A Little Encouragement | DIY Motivational Bookmark (Easy to personalise too!)

This week, I decided that I would really like to create a little something to motivate my children for the upcoming examinations. A bookmark with a quote to motivate is also a chance for them to see the power of words, how a few simple words can build up a person and how words can mean more than what they seem. (“Am I saying you can really move a mountain from point A to B?”) When a close friend shared with me her favourite book by Dr. Seuss, “Oh, the Places You’ll go!”, I knew the message in the book was perfect for my kids.

“You’ll move mountains!”

That is simply what I want to tell my kids! That they have the potential, that they WILL be able to achieve great things and how I truly believe in that. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. This applies as much to the kids as it is to the adults. Parents and educators, it is important that we believe our children can move mountains and to let them know we believe in them too (:

Here is the bookmark that I have made for my children with quotes adapted from Dr. Seuss’ wonderful book. You can print it in colour or even in black and white if you do not have a colour printer. It is simple to make and I hope it will encourage your children leading up to the examinations.

Materials:

1. white paper (construction paper if you are printing it in black and white so that it can still be colourful!)
2. scissors

Optional
3. Laminating machine and laminating pouch
Note: If you do not have a laminating machine at home, you may wish to print on slightly thicker paper e.g. 130gsm paper so that the bookmark will not be so flimsy.

Another alternative is to print out the bookmark on single side. Cut out each piece before pasting them on each side of a piece of cardboard (like a piece of of cardboard at the back of foolscap pads).

Instructions

Step 1: Print out the bookmark and write your child’s name.

Set your printer to print on both sides of the paper. I have aligned the bookmark to be in the centre so both sides of the bookmark should fit well together. Write your child’s name in the white box or have your child to write his or her name  for them to have a greater sense of ownership (:

Step 2: Cut out the bookmark.

If you are laminating, cut out the clouds and the mountains separately from each other. I like to leave a slight white border near the mountains but you can be precise and cut along the lines.

If you are not laminating, cut out the bookmark according to the rectangular border. Your bookmark is done! (:

Step 3:  Laminate the bookmark.

Arrange the clouds above the mountains and laminate the bookmark. After laminating, cut out the bookmark in either a rectangular shape or along the outlines of the clouds and mountains. I like to have rounded corners for my bookmark as I feel that non-rounded plastic corners can be quite sharp.

You are done! You may wish to punch a hole and attach a string to it too.

I would like to end off this post by thanking all our subscribers and readers for your kind support and feedback these few months (: Knowing that the tips and materials we put up have been helpful is truly an encouragement and an affirmation of the work that I have been doing. We are now well into the month of September and the truth is that the PSLE main papers are only about 3 weeks away and SA2 is also drawing near. Lil’ but Mighty is committed to be with you as you countdown to your (or your children’s) examinations and to provide any advice that you need. This is a stressful period for parents and children alike and we would like to support you in whichever way we can so feel drop to drop us an email or a comment whenever you need to.

Parents, educators and kids, you will move mountains!