Try these ideas for at-home activities with your young kids to nurture relationships.
For many, Valentine’s Day means cards, candy and celebrations of romantic love. While those traditions are fun, let’s talk about a different, but equally important, kind of love: family love.
The everyday bonds we build with our young children set the foundation for future, healthy relationships with us and others. Love isn’t something we just say to young children — we show it through consistency, connection and play. This is especially true in the early years, from birth to age 5, when children are developing rapidly.
During these years, children are learning how to trust, navigate emotions and interact with those around them. Take time to nurture these skills at home, in the simple moments woven into your daily life.
First 5 Orange County created some easy relationship-building activities called Kid Builders, a collection of free, simple activities expertly designed to support young children’s health and development. Kid Builders promotes growth in six essential areas: mind, body, words, relationships, safety and health. Each activity has been developed by early childhood experts, with input from parents, and reviewed by the Orange County chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
This Valentine’s Day season, the Relationship Builder activities are an excellent place to start. These activities create meaningful moments for caregivers and children to connect, strengthening their bond while helping little ones build confidence, understand big feelings and learn how to play well with others.
The activities are organized by age, including baby, 1-year-old, 2-year-old, 3-year-old and 4/5-year-old activities. For babies, the activities focus on bonding and responsiveness. Simple ideas like talking, singing, making faces and responding to a baby’s cues build trust and emotional security.
For 1-year-olds, the activities encourage imitation, simple turn-taking and shared play. These experiences help young children begin to understand social exchanges and build confidence.
At 2 years old, children are learning to assert independence while still needing reassurance. One simple Relationship Builder activity for 2-year-olds is called “Here’s What We Did Today.” Take a few minutes at the end of the day to talk with your child about what happened that day, from waking up and getting dressed to meals, playtime and bedtime. These moments of reflection make children feel important and loved, while supporting early learning in a way that fits seamlessly into family routine.
For 3-year-olds, the activities expand to include cooperative play, imagination building and practicing empathy. By 4 and 5 years old, children are building more complex social skills. “I Am Listening,” a Relationship Builder for those entering preschool and kindergarten, centers on the simple but powerful act of listening. When caregivers give a child their full attention, children learn that their ideas, thoughts and feelings matter. Making eye contact, asking open-ended questions and responding thoughtfully make all the difference.
Kid Builders activities are easy to understand, and most don’t require special materials or a lot of time. In the midst of Valentine’s Day, take a moment to celebrate and reflect on the love you foster with your family every day. Every warm response, engaging playtime and moment of connection makes your child feel safe and supported, helping to grow stronger relationships now and in the future.
Find more Kid Builders activities at https://first5oc.org/kid-builders.
Lisa Burke is vice president of Learning and Community Engagement for First 5 Orange County.
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