| This
Issue’s Theme:
Valentine’s Day Feelings
Valentine’s Day is a great
time to talk with preschoolers about their feelings.
While this holiday is most often associated with
love, it’s still a suitable lead-in to a
discussion of all emotions, as well as how to handle
emotions that we feel. Here are some tips to help
children learn about and understand their feelings.
-
Acknowledge
and validate feelings. When children are
filled with giggles or overwhelmed by tears,
it’s a good opportunity to talk to
them about different feelings.
-
Try a child’s-eye
view. Observe playtime for clues as to what
makes
children anxious, scared,
happy or proud.
-
Listen and identify emotions.
Take the time to listen to what the child is
feeling.
Identify feelings with words they understand,
such as “angry,” “hurt” or “frustrated.”
-
Provide
emotional first aid. It is reassuring to
tell children in times of emotional crisis that
they are valued no matter what they are feeling.
-
Help find solutions. When the crisis
has passed, encourage the child to suggest
ideas for solutions
to the problem that triggered the feelings.
-
Discuss
all feelings. Discussion about feelings and
emotions should not be limited to difficult
times. Be sure to point out positive, happy
feelings as they occur as well. Use Valentine’s
Day to discuss what love is and what it feels
like.
|
Watch
Clifford
the Big Red Dog
Thursday, Feb. 14 from 6:30 a.m.
to 7:30 a.m.
Enjoy Clifford’s Valentine’s Day special,
Love at First Bark!
Also tune in for special Valentine’s
Day episodes of Arthur (9:30 a.m.) and Fetch
With Ruff
Ruffman (11 a.m.). |
| “I
Love You” Box
Create an “I Love You” box and combine
learning about words and learning about ways to
say “I love you.”
Materials:
- Shoebox or small carton
- Strips of paper or
index cards
- Non-toxic markers
Write words that are familiar to the child on
an index card or a separate strip of paper. If
the child wants a phrase such as “I love
you,” put each word on a separate strip and
let him or her see how the words go together. Now
and then, add new words to the box. The child might
even want to use the words to make cards or caring
messages — for Valentine’s Day or any
day.
Children may think people will stop loving
them if they make mistakes or do things they shouldn’t
do. Help them understand that adults and children
sometimes get angry with each other, but that doesn’t
make the love go away. |
| Clifford’s First Valentine’s
Day
By Sam McBratney
Guess How Much I Love You
By Sam McBratney
I Love You As Much …
By Laura Krauss Melmed |
The Kissing Hand
By Audrey Penn
Love You Forever
By Robert Munsch
I Love You Stinky Face
By Lisa McCourt |
