Quotable Timeless Tuesdays: World Read-Aloud Day Special

Posted on March 9, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

“You may have tangible wealth untold,

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.

Richer than I you can never be –

I had a mother who read to me” –Strickland Gillilan

Tomorrow, March 9^th, is World Read-Aloud Day.

Around the world, organizations will be promoting the importance of books and reading aloud to children.

“The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression, and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cast out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived.” – Howard Pyle

It’s hard to believe that there are many places in the world (and even here in the United States) where children have NO books. I support a literary outreach program (www.bessthebookbus.org).

“No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.” –Mary Wortley Montagu

I’m not a big TV fan…most of the time I would rather read a book than watch TV. But sometimes we are meant to watch something to see something special and that is what happened last night. During the episode of The Bachelor, Brad and Chris visited The Henna School, a preschool, in South Africa, in need of many things. The Bachelor team donated some much needed equipment and funds…I’ve just sent them an email asking if they would like several copies of SHOW ME HOW! I’d love to donate my book because I think it would help the teachers provide the children with fun-filled educational activities…reading aloud the picture books, doing the simple craft project and perhaps participating in preparing the easy healthful recipes.

“Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body.” –Richard Steele

Why is it so important to read to your child?

“The art of reading is in great part that of acquiring a better understanding of life from one’s encounter with it in a book.” –Andre Maurois

So, when should you read to your child?

“The time to read is any time…no apparatus, no appointment of time and place is necessary.”– Holbrook Jackson

And what books should you read to your child?

“A house without books is like a room without windows.” –Heinrich Mann

If you visit my website, you can purchase a copy of SHOW ME HOW, the unique resource that pinpoints 100 picture books every young child should hear. In honor of World Read-Aloud Day, I’m extending the half-price sale for another month AND there will be a WINNER of a CRAFTY EASTER BASKET, filled with safety scissors, non-toxic glue, construction paper and MORE. If you buy a copy of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING between now and April 9^th, your name will automatically be entered in a drawing for the PRIZE and it will be mailed to you in time for your child to have it for Easter. Several people ordered copies during this past week, so I will be entering their names as well.

Please stop by tomorrow for WHAT’S IN YOUR CHILD’S BOOKCASE WORDY WEDNESDAY. I’ll be reviewing another classic, ANGUS LOST.

Quotable Timeless Tuesdays: FAITH

Posted on March 1, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image by George Eastman House via Flickr

Young children are filled with faith.

“When I look at the galaxies on a clear night, when I look at the incredible brilliance of creation, and think that this is what God is like, then instead of feeling intimidated and diminished by it, I am enlarged…I rejoice that I am part of it.” –Madeleine L’Engle

They believe all kinds of outrageous stories…the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny and so on.

“All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

They trust that their needs will be met by their parents…food, shelter and love.

“The heart that is generous and kind most resembles God.” –Robert Burns

They hold out their small hands for us to guide them along the path we choose for them.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” –Helen Keller

If only we, as adults, could retain that childlike trust and faith.

“Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark.” –Rabindranath Tagore

They say that with faith, all things are possible.

I truly believe that and I know that it is especially important for parents of young children to have faith…as they raise their children in this difficult and often dangerous world.

Faith in themselves.

Faith in their children.

Faith in a Creator, Higher Power, Universal Being…call it what you will…it will give you strength and peace of mind.

“I would rather err on the side of faith than on the side of doubt.” –Robert Schuller

Please stop by tomorrow for WHAT’S IN YOUR CHILD’S BOOKCASE WORDY WEDNESDAY for a review of another picture book every young child should hear from the 100 titles recommended in SHOW ME HOW! This is a book that will help you with the difficult job of parenting…providing you with gentle tips and awesome activities. If you click on the link above, it will bring you to my website where you can purchase a copy for half-price so you can begin reading, crafting and cooking with your preschooler…building self-esteem, developing pre-literacy skills and creating a life-long parent child bond…just 15 minutes a day can shape your child’s future Sale ends on March 9…World Read-Aloud Day. WE ALL NEED A CHEERING COMMITTEE AND PARENTS ARE A CHILD’S MOST IMPORTANT FANS!

Cinema Sundays: My Picks of Great Flicks: Academy Awards Special Edition

Posted on February 27, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Classic Photo from 1937 Academy Awards at the ...

Image by ExperienceLA via Flickr

Tonight many people will be glued in front of their televisions, watching the Academy Awards presentation.

All across the country (and probably in other parts of the world), there will be Oscar-night parties and other celebrations to honor the winners (and losers…how can they be “losers” if those nominated were among the top 5 of all actors, actresses, movies, etc. for the entire year?).

My husband and I don’t go to the movies very often.

We actually LOVE watching movies, but don’t like the cost and inconvenience of going OUT to the movies.

So we got most of our movies for free from our local library or for $1 from Red box vending machines.:)

This past week, for President’s Day, I’ve written several posts that examine HONESTY, and how it relates to parenting.

So, my movie pick for today is GET LOW with Robert Duvall, Bill Cobbs, Sissy Spacek and Bill Murray. Although not one of the Academy Award nominees in any category, it’s a film well worth your time.

The movie examines the life of a man who has a secret he has kept to himself for many years. He takes up the life of a hermit and finally connects with the world only because he wants to arrange a “funeral party”, inviting EVERYONE and ANYONE who has a story to tell about him…but his real reason is that he knows he is going to die soon and wants to reveal the truth…so that he can rest easy.

Look at the word DISEASE…it’s made up of two parts: DIS (meaning not) and EASE (meaning at rest or at peace or functioning smoothly).

When we are not at peace, we are much more prone to getting sick.

Children start out in life being innocent and honest and forthright. Some begin to practice deception and dishonesty because they learn that when you tell the truth, if the truth is something unpleasant, you will likely get into trouble.

One of the cornerstones of Positive Parental Participation is listening to our children without judgment. Please don’t think this means that children don’t have to be responsible for their actions. A second cornerstone of this parenting approach is to consistently expect children to accept the consequences for what they do.

The gentle parenting tips included on every other page of SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING are one of the coolest parts of the book. Do you worry that your children will not grow up the way you want them to? Are you concerned that peer pressure may influence your children to misbehave or stray off the path you would have them follow?

Use the book with your child for just 15 minutes a day and you will be amazed at the positive results! Head over to my website and grab a copy for half-price…only $22.50!

What will you get for $22.50?

100 story summaries of picture books your child needs to hear.
100 simple eco-friendly craft projects you and your child will enjoy doing.
100 child-friendly healthful recipes you and your child will have fun preparing together.
100 gentle parenting tips that will inspire you and give you confidence in your own parenting abilities.
365-day money-back guarantee.

Children grown and don’t need a copy for yourself? Pick one up as a super Mother’s Day gift for a new mom, working mom of preschoolers, homeschooling mom or dad or as a great gift for someone you know who is a preschool teacher, daycare provider, babysitter or nanny. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to spend this special time with your young children…even if it is just 15 minutes a day.

Please stop by tomorrow for Make-A-Meal Mondays!