Celebrate Love and Kindness This Valentine’s Day!
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and at Garden State Speech Therapy, we are excited to share ideas on how to help children of all abilities feel included, celebrated, and loved on this special day! From speech and language tips to sensory-rich crafts, our goal is to ensure that every child can actively participate and enjoy the Valentine's Day festivities.
Sensory-Friendly Crafting:
Sensory-friendly crafting is a wonderful way to create inclusive activities at home and in the classroom that cater to the diverse sensory needs of each child. Provide a variety of textures and materials, such as soft fabrics, textured paper, smooth surfaces, and items with contrasting tactile sensations to allow all students to participate comfortably. Ensure that the crafting stations have comfortable seating options, considering alternative seating arrangements for students who may benefit from flexible seating. At school, work with your child’s teachers to incorporate sensory-friendly crafting into classroom activities.
Sensory Bins:
Sensory bins provide children with the opportunity to explore and learn through hands-on tactile play that engages their senses. These bins encourage and support sensory exploration, fine motor skills, socialization with peers, cognitive development, language skills, and regulation. Research has shown that incorporating a seasonal theme, such as Valentine’s Day, helps children build connections between concepts and improve vocabulary skills (Del Duca, 2013). Ideas for a Valentine’s Day-themed sensory bin may include:
Heart-Shaped Beads: Include heart-shaped beads of various sizes and textures.
Fabric and Ribbons: Add soft fabric and ribbons for tactile exploration.
Scented Items: Incorporate scented items like cinnamon sticks or scented playdough for olfactory stimulation.
Feathers: Include feathers for a different tactile experience.
Visual Stimulation: Add items with visual appeal, such as shiny foil or reflective materials.
To promote fine motor skills, include tools like tongs, scoops, or tweezers your child can use while exploring the materials inside the bin. Academic skills can be targeted along with sensory exploration by including items that encourage counting, sorting, or matching. In a group or classroom setting, larger sensory bins can accommodate group exploration. This promotes social interaction, cooperation, and shared experiences.
Peer Involvement and Understanding:
Encourage peer involvement and understanding. If your child’s classroom participated in a Valentine’s Day card or gift exchange, be sure to include enough for all students. Work with your child’s teachers to incorporate activities that promote empathy, awareness, and positive interactions among students of different abilities.
These may include:
Game-based Exchange: Incorporate inclusive games into the classroom card exchange. For example, create a game where students answer a question about themselves when they receive a card, encouraging conversation and sharing.
For students with speech or language challenges, provide communication aids or boards with Valentine's Day-related phrases. This ensures that every student can actively participate in conversations with peers during the shared experience.
Ask your child’s teacher to incorporate activities to provide guided support for social interactions during the exchange. Pair students and encourage buddies to take the time to talk, share, and express appreciation for one another.
Valentine’s Day Books:
Read Valentine’s Day books that encourage love, empathy, understanding and kindness with your child or their class. Some favorites include Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms, Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer, When I’m Feeling Love by Trace Moroney, The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond, Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli and Love Monster by Rachel Bright
Looking for fun, inclusive activities to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Garden State Speech Therapy is excited to host a Valentine's Day celebration for children of all abilities ages 2-5!
Our Valentine’s Day party will feature a delightful story time session, engaging crafts, music and movement, and a selection of refreshments for everyone to enjoy. We believe in creating a warm and inclusive environment where every child can participate, connect, and celebrate Valentine's Day with joy. We look forward to sharing the love and laughter with you and your little ones!
To RSVP, email info@gardenstatespeech.com or call 201-297-9167
