Talking Dogs with Manners

Image via WikipediaI am so thankful that there is PBS Kids. When College Girl was a child she loved Sesame Street.All she wanted was to hang out with her friends Big Bird, Little Bird, Elmo, Grover, Snuffy and Cookie Monster.  Her first sign language words were Cookie Monster.  We still use the signs for yes and no in our everyday conversations.
Well today there are so many shows to choose from.  But one that I really enjoy as well as the kiddos is Martha Speaks.  First off, which of us did not wish that our pets could talk to us.  Add in the fun of learning words and their usage in a fun form, what is not there to love.  Martha is coming on to her third season on PBS Kids.  One of the shows is a two part special where Martha and her friends try to create their own TV show.  I remember as a child pretending to have my own TV show...they were musical marathons.  I do have to give a two thumbs up to Martha.  She is great at helping expand the vocabulary of children and even some adults too. One of the things that Martha does teach is how to say Thank You! The sign for "thank you" is made by starting with the fingers of your dominant hand near your lips. Your hand should be a "flat hand. Move your hand forward and a bit down in the direction of the person you are thanking. Smile.

You can teach your child how to say Thank You and other family values. One aid is the book When You Say "Thank You," Mean It.  This would have been one of the books my Grandmother would have loved to share with me.  She was big on manners and how to present yourself to others.  I love that Mary O"'Donohue has put together a month-by-month guide for families on life long values to teach your children.  Now you may be wondering what lessons would these be?  Each chapter deals with on lesson or value.

• Gratitude
• Self-Respect
• Respect for Others
• Intergrity
• Compassion
• Forgiveness
  A Sense of Joy
• Commitment
• Lifelong Learning
• Inner Strength
• Spirituality
• A Sense of Purpose

Now I could not have put together a better list of values I wish to pass on to my child.  The lessons are interactive and have hands on games to help enforce the idea you are teaching.  Some of the games are:

• Keeping a Gratitude Board
• Creating Respect Tiles
• Making a Compassion in Action Calendar
• Hosting an Earning for Learning Game show
• Starting a Life Map

 I love the ease of understanding that Mary has imparted.  It is not hard to envision how to explain a thought and idea when you have someone to guide you along the way.  One of the ways to do this is to win your own copy of When You Say "Thank You," Mean It.  Yes, we have one book to giveaway to you.  Entry is easy as always.  Just leave a comment telling me how you have helped impart your values on your children.  Make sure to leave a email so I can contact the winner.  And extra entries to those who follow me on Goggle Friend Connect.  Just leave an extra comment with GFC on it.  I will announce a winner in two weeks.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book and DVD to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.