Thank goodness, some things never go out of style!
According to a little research on the web, “Sweetheart” candies have been around since 1901. In the past decade the sayings have been updated with phrases such as “TEXT Me” and “LOL.” Although over 100 years old, it’s good to see these little candies alive and well. Here are some adaptations for using them as a springboard for learning.
Learn a Lot with Candy Hearts
Conversation hearts are good to sort, count, read, pattern, add, subtract, and eat!*Estimate how many will be in a bag. Count. Graph the ones that are the same.
Matching Game
Make a game by cutting paper hearts out of construction paper. Write like phrases found on candy hearts (such as “Kiss Me, “Cool One,” “WOW!” “Cutie Pie”) on two of the hearts. Glue one to a file folder and then have children match and read the ones that go together.
Heart Necklace
Let children make their own paper hearts, hole punch them, and then string them to make a necklace. Encourage them to think of their own phrases they would put on candies. (WOW! Trace, write, hole punch, and string - lots of small motor skills!)
Here's a video I did several years ago with Valentine activities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI3Fa5tmqnE