|
Friday, 17 September 2010 |
 The first principle of Unitarian Universalism says that we will "affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” In children's Religious Exploration (RE), we strive to teach and practice this every day. With the children, the lessons and practices of this principle embrace the understanding that each person is special in terms of being both valuable and unique. Each and every person has her/his own individual set of strengths, challenges and preferences.
To live out this principle in children's RE, the staff and volunteers try to determine and build on each child's individual strengths and preferences. However, the children are in RE only 45 minutes a week, so we need the help of parents and guardians. Let us know your child's strengths, challenges, likes and dislikes and any strategies that work well at home or in school. Please, include this information on the registration form or contact the Director of Religious Exploration (DRE). A meeting or phone conversation are welcome, because the more details you provide, the better experience we can create for your child. You can also help by reinforcing your child's learning around our first principle. This principle asks much of us, and children will slowly develop the ability to live up to it. The understanding that each person is valuable and unique, asks us to respect each person for simply being. It asks us to be understanding and to be patient with others who are challenged in ways we are not. It also asks us to be patient with our own challenges and to be gracious and generous with our strengths. Finally, it helps us understand that give and take is often helpful, as demonstrated when a school age child says something like, “I'll play hide-and-seek with you now if you play tag with me later.” Learning to live out our first principle takes time. The RE staff and volunteers look forward to working in partnership with families as we support and encourage each unique child in their developing understanding of themselves and others and in practicing ways to live with others in mutual care and respect. |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 23 September 2010 )
|
