Hobbies And Interests
Circle Games
Ask the preschoolers to sit in a circle and connect each of their wrists together with friendship bracelets. All the children should be tied together at the wrists in one large group. Ask the children to draw a picture, walk through a door or get a drink of water. Discuss with the children how difficult it is to move around while being tied to one another. Tell one child to pretend you offended him and then tell him you are sorry. He must say, ̶0;I forgive you.̶1; When he does, remove one of the friendship bracelets that connects him to another child. Each child must say ̶0;I am sorry̶1; and ̶0;I forgive you̶1; in order to have both bracelets taken off. This activity teaches the children to ask for forgiveness and to learn how to forgive.
Skits
Divide the preschoolers into groups of three or four. Tell them to use their imagination to come up with a small skit about forgiveness. For example, one child can pretend to break another child's toy. The first child must apologize for breaking the toy and the second must accept his apology. Have the children do a few skits so each child has a chance to forgive and to be forgiven. Award prizes to all groups for a job well done. This allows the children to get hands-on experience with forgiveness.
Outdoor Games
Take the children outside and have them stand in a circle. Toss the ball to one child who must tell a story about a time he forgave someone, such as his little brother stepping on his toes. After he finishes, he must toss the ball to another child who must do the same thing. Each child must share a story about the time he forgave someone. After the children finish this activity, have them share a story about having to ask for forgiveness. These activities allow the children to be able to speak openly about forgiveness.
Tossing Games
Sit down with each preschooler and ask her to name occasions when she offended a friend, parent or teacher, by lying, being unkind or disobeying. Write down each offense she lists on a sheet of paper and hand it to her. Tell her that each sheet of paper represents her wrongdoings and she must crumple up each one. Write the word ̶0;Forgiveness̶1; on a trashcan and have the preschoolers toss their offenses in the trashcan. This activity allows the children to have fun playing a game, while learning about the process of recognizing their wrongdoings and asking for forgiveness.