Lesson Plans: "V" is for Valentine's Day - Toddlers and Preschoolers

Teaching Children about Love, Caring and Friendship

For these plans you may want to invite a friend or two over this week. You can even have your mother's group for one day and offer the children's activities and have each mom bring a snack. The adults will appreciate a little time to visit and to allow their kids to have some fun with their friends. For a classroom, you have a ready made "party" but be sure to ask parents for help and allow them to participate in the fun and games.

Circle/Quiet Time: This week is a good time to have stories and music during your circle time (see Music and Books). If teaching at home or school be sure to give lots of hugs and talk about people we love and friends. If you are using these plans at daycare or preschool ask parents to send in pictures of family members so that you can discuss love and family with the children. Teachers, take pictures of "friends" in the classroom and mount them on poster board for the children to look at during the week. Parents can bring out photo albums and talk with their children about friends and family near and far that we love and care about. Talk about who is your friend and how they are nice to you.

Science Activity: Snacks and science go together this week. Here are some easy science activities that encourage fine motor skills, science skills and give you something fun to eat at snack time. Have a party with friends or in the classroom with your results.

Pink lemonade: use a frozen mix - allow it to thaw, and then pour into a pitcher. Allow one of the children (or take turns with several of the children) to take a turn pouring water into the pitcher, being sure to count with the children and help them with stirring.

Red Jell-O: Follow package directions; the measuring and counting and then watching it thicken quickly are a great science experiment for children.