TheraTree Pediatric Therapy

Valentines Day

By - Jessica
03.02.20 02:53 PM

By Nick Grant


Valentines Day is filled with parties, hugs, and good food. These can be out of routine and cause disruption in your child's world. Here's how you can help your child prepare for Valentine’s Day.

School Parties
  1. Ask your child’s teacher ahead of time of when the party is going to be, so you can prepare your child for schedule changes.
  2. Ask your child’s teacher for the list of names of their classmates ahead of time so your child can pick out and prepare valentines they think the class will like.
  3. Ask if you can volunteer during the party to promote your child feeling more safe around others when they know you are there.
  4. Provide headphones for school parties so if your child thinks it is to loud they can use them.
  5. Tell your child’s teacher about your child’s favorite food. Offer to bring it so there will be something your child will enjoy at the party.
Date Night & Babysitters
  1. Book your babysitter far in advance so you know you have someone your child will be comfortable with.
  2. Make a list of the nighttime routine so the babysitter knows and keeps your child on track. Share this with your child so they can help with the routine.
  3. Have your child’s favorite dinner so you don’t have to worry about if they will eat dinner or not.
  4. Lay out their favorite PJ’s that way it will make bed time more fun.
  5. Let the babysitter know some of your child’s challenges and ways to calm them. That way they will know how to handle them better.
Social Stories
  1. Use social stories to prepare your child for Valentine’s Day.
  2. Pick social stories that will help your child will have trouble with like schedule changes, party noise etc.
  3. read a little bit each night before bed that way your child is not overwhelmed with a lot of information at one time.
  4. Here are some social stories to use with your child:
    1. What is Valentines Day.
    2.  What to expect during the day
    3.  What it means to fall in love.
    4. Finding love with appropriate behaviors.
    5. Valentines Day at school.
Other tips
  1. If you celebrate at home, keep it simple. Considering not inviting a lot of people over so your child does not get overwhelmed with a big crowd.
  2. Use making valentines as an opportunity to work on handwriting.
  3. Use a name/signature stamp for your child to sign their name on the valentines day if they're unable to write.
  4. Have your child make just a few valentines each night so they will not get overwhelmed with a whole class worth of valentine.
  5. If your child receives a food gift make, review what they bring home to make sure they can eat it.
  6. Discuss your concerns with your Occupational Therapist or Speech Language Pathologist. Not receiving services? Contact us at newpatients@theratreepeds.com or 270-688-8449 to schedule an evaluation.

Jessica