Prayer

I have not included prayer ideas, I am aware that each person has their own ways of praying and please to so. It can be a great idea if prayers are creative and active, and relate to the story or theme in activity e.g. adding stars to a black piece of fabric for each child as prayers are said to help us be God's kingdom on earth or thanking for each child relating to God's promise to Abraham. Or they can be very simple with children identifying prayers they want said or saying prayers their selves.

Prayer shouldn't be told to pray but invited to throughout their actions, in creative prayers or if they wish to verbally. If you are suggesting written prayers always offer space to draw and be mindful of literacy difficulties. If children do not wish to engage in prayer, don't make a big deal about it, simply ask that they allow others to and support them to do so.

There are resources  available in the cupboard out side of green room middlish shelves - left hand side of right side of cupboard. These are a few examples

Hands to place prayer requests in

Globe to point to/ stick prayers to

Hang drawn/ written prayers on or leaders print pictures of things to pray about and children hang them on saying or silently praying

As above

Use hearts to place down as a prayer is said or thought.

To symbolise praying together as a whole, children add an octagon as each prays (also use bricks etc. the nice thing about these is though they create a really different structure each time like our prayers)

Emotions  prayers 

Often children's prayers can centre (and indeed ours) around emotions of our selves and others. Particularly "help me" prayers there are a few emotions resources in the cupboard to support these.