There are many forms of love to celebrate this season, and platonic love is no exception. Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to talk with children about the importance of friendship and the value of showing appreciation for the people who matter to us.
According to a study from the University of Illinois, friendship plays a vital role in children’s social and cognitive development. Friends provide a secondary support system and help foster a sense of belonging. Parents and caregivers can encourage children to build strong, healthy relationships by modeling positive social behaviors and supporting their children as they navigate friendships.
Showing appreciation for the people we care about is a meaningful way to strengthen relationships. This Valentine’s Day, encourage children to express their care for friends in their own unique way. Below is a simple, fun Valentine craft you can make together at home.
Fun Fish Valentine
Supplies:
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Marker(s)
- Stickers (optional, but fun!)
Directions:
1.Fold your construction paper in half.
2. Along the fold, draw half of a heart shape. You will need:
- 1 large heart
- 2 medium hearts
- 1 very small heart
3. Cut along the lines and unfold the paper to reveal full hearts.
4. Cut one of the medium hearts in half.
5. Use the largest heart as the base, positioning it so the point faces to the right.
6. Glue one half-heart onto the large heart to create the side fin.
7. Glue one medium heart to the left side of the large heart to form the tail fin.
8. Glue the remaining medium heart upside down on the back of the large heart to create the top fin.
9. Attach the smallest heart to the point of the large heart to make the fish’s lips.
10. Draw an eye using your marker.
11. Add heart stickers as scales, if desired.
12. Write a special message for a friend on the back.
A small craft, a big message, and a sweet reminder that friendship is always worth celebrating. 💙🐟