Youth Curriculum, 1-18-26

Announcements: 

Parents— We’re excited to share that we will be launching 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 Friday, February 13th at 5:30pm will be shared soon—we look forward to growing a strong family together.

Our teens, Lia and Zia, headed to CSL Teen Camp on Friday for a weekend of spiritual connection, self-expression, and growth. We invite our community to hold them in love, trusting that they are having a beautiful experience—one perfectly designed just for them.

January Theme: Revolutionary Agreements – Living in Truth
Week 3 Value: I Agree to Look Within When I React
Affirmation: I agree to look within when I react.

Curriculum Overview

This week invites youth and teens to explore self-awareness as a spiritual skill. Rather than focusing on what others say or do, youth learn to notice what happens inside them when they react. Being “open at the top” means remaining curious instead of judgmental and using reactions as doorways to deeper understanding. This lesson supports emotional regulation, responsibility, and inner growth.

Spiritual Lesson

It is easy to notice when someone behaves in a way we don’t like; it is harder to notice how we respond internally. This Agreement teaches that reactions are teachers, pointing us toward unresolved feelings, unmet needs, or old stories. Youth learn the difference between observing behavior and becoming consumed by judgment or emotion. Looking within restores choice, clarity, and compassion—for ourselves and others.

Spiritual Practice: Inner Awareness Pause

Youth are guided through a brief grounding practice focused on noticing sensations in the body when emotions arise. They silently reflect on a recent reaction and observe where it shows up physically—tight shoulders, fast breathing, or clenched hands. This practice reinforces that awareness creates space between stimulus and response, allowing for wiser choices.

Active Listening: Book / Music / Video

Younger Children (Ages 4–7)

Book: When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang
Helps young children recognize strong emotions and learn calming strategies.
Music: “Take a Breath” – Kira Willey
Encourages pausing and breathing when big feelings arise.
Video: Butterfly Breath for Kids (1:26)
Introduces simple breathing for emotional regulation.

Children & Preteens (Ages 7–12)

Book: What to Do When Your Temper Flares by Dawn Huebner
Offers practical tools for noticing and managing emotional reactions.
Music: “Try” – Colbie Caillat
Encourages self-reflection, gentleness, and self-acceptance.
Video: “Pause & Think” – GoNoodle (3:00)
Reinforces pausing before reacting through movement and humor.

Teens (Ages 13–16)
Reading: Revolutionary Agreements by Marian Head – excerpt on self-responsibility and awareness
Supports reflection on reactions as inner signals rather than external problems.
Music: “Breathe Me” – Sia
Explores emotional vulnerability and inner awareness.
Video: “Choose,” “Beauty of You”– Sarah Burke (5:28)
Offers insight into why we react and how awareness transforms response.

Creative Expression: Reaction Mapping

Youth create visual “Reaction Maps,” drawing or writing what happens in their body, thoughts, and emotions when they feel triggered. Teens may label patterns they notice and identify what helps them return to balance. This activity normalizes reactions while empowering self-awareness.

Connecting: Emotion Freeze Tag

Youth play Freeze Tag with an emotional-awareness twist. When tagged, players pause, name an emotion and one healthy response, then rejoin the game. The activity reinforces that pausing, naming feelings, and choosing responses helps us stay connected rather than reactive.