Happy Valentine's Day! Today we celebrate love of all different kinds. Here is an intervention you can use to practice social skills and spark some wonderful conversations about how we can show other people we care about them and what it means to be a good friend. (Inspired by The Music Therapy Center of California)
Cut out hearts, and label each one with a classic "conversation heart" phrase
On the back of each heart, write out a social skills question, focusing on friendship and how we treat loved ones. Here are some examples
What makes someone a good friend?
How can you help someone when they are sad?
How can you show someone you love them?
What is something you love about yourself?
Who is someone you can talk to if you are upset?
What can you do to be a good friend?
What is an example of a compliment?
Place all hearts in a drum or tambourine
Group members will pass the drum around the room to a Valentine's themed song
Some good options are "All You Need is Love," by the Beatles, "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars, or "True Colors" from Trolls
When the music stops, whoever has the drum will choose a heart and answer the question on the back
Other group members can also chime in with ideas!
While each person has the drum, I also like to give them the opportunity to play a rhythm or "Heartbeat" for the rest of the group to join in on
Other Valentine's Day Interventions to add to this session
Musical Storybook - Snuggle Puppy by Sandra Boynton
ASL and sing along with "Thank You for Being a Friend"
Shakers/Scarf movement along with topical music
"You Are My Sunshine"
"You've Got a Friend in Me"
"Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
Etc.
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