Reading Readiness | VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children

English: Two New Year's Resolutions postcards

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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

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.