Michelle Worthington's Blog, page 25

Walk for Prems 2015 Raising Funds for Life's Little Treasures Foundation

This year, we participated in the annual Walk for Prems to raise funds for Life's Little Treasures Foundation that supports families of premmie babies all around Australia. I have had 3 premmie babies, my eldest at 33 weeks, then 34 weeks for Cody and Tom came after 2 weeks bed rest at Mater Mothers at 28 weeks.
One of the fabulous things I noticed about being at the walk was the relaxed, accepting attitude of the parents towards the many and varied range of kids, ranging from tiny babies to big boofy boys like mine. It's natural for us as mothers to compare our children to others, but when you have had a premmie baby, all accurate milestones go out the window and kids can be happy and healthy at all stages and ages, regardless of development. There was no judgement at all, just looks of kindness and love, with gratitude that our little treasures had battled through and made it there in the day, when so many Angel babies could not. 



This brings me to the reasons why I am donating proceeds from my next book, My Brother Tom, to Life's Little Treasures Foundation. My Brother Tom is a book combining my experiences of having premature babies who were sick and stayed in hospital for an extended period of time and how we coped as a family, specifically the older siblings. It helps demystify what is happening by making the story age appropriate and helps caregivers initiate conversation about what's going on which can be hard at an emotionally charged time. It will be released in December and I am so proud of it as a stand alone story, let alone the potential it has to raise funds for Life's Little Treasures.


When you have a premature birth, there's so many unexpected emotions that can be utterly overwhelming. I battled greatly with feelings of guilt and inadequacy as a mother. When I had Tom, the grief of failing again was overwhelming. Then I found Life's Little Treasures Foundation on Facebook. They taught me a new emotion; Pride. I had never felt this before until they gave me the resources and encouragement to see our experience as a family to be empowering and strengthen us, lift us and for each step forward to become a celebration. I am eternally grateful and I wish I could do more to help other Mums in my position to feel proud about who they are, what they have overcome with dignity and when they continue to fight for their children with grace. Thank you Life's Little Treasures from the bottom of my heart.



Talk soon,X Michelle 
www.michelleworthington.com
www.lifeslittletreasures.org.auwww.mi...

Walk for Prems 2015

This year, we participated in the annual Walk for Prems to raise funds for Life's Little Treasures Foundation that supports families of premmie babies all around Australia. I have had 3 premmie babies, my eldest at 33 weeks, then 34 weeks for Cody and Tom came after 2 weeks bed rest at Mater Mothers at 28 weeks.
One of the fabulous things I noticed about being at the walk was the relaxed, accepting attitude of the parents towards the many and varied range of kids, ranging from tiny babies to big boofy boys like mine. It's natural for us as mothers to compare our children to others, but when you have had a premmie baby, all accurate milestones go out the window and kids can be happy and healthy at all stages and ages, regardless of development. There was no judgement at all, just looks of kindness and love, with gratitude that our little treasures had battled through and made it there in the day, when so many Angel babies could not. 


This brings me to the reasons why I am donating proceeds from my next book, My Brother Tom, to Life's Little Treasures Foundation. My Brother Tom is a book combining my experiences of having premature babies who were sick and stayed in hospital for an extended period of time and how we coped as a family, specifically the older siblings. It helps demystify what is happening by making the story age appropriate and helps caregivers initiate conversation about what's going on which can be hard at an emotionally charged time. It will be released in December and I am so proud of it as a stand alone story, let alone the potential it has to raise funds for Life's Little Treasures.

When you have a premature birth, there's so many unexpected emotions that can be utterly overwhelming. I battled greatly with feelings of guilt and inadequacy as a mother. When I had Tom, the grief of failing again was overwhelming. Then I found Life's Little Treasures Foundation on Facebook. They taught me a new emotion; Pride. I had never felt this before until they gave me the resources and encouragement to see our experience as a family to be empowering and strengthen us, lift us and for each step forward to become a celebration. I am eternally grateful and I wish I could do more to help other Mums in my position to feel proud about who they are, what they have overcome with dignity and when they continue to fight for their children with grace. Thank you Life's Little Treasures from the bottom of my heart.


Talk soon,X Michelle 
www.michelleworthington.com
www.lifeslittletreasures.org.auwww.mi...

Have a great weekend!

It's Friday...


Go out and shine your light in the world. There is plenty of darkness all around you. Nobody can stop you from doing good and you can do it every day. Light your own soul so that you can go out and light other lives. There is no need to shout it from the rooftops that you are happy, just go about your business, letting the world see what gifts you possess and let your life be radiant with the force of your inner light. May the very fragrance of your life draw wonderful people to you. Venture out. If you allow yourself to walk in the sunlight of self-acceptance, absorb the glow of inner peace, you can go out into any darkness knowing you can light your own way Light, without which the eye cannot function, is comforting to us because it makes things clear and plain. We think of light as revealing and illuminating. Every now and then in our lives, something happens that reaches us, even if we are in a deep dark sleep of denial, a cry of warning from the world of realities like a bolt out of the blue shines it's light in our eyes and into our hearts and for a moment we are on the verge of waking. Use that opportunity to turn a good life into a great one.

Wake Up on Saturday and Sparkle!!!!

Talk soon,
x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com

A new definition of Social Media as a form of literacy is required

 Children have an early initiation in the literary process because I belive despite the advances in modern technology, we still live in a culture that values print, where print is readily available and where print has a many and varied number of functions in the daily routine of everyone's lives. Because modern technology still involves the process of reading and writing, now called typing, children are already aware of basic concepts of literacy before they enter formal education, even if they aren't exposed to many books at home. The major difference is the level of development in each child, just as it has always been.

Educational institutions and the people who influence and fund the curriculum need to take on board this diversity of thinking as a difference in technological development, not a deficit to teaching methods. The social aspects of literacy also need to be prioritised. Parents and literacy advocates alike must advocate for a new way to present reading, writing, listening, viewing and communication. Literacy must be woven into the social and cultural aspects of a child's life from an early age. A new definition of literacy means going beyond traditional practices because children bring their technological experience , their family and community experience and their own world view with them to school.

They are growing up in a world that has access to information in many forms, much of which still contains the written word. Our children will respond positively when shown reading and writing is used for functional purposes that they themselves use in everyday life, rather than a function they are to sit quietly and observe until such time they go to school to acquire the knowledge in a classroom environment. Our children are social creatures and we need to encompass the social nature of learning and language development. No current standardised testing allows for that. We are judging our kids on an outdated scale and then complaining about teachers not doing their job. That's not fair. As parents, educators and authors, we need to speak up on behalf of our kids. There needs to be a new definition of literacy.

Talk soon
x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com

Kids asking Questions: How to Create Answer Books

One of the greatest cues for learning that parents most overlook is the constant stream of questions asked by young children. My kids gushed with them.

How long will it take me to get to the moon?
When are the dinosaurs coming back? I'm scared.
What do chickens think about?
Can I fly out this window?


 
Yes, my boys are an inquisitive bunch. Then all of a sudden, when they started school, they stopped. Once they start school, it is the teachers who ask all the questions and they are no longer allowed to question the world around them as freely.

Our new age children are inventors. Inventors ask questions to find out tried and true answers but to also consider alternative solutions. The inquiry-based learning that is built into their modern psyche is another opportunity for parents to create authentic literary experiences because they are centred on the child's interests and innate curiosity.

Asking questions connects children to authentic reading and writing experiences. Develop your child's own 'answer books' from cheap scrap books purchased from the $2 shop. Select one topic per book and write it on the front page. Use newspapers, magazines or junk mail to find articles or pictures. Search for answers on the internet and print them out or write down the web address. Incorporate whatever medium your child is interested in and that will lead to a solution, whether it be books, maps or asking a grandparent or professional.  Draw pictures, write words and don't try and finish it all at once. Make it a project that takes time, only focusing for as long as your child is interested.

Children will learn to associate reading with finding solutions and by working togther you can give further meaning to the value of reading and writing.

I'd love to see any books that you make with your kids, please post them to my Facebook page. The ones I made with my kids were so well loved they fell apart! I will post some pics back of the ones I still have left.

https://www.facebook.com/michelleworthington.author


Talk soon
x Michelle
www.michelleworthington.com
www.michelleworthington.com

We Need More Diverse Books

  Modern children are struggling to transition to becoming independent readers, by which I mean picking up a book to read instead of  using an electronic device. I don't want to get into a 'boys are harder' debate because I have 3 boys, one who loves reading and one who hates it and one who won't sit still long enough for me to change his nappy, let along read him a story plus a niece who struggles with wanting to read. 

This day and age, all children are getting lost when they become 'too old' to be read to and prefer to do other things at bedtime besides read a book.

The same debate is happening today about children taking Ipads to bed as the debate when I was growing up about kids having televisions in their rooms. How can we get books to compete with the lure of modern technology?



Children no longer separate forms of language. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing and illustrating can all be done on one handheld device. Reading is supported by speaking and drawing. They do not occur sequentially. They do not stand alone. Language forms are integrated, not isolated. Language is a dynamic tool for thinking and communicating, not words on a page. Children's literacy is based on family experience with print and technology. They still have an active imagination, but they use it differently. Our kids are critical thinkers who make personal, text and world connections between what they already know and analysis of new information. They are clever cookies.

Bedtime stories will always be important , but the modern child requires the connection of the story events to what has happened in their daily lives.  These connections are different for different children within our community. Modern children give meaning to the text by drawing on what they know from personal experience. The learn language through experience. They connect daily through the use of language, fulfil their basic needs and describe experiences, all in a social format, during the day. What they are struggling to find is a language that speaks directly to them in the books.



Now, more than ever, we should be encouraging publishers to promote new and modern voices in children's literature. We need more diverse books. It's simple. We need books that kids can find a connection with by hearing their own voice echoed in the words. Until that happens, technology will always win.

Talk soon
x Michelle

www.michelleworthington.com

Tips for giving modern children authentic literary experiences

Literacy for modern children needs to evolve. Literacy needs to be attached to everyday tasks of life where children are treated as integral active members of their own learning. It also needs to start before children enter formal education, while they are learning to find a value for literacy in their immediate sphere of influence. It doesn't have to be rocket science, in fact, the simpler the better.

Make out a shopping list together



Your child learns that you write down things to be remembered later; an important practical function of print. At the shops, use the shopping list to buy the items written down, moving through the aisles and searching the shelves, reading and discussing the prices. Your child is learning fundamental literacy skills through an authentic literary experience.

Involve the family in dinnertime discussion



At dinnertime, let your child participate in family discussions at the dinner table with all electronic items switched off. Every family member has  a story about their day to tell and the others must listen carefully without interrupting, then ask questions that promote responses and perhaps further discussion. From this authentic literacy experience, the child learns about storytelling, questions and responses within the context of social literacy. It also teaches them to be a good listener.

Children will develop literacy gradually through authentic experiences and have a deeper connection that simply being 'told' it is important. Only a few children who start Prep may know how to read, but this doesn't mean they have failed to acquire important, fundamental concepts of print and storytelling.

Talk soon
x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com

Please contact me for an author visit at your bookstore, local library, school or kindy

 Author visits are one of my favourite things to do. Please contact me if you would like me to come and read my stories, conduct a writing workshop or talk about being an author. I can cater for any age, any size of group or any theme you have in mind.  A list of my published books are available in my bookstore at www.michelleworthington.com. Bookings are nearly full for 2015 but I am more than happy to schedule an event in 2016 while I have times available. Contact me directly at mworthington.author@gmail.com for more details.

Talk soon
x Michellewww.michelleworthington.com

What is blocking you from publishing your picture book?

 
Worry or fear can take the joy out of life. Most of us can find enough things to worry about, without adding 'wanting to be a published author' to the list. Paying bills, saving for a house, buying a new car, beating the high cost of living, the difficulties of bringing up children, problems of personal health and the precarious international situation – these are only a few of the things I worry about. I used to let worrying stop be from following my dream of being a published picture book author. I suffered from "what if-itis."
It is simply not true that some people have nothing to be concerned about. One wonderful thing I have learnt if that my life will never be free from trouble. I am a mother for goodness sake!!!
Worry shouldn't hold you back from doing the things you really want to do.  Don’t be fearful of making plans and decisions, but keep in mind that things change. My publishing career has not turned out what bit how I thought it would, but I wouldn't change a thing. I have learned such valuable lessons and made wonderful life-long friends. I don't like using the word 'journey' since Ricky Martin claimed it, but it is a 'one foot in front of the other' scenario.
 
My eldest child is a terrible worrier, and finds it very hard to go to sleep. Lots of reassuring pats and soft words are need to calm his mind enough to let his brain switch off long enough for him to close his eyes and regulate his breathing. One thing that really works is telling him, "dont worry, your worries will be there in the morning" which I guess isn't in the parental textbook, but it works. All your worries about 'what if' or 'what next' will still be there after you take the dive and send your manuscript to publishers. Worry about getting it published first, then worry about the other worries later.

I wish I could take your worries away for you, but I can't. I can only wish you the strength and grace to push through to the pride and peace that awaits you on the other side. If I can be a published author, so can you.

Talk soon
x Michelle

www.michelleworthington.com
Help on Heels

www.michelleworthington.com

Ok, I have got my book published...now I have to do what???

 
  A little known side effect of getting your book publishing is having to learn how to market yourself as an author, as well as selling your book.  Publicists have limited time and budget when it comes to promotion, especially for a new author. A successful author is also a sales person, an accountant, an administration officer, a graphic designer and a self-promotion guru.
As an author marketing your book locally, it is definitely a case of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”  Use the contacts you already have, such as your children, grandchildren or friends who work at schools or kindys to get your first storytelling visits. Always ask for the opportunity to sell you books by pre-order or post-order form and on the day.
Create your own book launch until your name is known or ask to be included in events that suit your book and marketing plan. Local women’s groups, seniors groups and interest groups that your book relates to are often happy to have you set up a trade table in exchange for the cost of admission and a lucky door prize. Have a short speech prepared in case you are asked to say something about yourself and your journey to getting your book published. Your local council website will list events in your area that you may be able to participate in.
 

Approach your local book store and library as they will already have time set aside for story telling and are always in need of new people and new books. Libraries also have rooms that are available to hire for your book launch or event.  Your aim is to draw a crowd, and book stores love a captive audience. Have a photographer friend take photos and offer them to the book store to put on their website, as well as your own. 
Make sure you are booked up with events that fit your individual schedule for 4 weeks in advance, to give you enough time to get new engagements if some cancel. Don’t take on more than you can handle and always be professional, when it comes to your marketing material, your phone manner and what you wear on the day. If your book has a theme, kids love dress ups and interactive play, so let your imagination run wild!
Register for writer’s festivals and conferences to learn from others about how they market their book, as well as making friendships with other local authors and illustrators. Join local Writers Groups and Member organisations that allow members to promote their book and book launch on their Facebook, newsletter and website at little or no cost. Network with other authors, illustrators and publishers via Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter or a website blog. Remember that if you can help others, they may be in a position to help you in return.
  

The biggest hurdle new author’s face in marketing their book is their own inhibitions. Don’t be afraid to ask. The worst thing they can say is “no”.

Talk soon
x Michelle
www.michelleworthington.com
 www.michelleworthington.com