3 Valentine’s Day Ideas for Toddlers in Speech Therapy
Updated: Aug 25
In this article we will discuss:
We love our kids and Valentines Day just gives us an excuse to show that with chocolate hearts and all things pink and red. So just in time for the holiday, we have some suggestions for you and your child to have fun, loving and language building activities.
The activities below are fun, motivating and usually involve sweets (yum!). Celebrate Valentines Day with a variety of speech and language therapy techniques that are easy to incorporate into your traditions, or build new ones!
1. Valentine’s Sensory Bin:
Foam or felt shaped hearts, pink heart confetti, heart hair clips, real rose buds, pink bows and feathers, and a few chocolate treats buried in a bowl of white rice. Then add any filler and any objects – toys, spoons, strainers, plastic eggs, rakes.
Use the sensory bins for toddlers to help improve their joint attention (playing with me, making eye contact), imitating actions (scooping, shaking, etc), practicing simple verbs (open, close, gimme, take) and vocabulary (heart, spoon, more).
There are some great Valentines Day sensory bin ideas here >
2. Making Cookies for Following Directions
The best holidays involve sweets in some way. For Valentines day you may have thought about making cookies but you might not have thought about making it a language game. Cooking or baking is a great way to help your toddler with improving their listening skills because your child might not already know the steps on their own.
Improve your toddler's speech and language skills
You can set up all the ingredients and give simple, concrete directions for how to do each step. You can try these types of directions depending on how well your child can follow more or less complicated directions:
1 Step Directions:
- give me the egg
- mix the milk
- put the sugar in
2 Step Directions:
- give me the bowl and then get a towel
- first put the sugar in then mix it
3 Step Directions:
- wash your hands, get the bowl, and come to the table
- put in the flower, then mix it, and give me the spoon
More Complex Directions:
- before you pour the milk, put in an egg (child needs to understand the word "before"means pour the milk second even though it's named first)
If your child has trouble, give them a visual cue by showing them with a gesture or give them the item you asked. Incorporate new words and descriptions like “whisk” and “beat” or “fast” and “a long time.” This is a great task not only for bonding with your child but for building vocabulary and listening skills.
3. Reading Valentines Books
Reading books is always a good idea. They are a great way to incorporate new vocabulary and build your child's language and understanding of traditions or routines!
Where is Baby’s Valentine?
We love this book for babies and toddlers who need to work on their speech or language skills. Baby has lost her Valentine’s Day card and you can help her find it! This book is great for working on everyday, common vocabulary (e.g., things around your home), yes/no questions, simple WH-questions (what, where, who) and also prepositions (e.g., “Is it under the table?” or “Show me what is on the table.” or “What is next to the table?”, etc).
Llama Llama I love you
Who doesn't love a llama on Valentines Day!?! This book is good for simple sequencing of events (the steps to making the cards, giving the cards, sending the cards, etc), for verbs or action vocabulary (e.g., cutting, glueing, walking, etc), simple WH-questions and yes/no questions. There are also some rhyming words in this book (though your toddler or preschooler is still a little young for pre-reading and phonemic awareness skills, it’s still beneficial to read books with a variety of concepts).
At Better Speech, we offer online speech therapy services convenient for you and tailored to your child's individual needs. Our services are affordable and effective - get Better Speech now.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should I start worrying about my toddler's speech development?
Most toddlers say their first words around 12 months and use two-word phrases by age 2. If your child is not meeting these milestones, it is worth consulting a speech-language pathologist sooner rather than later. Early intervention makes a significant difference, so trust your instincts and seek an evaluation if something feels off.
Can holiday activities like Valentine's Day crafts really help a toddler in speech therapy?
Absolutely! Themed activities give toddlers a fun, motivating context to practice target sounds and words. Repetition is key in speech therapy, and when a child is engaged and excited, they are more likely to participate and practice. Seasonal activities also introduce new vocabulary naturally, which supports overall language development.
How can I support my toddler's speech goals at home between therapy sessions?
Consistency at home is one of the most powerful tools in a child's progress. Try narrating daily activities, reading together, and using play-based interactions to model target words. Your speech-language pathologist can give you specific strategies tailored to your child's goals, so always ask for a home practice plan after each session.
Does Better Speech offer speech therapy for toddlers, and do they accept insurance?
Yes! Better Speech provides licensed speech-language pathologists who specialize in toddler and early childhood communication. They accept insurance and offer sessions with no waitlist, so your child can get started quickly. Online therapy sessions are flexible and can be conducted in the comfort of your home, which often helps toddlers feel more relaxed.
What should I do if my toddler refuses to participate in speech therapy activities?
Refusal is very common in toddlers, and it does not mean therapy is not working. Try following your child's lead by incorporating their favorite toys or themes, like Valentine's Day characters, into practice. Keeping sessions short, low-pressure, and playful helps build trust over time. Talk to your therapist about adjusting the activity style to better match your child's personality.
About the Author
Aycen Zambuto
I’m a seasoned educator in speech therapy with over six years of experience helping people navigate challenges in communication. Throughout this time, I’ve found joy in guiding individuals through a variety of therapeutic journeys, from toddlers with apraxia to seniors with dysphonia.
I’m passionate about demystifying this complex world of speech therapy and helping readers around the globe achieve clear and effective communication. When I’m not writing about speech, you’ll often find me reading, traveling or spending time with friends and family.
