Age Group

Preschool
Kindergarten

Supplies

action song lyrics (see below), parachute, each child's name printed on a card, paper bag

Description

ACTIVITY 1:  Bring children outside or into a large space.  Place parachute on the floor in a big circle.  Have children find a color to sit on and have the group sit in a big circle.  Place student names into a bag.  Draw a name from the bag and hold it up for children to see.  Help  the children identify whose name it is.  Then lead them in singing the action song, inserting the name and then pointing to the child during the final line.  (Repeat until each child's name has been called).
 

ACTIVITY 2:  Have children each grab a handle of the parachute and practice raising it up and down.  When ready, sing the action song again as everyone raises the parachute up in the air.  When the child hears their name called in the song, they get to run under the parachute from one side to another!
 

FRIENDSHIP ACTION SONG:

(sung to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?")
Where is [child's name]?  Where is [child's name]?
There [he/she] is!  There [he/she] is!
My new friend is [child's name], my new friend is [child's name]!
Let's go play!  Let's go play!

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