Valentine's Day Parties

Posted by Tammy Andrew Feb 3, 2009

Valentine's Day parties, and classroom holiday parties in general, tend to mean more to some students than just a day of sugar and fun. I know several children and families for whom this means challenges.

A few parents have serious objections to some of the characters depicted on the store bought cards due to the nature of the characters or the violence they portray. One even commented to me recently that it is easier to block channels on the TV or sites on the Internet than the card swap at school. One way around this is to return to making cards in the classroom.

Another challenge is for children with food allergies or other food related medical issues. Nut allergies are well known and many schools do not permit nuts in lunches or snacks. Other issues include young children with dental appliances who cannot have anything gooey and sticky and a few children who are highly sensitive to sugar. For these children it is important that the classroom teacher knows about their limitations and that the treats provided at a classroom party involves not only nutritious choices but a variety of options so that all children can participate and enjoy the day.