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Kids ages 6-11. On the sweet gift of friendship and the special Valentine that awaits them one day.
Dear Parent, This lesson is primarily developed for kids ages 6-11. However, every child develops at different rates, so please feel free to use the lesson that best fits your child's needs!
Find Additional Relevant Lessons HERE
PURPOSE
With love in the air for Valentines, my child will understand the sweet natural love of friendship and the beautiful true love that awaits them one day.
MATERIALS
A cozy relaxing spot to sit in
Valentines themed sweets and craft materials
INSPIRATION
“After children's love and brother-sister love, there is the couple's love. It is a process of growth from one to the next.”
-Sun Myung Moon
“True love is more than just one's thoughts or one's feelings. True love is living for and even saving others. That is the only way true love can be found.”
-Sun Myung Moon
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
-1 Corinthians 13:4-8
ATTENTION GRABBER
Choose 1:
What is Love? Ask your child the simple question what is love and listen to their response. Or have your child “draw love” asking them to draw a picture of what love is.
Valentine Candy- Share some Valentine’s themed candy with your child like hershey chocolate kisses, sweetarts or heart shaped lollipops. What do these remind you of?
INTRODUCTION
Love is in the air! It’s so much fun seeing so much love all around us as February fills stores, classrooms and homes with red and pink hearts, candy and roses! Do you know what Valentine’s Day is celebrating? That’s right- we celebrate Love. Today we want to talk about just how special love really is.
*LEARNING MOMENT- READ TOGETHER:
Imagine about a sweet old grandma and grandpa sitting on a bench together holding hands and sweetly watching a sunset as they listen to the birds chirp. The Grandpa tells silly jokes and the Grandma laughs. Then he leans over and gives the Grandma a sweet little kiss. She put her head on his shoulder and they enjoy the sunset together.
Isn’t that cute? The love between a little old man and a little old lady is so special because they’ve spent their entire lives falling in love, creating a family and building their life together. On Valentine’s, the sweet Grandma gives the sweet old man a special Valentine and the little old man gives his lady a rose. They are each other’s only Valentine.
One day you will have your own Valentine too! And together you will create your love story- you’ll get blessed in marriage, fall in love, you’ll create a home together and a family! You will share many hugs and even kisses with your special Valentine. And you won’t have to wait until you’re a little old man or lady to receive this kind of love, no silly! You will be young love birds.
But first comes friendship. Did you know that before the little old man and the little old lady fell in love, they were friends first? Before your heart is ready to give a special Valentine to that special someone- you will learn to develop your heart not as a lover but as a friend. You’ll make special Valentines for all of your classmates and friends and share your love with them in a pure and sweet way- to say thanks for being my friend!
Now is the time in your life that God gave you to develop your heart with your brothers and sisters, with your friends, your teammates and classmates. It’s a time for you to grow your heart, to try new things and build your talents. Maybe you’re a karate star, a musician, an artist, an actor, a dancer, a soccer player or scientist. You’re growing up year by year, working hard in school and learning so much. I’m so proud of you. You are becoming who you are- developing your skills, talents and your love for others.
Friendship isn’t always easy. You’re learning to share, to forgive your friend when they hurt you, to think about how to make others happy and be a true friend. But friendship is also beautiful- your friends play with you, run with you, climb trees, build forts, make slime with you. Show your friends you care by making them a special picture or note from your heart to say thank you.
And one day when the time comes, God will show you who your special prince or princess is that you get to give that one special Valentine to. Until then, grow your heart and learn to become a true friend because one day one of your friends will become your special Valentine.
DISCUSSION
Let your child try and answer first while you listen. Then share your heart, your answers, with your child. Use as many questions as you like to help guide your conversation.
What do you think about the story of the sweet old Grandpa and Grandma?
What does love mean to you?
Let’s share about a time we felt loved. What makes you feel loved?
How do you like to share your love with others?
How can you be a good friend to others?
What is one thing you can do to grow your heart?
Where does love come from? (God.)
How is love you share with your friends different from the love between a mommy and daddy?
Let’s talk about Mommy & Daddy’s love story.
Are you excited to be in love one day and get married? What do you think it’ll be like? What kind of a husband or wife do you think you will be one day?
CONCLUSION
God created love and God is love. God wants the best for each of us as his children. On this Valentines, let’s celebrate friendship and think about how to be a true friend to others. While I work on growing my heart, God is preparing a special Valentine for me to receive one day when I’m ready.
PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for love! Thank you for Mom & Dad’s love which created me. I look forward to being in love and sharing my special valentine one day with my future spouse. Until then, help me to grow my heart to love and care for others first. Help me to be a good friend to others and to grow my passions, talents and skills, becoming the best “me” I can be! Amen.
Use these activities together with your child today and over the next month to create ongoing conversations. Click on the links:
VIDEOS
“Part of My Heart” Read Aloud Story
"I Love You" Song for Children
CRAFTS:
PEN PAL: Send letters to Grandparents, cousins and other pen pals. You can even have your child make a Valentine for their future spouse and keep them in a special box for future.
VALENTINES: Make valentines together for your friends like cards or cookies.
PICTURE: Draw a picture of what it means to be a good friend.
PLAY:
PLAYDOH: Create heart-shaped playdoh cookies together. Get creative decorating with glitter & buttons.
LOVE SLIME: Get slimy together and follow the tutorial for this fun love-themed slime recipe. LOVE SLIME Recipe
GET MOVING GAMES: Play fun minute to win it games together as a family. GET MOVING Games
EXPERIENCES
WEDDING ALBUM: Share photos or video from your wedding with your child and share about your personal experiences.
GRANDPARENTS: Interview your grandparents or a sweet elderly couple on their love story.
PARENT RESOURCES
"God's Ideal for Love & Sex” Parent Blog- coming soon