Youth Curriculum, 3-12-23
Announcements:
Youth & Family Ministry is partnering with Wildkind Academy to offer seasonal outdoor educational programs for youth, teens, and their parents beginning April 30th. We share in the idea that rewilding with nature brings true spiritual connection to self and community. The first course is a half-day adventure and includes outdoor skillsets, a spirit walk, spring foraging, and more. Anyone can sponsor a child for $50 to cover material and space rental costs by donating on our website and selecting the youth & family option. Look for email program sign-up opportunities from Adrienne.
Curriculum Overview
Youths choose to be the observer of thoughts and feelings in their life experiences. Recognizing where they may feel forced to mask their truth, they practice creative releasing and then step into their courage and authentic self.
2023 Theme: Living Out Loud!
March Monthly Theme: Cultivating Authenticity
Week 2 Value: Releasing our Masks
Affirmation: I easily let go of the past and the future, so I can enjoy the present
Spiritual Lesson: Releasing our Masks
Youth practice choosing to be the observer of thoughts and feelings in their lives, recognizing where they feel forced to mask their truth. We practice Creative Releasing, being okay with vulnerability, and stepping into our courage.
Active Listening: Book/Music/Video
Mindful Minute Poem – youth read aloud a mindful poem to help calm their “puppy minds.”
Simple Qi Gong Practice – youth follow a shaking Qi Gong movement good for shaking off unwanted thoughts.
We choose from our monthly book list, The Listening Walk, The Princess, and the Kingshuk Tree, Incredible You! and Puppy Mind, and discuss how we can use inspiration from our inner wisdom to do things that bring us joy and help to share our authenticity with others.
Music: Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
Creative Expression – Training my Puppy Mind
We have fun learning about puppy mind, discovering where our puppy goes, and how to train our puppy mind to heel to our true selves.
Connecting/Spiritual Practice: Shake it Off
Youths write down and draw ideas, beliefs, and attachments that no longer feel right or good. We place these on a breaking board and break through them, we tear the broken paper into small pieces that are sprinkled on us like a returning thought, and finally, we shake them off like a puppy shaking water off.