Soraya Diase Coffelt's Blog, page 2

7 Bible Verses About Wisdom That Each Child Should Know

Children today face an overwhelming amount of information and choices; it can be challenging for them to navigate this complex world. To help equip children with the tools they need, it is important to teach them wisdom - the ability to make morally grounded decisions and apply knowledge effectively.  Proverbs 9:10 states that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (NIV) “Fear” does not mean that we are to be afraid of the Lord but we are to revere Him.

The Importance of Wisdom

Wisdom is essential for personal growth and success in all areas of life - be it relationships, academics, career, or beyond. It goes beyond merely possessing intelligence or knowledge. Wisdom involves the skillful integration of experiences, values, and understanding into ethical decision-making that translates into practical actions.

The Bible often depicts wisdom as something to be treasured and pursued. It offers invaluable guidance for leading a virtuous life, fosters emotional strength and resilience, and deepens our comprehension of right and wrong.  And, all we have to do is ask for wisdom.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5)

 

 

It is important that children learn from an early age about wisdom as: it helps them to develop a strong moral compass; it strengthens their decision-making skills; it builds emotional resilience; it nurtures empathy and compassion; and it helps with their spiritual growth.  To enforce help them learn and to reinforce these Bible verses, put them up around your home and talk about them frequently.  And, reading Christian books helps to fortify their faith too.

Seven Bible Verses About Wisdom That Each Child Should Know

1.    Proverbs 9:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom ….” (NIV)

Gaining wisdom is intricately tied to having a profound respect for God. Acknowledging His infinite power and supremacy instills humility, paving the way for perpetual education and self-improvement.

2.    Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding ….” (NIV)

The verse encourages children to place their trust in God whenever they face challenges.  It emphasizes the concept that relying on and trusting in a higher power is how one attains wisdom.

3.    James 3:17 – “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (NIV)

This verse highlights the traits of godly wisdom, such as purity, peace, kindness, fairness, mercy, courage, and honesty.

4.    Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding.” (TLB)

This verse highlights the significance of seeking divine wisdom and guidance. Children can develop a reliance on and trust in God by acknowledging that true wisdom originates from Him. His every word is paramount.

5.    Ephesians 5:15-16 – “So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.” (TLB)

This verse emphasizes the significance of wise living and seizing every opportunity presented to us to do good. This verse inspires children to seek wisdom in their daily routines and practice virtuous principles, seeking to do good.

6.    Proverbs 13:20 – “Be with wise men and become wise. Be with evil men and become evil.” (TLB)

Surrounding oneself with wise and knowledgeable people will impact personal development. This verse teaches children the importance of being selective about their friends and influences, choosing those who contribute positively to their growth and wisdom.

7.    Proverbs 4:7 – “Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment.” (TLB)

By making this pursuit central to their lives, children can nurture wisdom as a guiding principle and apply it in their daily decisions.

Christmas In July! The Best Faith-Based Children's Books for Christmas Gifts

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The Christmas season is a joyous one for children, full of excitement and anticipation and even more so now that they can celebrate it in July too! To enhance this special occasion even further, consider introducing faith-based children's books to your children’s holiday experience.  Books are not only entertainment but also are an opportunity to educate youngsters about the true significance of Christmas through themes of faith, love, and gratitude.  Such stories inspire meaningful conversations amongst families about beliefs, values, and the reason for this beloved season.

Looking for a “Christmas in July” gift for children? Check out these faith-based books that can help them understand the true meaning of the season.

1. It's Not About You, Mr. Santa Claus – A Love Letter About the True Meaning of Christmas

Author: Soraya Diase Coffelt

In this charming Christmas book ,  a child is writing a letter to Santa Claus explaining to him that Christmas really was not about him.  Of course, Santa is very surprised!  The child asks Santa to sit back and enjoy milk and cookies while he tells him about the greatest gift of all – the birth of the baby Jesus.  Filled with beautiful illustrations and lots of humor, this book helps children to understand the true meaning of Christmas – God gave His best gift to us, His son Jesus.

2. The Pine Tree Parable

Author: Liz Curtis Higgs

The Pine Tree Parable chronicles the journey of a family who owns a small yet magnificent pine tree farm.  They discover an exquisite tree that they wish to keep and it gradually becomes symbolic of God's love for humanity.  However, when a destitute family visits their farm to purchase a tree, this faithful clan must make a tough decision. This poignant story evokes sentiments of generosity and reinforces our awareness regarding the most valuable gift bestowed upon us by God: His son, Jesus Christ.

3. Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale

Author: Martin Waddell

In the cold winter night, a stable witnessed the birth of Baby Jesus. The animals in the stable showed kindness and compassion by making room for the baby's arrival. Room for a Little One is an enchanting children's book that tells this heartwarming tale. It features an ox that welcomed all other animals seeking refuge from the chilly weather. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that they were part of something special - they had created a haven for a Savior to be born into their world. This touching narrative captures the true spirit of Christmas and emphasizes acceptance and love towards others.

4. God Gave Us Christmas

Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren

Little Cub and her family go on a snowy escapade to unravel Christmas's true meaning in this enchanting story. Little Cub's mother teaches her that Christmas goes beyond the glitz and glam of lights, cookies, and presents but is rather about Jesus Christ, who is the gift to the world. This book includes beautiful illustrations woven into an engaging storyline, making it an ultimate source for comprehending the real significance of the lovely Yuletide season.

5. The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving

Authors: Jan and Mike Berenstain

In the Berenstain Bears story, Brother and Sister Bear learn that it's better to give than receive gifts at Christmas. The two friendly bear siblings help those in need and join a Christmas play at their church. During the play, they discover the real meaning of Christmas. This beloved tale not only entertains readers but also serves as a fantastic tool to teach children about generosity, thankfulness, and the joy of giving.

Instruct Your Children About Why We Celebrate the 4th of July

Is July 4th just another barbeque holiday for your family? Of course, it’s great to have a day off to spend time with family and friends, but July 4th is such a significant and historical day. Share that history with your children before you leave home to enjoy the food and festivities. My children’s book It’s Not About You Mrs. Firecracker – A Love Letter About the True Meaning of the Fourth of July is a helpful addition to your book collection about the history of our country.

Here are some highlights from my book. Back in the 1770s, our country consisted of 13 colonies and was ruled by Great Britain. The colonists became very angry because Great Britain began imposing many taxes on them without their knowledge or representation in Parliament and began protesting against this. In response, Great Britain sent soldiers to quash all resistance.

The colonists chose representatives to meet to discuss what they would do. In 1774, a group of representatives formed the First Continental Congress and met in Philadelphia to begin discussing the country’s independence. They made a list of demands for King George and began forming militias to defend themselves. The British did not back down and sent in more soldiers.

In 1776, a group of men led by Thomas Jefferson were asked to write an explanation as to why the colonists wanted independence. This document became known as the Declaration of Independence. It refers to God five times, as they believed God was very important in guiding them to establish our new country and God had created us all to be free and equal.

On July 4, 1776, the Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence. Since then, July 4th has been remembered and celebrated.

There is so much more to learn about the American Revolution and our fight for freedom. Please purchase a copy of my book to include in your family’s collection of important history books for your children.

Be Inspired by the Story About Bethany Moultry and Her Mother Colleen Moultry, the Creators of Bethany’s Happy Bags for the Homeless

I am so inspired by the story of Bethany Moultry and her mother Colleen Moultry, the creators of Bethany’s Happy Bags for the Homeless, and wanted to share their story with you. If you and your children are thinking of helping others in need, do give this a read and also share it with others to encourage them to do good for the needy.

How It Started

It all started in December 2019 when Bethany Moultry was 5 years old and saw a homeless man in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. She cried and wanted to go home and use the money in her piggy bank to help him. Bethany and her mom brainstormed what they could do and came up with the idea of creating care packages and giving them away to people who were homeless. They also came up with the name Bethany’s Happy Bags for the Homeless because Bethany wanted to make people happy.

When Bethany turned 6 in 2020, her mother asked her what she wanted for her birthday and Bethany said she wanted to help more people. This is when the Moultrys started "Bethany's Happy Bags for the Homeless" on Facebook, made an Amazon Wishlist, and teamed up with nearby homeless shelters including Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless and Union Mission to raise money in any way she could. 

The Result of Bethany’s Happy Bags for the Homeless

They started by giving away small bags containing various items to eat and for personal hygiene such as beef sticks, first aid supplies, toiletries, masks, and Gatorade, and have now grown to include many other items, including a personal note from Bethany and blankets during cold weather. They have received considerable support and assistance from other student volunteers from her brother’s school - Matthew Reardon School for Autism - as well as many in the community who donate their time and money. Over time, they have successfully distributed over 750 Bethany’s happy bags for the homeless.

Bethany’s Plans for the Future

Bethany now would like to broaden their reach beyond the Savannah community to help children who are homeless. The two have already begun working toward this objective; thus far, they have donated at least 80 blankets to nearby shelters for needy children.

On their website, Bethany’s message is: “I want every person experiencing homelessness to know that I see you and care.” The Moultrys also say: “It is our hope that these Happy Bags and other donations will continue to touch the lives of those who receive them.” 

To learn more, please visit:

https://bethanyshappybags.com/

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/04/us/happy-bags-for-the-homeless-trnd/index.html

As the Stars of the Sky Foundation’s Mission

As the Stars of the Sky Foundation was created as a nonprofit organization to promote the importance of literacy in your child's life. This entails encouraging children to read more, including inspirational and educational books. The proceeds from the sale of our books are used toward engendering better reading skills, which in turn fight gender inequality, poverty, and poor health.  Would you like to support us and our cause? Donate your used or outdated books that are in good condition and purchase our books and other offerings.  You can also get in touch with us for further details!

Activities for Your Children to Learn More About Safety During National Safety Month This June

In 1996, the National Safety Council established the month of June as National Safety Month to highlight the importance of safety where we live, work and play. Keeping our children healthy and safe is of critical importance. How can we teach our children about safety measures that they can and should take? Below is a list of safety activities for children and much more. Importantly, please do not scare your children, and be sure to explain why planning for and taking safety measures are important!

Brainstorm Safety Rules to Follow at Home

What should be done in the event of a fire? What should be done if the electric power goes off? What should be done about inclement weather issues such as storms? What should be done in the event of a stranger coming to the house? By going through the above checklist with your children and making sure they know how to react in each situation, you are getting yourself and your family prepared for any possible harm and ensuring their safety.

Repeat Safety Rules Often

You can make it a game involving memorization skills. For example, you can ask: As soon as you walk out of the house, what do you make sure you do? Answer: Close the door. Why? Because pets can get out and run around and we want them to be safe; because insects can get into the house and bite us; and because we want to keep our home safe and secure. Also, art projects about firetrucks and firemen, police officers, and police cars are excellent tools to reinforce what they are learning. 

Think About Various Road Safety Tips to Point Out to Them

When you are driving, there are many street signs of different shapes and colors that you can explain the meaning of. For example, you could teach them the importance of the three traffic lights’ colors and how each color represents safety measures. You can also teach them about the basics of stopping and looking before crossing the road as well as using proper footpaths or safety features such as zebra crossings and overhead bridges. When you arrive home, have your children do art projects about traffic signs and lights.

Discuss Strangers Approaching Them and What They Should Do

Include scenarios of different venues, such as the park, after school, at a store, and at home. Set some guidelines that they should follow including never accepting sweets or meals from strangers, never letting a stranger inside your home, never entering a stranger's home or vehicle, and running away, shouting, and locating a responsible adult whom your children can tell what happened if a stranger makes them uneasy.

Please take the time to discuss these and other topics with your children and intentionally plan for their safety.

For more information, please visit:

https://empoweredparents.co/safety-activities-for-preschoolers/

https://www.childfun.com/themes/misc/safety/

https://nationaltoday.com/national-safety-month/

As the Stars of the Sky Foundation’s Mission

As the Stars of the Sky Foundation was created as a nonprofit organization to promote the importance of literacy in your child's life. This entails encouraging children to read more, including inspirational and educational books. The proceeds from the sale of our books are used toward engendering better reading skills, which in turn fight gender inequality, poverty, and poor health.  Would you like to support us and our cause? Donate your used or outdated books that are in good condition and purchase our books and other offerings.  You can also get in touch with us for further details!

Fun Facts to Share with Your Children About Our American Flag on Flag Day

In 1949, President Harry Truman designated June 14 as Flag Day in the US, requesting that all Americans celebrate and honor our flag. How did our flag originate and what has transpired with it over all these years? If you are as curious as we are, here are some fun facts about our American flag that you and your children should know.

History of Our American Flag

The Smithsonian Institute has quite a bit of information about our American flag on its website. The beginning of the American flag, as we know it today, started when the Continental Congress adopted a resolution in 1777 that the flag of the United States will be made of thirteen stripes that will be alternately red and white with the Union being thirteen stars with white in a blue field to represent a new constellation.

Before 1912, there was no prescribed order for the stars and stripes so many different designs for our American flag existed. An Act of Congress in 1818 provided for: “13 stripes, representing the original 13 colonies, and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state.”

About the Star-Spangled Banner

The original “Star-Spangled Banner” that inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem still exists and is at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. It was commissioned by Major George Armistead, Commander at Fort McHenry, and made by flag maker Mary Pickersgill in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1813. The original size of the Star-Spangled Banner American flag was 30 feet by 42 feet which was larger than the normal 20 by 38-foot garrison flags used by the United States Army and had fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. Major Armistead had it raised over the fort in September 1814 to signal the Americans’ defeat of the British in the Battle of Baltimore. When Key saw the flag raised, he wrote the patriotic song.

After the 49th and 50th states were admitted to the Union, the flag had to be redesigned. In 1959, President Eisenhower signed an Executive Order in which the flag was to be designed with the stars arranged in nine rows, staggered horizontally, and eleven rows, spaced vertically, with thirteen stripes.

The Origin of Flag Day

Flag Day actually originated in Waukeba, Wisconsin in 1885 when a schoolteacher named Bernard J. Cigrand started having his students reflect on the meaning of the flag and write essays about what the flag meant to them. Over a century later, in 2004, the 108th U.S. Congress passed H.R. 662, stating that Waubeka, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, was the birthplace of Flag Day.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.si.edu/spotlight/flag-day/banner-facts

http://www.nationalflagday.com/history

As the Stars of the Sky Foundation’s Mission

As the Stars of the Sky Foundation was created as a nonprofit organization to promote the importance of literacy in your child's life. This entails encouraging children to read more, including inspirational and educational books. The proceeds from the sale of our books are used toward engendering better reading skills, which in turn fight gender inequality, poverty, and poor health.  Would you like to support us and our cause? Donate your used or outdated books that are in good condition and purchase our books and other offerings.  You can also get in touch with us for further details!

Inspire Your Children with the Story of Jack Dalton “Kid Conservationist” and Author

I love writing about children who are movers and shakers at such a young age. Not only are they inspirational, but also their parents who are behind and supporting them. In today’s blog post, I am sharing information about Jack Dalton who is known as the “Kid Conservationist” and is already a published author.

How It Started

Jack is passionate about saving orangutans. It all started when he was 8 years old and met a baby orangutan at the Memphis Zoo. Something clicked then and there for Jack! He started reading and learning about orangutans and realized that they were on the endangered species list. He began a fight to get them off that list and uses educating the public as his primary weapon in this fight. When asked what motivates him, Jack said: “I’ve discovered that if you want something to change, you need to do something about it.”

He wrote a book titled Kawan the Orangutan, Lost in the Rainforest in April 2021. As to why he wrote the book, Jack said: “I wanted to get children to care about these incredible creatures and to inspire the next generation of conservationists.” 

The Result of Jack Dalton’s Hard Work

After his extensive research and hard work in writing Kawan the Orangutan, he sold 2,000 copies of the book and raised over $12,000 to assist environmental initiatives, orangutan rehabilitation, and replanting of the rainforests by planting a tree for each book sold! He also loves to speak at different events to educate and inspire individuals alike. According to his website, “presentations include speaking about orangutans, endangered species, protecting our environment, Kawan the Orangutan book readings, and empowering kids to use their voice for change.”

In addition to all that, Jack has launched his own YouTube channel that offers all sorts of information, including entertaining educational films with conservationists, book readings, simple ways we can all improve the environment, and much more, with the hope that others will use his channel to learn about and support a variety of important causes.

Jack has excelled at representing orangutans. Now, he speaks at schools, museums, and zoos all around the world in addition to conducting interviews with specialists in the subject, including wildlife photographers, biologists, and other conservationists. His work has received praise from several organizations across the world, and he is one of the top 20 finalists for TIME Kid of the Year.

Jack's work has expanded to include attempts to conserve a variety of animals. It turns out that by maintaining the orangutan's habitat, you are also protecting a large number of other species that share the same geographical range.

Find Out More About Jack Dalton and His Work

Interested in learning more about Jack Dalton and his work? You can learn more by visiting:

https://www.kidconservationist.com/

As the Stars of the Sky Foundation’s Mission

As the Stars of the Sky Foundation was created as a nonprofit organization to promote the importance of literacy in your child's life. This entails encouraging children to read more, including inspirational and educational books. The proceeds from the sale of our books are used toward engendering better reading skills, which in turn fight gender inequality, poverty, and poor health.  Would you like to support us and our cause? Donate your used or outdated books that are in good condition and purchase our books and other offerings.  You can also get in touch with us for further details!

10 Important Survival Tips for Summer Road Trips with Your Children

As you plan your children’s summer vacation, please consider road trips as they can be a wonderful learning experience for them.  There are plenty of ways that your children can enjoy themselves while continuously stimulating their minds.  Here are some tips which will help you to plan and prepare ahead of time:

Select the destination. Encourage your children to participate with you in this selection process. 

Map your destination and determine the number of hours it will take to drive there. Also, determine how many hours you will drive each day.

Select where you will stay overnight as well as what and where you will eat.  Make sure that the places you select have child-friendly accommodations and food selections.

Bring lots of snacks and water.  Children are always looking for something to eat in between meals so plan healthy snacks on the trip.

Allow your children to bring along their electronic devices with headphones. Be sure to plan how much time they will be allowed to use them each day and have educational activities for them to do on them.  Also, include electronic books.

Plan what clothing and other items each child should pack. It is always helpful to have a separate packing case for each child.

Take with you paper towels and wipes.  These always come in handy to clean hands and quickly wipe up spills in the car.

Include in your supplies an emergency kit with all you may need in the event of an injury or illness such as band-aids, antibiotic cream, and any other item that your children may need.

Pack for car travel pillows and blankets.

Plan games to play in the car.  A friend told me about a game that she enjoyed playing on car trips with her children.  It is a game called “yellow car”.  Since there are so few yellow cars, the premise of the game is to count how many of them passed on the way to your destination. When one is spotted, you must be the first person to yell out “yellow car” and the person with the highest score at the end of the ride wins.  It sounds simple enough, except for the yelling part.  At the time, she had no idea how entertaining this ‘simple’ game could actually be!

This game will keep the children alert; activate their eyes and brains to spot these objects amongst everything else they see; and help them keep numerical track of how many they have seen.  Little do they know all the learning that is involved!

The links below provide some more helpful information.  I hope that you and your family have a wonderful time on your road trips!

For more information, please visit,

https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/ultimate-guide-to-family-road-trips/

https://www.kenarry.com/road-trips-with-small-children/

https://www.thepassportkids.com/how-to-survive-12-hour-car-ride-with-kids/

6 Tips to Your Children Having an Extraordinary Summer

How can your children have an extraordinary summer with lots of wonderful memories?  Here are 6 helpful tips.

Plan, plan, and then plan some more.  Planning cannot be overstated.  Of course, you want your children to enjoy their time, but you should also want them to have structure and learn.  Planning is the key.  Be sure to include your children in the planning process.

Have a schedule.  Children often believe that the summer months should include doing whatever fun thing they may want to do, including staying up late at night and watching television or playing computer games for hours on end.  However, having structure is important as there should be time for sleeping, playing, and learning.  Those activities are not mutually exclusive.

Avoid the summer slide.  Just what is the summer slide?  It is a period of time when your children lose some of the knowledge, they learned during the previous school year.  According to Scholastic.com, a recent survey showed that children can lose up to 20% in reading skills and 27% in math skills during the summer break.  Some of the things that parents can do is encourage reading books and playing games and working with puzzles that involve reading and math skills. 

During the summer months, for example, many public libraries have programs for children to continue reading and learning in fun and interesting ways. 

Get outside.  Whether it is playing in a park, visiting a historical site, participating in a summer camp – whatever the outdoor activity – your children will learn and get plenty of exercise, which is important for their physical and brain growth.

Find support from family and friends.  Often, it is challenging for parents to both work and ensure that their children have a fun summer routine.  Assistance from family and friends can be very helpful, especially from those who have children.  How can you involve them in your children’s summer plans to not only help but also ensure that your children continue to socialize?   

Be sure to include activities that your children are interested in. By including them in planning out the summer months, they will feel encouraged as you balance their interests with yours as a parent.  Be prepared for some negotiations as most children will view continued reading, or brushing up on math skills, or any form of learning as “schoolwork” and may not be too interested in including those types of activities in their summer plans.   

Be creative. Are your children interested in trains or planes or dinosaurs?  Perhaps there is a museum in your area or one you can travel to visit as a family that involve some of your children’s favorite things. 

 

For more information, please visit:

https://childmind.org/article/strategies-for-a-successful-summer-break/

https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/summer-slide.html

Teach Your Children About the Beautiful Cultures and Histories of Asian American and Pacific Islanders

May is celebrated as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, to honor all those Americans who have this distinguished heritage and recognize their diverse achievements.  There is so much to learn so please use the links below, as well as others, to teach your children all about them.   

The number of countries represented by AAPIs is large.  The U. S. Census defines Asian Americans as those persons with origins in the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian Subcontinent, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) as those within the U.S. jurisdictions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

The websites listed below have many resources, including activities for teachers and children.  Included are recommended readings as well.  This is a special opportunity to grow your and your children’s knowledge and understanding of this group of Americans.

To learn more, please visit:

https://www.asianpacificheritage.gov/

https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/teaching-asian-and-pacific-islander-heritage