25 September - Baha'i Children's Classes

We met today at the Hinman Park (I can't for the life of me recall what its new name is), and played and then sang!

We sang a song about a tiny seed, which springs forth from the soil of God's Love by the Hand of His Bounty.

As we were singing, a little inch-worm landed in Olivia's hair, and then found its way to Amia's palm, where it was loved a little too tightly. We sang a little song about an inch-worm in tribute, hoping another one would come our way and, lo, and behold, onto Sarah's forehead sprang another inch-worm friend!

The natural world is such a wonderful way to teach children about spiritual qualities. Which is one of the reasons that I think we as a society are having a difficult time connecting with said qualities - we are so removed from the cycles of nature, and the lessons that they bring!

25 September

We met today at the Hinman Park (I can't for the life of me recall what its new name is), and played and then sang!

We sang a song about a tiny seed, which springs forth from the soil of God's Love by the Hand of His Bounty.

As we were singing, a little inch-worm landed in Olivia's hair, and then found its way to Amia's palm, where it was loved a little too tightly. We sang a little song about an inch-worm in tribute, hoping another one would come our way and, lo, and behold, onto Sarah's forehead sprang another inch-worm friend!

The natural world is such a wonderful way to teach children about spiritual qualities. Which is one of the reasons that I think we as a society are having a difficult time connecting with said qualities - we are so removed from the cycles of nature, and the lessons that they bring!

Tiny Seed lyrics - Baha'i Children's Classes

(This song encourages listener participation! The child begins as the "tiny seed" and either puts her head on the table or scrunches up into a ball on the ground.)

"I am, O my God, but a tiny seed

Which Thou hast sown in the soil of Thy love

And caused to spring forth
(here, the child stands up and "grows" with her arms to the sky!)

by the hand of Thy bounty!"

Tiny Seed

(This song encourages listener participation! The child begins as the "tiny seed" and either puts her head on the table or scrunches up into a ball on the ground.)

I am, O my God, but a tiny seed

Which Thou hast sown in the soil of Thy love

And caused to spring forth (here, the child stands up and "grows" with her arms to the sky!)

by the hand of Thy bounty!

The Inch-Worm Song

Part 1 (the child's part):

Inch-worm, inch-worm,
Measuring the marigolds,
You and your arithmetic,
You'll probably go far.

Inch-worm, inch-worm,
Measuring the marigolds,
Seems to me you'd stop and see
How beautiful they are.

Part 2 (the inch-worm's part):

Two and two are four,
Four and four are eight,
Eight and eight are sixteen,
Sixteen and sixteen are thirty-two. (repeat)

The 2 Parts Together:

Inch-worm, inch-worm, Measuring the marigolds,
Two and two are four, Four and four are eight,

You and your arithmetic, You'll probably go far.
Eight and eight are sixteen, Sixteen and sixteen are thirty-two.


Inch-worm, inch-worm, Measuring the marigolds,
Two and two are four, Four and four are eight,

Seems to me you'd stop and see How beautiful they are.
Eight and eight are sixteen, Sixteen and sixteen are thirty-two.

Love for Baha'u'llah (song lyrics)

Here is one of our favorite songs we sing in Baha'i Children's Classes:

Chorus:
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Higher, higher than a mountain,
Deeper, deeper than the ocean,
Wider, wider than an aeroplane,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Chorus:
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Softer, softer than a mousey,
Louder, louder than fireworks,
Sweeter, sweeter than ice cream,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Chorus:
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Love For Bahá'u'lláh

Chorus:
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Higher, higher than a mountain,
Deeper, deeper than the ocean,
Wider, wider than an aeroplane,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Chorus:
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Softer, softer than a mousey,
Louder, louder than fireworks,
Sweeter, sweeter than ice cream,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Chorus:
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Love For Bahá'u'lláh, sweet and wonderful,
Oh! Wonderful love!

Baha'i Children's Class Group Photo

Here we are! The first posting of the Prayers in the Park Playgroup!

We have met three times so far, on Tuesdays at 9.30 AM. The first two meetings were at Burnham Shores Park, and the third - and most recent - was at Hinman Park, 641 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, IL.

Here is a photo from our second meeting:


We will be posting a journal for each of our meetings, which will include to the lyrics to songs and the prayers that we share at each meeting. So look back often for more info, and we welcome any assistance that you would like to offer in terms of resources!

Group Photo

Here we are! The first posting of the Prayers in the Park Playgroup!

We have met three times so far, on Tuesdays at 9.30 AM. The first two meetings were at Burnham Shores Park, and the third - and most recent - was at Hinman Park, 641 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, IL.

Here is a photo from our second meeting:


We will be posting a journal for each of our meetings, which will include to the lyrics to songs and the prayers that we share at each meeting. So look back often for more info, and we welcome any assistance that you would like to offer in terms of resources!