While Valentine’s Day is mostly seen as a romantic holiday for couples, it’s also a great opportunity to be intentional about sharing some extra love with family and friends. Broadening the scope of Valentine’s Day can turn it into a season of celebrating kindness and community. It’s also a good time to establish habits of gratitude within your family routine. By letting each family member know you care, you can connect with preschool-aged kids in several fun and unique ways. Here are a few ideas for helping your child feel loved, especially during the Valentine’s Day season.
1. Create a “Love Links” paper chain.
First, gather some construction paper, crayons, and markers, and encourage your preschooler to start creating. They may want to decorate sheets of paper with hearts, pictures, or colorful designs. After they’ve decorated several sheets of paper, cut the designs into long strips, and tape them together to make a paper chain. Hang the seasonal decorations near the dinner table for a special activity. Each night, one family member can break off a link of the chain. The other members of the family can share something they appreciate about that person. You’ll love the smiles and pride you see on little faces as each person is recognized. When the last link is broken, celebrate the season with a small gift or treat. Then, explain that kind words are a gift that we can give to others any day of the year. All in all, this activity can be a great way for each family to truly feel loved, especially your little ones.
2. Plan a special parent and child outing.
Cultivating one-on-one time with your child is greatly important for helping them feel loved, especially for families with siblings. Consider scheduling a one-on-one outing for some special together time at least once a month. While you’re enjoying your activity together, try to be intentional about asking your preschooler questions about how they see the world. So much of family communication can be purely practical. Taking time to listen to a child can help parents get in touch with their child’s questions, concerns, hopes, and dreams. Asking the right questions can provide some funny, insightful, or fascinating responses!
3. Experiment in the kitchen.
Cooking and baking with little ones can be a wonderful way to bond and celebrate Valentine’s Day. Including kids in the cooking process can make it a special occasion, as they love to help sort and mix ingredients. To save yourself time, see if any local bakeries are selling Valentine’s Day treat kits. Or, if you children with food allergies or sensitivities, baking treats at home can help them feel included, while keeping them safe. Don’t forget that everyday foods for preschoolers can be transformed into a Valentine’s Day feast as well! For example, strawberries look just like tiny hearts, pancakes can be dyed pink, and heart-shaped cookie cutters can even make sandwiches feel festive.
Celebrate Connection Every Day of The Year
The Gardner School knows how important it is to show love to preschoolers. Encouragement and appreciation at a young age can help build kids who are resilient, confident, and kind. To learn more about how we partner with parents to help kids grow and feel loved each day, contact us to schedule a virtual tour or to learn more.