Circle:
- Name tags should be available so
each child can create one for himself
or herself upon arrival
- Chairs should be arranged so that
children sit in a circle
- A teddy bear should be placed on
each chair
- The group leader begins the circle
session by welcoming the children
and reviewing the purpose of the
group
- The leader introduces the theme
for the evening
- Each child is asked to introduce
himself or herself, give his or her
age and tell the group who it is
they love who has cancer (mom, dad
or other)
Purpose of
Session:
This session concentrates on the discussion
of friendship. The children are asked
to discuss what friendship means to
them, how friends have things in common
and the friendship we share through
Bear Essentials based on our unique
experiences. This enables us to be
free to share our feelings.
Activity:
String connection:
- While in a circle, one ball of
yarn is unwound and passed randomly
to each child
- Each child then holds their section
of yarn and passes the ball
- Discussion of our special connection
in Bear Essentials is concurrent
with the activity
Story:
Frog
and Toad All Year
Craft:
Leaders should choose:
- Children can make "friendship
bracelets" by stringing beads on
elastic thread, which they can then
give to or trade with their friends.
Suggest to the children that they
write their initials on the beads
so that their friends can remember
who helped make the bracelet
- Children can develop a friendship
album with several pages of paper
bound together. They can draw pictures
of their friends in their friendship
album, and they can collect autographs
of their friends to put in the friendship
album
Refreshments:
Smiley-face cookies Sunshine punch
Session Held:
Any time
