Children's Programs 0-12 years
Children are valued members of our church community, and through our programs we hope to provide them with opportunities to explore spiritual issues.  We celebrate diversity in all its forms, we learn about world religions, we value nature and the environment. Our aim is to provide an opportunity for kids to talk about the big questions in life. We have dedicated volunteer teachers, and children often develop supportive friendships in the group. Children can register for the programs at any time of the year.

During the summer months, there is no Religious Education programming. Children who attend the church in summer are welcome to participate in arts and crafts with two childcare staff.

For the 2010-11 church school year, beginning in September, the children's programs will be as follows:

0-3 year olds – Childcare
Childcare is available and is provided by two trained and paid staff. The childcare room is on the main floor of Hewett Centre.

3 yrs to 6 year olds – Spirit Play
This is an innovative program developed for Unitarian Universalists by Dr. Nita Penfold, D.Min, as a way of responding to children’s wonderings about some important questions, such as

-Who am I?
-What are my gifts?
-How do I choose to live my life?
-Why am I sometimes sad or lonely?

This program is based on Montessori theory.  Each week, a story is presented using manipulative materials, and wondering questions are posed for the children to consider. The children then work with art materials or with the story materials. The weekly story and its related materials are stored in baskets and are available to the children each Sunday.

  7-8 year olds – We Are Made of Stardust
This participatory curriculum will help our 7 and 8 years olds begin to learn the science-based story of 14 billion years of cosmic, planetary and human evolution in fun and meaningful ways. Some lessons will include learning about the stars in the movie The Lion King, learning about what our sun is creating, as well as Red Giants, Big Blues, and birthday stars.

9-12 year olds – Traditions with a Wink
This curriculum teaches an understanding of our Unitarian faith.  We come from a long tradition of questioning, searching, loving kindness and good works. Some Unitarian traditions taught will include:

 -our principles and purposes
 -our music and hymns
 -the place of science and reason
 -our roots in Judeo Christian culture
 -the way we create services of celebration and memory

This program teaches our UU traditions, while adding the fun which this age group needs in order to stay connected and enthusiastic to their church experience.