"The Kissing Hand" has a text to text connection to the book "Guess How Much I Love You?" Recognizing the importance of the security that comes from knowing you are loved can see a child through tough days and give them confidence to try things they would otherwise avoid, such as venturing off to school or to bed on one's own.
Summary: "The Kissing Hand" is written by Audrey Penn and is about a little raccoon who doesn't want to go to school and prefers to stay with his. home, friends, toys, books and swing. His mother teaches him to do things we don't want to do even if strange and scary at first. She shares a secret to make it all smooth. She opened his left hand, spread open his tiny fingers into a fan and kissed his palm, making sure he felt it and saying it was a reminder that mommy loves him which should fill him with toasty warm thoughts. She wrapped his fingers in a kiss and promised it would stick when he washed his hands. He gave a kiss back and they said goodbye and I love you, each going their own way, secure in the knowledge that they are loved and carry their loved ones with them wherever they go.
It is a good discussion starter about having courage to do hard things and about understanding that you are not alone even when you are alone because you carry the love of others with you. This love cannot be washed away and should bring you warm thoughts/comfort when you feel insecure.
You can extend it as a basis to talk about starting school or about being okay to go to bed on your own. You can read it to talk about a mother's love. You can use it to talk about raccoon families and be curious about raccoons going to school at night. Is it true?
Think about what other techniques you can use instead of kissing a hand to get the same impact. Some people choose the moon or a star in the sky visible from anywhere in the world. A note in a lunch or an item of jewelry or a parent's key ring on a backpack are other suggestions but run the risk of being lost. The beauty of the kiss was that it could not be taken away. Maybe a high five or a pat on the back, a special cheer or handshake just between the two of you would be appropriate for any adult to use to communicate connection and presence even when just remembered by the child. The book is meant to inspire you to find your own way to convey your love, warmth and presence to provide security for when the child in your life faces uncomfortable moments. Be creative to think about what would be meaningful to your child. Perhaps you can share your ideas here to encourage others with additional suggestions.
Activities:
Trace out their hand and put either a heart or a kiss in the middle.
Research nocturnal animals such as raccoons.
Work on the R sound for Raccoon or on lip puckering to make kissy noises.
Work on the /and/ word family beginning with the word 'hand'. (band, land, sand, stand)
Look for animal tracks and see if you can identify the pawprint of a raccoon's hand.
Create your own 'ritual'. A kiss, a cheer or another method special between you and the child.
Reading this story and making connections to your own life, listening to their ideas, discussing them and using them to inspire you are ways The Kissing Hand can be used to build up many skills. It is the power of a book at work in the lives of people who read them. Enjoy!
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