On Valentine’s Day or any day, encourage your child to celebrate friendships and show care for others with creative crafts and acts of kindness. While they craft and create, help children draw the connection between kind behavior and being a good friend. For young children, this might sound like asking, "It's nice to share with friends! Can you please share your blocks?" or saying, "It's nice to help our friends. Let's help our friends clean up before we go home." As older children move past the “playmate” stage of friendship, they begin to form relationships based on mutual interests, support, and trust. Ask your child what they like to do with their friends and what they like to talk about — you might be surprised! At any age, children are eager and playful creators -- expressing care for their friends through art helps them explore and express their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. The most important thing you can do to develop your child’s creativity? Provide plenty of unstructured time, a safe space for exploration, and support without judgment. And join in and have fun!