Happy Birthday Jesus! A Storytime Christmas Party

Happy Birthday Jesus! Christmas Lesson Plan for Preschool

A Storytime Christmas Party

Introduction: Before the children arrive, decorate the storytime area for a birthday party. Use lots of colorful streamers, balloons, a "Happy Birthday" banner, and other decorations to give the room a festive flair. The children will be surprised when they arrive, especially if they are expecting a Christmas storytime. Ask the children who they think the party decorations are for. Explain that it is Jesus' birthday at Christmas. Spend some time talking about other things we do at Christmas, and explain the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

Song: (To the tune of "Jesus Loves Me")

"Happy birthday Jesus!

I'm so glad it's Christmas!

All the tinsel and the lights,

All the presents are so nice.

But, the real gift is You,

Thank you God, we know it's true!

Happy birthday Jesus!

Jesus, we love you!"

Story: God Gave us Christmas, by Lisa T. Bergren.
   

Bible Verse Bracelets: Luke 2:11

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about that day's storytime.)

Fingerplay: "One Night in Bethlehem:"

"One night in Bethlehem,

Mary and Joseph slept on the hay. (Rest head in hands.)

The cows said 'Moo,' and the donkeys said, 'Neigh.' (Make sounds like the animals.)

Then baby Jesus was born for all. (Outstretch arms.)

He was a baby, so tiny and small. (Cradle arms as if holding a tiny baby.)

Angels sang, 'Jesus is born tonight!' (Cup hands around mouth as if shouting.)

Shepherds hurried to see the great sight. (Place hand over eyes as if seeking.)

Mary rocked baby Jesus so new. (Rock baby.)

He was born for me and for you." (Point to self, then others.)

Story with Music: "Little Drummer Boy"

Use the book, The Little Drummer Boy, by Ezra Jack Keats.  Cue up the song "The Little Drummer Boy," (I like to use this version.)  Show the children the pages of the book as the song unfolds.  There's no need to say a word. The song and the pages of the book speak a wonderfully concise Christmas message!

Art Activity: "Birthday" presents for Jesus 

Give each child a shoe box or other small box with lid. Provide photocopied cut-outs of hearts, praying hands, treble clefs, and pictures of children helping each other. Explain that we can give Jesus the gift of our heart (that we can love Him and each other,) we can spend time with Him in prayer, we can give him the gift of praise (and one way to do that is through music,) and we can treat one another kindly and helpfully. Have the children place these "gifts" in their boxes. Then provide lots of decorative things to cover the boxes with: foil wrapping paper, shiny ribbons, glitter glue, sequins, beads, buttons, and anything else shiny and festive. Tell children to take the gifts home and place them under their Christmas tree to remind them that Christmas is not about what we get from others, but how we give ourselves to God.

Snack-time: Birthday cake for Jesus

Since this is a birthday celebration, and more than just a regular storytime, have a special snack-time for Jesus' birthday. Have a cake, light candles (try three candles for the trinity,) and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Don't forget to say a prayer of thanks for the cake and the real reason for Christmas! Have birthday games like "Pin the Tail on the Donkey," "Pass the Parcel," etc.. Hand out treat bags to the children as they leave. Enjoy the party!

Be Content - The Magic Fish & There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Be Satisfied and Content...                     

A Preschool Lesson to Help Children Understand Greed

This storytime lesson plan for preschoolers focuses on the nature and consequences of greed. Christmas, birthdays, advertising, and our materialistic culture are all forces that compete to convince children (& adults) of their need to accumulate stuff. This lesson seeks to help kids recognize they can be content with what they have.

Introduction: For an object lesson on greed, build a small "table." Use building blocks at either end for legs, and a rectangle of thin cardboard, (one side of a cereal box would work well,) for the top. The constructed "table" should be about 12 x 9 x 8 inches. Place a small pile of small stones beside the "table." Pick up one of the stones and say, "I wish I had a _______." Fill in any item that's popular with the children in your group. Place that stone on the cardboard tabletop. Pick up another stone and say, "I want a _______." Again, fill in the blank with anything, from a bicycle to a Playstation to a pet dinosaur. Place this stone beside the first one on the cardboard. Continue in this fashion until there are so many stones on the cardboard that it collapses. Explain to the children that, if we're not careful, our "wants" can overwhelm us.

  Story: The Magic Fish, by Freya Littledale. This fable about a fisherman's wife who demanded just a little too much is an excellent illustration of the consequences of greed.

Song: "I'll Be Content," from the "Kids Collection Sing Along: Happy Songs. 17 Sing-Along Songs of Joy" album by Brentwood Music.

Read the lyrics to the children first in order to help them understand the concept of contentment. Then play the music and encourage the children to march to the tempo.

"I'll be content when things don't go my way.

I'll be content and I will shout hooray!

Even when my heart is sad, I'll rejoice and I'll be glad,

For I know Jesus meant for me to live each minute joyfully.

Oh, I know He will help me be content.

I will trust Him for I know He's planned

Things I don't quite understand.

I was meant to be content.

I will trust Him, I will trust Him.

I'll be content (I'll be content) when things don't go my way.

I'll be content (I'll be content) and I will shout hooray!

Even when my heart is sad, I'll rejoice and I'll be glad,

For I know Jesus meant for me to live each minute joyfully.

Oh, I know He will help me be content."

(Words and music by Clay Clarkson and Janet McMahan-Wilson, copyright 1994 New Spring Publishing, a div. of Brentwood Music Publishing, Inc.)

Bible Verse Bracelets:

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The childrenlove these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about that day's storytime.)

Philippians 4:11 "I am not telling you this because I need anything. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens." (New Century Version)

Song: "If You're Happy and You Know It" (Traditional)

  Story: There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, by Simms Taback. Sing the song together after reading the book. Discuss how the Old Lady's greediness got her in trouble.

Art Activity: Make fingerprint flies. Give each child a small sheet of heavy white paper. Help the children moisten one thumb and one small fingertip in black ink. (This will be messy, be prepared!) Instruct each child to press his or her thumb down to make a fat body for the fly, and then press the inked smaller finger down to make the fly's head. Repeat for more flies. Give each child oval shapes, cut from colored cellophane, to paste on as wings. Draw wiggly lines for legs, and use small "googly-eyes" on the fly's head. Talk with the children about how flies behave as you make the art. Do flies act greedy? How do greedy flies make the children feel? How do they think greedy humans make God feel? Play "Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me" in the background while working.

Don't Be Afraid! - It's the Bear & The Teeny Tiny Woman

Don't Be Afraid - God is Bigger Than Your Fears

Introduction: For an object lesson, fill a bowl with some water. Sprinkle some pepper over the surface of the water. Explain that the pepper represents bad things in our lives, like being afraid, danger, and sin. Pour a single drop of dishwashing liquid in the center of the water. Explain that the drop of soap represents God living in our lives. Watch with the children as the pepper is instantly repelled and sent to the edges of the bowl. Tell the children that having God in our hearts is like the soap chasing the pepper away; God's holiness (goodness) repels (makes go away) sin, evil, and bad things that come against us.

Story #1: The Teeny Tiny Woman by Paul Galdone. Enjoy this classic with the children and take some time to discuss some of their fears and experiences with them.

Song: "God Is Bigger Than the Boogeyman" from Veggie Tales "Veggie Tunes" CD.

Bible Verse Bracelets: (Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, (make as many as you anticipate needing,) each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about the storytime topic.) 

James 4:7b-8a: "Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." Take a moment to discuss this verse with the children to help them understand its implications.

Song: "Prove It #1" and "Jesus Is the Mighty Mighty King" from Colin Buchanan's "Follow the Saviour" CD.

Story: It's the Bear! by Jez Alborough. Who is more frightened - the little boy Eddy or the great big silly bear?

Activity: "Goin' on a Bear Hunt" chant. This familiar children's tale will let them experience some make-believe fear while encouraging them that it's all in good fun. Have the children repeat each phrase and perform motions after you:

"We're going on a bear hunt, and we're going to catch a big one!"

"I'm not scared...it's a beautiful day!"

"Uh-oh! Grass! Long wavy grass! Can't go over it! Can't go under it! Gotta go through it!" (Pretend to trudge through long thick grass.)

(Repeat again:) "We're going on a bear hunt, and we're going to catch a big one! I'm not scared...it's a beautiful day!"

"Uh-oh! Mud! Thick gooey mud! Can't go through it! Can't go over it! Have to go around it! (Make an exaggerated to-do about going around a LARGE mud puddle.)

(Repeat opening lines.)

"Uh-oh! A river! A wide, deep river! Can't go under it! Can't go around it! Gotta swim through it! (Pretend to swim across a strong current.)

(Repeat opening lines between each action. Other obstacles could include climbing over a mountain, slinking through a thick forest, crawling through a hollow log, and finally ending in the bear's cave:)

"Uh-oh! A cave! A dark, scary cave! Can't go under it! Can't climb over it! Must go INTO it! Oh no! What's that? (Pretend to feel way through the dark and bump into something.) It's furry! Cold, wet nose! ("Feel" bear's nose.) Giant paws! (Grow increasingly "panicked.") Sharp, snarling teeth! It's a BEAR! RUN!!"

Pretend to run (in place) with the children as you repeat each obstacle in reverse: go out of the cave, swim back through the river, jump around the big mud hole, trudge back through the long grass, until you're all safely back home!!

Prayer: "Thank you, Jesus, for always being with us and for telling us we do not have to be afraid of anything. Help us to learn how to live closely with You. Amen."

Art: Bear's Picnic Collages: Collect a variety of photos from magazines related to picnics, lunches, etc. Give each child a piece of sturdy construction paper and a glue stick and let them choose "picnic" photos to make a bear's picnic collage. You might want to include some scraps of picnic table cloth or other items to help with the picnic theme.

Precious and the Boo Hag - Halloween & Childhood Fears

Title: Precious and the Boo Hag, by Patricia C. McKissack and Onawumi Jean Moss

Word Density: Moderate

My recommended age-appropriateness: Preschool to 12

Preschool Themes:

1. Scary Stories.

2. African-American stories.

3. Being Brave.

4. Halloween.

5. Doing what is right.

Christian Themes:

1. Obedience.

2. Evil can come like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

3. Fear.

4. Spiritual authority in Jesus.

Summary:

Precious is a strong-willed and imaginative child left at home alone while her family is out in the fields working. She's had a sick stomach and as a result, is left home to recuperate and do some light chores. Her mother admonishes Precious to stay out of her stuff, keep the place neat, and. above all, "don't let nothing and nobody in this house!" But Precious's brother sees an opportunity to have some fun. He warns her that there's a Boo Hag lurking around that will do anything "to make you disobey yo' mama." Suspicious of the truth to her brother's claims, and nearly reassured by a precocious friend who pops by, Precious begins poking around in her mother's best clothes and having a marvelous time having the house all to herself. It doesn't take too long, though, for an uninvited guest to try to come in. Precious rallies herself, and in a test of character that would make her mama proud, the little girl discerns and foils every evil trick the Boo Hag tries on her. The story ends with a victorious, if slightly scary, note. The delightful deep-South African-American diction and the beautiful and original mixed-media illustrations combine with a fun and playfully frightening tale to make Precious and the Boo Hag a fun addition to any storytime.

Scripture connections:

1. Romans 16:19 (New Century Version) "All the believers have heard that you obey, so I am very happy because of you. But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil."

2. Matthew 7:15 (New Century Version) "Be careful of false prophets. They come to you looking gentle like sheep, but they are really dangerous like wolves."

3. Joshua 1:9 (NIV) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

4. Luke 10:19 (NKJV) "Behold, I give you the authority... over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Song Suggestions:

1. "Be Strong and Courageous" by Colin Buchanan from his "Jesus Rocks the World" CD. Published by Wanaaring Road Music.

2. "You Got to Do What the Lord Says" by Colin Buchanan from his "Follow the Saviour" CD. Published by Wanaaring Road Music. Hear samples and view ordering information at Word Australia.

3. "God Is Bigger Than the Boogeyman" by Veggie Tales.    

Enrichment:

Let the children draw pictures of their own "Boo Hags," and "boogeymen." Reassure them that this lesson teaches them to NOT be afraid. Give each child your chosen Bible verse and let them paste it onto the bottom of their creations.

The Tiny Seed - Autumn - Everything Has a Season

Autumn / Everything Has a Season...The Tiny Seed

Introduction: Show the children a collection of leaves and other Fall items. Discuss how God made the trees and the seasons. Talk about how trees change throughout the seasons.

Fall Fingerplay:

Red and yellow, green and brown (count off colors on fingers)

Leaves are falling to the ground (simulate falling leaves with hands)

We pile them up, oh so high ("pile" leaves with hands)

Then we JUMP in (pretend to jump in leaves)

My friends and I!

Story: Ten Tall Oaktrees, by Richard Edwards. Discuss how God wants us to care for the Earth He created. Discuss ways we can care for the Earth.

Song: "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," from "Sunday School Songs" recording by Cedarmont Kids.

Fall Song/Game: "The Leaves on the Trees" (tune: "The Wheels on the Bus")

Form a circle with the children then sing:

"The leaves on the trees came tumbling down, tumbling down, tumbling down (flutter hands down while singing...)

The leaves on the trees came tumbling down, all over town (flutter hands down then turn around.)"

"The leaves on the trees are red, red, red. Red, red, red. Red, red, red (everyone wearing red goes to center of circle and shake themselves...)

The leaves on the trees are red, red, red...all over town."

Repeat for orange, yellow, green, brown, and purple (or any other colors, until all children have had a chance to be in the center of the circle.)

Story: The Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle. Briefly discuss the significance of a plant's life cycle.

Bible Verse Bracelets: (Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about the storytime topic.)

Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven."

Prayer: "Thank you, God, for the trees, and for the different seasons You created. Help us to take care of the beautiful world You made. Amen."

Art: Leaf Rubbings.

Use a variety of boldly-textured leaves. Help the children place paper over the leaves and make colorful rubbings using pencil, chalk, and/or pastels.

How Are You Feeling? Themes: Emotions, Feelings, Vegetables, Foods, Faces, Contentment, Joy, Peace

How Are You Feeling?

A Preschool Story Time Lesson on Emotions:

~Helping Children Understand Their Emotions

Introduction: Before the story hour begins, have some visual aids prepared. Using wood or PVA glue, draw facial expressions onto regular copier paper. Make 5 different expressions: sad, happy, angry, surprised (or scared,) and bored. Make very simple drawings with the glue. A circle for the face, lines for eyes, nose, and mouth, and eyebrows to indicate mood will suffice. Allow the glue to dry, creating a raised surface. Before your audience arrives, place each of the five facial expressions on a whiteboard or easel. Cover each with a plain white sheet of paper, so the expressions are concealed. When it's time to begin, take colored chalk or oil pastels and begin rubbing it over the first of the raised facial expressions. Use different colors for different moods. Consider blue for sad, yellow or orange for happy, red for angry, gray for bored, and perhaps bright florescent pink for startled or surprised. See if the children can guess each emotion before you begin the rubbing by looking at the color you have chosen. Talk with the children about each emotion as it is being revealed.

Story: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst. Share a personal story of a bad day you've gone through.

Feelings Fingerplay: (original author unknown)

"Sometimes I'm as angry as a buzzing bee. (Buzzzz!)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me! (Hug self.)

Sometimes I'm silly as a monkey in a tree. (Act like a silly monkey.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I won't eat even one green pea. (Act defiant.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I trip and fall and scrape my knee. (Rub knee and look defeated.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I scream louder than the TV. (Cup hands around mouth in a silent yell.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I'm sad, as sad as can be. (Boo-Hoo!)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!

Sometimes I run and feel happy and free! (Run in a small circle.)

But all the time, all the time, Jesus loves me!"

Bible Verse Bracelets:

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about that day's storytime.)

Psalm 28:7

"The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song." (NIV)

Explain that even though we sometimes experience frustration, anger, or sadness, the joy in our hearts doesn't go away. We can be full of joy and thankfulness even when we're in a bad mood, because of our faith in God and our trust in His strength.

Song: "Thank You, Lord" from "Kids Collection Sing Along Praise Songs: 14 Sing-Along Songs of Praise" by Brentwood Music, Inc.

Story: How Are You Peeling?: Foods With Moods, by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers.  (This is a fantastic book about feelings featuring adorable photos of vegetables mimicking human emotions. Sounds crazy, but really funny.)

Song: "Happy All the Time" from Cedarmont Kids Classics Action Bible Songs recording.

Art Activity: Make Veggie Faces. Give each child a nice red tomato shape cut out of card stock. Give each a little green stem and leaves cut from card stock. Help them put their leaves on their tomatoes, then give each two google eyes, a small black button for a nose, a pipe cleaner for a mouth, and a black marker or crayon for eyebrows and any other features the children might like to add. Help them create their own veggie face in whatever expression they feel like!

Back to School - Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes

Storytime Lesson - Back to School!

Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, by Eric Litwin and James Dean 

Preschool Themes: Going to School, Shoes, Anxiety

Christian Themes: Anxiousness, Trust in God

Introduction: This storytime lesson is ideal for sharing right before the school year starts. Whether your children are going back to preschool or starting kindergarten or elementary school for the first time, this lesson confronts their fears and teaches them about all the fun awaiting them at school.

Bring in several pair of shoes, preferably in funky colors and styles. Ask the children which is their favorite. Ask them if they've had to get new shoes for the new school year. Take a few minutes to talk about back-to-school shopping and some of their expectations about school. What kinds of things will they do at school? What are some of the things they'll see?

Read: Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes, by Eric Litwin. Discuss the various situations Pete the Cat encountered in the book. Was Pete anxious (nervous, scared) about going to school for the first time? What did he get to do there? Did he have fun? Is he looking forward to going back again?

Song Activity: "It's time to Go to School" (Act out and sing to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell.)

It's time to go to school,

It's time to go to school,

Ring, ring, it's time to go,

It's time to go to school.

Let's put our red shoes on,

Let's put our red shoes on,

Ring, ring, it's time to go,

Let's put our red shoes on!

We're riding in the bus,

We're riding in the bus,

Ring, ring, it's time to go,

We're riding in the bus.

We put our things in our cubby,

We put our things in our cubby,

Ring, ring, it's time to sing,

We put our things in our cubby.

We listen at circle time,

We listen at circle time,

Ring, ring it's time to listen,

We listen at circle time.

We paint at the easel,

We paint at the easel,

Ring, ring, it's time to paint,

We paint at the easel.

We eat our food at lunch,

We eat our food at lunch,

Ring, ring, it's time to eat,

We eat our food at lunch.

Continue substituting any relevant lines as long as interest and creativity last!

Bible Verse Bracelets: Philippians 4:6 (CEV) "Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God."

(Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, (make as many as you anticipate needing,) each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about the storytime topic.)

Discuss common fears about going to school with the children. Tell them that it is very normal to have these fears, and that everything will work out fine. Explain to them that they can talk to God any time they want to, and can tell him what they're worried about. God is faithful, hears them, and will be with them in everything they do!

Art Activity: Pete's Groovy Red School Shoes!

Print off the following template and give one to each child. Provide red glitter glue, sequins, buttons, bits of yarn or other fibers, crayons, and anything else you might like and let the kids rock out their school shoes! Hang from the ceiling to add some back-to-school sparkle to your classroom or circle area!