Activity 3: Circle Time
Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool
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 area.
Description of Activity
Bring the chalice into the circle, either on the floor or on a small table or stand. Say, in these words or your own:
Welcome to Circle Time! First we light our chalice.
Point out where your chalice-lighting words are displayed. Say your chalice-lighting words as you "light" the chalice:
We light this chalice for the warmth of love, the light of truth, and the energy of action.
Say, in these words or your own:
Now we share our names and feelings. How are each of you feeling today? We will go around the circle and each say our name and point to how we're feeling today on the Feelings Chart [Feelings Flashcard]. If you would rather not share today, you may say, "No, thank you."
Once everyone who wishes to has shared, say, in these words or your own:
For all the feelings that we feel today, we know that we have our friends, our families, and our church [congregational] family to share them with.
Introduce today's theme, in these words or your own:
Church [Our congregation] is a place to wonder and ask questions. Do you ever wonder about the stars?
Invite the children to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" with you. Then say, in these words or your own:
Can you guess how many stars there are? No one knows for sure, but we know there are a lot! When I look at the stars, I feel so small. How do you feel? What are some times when you have looked at the stars? [Pause for comments and responses.] The stars are very beautiful in the night. We gaze at stars to help us feel the wonder of all things. Today we are going to draw a very special constellation, which is a big group of stars that form a pattern in the sky. But first, let's read a story about stars!
Including All Participants
If any child has mobility challenges, you could hold your circle activities in a circle of chairs to make it easier to include a wheelchair or for a child to sit while wearing leg braces.