Well unless you live under a rock you know that next Tuesday is Valentines day – and whilst primary school is too young to be expecting drama and tears over unrequited love (I hope!) it is a great opportunity to look at relationships, kindness and loving one another.

Discuss the origins of Valentines day with children who can have access to Google to research – or set it as a homework topic to see what people come up with – maybe instead of google children could ask their parents?

Look at symbols of love – the traditional heart shape, chinese symbols, celtic symbols, what about the Irish Claddagh ring and it’s symbolism, Hamsa, Hand of Fatima, in Ancient China butterflies were seen as symbols of undying love.

If you think your class can handle it, talk about love in the context of friendships and community.  The spirit or essence of what it means to love somebody and treat them with respect and kindness regardless of whether you know them or not.

Decorate the class in Valentines regalia…have each student make a large heart and put their own name inside. Then tape them to strings and hang from doorways or windows to flutter and remind us of kindness and joy.

Stage a ‘love in’ – sit in a group circle or in small groups if you have a large grade, and have each person spend time in the centre.  Every person on the outside should tell them one thing they like about them – could be simple things, ‘I like your hair’ ‘I like your shoes’ ‘I like your friendly smile’ or friends who know each other better can say more in depth things ‘I like the way you are always a good friend’ ‘ I like that you help me with my work’ etc.

What about self love? Have students make an acrostic poem with their name and one thing for each letter that they love about themselves.

Well, no post on here would be complete without an arty activity – but there are so many out there that I thought I would give you some of my favourite links…

• I love this cardboard tube cupid, you could use paper for the wings if you don’t have many stems, you don’t really need the bow and arrow if you don’t want either – but maybe give him a love heart to hold?
• This paper love bug harps back to the Chinese butterfly tradition…why not make them into ancient eternal love bugs?
• Something a little more challenging…an origami heart.  Maybe use a sheet of paper with a silly love poem or message in it, then place all the hearts in a bowl for a random drawing by everyone in the class.
• I love the idea of this heart in hand message – would be a great one to make and take home to the family to tell them how much we love them!

Valentines day wishes to you all!