Top Five New Year’s Resolutions for a Dynamic 2012

Posted on December 17, 2011 by viviankirkfield

English: Two New Year's Resolutions postcards

Image via Wikipedia

The New Year is almost here! Have you thought about your New Year’s resolutions yet?

The great thing about the New Year is that it gives us the opportunity to make a fresh start.

You can make broad, sweeping resolutions like EAT HEALTHIER or you can make more specific resolutions such as I WILL AVOID EATING FAST FOOD.

“To insure good health, eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness and maintain an interest in life.” William Londen

Based on William London’s practical advice, here are five resolutions that will result in a happier, healthier, more dynamic 2012.

1. Eat Lightly: many of us eat too much of the wrong things…nutritionists recommend eating six small meals a day instead of three big ones. In addition, make every meal count by using more fresh foods instead of highly processed ones.

2. Breathe Deeply: It’s definitely hard to find the time to exercise, especially when you work, take care of a home and family and have lots of other things that take your time and energy. However, moving at least 30 minutes a day will provide great health benefits…and make you feel more positive. Dance while you clean the house or take a walk while listening to great music. Get together with a friend and exercise together with a new tape in your living room if you don’t have the time or money to go to a gym. In addition, take time every day to meditate and be still…even if it is just for 5 minutes. It will refresh and renew your spirit.

3. Live Moderately: This rule applies to all aspects of our lives…eating, drinking, sleeping, surfing the Internet. If people would get enough rest…and eat, drink, exercise and pursue all other activities in moderation, the soaring medical costs in this country would decline. The cells in our bodies repair themselves during restful sleep…and people tend to gain weight if they are sleep deprived.

4. Cultivate Cheerfulness: Doesn’t it lift your spirits when someone greets you cheerfully, in a store, on the street or on the phone? Thinking and acting cheerfully does have a positive effect…on EVERYONE! Cultivating cheerfulness does not mean ignoring problems or pretending that everything is rosy when it is not. If something is troubling you, please share it with someone who cares about you. Set in motion steps that will change the situation. If it is a situation that can’t be changed, join a support group or ask for help.

5. Maintain An Interest In Life: Isn’t it amazing to see elderly people who get college degrees after they have retired from a life-long career? Or middle-school children who raise money for other children in a village that is situated thousands of miles from where they live? How can you maintain an interest in life? Read a book about something you always wanted to find out about; volunteer in a local school or hospital; reach outside your normal routine to help someone.

Are these goals on your list? Do you have others? Do share!

If you are a parent of a young child, please add another goal for 2012. Strong reading readiness skills and a positive self-image will help your child succeed in school.

Hop aboard with the award-winning Show-Me-How and get back to basics with reading, crafting and cooking with your child.

Each activity takes 15 minutes or less…a small investment in time with a big reward.
The book is arranged in an easy-to-use format so there is very little planning or preparation.
We’ve extended the online special of $19.95 per copy till the end of the year…order now so that you can begin 2012 with the Show-Me-How program of stories and activities.
NO BATTERIES REQUIRED…POWERED BY YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION

Parenting Tips on Reading Revealed in Radio Interview

Posted on December 14, 2011 by viviankirkfield

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak about reading with children and the impact it has on young children. The hosts of Bookmark Radio, Michael Scott and Wendy Duncan, are avid readers and lovers of books.

We talked about how important it is to read with young children on a daily basis. I hope you will click on this link to hear the radio interview:

November 21, 2011 http://castlerockradio.com/media_player.asp?messageID=107557

Here are some of the highlights of our conversation:

Reading with young children develops their literacy skills.
Children aren’t born knowing how to hold a book or turn the pages.
Parents need to be good role models and be seen reading by their children.
Reading with children is fun for everyone.
Children who are read to are more successful in school.
Adding cooking and crafting activities related to the story is a plus.
The messages in picture books can help children deal with many problems.
Cooking and crafting encourage children to master tasks and skills.
Self-esteem grows when parents engage positively with their children.
Parents are the first and most influential teachers for their children.

For more information about using picture books to help your child develop a positive self-image and better literacy skills, please visit my website. With your own copy of Show Me How, you will have 100 summaries of some of the best picture books ever written with an easy craft activity AND a simple recipe for each recommended title…right at your fingertips to use with your child. Each activity takes only about 15 minutes.

Why not start the New Year with a great resolution for 2012?

Get back to basics!

Read 15 minutes every day with your child!

Reading and Crafting Fun with Kids (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)

Festival of Trees Festive Family Fun Days: A Few Reflections

Posted on November 21, 2011 by viviankirkfield

I spent this past Saturday and Sunday at the DoubleTree Hotel near the World Arena in Colorado Springs.

Sponsored by the Ecumenical Social Ministries, the Festival of Trees Family Fun Days was a many-splendored event.

In the main ballroom dozens of vendors with beautiful tables filled with amazing items provided gift-giving purchase opportunities to the people strolling by.

Gaily decorated Christmas trees were displayed and offered for sale.

Ornaments on the Crayola Tree...a hit with every child!

Santa-land had volunteers doing awesome craft projects with the children…and kids had the opportunity to meet Santa, as well as the Grinch who stole Christmas.

Hundreds of door prizes had been donated by area businesses and the Ecumenical Social Ministries volunteers called out names every half hour…centerpieces, candles, hand-made quilts and gift certificates for free meals at local restaurants were among the wonderful prizes awarded to the lucky recipients. When my name was called, I was thrilled! My prize…the most beautiful handmade Christmas quilt.

On-going live entertainment added to the up-beat party-like atmosphere and we enjoyed bell choirs, drum groups, singers, dancers and more. The entertainment alone was worth the $5 per person entry fee…children 12 years old and under got in for free!

I had a wonderful time at the Show-Me-How table…talking to parents and children about building self-esteem and literacy skills with picture books and how easy it is to spend a little quality time with your child…reading, crafting and cooking. Parents who picked up my book were impressed with how many activities it provides. They loved the easy-to-use format with the picture book summary and parenting tip on the left and the quick craft and child-friendly recipe on the right.

Speaking with hundreds of people in a two-day period can be somewhat exhausting, even when you are passionate about the subject. I’d like to share some of my reflections and observations.

There are lots of parents out there who really care about their children.
Many parents are doing an awesome job of teaching their children important skills, such as saying “Thank you” when someone gives you something. We were giving a free gift to every child who stopped by the table…a fancy new pencil and a bookmark. I was impressed with the parent who told her child, “You need to look at the lady when you say thank you.”
I fear we are moving away from a time when a child would be excited about receiving something new…no matter how small. Most of the children were delighted to come over and pick the pencil of their choice…but a few shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads…perhaps if I had been offering an iPad they might have thought it was a worthwhile gift.
It doesn’t matter how beautiful or uplifting the atmosphere…some people will always bring their negative attitude to a situation. I don’t know whether you will want to laugh or to cry when you read this. I chatted a moment with a woman who stopped at the table to look at the book and after I told her that the book had quick and easy activities to help build self-esteem and literacy skills, she replied, “I’m already an excellent parent!” To me, that is kind of sad…I know how to cook, but that doesn’t mean I will never look at another cookbook in my life or enjoy getting a new recipe from a friend. And I’m always excited when someone gives me a new approach to teaching or a fresh tip on parenting. Life is a journey of constant learning and we need to be open to acquiring knowledge, even on subjects we may have expertise. Another woman looked at the book and when I said it’s for anyone involved in the care and education of young children, she replied, “I hate children…this is definitely not the book for me!” I guess not. :}

If, however, you think this might be the book for you…or you know anyone who might enjoy having 100 picture book recommendations, each paired with a quick and easy craft project and a simple child-friendly healthful recipe, please pass along the information. Show Me How! available on my website: $19.95 for a brand-new copy…and personally inscribed for the holidays if you wish! After observing the children at the Festival of Trees event and those of friends and family, I can tell you that many children have too much STUFF already…they don’t need the latest toy or gadget. What they do need is their parents’ time and attention! Buy the book and give them the gift of your positive parental participation that will last forever.