Elementary Kids

Youth and Family Ministries

Elementary programs build on the solid foundation laid in early childhood, guiding children as they begin to think more independently and explore life’s bigger questions. Lessons are creative, engaging, and rooted in Unity principles.

Elementary programs often focus on:

Helping children see themselves as expressions of the Divine, capable of making wise, loving choices.
Encouraging curiosity and critical thinking through stories, discussion, and play.
Introducing prayer, meditation, and affirmations as practical tools for daily life.
Fostering compassion, friendship, and a sense of belonging within the church community.

Why have a Children’s Ministry Program?

Here are the key purposes for having a children's ministry program:

1. Spiritual Formation and Education ▼

The primary purpose is to nurture a lifelong, healthy, and growing relationship with the Divine/God/Jesus the Christ.

Teaching Core Beliefs: Introduce and teach fundamental Unity spiritual principles and sacred texts (like the Bible) in a way that is age-appropriate and relatable. This focuses on teaching that children are born whole and perfect expressions of God, empowering them to live the Unity Principles (e.g., God is Good, Thought is Creative, Prayer Works).
Developing Spiritual Practices: Equip children with practical spiritual tools—such as prayer, meditation, and affirmations—so they can connect with their inner wisdom and spiritual potential.
Modeling Faith: Provide positive, loving adult role models who demonstrate what it looks like to live a faith-centered life.

2. Partnership with Parents (Family Ministry) ▼

Children’s ministry is designed to support and reinforce the spiritual education happening at home, recognizing that parents are the primary spiritual leaders of their children.

Equipping Parents: Provide parents with resources, discussion points, and tools that help them teach and discuss faith concepts with their children throughout the week.
Aligning Values: Ensure that the lessons taught in the ministry align with the church’s values, helping create a cohesive spiritual environment for the whole family.

3. Community and Relationship Building ▼

A children’s ministry creates a dedicated space for social and emotional development within a spiritual context.

Safe and Fun Environment: Create a secure, welcoming, and fun atmosphere where children are known, loved, and feel comfortable exploring deep questions.
Peer Relationships: Help children build healthy, positive friendships with peers who share similar spiritual values, fostering a sense of belonging.
Involvement in the Church: Integrate children into the larger church community, making them feel like they are the "church of today," not just the "church of tomorrow."

4. Character and Moral Development ▼

Children’s programs use spiritual teachings to cultivate positive character traits and a healthy worldview.

Values and Ethics: Teach universal values like love, compassion, forgiveness, responsibility, and empathy.
Service and Outreach: Engage children in activities that involve serving others—such as community projects or mission work—to teach the importance of expressing faith through action.

5. Future Stability of the Church ▼

Children’s ministry is the single best investment a spiritual community can make for its long-term health and growth.

Nurturing Future Leaders: Train the next generation of spiritual leaders, volunteers, and engaged members who will carry the ministry forward.
Growth: A healthy, thriving children’s ministry is a major draw for young families, helping the entire church body grow and remain vibrant.

Stages of Development

Ages 6 to 10
These students are energetic, curious, open imaginative, and enthusiastic. They are learning what it means to be in relationship with each other. They still need adult help and reassurance but also need time on their own to explore new ideas and concepts. They are developing the ability to talk about
explain their ideas.

Generally they...

Have growth and development of their small motor skills so writing is becoming easier
Can listen well but may not always remember what they heard. Repetition is important.
Can have a tendency to choose things that are too hard and then may give up
Can be insecure about their abilities so may not jump right into a new project
Love new ideas and asking questions
Learn well through games, hand-on activities and exploring how things work

Curriculum Focus for this Age Group

To see Jesus as a person who had challenges and difficulties but created a relationship with God that helped him to move through these challenges with loving kindness and generosity.
To use who Jesus was and how he behaved to create a model of behavior for their own lives.
To help the children explore how they, too, can let God live through them as an expression of life, love and kindness.

Spiritual Foundation & Curriculum

The core of the Unity Elementary experience is the A Living Curriculum philosophy.

Unity's 5 Basic Principles: List the principles in language that's easy for elementary-aged children to understand.
- Example: God is all good and active in everything, everywhere.
The Living Curriculum: Explain that the curriculum is drawn from the children's life experiences, not just taught to them from a book. Mention the process: The Issue (the life topic), The Vehicle (the story/activity used), The Discussion, and The Creative Experience.
"Celebrating My God-Self" Series: This is the common curriculum for this age group (typically ages 6-10). Describe how this Bible-based series helps them explore their divine nature.
12 Powers: Introduce the Twelve Powers (e.g., Faith, Wisdom, Love) as spiritual attributes the children are learning to express in their lives.

Highlight what a typical Sunday or program session looks like.

Metaphysics in Action: Explain how classic stories (Biblical, contemporary, or fairy tales) are used as metaphors to understand Unity principles.
Creative Expression: Emphasize the importance of hands-on, creative activities. Feature photos (with permission!) of children engaged in art, music, drama, and movement that help them process the lesson.
Prayer and Meditation: Explain how students are introduced to affirmative prayer and simple meditation techniques to connect with their inner wisdom.

Community Projects: Detail any service or EarthCare activities (like collecting food or gardening) the elementary students participate in, linking these actions back to Unity principles of love and responsibility.

Family Connection
Provide practical resources for parents to reinforce the spiritual teachings at home.

Home Activities/Take-Home Sheets: Include a link to or downloadable versions of the current lesson's takeaway, discussion questions, and affirmations.
Affirmations and Prayers: Post the current month's affirmation or the Prayer for Protection and encourage families to use them together.
Recommended Reading: List suggested children's books (both spiritual and contemporary) that align with Unity's positive message.
Volunteering: Provide information on how parents can get involved as classroom assistants or teachers, including the necessary background check and training requirements.

Contact Information: Give the name and email/phone number for the Youth and Family Ministry Director or the designated Elementary Coordinator.

The Sacred Circle

In the elementary classes, the children are more able to do parts of the lesson. The use of Service Opportunity Cards helps them understand what the opportunities are. The adult is beginning to move into the background and just providing support and direction as needed.

Set Up the Circle ▼

Invite the Circle Set Up Angel to set up the sacred items for the circle.

Bell Ringer ▼

Rings the bell to signal transitions or to call for centering when needed.

Candle Lighter ▼

Turns on the candle light.

Connection Leader ▼

Chooses from the following connection activities:

“My name is _____. I am ______.” The class affirms the child by repeating the statement.
“My name is _____. My favorite ___________ is…” (fill in the blank).

Safe Keeper (Teacher Role) ▼

Invites the children to select a wooden token or write what they want to release on a paper heart.
Teacher shares that their role is to keep all safe.
Children place their items in the Safe Keeping Box.

Blessing Angel ▼

Invites the children to send a “Wish You Well” blessing to all those present and those not with them today.

Sacred Breath Leader ▼

Leads the group in a centering activity.
Breath Choices: DRAIN, BALLOON, or PRETZEL.

Prayer Angel ▼

Invites everyone to place their prayer stick into the sand and then invites the rest of the children to do the same.
Leads the group in sharing the Prayer for Protection.

Love Offering Angel ▼

Leads the children in blessing the love offering.
Passes the basket for collection.

Celebration Leader ▼

Passes out shakers and invites the children to share something they would like to celebrate.

Closing Affirmation Leader ▼

Shares the affirmation of the day.
Teacher leads a discussion about what it might mean.
Invites the children to commit to the affirmation for the week.

Elementary Curriculum

[Block//Title]
[Block//Type] | Open

[Block//Short Description]

Business Hours:
Monday: 8 am - 5 pm CT
Tuesday: 8 am - 5 pm CT
Wednesday: 8 am - 5 pm CT
Thursday: 8 am - 5 pm CT

Other times are available by appointment only

Phone: (816) 524 - 7414

Email: info@unity.org

Address: 200 Unity Circle North, Suite A
Lees Summit, MO 64086

Donate

This Brand is Powered By: