Heart to Heart Talk about February
- Details
- Published on Monday, 10 January 2011 14:46
Submitted by Dr. Sally Goldberg
Introduction by site owner, Shara: I would like to take a moment to introduce you to my friend, Dr. Sally Goldberg. Dr. Sally has a background in education, early childhood, Down Syndrome research and fieldwork, writing, teaching, Professorial work and more. I first met Sally when she emailed me, asking about my Mommy Perks site. It's been years since that first email and after chatting over the phone, Sally and I realized just how much we have in common; our early childhood philosophies are very similar. While my opions were primarily shaped through experience, Sally's were built through both experience and a PhD. Life, nonetheless, led us to many of the same conclusions.
I told Sally about my time as a single mother and how I bought cheap dish sponges at the Dollar Store and turned those into bath toys for my son. Sally said, "Oh! I talk about that in one of my books, written many years ago!" On and on we went, finding more and more in common, based on our years of working with children, our desire to be Green and our love of brain development, self esteem and social emotional products. She and I worked together to create one of my self esteem focused top selling books: The Name Book.
Not long after we met, Sally and I ran literacy workshops together at Bookman's Bookstore, MOPS and the YMCA. A while later she decided to focus on her writing. She gifted me her educational products, hoping I would carry on the work in future workshops and classrooms. Last year, Sally and I chatted over lunch and agreed - she has more work to do here. We're not ready to let her go, just yet.
It does my own heart good to present Dr. Sally to our community, a Pioneer in the Early Childhood community. She will be writing articles for the site offering simple, valid, useful, time tested ideas and advice. Stick around, kids...more to come!
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Heart to Heart Talk about February by Dr. Sally Goldberg
Q. February is such a special month. What are your thoughts on enjoying this glamorous holiday month with children?
A. Focus on that beautiful red heart. It has more meaning than you might think.
Make the Most of Valentine’s Day
Use the heart, the symbol of love, to send love on Valentine’s Day. While there are many fun gifts and cards to buy with hearts on them, remember for your children to include with theirs a meaningful hug and its powerful counterpart, the words “I love you.”
Repeat Important Messages
Act as thoughtfully as you can and choose your words carefully. Everything you do and say has an impact and affects your child. If you do or say something once, it plays a role. However, if you repeat it often, you will make a lasting impression.
Change Your Focus
When you give Valentine’s cards and presents this year, be sure to expand their effectiveness. Change your focus from simple pleasing and entertaining to giving messages of trust and approval. Notice and comment on your child’s abilities as well. That is the number one way to show love, build confidence and promote inner strength.
Remember Your Health
Love goes a long way, but it can only survive with its partner good health. Protect yours and all of your family’s with excellent nutrition, frequent exercise, and adequate sleep. February is American Heart Month. The symbol of the heart represents the human heart and was chosen to remind us about healthy eating, regular fitness, and basic rest.
Heart to Heart: Loving is wonderful, but healthy living is essential. Combine the two for an unbeatable combination.
A Painted Heart (photo seen above):
Pictured here is a painting by Cynthia Goldberg, a prominent member of the Mashpee community on Cape Cod, MA. Her unique presentation with striking colors was chosen by the Cape Cod Chapter of the American Heart Association to be their image for the years 2008-09. She is a valued employee at the Market Street Bookshop and a trusted volunteer at Stepping Stones Too Preschool.
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