As parents, we often find ourselves caught off guard by our children’s seemingly simple questions. Last week, as my 7-year-old spotted heart-shaped decorations in shop windows, he tugged at my sleeve and asked, “Mom , what’s Valentine’s Day?” For a moment, I stood there, realizing that explaining this love-filled holiday to a child requires a special kind of simplicity that textbooks don’t teach us.
If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, fumbling for the right words to explain Valentine’s Day to your little one, you’re not alone. After some thought (and a few amusing attempts), I found a way to break it down into something that made perfect sense to my young audience.
Here’s how you can explain this heart-filled holiday to your curious child, keeping it both meaningful and age-appropriate.
Introducing St. Valentine
Think of Saint Valentine as a real-life superhero from a very long time ago – almost 2,000 years! He lived in a place called Rome, and he was known for being incredibly kind and brave. He was a priest (like a teacher of love and kindness) who believed everyone should be able to show their love and care for each other.
Back then, there was a not-so-nice ruler who didn’t want young soldiers to get married because he thought it would distract them from their duties. But Saint Valentine thought this wasn’t fair. He secretly helped couples get married because he believed love was one of the most important things in the world. He would perform secret wedding ceremonies and write beautiful letters encouraging people to care for one another.
When the ruler found out what Saint Valentine was doing, he wasn’t happy. Even though Saint Valentine got in trouble for helping people, he never stopped believing in the power of love and kindness. He even wrote caring letters to his friends from prison, signing them “From your Valentine” – and that’s where we get the tradition of sending Valentine’s cards!
The church made him a saint because of his kindness and bravery in standing up for love. That’s why we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14th, the day that honors his memory.
Just like Saint Valentine, we use this day to show courage in expressing our love and appreciation for others – whether it’s by making cards, giving hugs, or doing kind deed.
Explaining Valentine’s Day to children using family examples
Valentine’s Day is like a special friendship and kindness day! It’s when we take extra time to tell the people in our lives – like family, friends, and teachers – that we care about them. Think of it as a big, warm hug turned into a holiday!
You know how you make special drawings for Grandma because you love her? Or how you share your favorite snack with your best friend at school? Valentine’s Day is just like that, but everyone does it on the same day – February 14th!
People celebrate by:
- Making handmade cards (we call them Valentines) with hearts and sweet messages
- Giving small gifts like candy or flowers to show they care
- Doing kind things for others, like helping Mom with dishes or giving Dad an extra big hug
- Wearing red or pink colors to join in the fun
- Sharing treats with classmates and making everyone feel special
You see, a very long time ago, there was a kind person named Saint Valentine who loved helping others and spreading happiness. People loved this idea so much that they decided to create a special day to remind everyone to be extra kind and loving to each other.
Remember how happy you feel when someone does something nice for you? Valentine’s Day is about spreading that happy feeling to everyone around us. It’s not just about romantic love like in grown-up movies – it’s about all the different ways we can show people we care, just like how you care about your teddy bear, your baby sister, or your best friend from school.
So, dear parents, the next time your little one asks about Valentine’s Day, remember that it’s an opportunity to teach them about the purest forms of love – kindness, friendship, and caring for others. Whether they’re making heart-shaped cards, sharing cookies with classmates, or simply giving extra hugs to family members, they’re carrying forward Saint Valentine’s beautiful message of spreading love and joy.
Let’s encourage our children to celebrate love not just on February 14th, but every day of the year. After all, seeing the world through their innocent eyes reminds us that love really is as simple as a crayon-drawn heart or a spontaneous hug.
Wishing you and your little ones a Valentine’s Day filled with giggles, crafts, and precious moments of connection.
With love and warm wishes,
– Anita Senior Parenting Contributor The Educated Times
P.S. How did you explain Valentine’s Day to your little ones? Share your stories in the comments below – I’d love to hear them!