Valentine’s Day = Speech, Language & Learning Opportunities

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about candy and cards
it’s full of opportunities to build speech, language, and thinking skills.

With a few simple shifts, everyday Valentine activities can support:

  • Speech sound development

  • Language growth

  • Social connection

  • Cognitive skills like memory, sequencing, and problem-solving

How to build language:

  • Talk about who the card is for and why

  • Model phrases like:

    • “This is for ___.”

    • “I like this one because ___.”

  • Ask open-ended questions:

    • “How do you think they’ll feel?”

    • “What do you notice on this card?”

Skills supported:
Expressive language • Social language • Emotional vocabulary

💌 Valentine Cards

What kids already do:
Sign names, hand out cards, look at pictures

🍓 Candy & Treats

What kids already do:
Sort, choose, eat (very motivating 😉)

How to build learning:

  • Offer choices instead of yes/no:

    • “Do you want the heart or the circle?”

  • Compare:

    • big vs. small

    • same vs. different

  • Count pieces or group by color or type and then count how many of each you have

  • Take candy hearts and read them a loud

Skills supported:
Vocabulary • Early math • Cognitive flexibility • Speech clarity through repetition

🎁 Goodie Bags & Gifts

What kids already do:
Open, explore, get excited

How to build language:

  • Describe what’s inside:

    • “It’s soft. It’s pink. It’s soft AND pink!”

    • “It’s shaped like a heart and it’s red. It’s a red heart!”

  • Practice sequencing:

    • “First we open it, then we look, then we share.”

Skills supported:
Descriptive language • Sequencing • Memory

💖 Feelings & Social Connection

Valentine’s Day is a great time to talk about:

  • Love

  • Kindness

  • Friendship

  • Giving

Try prompts like:

  • “How do you feel when someone gives you a Valentine?”

  • “How do you think they felt when you gave it to them?”

Skills supported:
Social-emotional language • Perspective-taking • Conversation skills

The biggest tip: it’s not about more — it’s about intention 💡

You don’t need:
❌ Flashcards
❌ Long activities
❌ Perfect speech

You do need:
✔️ Repetition
✔️ Simple models
✔️ Following your child’s lead

Even 1–2 minutes of intentional interaction makes a difference.

Want more playful speech & language ideas?

I’m Angie Mazanetz, MS CCC-SLP, owner of
Miss Angie’s Say & Play Speech & Language Therapy.

I help families learn how to:

  • Turn everyday moments into learning

  • Support speech and language naturally

  • Build confidence without pressure

👉 Ready to keep learning?

Follow along for more holiday-based speech & language tips
or
Reach out if you’re curious about screenings or services