Session 37: Mother's/Father's Day Part of Chalice Children In This Section Introduction From Chalice Children I who love you shall be near you, all through the night. — from "Sleep, My Child," Hymn 409 in Singing the Living Tradition This session celebrates mothers, fathers, and others who care for the children. The children show their parents and caregivers love and appreciation with a handmade flower... 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: Flower Gifts 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. Do you have a favorite lullaby? Was it sung to you? Have you sung it to children? Bring to mind a tune that you know and love or any beautiful melody which reassures you that all is well.... 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 children with mothers, fathers, and caregivers Preparation for... 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 time you meet will help the children transition smoothly and predictably from free play to... Activity 3: Circle Time From Chalice Children Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Sample Mother's/Father's Day Letter 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 Before the... 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: Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox and Marla Frazee, 2000. Harriet doesn't mean to be pesky. Sometimes she just is. And her mother doesn't mean to lose her... Activity 5: Flower Gifts From Chalice Children Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Flowers and green stems or baby's breath Florist tape and corsage/boutonniere pins Cups or trays of water for children to share, masking tape, and adult scissors markers and crayons 8.5x11-inch paper, color markers or crayons, and heart and/or flow... 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. Prepare to add "Happy Loving Day." Description of Activity Gather in a circle on the floor. Play the games and sing the songs.... 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 From Chalice Children I who love you shall be near you, all through the night. —"Sleep, My Child," Hymn 409 in Singing the Living Tradition IN TODAY'S SESSION... We celebrated Mothers and Fathers today, as well as all those who care for the children, with flowers. We were sensitive to the fact that not all children... Leader Resource 1: Sample Mother's-Father's Day Letter From Chalice Children Dear Chalice Children families, On [day, date], we are offering a Mother's/Father's Day session for the preschool Chalice Children group.... Find Out More From Chalice Children Family Diversity A panorama of family diversity can be seen, and displayed, in the traveling photographic exhibits offered by the Family Diversity Project. More resources for family diversity are provided in the UUA's Tapestry of Faith program for youth, Families. You can browse this curriculum... PREVIOUS: Find Out More UP: Chalice Children NEXT: Introduction Download all of Chalice Children (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.