Sunday Post: Simplicity…Children Need Less Stuff

Posted on January 19, 2013 by viviankirkfield

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

The media would have us believe that our children NEED more stuff…electronic gadgets and expensive toys for example…to make them smarter and happier people.

I disagree!

Our children need more of our time, love and positive participation.

Do you want to help your young children succeed in school?

Read with them.

Do you want to develop their literacy skills?

Talk with them.

Do you want to build their self-esteem?

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

Spend time with them doing SIMPLE activities like crafting or cooking.

Do you remember the ‘6 items or less’ craze that was popular about two years ago? The theory of ‘less is more’ is not a new one. It can be a wonderful way to start this New Year. Applying an attitude of simplicity to one’s life does help because it:

Cuts down on stress
Saves money
Encourages an appreciation for what one has
Strengthens the bond between parent and child
Alleviates the disconnect that often takes place in families today

Do you want to have a great time with your young child?

Grab some construction paper (plain white copy paper works just fine) and a couple of markers or crayons.

Sit down with your child at the kitchen table or on the floor.

Each of you can draw a picture or a design.

If you want to turn it into a simple arts and crafts project, add a pair of scissors (safety ones with blunted tips if you want a young child to be doing some of the cutting) and a glue stick.

Cut shapes out of one paper and glue them onto another paper.

Talk with your child about what you are both creating.

Hang up the completed art work.

WOW! Less than 15 minutes of your time equals a happy young child.

If you’d like a great resource book chock-filled with simple craft activities AND lots of picture book suggestions, please check out my book, Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking. Most of the activities (picture book reading, easy craft project, child-friendly recipe) take less than 15 minutes to do. There are several wonderful new reviews on Amazon…I hope you will check them out.

Bring simplicity into your life for the New Year…the reward will be priceless.

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

Sunday Post: Peaceful…How to Create a Peaceful Home

Posted on December 2, 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 PEACEFUL.

Surroundings can be peaceful…many people find that being near quiet water helps relieve stress.

Children listening to a picture book story can be peaceful.

Children engaged in a craft activity can be peaceful.

Many years ago, when my own kids were young, I operated a home daycare. People couldn’t believe that there were six children in the house because the house seemed so peaceful.

The children were always engaged in one activity or another…listening at a picture book; building with blocks; telling a story with the flannel board; working on a puzzle; drawing or painting a picture.

The house wasn’t silent…but the sounds of busy children, happily engaged in activities are PEACEFUL sounds.

Do you have young children?

Is your home a peaceful one?

It’s important for parents to provide those types of activities for their kids.

But it is difficult. Parents are busy with other responsibilities. Some parents aren’t sure what activities are best to do with their children. Others don’t know how to plan a balanced and harmonious day.

That’s why Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cookingis such a super cool book.

It gives parents those types of activities.
It gives parents a simple hour-by-hour plan that can be modified for each individual family’s situation.
It gives parents 100 picture book suggestions that will develop better literacy skills.
It gives parents 100 quick and easy craft projects that will build self-esteem.
It gives parents 100 child-friendly healthful cooking activities that will encourage fussy eaters to try new foods.
No expensive materials…just paper, scissors, markers and a glue stick.
No planning…the activities are quick and easy…no muss…no fuss.
Buy the book today and help several children’s organizations because we donate a portion of the book sales.
The list price is $44.95…you can purchase it on my website for $24.95 and get THREE BONUS GIFTS: FREE SHIPPING, A HAND-CRAFTED FABRIC BOOKMARK FOR YOU AND A BRAND-NEW PENCIL FOR YOUR CHILD.

A local woman who makes beautiful quilts created these awesome bookmarks for me…she donates her profits to a family shelter, so this is a win-win-win for everyone…she used three different pieces of fabric for each…here’s a close-up so you can see the lovely detail.

Don’t wait…buy your copy today to make sure you get it in time for the holidays!

Start the New Year with a plan for a more peaceful home.

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/

Sunday Post: Surroundings…Hurricane Sandy…You Have to Gab Before You Can Roar (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
PPBF: Parenting Advice from Andy Griffith…Set the Rules! (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
PPBF: Cat Tale….A Lesson in Group Dynamics and Word Power (viviankirkfield.wordpress.com)
1. Peaceful | blueberriejournal – December 1, 2012
2. SUNDAY POST : Peaceful « Healthcare Updates – December 1, 2012
3. Peace | Artifacts and fictions – December 2, 2012
4. SUNDAY POST: Peaceful | Lost in Translation – December 2, 2012
5. Weekly @Jake Sunday Post Theme ‘Peaceful’ | Campanulla Della Anna – December 2, 2012
6. Peaceful Memories | Northern Narratives – December 2, 2012

Sunday Post: Natural Resources…The Children of the World

Posted on November 25, 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 NATURAL RESOURCES.

Have you ever thought about what are our greatest natural resources?

Are they forests of timber?

Are they pristine rivers flowing freely?

Are they the foods that the earth provides?

I believe that our most important natural resources are the children of the world.

Some people devote their entire lives to helping them.

But, although most of us cannot do that, we can help in other ways:

Donate money to a children’s organization.
Collect gently used clothing and books for a local family shelter.
Volunteer to read to children at hospitals, schools or libraries.
A kind word and a smile CAN make a difference.

It’s hard to believe that Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza are only a few weeks away.

Are you done with your holiday shopping?

Please remember that Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking is a super cool book and makes a PERFECT GIFT:

For parent, teacher, grandparent or daycare provider of children ages 2-8!
Provides 100 classic picture book story suggestions!
Gives a summary, age-appropriate craft and simple recipe for each title!
A great resource for fun-filled educational self-esteem building activities!
No fuss or muss…everything is quick and easy!
Buy the book today and help several children’s organizations!
We donate a portion of the proceeds to Reach Out and Read, JDRF, KidsAreHeroes, Books for Africa and BesstheBookBus.
You pay almost 50% less than the cover price!
There is a special PayPal button for Canadian residents!

“A wonderful resource for people who care for their children.” – Norman Bridwell, creator of the Clifford the Big Red Dog series

“What a lovely book! Parents will find inspiration in this delightful guide.” – Katherine Holabird, author of the Angelina Ballerina series

“I wish Show Me How had existed when my children were young.” – Suzanne Williams, author of the Princess Power series and over 20 other books

“Show Me How is an must-have resource for parents and teachers.” – Marilee Gruber, kindergarten teacher and grandmother

“Fun and practical for anyone fostering self-esteem in children.” = Joan Fleischer, co-founder of Creative Arts Therapy Center, New York City

“Invaluable tool for children to become life-long readers and lovers of books.” – Dr. Jodi Harap, clinical psychologist, Chicago, IL

Don’t wait…buy your copy today to make sure you get it in time for the holidays!

Want more information about Jake’s Sunday Post?

http://jakesprinters.wordpress.com/