Start every session with a song that invites children in an acknowledges them. Get on Board Everybody (based on the chorus of the spiritual Get on Board, Little Children) works well.
Get on board everybody.
Get on board, everybody,
Get on board, everybody.
There is room for many-a-more!
There is room for Jack, There is room for Callie,
There is room for Kayla, There’s room for many-a-more!
Intersperse names with actions (Clap your hands, everybody! Wave to your friends, everybody! Pat your head, everybody!)
Find the tune here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xezoa2dpqBE