Session 15: Babies

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

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool

In This Section

Introduction
From Chalice Children

Sleep, my child and peace attend you, all through the night. I who love you shall be near you, all through the night. — “Sleep, My Child,” Hymn 409 in Singing the Living Tradition Sophia L. Fahs identifies the discovery of one’s own birth as one of 12 main types of experiences that are connected…
Session-at-a-Glance
From Chalice Children

Activity Minutes Activity 1: Free Play 15 Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: A Visit from a Baby 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Making a Bird Nest 15…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. How long has it been since you were a baby, cradled in a parent’s arms? Each of us holds that beginning within us. Bring to mind some of the people around you. Imagine the baby and child that they used to be….
Opening
From Chalice Children

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 1: Free Play
From Chalice Children

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 Gather a variety of baby-related items, such as baby stuffed animals, diapers, baby…
Activity 2: Circle Rhymes Transition
From Chalice Children

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 3: Circle Time
From Chalice Children

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 Flowers, one for each child plus some extra Slips of paper, one for each child plus some…
Activity 4: Story
From Chalice Children

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 5: A Visit from a Baby
From Chalice Children

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….
Activity 6: Circle Games
From Chalice Children

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….
Closing
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelopes, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and make a copy for each child….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Chalice Children

Reflect on these questions and discuss them with your co-leader: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparation do we need for the next session?
Alternate Activity 1: Making a Bird Nest
From Chalice Children

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…
Taking It Home: Babies
From Chalice Children

Sleep, my child and peace attend you, all through the night. I who love you shall be near you, all through the night. — “Sleep, My Child,” Hymn 409 from Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY’S SESSION … we talked about babies! Sophia L. Fahs identifies the discovery of one’s own birth as one…
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

Check out the “Ceremony of Child Dedication” by Kate Howard on the UUA website. Consider this blog post by John Halstead, Dedication and Second Thoughts on Unitarian Universalism,” The Allergic Pagan blog, August 7, 2012.

Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 15: Babies

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