Show Me How: Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking



Looking for a book that creates childhood magic? This is it! It’s no secret that I love books, but a book that helps parents promote a love of reading and their self-esteem at the same time? It’s a match made in heaven, if you ask me! Encouraging self-concept, helping kids deal with feelings and connecting with kids in a way that is meaningful is what this book is all about! Show Me How: Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking offers a mix of information, activities and support that really makes a difference.

This book is part of the “Positive Parental Participation” series, which is a very apt description of what this book promotes. Show Me How is written by Vivian Kirkfield, a professional in the early childhood arena. Once you read her this book, you’ll see why she comes by her expert status honestly. Kirkfield’s genuine care and concern for the youngest among us comes shining through in this book. You’ll feel her compassionate guidance throughout!



Each chapter focuses on a different area of social-emotional skill-building, including helping your child build their sense of self, a feeling of mastery or independence, as well as dealing with feelings that can cause discomfort (anger, fear, etc.). For each topic, you’ll find a book to read, an eco-friendly activity to complete and a healthy recipe to whip up with your kids. It’s all about spending quality time with your child, which is where the magic comes in.

According to the author’s website, this book:

~ Outlines a simple step-by-step schedule that provides a balanced and harmonious day.


~ Pinpoints 100 picture books every young child needs to hear and helps develop pre-literacy skills.


~ Provides both a child-friendly healthful recipe AND an age-appropriate, eco-friendly craft project for each story suggestion and summary.


~ Offers true-life scenarios and crucial tips to help every parent identify and deal with six of the fundamental components of child development that contribute to building self-esteem.


~ Presents the program's key ingredient for success, positive parental participation, and shows how to apply it on a daily basis whether you are reading, crafting, cooking or doing ANYTHING with your child.



There is no question, there are enough activities in Show Me How to keep you and your child busy for more than a year! The activities in the book are suitable for home use, daycare or early childhood classrooms.

To see one of my most favorite excerpts from Show Me How, go here. There, you’ll find one of the most beautiful interactions of helping a young child (whose behavior was less than desirable) to cope with the feeling, make amends and rejoin the family with full membership.

Welcome to the Kidlutions Preferred Product Award family, Vivian. We like your style. Show Me How is a gift to the early childhood world!