It’s easy to
dismiss Valentine’s Day as just a “Hallmark holiday,” but for many children,
February 14 is a special date with great significance. Though children with
profound cognitive disabilities may not be aware of the holiday, children with
more moderate challenges, especially those who attend school alongside
typically developing peers, are at least somewhat tuned into to the Valentine’s
Day festivities. As a teacher, therapist or parent, how can you make
Valentine’s Day a happy time for your child, students or clients? Here are some
tips to make the kids in your life feel loved.
1.
Focus on friendship
Valentine’s
Day is a great time to discuss love, friendship and kindness. Ask children to
reflect on what it means to be a good friend and how we show love and kindness.
Can they describe a time when they felt loved by a friend or family member?
2.
Have a love-themed story-time
Read
developmentally appropriate books about love and friendship and then discuss
them with your child or students. Some good choices for younger children include: “Love Monster” by Rachel Bright, “Be a
Friend” by Salina Yoon and “If You’ll be My Valentine,” by Cynthia Rylant.
3.
Adapt holiday crafts projects
Help children
with special needs make Valentine’s Day cards for family members. Students with
physical disabilities can use adapted art supplies including Enabling Devices’ adapted
battery operated scissors, swirl
art or color
bug to create a card for a loved one.
4.
It’s not a popularity contest
If you’re a
teacher, take precautions to ensure that every child in the class receives the
same number of valentine cards. If you’re a parent and aren’t sure that your
child’s teacher will be aware of this, make sure to bring it to his or her
attention ahead of time.
5.
Teach social skills
Valentine’s
Day is a good time to teach social skills to children with developmental delays.
Social stories about Valentine’s Day or simply about friendship can help
children on the autism spectrum or those who have social skills deficits for
other reasons, learn how to be a good friend.
6.
Serve
something for everyone
Be mindful of
children’s special diets and make sure that everyone has a Valentine’s Day
treat that accommodates their health needs.
7.
Plan a dance for teens with special
needs
Teens with special needs desire love
and romance just like typically developing peers. Back in 2015, athlete Tim
Tebow and his foundation founded Night to
Shine, a worldwide Valentine’s Day prom for teens with mental and physical
disabilities. As Steve Helling reported in
People, “For one night, people with mental and physical disabilities would be
celebrated. They would walk the red carpet while dressed in tuxes and
gowns. There would be hair, makeup and shoe shine stations. And, of course,
there would be dancing.”
Each year
since 2015, the event has grown bigger. This year, the foundation will throw
375 proms in 50 states and 11 countries. Even if there isn’t a Night to Shine
prom in your neck of the woods, many schools and centers create their own
Valentine’s Day dances for teens with special needs. Some dances are even designed
to be sensory-friendly with attention paid to lighting and music volume. Dances
offer teens with disabilities an opportunity to practice social skills, have
fun, and maybe even find their valentines!
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