6. Love (Valentine’s Day)

Materials Needed

• scissors
• three different colors of construction paper or enough colors so each child has one color
• chocolate hearts
• white paper
• pen
• bowl

Setting The Stage

Together you will be reminded that learning to act in love, even when it is not easy, is important because of the end result.

Project

Ahead Of Time:

Cut the letters L-O-V-E from the different colors of construction paper. Pile all the letters together in the center of the floor and sit around the pile.

Now:

First, let the children sort the letters so they have four piles with the same letter in each pile. Then have them color coordinate the letters so they have three piles (or one pile for each color), each pile having enough letters to spell out the word love. If the children still cannot spell, do a sample pile for them by taking the letters from one pile and spelling out the word LOVE. Have them do the same with their own pile. This part of the activity can be made into a game by seeing who can separate the letters by colors or words the fastest or who can spell out the word LOVE without any help.

Ahead Of Time:

• Hide the chocolate hearts around the room (Hint: If you put out more than 10 you might find it helpful to write down the hiding spot or it could be months before all the hearts are found).
• Explain to them how we celebrate love on Valentine’s day by doing something special for the people we love. The hunt is something special you want to do for them. Establish the boundaries of where the hunt is to take place and how many hearts they need to find, then let them go at it.

Now:

While they are enjoying their newfound hearts, sit down and talk about how some of the hearts were hard to find. Point out how hard it was for them to do a certain part of the first activity (whether it was trying to spell the word LOVE quickly or just simply separating the letters by color). Allow this to lead into a discussion of how some aspects of loving are very hard to do. Allow your children to come up with a few examples from your own family life.

Ahead Of Time:

Write out the following situations on a sheet of paper leaving space between each one. Cut the situations into strips, fold them in half and place them into a bowl. Note: The following situations can easily have an adult play the role of one of the children if two children are not available.

• Child #1 is mean and speaks unkindly to Child #2; Child #1 pushes Child #2 down. Child #2 doesn’t get angry but speaks kindly back to Child #1 and shows Child #1 love and forgiveness.
• Child #1 is playing and hurts himself/herself. Child #2 sees Child #1 crying and hugs and kisses him or her.
• Child #1 has a job to do and Child #2 helps with the job without being asked (for example: picking up toys).
• Child #1 is given a treat and he/she shares the treat with Child #2 without being asked.

Now:

Bring out the bowl and let the children take turns choosing a slip of paper. Read the situation to them and help them understand the role they are to play. Let them act it out. Continue until all the situations have been acted.

• • Using the previous situations discuss how different it can be to always show love.
• • Have each child choose one way they are going to show love this week.
• • Tape the letters L-O-V-E on the fridge allowing the children to choose their favorite color out of the three or more choices. Use this as a reminder all week.

Prayer

Have each child ask God for help to show love in the way he or she has chosen in the upcoming week.

Song

“Jesus Loves Me”

(use original tune)

Jesus loves me! this I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong, They are weak, but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tell me so.