"Alex was particularly impressed with the love light concept. When something wonderful or loving happens, she asks how bright our love lights are. When she does something for others, it makes her love light so bright that everyone has to wear sunglasses." --Parent

"I often hear the children refer to their love lights in discussions among themselves. They often wear their love lights in class."

--Teacher

Focus: Self and Community Awareness

Comments:
Having individual Love Light Pins for the children and teacher(s) to wear when they choose to do so continually reinforces, in a concrete manner, the fact that everyone has a light of love within. Knowing and honoring this in others is the first step toward nurturing mutual respect. Wear your Love Light Pin for all future peace activities.

Objectives

• To give children a concrete symbol of their inner lights of love.
• To emphasize the fact that everyone has a love light.

• White or Neutral Rug
• Magic Bag
• Felt Love Light Pins
• Peace Candle

• Before the presentation, make enough Love Light Pins for each child and adult in the class. (See Instructions) Place the Love Light Pins in a small basket and put the basket in the magic bag.
• Sit with the children on the floor in a circle. Place the magic bag on the rug.

Presentation:

• Greet the children and let them know that you have something special to share with them. Ask them to close their eyes. Attach a Love Light Pin at the center of your chest.
• Ask the children to open their eyes. Do not say anything. Let them notice the Love Light Pin you are wearing. Once they see it, ask them what they think it is. Facilitate a discussion about love lights and the fact that all people have them. In the discussion point out that people sometimes feel badly and their love lights are not bright. Reinforce the idea that all people have love lights.
• At this point, tell the children that you have a surprise for them. Reach into the magic bag and bring out the basket of Love Light Pins. Dramatically show them the love lights.
• Tell them you will come around with the basket so they can take a Love Light Pin. Ask them to hold the pins at the center of their chests. (Attaching a Love Light Pin on each child at this point takes too much time. Because the pin is made of felt, it adheres quite nicely to most clothing.) At this point walk around the circle and let each child take a Love Light Pin from the basket. Remind the children that these are special gifts and ask them to handle the love lights carefully. As you distribute the pins, encourage the children to say "thank you".
• Once all children have their Love Light Pins on, have them stand and sing This Little Light of Mine. This is a good time to let them make up a number of verses.
• Have the children sit down and bring out the Peace Candle. Carefully place it in the center of the circle and lead the children in Silence as previously described.
• Let the children know that you will be gathering the Love Light Pins into a basket which will be placed on the peace shelf. Tell them that whenever they are aware of their love and want to wear a Love Light Pin, they can take one from the peace shelf.
• Gather the pins into the basket and take the basket to the peace shelf so the children see where it is placed.

Suggestions for Follow Through:

• Wear a Love Light Pin whenever you present a peace activity and at periodic times throughout the week. This action models to the children that you recognize and honor the symbol. It becomes a connection between you and the children.
• Recognize and appreciate it when children choose to wear Love Light Pins. Periodically suggest that they might want to wear love lights when they experience something loving, peaceful or when they feel specially good.
• Have a Love Light Day when everyone wears a Love Light Pin. This is a good way to emphasize the love within each other.
• Create an activity in the classroom where the children can cut out yellow love lights from construction paper to take home.

Instructions for Making Love Light Pins:

• Obtain yellow or gold felt.
• Trace 2" diameter circles on the felt.
• Cut out the 2" diameter circles.
• Use a glue gun to attach a large-size jewelry pin to the back of each circle.

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