Preschool Sunday school: writing a thank-you note (once a week)
Each child finishes a note that names a person and one specific kindness, using the template in the activity book. This once a week plan is for preschool children in a Sunday school group.
about 4 and 5- 5 to 7 minutes missions
- once a week
Writing a thank-you note for preschool in a Sunday school group
Each child finishes a note that names a person and one specific kindness, using the template in the activity book. In this Sunday school room, preschool children (about 4 and 5) practice with “The turn at the slide.” Sam, the classmate, Sam moved aside and said the next turn belonged to someone who had been waiting. The once a week calendar is the one that fits: This is the once-per-week format from the second half of the manual, written for groups and clubs that do not meet daily. One meeting carries the mission. A single home task goes in the activity book. Do not try to compress five school days into one hour.
The Sunday school teacher leads. Opening and music already take time. The mission is one short block, then the note template only when the group has practiced the kindness out loud. Children answer in one picture and one question, answered out loud in a small circle. The spoken line is “Thank you for letting me go..” The note line is “Thank you for giving me a turn on the slide..” Alison Gilham’s program supplies the manual, the activity book, and the flashcards; this page is the plan for this group and this kindness.
The note for Sam
The note can be a dictated sentence. The child supplies the person’s name and the kindness. The adult prints it on the activity-book template so the child can see that spoken thanks and written thanks are the same idea. For this kindness the sentence is “Thank you for giving me a turn on the slide.” It has to mention the slide or the ladder of the slide, not a general compliment to the classmate.
A preschool note that says only “thanks for being nice” goes back. Ask what Sam did. The extra practice pages are for the messy draft. Spanish-speaking children write the same kindness in the Spanish activity book, using “Gracias por dejarme el turno.”
Words to say about Sam
This is a script the Sunday school teacher can say with preschool children during writing a thank-you note. It uses “The turn at the slide,” a practice situation for this plan. It is not a list of the 30 printed flashcards. Those cards stay in the set and match the activity book. Use this script when you need the words in the room.
Sunday school teacher: “We are going to thank Sam. Sam is the classmate. Here is the kindness: Sam moved aside and said the next turn belonged to someone who had been waiting. It happened at the slide. Look at the ladder of the slide.”
Sunday school teacher: “A thank-you that fits is ‘Thank you for letting me go.’ Say it with me.” The group repeats it. Then one child says it alone. If they drop the kindness and only say “thank you,” ask what Sam did, and have them put that piece back in the sentence.
Sunday school teacher: “Someone might answer, ‘You were waiting. Go ahead.’ We do not mock that voice. We say it so children hear that thank you lands on a person.” Ask preschool children, who are about 4 and 5, to try the line looking at a partner. one picture and one question, answered out loud in a small circle.
Age tips for preschool (about 4 and 5)
Preschool children can learn why thank you matters before they write much. They need a picture, a person, and one clear kindness. A long talk loses them. The leader shows the moment, the children say a short line, and the group stops while the words still feel friendly. For this Sunday school plan, keep the mission inside 5 to 7 minutes. one picture and one question, answered out loud in a small circle.
One once a week meeting in the Sunday school room
This is the once-per-week format from the second half of the manual, written for groups and clubs that do not meet daily. One meeting carries the mission. A single home task goes in the activity book. Do not try to compress five school days into one hour. In the Sunday school room, the Sunday school teacher has one sitting with preschool children, about 4 and 5. Do not replay a school week. Opening and music already take time. The mission is one short block, then the note template only when the group has practiced the kindness out loud.
Copy-ready lines for “The turn at the slide”
Spoken line to practice: “Thank you for letting me go.” Reply children may hear: “You were waiting. Go ahead.” Note line to write: “Thank you for giving me a turn on the slide.” Spanish line for the same kindness: “Gracias por dejarme el turno.”
What Sam's lesson needs
Each child needs Why and How To Say “Thank You,” the classroom edition: a saddle-stitched activity book with situations for saying thank you, the How To Write A Thank You Note template, and extra pages to practice. The flashcard set has 30 cards, 8.5 by 11 inches, colorful, with rounded corners. The cards mirror the activity book so the group can look at one situation before writing. The Operation Thank You Manual is 98 pages. The first half is the Monday–Friday classroom sequence. The second half is the once-per-week sequence for clubs. The manual, the activity book, and the flashcards are available in Spanish. The MISSION Reminders Supplement can be added when some children speak Spanish. Extra activity books are sold in packs of 10. For “The turn at the slide,” also set out the ladder of the slide. Open the template before anyone writes. Read the parts: greeting, the kindness, closing. Then write only about today’s helper.
Classroom and group notes for the Sunday school room
Sunday school time is limited. The once-per-week missions were written for groups that meet weekly, including church classes. Children can thank family, classmates, and people who serve the congregation. The series still ends with a thank-you note. Opening and music already take time. The mission is one short block, then the note template only when the group has practiced the kindness out loud.
Home work after The turn at the slide
Thank a sibling for a turn with a toy, and name the toy. Write that in the activity book so the family sees Sam's kindness, not a blank “say thank you.” The note can be a dictated sentence. The child supplies the person’s name and the kindness. The adult prints it on the activity-book template so the child can see that spoken thanks and written thanks are the same idea.
If preschool children stall on Sam
Have two children stand at a pretend ladder. Practice the step-aside and the thanks before anyone climbs. A child who keeps thanking the Sunday school teacher is avoiding Sam. Send them back to the classmate and the moment at the slide. Whispering “Thank you for letting me go.” counts.
Who is in the Sunday school room
Sunday school time is limited. The once-per-week missions were written for groups that meet weekly, including church classes. Children can thank family, classmates, and people who serve the congregation. The series still ends with a thank-you note.
Books for this Sunday school preschool group
Spoken practice about Sam can start in the Sunday school room today. The activity-book template matters when preschool children are ready to write “Thank you for giving me a turn on the slide..” If a sponsor is funding this Sunday school group, parents get a sample letter, and shipping is included on full and partial packages. The leader can ask at no cost.
Spanish materials in this group
If any child in the Sunday school room speaks Spanish at home, order the Spanish activity book for that child and keep the same situation. The Spanish line for this plan is “Gracias por dejarme el turno.” The English line remains “Thank you for letting me go.”
Questions leaders ask
Let's Grow a Culture of Thank You.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, organization, business, or individual looking to make a difference, there's a place for you in the Culture of Thank You.
Let's help the next generation learn to recognize kindness, appreciate others,
and say “Thank You” with meaning.