share

  1. Draw the up-and-down movement and explain what the pulley changed.
  2. Show one small step, then let the child try. Offer help with joining or holding pieces; accept the child's version.
  3. Write one exact sentence the child says about the work and share it with the family.

Keep for next time: Keep the project on a named tray, out of reach between sessions. Leave wet work flat to dry. Return reusable tools to the shelf after Friday.

Friday nanny note

A few lines for the parents. Nothing fancy.