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Valentine's Day Bible Lessons for Kids

Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to teach children about Christ-like love in a fun and meaningful way. Jesus commands us in John 13:34 to “love one another”. There are many ideas to help kids engage with the topic of love leading up to Valentine’s Day. Be sure to keep reading for ideas of Valentine’s Day crafts, kid-friendly songs, and scripted Bible lessons that help kids understand what real, biblical love looks like. These engaging activities make it easy to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a strong foundation in God’s Word.

WHAT does the bible say ABOUT Love?

The Bible does not explicitly mention Valentine’s Day, as this wasn’t a celebration observed by people in the Old or New Testaments. However, the Bible has a lot to say about love. Here are some prominent themes in the Bible about love:

God loves us.

  • John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

  • Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

  • Psalm 136:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.”

God wants us to love Him.

  • Deuteronomy 6:5 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

    • This Old Testament verse is echoed several times in the New Testament:  Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, and Luke 10:27

  • Joshua 22:5 “Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

God wants us to love other people.

  • John 13:34 “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

  • Matthew 22:39 “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

  • Colossians 3:14 “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together.”

Valentine’s Day Bible Lesson for Kids

Are you looking for a simple way to teach about Valentine’s Day? The story of Jesus giving his disciples a new commandment about love is a great connection. The lessons include lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts.

(Click HERE for the preschool/kindergarten version)

A BIBLE STORY ABOUT LOVE: Jesus Gives His Disciples a New Commandment

In John 13, Jesus is celebrating Passover with his disciples. This is on the night before Jesus went to the cross. Jesus and his disciples were sharing a special meal. We now call this the Last Supper. Jesus knew he would soon leave them, so he wanted to give them one last, very important instruction.​

In John 13:34, he said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”​Jesus explained that when people see how his followers love each other, they will know they belong to him.​

Jesus showed what real love looks like by serving others and by giving his life for us. He wanted his friends and all of us to love others the same way: kindly, unselfishly, and with a caring heart.

HOW DOES THIS STORY CONNECT TO Valentine’s Day? 

Valentine’s Day is all about love, and Jesus wants us to love others.​ Valentine’s Day is when we remind people that we love them. It’s a day to tell our family and friends how much we love them. But Jesus’ kind of love isn’t just for one day. We can show love every day with kind words, helping hands, and caring hearts!

Other Bible Stories about Love

There are many Bible stories about love. Here are a few that could be appropriate to teach leading up to Valentine’s Day:

  • The Good Samaritan, found in Luke 10:25-37, is a beautiful lesson about loving your neighbor as yourself.

  • One of the “Lost Parables”, which includes the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. Each of these teaches us an important lesson about how valuable we are to God. 

  • Ruth and Naomi, found in the book of Ruth, is a story about loyalty, kindness, and love.

  • David and Jonathan, found in 1 Samuel 18-20, is a story about the love shared between friends.

  • Zacchaeus, found in Luke 19:1-10, is a beautiful story about how Jesus’ love can change hearts. 

Valentine’s CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOL - kindness cupcakes

Kindness Cupcakes are a fun printable craft to do with preschool and kindergarten kids.

God’s love is sweet! And cupcakes are sweet! Share about God’s love with this printable kindness cupcake craft from Valentine’s Day Bible Lessons for Preschool.

In this craft, kids will color and cut out the three pieces of their cupcake (wrapper, cupcake, and icing). Then they will use glue to assemble their craft. On each ice cream is a reminder about God’s love for us, including “God made you special”, “You are loved”, and “You are God’s child”.

Then, kids can write their friends’ names on the cards and hand them out as Valentine’s cards! 

Valentine’s CRAFT FOR BIGGER KIDS - kindness coupons

Bigger kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades can make Kindness Coupons.

Planning for acts of kindness can become a fabulous way to help kids think about ways to love and serve those around them. Instead of giving a traditional Valentine’s card, have kids create Kindness Coupons for their family. 

Be sure to brainstorm ideas with kids about various acts of kindness they could do. These might include shovelling the driveway when it snows, setting the table, letting someone else choose the game for family game night, helping to pack lunches for school, or cleaning the toilet.

Then, using the template provided in Valentine’s Day Bible Lesson for Bigger Kids, have kids write their ideas onto their Kindness Coupons. Once they are finished, staple the coupons together so kids can give the coupons to family or friends.


OTHER Valentine’s CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES

  • A Heart Wreath: Check out the Resourceful Mama for a cute heart wreath craft. This craft uses supplies you likely already have on hand and can be a beautiful Valentine’s Day decoration. You could even have kids write phrases or Bible verses, such as "God loves me, “God wants me to love others, or “John 3:16,” on the various hearts as a visual reminder of the Bible’s teachings on love.

  • Fingerprint Art: Macaroni Kid has an easy fingerprint heart craft where kids use a stamp pad (or paint) to create a heart shape with their fingerprints.

  • Love Notes to God: Use any art supplies you already have to decorate cards and write messages to God, thanking Him for His great love.

  • Coffee Filter Sun Catcher Hearts: Use coffee filters and washable markers to create simple sun catchers to hang in the window. For instructions, check out Farm House Mama.


WORSHIP SONG TO CONNECT TO GOD’S GREAT LOVE

Worship songs are a great way to help kids reflect on the goodness of God. We know that God loves us, and He wants us to love others. Many songs remind us of God’s great love for us and His command to show love to others. Here are some suggestions:

Try using the songs above to open your Sunday School lesson, during transition times, or as a way to wrap up your class with worship and celebration. 


Looking for more Bible lessons for kids?

Be sure to check out our 52-week Bible curriculum for both preschoolers and kindergarteners, as well as older children in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grades. These lessons cover stories from the New and Old Testaments, including: Genesis, Moses and the Exodus, the prophets, the life of Jesus, parables, and Jesus’ miracles. 

Father's Day Bible Lesson - Sunday School Ideas for Kids

Celebrate dads and explore faith with a meaningful Father’s Day Bible lesson for Sunday School. This engaging lesson includes the powerful story of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter, helping kids understand what it means to have faith and trust in God. With printable crafts, hands-on activities, and a focus on God as our Heavenly Father, this resource is perfect for teaching kids about love, trust, and the special role of fathers.

Fathers in the Bible

There are many great examples of fathers in the Bible. Though imperfect, these men can teach us important lessons about faith, love, and responsibility.

  • Abraham - Abraham trusted God, even when it meant waiting years for a child or being asked to do something difficult. He reminds us to put faith in God first and trust in the Lord.

  • Noah - Noah followed God’s instructions even when no one else did. He protected his family and modeled obedience in a world full of doubt.

  • Joseph - Joseph cared for Mary and Jesus with humility and quiet strength. He followed God’s direction, even when it was hard or uncertain.

  • The Prodigal Son’s Father - This father welcomed his lost son home with open arms. He models God’s love—patient, forgiving, and ready to embrace his children. He reminds us that strong fathers love without conditions.

Fathers in the Bible teach us that true strength is rooted in faith, love, and humility. Whether protecting their families, praying boldly, or showing grace and forgiveness, these men point us toward the character of our Heavenly Father, who leads, provides, and loves unconditionally.

Grab Your Father’s Day Bible Lessons for Kids!

Lead an engaging Father’s Day lesson on faith with easy print-and-go Bible lessons for kids! Check out our printable crafts, discussion questions, and scripted lesson plans for a Father’s Day that’s easy to prepare and fun for kids 3-8 years old.

(Click HERE for the preschool/kindergarten version)

shop 'father's day' bible lessons on tpt

Lead Father’s Day Lessons with Care

When planning a Father’s Day Sunday School lesson, it’s essential to approach the topic with sensitivity and compassion. While many children are excited to celebrate their dads, others may be grieving the loss of a father, navigating difficult relationships, or growing up without a father figure at home. These holidays can bring up big feelings and may be difficult for some kids.

One way to do this is by shifting the focus from only celebrating earthly dads to highlighting God's love and care as our Heavenly Father. Emphasize that God’s love is constant, strong, and always present, no matter what a child’s family situation looks like.

Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter - A Story for Father’s Day

Jairus, a synagogue leader, begged Jesus to heal his dying daughter. On the way to her, they received news that she had died—but Jesus told Jairus to have faith. When they arrived, Jesus took the girl by the hand and brought her back to life.

Jairus was a synagogue leader, and as such, likely a very respected man in the community. He wasn't a priest or rabbi. His duties were things like administration, caring for the building, organizing worship services, and supervising what happened in the synagogue. He likely wasn't paid to do this. The people chose their leaders.

The fact that Jairus went to Jesus for help was a huge act of faith because many people, especially the religious leaders, did not like Jesus. Jairus loved his daughter so much that he was willing to risk the admiration and respect of others. He had faith in Jesus.

This story shows a father’s deep love and bold faith as he seeks help for his child. It reminds us that fathers who turn to God in times of need are strong examples of trust and care—and that God, our Heavenly Father, hears and responds with compassion.

This Bible story can be found in Mark 5:21-43, Matthew 9:18-26, and Luke 8:40-56.

Crafts to go with the story of Jesus raising Jairus’ Daughter

These simple crafts pair perfectly with the Bible story of Jesus healing the little girl. Each one specifically connects to the theme of faith within the story. Both heart-shaped crafts include statements of faith derived from Mark 5:36: “Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, 'Don’t be afraid; just believe.

Torn Paper Heart

Torn paper Bible craft for preschool and kindergarten.

Kids in preschool and kindergarten will make a simple torn paper heart that reads, “I believe in Jesus”. The template for this craft can be found in the preschool and kindergarten version of the Father’s Day Bible lesson.

Before class begins, cut or tear the construction paper into small squares. Give each child a paper with a heart and ask them to glue the construction paper onto the heart. Layering the pieces can make a neat 3D effect. When they’re done, they can trace the sentence at the bottom of the page.

Stained Glass Window Heart

A hand holds a heart craft infront of a landscape. The text on the heart reads, "I believe in Jesus"

A stained-glass-style paper heart craft for bigger kids.

Bigger kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades will make a colorful semi-transparent heart that displays beautifully in a window.

First, trace a heart onto parchment paper. Using glue, fill the heart with pieces of tissue paper. Then, cut out the heart frame, including the center. You might have to assist with this part. Glue the heart frame on top of the tissue paper heart on the parchment. Trim off any excess. Finally, add the "I believe in Jesus" rectangle somewhere on the front of the heart.

Father’s Day Craft: Whole World Handprint

A printable Father’s Day card for kids in preschool and kindergarten.

Kids in preschool and kindergarten can make a simple earth-themed printable card that says, “You are the best father in the whole world!” After decorating and coloring the card, help kids paint a handprint in the space provided. This special keepsake card is a precious reminder to dads of the little hands in their care. You can find all the handprint cards in Father’s Day Bible Lessons for Preschool and Kindergarten.

(P.S. This lesson also includes a template that says, “You Make the World a Better Place”. This version is perfect for giving to other caregivers or using outside Father’s Day weekend.)

Father’s Day Craft: Toolbox of Love

This printable toolbox craft is for kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades. Each tool has a short prompt to help kids share kind words to their dads.

This printable craft for bigger kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades reminds us that Fathers are a blessing from God. Kids will make a toolbox full of compliments for their dad or caregiver. It’s simple to put together - just cut out the tools, add kind words about dads on each one, and assemble the toolbox using a stapler or glue! This printable craft makes a simple gift for dads that can be assembled quickly! You can find all the pieces in Father’s Day Bible Lessons for Bigger Kids.

(The craft also includes an option that says "Thank You for Loving Me." This version is perfect for alternate caregivers or use outside Father’s Day weekend.)

YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT JESUS HEALING JAIRUS’ DAUGHTER

YouTube can be a great resource for helping visual learners connect better with a story. Here are a couple of suggestions for YouTube videos about Jairus’ miracle. As always, preview all YouTube videos in their entirety before showing them to your kids.

Celebrate dads and explore faith with a meaningful Father’s Day Bible lesson for Sunday School. This engaging lesson includes the powerful story of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter, helping kids understand what it means to have faith and trust in God. With printable crafts, hands-on activities, and a focus on God as our Heavenly Father, this resource is perfect for teaching kids about love, trust, and the special role of fathers.


Looking for more Bible lessons for kids?

Be sure to check out our 52-week Bible curriculum for both preschoolers and kindergarteners, as well as older children in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grades. These lessons cover stories from the New and Old Testaments, including: Genesis, Moses and the Exodus, the prophets, the life of Jesus, parables, and Jesus’ miracles.

Thanksgiving Bible Lesson for Kids

Are you seeking an engaging Bible lesson for kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades this Thanksgiving? Teaching the story of Jesus Healing Ten Lepers is a powerful way to help kids understand the importance of gratitude. This miraculous healing not only shows Jesus' compassion but also highlights the significance of giving thanks, as only one of the ten healed lepers returned to express gratitude. Discover creative ways to teach this story through kid-friendly videos, engaging activities, fun crafts, and lesson plans. These resources will help children grasp the key lessons of thankfulness and the joy of expressing gratitude to God.

The Story of the healing of ten lepers

In Luke 17:11-19 we are told the story of when ten lepers approached Jesus as he was traveling on his way to Jerusalem. Along the road, ten lepers approached Jesus and said, “Jesus, have mercy on us.” Jesus told them to go and present themselves to the priest. As they were walking away, they were healed! Only one of the men returned to thank Jesus, throwing himself at Jesus’ feet with gratitude. 

Thanksgiving Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for an easy way to teach about gratitude this Thanksgiving? Grab a scripted lesson, easy activity, and printable craft perfect for 3-8-year-olds.

(See the preschool/kindergarten version HERE!)

or, shop thanksgiving lessons on tpt

What is Gratitude and Why is it Important? 

Gratitude is feeling thankful and appreciative of the good things in your life. It is taking time to stop and think about things that you can be thankful for, such as physical items, people, and even life circumstances.

The most common way to express gratitude is by saying “thank you” and showing appreciation with your actions. However, showing gratitude for a gift isn’t just saying “thank you; it’s also treating the gift with care.

What the Bible Says About Gratitude

The Bible clearly outlines that gratitude is important. Here are just a few verses:

  • “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

  • “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” Psalm 95:1-2

  • “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV. 

    • God gives good gifts, and He is worthy of our thanks!

brainstorm things to be thankful for

For many kids, the question, “What are you thankful for?” can be quite overwhelming. I suggest breaking it down into categories to help your kids think through all of the blessings in their lives. I like to talk about…

  • People we are thankful for

  • Things in nature that we are thankful for

  • Things in our house that we are thankful for

  • Things in our community that we are thankful for

  • Something we are thankful that we can do

Try writing these down on a piece of paper or adding them to a thankful tree. This particular tree template is a part of this Thanksgiving Lesson for 1st-3rd Grade.


Printable Thankful Craft

After we have brainstormed everything we are thankful for, it’s time for a printable craft! In this craft, kids will cut out the pieces to make a flower. On each petal, they will write (or draw) one thing that they are thankful for. This printable craft is included in both the Preschool/Kindergarten thanksgiving lesson as well as the 1st-3rd grade version.


more activities to build thankfulness and gratitude

  • Sing Songs: There are some awesome songs about giving thanks to God. Here are a few examples:

  • Thank You Cards: Take a moment to write (or draw) a thank you card to God, telling Him all the things you are thankful for

  • Thankfulness Popcorn: Do a quick activity where kids crouch on the ground. Then, they take turns popping up like popcorn and saying something they are thankful for. The beauty of this activity is kids can take multiple turns or stay silent, but it will help them brainstorm ideas.

  • Thankful Journals: Take time to have kids write about or draw pictures of what they are thankful for.

YouTube videos About the Ten Lepers

When teaching the story of Jesus Healing the Ten Lepers, it’s always fun to have a video on hand. These are some of the best video versions available.

Whether it’s at home, in a faith-based school, or Sunday School, thankfulness is such a beautiful concept for kids to learn and the story of the Ten Lepers is a great reminder of the importance of showing gratitude to God.








Getting Ready for Winter Break

The lead up to winter break can be a busy time in any elementary classroom.  Class parties, music concerts, special events, field trips... and actual academic work!  It's a miracle any teacher survives to mid-December.

As winter break approaches, there are so many things to be done.  Crafts to be made, art projects to complete, gifts to plan (depending on if your class celebrates Christmas), and more!  Planning in advance and having winter activities ready to go is key to 'surviving' the holiday hustle.  Here are a few things I like to have ready to go in advance. Remember, don't re-invent the wheel.

Have a Classroom Craft Ready to Go

Tea Light Snowmen Ornaments, a great winter craft. (Photo credit: One Little Project) I absolutely love this snowman ornament craft from One Little Project.  It's adorable and almost fool-proof. Check out her blog for step-by-step instructions and an easy shopping guide for activity prep.  It does take a significant amount of hot-glueing, so my third-grade students completed theirs alongside their older buddies.  It could also be done with a few parent volunteers, or in a single-teacher classroom over a few days at a slower pace.

Be Ready With a No Prep Winter Workbook

The one thing that is certain about the pre-holiday season is that anything can happen.  Your much-anticipated guest speaker could cancel.  Your field trip bus could be two hours late.  The music concert may run way over.  There is always time to fill somewhere! I like to be prepared with some kind of quick winter themed workbook that keeps my students engaged and is available on the fly for any unplanned emergency.  

These Winter and Christmas Themed Workbooks from Poet Prints do the trick every time! 

Elf Yourself For a Little Holiday Fun

Elf Yourself is a web-based movie maker is a quick and fun option to add some holiday cheer to your classroom. It is a free platform from Office Depot and Office Max, so there are some links to both websites on the site, but they aren't too obtrusive.

Turn your students into animated and goofy elves in mini north pole themed movies.  (Note: some movies may be mildly inappropriate for younger audiences or conservatives schools, screen each movie first). 

Do you have any classroom routines or things you like to do before students head off for winter break? Let me know in the comments below! 

Poet Prints Getting Ready for Winter Break
Placing the Focus on Thankfulness this Thanksgiving

Taking the time to study and celebrate Thanksgiving in an elementary classroom is a great way to create an environment of thankfulness.  When students are lead to practice gratitude it can help to build a mindful classroom.

ThankfulBlogPoetPrints.jpg

However, being thankful does not come easy for all.  Whenever I ask my students to brainstorm what they are thankful for, I inevidably get the same three things:my family, my home, food.

Let's be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with these three.  Those are absolutely things that we can, and should, be thankful for.  But I think it can go deeper.  Thankfulness can be more than the 'big three'. It can extend to specific characteristics, qualities, people and the 'little things' in life.  In every season there is always something to be thankful for.  I have taught in both high and low-income schools, and the practice of showing gratitude is not limited to any particular socioeconomic status.

This year, my grade three students were particularly thankful for their Grade Eight Buddies.  I teach in a K-12 school.  My class is both 'big' buddy to a class of Grade One students, and 'little' buddy for a class of Grade Eight students.  Their Grade Eight buddies visit them every second Friday during math, and it is just so welcomed.  Each of my littles gets one-on-one time with someone who can help to coach and encourage them through tricky concepts. It's also a great way to build multi-age friendships in such a diverse campus.

As part of our Thanksgiving unit we wrong Thankful Letters to our Grade Eight buddies.  We got the change to express gratitude for the way they show us patience, and how they faithfully encourage us to keep working hard even when we just don't get it. (Yet!)

In an already jam-packed curriculum, there is hardly any time for seasonal unit study... but I feel like a focus on thanksgiving is just so important.  I make sure that it integrates with my Language Arts outcomes so my students are still meeting provincial standards while also taking time to develop their character.

We follow my  "We Are Thankful" unit on Teachers Pay Teachers:

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It is a Print-and-Go Unit  for First, Second, Third, and Fourth Grades that is Available Here

You won't believe the stories my students come up with for the "How to Escape Thanksgiving" writing lesson:

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How do you celebrate Thanksgiving in your classroom?  Have you ever practiced showing gratitude to another grade, or teacher in your school?  Let me know in the comments below!

How to keep your students thankful this thanksgiving.
Mother's Day in the Classroom

I remember my very first Mother’s Day as a brand-new teacher. I was working at a school in a lower-income area, full of sweet and spirited students. I can still picture myself eagerly prepping for what I thought would be a heartwarming, crafty celebration. I planned a super-cute project—complete with glue, glitter, and a beautiful card titled something like “Why I Love My Mom.”

I waltzed into the classroom the week before Mother’s Day, beaming with excitement, ready to guide my students through what I was sure would be a meaningful activity. I gathered the kids on the carpet and introduced the project with enthusiasm, expecting them to be just as thrilled as I was.

But what I got wasn’t excitement. It was confusion. A few hands shot up, and then came the questions and quiet comments:

  • “What about my stepmom? Can I make something for her instead?”

  • “I only have a foster mom. What do I do?”

  • “I live with my auntie.”

  • “I don’t have a mom… she died last year.”

That moment stopped me in my tracks. It was sobering, to say the least.

What I had envisioned as a joyful celebration quickly turned into one of the most uncomfortable teaching moments of my career. In my rush to plan something “cute and fun,” I had completely overlooked how emotionally complex Mother’s Day can be for many children. I hadn’t paused to think about the wide range of family situations my students were experiencing—many of them far more complicated than I had considered.

Needless to say, the activity didn’t go as planned. I look back on it now as one of those teaching “flops” that sticks with you—not because it was a failure, but because it was a lesson. A real one. For me.

That experience became a turning point. I let it be a teachable moment for myself. I learned that meaningful classroom celebrations need to be inclusive and sensitive, especially when it comes to days like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. I started asking more questions, being more thoughtful, and ensuring that every child could see themselves and their family honored in some way.

This year, we’re doing Mother’s Day flipbooks that are much more inclusive. And yes—dads will be getting their very own versions come June!

The activity still includes drawing a picture of Mom, filling in fun sentence starters about her favorite things, brainstorming adjectives to describe her, and writing a short and heartfelt letter. Fingers crossed that what we end up with is sweet, quirky, and full of those little gems that only kids can come up with.

download the mother's day flipbooks for free
download the father's day flipbooks for free

But here’s the biggest change: I’ve created three versions of the flipbook. One is for moms, another is for stepmoms, and a third is intentionally designed to work for any special person in a child’s life. That could be an aunt, a grandma, a foster mom, a neighbor, or even a mentor.

Because while not every child has a traditional “mom,” every child deserves the chance to express gratitude and connection to the people who love and care for them.

So now, instead of planning blindly, I approach Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) with a different mindset: one that’s flexible, compassionate, and inclusive.

How do you handle days like these in your own classroom? Do you have activities or traditions that help honor different kinds of families? I’d love to hear what you do to make your space welcoming for every child—especially on days that can bring up big feelings.

Let’s keep learning from one another.

Want to use these inclusive Mother’s Day flipbooks in your own classroom? You can download all three versions—for moms, stepmoms, and any special person—for free! Just click below to grab your copy and help every child feel seen and celebrated.

Mother's Day in the Classroom