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 Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a few blank na...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: The Family Book by Todd Parr, 2010. The Family Book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags and markers Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, story books, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a f...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham, 2008. In a city full of hurried people, only young Will notices the bird lying hurt on the ground. The Lion and the Mouse by...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags and markers Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, story books, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a f...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: It’s OK to Be Different by Todd Parr, 2009. It’s also okay to need some help. It’s Okay to Be Different cleverly delivers the important messages of acceptance,...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags and markers Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a story book, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Optional: Props that acknowledge differences, such as multicultural dolls, child-size crutches that...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: That’s Not a Daffodil! by Elizabeth Honey, 2011. When Tom’s neighbor Mr. Yilmaz gives him a brown bulb, Tom can’t believe it will grow into a flower. “That’s...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags and markers Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, story books, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Bean seeds spread on a tray, surrounded by paper, crayons, and markers Preparation for Activity Make...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, The Flaming Chalice Optional: Story book Preparation for Activity Using Leader Resource 1, practice telling the brief story of the flaming chalice in your own words....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags and markers Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, story books, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a f...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Name tags and markers Variety of free play options, such as toys, a puzzle, a story book, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a ...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from these suggestions: All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan (1994). Told in the voice of a child who lives on a farm with his parents and grandparents, the child introduces readers to the...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Optional: Tour rope (a rope with a loop for each child to hold on to) Optional: Piece of bread, some birdseed, or other food for a bird or animal Optional: Camera or smartphone Optional: Story book Preparation for Activity Explore the outside of yo...

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 Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a marker and a...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Optional: Leader Resource 1, A House Blessing Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions and adapt the text as needed for the congregational setting: Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins (2011)....

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 Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a few extra bl...

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story book Preparation for Activity Choose a story from the following suggestions: Keep Love in Your Heart, Little One by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Clara Vulliamy (2007). "It's the only sure way to be happy, The only sure way to be free....

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 Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you are expecting and set these out with a few extra bl...

Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the games and songs. Display any Circle Games posters you have made. Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the floor. Play the games and sing the songs. Keep the pace brisk to help the children stay focused.