Post 186
Valentine’s Day is next week and is a very big deal in Kindergarten (First Grade/Preschool). It is so much fun! Think back to when you were in school. There’s nothing more exciting than receiving those red and pink cards from friends. Now your child gets to experience that feeling. As I said, so much fun. 😀❤️
In school, I try to emphasize that as happy as you feel when receiving something, it’s an even better feeling to give to someone else. The whole point of Valentine’s Day is to help the students think of others. That is something that comes very easily to them. Five year olds love to give to the important people in their lives so heart shaped cards are right up there! And why not put those beginning writing skills we talked about last week to work? Help your little one to write their name on the cards. You can dot it out for them to trace if need be. I would suggest you do this in small batches if your child gets tired easily. Writing is hard work for Kindergarteners…holding the pencil and forming the letters take concentration. And don’t be too picky if their writing isn’t perfect. The idea is to foster the idea that writing is fun and has a real world application. So just let them write. If your child is proficient, let them write friends’ name on the envelopes. Provide them with a list to copy ad let them go! And while they are at it, how about making/writing cards or small notes for grandparents and other family members? That’s another fun Valentine’s Day ELA project to do at home.
Just as a quick note…if your child is bringing in cards to give out in class, please make sure there is one for each child in the class. There is always a child or two who doesn’t get that many and they DO notice. This should be a happy day, not one that makes a student anxious. And a last thought, I often make students a booklet out of pink and red paper to glue their valentines into. It makes a nice “book” for them to read and remember their friends from after the day is over. You could do the same at home. If you don’t want to get into making it, you can always let your child use a notebook for their valentines. (And it is a good way to not have paper hearts all over the house for the next few weeks! Lol)
Most of all, have a fun time with your little one. Happy Valentine’s Day!❤️
Take Care. 🙂
kindergarten23 