Youth Curriculum, 1-11-26

Announcements:

Parents—We’re excited to share that we will launch our Quarterly Parent Meet-Up Workshop Series beginning the second week of February. These gatherings will continue every second month and the second week of each quarter, offering space for connection, conversation, and support around what youth and teens are experiencing. More details and your invite for our first meet-up on Friday, February 13th, at 5:30 pm will be shared soon—we look forward to growing a strong family together.

January Theme: Revolutionary Agreements – Living in Truth
Week 1 Value: I Agree to Speak My Truth, with Compassion
Affirmation: I agree to speak my truth, with compassion.

Curriculum Overview

This week invites youth and teens to explore the power of words and conscious communication. Speaking truth is not just about honesty—it is about awareness, intention, and care. Youth learn that when we are “open at the top,” we listen before we speak and choose words that reflect both authenticity and compassion. This lesson supports emotional intelligence, empathy, and respectful self-expression.

Spiritual Lesson:

Truth spoken without compassion can feel harsh; compassion without truth can feel incomplete. This Agreement teaches that both can exist together. Youth learn the difference between reactive speech—words spoken from emotion or defense—and compassionate truth—words spoken from clarity, self-respect, and care for connection. Speaking truth with compassion builds trust, safety, and understanding in relationships.

Spiritual Practice: Mindful Speaking Pause

Youth are guided through a brief breathing and awareness practice focused on the space where words form. They reflect silently on what they want others to understand about them and how they want their words to land, learning that pausing before speaking supports clarity, honesty, and compassion.

Active Listening: Book / Music / Video

Younger Children (Ages 4–7)

• Book: My Mouth Is a Volcano! by Julia Cook
  A playful, relatable story that helps young children understand impulse control and respectful listening.
• Music: “Kindness” – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
  An upbeat, age-appropriate song reinforcing kind words and thoughtful choices.
• Video: Listening with My Heart – Animated Read Aloud by Gabi Garcia (4:30)
  Supports empathy, emotional awareness, and expressing feelings with care.

Children & Preteens (Ages 7–12)

• Book: Say Something! by Peter H. Reynolds
  Encourages speaking up thoughtfully and using one’s voice with intention.
• Music: “Let Your Words Be Few” – Switchfoot
  A reflective song that invites awareness around speaking thoughtfully and meaningfully.
• Video: “Think Before You Speak” – SoulPancake (3:00)
  Explores how words impact others and why mindful communication matters.

Teens (Ages 13–16)

• Reading: Revolutionary Agreements by Marian Head – excerpt on truth, integrity, and compassionate expression
  Connects authenticity with responsibility and care in communication.
• Music: “Better Not I Die” – Post Malone (clean edit)
  Explores emotional honesty and vulnerability beneath guarded communication.
• Video: “The Power of Words” – Spoken Word by Shane Koyczan (2:40–4:50 excerpt)
  A compelling reflection on how language shapes identity, relationships, and responsibility.

Creative Expression: Compassion Statements

Youth are given common reactive phrases (e.g., “You never listen,” “That’s not fair”). Together, they rewrite them into compassionate truth statements (e.g., “I want to feel heard,” “I need help understanding”). Teens may create posters or cards pairing reactive vs. compassionate language.

Connecting: Truth Telephone Remix

Youth play a modified version of Telephone, passing a message with intentional pauses and mindful attention. Afterward, the group reflects on how awareness, tone, and care influence what is received, reinforcing that conscious communication helps truth travel more clearly and kindly.