Last week I got an email from my son’s preschool titled – ‘Valentine’s Day List’, and the content of that email contained the list of names of my preschooler’s 18 classmates, and that’s it – no explanation whatsoever.
I was at a loss, as to what this meant, mostly because, this is the first year my son is in a school setting – so this is all very new for me. At any rate, I couldn’t fathom why they would want to celebrate Valentine’s day at preschool.
Now I understand that the school authorities are possibly extending the meaning of Valentine’s day to encompass – friendship, which is okay, I guess. And eventually, I even figured out that they wanted us to make hand-made cards for the other kids; hence the list of names.
But these are toddlers that we are speaking about. It is hard enough to get them to do regular things like – eat, sleep, or stop talking. I can only imagine how much fun it would be dealing with cardboard, and glue, and scissors, around these little ones; especially, MY little one, who pretty much uses most things available to him as weapons to attack me (don’t ask!). Just thinking of it makes me want to take a tranquilizer!
Anyway, after that initial email, I negotiated with the school authorities, to accept ready-made cards, and they agreed, so long as the child personally wrote the names of his/her friends on them. Fair enough, I think. Certainly not an easy task (what’s easy with a toddler, anyway?) with a kid that cannot sit at one place for more than 3 minutes, but so much better than all that crafting, that I am not going to complain.
But I am curious. Have you guys experienced anything like this? Does your child’s school celebrate Valentine’s Day too? I would love to hear your thoughts/experiences.
Beloo Mehra
That’s the power of commercialization for you! Sadly, schools like many other social institutions are becoming – consciously or unconsciously – means to inculcate this commercial tendency in such young minds. Friendship, love, goodwill, harmony – all these great ideals can be inculcated in many other creative ways, and as you rightly say, these things can be and should be done at school. There really is no need to involve parents in making/buying cards etc? Let kids learn about the good ideals in their own way, in age appropriate activities facilitated by the school.
Good luck with negotiating many such things with the school system in the years to come 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah – so needless this is! I am sure I will need all the luck for such negotiations in the future!
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Eli
Never heard of anyone celebrating valentines … this young… Valentines is one thing, friend’s day is something else I think… Bit too early maybe? Anything positive is good, I guess, but the origin of V-day is surely not for toddlers…
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Shanaya Tales
I guess, the origin of V-day, is not for anybody really, but most people are just clueless! 😛
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Vinitha
I know this feeling. I was surprised when my 3-year-old came home with a bunch of V-Day cards. At school, they teach kids to use scissors, so they expect us to do crafts without trouble. But as parents, our fear will never stop. 🙂 Now he makes Valentine’s Day card for me at school. I got one today. 🙂 It will get better as they grow old. 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Awww… that is so sweet. I am sure I will not mind a card from D. #doublestandards 😛
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Mayuri
Wow..V day in a school! I am hearing it for the first time. If u ask me I like the idea of extending the meaning to loving your friends, class mates. But I so sympathise with you. Happy Valentine Day!
Shanaya Tales
I know! The thought is fine, I guess. But it is still so..needless! Nonetheless, hope you had a great V-day! 😀
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Shilpa Garg
Valentine’s Day for toddlers is a new one for me. I think it must be a norm in US, thankfully none of AG’s schools till date have celebrated this day in school. While I am ok with the school authorities celebrating /teaching but this home work for parents is something that I am not ok with. Glad that you found a way to not get attacked at home 😀
Shanaya Tales
Hehehe..yeah – if we have to deal with this – why not make it less of a hassle? 😛
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Arpita
At the age when children should be left to their creativity, imagination and choices, celebrating specific days such as valentines day is funny. Friendship day would still work, even though I may not approve it. There may not be any harm, but it gives a direction to the child’s thoughts. There is anyway enough media to have them exposed to such days/events. They don’t do any such thing at my son’s school, but who knows when they get influenced by other schools and begin these new trends.
Shanaya Tales
True – this is just so..unnecessary! Friendship Day would have been more acceptable.
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Hema
TOddlers and scissors, hmm. I think they mean for moms and dads to do all that homework.
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Shanaya Tales
Yes, of course. But then they expect the toddlers to help (which they would gladly do, especially considering there are scissors involved!) – and that is just a disaster waiting to happen! 😛
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Sreesha
Valentine’s Day for kids? Huh! Who would’ve thought of that…. *strokes imaginary beard in deep thought*
Really, I know what you mean by using everything in sight as a weapon. And I would never dare to keep scissors anywhere he can reach them. He’d run all over the place.
If we forget about the hard work and the logic behind it (and how unnecessary it is), it sounds kinda cute though 😛
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Shanaya Tales
Yes, yes, if we forget about all that – it IS kinda cute. 😛 And once it was over and done with – my son was overjoyed with all the gifts and cards, and candy he received- so I guess, it ended well. Never mind the trauma of going through the process. 😛
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Swathi
My son started daycare yesterday. he is just 5 months old. today, when i dropped him, his teacher gave me a sheet of paper which said that thy are celebrating valentine’s day tomorrow at school. It also mentioned to send 7 gifts and 7 books for other kids. I was like “what on earth”?!
Shanaya Tales
What?! Now that is even more ridiculous! For a 5 month old too?! Sigh.
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richa singh
The intent is good. Execution is flawed. Maybe if they created an activity in which they had to work and let kids understand the theme the impact and essence would have been better 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah, it probably would have worked better that way. But when it was finally over and done with – my son was on a candy high (cause he normally doesn’t get this much candy at once), and happier than I have seen him in weeks, so all’s well that ends well, I guess. 🙂
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Vidya Sury
Hahahah. These days – any excuse to make it an event, Shantala! I am glad you negotiated on the readymade cards! But Valentine’s Day for kids? Tsk Tsk. 🙂 So hilarious! Best thing is, the kids will have no idea and only look forward to the treats! Which is good, I guess!
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah, all in the name of love. 😛 And some candy! 😉
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!
kala
You lucky girl….you escaped! I have been trapped doing all kinds of bizarre craft projects for both my kids, just because of one initial blunder I commited – making a decent chart for my elder one in nursery class. That was it….word got around and I was perenially saturated making charts, props and what-not for years together. Boo-hoo! Valentine for toddlers…hmmph! Loved the cute little froggie with heart!
Shanaya Tales
Hehehe..my sympathies with you. 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!
Minty Mile
Yeah… over hyped the v day has become… just unnecessary…anyway
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Shanaya Tales
Totally unnecessary for kids, yes, but I guess I wouldn’t mind it so much if he did these crafts at school. That is my main grouse, really! 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!
Amanda
Makes no sense… valentines day is hyped up… we already have friendship day… children’s day… why take valentine’s day to friendship say… for toddlers they should have eating day… parents should have a sweet for another kid and the child will share it with his friends… well how about share and joy day… anyway happy valentines day to you have good day with your husband, you deserve it more(: … goodday
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Shanaya Tales
I agree. A no-fuss eating day for kids, and a national nap day for parents – both are so much more needed than Valentine’s day for toddlers!
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!
Shalini
You are kidding, right?
Valentine’s Day for kids!!! Gosh, heights!
Glad that you got away this time 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Hehehe..I had to find a way, and so I did. 😉
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!
Obsessivemom
I remember having Valentine’s Day in school when we were encouraged to make cards for our parents – basically any one we love. I think that’s not such a bad idea. But since I remember it clearly, it must have been way after I was a toddler. With the twins I didn’t mind the crafting since I used to like it, wasn’t good at it but we did lots of it. Folding, drawing, finger painting kind of stuff. Messy but fun and it kept them occupied so I didn’t complain. Don’t worry Shantala – just keep those scissors away.
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Shanaya Tales
Oh yes, I have found a way to keep scissors away – ready-made cards. 😉 Only writing names – that, I can handle! 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!
Tarang Sinha
Hmm…something new. But, it is to encourage activities in toddlers, I guess. Just you need to keep the scissor part with you. Craft activity is good for toddler’s concentration. Recently, I failed to notice my toddler in his school picture where he was colouring the National Flag. I couldn’t believe he, who seldom sits still, would be so engrossed in his work!
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah, I believe it is a bonding exercise, which is good in a way. But why can’t they just do it at school – why include us? I am sure my son is more likely to listen to his teacher about scissor use, over me. I can picture him running around the house with a scissor in one hand and open glue in the other – stuff that my nightmares are made of – actually no – my nightmares are made of him running around with an open permanent marker! 😉
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!
Shailaja
Have you read my Art project post? Your task is tame in comparison 😛 Stop complaining 😉
That being said, I do think some of these things are really weird and ought not to be done at all. Then again, I’m just the parent. My opinion is zilch.
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Shanaya Tales
Hehehe..I have, and I must admit that this is a cake walk compared to THAT. 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!
Rachna
No, thankfully haven’t experienced anything like this in my kids’ school. It is quite senseless to me. What’s the point of all this except for torturing the parents.
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Shanaya Tales
Which is why, I am considering the possibility that this is just an elaborate, evil contraption to torture parents! 😉
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!
Sid
Hehe!
This wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve heard about ‘Valentines Day’ for toddlers – I suppose, it’s just to celebrate the general concept of love. Of course, then again, they don’t have to deal with them running around with scissors and glue 😀
That’s the recipe for a nuclear bomb, right there.
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah, I mean, I am totally cool with them doing this at school, but why should the parents be subjected to it? I am just barely managing the survival stage; had not bargained for this. 😛
Shanaya Tales recently posted…Valentineâs Day for Toddlers! – Why does this exist?!