Gather

What do we hope? W

• Explain to the children that at the beginning of the year, people often think about what they hope for in the year ahead. Sometimes these are big hopes and sometimes these are small ones.
• Give each child the chance to share any hopes they have for the coming year. Some of these will be fabulous, unrealistic or things over which they have no influence.
• Talk about a hope you have that is something you can achieve or influence during the year (e.g. learn a new skill, clean your room every week). Ask the children to think about something that they could hope to do this year and challenge them to see if they can do it.

Run to corners game W

You will need: four A4 paper signs saying Hope, Love, Joy and Trust; water, jugs and cups.

• Place the signs in the four corners of your room where they can be seen clearly. Place water and cups on a table near the Hope sign.
• Check that the children know what the words say and then explain the game i.e. that you will say a word and they will run to that corner.
• Call out the words in quick succession sending the children running between the signs. Send them to Hope most, but do not mention or share out the water. As they tire, they will want a drink and will want to go to Hope. For a couple of times don’t send them there or let them stop there. End the game by sending everyone to Hope.
• Ask: Anyone hoping for a drink?
• Pass out the cups of water and talk briefly about how the hope of a drink made them feel and how the actual drink refreshed them.