Youth Curriculum, 11-8-26
Youth Announcements:
CSL Winter Teen Camp Registration Is Open! Teens ages 12.5–18, sign up by December 15! Visit cslolympia.org under Youth & Family → Teen Camp to learn more and register.
November Monthly Theme: Expanding Empathy
November Week 2 — Understanding with Empathy: Listening to What Isn’t Said
Value: Deep Listening & Compassion
Affirmation: I listen with my soul and give space for the unspoken.
Curriculum Overview:
Youth explore how communication goes beyond spoken words. Through interactive listening exercises, role-play, and creative expression, they practice noticing facial expressions, body language, tone, and silence without jumping to conclusions. They discover how listening with curiosity rather than judgment helps others feel seen, heard, and understood.
Spiritual Lesson:
Deep listening is an expression of the Love and Oneness that connect us all. Youth learn that understanding someone doesn’t require having the same experiences or knowing exactly how they feel. By setting aside assumptions, allowing others space to express themselves, and responding with compassion, we create opportunities for meaningful connection.
Meditation Practice: Listening Beyond Words
Youth settle into a comfortable position and focus on their breathing. They imagine quieting the noise of their thoughts and creating space to listen with an open heart. They silently consider, “What might someone be communicating that they haven’t found the words to express?” They visualize responding with patience, openness, and compassion.
Teen Discussion: Listening Beyond Words
Teens explore why people sometimes rush to offer advice or solutions rather than simply listening. They discuss how to recognize when someone needs support, how to ask thoughtful questions without being intrusive, and how to respect another person’s boundaries. They consider how empathy can be expressed through attentive listening, thoughtful silence, and allowing others to share at their own pace.
Creative Expression: The Unspoken Message — What Am I Noticing?
Youth explore how people communicate through facial expressions, gestures, tone, and silence. Younger youth (ages 4–7) become Feelings Detectives, identifying emotions through expressions and practicing compassionate responses. Older youth (ages 8–12) explore friendship and school scenarios, distinguishing between observations and assumptions. Middle school youth (ages 11–13) examine more nuanced situations involving mixed emotions, social pressure, and misunderstandings, practicing how to check in without making assumptions or pressuring someone to share.
Outdoor Activity: Empathy Relay — Pass It On!
Youth form teams and take turns racing to a set of stations, each with a quick empathy challenge. At each station, they draw a simple scenario and decide on a kind or thoughtful response before tagging the next teammate. The goal isn’t to find a single perfect answer, but to find ways to help others feel included, understood, and valued.
Connecting: Make Space for the Unspoken
Youth identify one person they can practice listening to more intentionally this week. They consider how they can offer support without interrupting, judging, or rushing to fix a problem. Each participant completes the statement: “I show empathy when I…” Their responses will contribute to our collective Empathy in Action sharing moment on the fifth Sunday.