2022/2023
Mini Spirit Play meets during the service on Sundays at 10am
PreK/Kindergarten – Ages 3-6
Spirit Play uses the Montessori model and Joel Berryman’s “Morning as Worship” approach to create a child-centered sacred space for our time together. Mini Spirit Play begins with a gathering to learn our Unitarian Universalist stories and allows children the flexibility to learn at their own pace and with individual choice of activities following the story.
What do children learn in Spirit Play?
In Mini Spirit Play, we help children live into their own answers to questions such as: What does it mean to be good? How do we care for others? Why do bad things happen? What is love? What is a family? How can I help?
We find this story-centered and choice-driven model highly effective, and enjoyable, for this age group!
* Age by September is the preferred placement for children. Please speak to the Director of Religious Education for any exceptions.
To volunteer as a lead teacher or classroom assistant please sign up here:
Elementary Our Whole Lives for Grades K-1
(5-6* years old) 12 noon Elementary OWL class meets on Sundays at noon
What is Our Whole Lives? ( OWL)
Our Whole Lives (commonly referred to as “OWL”) is a lifespan sexuality education series based on a philosophy of comprehensive sexuality education. The title, Our Whole Lives, expresses the belief that sexuality education is a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and values about identity and relationships, intimacy and health.
OWL courses at all levels support the formation of a healthy relationship with one’s own body and with other people. OWL equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. Grounded in a holistic view of sexuality, comprehensive sexuality education provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but also helps to clarify values, build interpersonal skills, and foster understanding of the spiritual, emotional, social, and political aspects of sexuality as well.
Who Leads OWL Courses?
OWL volunteers are chosen very carefully, and must attend professionally-led Leader Training courses before leading this class. A team of male and female leaders is provided at all levels, with a minimum of two adult leaders per class.
What topics are covered specifically in Elementary OWL for Grades K-1?
Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Grades K-1 can help you educate your child about birth, babies, bodies, and families. You will be actively involved as your child learns through songs, stories, activities and at-home projects that promote family dialogue.
What is the role of parents and caregivers in Elementary OWL?
Parents are their children’s primary religious and sexuality educators. Elementary OWL provides parents and caregivers with resources and support that will help them talk about sexuality more effectively with their children.
Parents are included in an orientation session with their children. In addition, parents are encouraged to purchase and refer to The Parent Guide to OWL. Following each session, a Homelink will provide parents with topics for conversation at home. The children will be encouraged to share and discuss each lesson with their parents.
We will also offer parent conversations during the children’s class time. These sessions are opportunities for parents to learn more about child development, communicating with children about sexual issues, and other topics of interest. These sessions are also a time to discuss general parenting concerns with other parents of children in this age group, and to offer each other support.
OWL is….
learning to love and respect our bodies, ourselves and others, for Our Whole Lives.
NOTE:
There will be a $100 charge for families not already actively supporting UUCC with their time and treasure. Because the cost of training facilitators and purchasing curricula is high, we ask members to contribute $50 for the class. In all cases, if the cost is prohibitive, please speak to Robin Slaw, Director of Religious Education, about a scholarship.