Youth Curriculum, 7-14-24
Announcements:
Our next Teen and Young Adult Life Skills Workshop on July 28th will be on Outdoor survival skills! If you know anyone 13-23 who would like to join us for this fun and empowering workshop, connect them with us!
Curriculum Overview:
Youth will explore the concept of embracing the idea that imperfection is not only acceptable but also a source of beauty and strength through storytelling, creative art activities, and group discussions. They will learn to appreciate their unique qualities, understand the beauty in their flaws, and cultivate self-acceptance and compassion for themselves and others.
July Monthly Theme: Practice Makes Imperfect
Week 2 Value: Leaning into Imperfection
Affirmation: “I embrace imperfection and discover profound possibilities.”
Spiritual Lesson:
In this lesson, the youth will be introduced to the concept of imperfection through music and storytelling. They will participate in a creative art activity that encourages them to express their individuality without fear of making mistakes, fostering a sense of freedom and self-acceptance. Through a compassion and empathy exercise, they will receive and share positive affirmations, helping them see their unique qualities and those of their peers in a positive light.
Movement: – Outdoor Flawed Adventure
Youth take a walk outside to look for three things they may see as a flaw and find a way to appreciate it.
Active Listening: Book/Music/Video
Book: Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
Book: Beautiful Hands by Kathryn Otoshi and Bret Baumgarten
Music: Perfectly Imperfect by Declan J Donovan
Creative Expression: Imperfection Art and Compassion Practice
Youth create art that represents their imperfections and discuss how these imperfections make their art unique and beautiful. With a stack of pot-its and a pen, youth write something nice about each child in the class and then post them or give them to their peers. After sharing our notes, the youth discussed how imperfections can be seen as strengths by others.
Connecting: Journaling and Self-Reflection
Youths draw or write about their day, focusing on moments when they felt imperfect and how they learned from it. We practice a simple forgiveness phrase to help let go of mistakes.