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5 Fun Valentine’s Day Activities to Boost Your Child’s Development

Valentine’s Day is all about love, friendship, and fun! For children younger than age 5, it’s also the perfect time to learn and grow through playful activities. These activities can help your little one build language, fine motor, cognitive, emotional, and social skills — all while having a blast!

Here are five easy and fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day and encourage your child’s development.

Heartfelt Storytime

Reading stories about love and friendship is a great way to build language skills. Ask questions while reading like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How does the character feel?” This helps with listening, vocabulary, and emotional understanding.

Valentine Card Creations

Get crafty by making homemade Valentine’s cards! Provide your child with paper, markers, stickers, and heart-shaped cutouts.

Encourage your child to write or draw something special for friends and family. Cutting and glueing help develop fine motor skills while making cards fosters creativity and empathy.

Cupid’s Color Hunt

Set up a scavenger hunt with red, pink, and purple items around your home. Give clues like, “Find something red that you wear on your feet!”

This activity boosts cognitive skills like problem-solving, color recognition, and following directions. Plus, it’s a fun way to stay active indoors.

Valentine’s Day Dance Party

Put on some upbeat music and have a Valentine’s-themed dance party! You can create a simple dance with heart-shaped props like scarves or paper hearts.

Dancing helps with coordination and balance while following rhythms improves listening skills. Plus, dancing with others supports social interaction and teamwork.

Love Bug Snacks

Get your child involved in making healthy Valentine’s snacks, like heart-shaped fruit kabobs. Use strawberries, bananas, and grapes on small skewers.

Talk about the colors, shapes, and textures as you prepare the snacks together. This activity promotes fine motor skills and language development and encourages healthy eating habits.

These Valentine’s Day activities are fun and help build important skills your child needs to grow and thrive. By spending time together and encouraging your child to explore, create, and play, you give them the best gift of all — love and learning!

Help Me Grow Escambia

At Help Me Grow Escambia, a program of The Arc Gateway funded by Escambia Children’s Trust, we’re dedicated to supporting families through free developmental and behavioral screenings for children ages 0-8. Our team connects families with community resources, provides individualized strategies, and offers early intervention services for children ages 0-5. Whether you’re seeking clarity about your child’s development or proactive support, we’re here to help.

If you have any questions about your child’s development or would like to learn more about our services, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Help Me Grow Escambia.

Connect with a care coordinator through our website at www.helpmegrowescambia.org or give us a call at (850) 434-7755. You can also email us at helpmegrow@arc-gateway.org.

Together, let’s unlock the potential of every child and pave the way for a brighter future.

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Dawn VonStein

Pollak Training Center Program Manager

A native of Pensacola, Dawn VonStein graduated from the University of West Florida with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education.  She began working at The Arc Gateway in 1993 as a support specialist for the Women’s Training Center where she felt she could use her teaching background to help teach daily living skills to the women at the group home. When asked why she has made her career at The Arc Gateway she says it is, “because there are few other places I could work where every day is different, I feel like I’m making a difference in someone’s life, and I am truly loved by those I serve.”

Dondie Roper

PALS Program Director

Dondie is an innovator with more than 15 years’ experience driving results in program management, marketing, and media production. In addition to her studies in Journalism and Communication Arts at the University of West Florida, Dondie has received certification in Nonprofit Management. Dondie is very active in the community serving on board of directors for area nonprofit organizations, secretary/treasurer for UWADA, Loaned Executive with United Way, and volunteer with Special Olympics.

Jennah White

Special Projects Manager

Jennah began her journey with The Arc Gateway in the fall of 2016 as an assistant to Human Resources. During her time with the agency, Jennah has acquired her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology along with a Certificate in Human Resources both from The University of West Florida.  Jennah can be considered a “jack-of-all-trades” thus securing her role as the Special Projects Manager (Office Manager). She also takes an active role in her community as a member of Pensacola Young Professionals.

Níta J Hooks

Senior Adult Program Manager

Níta started working at the Arc Gateway in January 2019 as the Senior Adult Program Manager. She began working in the Developmental Disabilities field in 2015 as a Support Coordinator and has worked as Supportive Living Coach and a QMRP. Níta earned an Associate Degree in Pre-Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling. She also worked as a Licensed Clinical Mental Therapist in Mississippi with all populations. “It is a joy to get up each morning, come into the program and work with such a wonderful group of people who keep me on my toes. I wouldn’t trade this job for anything in the world.”

Amanda Holtzhower

Human Resources Manager

Bio 

Rebecca Baron

Residential & Community Service Director

Rebecca is a Pensacola native who graduated from the University of West Florida with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has been a part of The Arc Gateway team for over 2 decades, starting her career with us in 1997. Rebecca’s first position with The Arc Gateway was a Support Specialist in the Pal/Ace program. From that role she became a Group Home Manager with one of our female group homes, then moved into her current position as Director of Residential and Community services. “I love making a difference in the lives of people we serve and assisting them to achieve their goals and gain skills toward independence.”

MaryAnn Bickerstaff

Children’s Services Director

MaryAnn Bickerstaff began her career at The Arc Gateway in 1986 as an Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist soon after completing an internship with the Pearl Nelson Center’s Early Intervention and Preschool programs at the completion of her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education at the University of West Florida. After working in this role for four years, MaryAnn became the Early Intervention Coordinator and in 1990 assumed the position as Children’s Services Director. During this time, she is proud of the program’s growth and diversity in funding, including grants and fundraising activities, but she is most proud of the impact her team is making in the lives of children every day. MaryAnn is very engaged with community partners and serves on the Board of the Early Learning Coalition and the Operational Support Team of Achieve Escambia among others. MaryAnn is a proud to be a native of Pensacola.

Stephen Rampersad

Chief Advancement Officer

Stephen Rampersad lives in Pace, Florida with his two sons. He’s deeply involved in community advocacy, but cherishes the role of fatherhood above all else. Stephen’s commitment to community engagement shines through various roles such as Chief Advancement Officer at The Arc Gateway, Board President of Hope Above Fear, and Ambassador for the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. When he’s not busy with his professional responsibilities, Stephen enjoys spending quality time with his family and finding peace in the tranquility of fishing. He values life’s simple pleasures and approaches each day with gratitude.

Larry Love

Chief Financial Officer

Larry Love is an accomplished professional with a diverse background that spans multi-national corporations to locally owned businesses. Growing up in Georgia, Larry attended LaGrange College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy. After several years in public accounting in Atlanta and determined to further his expertise, Larry pursued a Master of Business Administration at the University of West Florida, graduating in 2010. Over the years, he has honed his skills in accounting, finance, and operations across various industries,

including manufacturing, non-profit organizations, consulting, and hospitality. In addition to his professional endeavors, Larry is committed to community service and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the WSRE-TV Foundation (PBS). He resides in Pensacola with his partner, Schyler, and their adorable Chihuahua mix, Alexis Rose.

Cathy Lauterbach

Chief Operating Officer

Cathy Lauterbach has shared her talent with The Arc Gateway for over two decades. A California native, Cathy obtained a bachelor’s degree in management from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California. She began her employment with the agency in 1995 as an employment specialist. From that role, she became the program manager at the Pollak Training Center before moving into the position as director of Residential and Community Services, and now her position as COO overseeing adult programs at The Arc Gateway.

Melissa Rogers

Chief Executive Officer

Missy has been working in the field of developmental disabilities since 1997.  Throughout her career she has performed in a variety of roles including direct care, case management, fundraising and administration.  Her extensive knowledge base and experience allows her a unique perspective and understanding of issues facing the disabled community.  Missy’s passion and dedication can be felt in her decision-making process as she always puts the best interests of those being served by the agency first.  In her spare time, she can be seen acting with a local dinner theater acting troupe. Missy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Elon University in North Carolina and is originally from Virginia.