Session 10: Joy in Nature: Animal Play

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of World of Wonder, Grades K-1

In This Section

Introduction
From World of Wonder

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful. — e.e. cummings, 20th-century American poet (Unitarian) Playing helps animals (including humans) learn and practice skills, develop social bonds, and relieve stress. Participants experience the joy of play in a session that demonstrates the…
Session-at-a-Glance
From World of Wonder

Activity Minutes Opening 5 Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game 5 Activity 2: Story — The Way of the Otter 10 Activity 3: Animal Charades 10 Activity 4: Moving Obstacle Course 15 Activity 5: Favorite Games 10 Faith in Action: Toys for a Local Animal Shelter Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Cloud…
Spiritual Preparation
From World of Wonder

Find a place where you can be quiet with your thoughts. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for several minutes, perhaps repeating a word or phrase to separate yourself from the activities of the day. Read Alternate Activity 2, Laughter Yoga. Sit comfortably and pay attention to your body and your…
Opening
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice and LED/battery-operated candle Cloth for altar or centering space Group Covenant (Session 1) Chalice-Lighting Words (Session 1) Leadership Chart (Session 2) Preparation for Activity Select an area where the group can comfortably sit in a…
Activity 1: Earth Ball Name Game
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Inflatable earth ball or globe, available from http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-k…; Preparation for Activity Inflate the earth ball or globe. Description of Activity This activity engages active learners while…
Activity 2: Story - The Way of the Otter
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “The Way of the Otter” A large basket Objects to place in the basket that are related to the story such as a stuffed or plastic otter, some rocks, juggling balls, images of animals at play A chime or rain stick Optional: Fidget Basket (Sessi…
Activity 3: Animal Charades
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Leader Resource 1, Animal Charades Preparation for Activity Designate a large space, preferably outdoors. Description of Activity This activity is a basic game of charades with a twist designed to get everyone laughing….
Activity 4: Moving Obstacle Course
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 15 minutes Preparation for Activity Designate a large space, preferably outdoors. Decide how you will form groups. Prepare a list of physical and verbal obstacles you can suggest to the small groups….
Activity 5: Favorite Games
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Designate a large space, preferably outdoors. Description of Activity Go outside. Let the children pick a favorite game-freeze tag, Simon Says, hide and seek. Make sure everyone knows how to play….
Closing
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity World of Wonder Mural from Session 1 Leader Resource 2, Mural Image — Otters, and tape Closing song lyrics from Session 1 Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Print Leader Resource 2, Mural Image — Otters, preferably in color….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From World of Wonder

Take a few minutes to evaluate the session with your co-leader immediately afterward, while it is fresh. Share your thoughts with any other team leaders and the religious educator. You might find it helpful to consider these questions: Were all children actively engaged? If not, who was not and why?
Faith In Action: Toys for a Local Animal Shelter
From World of Wonder

Materials for Activity Handout 1, Animals Toys from Recycled Materials Toilet paper tubes Clean, used jeans, sweatshirts, fleece items, or old rope Scissors, including left-handed scissors Bags or boxes for finished animal toys Closing Song poster from Session 1 (see Session 1, Leader Resource 4)…
Alternate Activity 1: Cloud Watching
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Drawing paper on clipboards, and crayons or markers Optional: Beach towels Preparation for Activity Select an outdoor area where the children can lie down near one another and see the sky easily….
Alternate Activity 2: Laughter Yoga
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 20 minutes Preparation for Activity Read the Description of Activity, and practice the Laughter Yoga exercises until confident leading this activity. Or, invite a guest leader. Optional: Learn more about teaching Laughter Yoga to children on the…
Alternate Activity 3: Animal Play Videos
From World of Wonder

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Computer with Internet access or a DVD player, and a large monitor or digital projector Video footage of animals playing Preparation for Activity Preview and choose video footage of animals playing. Suggestions from YouTube include this video of…
Taking It Home: Joy in Nature: Animal Play
From World of Wonder

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful. — e.e. cummings, 20th-century IN TODAY’S SESSION… we played! We learned that, through play, animals, including humans, learn new skills, get exercise, relieve stress, and form social bonds. We learned that laughter and joy are very healthy for us…
The Way of the Otter

Julie Simon

From World of Wonder

Daniel firmly grips his paddle and pulls hard against the water. He watches as the paddle tip dives below the surface, then leaves behind a tiny whirlpool as the paddle rises above the water. The kayak glides forward….
Handout 1: Animals Toys from Recycled Materials
From World of Wonder

Braided Dog Toy and Toilet Paper Tube Cat Toy from the Squidoo website. Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Leader Resource 1: Animal Charades
From World of Wonder

ELEPHANT GIRAFFE ANTEATER SQUIRREL MOSQUITO FROG ROOSTER SNAKE TURTLE LION APE LIZARD HUMAN BABY WOODPECKER HIPPOPOTAMUS BUTTERFLY…
Leader Resource 2: Mural Image Otters
From World of Wonder

From the blog, Wonkybusker, by Jessica Ek; used with permission.Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.
Find Out More
From World of Wonder

On the website of the National Institute for Play discover anecdotes, science, and opportunities to engage in play to transform ourselves and our world. The Souls of Animals by Unitarian Universalist minister Gary Kowalski (Stillpoint Publishing, 1991) discusses the spiritual lives of animals. A…