Child Alert: Hot Car Deaths!

Posted on May 19, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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On Thursdays, I usually try to write about something health-related.

Summer is just around the corner…and temperatures will be heating up soon.

Please remember that your car can be an instrument of death even when it is not moving!

Leaving children in a parked car is ALWAYS dangerous…however, in the summer, when the interior of your car can reach 100 degrees plus in a very short period of time, it is even more important to NEVER leave a child in a parked car.

Even with the windows cracked open, the heat inside can severely damage or kill a child (or a pet).

Read this article from Parenting.com for more information on this subject: Tragedy in the backseat: Hot car deaths.

Let’s resolve to have a safe healthy summer with our children!

If you are hoping to cut down on car trips because of the rising cost of gasoline and the need to watch your budget, there is so much to do right at home. Children don’t need fancy amusement parks or expensive toys. Your time and attention is really what they want and enjoy most!

Check out Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. As the title states, you will find picture book suggestions to read to your child, easy craft projects and simple cooking activities to keep your little ones happy and busy all summer long. We’re offering a special reduced price on our website…50% off the cover price! For just $22.50 per copy, you’ll have 100’s of fun-filled, educational, self-esteem building activities…they will be right there at your fingertips!

Sibling Rivalry Got You Down?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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It’s hard to share!

That goes for toys, treats and parent’s attention!

Here’s a wonderful picture book story that focuses on sibling rivalry.

NOBODY NOTICES MINERVA

Written and illustrated by Wednesday Kirwan

Poor Minerva! Her older brother and her baby sister seem to get all the attention, so Minerva decides to do some naughty things like poke her brother with a fork and pick all the leaves off her mother’s plant. Her father speaks very kindly to her and explains that she is very special to him, but that perhaps she would like to be noticed for other behaviors. Minerva helps her brother set the table and reads a story to her baby sister and, enjoying the wonderful praise she gets from her parents, Minerva resolves to be noticed for good behavior instead.

When young children exhibit negative behavior, they are usually sending out a cry for attention and help. We need to let our children know, on a daily basis, that they are loved and valued. Try not to wait until your child is misbehaving to notice what he or she is doing. Why not notice when your children have picked up toys without being asked to do so or have amused themselves for a short period of time while you were busy on the phone?

It’s not easy to be the one in the middle. It’s difficult to be the older child who has been “replaced” by a baby brother or sister. And sometimes it’s hard to be the only child. Growing up is a challenge, no matter what! And being a parent is a challenge as well. 🙂 A positive can-do, matter-of-fact attitude on your part helps create balance and harmony for the entire family.

Choosing stories from the overwhelming number at the library or bookstore can be difficult…Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking divides the 100 story titles into six chapters, each focusing on a different component of building self-esteem. This great resource is filled with simple fun-filled activities that go along with the stories…and you can pick up a copy during the Jump Into Summer Sale…50% off the cover price.

Simple Crafts for Summer Fun: To-Do Tuesdays

Posted on May 17, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Do ducks like the water?

Does the sun rise in the east?

Do kids love crafting?

The answer to all of these questions is YES!

Here’s a simple craft activity from Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. It requires only 5 things…I’m sure you have all five in your home already. Your child will love making this puzzle and will enjoy putting it together and taking it apart…great pre-reading skills!

MAKE A PUZZLE

You will need: A picture (from an old magazine for example), a piece of heavy weight construction paper approximately the same size as the picture your child has chosen (or one side of a cereal box), a pair of safety scissors, paste or a glue stick and an envelope in which to store the pieces.

1. Let your child choose a picture from an old magazine.

2. Paste the picture onto the construction paper or cardboard.

3. Cut the mounted picture in pieces. Depending on the age of your child, this could be a two or three or more piece puzzle.

4. Help your child put the pieces together to form the picture.

5. Store the pieces in an envelope.

I’ll be doing a similar craft in downtown Colorado Springs on June 11^that the PBS Kids Fun Fest in Acacia Park from 10am to 2pm. There will be all kinds of entertainment and many tables of craft activities for children. If you are local, this is a MUST-GO-TO event…lots of fresh ideas for parents and teachers!

KTSC-KFF- Color Flier

Please stop by tomorrow for What’s In Your Child’s Bookcase for a great picture book suggestion for summer reading. And don’t forget to visit my website to take advantage of the Jump Into Summer Half-off Sale.