Sunday Post: Toys…Top Ten Toys for Young Kids

Posted on October 14, 2012 by viviankirkfield

My grandson at 6 months…the stuffed bear belonged to his momma…my daughter

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…this week’s theme is TOYS.

As parents, our goal is to provide our children with everything they should have. Nourishing food – A safe place to live – Clean clothes to wear – Love and compassion – Reassurance when they are afraid – Consistency – An atmosphere that encourages learning.

Sometimes, parents feel they have to give their children EVERYTHING…and stores and the media encourage that belief…offering toys of every size and shape. Many parents spend more than they can afford to provide their kids with expensive electronic gadgets and ‘must-have’ items.

How much is too much?

To be honest, many young children would prefer the box that the toy comes in!

Here’s a list of my top 10 picks of what belongs on a young child’s toy shelf:

Stuffed animals/Dolls
Books
Blocks
Art supplies like crayons, paper, glue stick, safety scissors, markers, clay, paint
Pretend play clothes
Puzzles
Musical instruments like drums, bells, triangles
Matching games like dominos
Sports equipment like balls, hula hoops, bowling pins
Flannel board pieces and puppets for storytelling and role play

What have I forgotten? What would you add?

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

sunday post: toys (starlight427.wordpress.com)
SUNDAY POST : Toys (jakesprinters.wordpress.com)
Jakesprinter Weekly Sunday Post: Toys (danajoward.wordpress.com)
Sunday Post: Close-Up: Simple Tips for First Day of School Anxiety (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)

Sunday Post: Delicious…Healthy Snacks for Kids’ Backpacks

Posted on October 7, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Mommy, can I help in the kitchen?

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…this week’s theme is DELICIOUS.

Fresh fruits and crisp veggies make some of the best snacks your child can eat. It’s important to make every meal as nutritious as possible and snacks are a great way for kids to get important vitamins, minerals and fiber into their diet.

When my children were young, one of their favorite places to be was in the kitchen, helping me prepare meals and snacks. Even though there might have been some additional cleanup…it was definitely worth it…for me and for them.

Here are two simple healthy snack recipes from Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking.

Overnight Cookies (Gluten-Free)

You will need: 2 egg whites, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup ground almonds, 1 cup raisins, 1 large bowl, 1 mixer and 1 greased cookie sheet.

1. Beat egg whites in bowl till stiff peaks form. Your little ones will LOVE watching how the runny egg whites turn to mountains of cream.

2. Add 1/4 sugar and fold in gently.

3. Add ground almonds and raisins and fold in gently.

4. Drop by tablespoonful onto the greased cookie sheet…I use a canola oil spray. If you want a smaller cookie, use a teaspoon.

5. Place the cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven and bake for 5 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the cookies in at least 15 minutes…or overnight if you wish. If you have a hot oven, you might want to check the cooling cookies at 15 minutes and remove them then…otherwise the raisins will taste burned.

6. Makes about 1 1/2 dozen, more or less, depending on the size cookie you make.

Traveling Trail Mix (Nut-Free)

You will need: 2 cups Corn Chex, 2 cups Wheat Chex, 2 cups Rice Chex, 2 cups mini-pretzels, 1 cup raisins, 2 tsp Braggs Aminos or low-sodium soy sauce and a 13x9x2 inch microwave-safe baking dish.

1. Melt margarine, mix with Braggs Aminos or soy sauce and pour into baking dish.

2. Add the cereals and pretzels and mix thoroughly to coat.

3. Microwave on high for 3 minutes.

4. Stir and continue to heat in microwave, one minute at a time, until evenly toasted.

5. Add raisins and mix.

6. Store in an airtight container.

You are invited to a Google+ Hangout! This coming week you can check out ‘the parents that make Halloween happen’ on Google+ Hangouts. On Thursday, October 11 at 2:30pm Mountain Time, I will be joining long-time educator and blogger, Susan Case, author of The Happy Mommy Handbook. Susan is going to be reading a special Halloween story and I will be doing a simple craft. We’ll chat about children and picture books and why reading with kids is just about the most important thing you can do with them. I’ll post a link here and on my FB page as soon as I get one.

PARENTS MAKE HALLOWEEN HAPPEN ON GOOGLE HANGOUTS

This week celebrates “the parents that make Halloween happen”
A full line up of HOAs celebrating
#parenting , #kids , and all things #Halloween

Monday
+ Join +Angelique Felix at 2:15 PM CST for a Witches story and cupcakes

Tuesday
+ Join +Angelique Felix at 2:15 PM CST for a Monster song and craft
+ Join +Susan Case and guest +Rachelle Doorley at 5:30 PM CST for Spooky Simple Science Recipes

Wednesday
+ Join +Holly Homer at 9:30 AM CST and guests as they discusses Candy Control
+ Join Kimberley Blaine and guests at 1:00 PM CST as they discuss children’s age differences and participation in Halloween
+ Join +Green Kid Crafts at 2:00 PM CST for Greening Your Halloween
+ Join +Angelique Felix at 2:15 PM CST for a Ghosts! story, song, and craft

Thursday
+ Join +Angelique Felix at 2:15 PM CST for a Black Cat! story and song
+ Join +Holly Homer at 9:00 PM CST for a discussion on Homemade Costumes
+ Join +Susan Case and +Vivian Kirkfield at 3:30 CST for Halloween book reading, craft and discussion on how picture books help children deal with their problems

Friday
+ Join +Angelique Felix at 2:15 PM CST for a Pumpkins! rhyme and song

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

Apple Cinnamon Chex Mix Recipe (formulamom.com)
Pumpkin Spice Macarons (thebakingbird.wordpress.com)

Sunday Post: Favorite Spot – Wherever Loved Ones Are!

Posted on September 30, 2012 by viviankirkfield

Jake at Time after Time has a Sunday Post Challenge and every week he provides a theme…this week’s theme is FAVORITE SPOT.

Horseback riding in the western hills above Steamboat Springs, CO.

FAVORITE SPOT: WITH MY HUSBAND!

Fishing in Rocky Mountain National Park

Great cast into the Big Thompson River in RMNP.

A perfect autumn day in New England.

FAVORITE SPOT: WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN!

Reading with kids at Tollhouse Preschool in New Hampshire.

FAVORITE SPOT: SCHOOL VISITS!

Cooking with kids builds self-esteem, develops literacy skills and is just plain fun!

FAVORITE SPOT: IN THE KITCHEN!

FAVORITE SPOT I HAVEN’T BEEN TO YET: ITALY

I’d love to have the opportunity to travel…I’ve driven across the country twice and next spring I may have the unbelievable opportunity to speak at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore.

However, sipping wine and feasting on homemade bread and cheese al fresco under the Tuscan sun is a dream of mine.

A writer friend of mine has organized an amazing retreat for women writers in Florence, Italy. It will take place from April 7-13, 2013. I cannot attend (this time), but you might like to go. Julie has an overview of the retreat on her website, plus specific information about the Program, Faculty, Accommodation and Rates. If you do register, please let Julie know I sent you!

Speaking about Julie…today is the last day of September…time to check in with the 12×12 in 2012 Challenge. In January, children’s author Julie Hedlund issued a challenge: write one picture book draft every month in 2012. Over 400 writers answered that challenge!

The challenge has definitely inspired me to write a picture book draft each month…and I’ve enjoyed connecting with dozens of members of this amazing kidlit community. My September draft is done…I’m hoping that in the next few months, I will prepare several manuscripts for submission!

This is the last day for nominations to give a dozen free copies of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cookingto schools or other childcare facilities. Nominate your child’s school, or your own school if you are a teacher, in the Show Me How School Initiative by leaving a comment and telling us why you’d like that school or classroom to have this book. If you don’t have young children, but know people who do, please tell them about the free book their child’s school can receive! On Friday, we will use Random.org to choose 12 lucky schools.

You can purchase a copy of this award-winning resource on Amazon (only $19.95) and on Amazon Kindle (only $9.95). This award-winning book is a great gift for parents, grandparents, teachers, daycare providers and every young child (ages 2-8) that you know! Get started on your holiday shopping…no batteries required…powered by a child’s imagination and a parent’s positive participation! Check out this wonderful review from a kid’s point of view.