Infants to Four-Year-Olds: Sunday Morning RE Learning Groups

Our Learning Group sessions are concurrent with Sunday morning services at 9:15 and 11:15. They run one hour and 15 minutes.

Our Youngest Learners

In RE learning groups for children under the age of five, UUCA's curriculum explores these questions: Who am I? What is my community? my family? What is the environment around us?

The groups may be your childrens' first experience in a exploring a church. Our community is also the first place for many children to feel “at home” outside their home. We are eager to make attendance at church a safe and positive experience for your child. If you have any concerns about allergies or other food-related problems, please let the staff know. For some children, separation from their parents is a difficult and anxious event. If your child is young or new to the program, you are invited to spend all or part of your first few sessions with your child. This gentle settling-in also allows you to meet your child's teachers and other parents.

Infants & Toddlers:

In the nursery, babies and young toddlers receive warm and loving care. Adults and youth staff the nursery, and make a point of fostering a feeling of belonging to this place. The Nursery is equipped with cribs, rockers, child-size furniture, and lots of toys. During the children's stay, snack will be served for the older children, and younger children will be fed whatever their parents bring for them (e.g., a bottle or baby-food). We look forward to getting to know both you and your child!

Two-Year Olds:

Doing It Ourselves is a flexible curriculum which encourages children to learn the teachers’ and other children’s names; become comfortable with a simple class “schedule,” and learn to walk as a group from place to place. We have free play, circle-time, a game or craft project, outside play, snack and more free play. Lessons may include friendship/getting to know each other, families, giving, love, remembering, and appreciating the seasons.

Three-Year Olds:

Celebrating Me and My World - This curriculum celebrates every preschooler's wonder and amazement with themselves and the world around them. The children explore themselves as special and unique beings; the physical world around them; and other people in their lives.

Activities are tailored for this age group, so please dress the children for active play and sometimes messy crafts. Also, prepare your refrigerator for new artwork! This curriculum helps every child develop a positive self-image, feel safe and accepted at UUCA, enjoy their classmates, develop self-expression and cooperating skills, explore the world around them, and become familiar with a chalice and the term "Unitarian Universalist".

Four-Year Olds:

Chalice Children - This curriculum is designed to help young children learn about their church and their congregation through rituals, rhymes, chants, stories, and activities. The experiences and messages of the curriculum are intended to affirm young children in their spiritual growth, creativity, and connection to our congregation.

During the year, the teachers strive for a safe, happy, and interesting classroom, so that children are willing and anxious to share their thoughts without fear of criticism. By the end of the year, children will also understand that circle time is time for quiet sharing; that our church is the "Unitarian Universalist" church; and that Unitarian Universalists place particular value on certain principles (the UU principles). Hopefully, the children will increase their sensitivity toward needs of others and begin to understand that sharing, giving and helping are valued traits.

Parents & Guardians

• Overview

• What to Expect

• Registration & Attendance

• RE Calendar

Learning Groups for Older Kids

• Elementary School Age

• Middle School Age

• High School Age

• Learning Outside The Classroom