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 This Session:
This session concentrates on identifying periods of time when a parent cannot be active with his or her children. The group discusses alternate activities that enable the children to have quiet time.

Activity:

• Have children name examples of quiet activities and list these on a board or easel


• Divide children into small groups and send them to stations set up with different activities:
  
  • Books
  
  
  • Finger puppets
  
  
  • Games
  
  
  • Cards
  
  
  • Coloring
  
  
  • Music
  
  
  • Wall shadows
  
  

Story:
Tucking Mommy In

Craft:

• Make an Indian bean game to take home:
  
• Each child should receive these materials:
  
  • A zipper-lock bag
    
  • Seven uncooked navy beans
    
  • An empty six-ounce frozen juice can (with lid removed)
  
  
• Have children draw moon shapes on one side of five navy beans and star shapes on the other side of two navy beans with a marker
  
• Decorate juice can
  

How to Play:

1. Put the beans in the decorated juice can
2. Have each player shake their can and empty the beans on the table or floor
3. For each bean that lands shape-side-up, the player gets points
   • Moon shape is worth one point
   • Star shape is worth three points
4. Each player takes three turns, and the player with the most points wins

Refreshments:
Peanut butter on apples

Session Held:
Any time