Does hot chocolate take you back to memories of your childhood like it does me? I remember my mom getting out that dented little pan to warm up some milk and make some steamy hot chocolate for us on those cold winter days. She warmed the milk oh so carefully so it wouldn't burn. Then she would squeeze in just enough chocolate to give it taste and if we had some on hand we always added marshmallows!
One of the best things about hot chocolate is the way if feels in your hands! Heck! Half of the experience is just holding the mug and sniffing that rich chocolaty aroma!
I am sharing a sweet little connecting activity with you today that I hope will help you create some warm memories that you will look back on some day with your children and perhaps even carry on for the next generation.
You might like to do this activity with your little ones just before bed or when they get home from school to allow them some time to melt into the warmth of their relationship with you and experience a deep sense of connection and safety. This activity could be easily adapted for use in the classroom with individual students or as a connecting activity for your class as a whole in your Brain Smart Start.
However you decide to do this activity, remember that it is important that it include eye contact, touch, presence, and playfulness. Don't get too caught up in the words or motions, enjoy the time with your child, relax and be present.
Here are the steps to doing the activity:
- Hold your child in your lap.
- Form the shape of a pot with your child's arms.
- Pretend to pour milk into the "pot".
- Holding your child's hands make a stirring motion with your arms as if you are stirring the milk with a big wooden spoon.
- Squeeze your child's arms, hands, legs, or feet to pretend that it is the chocolate syrup squeezing it into the pot.
- Gently poke your child's tummy or cheeks as you add the "marshmallows".
- Wrap your arms snug around your child and give a hug.
- Last, but not least, drink up that yummy hot chocolate as you enjoy smiles and giggles all around!
If you are interested in more developmentally appropriate activities that include hot chocolate be sure to check out my post over on Pre-K and K Sharing. There is another free printable over there that will help you teach your children to take that deep calming breath when they are feeling upset and need to relax.
Go ahead, grab a cup of hot cocoa, print out the poster and put it up on the fridge so you are ready to snuggle in close with your little ones. This is one connecting activity that is sure to warm your hearts!
