Speaking
Nutritional Programs
An approximate 30- 40 minute lesson; this program is targeted for daycare centers, homeschoolers, library reading groups, preschools, kindergartens, and grades 1-5. Small or large audiences.
Lessons are based on Linda J Hawkins' nutritional books: Alexander and the Great Food Fight, Alexander and the Great Vegetable Feud. Linda uses her children's books as the basis for reaching out and interacting with children (and adults).
The nutritional program begins with Mrs. Hawkins sharing her personal story about what inspired these books, a brief of her research in this field, and an explanation of what children/families can do to be healthier.
She then gets audiences to participate by having volunteers don fruit costumes (which she brings with her) as she reads and interacts with the audience, inserting appropriate nutrition facts and healthy advice to make her visit informative, yet personal.
Her goal is for children/families to take away something useful to apply to their everyday lives. Mrs. Hawkins can add 20 minutes to the presentation for those who want a motivational component.
She can talk about the importance of "self-education" done through reading books or accessing information online. Her philosophy is "one must first put in before you can take out." She recommends this for grades 3-5. She can also include creative writing projects by helping small groups brainstorm and then create their own stories or books.
Tea/Etiquette Program
From 30 to 60 minutes in length, this program works well for anyone age 2-92 including girl scouts, pre-schoolers, teenagers, garden clubs, Red Hat Society gatherings, church groups, and family reunions with tea party themes. The program can be adjusted to fit each group's needs. She always makes time for questions from the audience. This program is best when there are no more than 40 students/adults. The host organization may wish to serve a simple or elegant tea before, after or during her talk.
Most people do not know the history of tea; this is where we get most of our tea traditions. Mrs. Hawkins can instruct and demonstrate a variety of ideas for serving tea, as well as talk about the importance of good etiquette, show how to properly use a napkin, set a table, etc.
Signed copies of Mrs. Hawkins' book, Catering to Children with Recipes for Memorable Teas, and The Unspoken Language of Fans and Flowers with Recipes are made available at each event (and can even be used as a fund-raiser for the group).
Training Programs
Mrs. Hawkins is also available to meet with Title I teachers or other adults to train them on how to incorporate her workshops into their school's curriculum/programs. Each teacher receives a free book, a teacher's guidebook, and a school packet. Costs begin at $40.00 per person. Cost is reduced as the number of participants increases.
Motivational Programs
Mrs. Hawkins works with Christian as well as the secular market. She does inspirational programs for church groups, Ladies Auxiliaries, or mixed groups about the struggles/victories she has experienced to reach her current place in the world.