Session 12: Family Snack Party Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool In This Section Introduction From Chalice Children All kinds of people around the table . . . — "We're Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table," Hymn 407 in Singing the Living Tradition Today, we celebrate our families and demonstrate to the children that there are many kinds of families. The children prepare for a family snack party to follow the worship... 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: Making Snack 15 Activity 6: Circle Games 10 Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Hosting the Family Snack Party 15... Spiritual Preparation From Chalice Children Take time before the session and find a quiet place for reflection. Imagine the world of the preschool child. They often like to be "big" and help with the chores and functions of their family—pushing the stroller by themselves, gathering dishes for a meal, helping with the vacuum, etc. Imagine... 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 Leader Resource 1, Family Snack Party Invitation 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 Adapt Leader Resource 1 to... 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 (Session 1). Description of Activity Using the same songs and chants each time they meet helps the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to Circle... 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 Preparation for Activity Post the chalice-lighting words on the wall near the Circle Time... 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, or from any of the books suggested for in Session 11, Activity 4, Story: Daddy, Papa, and Me by Leslea Newman, 2009. A toddler spends the day with their daddies (the... Activity 5: Making Snack From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Family Snack Party Invitation Snack supplies of your choice, serving plates or bowls, and napkins or small plates Newsprint roll or butcher paper Markers or crayons Hand sanitizer or access to a sink with soap and water Family... Activity 6: Circle Games From Chalice Children 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. 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: Hosting the Family Snack Party From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Prepared snacks, decorated snack table, and chairs for both adults and children Decorated snack table Hand sanitizer or access to hand-washing facilities Family jigsaw puzzle from Session 11 Optional: Digital camera or smartphone Optional: Games... Taking It Home: Family Snack Party From Chalice Children All kinds of people around the table . . . — "We're Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table," Hymn 407 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . we celebrated different kinds of families and prepared for the Family Snack Party. EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER. Share a story together from the... Leader Resource 1: Family Snack Party Invitation From Chalice Children Dear Chalice Children families, We would like to invite your family to join us on Sunday, [month and day], for a Family Snack Party, right after the worship service. Your whole family is invited to come to our room [or designated location] for about 15 minutes to enjoy food prepared by your... Find Out More From Chalice Children The Teach Preschool website offers a simple way to children prepare and serve their own snack. An excerpt from a January 25, 2009 sermon, "http://transientandpermanent.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/open-door-syndrom… Better Angels of Our Nature," by Rev. Jessica Purple Rodela, First Unitarian... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Chalice Children NEXT: Introduction Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.