Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Optional: Prepare to share some games or songs that babies enjoy, such as Pat-a-Cake and Peek-a-Boo. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the floor....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Sheets of natural beeswax, 8 inches wide by 16.5 inches long 15 ply, 1/8-inch diameter, no wire, flat braid wicking, and scissors Scissors Optional: Red ribbon, cut in 12-inch lengths, one piece to decorate each candle Optional: A hair dryer (to wa...

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Prepare to add "I'm a Little Candle" and "Jack, Be Nimble," described below, in honor of candles and candlelight. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Six-inch candles, one for each child Modeling clay, a fist-sized amount for each child Evergreen boughs, cut in 3- to 5-inch lengths, and gardening shears Tiny pine cones, a handful for each child Gold or silver decorations Trays, one for every 3...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr A variety of holiday candle holders, such as an Advent candleholder (4 candles), Swedish...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a story book, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Supplies for a free play activity relating to holiday candles Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the...

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr A crèche with figurines, or a picture of a crèche Preparation for Activity Post the...

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Bells for children to ring Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any posters you have made. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the floor. Play the games and sing the songs....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Construction paper (red and green), cut into strips Tape dispensers A marker Bin for paper recycling Optional: Bells or ribbons, one for each paper chain Optional: Christmas music, and music player Preparation for Activity Calculate how many strips...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: Christmas Makes Me Think by Tony Medina, 2008....

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Circle Rhymes posters Preparation for Activity Display the Circle Rhymes posters from Session 1. Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each week will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle Time.

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a story book, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Supplies for play that relate to Christmas, i.e. crèche figures Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Paper chains (Activity 5) Optional: Envelopes, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy for each child. Bring the "lit" preschool...

Description of Activity In the Chalice Children program, sessions begin with Activity 1, Free Play rather than a formal Opening. The chalice is lit in Activity 3, Circle Time.

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: Welcoming Babies by Margy Burns Knight, 2003. “Every day, everywhere, babies are born. We have many ways to show them we are glad they came into the world.” Hello...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Pictures of baby birds in nests Small boxes, cottage cheese containers, or strawberry cartons, one for each child Nest-making supplies, such as sticks and twigs, straw or dried grass, string and yarn, cotton, hair, and/or dryer lint A permanent mar...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Baby toys and supplies Preparation for Activity Contact a family with a baby and invite them to attend the session, whether for a brief time or for the whole morning....