My wonderful co-teacher, Heidi, worked with the children to make “Love Bugs” and deliver them all over town. Children loved spreading kindness and love for Valentine’s Day. Here is what we wrote to families, along with photos. Look at those smiles!
Dear Families,
Over the last few weeks (with Valentine’s Day close by) we have been focusing on kindness and diving deeper into the concept. We asked the children, what does it mean, who deserves it, how can we show it, and what can we do? The children had so many wonderful and insightful ideas from helping teachers and friends, to rescuing people and kitties. We also listened to a Laurie Berkner song, “Superhero,” to help us understand that our kindness can make us superheroes too!
To continue, we made special “love bugs” and cards for many different people. Once the surprises were complete, children were excited to share them, especially with those they delivered themselves (such as to Linda, Lisa, Terri, Bonnie and other classrooms). They smiled and showed a sense of pride as the reaction they received was joy and delight. In seeing this and even feeling it, they wanted to do it again and again. With the help of teachers, some of our “love bugs” were delivered to different places within the community. Children were thrilled to hear about the prospect of making more people grateful.
All of these simple small acts of kindness, bring smiles and warm feelings of happiness to one another, which in turn gives children a greater sense of belonging and improves their self-esteem. Or in the words of Patty O’Grady (an expert in neuroscience, emotional learning, and positive psychology), “Kindness changes the brain by the experience of kindness. Children and adolescents do not learn kindness by only thinking about it and talking about it. Kindness is best learned by feeling it so that they can reproduce it.” Therefore, please look below and show your child what their small kind gestures did for others in our community (and if you are able to, maybe they will see one around town)! ♥️
Warmly,
Jennie, Heidi, Patty, and Sue
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
What a precious idea!
😍
So amazing
Thank you.
A great idea to show the kids that it is not all abour commercialisation, flowers, and chocolates.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete. That’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.
You are right
What a wonderful initiative that made so many people happy, especially the little givers
It was, Beth. I highly recommend it for your kindergarten class next year. They love being little givers!
I definitely plan to do so – thanks for the idea
That’s super! My pleasure.
What a nice lesson for the children to prepare and experience. I think it was probably appreciated even more this year, when it seems children have been hidden from us.
I think you’re right, Dan. Giving is particularly appreciated this year. I wish the children could have been there in person. We took the photos so they could see how much their giving meant to the community.
Aww.. ❤️
What a great project!
Thank you, Darlene!
Happy Valentine’s Day! 💘
And to you! 💕
What a great idea! More very happy memories for the children that something they created made other people happy.
The best lesson of all!
🙂
Such a great idea. When I was a kid in a working class neighborhood, I used to see my dad do simple acts of kindness, naturally. He and my mother left food on the neighbor’s porch because they were old and not taking care of themselves. He took young kids fishing, ones who may never have had the chance, otherwise. I know it rubbed off on me. The nice thing about doing kind acts, you never stop. It becomes part of your character, I believe. You and your aide just created an army of kindness givers. Nice work, Jennie.
‘An army of kindness givers’ is a pretty cool thing! Thanks so much, Steve. You were lucky to have such a dad.
Excellent, Jennie. What a great idea. 😁
Thank you, John.
I loved this post! It was a fantastic idea and lesson, and oh, those smiles! I could see the receivers smiling from ear to ear no mask could hide that! 🥰
They were thrilled! A small act of kindness can do so much. Thank you, Deborah. 💕
🥰
Lovely idea, so special. Happy valentines
Thank you, Bella!
Sweet idea! Happy Valentine’s Day, Jennie!
Thank you, Becky. Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
These are wonderful and what a great message!🥰
Thank you, Kim!
I love this idea. Wish I’d known about it when I was still teaching. What fun!
It was terrific, for the kids and for the community. Thanks, Anneli!
Wonderful! Cheers for LOVE BUGS.. A perfectly LOVE-ly idea!
Well said, Bette! Many thanks for your LOVE-ly words. 🥰
Hugs & Happy Week! 💓💛💚💙💜
🥰
Happy Valentines day, Jennie. The world is in good hands with you teaching kindness. We need so much more of that.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you, Marlene. Thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot!
love the idea of spreading the friendship and kindness of Valentine’s day into the community, especially at this time
It’s not always easy to find an activity that the children love and also is easy to deliver to the community. This one hit the spot.
Well that couldn’t be more darling. Kudos to your kids!
Thank you, Jacqui! 😊
Brilliant idea. Seeing the looks of appreciation, even covered with masks, completes the process for children. Talking about kindness is one thing, but seeing it in action is important for the kids who see the payoff for both giver and receiver.
Exactly! Doing an act of kindness and then seeing the results is a perfect learning experience for children. This was win-win. Yes, the smiles show through the masks. Thank you, Pete!
How wonderful! Happy Valentine’s Day Jennie! 💕 😘 ❣️ 😍 ❤️ 🥰 💘
Thank you, Cindy! 😍
Jennie, your post has me feeling all fuzzy and happy … the children helping to spread joy far afield! 😀 I love this idea and Valentine’s in many countries is sharing kindness and heart with others around you. It’s lovely to see the happy smiles of all the receipents and bet all the children are likewise beaming away!
That’s so nice to say, Annika! Many thanks!! 🥰
I absolutely love the concept of widening the idea of romantic love out to share positive feelings of love and gratitude towards the wider community – because we all know that love is a scarce commodity. And this is a positive step towards addressing the shortfall!
Well said, Sarah!
What a fantastic idea, Jennie. Such lovely pictures too. Happy valentine’s day to you.
Thank you! 😊
Welcome.
A beautiful collective! ❤
Thank you, Debby. Best to you! 🥰
Hugs xx
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Thank you!
To find the true love is not easy to see….??
So sweet love it!!
Thank you!
What a great idea, Jennie! One should interview you for ideas in every aspect of life. You are a real treasury in this too. 😉 I hope you all had a great celebrations. Michael
Thanks so much, Michael!
Always with a great pleasure, and many thanks for always best and important information.
My pleasure. Have a great week, Michael!
You as well, Jennie! Thank you!
😀
:-))
So gorgeous. It’s wonderful to spread the ripples of kindness around.
It really does have a ripple effect. Thank you, Norah.
My pleasure, Jennie.
Very heart warming ☺️
Thank you.
What a great idea 💡 kindness is something we need to spread out more. It can change things and make some ones day. Keep it up!
Thank you, Steve.
Ahh this is such a lovely idea!!
Thank you!
This is such a sweet and kind gesture! Loved it!😃👏🏻
Thank you!
I love the handwriting on the love bug gifts. And I love the range of people to whom they were given. How profound to discuss the phenomenon of kindness with children, hear their ideas/insights, and then to experience it as a community!
A true hands-on kindness experience for children and the community! Thank you, Will.