Don’t you love when other adults, movies, and books come along side you as a parent and reinforce what you are impressing upon your children? Even though parents are responsible for laying a foundation, when something or someone else says the same truths, leverage is brought to what you are teaching.
The brand new Shine Bright Kids series by Christy Zigler is placing character training in a delightful story about an adventurous character named Willow.
In Can’t-Wait Willow!, the circus was finally in town and Willow was so excited. She had her ticket and money to buy the delicious pink cotton candy. But only a few steps into her walk to the circus, Willow became distracted. First the ice cream truck. She knew that she needed to save her money but…”Willow just couldn’t say no.” Next came her friends, lemonade, a purple stuffed elephant, and a cage filled with colorful birds. 
While in tears, she was greeted by the circus ringmaster. He explained to Willow the importance of saying “no to little things that are good to end up with a big thing that is truly great!”
And in an excellent example of mercy, the ringmaster gave Willow a ticket for the next night’s circus. She was given another chance. The next day, Willow remembered the ringmaster’s words and this time told each of the temptations “no.” Willow saw that saying no to good things allowed her to experience the best.
Isn’t that a wonderful storyline? Filled with lessons on self-control, taking responsibility, mercy, choosing wisely, and perseverance, this character story is sure to become a favorite in your home as it has in mine.
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As stated last week in our “Going Beyond the Story” series, the illustrator of Can’t-Wait Willow! adds pragmatics and visual perception into this story. A star has been placed on each page. The child must find the star (visual perception) and then determine how the star is feeling based upon the star’s image (pragmatics). The star is happy and bright is Willow is making wise decisions. But is the star is dim and deflated, Willow is giving into temptation and not making the best choices.
Ms. Zigler encourages the “grownup” to “help your children recognize the ‘choice points’ – the moments when a decision is needed.” Another great example of “Going Beyond the Story.”
This book would be a great addition to your home library, for a Sunday School or preschool classroom, or under the Christmas tree for a child in your life.
And as I promised…
You can add a copy of this book to your own library through our giveaway!
This giveaway will last one week. I will choose and announce one random winner on this blog on Wednesday, November 6th. (So, be sure to check back to see if you have won!) You will have until Tuesday night at 11:59 p.m. (CST) to enter in this giveaway.
Entering couldn’t be simpler!
To enter to win, leave a comment sharing one topic you would like to see more of ~and~ one topic you would like to see less of on this blog. And “nothing” is not answer. This is your chance to share how I can help you!
What one topic you would like to see more of ~and~ what one topic you would like to see less of on this blog?
I've been enjoying these posts about "Going Beyond the Story." They have had great tips, so I would love to see more of them! What to see less of? That's a hard one. I don't have a special needs child, so those articles don't 'technically' apply to me, though I still seem to glean info I can apply to my family or give me better understanding of families with special needs.
Keep up the great work!
Thank you Julie. That is very helpful!
I personally love reading these posts. It is the one thing I make time to read on the internet. I would love to hear more about the family as a whole. I know it seems that we at our house can easily lose focus of Who and what is important.. Maybe a few encouragements to couples? Not really sure if I am articulating my desire effectively…sorry! I may be kicked out of the running, but I enjoy reading almost everything. It seems like it is always uplifting and what I need at the time. I do like reading your posts and not guest bloggers…not that I see a lot of those! But that would be what I want less of!:)
Great ideas!
First of all, thank you for your ministry. Your curriculum and your encouragement and help through your blog are such blessings. I JUST got our circus tickets in the mail and what a perfect way to make our trip there a teaching/learning opportunity. It's just like you say in your 2/3 year curriculum: you can make life into the lessons you want to teach! Anyway, I would like to see more on Biblical discipline for young children – there is LOTS out there for the older groups, but not as much for the youngest ones. They need the Right kind of discipline just as much as the older ones do, if not more, and I am voracious for more of that. What I would like to see less of would be stuff about "me" – meaning that I struggle with knowing what I'll be reading about on the blog when I come. The title doesn't always give it away – and while I do need personal encouragement and I do enjoy it, I have found that lately I will see a Blog Title and think – ooohhh that's something I need help with teaching my little one, and then it ends up being about my own walk. Again, it's not that I don't like those posts and I certainly need them and appreciate God's sovereignty in bringing me to them even through a misinterpreted topic, but I also really wish there was more out there about some of these topics as they apply to guiding and training up our little ones also. So maybe I don't really want LESS of anything, but more… I don't know. I do know that you only have so much time in the day – so asking for more of everything is a bit selfish (:-p) but you DID ask and I wanted to be honest and helpful. Hopefully I was!
Thank you again for your ministry and this giveaway opportunity! God bless!
Jenny – Thank you for your ideas. Can you expound a little further on your ideas? I want to make sure I understand exactly how I can do more! Are you wanting specific ideas of discipline for toddlers and preschoolers? Secondly, can you please give me examples of the title issues? I can see how that would be very frustrating! Thank you!
I actually am new here. We are considering taking our daughter who is 4 out of preschool. We just don't care for some of the things she is picking up and her behavior goes down hill when she has been at school. I had looked at your curriculum before thinking I might start it with my son who will be 2 in Feb.
I just came looking again as an option for our daughter. Due to having just begun reading your blog I can not comment at this point about what I would like to see more or less of. I do want to thank you for the curriculum and resources you have made available and would love to start adding to our library. The one thing I am trying to figure out how to do in starting this with my son is come up with the books. I have looked up the few and unfortunate our library does not have them and I have yet to find any of them inexpensively even used. That might be my one suggestion is an avenue to trade/sell books from the curriculum you are ready to part with, though this has nothing to do with blog posts.
Thanks
Jocelyn
JW – Thank you for you ideas. I think that I can quickly help you though!
Trading/Selling Books – We have a Facebook Group specific for selling, buying, or trading supplies used in the ABCJLM Curriculum – https://www.facebook.com/groups/666172163395566/
Not having the Books of the Weeks:
https://ouroutofsynclife.com/2012/06/faq-book-of-week.html
https://ouroutofsynclife.com/2011/09/faq-my-library-doesnt-have-suggested.html
Hope these links are all helpful to you! And, welcome to the ABCJLM family!
Hi, I'd like to see more of lists of resources for specific character traits to teach early elementary kids along with bible stories that could perfectly accompany character trait in focus. thanks for this chance to participate 🙂
Thank you for your thoughts. God has been laying "issues of heart" on my mind a lot so I will be sure to blog about this.
Until then, the 4 Year and 5 Year Curricula contain character education tied to Bible stories. You can see these in the curricula as well as under the Extra Ideas section: Bible Crafts and Activities and Character Education – http://abcjesuslovesme.com/bible/character-education
Thank you for sharing!
I would also like more of list of either books or websites that help train young children, age 15-2 years ish. I am reading through Shepherding a Child's Heart and this is the time when I first start laying the foundations and trying to guide his young heart. I would love to have this book in our library… exactly the kind of thing I am looking for. As far as what I would like to see less of older elementary school stuff…even though I will eventually get there! That's all I could think! BTW I can't wait to start the 2 year old curriculum with my boy next year!
Thank you! I will add in more toddler posts.
I have enjoyed all your posts and have found encouragement as well as many great ideas to implement in my life. I would like to see more posts regarding the family…..meaning family related topics like ideas on family devotions with little ones, ideas on how to get dad more involved in the lessons these are some ideas that come to mind at this time. Thanks for letting us give you some input. 🙂
The issue of "family" has come up in several of these comments. It is something that I find very important yet I blog little about our family as a core unit. Thank you for this reminder and I will begin working on this!
I REALLY enjoyed your review first of all. If I don't end up winning the book, I may just have to purchase it. I was almost in tears near the end of your summary. What got me excited about your blog and initially encouraged me join was your ebook. A Quiet Time Worth The Time was very motivating and compelled me to begin my own quiet time. I enjoyed not only the ebook, but also the posts that you had to go along with it. I would like to see more (devotional?) style posts. Some more inspirational material when it comes to walking more closely with My Savior. I would also like to see some posts that pertain to the roles of individual family members from a Bible standpoint. Just some suggestions, but more of a spiritual/ theological theme would be highly appreciated. You have a gift for spreading His Word with us mommies in a way that utilizes the Holy Spirit. Thank you for that ♥
I am humbled to hear that you enjoyed the ebook. It is a passion of mine.
These are great ideas. Thank you!
Love your blogs, your tips, EVERYTHING. Would love to see more on how to incorporate teaching multiple ages. And maybe how to 'discipline' out in public, w/o 'offending' and getting into trouble with authorities. As to what i would like to see less of-I honestly can't think of anything right now. Everything is so helpful and uplifting, Thank you
Great ideas! Thank you!
I am fairly new here, but made a leap of faith to quit teaching publicly and stay at home and teach my own kids. I have a 2 and 3 year old as well as two older foster children. I would love to see more ways to blend the age groups (and curriculum) together. I also really enjoy pinterest and cheap/free craft type ideas to do with my children. Feel free to share any more of those you find! I don't have an ipad or smart phone and I don't typically utilize your ebook section; so if I had to choose something to see less of it would be the ebooks. However, I'm sure I'm in the minority! I would also like to let you know that the ABCJLM is wonderful! It was really refreshing to find a curriculum that will help get my kids ready for school while also teaching them about God. Thank you! Sorry, I have no idea how to comment on here and could only get it to post as anonymous. – Christi
Christi – Anonymous is fine! Thank you for sharing these ideas.
Just to let you know, I only have one ebook and you can read it on a computer. The ebook is called "A Quiet Time, Worth the Time." I hope that you will be able to read it. I don't have plans to write another right now.
Thanks you for the ideas on family ideas!
Your website and your curriculum has bee a HUGE blessing to not just my little family, but to families all around the world! I am so thankful that I was able to find your curriculum online that is not only educational, but also Biblical. I know that you take hours out of your week to work on this which is also hours away from your family. I can't say enough though how much it has impacted me as a single mom of two little boys. It's hard to find the time to come up with ideas and make lesson plans on your own when you wear about every hat! I have a passion for teaching too and this curriculum has really helped me that area and brought me closer to my boys through the fun activities that you have posted. I think I would like more ideas of kid friendly recipes and ideas for single parents. :/ I can't think of what I'd take away from the curriculum…I honestly find everything to be a blessing! You are doing a wonderful job and I thank you!
Kid friendly recipes is a great idea. I have several included in the 5 Year Curriculum but will bring some over to the blog. Thank you!
I do enjoy seeing character and morals. I'm very interested in what do beyond preschool as far as keeping my kiddos in the word.
As my kiddos grow I will be doing more and more posts beyond preschool!