I'm really excited about my session coming up on May 31.
**Please note that this session will be held at 2:00**
This session is entitled, "Pride In China". Like our first session, we'll start the girls off with a book. This helps set the tone and get the girls thinking about our topic for the day. The book I've chosen is entitled C is for China by Sungwan So. This is a book rich in culture and beauty. The images capture aspects in China from Abacus to Zen.
During the session, I'm going to lead the girls on a journey learning more about their birth country, the numerous inventions that originated in China and reinforing the meaning of their Chinese names.
This session may be more emotional than the initial session. Beyond the inventions and beauty of China are culture and tradition. In this session, we begin to discuss China's rules regarding the one child policy, difficult decisions made by birth parents, orphanage and foster care, as well as China's beliefs in the importance of having a son.
There will be a few pages in your daughter's China Workbook that I won't be covering in this session. I will be asking parent(s) to complete these pages at home with your daughter(s). These pages deal with each girl's finding place and orphange/foster care experiences. I feel these are too personal to tackle in a group setting.
We will be discussing why there are so many girls adopted from China - going back to old traditions and beliefs. We'll be ending the session on a much brighter note: The Power of Women. The girls will have an opportunity to dream about the lives ahead of them and talk about some very inspirational women of our time.
After we close the workbooks, each girl will create a one of a kind craft that will allow their spirits to soar.
I'm really looking forward our session on China. See you on Sunday!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 23, 2009
All About Me... Session #1 Recap
The first session of the Play Group with a Purpose series went very well. All six girls were in attendance and seemed to enjoy the activities.
We started the session with the reading of the book The Three Names of Me. The girls listened intently during the reading. I couldn't believe how quiet everyone was.
After the reading of the book, the girls joined their parents and completed three workbook pages. Each girl worked one-on-one with their parent(s) and identified unique characteristics that make them special.
After completing the workbook pages, the girls moved to craft time! Each girl was given a unique canvas tote bag reflecting their Chinese name. Fabric markers were used to add their American name and a red star if they chose to add their first name. Each bag was decorated to reflect unique characteristics of each child.
We started the session with the reading of the book The Three Names of Me. The girls listened intently during the reading. I couldn't believe how quiet everyone was.
After the reading of the book, the girls joined their parents and completed three workbook pages. Each girl worked one-on-one with their parent(s) and identified unique characteristics that make them special.
After completing the workbook pages, the girls moved to craft time! Each girl was given a unique canvas tote bag reflecting their Chinese name. Fabric markers were used to add their American name and a red star if they chose to add their first name. Each bag was decorated to reflect unique characteristics of each child.
The result... gorgeous tote bags!
We wrapped up the session with a bracelet and charm reflecting the lesson learned in the session. Each girl receive an initial charm reflecting their uniqueness and to help them remember their three names.
Parents... please use the comment section to share your observations on the session as well as any comments made by your daughters! See you on the 31st!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Session #1 - May 17
Hello PGWP Participants!
I can’t believe we are only one week away from our first session. The time has gone by so quickly and we (Susan, Cheryl & I) are really looking forward to the program.
The first session on May 17th is titled “All About Me”. The goal of this session is to help the girls realize their uniqueness and to encourage them to think about how their life began in China. We won’t cover any difficult topics during this session.
The session will begin with a read aloud of the book Three Names of Me by Mary Cummings. I love this book and hope you do too (or will when you hear it at the session). An excerpt from the jacket cover of the book reads … "Ada has three names. Wang Bin is what the caregivers called her at the orphanage. Ada is the name given by her American parents. And there is a third name, whispered by her Chinese mother. That name, unknown but treasured is someplace in Ada’s heart. Written for all girls who, like Ada, are both Chinese and American, Mary Cumming’s lyrical text speaks of love remembers and love present."
Following the reading of the book, we will complete three pages in the My China Workbook. The first is the workbook promise – a promise to take care of the book we will be creating in our six sessions. The next page is the birthday page – the girls will draw a picture of themselves. The next page is the All About Me page. Each of us will work with our daughters to complete this page. It asks about favorites… bravest moment… what I want to be when I grow up… three things I like to do… and three things that bug me.
After we complete the pages in the workbook, we will move into craft time. I am very excited about the craft planned for this session. It will incorporate the three names of me and reflect each child’s favorite things! I will keep it a secret for now…
We will conclude with a quick wrap up of what was learned during the session and each child will receive something special for participating. I anticipate the session will last about one hour, but please plan for 1 ½ hours just in case. We will begin promptly at 3 p.m.
I am looking forward to this very much and I am grateful to be on this motherhood journey with each of you.
Sue
I can’t believe we are only one week away from our first session. The time has gone by so quickly and we (Susan, Cheryl & I) are really looking forward to the program.
The first session on May 17th is titled “All About Me”. The goal of this session is to help the girls realize their uniqueness and to encourage them to think about how their life began in China. We won’t cover any difficult topics during this session.
The session will begin with a read aloud of the book Three Names of Me by Mary Cummings. I love this book and hope you do too (or will when you hear it at the session). An excerpt from the jacket cover of the book reads … "Ada has three names. Wang Bin is what the caregivers called her at the orphanage. Ada is the name given by her American parents. And there is a third name, whispered by her Chinese mother. That name, unknown but treasured is someplace in Ada’s heart. Written for all girls who, like Ada, are both Chinese and American, Mary Cumming’s lyrical text speaks of love remembers and love present."
Following the reading of the book, we will complete three pages in the My China Workbook. The first is the workbook promise – a promise to take care of the book we will be creating in our six sessions. The next page is the birthday page – the girls will draw a picture of themselves. The next page is the All About Me page. Each of us will work with our daughters to complete this page. It asks about favorites… bravest moment… what I want to be when I grow up… three things I like to do… and three things that bug me.
After we complete the pages in the workbook, we will move into craft time. I am very excited about the craft planned for this session. It will incorporate the three names of me and reflect each child’s favorite things! I will keep it a secret for now…
We will conclude with a quick wrap up of what was learned during the session and each child will receive something special for participating. I anticipate the session will last about one hour, but please plan for 1 ½ hours just in case. We will begin promptly at 3 p.m.
I am looking forward to this very much and I am grateful to be on this motherhood journey with each of you.
Sue
What to expect at session #1
Hello PGWP Participants!
I can’t believe we are only one week away from our first session. The time has gone by so quickly and we (Susan, Cheryl & I) are really looking forward to the program.
The first session on May 17th is titled “All About Me”. The goal of this session is to help the girls realize their uniqueness and to encourage them to think about how their life began in China. We won’t cover any difficult topics during this session.
The session will begin with a read aloud of the book Three Names of Me by Mary Cummings. I love this book and hope you do too (or will when you hear it at the session). An excerpt from the jacket cover of the book reads … "Ada has three names. Wang Bin is what the caregivers called her at the orphanage. Ada is the name given by her American parents. And there is a third name, whispered by her Chinese mother. That name, unknown but treasured is someplace in Ada’s heart. Written for all girls who, like Ada, are both Chinese and American, Mary Cumming’s lyrical text speaks of love remembers and love present."
Following the reading of the book, we will complete three pages in the My China Workbook. The first is the workbook promise – a promise to take care of the book we will be creating in our six sessions. The next page is the birthday page – the girls will draw a picture of themselves. The next page is the All About Me page. Each of us will work with our daughters to complete this page. It asks about favorites… bravest moment… what I want to be when I grow up… three things I like to do… and three things that bug me.
After we complete the pages in the workbook, we will move into craft time. I am very excited about the craft planned for this session. It will incorporate the three names of me and reflect each child’s favorite things! I will keep it a secret for now…
We will conclude with a quick wrap up of what was learned during the session and each child will receive something special for participating. I anticipate the session will last about one hour, but please plan for 1 ½ hours just in case. We will begin promptly at 3 p.m.
I am looking forward to this very much and I am grateful to be on this motherhood journey with each of you.
Sue
I can’t believe we are only one week away from our first session. The time has gone by so quickly and we (Susan, Cheryl & I) are really looking forward to the program.
The first session on May 17th is titled “All About Me”. The goal of this session is to help the girls realize their uniqueness and to encourage them to think about how their life began in China. We won’t cover any difficult topics during this session.
The session will begin with a read aloud of the book Three Names of Me by Mary Cummings. I love this book and hope you do too (or will when you hear it at the session). An excerpt from the jacket cover of the book reads … "Ada has three names. Wang Bin is what the caregivers called her at the orphanage. Ada is the name given by her American parents. And there is a third name, whispered by her Chinese mother. That name, unknown but treasured is someplace in Ada’s heart. Written for all girls who, like Ada, are both Chinese and American, Mary Cumming’s lyrical text speaks of love remembers and love present."
Following the reading of the book, we will complete three pages in the My China Workbook. The first is the workbook promise – a promise to take care of the book we will be creating in our six sessions. The next page is the birthday page – the girls will draw a picture of themselves. The next page is the All About Me page. Each of us will work with our daughters to complete this page. It asks about favorites… bravest moment… what I want to be when I grow up… three things I like to do… and three things that bug me.
After we complete the pages in the workbook, we will move into craft time. I am very excited about the craft planned for this session. It will incorporate the three names of me and reflect each child’s favorite things! I will keep it a secret for now…
We will conclude with a quick wrap up of what was learned during the session and each child will receive something special for participating. I anticipate the session will last about one hour, but please plan for 1 ½ hours just in case. We will begin promptly at 3 p.m.
I am looking forward to this very much and I am grateful to be on this motherhood journey with each of you.
Sue
Monday, March 30, 2009
Play Group with a Purpose:
An Adoption Exploration
An Adoption Exploration
What are the objectives of the program?
- The goals are for children who were born in China and their parent(s) to explore adoption, learn about themselves, take pride in their birth country, and develop skills for answering difficult questions they may be asked.
- Participation is by facilitator invitation only.
- Each session will include a read-aloud of a children’s book, an introduction to the topic, a craft, and activities from My China Workbook. All activities will focus on the topic for that session. We will be basing the curriculum on many resources, but will primarily be using My China Workbook as a guide.
- Participants will "earn" beads/charms for participating in each session, and they will end up with a beautiful bracelet that will be a memento of what they learned about adoption and about themselves.
- Sharing will be encouraged but not mandatory. Parents will work alongside their children to address issues individually. The purpose of the sessions is to generate discussion and exploration within the family unit.
- About Me
- Pride in China
- What Makes a Family
- Birth Parents
- Questions About Adoption
- Friends Like Me: Who Else Was Adopted?
- There will be six sessions.
- The dates of the sessions are: May 17th, May 31st, June 20th, June 28th, July 12th, and July 26th
- All sessions will be at 3:00pm.
- The sessions are listed here for easy reference.
- At least one parent must attend each session with her/his daughter(s).
- The sessions will be held at a public location that is yet to be announced.
- This program is a labor of love for us. We ask you to reimburse us only for the cost of materials, which we estimate to be $75.00 per child for all six sessions. This fee will cover all craft materials, My China Workbook, and the bracelet. We hope you will consider this a great investment in your child’s future development.
- We are in the planning stages now. We need to know how many children will be participating by April 17th. We will e-mail you a registration form after we have the final details in place, and we know how many participants we have.
- Contact Sue Springirth, Susan Tancock, or Cheryl Cain if you have questions.
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