Valentine's Day is Coming

"Valentine's Day is Coming" is a modern classroom chant, not an old nursery rhyme, the kind of seasonal song teachers make up to mark the calendar. Children often pass a paper heart around the circle as they sing, racing to hand it on before the verse ends.

How is the rhyme used in classrooms?

Teachers often pair the chant with clapping games or use it as a circle-time activity, passing a paper heart around the group while reciting the words. The rhyme becomes a simple timing game where children must pass the heart before the verse ends, adding an element of excitement and anticipation to the activity.

Because the lyrics are flexible, classes frequently substitute their own names or motions, keeping the Valentine theme light and playful. Some teachers use it as a springboard for craft activities, having children make their own valentines after singing the rhyme.

What is the history of the modern classroom Valentine tradition?

The tradition of exchanging valentines in schools dates back to the early 20th century in America, when mass-produced valentine cards became affordable enough for children to give one to every classmate. By the mid-century, the classroom valentine exchange had become a fixture of the school calendar in many English-speaking countries.

Rhymes and songs about Valentine's Day grew alongside this tradition. Teachers needed simple, age-appropriate verses that captured the spirit of the holiday (friendship, kindness, and caring for others) without the romantic overtones of adult Valentine's Day celebrations.

Why are seasonal rhymes important in early education?

Seasonal rhymes like "Valentine's Day is Coming" serve several purposes in early years classrooms. They help children understand the passage of time and the rhythm of the calendar year. They provide opportunities for group participation, building social skills and a sense of community. And they connect classroom learning to the wider world outside school.

The simplicity of these rhymes is deliberate. Young children thrive on repetition and predictability, and a short, catchy verse that returns each February gives them something familiar to look forward to, a small ritual that helps mark the seasons and brings the class together.