Chalice Children
A Unitarian Universalist Preschool CurriculumBy Kate Tweedie Erslev
- Theme and Description
- Based upon a philosophy that a child’s spiritual development is related to direct experience, this curriculum helps young children learn what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. Using a chalice theme, children learn about their religious community, engage in sharing with others, and explore a sense of belonging.
- Goals for Participants
- To nurture affection and affirmation for a child’s individuality;
To develop a sense of belonging to a Unitarian Universalist community;
To foster acceptance, trust, and an appreciation of themselves and others in their world;
To create a sense of connection to nature and the universe;
To develop self expression, cooperative skills, and creative achievements as they learn and grow.
- Age Range
- Ideal for age 4, but easily and effectively used for ages 3 to 5.
- Size of Group
- Flexible
- Space Requirements
- A large room is needed to accommodate the variety of activities in this program; a comfortable gathering place for conversation and stories, a table space for crafts, and an open floor space for active games. Access to a sink and an oven is necessary for many lessons.
- Number and Length of Sessions
- 36 sessions, with 5 additional alternates
Length: 60 minutes - Leader Training
- No formal training is required, but a yearlong commitment from teachers is highly recommended for consistency, trust, and security.
- Leader Preparation
- 1 - 2 hours
- Strengths
- Includes an entering activity that allows for children to arrive at different times;
Homelinks and parent handouts provide religious education messages and questions related to the session’s theme to deepen and expand religious experiences at home;
Builds a strong sense of Unitarian Universalist identity;
Includes a number of alternative book choices on the session’s theme;
Includes many sessions with holiday themes, including five alternates;
Includes many crafts and physically engaging activities;
New children or those who attend irregularly can be easily integrated because each session stands on its own. - Limitations
- Because of the large number of sessions and the number tied to particular times of the year, advanced planning is necessary to determine the best order;
Most lessons require a significant amount of materials to be gathered by the teachers or religious educator each week. - Adaptability
- Many activities are included in each session, some of which can be dropped or used as time and interest require;
Easily adaptable to include the needs of younger or slightly older children. - Unitarian Universalist Values
- Sessions on helping others and diversity communicate core values of respecting all people. A session on weddings and services of union affirms all kinds of families. Several lessons communicate the value of wondering and asking questions. Promotes Unitarian Universalist identity.
Reviewed on September 15, 2005
|
Curricula
