Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…the week’s theme is SIMPLICITY.

The media would have us believe that our children NEED more stuff…electronic gadgets and expensive toys for example…to make them smarter and happier people.

I disagree!

Our children need more of our time, love and positive participation.

Do you want to help your young children succeed in school?

Read with them.

Do you want to develop their literacy skills?

Talk with them.

Do you want to build their self-esteem?

Cooking with kids builds self-esteem, develops literacy skills and is just plain fun!

Spend time with them doing SIMPLE activities like crafting or cooking.

Do you remember the ‘6 items or less’ craze that was popular about two years ago? The theory of ‘less is more’ is not a new one. It can be a wonderful way to start this New Year. Applying an attitude of simplicity to one’s life does help because it:

• Cuts down on stress
• Saves money
• Encourages an appreciation for what one has
• Strengthens the bond between parent and child
• Alleviates the disconnect that often takes place in families today

Do you want to have a great time with your young child?

Grab some construction paper (plain white copy paper works just fine) and a couple of markers or crayons.

Sit down with your child at the kitchen table or on the floor.

Each of you can draw a picture or a design.

If you want to turn it into a simple arts and crafts project, add a pair of scissors (safety ones with blunted tips if you want a young child to be doing some of the cutting) and a glue stick.

Cut shapes out of one paper and glue them onto another paper.

Talk with your child about what you are both creating.

Hang up the completed art work.

WOW! Less than 15 minutes of your time equals a happy young child.

If you’d like a great resource book chock-filled with simple craft activities AND lots of picture book suggestions, please check out my book, Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. Most of the activities (picture book reading, easy craft project, child-friendly recipe) take less than 15 minutes to do. There are several wonderful new reviews on Amazon…I hope you will check them out.

Bring simplicity into your life for the New Year…the reward will be priceless.

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

Related articles

• Sunday Post: Peaceful…How to Create a Peaceful Home (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
• Sunday Post: Simplicity (chikawithyeneyes.wordpress.com)
• http://wp.me/p2d9xu-l3
• http://jobryantnz.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/sunday-post-simplicity/
• http://ilargia64.wordpress.com/2013/01/19/sunday-post-simplicity/
• http://bemorewithless.com/simplicity-in-action-jims-story/
• https://viviankirkfield.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/6-itemor-less-in-your-childs-toy-box
• https://viviankirkfield.wordpress.com/2010/07/24/6-items-or-less-apply-this-experiment-to-parenting/
• https://viviankirkfield.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/andy-rooneys-in-my-kitchen/
• https://viviankirkfield.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/andy-rooney-life-in-a-gadget-drawer/