Mario L. Nanny in Santa Monica, CA 90401.

My work with children spans ten years. During high school I cared for a single working mother's three children. Three to five days a week--occasionally six or seven--I would go to her home and care the children who were between the ages of four and eleven; I would prepare meals, assist the children with their school work and made sure they followed a structured after school plan.

Following high school I started volunteering with Starlight Children's Foundation. As a volunteer I did activities with children who had chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The Starlight children were between the ages of five and seventeen. Depending on what the children were capable of I would help them with arts and crafts projects or games. Several years after Starlight Children's Foundation ended their volunteer program I returned to child care work.

For approximately three years I cared for three boys--twins and a pre-schooler. When I started taking care of them they were between the ages of six months and four years old. The oldest child had a structured afternoon plan and bedtime routine . When the twins were infants I would take care of feeding and naps, making sure to adhere to a schedule. As they grew I helped them to develop their motor and communication skills; utilizing story books I would help them learn how to identify objects and colors.

Additional skills
• Encourage children to use their imagination.
• Spend time with children outdoors doing physical activities.
• Help children develop problem solving skills.
• Teaching children how to communicate their feelings so that their emotional needs can be met.
• Help children develop social interaction skills.
• Provide feedback to help children develop self-confidence.