What’s In Your Child’s Bookcase Wordy Wednesdays

Posted on February 9, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image via Wikipedia

Have you seen the Capitol One commercial on television?

The narrator asks, “What’s in your wallet?”

In this blogging journey, I’ve visited several blogs that review books and also give a list of the contents of their own bookshelves or bookcases. I thought it was a wonderful idea! I think many of us appreciate a heads up about what books to read…we have so little time…why waste it on books that are not worth those precious hours.

If you’ve followed my blog at all, you already know that I am passionate about children’s picture books and using them to uplift and help preschoolers.

Reading is one of the most valuable ways you can spend time with preschoolers. It engages them in the world between the pages and helps them relate their own experiences to those of the story characters. Discussions during the reading and afterward can often provide parents with an opportunity to help a child who has concerns or problems.

So here’s my idea for my Wednesday posts: I will choose a picture book, either from those recommended in my new parenting book or from other classic favorites of mine or from the wide array of new books that come out during the year.

As a parent, are you ever overwhelmed by the vast number of children’s books available at libraries or book stores. I know I was when my children were small.

The program I developed. during my years as a Head Start and kindergarten teacher, utilized picture books, not only for entertainment and enjoyment, but also to help young children deal with the many challenges they face in those early years. This unique program included a craft project and a cooking activity for each story read and is the basis for the book I wrote.

So, in addition to the book recommendation, I will also give a story summary and a parenting tip that will help you use the book with your young child.

Of course, if you don’t want to get these story recommendations one-by-one, and you’d like to extend the learning experience with an easy craft project and a simple child-friendly cooking activity, you can get your own copy of the book.

Does your child have a bookshelf for his or her own books?

If not, maybe now is the time to get one, because here is the first picture book recommendation, a classic from 1943! Most of the country has had snow in the last few weeks, so I think this is the perfect choice.

KATY AND THE BIG SNOW

Written and illustrated by Virginia Lee Burton

No matter what the season, Katy, the crawler-tractor, helped the highway department of the city of Geopolis. In the spring, summer and fall, she worked on fixing the roads, but in the winter, they changed the bulldozer for a snowplow. Most of the time, there was not much snow, so Katy spent most of her time during the winter in the garage. One day, a huge snowstorm caused all of the roads to be blocked, and when the other snowplows broke down, Katy was sent out. Katy plowed the entire city. She enabled the police, fire department, and other emergency services to continue helping people.

When it comes to mastering tasks and skills, Katy certainly takes first prize. By the end of the story, you and your child will be cheering for the hardworking tractor!

WE ALL NEED A CHEERING COMMITTEE AND PARENTS ARE A CHILD’S MOST IMPORTANT FANS!

As your child takes on new challenges and learns new skills, celebrate his successes with him and encourage him when he falls short of his goal.

If you are interested in getting a copy of the book, please stop by my website for the SHARE THE LOVE BOOK BOGO EVENT WITH FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING.

The Final Lesson of Nanny McPhee: HAVE FAITH!

Posted on February 6, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Have you heard what Jesus said according to Matthew 17:20?

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move.”

We hear a lot about faith…but what is it really?

The dictionary defines faith as, “Confident belief in the truth, value or trustworthiness of a person, idea or thing. It is a belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.”

In the Nanny McPhee movies, the final lesson for the children is: HAVE FAITH!

As parents, I guess we need to answer two questions.

1. Do young children need to have faith?

2. How can we “teach” our children to have faith?

For me, the answer to the first question is a definite YES! Children need to have faith…in themselves, in their parents and other caregivers, and in the natural order of the universe.

Regarding question two, we can “teach” children to have faith in two easy steps:

1. Have faith in yourself…set goals and follow through until you reach them. Also, work towards realizing your dreams.

2. Have faith in your children…show them you believe in them by listening to their concerns and opinions with respect. Encourage their strengths and support and praise their good efforts. Be consistent about expecting them to accept the appropriate consequences for their actions.

A wonderful example of a child who had tremendous faith in himself and in the natural order of the universe can be found in a classic children’s picture book, THE CARROT SEED, written by Ruth Krauss and illustrated by Crocket Johnson. A little boy plants a carrot seed and always remembers to water it and pull up the weeds. Although he doesn’t get any encouragement from his family, he continues to care for it. His hard work and faith are rewarded when the carrot seed grows…into an enormous carrot plant! When the little boy pulls the mature carrot plant out of the ground, the carrot is SO BIG; he needs a wheelbarrow to cart it away.

In my new parenting book, you will find two activities that extend this learning activity: planting a carrot seed and making carrot soup.

Have you heard about the 3-DAY Pre-Valentine’s Day Event going on right now?

You can grab a copy of the book that contains 100 EASY CHILD-FRIENDLY HEALTHFUL COOKING ACTIVITIES AND 100 SIMPLE ECO-FRIENDLY CRAFT PROJECTS at the regular cover price and you will RECEIVE ANOTHER COPY FREE!

Head on over to my website to get all the details…but please hurry…this SHARE THE LOVE BOGO BOOK EVENT goes away at 11:59pm on Monday night.

I hope you enjoyed the Lessons of Nanny McPhee. I had fun writing them and I loved reading your comments. J

Bedtime…Routines, Rituals and Can I Have One More Glass of Water, Please!!!

Posted on January 24, 2011 by viviankirkfield

Image by National Media Museum via Flickr

I can remember wanting to stay up later when I was a child. And when my children were small, each had their own way of trying to put off going to bed. So I’m sure that many parents today have the same problem…some things just don’t change.

SO HOW CAN YOU GET YOUR CHILDREN TO GO TO BED

WITH NO FUSS OR MUSS?

Unfortunately, I can’t give you any guarantees, but I can offer a few simple steps that worked for me.

1. Provide a balanced and harmonious day…children need to get outside to play if the weather permits…fresh air and physical activity are essential. Indoor play can include arts and crafts, music and rhythms (put on your favorite CD while you and your child dust and dance through the house), puzzles and stories. Just make sure there is a balance of activities during the day. A child who is just sitting around watching TV all day will definitely NOT be ready to go to sleep.

2. As bedtime approaches, have a plan that includes making sure all toys are picked up and put away, bath time or washing up, brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, reading a story, singing a goodnight song, prayers, etc…whatever routines, rituals or bed-time traditions are right for your family. The crucial tip here is to BE CONSISTENT!

3. Have a positive attitude towards going to bed…it is NOT a punishment, but a necessary part of living, just like eating and breathing. During restful sleep, our bodies heal themselves and our minds can dream. Be matter-of-fact and give your child a heads-up as the bed-time countdown approaches.

Because of my passion for picture book stories, I’m always ready to recommend one to help children deal with the challenges they face. If going to bed is a problem in your home, perhaps you can read the following book with your child and make a batch of overnight cookies together.

CORNELIUS P. MUD, ARE YOU READY FOR BED?

written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg

It’s time for bed and Cornelius’ father asks him the questions which we all ask our children at bedtime. Have you put away your toys? Have you used the bathroom? Have you brushed your teeth? Have you put on your pajamas?

Although the little pig answers each question with a “yes”, the charming illustrations show that he and his father have different ideas about what needs to be done in order to get ready for bed. Cornelius’ understanding father accepts his son’s somewhat strange routine and makes sure that he doesn’t forget the most important thing…a loving hug from him.

Young children want very much to become independent and, although they may put their pajamas on backwards, we need to encourage them to learn to do things by themselves. Of course, parents need to supervise some tasks; we don’t want them swallowing the whole tube of toothpaste or emptying the entire box of fish food into the aquarium. However, praise for good effort encourages a child to keep trying and, as your child masters each task and skill, his self-esteem grows.

OVERNIGHT COOKIES

This recipe is unique because the cookies remain in the oven overnight and are ready in the morning…perhaps your child can have one with breakfast as a special treat…the egg whites, raisins and chopped nuts provide high quality nutrition.

You will need: 2 egg whites, ¼ cup sugar, 1 cup finely ground almonds, 1 cup raisins, cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil and sprayed with canola oil, electric mixer and a large bowl.

1. Beat the egg whites with the mixer until stiff peaks form.

2. Add sugar and mix gently with a spoon.

3. Fold in nuts and raisins.

4. Drop the mixture by the teaspoonful onto the prepared cookie sheet (if you want larger cookies, you can use a bigger spoon).

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Turn the oven off.

6. Remove the cookies from the oven in the morning (you can actually take them out after an hour…if you like softer cookies).

7. Store in an airtight container.

This child-friendly healthful recipe is only one of the one hundred that appear in SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING.

Stop by tomorrow for a few more thoughts about the importance of a restful sleep (especially for harried moms and dads) AND an eco-friendly craft project to make bed-time the right time for your child.

WE ALL NEED A CHEERING COMMITTEE AND PARENTS ARE A CHILD’S MOST IMPORTANT FANS!