Stuffing a Thankful Turkey - Tradition

I cheated and used a glue gun to assemble my Thankful Turkey. Katie’s children made a much cooler turkey on Mommy with Selective Memory.

But Katie and I have the same challenge: For you and your family to stuff your turkey with thankful notes. Help your children write or draw pictures to express gratitude. Then read the notes on Thanksgiving Day and establish a family tradition.

Katie and I share another challenge: Read a book a month for yourself! Yes, it is so much fun to blog (myself included), hop, pin, tweet, text, surf, and connect with wonderful, inspirational people via the Internet. But are you reading books? Do your children see your love of reading? 

It is all right to read ebooks but show your children that printed words are actually a book. I read much more now that I own a Kindle because it is so light and convenient. I slip it in my purse and have a virtual library. Many books are free or inexpensive when purchased in the ebook format and no trips are necessary to the bookstore or library. Although I definitely encourage you to visit your library! They offer so many wonderful programs for children. Many libraries are now offering ebooks to borrow.

Books in the printed form are best when children are young because they learn through sensory integration or using their five senses. They love to touch, pull, pop-up and maniuplate books. Turning pages is also a good fine motor skill. But if your ebook reader is the only book handy - then by all means share and enjoy it with your child. They will love the bonding experience, learn vocabulary, and be better able to express themselves.

Snuggling and Reading Books Every Night to a Child Promote:

• Security, consistency, stability, routine, self-esteem
• Literacy - a love of reading
• Learning about their world
• 3 Rs: Rhyming, Rhythm, and Repetition to enhance reading skills  

Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane

Children will love having this book read to them with animation and expression. There are many sound words that can be emphasized: Ch-ch-i-i-ip-pp!, Squawk! Caw! Caw! The book has beautiful illustrations of nature, teaches about chipmunks preparing for winter, and what they eat. It is a Smithsonian's Backyard Scholastic book available in hardback and softcover, both new and used on Amazon. 

“My proudest teaching accomplishment was helping children learn to read. It is priceless to see a child’s eyes light up when they realize they are truly reading on their own. The gift of reading continues throughout a lifetime. Something about everything can be learned through reading. It is inspiring to know of people who were denied an education, but given the opportunity, learned to read in their senior years. The desire is phenomenal and is not quenched unless achieved.”

For a glimpse into Kindergarten see my book. Would you like inexpensive ideas, activities, and games to teach your child through play? Mommy with Selective Memory and I can help save your sanity, one project at a time, with The Happy Mommy Handbook: The Ultimate How-to Guide on Keeping Your Toddlers and Preschoolers Busy, Out of Trouble and Motivated to Learn. Both no. 1 bestsellers on Amazon.

Some women have a weakness for shoes…
I can go barefoot if necessary.
I have a weakness for books. ~Oprah Winfrey