Session 22: Imagination Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool In This Section Introduction From Chalice Children I seek the wonder of a child, a child who sees delightfully, now clowns in cloud, now gold in sun—imaginations true and free. — "I Seek the Spirit of a Child," Hymn 338 in Singing the Living Tradition Unitarian artist Arthur Lismer once said, "Art is a way of life, a release for spiritual forces... 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: Imagination Art 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. Explore the craft materials you will use in this session. How do they work? What does playing with them feel like? When was the last time you played with modeling clay or paints? Do you—or would you—enjoy the freedom to make... 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 Additional items to engage children's imaginations Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the children you ... 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 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: Journey by Aaron Becker, 2013. In this picture book, a lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and escapes through it into a world where wonder, adventure,... Activity 5: Imagination Art From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity For sculpture: Modeling clay, in different colors, a fist-sized ball for each child; plastic sandwich bags, one for each child; and a permanent marker For Rorschach painting: Newspaper to cover work tables; tempera paint, two colors; dishes for pai... Activity 6: Circle Games From Chalice Children Activity time: 10 minutes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the Circle Games and songs from previous sessions and the new songs and games suggested for this session. Learn how to use "… songs" in Chapter 6 of the Tapestry of Faith resource "Making Music Live," by Nick Page. One... Closing From Chalice Children Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Taking It Home handout Markers or crayons Preschool chalice Optional: Envelope, hole punch, and yarn or ribbon Preparation for Activity Download and adapt Taking It Home and copy for each child. Bring the "lit" preschool chalice to the activity table. 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? Taking It Home: Imagination From Chalice Children I seek the wonder of a child, a child who sees delightfully, now clowns in cloud, now gold in sun—imaginations true and free. — "I Seek the Spirit of a Child," Hymn 338 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION . . . the theme was "imagination." Unitarian artist Arthur Lismer once said,... Find Out More From Chalice Children Check out "Research Uncovers How and Where Imagination Occurs In the Brain" by Carolyn Gregoire, posted on HuffPost, September 17, 2013. ... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Chalice Children NEXT: Introduction Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.