Shaking and Sharing: A Valentine’s Song for Your Child

If any of you have been around a two year old, you have probably heard the words, “That’s Mine!!!”

Sharing is a concept that can be difficult to understand for these little people (even for some big people I know) but it’s never to early to model how to be a friend.

What better month than February to teach your kids how to be  friendly with a holiday like Valentine’s Day? (Check out the friendship bracelets and song from last year here. )  I have invited Bee  back to help us learn how to share with a little song she wrote called, “The Switching Song.”

But before we sing- let’s get an idea of how to make some Valentine’s shakers with your little ones that they can shake and share!

The easiest option for me were the already made shakers I found at Target for only ONE dollar! It is an easy instrument that can be decorated easily with stickers and great for younger children with small attention spans.

Another idea is making your own shaker by taking a bottle you have at home and filling it with anything that makes a cool sound.

We have been using a lot of glitter over here so, I chose to use glitter and small hearts and lips that I got from a craft store to fill up the bottle.

We had fun making several variations and listening to their sounds.

Before I share with you a few additional ideas- let’s have you take a listen to “The Switching Song.”

Remember, you may have to explain to your child that they will each play their instrument until Bee sings the phrase,  ”Will you switch with me please?”  Then they are to switch with another person. If they are younger, it  may take a few times to figure out- especially if they are attached to whatever they are switching. Let them know they will get it back eventually at the end of the song. I also love that she reminds us to say “thank you and please” which are also great friendly words that kids can use with their friends!

Wasn’t that fun? It will be in your head for the rest of the day guaranteed.

Okay, back to additional shaker ideas:

I also found these heart ornaments at a craft store and thought they would be perfect to for Valentines so we filled them with glitter and hearts. Be aware that this needs to be superglued together!

Additional items you can put in your shakers are slips of paper with what you like about the other person. It helps children think about complimenting others and also increases self-worth when they know the things someone else loves about them.

Remember that you are your child’s best example. If we can model being friendly then they are more likely going to do that on their own. A little practice doesn’t hurt so listen to this song over and over!

Try it out with your child and let me know what you think!

For more parenting ideas visit me at: weedstowishes.com 

xo

Cristi

Cristi: Mommy by day, family counselor, photographer, blogger, and fashionista by night. She’s in love with her extremely supportive husband and her busy toddler whom she likes to call “little man.” She admits to having an obsession with mint oreos and cake batter ice cream. You can find more of her on her fashion blog: www.trulymodlydeeply.com or her parenting blog: www.weedstowishes.com.

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