Objective
By the end of this lesson, the 1-year-old student will have a basic understanding of Valentine's Day and engage in age-appropriate art, science, and social studies activities related to the holiday.
Materials and Prep
- Construction paper
- Child-safe scissors
- Glue stick
- Markers or crayons
- Empty cardboard tube (e.g., from a paper towel roll)
- Red and pink tissue paper
- Empty plastic bottle or jar
- Rice or small beans
- Valentine's Day-themed books or flashcards
Ensure a safe and comfortable learning environment with adult supervision. Familiarize yourself with the materials and activities beforehand.
Activities
- Create Valentine's Day Cards: Help the student cut out heart shapes from construction paper and decorate them with markers or crayons. Assist in gluing the hearts onto folded construction paper to make simple Valentine's Day cards.
- Valentine's Day Sensory Bottle: Fill an empty plastic bottle or jar with rice or small beans. Add red and pink tissue paper for a festive touch. Secure the lid tightly and let the student shake and explore the sounds and colors of the sensory bottle.
- Valentine's Day Story Time: Read Valentine's Day-themed books or show flashcards with images related to the holiday. Point out and discuss familiar objects like hearts, flowers, and the color red.
Talking Points
- "Valentine's Day is a special day when we show love and kindness to others."
- "We can make Valentine's Day cards to give to our family and friends."
- "Hearts are a symbol of love. Can you point to the heart shape?"
- "We can use different colors to decorate our Valentine's Day cards. What colors do you like?"
- "Let's shake the sensory bottle and listen to the sounds it makes. What do you hear?"
- "Valentine's Day is a time to read stories about love and friendship. Which book would you like to read?"
- "What do you see on this flashcard? It's a heart! Can you say 'heart'?"