Sunday Post: Sentimental Value…Easter Craft for Kids

Posted on March 24, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge…today’s theme is SENTIMENTAL VALUE.

Sentimental value definition: value placed on something because of its emotional associations rather than its monetary worth.

What has the greatest sentimental value for me?

People!

My family!

My children and grandchildren!

CHILDREN ARE PRICELESS! And pricey!

Did you know that it costs over $200,000 to raise a child to age 18?

But some of the most important things you can give your kids are free!

1. Give them your time – participate with them in activities that are fun.

2. Give them your attention – listen to them when they talk to you.

3. Give them your respect – ask for their opinions and thoughts.

4. Give them your love – show them and tell them EVERY day.

5. Give them boundaries – set expectations and consequences.

Your return on investment will be well worth it!

Spending time with kids can be fun for everyone. If you have young children ages 2-8, my book is a great resource. Join hundreds of other parents and teachers who use the ideas in the book every day. It makes a great baby shower gift…the baby will quickly outgrow those little sleepers, but will never outgrow the benefits of positive parental participation! Click this link to find out more about it!

What are some things you do with your kids?

With Easter just around the corner, how about crafting a paper plate bunny? Arts and crafts activities build self-esteem, develop stronger literacy skills, increase coordination and encourage creative expression and imagination.

PAPER PLATE EASTER BUNNY

photo courtesy all kids network

You will need: Paper plate, cotton balls, glue, construction paper in white and pink, pipe cleaners, scissors.

1. Young kids will especially love plunking cotton balls all over the bunny’s face…use a glue stick for less mess.

2. The picture shows pipe cleaners for whiskers and mouth…as well as a pom-pom pink nose…but you can substitute pieces of construction paper.

Step-by-step instructions at: Paper Plate Easter Bunny Craft

There’s lots of fun over at Jake’s Sunday Post.

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

7 Simple Steps to Make a Child-Safe Home

Posted on March 17, 2013 by viviankirkfield

English: these are 3 leaf clovers, and a flower, that grows with them. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!!

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge…today’s theme is BAY.

The definition of bay is a cove or broad inlet of sea where the land curves inward. Many settlements were originally built on the land surrounding a bay because the safe harbor attracted ships that could bring needed goods.

My husband loves to paint pictures with bays.

Bay pictures give us a sense of peace and calm.

As a bay provides shelter for boats, a home should provide safe haven for a child.

What makes a safe home? There are many factors.

Here are seven simple steps you can take to make your home safer for your child.

Keep medicines, cleaning supplies and other poisons in locked cabinets
Never leave children alone in the bathroom or tub…even for a minute
Check toys carefully for sharp edges and small pieces
Use toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs
Use window guards and open windows from the top
If you have guns in the house, keep them UNLOADED and LOCKED UP
Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove and use back burners for cooking

For more safety information:

http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/kids/home-safety/child-safety-keeping-your-home-safe-for-your-baby.html

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/making_your_home_safe_for_your_child.html

Many local community organizations can assist parents in making their home safer. Please don’t be afraid or ashamed to reach out and ask for help…your child is worth it!

Keeping your child safe is the number one priority of parenting. Parents also want to provide educational fun-filled activities for their kids.

Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking can help! Click this link to read 23 wonderful reviews on Amazon!

Join in the fun with Jake’s Sunday Post.

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day…Catherine Johnson is having a limerick contest. Check out her link to see the rules and prize: http://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/st-patricks-day-limericks/

Celebrate St. Patrick’s day by writing a limerick of your own…I did…here’s my entry:

When Greenie McTurnips would sing,

Her listeners ear plugs would bring.

They told her to STOP!

Her career to swap.

Now picture book writing’s her thing.

Pinch Me, I’m Irish by Cher’ley (writingwranglersandwarriors.wordpress.com)
St. Patrick’s Day Fingerprint Four-Leaf Clovers (evolvingmommy.com)
How to Make a Shamrock Lucky Charm Poem for St. Patrick’s Day (poetry4kids.com)
http://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2013/03/write-limericks-st-patricks-day-activity-poem-kids-family/
http://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/st-patricks-day-limericks/

Sunday Post: Arrangement…Do You Plan to Fail?

Posted on March 10, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge…today’s theme is ARRANGEMENT.

Arrangement definition: plans you make so that something will happen or be possible.

They say that if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail…this is important for EVERYONE who has a goal or objective to reach.

When my children were small, I set up a plan for each day…a simple schedule.

This simple schedule was a LIFE-SAVER…giving order and balance to each day.

Each morning, I read a picture book story…building literacy skills…giving me an opportunity to converse with the children about the story. Conversation is one of the TOP VOCABULARY BUILDERS and gives kids a crucial head-start in school.

Then I would encourage the children to move around with circle games like ‘Farmer in the Dell’ or rhythms like pretending to be a train or a hopping kangaroo. Physical activity is the best defense against obesity.

After that we would make a quick and easy arts and crafts project…helping children develop small muscle coordination and allowing them to express their creativity.

Then it would be time to go outside to play or play inside with puzzles and blocks.

What? Was it lunch-time already? When everyone is having fun, the time really flies, doesn’t it?

In my book, I share the life-saving schedule that I used.

Young children want and need balance and order in their day…the arrangement is up to you!

Do you start the day with a plan? What arrangements do you make for your own well-being? What fun activities do you enjoy with your kids?

Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking can help! Click this link if you would like a copy! The book makes it easy to pinpoint the best books to read. It gives parents arts and crafts activities that are quick and easy. And it provides simple healthful recipes that you can make with your child. Setting up a simple daily schedule doesn’t mean you are being rigid or inflexible…it actually empowers you to encourage creative expression and, most of all, have fun together!