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Spirit Play
The Spirit Play curriculum is a UU adaptation of the Godly Play curriculum by Jerome Berryman combined with aspects of the Montessori Method, by Maria Montessori.
The purpose of religious education in the Spirit Play classroom, as we see it, is to help children find their own answers to some existential questions.
- Where did we come from?
- What is our purpose?
- How do we choose to live our lives?
- What are our gifts?
- How do we use them?
- What happens when we die?
- Why do we die?
- Why are we lonely and sad sometimes?
The structure and key elements of the classroom are based on the Montessori Method. These elements free the children to work at their own pace on their own issues. Stories have been developed in the following categories using current children’s literature, myths, religious stories and church history that cover answers from various sources to the existential questions above.
The classroom is set up as a prepared environment. Each item or “work” on the shelves has a place to “live.” We call the activities work because children’s play is actually equivalent to adult work. They are using the “work” to help figure out the world they live in. Shelves are set up with lessons pertaining to a variety of categories.
- Unitarian Universalist Focus Shelves include UU core beliefs, the Flaming Chalice, and UU history and figures. Lessons pertain to our principles (called “promises” in Spirit Play) and stories illustrating each principle.
- Lessons also pertain to the sources of our principles and our faith, including Judeo-Christian stories from Godly Play.
- Stories relating to the Mystery that some people call God include Beginnings, Endings, Sacred Places.
- The Church Corner will have items relating to our sanctuary space including materials needed for ceremonies such as Celebration of New Lives, Coming of Age, Marriage or Union, Memorial Services, Flower Communion, and Merging of the Waters.
Come on down and visit us some time! Kerri Meyer, Director of Religious Education, would be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can reach her at the Church Office at extension 104.