Session 34: Valentine's Day Part of Chalice Children, in Preschool In This Section Introduction From Chalice Children We are standing on the side of love; hands joined together as hearts beat as one. Emboldened by faith, we dare to proclaim we are standing on the side of love. — Hymn 1014 in Singing the Journey While love has been a theme throughout Chalice Children, the Valentine's Day session is pure love. The... 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: Cards and Love Beads 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. Is Valentine's Day too sentimental for you? Or do you relish the time to express love? Is it problematic at this time in your life? Or is it a celebration?... 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 Valentine's Day Preparation for Activity Make name tags for the... 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: Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli and Paul Yalowitz, 1996. One wintry day, a postman delivers a mysterious package with a big pink bow to a lonely man... Activity 5: Cards and Love Beads From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity For cards: Supplies for making Valentine's Day cards including pink, red, and white construction paper; paper doilies; hearts stickers; color markers; glue sticks, etc. For necklaces: Paper hearts (about 2 inches across), one for each child; yarn;... 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. Plan to add one or more Valentine's Day songs. Learn "Ten Little Valentines" by Mr. Mike online, or "My Valentine Heart" with Miss Tracey. Description of Activity... 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: Valentine's Day From Chalice Children We are standing on the side of love; hands joined together as hearts beat as one. Emboldened by faith, we dare to proclaim we are standing on the side of love. — Hymn 1014 in Singing the Journey IN TODAY'S SESSION... While love has been a theme throughout Chalice Children, the Valentine's Day... Find Out More From Chalice Children In an inspiring videoStanding on the Side of Love, an interfaith public advocacy campaign which in 2010 began the tradition of re-imagining Valentine's Day as a social justice holiday. Read stories of many ways UUs and others stand on the side of love and consider sharing your own story. Find an... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Chalice Children NEXT: Introduction Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.