Three Holiday Gifts From Show Me How!

Posted on November 29, 2012 by viviankirkfield

The Holiday Season is here and we have three holiday gifts for you from Show Me How!

Buy a copy of Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking on my website.

You will receive:

Gift #1: FREE SHIPPING!
Gift #2: Beautiful HAND-CRAFTED fabric bookmark for you!
Gift #3: Shiny new pencil for your child!

Who should buy a copy of Show Me How?

Parents and grandparents of children ages 2-8
Teachers of children ages 2-8
Daycare Providers
Children’s Librarians
Childcare facilitators, social workers and adoption agencies

How will Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem help your family?

Builds your child’s self-esteem…kids with a positive self-image are more willing to accept new challenges and keep trying if they fail at first.
Quick and easy activities…cut out the planning time of trying to think up new things to do with your kids.
Helps strengthen the parent-child connection and creates a life-long parent-child bond.
Encourages kids to become lovers of books and reading…they will have greater success in school and in life.

And don’t forget…THREE HOLIDAY GIFTS FROM SHOW ME HOW!

Who recommends that you buy this book?

DON’T DELAY!!! When you buy the book, you will receive THREE HOLIDAY GIFTS FROM SHOW ME HOW! And, did you know that a portion of your purchase is always donated to several children’s organizations…so you are helping others as well. This coming week, we will be donating to the STAR PROGRAM (Sit Together and Read) sponsored by the Community Partnership for Childhood Development. Many families cannot afford to buy picture books for their children…Show Me How is going to make sure that some of those children WILL have books this holiday season!

Thanksgiving Day: Thankful Thoughts and Thoughtless Tragedies (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
Sunday Post: Surroundings…Hurricane Sandy…You Have to Gab Before You Can Roar (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)

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

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.