A Father's Love
Celebrating Father’s Day & God’s Fatherly heart with a fun filled Superhero theme!
Educational Framework: Heart for God
“Super Like Daddy” Unit: A Father’s Heart
LESSON PURPOSE: Learn about a Father’s Love & celebrating Dad
MATERIALS: superhero play, learning toys & craft supplies
BOOKS: Daddy Is My Hero by: Dawn Richards, Me & My Dad by Alison Ritchic
SONG IDEAS: My God is So Great, When the Saints go Marching In, Song of the Victors
SENSORY CENTERS: AS CHILDREN ARRIVE
Superhero Sensory bin: Superhero figurines mixed with pom poms or water beads.
Blocks: building with duplos, blocks or giant cardboard boxes.
Dress Up: let children dress up in Superhero clothes, ties, suit coats, tool belts etc.
SCRIPTURE: Display the weekly scripture reading, have an older child read it or use it in the lesson as you like.
"...Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9
“Who is the big Dad? God! He is the vertical, most giant Dad.” -Rev. Moon
“Children must grow up looking at their parents as their models, thinking, ‘I will be like my father. I will be like my mother.’ That is the best tradition.” -Rev. Moon
INTRODUCE the Lesson:
WELCOME: SONG, PRAYER, TP Greeting
SONG IDEAS: My God is So Great, When the Saints go Marching In, Song of the Victors
REVIEW & TRANSITION:
We have been learning about Bravery- wearing the Armor of God- and being faithful like David. Does anyone know what special day it is today? “Father’s Day!” Today we are going to celebrate Fathers (uncles, grandpas) by learning about a Father’s love and being Super like Daddy!
ATTENTION GRABBER: choose 1:
DAD PHOTO: Teacher- show a photo of your dad. Share what he’s like, your favorite things to do with him and why you love your daddy. Ask children to one at a time stand up and tell us 1 thing about their daddy. Can draw a daddy on the board- and write words or draw pictures of the discussion.
HERO DRESS UP: Teacher- put on a mask & cape. Do a superhero pose and explain how you have super powers- show muscles. Have children copy your moves. Ask children to tell you what kinds of traits superheroes have? (strong, brave, kind, smart…) And what do superheroes do? (help people, work as a team, try new things.) Later, in the lesson you will also get to dress up like a superhero!
INTRO:
Today we are going to learn all about a Father’s heart and think about why Daddy is my Superhero! Just like on Mother’s Day we learned about Mommy’s love for me- today we will celebrate Daddy’s love for me and make him feel special in return.
CHOOSE 1 OR 2: READ A STORY, SING A SONG OR POEM, WATCH A VIDEO: *Use this before OR with your teaching point.
VIDEOS: click on the link for educational, sing along or dance videos
Superhero Action Song by Kidspring Children’s Ministry
My God is So Great Song by Lifetree Kids
My Daddy is a Superhero Song by Rock My ABCs
SONG OR POEM:
D-A-D-D-Y Bingo
I love him and he loves me
And daddy is his name o
D-A-D-D-Y
D-A-D-D-Y
D-A-D-D-Y
and daddy is his name o
Happy Father’s Day Happy Birthday
Happy Father's Day to you
Happy Father's Day to you
Happy Father's Day Dear Daddy
Happy Father's Day to you!
*TEACH the Lesson:
Discuss the following points together, asking children questions, drawing pictures, using anchor charts or post it notes.
TEACHING POINT 1: A Father’s Love
Discuss questions together with the children. *Note- if a child doesn’t have a dad in their life- share about a special uncle, father figure or grandpa
Why Kids Love Their Dads VIDEO
What does your daddy do?
What do you love about daddy?
What do you like to do with daddy?
Where do you like to go with daddy?
How do you know daddy loves you?
How can you show daddy you love and appreciate him?
Daddies are superheroes! They drive cars, work hard, open cans, carry us on our shoulders, build stuff, fix things, play outside, ... Daddies are big and strong. They protect our family and keep us safe. They help us to dream big dreams and try new things, never give up like Superheroes. They encourage us.
Daddies love us! Daddies tickle us, wrestle us, make us giggle, read bedtime stories and pray. Daddies might also cook, help clean or do laundry. Daddies might tell stories or listen to you. Every Dad is different but they all love you.
Daddies aren’t always perfect. Sometimes Daddies even make mistakes, maybe they get frustrated, upset or are too busy. Daddies are still growing too and learning how to be the best Daddy they can be. Just like you’re learning to be the best child you can be!
Let’s show Daddy we love him- We can show daddy we love him by making him a craft, giving hugs, listening to him, being respectful, following in his footsteps, being brave, trying new things, not giving up, being a good team player, helping Daddy, asking Dad for help, saying thank you and I love you!
GROUP ACTIVITIES: choose 1
Suit Relay Race: Have child put on a suit & tie & dress shoes, then take it off for the next person to put on. Have a race against time or a team relay!
Superhero Training: Kids dress up, stretch, practice poses, showing muscles, flying. Set up a superhero obstacle course! Crawl through a tunnel, hit a target, bowl, pin the tail, knock down a tower etc. Let’s be brave like daddy, have fun and never give up.
Find the Tie: Hide a tie. Children get to look for the tie. Whoever finds the tie is now “Dad” and get to hide it next. Play again!
Father May I Game: play Mother May I using “Father”.
TEACHING POINT 2: God’s Fatherly Heart *OPTIONAL EXTENSION
“Who is the big Dad? God! He is the vertical, most giant Dad.” -Rev. Moon
We are made in God’s image- God is our Heavenly Parent. Through our parents we learn about God. Daddy shows us God’s Fatherly heart. While Mothers tend to show us Heavenly Parent’s heart of nurturing, patience and unconditional love- Daddys show us wisdom, boldness, courage and faith. Daddies can help us learn to be brave when we are scared and face our fears. God loves us through our parents!
GROUP ACTIVITY:
Footsteps Poem: A boy walking in the sand asked God- if you are always with me, why don’t I see 2 sets of footprints in the sand? God responded- because I carried you. Draw giant chalk footprints and jump between them. Walk in “daddy’s shoes” or “God’s big footsteps”. Remember God is always there to guide you.
Brave: God & our parents believe in us! They know we can do great things. Discuss something new you want to try to learn. (ride a bike, swim, tie a shoe, cartwheel…)
CONCLUSION:
Today we celebrate Father’s Day! Daddy is my Superhero! We are grateful for dads, uncles, grandpas- for their fun energy and brave spirit. Today we want to make daddy feel extra special and let him know how awesome he is!
TITHING & PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Parent, Happy Father’s Day! We thank you for your love and also for your strength, wisdom and courage that you show us through our dads. We want to be strong and brave like daddy when we get scared or are ready to give up. Please help us to be courageous sons and daughters of God. Thank you for my Daddy + Mommy. Amen. Aju!
APPLY the Lesson:
CRAFTS: choose 1. Find these and more on Pinterest!
Photo Booth: Set up a cute photobooth with a sign that says “My dad is super because...”Take a photo of each child. Can even dress up in superhero cape & mask.
Video: Take short video clips of children saying what they love about their daddy.
SuperPrints: Make blue paint footprints, add red a red hand print cape + face. “You are my superhero!”
Dad Badges: Paint small paper plates yellow. Write “#1 Dad!” Decorate with stickers, pom poms and ribbon.
Popsicle Stick Superhero: Make a “daddy” & “me” superhero popsicle stick puppet to play together with.
Shoe Footprints: Stamp a shoe print with paint. “Following in my daddy’s footsteps.”
Superhero Printable: Help children fill out a printable about their daddy and color.
SNACK IDEAS:
Power foods: Eat xray vision sticks (carrots) or other foods that make you strong and healthy!
Enjoy the lesson! Feel free to submit photos to lgavin@unification.org Love seeing lessons come to life and each community