2011 in review

Posted on January 2, 2012 by viviankirkfield

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 9,200 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 3 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

My goal for 2012 is to post something of value for parents and children every day…a quote that inspires, a tip that might help make the day go more smoothly, an activity to be enjoyed by the whole family or a picture book review that will encourage parents to read with their children on a daily basis.

I’m also going to be working on two writing projects. The second book in the Positive Parental Participation series will be Show Me How! Celebrating the Holidays Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. I’ll also be involved in creating an interactive board book series that helps toddlers learn their colors, numbers and ABC’s, The Balloon Man.

Now I have a big favor to ask. If you have a super cool holiday craft project that is quick and easy OR a child-friendly healthy simple holiday cooking activity, please visit my book website: www.positiveparentalparticipation.com and fill out the contact form. You can win a copy of the new book if your craft project or cooking activity is chosen to appear in the book!

I’m grateful for everyone who visited Positive Parental Participation in 2011…thanks also to all who left comments and kind words.

May 2012 be filled with joy, good health and love for all of you!

A Christmas Memory

Posted on November 30, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

One of the best things about blogging is reading the posts of others.

There are some really super cool writers out in the blogosphere.

I meet new friends and learn new things all the time.

The other day, I discovered Things I Want to Tell My Mother, heartfelt posts written by a woman whose mother has Alzheimer’s. Please take the time to visit her blog, especially if you are a mother or a daughter…you will be glad you did.

Marylin, the author of that wonderful blog, is having a contest and is asking for posts of one hundred words on Christmas memories with your mother or grandmother. Since I lived with my grandmother for many years, my Christmas memory will be about this special lady who was a role model for positive parental participation long before spending quality time with young children was considered crucial to building self-esteem.

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Baking for Christmas

As soon as I opened my eyes that morning, I knew it was going to be a special day. The delicious aroma of apples and cinnamon filled the little bedroom I shared with my older sister. This was the day before Christmas, and although my parents and sister were still sleeping, I knew that someone was already awake. I tiptoed down the stairs and entered the old-fashioned kitchen. My grandmother’s words were welcoming and her flour-dusted arms enfolded me in a loving hug. “There you are, Vivian. I’ve been waiting for you. Come and help me make these apple pies.”

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Memories like this one encouraged me to use cooking activities with my own children, the children in my daycare and as part of the self-esteem building activities in Show Me How! Allowing kids to help prepare food builds true self-esteem as they master tasks and skills in the kitchen. It also encourages fussy eaters to try new foods…if a child has helped prepare a meal; he or she is more likely to eat it. Or, at least try it. Here’s a cool tip: my niece who is a clinical psychologist, encourages her children to take a “no thank you” bite of every food that is being served. They know that if they really don’t like it, they can try it and say, “no thank you” and they won’t have to finish the portion. Experts say that it takes at least seven tries before we develop a taste for certain foods…so just because a child doesn’t like something the first time he tries it, doesn’t mean you should never serve it.

I’ve got several school and library programs coming up this week and next and I am really excited about sharing the picture book stories and craft projects from Show Me How! This is a back-to-basics program that builds self-esteem, develops better literacy skills and strengthens the parent-child connection.

Please pass the word and help others get on the back-to-basics bandwagon. This will definitely be the gift that keeps on giving, long after many of the toys you buy have been discarded.

NO BATTERIES REQUIRED…POWERED BY YOUR CHILD’S IMAGINATION

SHOW ME HOW! NOW ONLY $19.95

Giving Thanks

Posted on November 18, 2011 by viviankirkfield

The holiday of Thanksgiving serves as a reminder for many of us that we have much to be thankful for.

As a mom, educator and author, I’m especially thankful for the amazing opportunity I have had to instill my values and share my beliefs with so many others. Being a parent is a huge responsibility…it’s like Show-and-Tell…we need to be good role models of the behavior we expect from our children.

I’m thankful that when I taught kindergarten and Head Start, I learned so much from the other teachers, from the parents of the children and from the children themselves.

I’m thankful that when my children were growing up, I spent as much time with them as I could…operating a home daycare enabled me to stay at home and be there to see them off to school as well as be there when they returned home in the afternoon.

I’m thankful that now that my children are grown, with families of their own, the bond we formed years ago has grown even stronger…we all look forward to each opportunity we have to spend time together.

I’m thankful that during my school and library Show-Me-How programs, I am able to connect with so many young children and pass along the messages in picture books that may help them deal with problems that concern them.

I’m thankful that when I do parent and teacher presentations, I can share my passion for using picture books and positive parental participation to build self-esteem, develop literacy skills and strengthen the parent-child connection.

I’m thankful that because of my book journey, I’ve been able to connect with wonderful people…awesome bloggers, other authors who are generous with their time and expertise, and so many more.

I’m thankful for my husband of forty-four years who has been so supportive of everything I am involved in…we still enjoy being with each other, whether we are hiking or fly-fishing in the Colorado Rockies or sitting toe-to-toe on the couch watching a movie together.

Getting ready for a day of fishing!

I’m thankful for my health and my ability to do what I need to do and want to do.

I’m thankful to live in a country where I can do what I need to do and want to do…and where there are places of beauty and wonder still to be explored.

As this year draws to a close, I look back with thanks for all that I have and I look ahead, with eager anticipation, to what the future may bring.

What are you thankful for? Please do share.