New Year’s Resolution 1: Acknowledge and Face Your Fears

Posted on December 27, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others who contribute a picture book review.

I hope your holidays were a beautiful time with family and friends. Now it’s almost the New Year…a time looking back to see what we have accomplished and looking ahead to make changes if necessary and set new goals. Our fears often hold us back…when you acknowledge and face your fears, you can move ahead. Children enjoy what is familiar and often fear changes in their lives.

My Perfect Picture Book Friday pick examines this theme.

Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport

Written Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Illustrated by Byron Barton

Publisher: MacMillan Publishing Company (1980)

Ages: 5 and up

Themes:

Overcoming fears, moving, new places, travel, trying new things

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

“I live at 165 East 95th Street, and I’m going to stay here forever.” says the young hero firmly. After all, out West nobody plays baseball because they’re too busy chasing buffaloes, and you have to ride a horse to school even if you don’t know how, and you can’t sit down because of the cactus. But his parents are moving West, and they say he has to go, too.

Once there, however, the boy doesn’t meet the Gila monsters he expected. And on the ride to his new home (by taxi, not horse) he discovers the West is neither as different nor as bad as he’d imagined.”

Why do I like this book:

Many people want to stay just where they are! And most children don’t look forward to moving to a new place that will be very different from what they were used to. This book will help any child who is facing this type of upheaval. I love the preconceived notions (mostly due to his best friend’s dire predictions) that slowly but surely are blown away as the main character travels to his new home out west with his family…and discovers that things (and people) are not all that different.

Related Activities:

In the story, the little boy worries that he will have to eat chili and beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Why not have your child help you make this delicious vegetarian chili…just perfect for a cold winter’s supper! Children who help with meal preparation are more likely to try new foods.

VEGETARIAN CHILI

You will need: 2 Tbs olive oil, 1 cup chopped onion, 2 Tb minced garlic, 2 cups diced tomatoes (canned or fresh), 1 cup canned red kidney beans and 1 cup pinto beans (rinse and drain the beans), ½ cup diced carrot, 2 tsp chili powder (optional), 1 Tb honey, ½ cup grated cheddar cheese, ½ cup yogurt and a large pan with a lid.

Heat oil in pan over medium heat.
Add onions…cook a few minutes while stirring.
Add garlic.
Add tomatoes, beans, carrots, chili powder and honey.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Garnish each serving with grated cheese and a dollop of yogurt.
Serves 6-8.
Important tip: You may want to do some of the prep beforehand…such as chopping the onions and mincing the garlic…we want our young cooks to be smiling, not crying. In addition, your child can help measure and mix into a bowl…and then you can add the ingredients to the pan…we don’t want young ones near hot pans or stoves.

More resources here: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/gila-monsters-meet-you-airport-lesson-plan

GIVE YOUR CHILD A HEAD START THIS NEW YEAR

Did your children get lots of new toys this Christmas? Or did you go for a more simple approach?

Young children don’t need fancy electronic gadgets…they only need a good picture book, a few simple inexpensive art supplies (like paper, crayons or markers, safety scissors and glue stick) and your positive participation.

If you are looking for a great resource that will give you 100 picture book summaries and easy matching craft and simple cooking activities like the vegetarian chili recipe above, you can purchase a copy on Amazon of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking.

show me how build your child's self-esteem, positive parental participation

At $24.95, this book makes a PERFECT gift for any parent or teacher of children ages 2-8…as well as for daycare providers and grandparents. No batteries required…powered by a child’s imagination! Buy your copy today!

My website is still offering free shipping AND a beautiful hand-crafted fabric bookmark…limited time only! Offer ends December 30^th!

About two years ago, a New York Times article questioned the importance of picture books and predicted that parents would be opting for chapter books for their children instead. Now a recent New York Times article seems to be debating that premise: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/26/what-books-are-just-right-for-the-young-reader/the-early-push-toward-chapter-books-is-a-mistake

What are your thoughts?

How to Help Kids Deal With Anxiety: The Worry Glasses (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
Vegetarian Chili: 3 Ways (abeautifulmess.com)
Don’t Be Afraid…Go Ahead…Write Picture Books! (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)

Sunday Post: Peaceful…How to Create a Peaceful Home

Posted on December 2, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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

Surroundings can be peaceful…many people find that being near quiet water helps relieve stress.

Children listening to a picture book story can be peaceful.

Children engaged in a craft activity can be peaceful.

Many years ago, when my own kids were young, I operated a home daycare. People couldn’t believe that there were six children in the house because the house seemed so peaceful.

The children were always engaged in one activity or another…listening at a picture book; building with blocks; telling a story with the flannel board; working on a puzzle; drawing or painting a picture.

The house wasn’t silent…but the sounds of busy children, happily engaged in activities are PEACEFUL sounds.

Do you have young children?

Is your home a peaceful one?

It’s important for parents to provide those types of activities for their kids.

But it is difficult. Parents are busy with other responsibilities. Some parents aren’t sure what activities are best to do with their children. Others don’t know how to plan a balanced and harmonious day.

That’s why Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cookingis such a super cool book.

It gives parents those types of activities.
It gives parents a simple hour-by-hour plan that can be modified for each individual family’s situation.
It gives parents 100 picture book suggestions that will develop better literacy skills.
It gives parents 100 quick and easy craft projects that will build self-esteem.
It gives parents 100 child-friendly healthful cooking activities that will encourage fussy eaters to try new foods.
No expensive materials…just paper, scissors, markers and a glue stick.
No planning…the activities are quick and easy…no muss…no fuss.
Buy the book today and help several children’s organizations because we donate a portion of the book sales.
The list price is $44.95…you can purchase it on my website for $24.95 and get THREE BONUS GIFTS: FREE SHIPPING, A HAND-CRAFTED FABRIC BOOKMARK FOR YOU AND A BRAND-NEW PENCIL FOR YOUR CHILD.

A local woman who makes beautiful quilts created these awesome bookmarks for me…she donates her profits to a family shelter, so this is a win-win-win for everyone…she used three different pieces of fabric for each…here’s a close-up so you can see the lovely detail.

Don’t wait…buy your copy today to make sure you get it in time for the holidays!

Start the New Year with a plan for a more peaceful home.

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

Sunday Post: Surroundings…Hurricane Sandy…You Have to Gab Before You Can Roar (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
PPBF: Parenting Advice from Andy Griffith…Set the Rules! (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
PPBF: Cat Tale….A Lesson in Group Dynamics and Word Power (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
1. Peaceful | blueberriejournal – December 1, 2012
2. SUNDAY POST : Peaceful « Healthcare Updates – December 1, 2012
3. Peace | Artifacts and fictions – December 2, 2012
4. SUNDAY POST: Peaceful | Lost in Translation – December 2, 2012
5. Weekly @Jake Sunday Post Theme ‘Peaceful’ | Campanulla Della Anna – December 2, 2012
6. Peaceful Memories | Northern Narratives – December 2, 2012

Picture Perfect Book Friday: Frizzy the Fearful

Posted on September 21, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Today is Perfect Picture Book Friday where I link up with Susanna Leonard Hill’s fantastic group of picture book writers, illustrators, librarians and others who contribute a picture book review and related resources for parents, teachers and children.

I usually pick books that I have recommended in Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. If you click on the link, you will visit the wonderful blog of Kimberley Moran’s First in Maine. This former preschool teacher did a lovely review of my book yesterday.

I know it’s hard to think about the gift-giving holidays of winter when we are just entering these scarlet and gold days of autumn…but Christmas and Hanukkah and Kwanza will be here before we know it. If you are needing a great gift for a teacher, parent or grandparent of young kids, a daycare provider or anyone who loves reading, crafting and cooking with children…or anyone who might be a little hesitant about doing activities with kids, please direct them to my website. They can grab a copy of this award-winning resource that makes planning fun-filled educational self-esteem building activities a snap…and we are offering FREE SHIPPING and a small BONUS gift for the next 30 days! THIS IS A GIFT THAT REQUIRES NO BATTERIES…IT’S POWERED BY A CHILD’S IMAGINATION AND A PARENT’S POSITIVE PARTICIPATION!

Young children are often beset with many different fears: fear of the dark and going to sleep, fear of monsters, fear of separation and getting lost, fear of new experiences and new places and fear of illness and death.

Do you have a young child who is afraid of something?

Is that fear keeping him or her from joining activities or socializing?

Sitting down and talking to your child is a good step to take to try to help your child overcome that fear. But sometimes it’s hard to start a conversation about difficult topics. That’s why picture books are so valuable because they set the stage for a relaxed discussion about almost anything.

For this situation,a wonderful choice would be Frizzy The Fearful by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. This little tiger is afraid of EVERYTHING, but with the help of his friends and mother, he learns that he can cope with those fears.

Frizzy the Fearful

Written by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

Illustrated by John Wollner

Publisher: Holiday House (1983)

Ages: 4 and up

Themes:

Acknowledging and overcoming fears, helping others, self-esteem, friendship

Synopsis:

Poor little Frizzy Tiger! He is afraid of almost everything…high places and low places, the dark, loud noises and pits in fruit. He avoids going places with his friends and misses out on many fun-filled activities because he doesn’t want anyone to know how frightened he is. When he climbs a tree to help a friend, even though he is terrified, Frizzy realizes that everyone has fears, and he begins to feel a little better about his own situation.

Why do I like this book:

Children love to hear about others who have experiences and feelings similar to their own. This is a wonderful book to share with any child, but especially one who has some fears…Frizzy Tiger has so many. Young kids will be able to relate to the little tiger and will cheer him on, hopefully acknowledging and perhaps overcoming their own fears as they do so. The illustrations keep pace with the text and will help a young listener identify with the many situations that frighten Frizzy. During the story or afterwards, the adult reader will have a great opportunity to listen with respect to what the child has to say. Perhaps sharing an experience from your own childhood will also help the child understand that everyone has fears.

Related Activities:

A BADGE OF COURAGE

Here’s a quick and easy craft project that any young child would love to make. Perhaps your child has been to the dentist and was very brave in the chair…or maybe she finished her first week of nursery school and even though she was hesitant at first, she has made the adjustment and is enjoying her day there. Pin this badge on to affirm his willingness to overcome his fears and his acceptance of life’s challenges.

Education.com has instructions for a bravery badge: http://www.education.com/activity/article/bravery-badge/

You will need: Construction paper, aluminum foil, glue stick, ribbon, scissors, crayons or markers and one safety pin.

1. Cut out 3 circles of different sizes.

2. Glue the circles, one on top of the other.

3. Glue the ribbon on the back.

4. Write the child’s name on the smallest circle.

5. Cut out small stars from aluminum foil or draw stars or use gummed star

stickers.

Cooking with kids is another great way to extend the learning experience that starts with reading the book.

Here’s a simple fruit salad that is a nutritious snack or lunch. We all know how important it is to encourage young children to eat healthy foods. We need to make every meal count…especially snacks!

CHILD-FRIENDLY PIT-LESS FRUIT SALAD

You will need: 1 banana, a small bunch of seedless grapes, 1 pear, 1 navel orange and a few leaes of lettuce to use as the base. You can substitute any fruits your child enjoys…just try to add one or two new ones that he can try.

1. Wash all the fruit and lettuce and put the lettuce leaves in the bowls.

2. Slice the apple and pear and arrange on the lettuce.

3. Peel the orange, separate into sections and arrange on the plate.

4. Peel the banana, slice and add to the arrangement.

5. Cut each grape in half and add to the salad.

6. Serves 2-3 as a main dish (add some grilled chicken strips or cheese cubes for protein). Serves 4-6 as a side salad or snack (add a couple of whole grain crackers).

The Show-Me-How School Initiative is still looking for A FEW GOOD SCHOOLS. Please leave a comment on this post, telling which school or other child-care facility you would like to nominate to receive a free copy of Show Me How!

This post is part of a series for parents and teachers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays hosted by Susanna Leonard Hill. Click on her link and find lots of other picture book suggestions with summaries and activities. This is an unbelievable resource for any parent, teacher or children’s librarian.

And please don’t forget to visit my website for a chance to get a copy of Show Me How!…FREE SHIPPING AND A FREE BONUS GIFT FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS!!!