Eyes on Early Years Volume 13 | Page 24

Communication and language development Use this opportunity to bring in lots of new vocabulary in a practical way. Talk about love, joy, happiness, hearts, feelings, affection and friendship. Make visuals with the children to match their representations of the different words and put their words into written form in displays and cards. Mathematics Sort or sequence heart shaped items by size or shade. Bake heart shaped cookies or cakes and talk about measuring the ingredients by weight or volume. Literacy Bring the theme into your mark making area with heart shaped chalkboards, card making materials and transcribe their words into writing for them in their messages to family and friends or, for older children, encourage them to do so themselves. Read books about love such as; “Guess how much I love you?”. Explore the feelings in the book. Expressive art and design Explore all the different shades of red and pink, scarlet and cerise. Give them free reign to design and decorate their own cards, displays and Valentine’s gifts with a variety of collaging materials and mark making materials. Use play dough to create heart shaped creations or make it brown and create pretend chocolate boxes as gifts.