Activity Minutes Activity 1. Free Play 15 Activity 2. Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: Candle Centerpieces 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Hand-rolled Beeswax Candles 15...

See the blazing Yule before us... — Hymn 235, "Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly," in Singing the Living Tradition The theme of this session is candlelight for winter holidays. Candlelight is a part of many holidays in the wintertime, bringing magic and warmth. The children will make a candle...

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...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0688109616/ref=nosim/getrichslo-… the Christmas Machine: A Complete Guide to Putting Love and Joy Back into the Season is a guide to creating a joyful, stress-free holiday season....

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?

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.

Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. How exhausted do you become at this season? How joyous? How do you find your center? Is it in the simple message of the birth of a baby? Is it spending time with family playing games or sharing some hot cocoa?...

Activity Minutes Activity 1. Free Play 15 Activity 2. Circle Rhymes Transition 5 Activity 3: Circle Time 5 Activity 4: Story 5 Activity 5: How Many Days? Paper Chain 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5...

Each night a child is born is a holy night: a time for singing, a time for wondering, a time for worshipping. — "For So the Children Come," Hymn 1061 in Singing the Journey Regardless of our personal theologies, the Christmas season is a very visible part of the North American culture. This...

See the blazing Yule before us... — Hymn 235, "Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly," in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION... we explored candlelight. Candlelight is shared in many wintertime holidays, bringing a feeling of magic and warmth. The children made a candle centerpiece to...

Each night a child is born is a holy night: a time for singing, a time for wondering, a time for worshipping. — "For So the Children Come," Hymn 1061 in Singing the Journey IN TODAY'S SESSION... we heard the story of Jesus' birth and talked about what happens at Christmas. The children made a...

Strives to teach young children about our faith, provide experiences around the strength of community, everyday wonder and awe, and shared life issues.

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...