Session 37: Mother's/Father's Day

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

I who love you shall be near you, all through the night. — from “Sleep, My Child,” Hymn 409 in Singing the Living Tradition This session celebrates mothers, fathers, and others who care for the children. The children show their parents and caregivers love and appreciation with a handmade flower…
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: Flower Gifts 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5…
Spiritual Preparation
From Chalice Children

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Do you have a favorite lullaby? Was it sung to you? Have you sung it to children? Bring to mind a tune that you know and love or any beautiful melody which reassures you that all is well….
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 storybook, manipulatives, dramatic play props, and markers and paper Supplies for a free play activity relating to children with mothers, fathers, and caregivers Preparation for…
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 time you meet will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to…
Activity 3: Circle Time
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Sample Mother’s/Father’s Day Letter Chalice-lighting words, written on newsprint Chalice with tea light flame or other preschool chalice option Feelings Chart or Feelings Flashcards by Todd Parr Preparation for Activity Before the…
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: Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox and Marla Frazee, 2000. Harriet doesn’t mean to be pesky. Sometimes she just is. And her mother doesn’t mean to lose her…
Activity 5: Flower Gifts
From Chalice Children

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Flowers and green stems or baby’s breath Florist tape and corsage/boutonniere pins Cups or trays of water for children to share, masking tape, and adult scissors markers and crayons 8.5x11-inch paper, color markers or crayons, and heart and/or flow…
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. Prepare to add “Happy Loving Day.” Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the floor. Play the games and sing the songs….
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-leaders: How do we feel about what went on during this session? Why? What was the best part of this session? Why? What preparations do we need to make for the next session?
Taking It Home: Mother's/Father's Day
From Chalice Children

I who love you shall be near you, all through the night. —”Sleep, My Child,” Hymn 409 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY’S SESSION… We celebrated Mothers and Fathers today, as well as all those who care for the children, with flowers. We were sensitive to the fact that not all children…
Leader Resource 1: Sample Mother's-Father's Day Letter
From Chalice Children

Dear Chalice Children families, On [day, date], we are offering a Mother’s/Father’s Day session for the preschool Chalice Children group….
Find Out More
From Chalice Children

Family Diversity A panorama of family diversity can be seen, and displayed, in the traveling photographic exhibits offered by the Family Diversity Project. More resources for family diversity are provided in the UUA’s Tapestry of Faith program for youth, Families. You can browse this curriculum…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Session 37: Mother's/Father's Day

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