Thoughtfulness
Week 12
Sharing (1)
In this block we discover that we are thoughtful; we plan ahead, we are kind to others, we can consider others and act upon it, and we can easily share. To highlight these precious traits, we compare these to specific animals that do not exhibit these traits.
Point to emphasize
I can share, contrary to the hummingbirds that care only for themselves. (Do not emphasize the outward characteristics, since now we’re focusing on thoughtfulness).
Reference
1 Timothy 6:18: “To do good, to be rich in good works, to be ready to distribute, to be ones willing to share”.
Sample content and conversation with children
Let’s watch a clip of some hummingbirds visiting someone’s feeder…
What happened there? [See if children notice that birds are somewhat fighting/not sharing or point it out to them] Look how they react when another bird comes to the feeder!
- They make loud buzz or chirp to attack one another.
- They hover above intruders and then dive straight at them.
- They push one another away!
- If it doesn’t leave, it may chase it off.
- You know hummingbirds are tiny, amazing and even beautiful birds, but did you see how they react? They don’t allow others to come in to the feeder, even though there are other spots free in the bird feeder. They just don’t know how to share like you and me.
- I’m so glad God created us to share. What are some ways you share? Who do you share with? [Get some answers from children] Let’s look at some pictures? What do you see children doing here?
- Let others come and join in playing with us.
- Take turns when playing.
- Exchange toys with our friends and siblings.
- Share our snacks with others.
- Work on things together.
- Sample Story: I recently had to take a trip in a plane, and there was a young man sitting next to me who had only a few cookies that the flight attendant gave upon entering the plane for a LONG trip. Later during the flight, I started eating some extra snacks that I brought for one of my kids. Suddenly I noticed he didn’t have anything else to eat. At first I thought, “I have a long trip, I don’t want to run out of snacks!” But then, I thought: “what if he has nothing else? He will be very hungry. I think we can share some of my food with him”. So I decided to offer some of my cookies to him! He got SO happy! He told me he was starving and that he thought they were going to serve him food on the airplane so he did not eat beforehand! In the end, I had enough snacks for all of us and we were all fed and happy. I CHOSE to share! I’m so glad God created me this way! [Insert your own personal story of a time you or someone shared with you. For example: sharing a snack, taking turns using something]
Suggested songs
I’ll share my toy with you
https://children.churchinanaheim.org/c2l1_06.html
*Substitute the word toy with one syllable words (truck, ball, snack, juice, chips)
I’ll share my toy with you,
That’s what I’ll like to do.
Happily, willingly,
I’ll share my toy with you.
Will you share? Will you share?
https://children.churchinanaheim.org/c5l3_14.html
Suggested crafts/activities/games
A. Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder (craft)
Materials:
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- Birdseed
- Cardboard Rolls (from either toilet paper or paper towels)
- Peanut Butter
- Spatula to spread
- A flat tray
- Hole Punch
- String
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Steps:
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- Punch a hole in the toilet paper roll, and let your child spread the peanut butter onto the toilet paper roll.
- Spread some seed onto a tray and let your child roll the toilet paper roll (now covered in peanut butter) into the birdseed:
- Attach a string and let your child start searching for just the right tree to hang it on!
- Now watch the birds come and share a nice snack with a friend!
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B. Stand up if… (game)
Have children sit in a circle. Then, start by asking kids to choose a characteristic of another person. These characteristics can be as general as hair color, or as specific as a sport they play or a color they like. Then, go around the circle and have each child take turns sharing the characteristic they chose, by saying: “Stand up if [insert characteristic here].” Then, every child who fits that characteristic should stand up. Children can look around the circle and learn about their peers. Examples:
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- Whoever has a sister, stand up
- Whoever has grandma who lives close, stand up
- Whoever likes bananas, stand up
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