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Preschool Teachers Chatboard

classroom valentine exchange ideas welcome

by idchick

Feb 1, 2013

I teach at a parent cooperative preschool and this year the parents want to have a whole school valentines day brunch with a valentine exchange. How do I coordinate a valentine exchange for 20 students & parents-- in the past each class had their own party so the exchange was easier....I need help with ideas for a smooth and fun exchange.

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maureen On 2/01/13, idchick wrote: > I teach at a parent cooperative preschool and this year the > parents want to have a whole school valentines day brunch > with a valentine exchange. How do I coordinate a valentine > exchange for 20 students & parents-- in the past each class > had their own party so the exchange was easier....I need ...See MoreOn 2/01/13, idchick wrote: > I teach at a parent cooperative preschool and this year the > parents want to have a whole school valentines day brunch > with a valentine exchange. How do I coordinate a valentine > exchange for 20 students & parents-- in the past each class > had their own party so the exchange was easier....I need > help with ideas for a smooth and fun exchange.

Is this a total of 20 children in the school or 20 children per class?

What I started doing many, many years ago was to write up a simple letter to parents explaining what we were doing and why. I took the number of children (we had 24) times 24 and added the number of envelopes to show how much paper was being used (saving tree angle). Then I would say that at this age, many parents realized that they had 23 valentines to sign their child's name. There was little meaning for the child to do it this way and most parents don't appreciate having the pressure to get to the store and get those done.

I would give each child a list of 3-4 names of classmates to MAKE the valentine for each with the help of families. Store bought, candy or toys and envelopes were not to be used. Only handmade with the child's name (hopefully written by the child) and who it was to. On the day of the party, we would break up in small groups with the bags, boxes or whatever of the 3-4 (My assistant and I usually made one, too)valentines that each child had received. A trusted (you know the ones who enjoy the time and allow the child to share easily)adult would be assigned to each small group as a leader. Then each child took a turn to open a valentine. The adult would help the child by discussing who it was from, enjoying the creativity of the card and what materials were used, just anything to ooh and aah about the card. Then another child would have a turn to take out his card and repeat until all cards are shared. It might take a total of 10 minutes at the most.

When I started this approach the whole holiday took a turn for the better (and it is my favorite anyway) in all ways possible. What I liked is that it turned into a celebration of friendship what it should be about anyway.

I can't take credit for this idea as I read about it in some newsletter decades ago and I fine tuned it. I had parents who had older children in school ask if it was ok to share this with their older child's teacher they liked it so well.

I always had the deadline for bringing in the completed valentines at least one or two days earlier. This helped when the inevitable child was absent the day of the party and his recipients didn't get as many. It also helped me if some years I would have a child whose family did not follow through, and for good reasons, I could help the child make some during class. I always kept a master list to be able to keep on top of who and what.

I have to say the lack of commercialism was worth the change and the children had just if not better enjoyment then getting all the store bought "penny" valentines.

Also, I always had several international families each year, so I always explained the meaning and traditions of the holiday in our country. They always appreciated that, too.

I hope you have a great holiday this year! Don't get anxious. Just prepare and enjoy.

Feb 1, 2013

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idchick On 2/01/13, maureen wrote: > On 2/01/13, idchick wrote: >> I teach at a parent cooperative preschool and this year the >> parents want to have a whole school valentines day brunch >> with a valentine exchange. How do I coordinate a valentine >> exchange for 20 students & parents-- in the past each class >> had t...See MoreOn 2/01/13, maureen wrote: > On 2/01/13, idchick wrote: >> I teach at a parent cooperative preschool and this year the >> parents want to have a whole school valentines day brunch >> with a valentine exchange. How do I coordinate a valentine >> exchange for 20 students & parents-- in the past each class >> had their own party so the exchange was easier....I need >> help with ideas for a smooth and fun exchange. > > > Is this a total of 20 children in the school or 20 children > per class? > > What I started doing many, many years ago was to write up a > simple letter to parents explaining what we were doing and why. > I took the number of children (we had 24) times 24 and added > the number of envelopes to show how much paper was being used > (saving tree angle). Then I would say that at this age, many > parents realized that they had 23 valentines to sign their > child's name. There was little meaning for the child to do it > this way and most parents don't appreciate having the pressure > to get to the store and get those done. > > I would give each child a list of 3-4 names of classmates to > MAKE the valentine for each with the help of families. Store > bought, candy or toys and envelopes were not to be used. Only > handmade with the child's name (hopefully written by the > child) and who it was to. On the day of the party, we would > break up in small groups with the bags, boxes or whatever of > the 3-4 (My assistant and I usually made one, too)valentines > that each child had received. A trusted (you know the ones who > enjoy the time and allow the child to share easily)adult would > be assigned to each small group as a leader. Then each child > took a turn to open a valentine. The adult would help the > child by discussing who it was from, enjoying the creativity > of the card and what materials were used, just anything to ooh > and aah about the card. Then another child would have a turn > to take out his card and repeat until all cards are shared. It > might take a total of 10 minutes at the most. > > When I started this approach the whole holiday took a turn for > the better (and it is my favorite anyway) in all ways > possible. What I liked is that it turned into a celebration of > friendship what it should be about anyway. > > I can't take credit for this idea as I read about it in some > newsletter decades ago and I fine tuned it. I had parents who > had older children in school ask if it was ok to share this > with their older child's teacher they liked it so well. > > I always had the deadline for bringing in the completed > valentines at least one or two days earlier. This helped when > the inevitable child was absent the day of the party and his > recipients didn't get as many. It also helped me if some years > I would have a child whose family did not follow through, and > for good reasons, I could help the child make some during > class. I always kept a master list to be able to keep on top > of who and what. > > I have to say the lack of commercialism was worth the change > and the children had just if not better enjoyment then getting > all the store bought "penny" valentines. > > Also, I always had several international families each year, > so I always explained the meaning and traditions of the > holiday in our country. They always appreciated that, too. > > I hope you have a great holiday this year! Don't get anxious. > Just prepare and enjoy.

Thank-you! I really, really like this idea. Could you possibly share your 'simple letter to the families' which explains the valentine exchange plan to help get me started?

Feb 2, 2013

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maureen On 2/02/13, idchick wrote:

Hi. I am glad you like the idea. It really is a vast improvement over what usually happens on the holiday especially for the youngest children. I am glad that you are recognizing this.

I retired almost 2 years ago and I have been busy tossing stuff over the months and for the life of me, I could not fin...See More