Our Sunday School Program
Our Ethics for Children program provides a fun and hands-on learning environment for children and teens to explore topics and ideas that strengthen their sense of self and respect for others; encourage responsibility and empathy; and develop active engaged citizens who can actualize their values in their own lives, communities and the larger world. Children benefit from reinforcement of what they learn in the Ethics for Children classes, celebrations, and ceremonies by being a part of a community of people who care about other people and the world around them.
Our program includes age-appropriate activities that center around ideas that are expressed in the core values of Ethical Culture. These activities include:
- Learning about ones self and others
- Making ethical choices in everyday life
- Learning and practicing the skills of cooperation and compromise
- Taking responsibility
- Caring for the environment
- Thinking critically
- Investigating and discovering
- Learning about the diversity of world religions and cultures
- Discussing and engaging in current events from an ethical perspective
- Taking local field trips
- Volunteering in the community
Our Classes
Ethics for Children Programs meet from 10:30 am to 12:00pm on Sundays See our FAQ page for more information. On certain Sundays the entire community, adults and children, come together for a community service project, celebration, or field trip. See calendar for details. Children spend three years together in one class helping them to bond and create friendships. Each year the class explores a new theme.
Primary (for Preschool )
In this early stage kids from 2 to 4 years old use arts and crafts, play, storytelling and music to discover:
- Who Am I? What Am I like?
- Who Is In My Family? My Community?
- How Do I Like to Be Treated? How Do I Treat Others?
⇒ Register for Ethics for Children Program
Elementary (Kindergarten through Second Grade)
As children develop an interest in others beyond themselves they explore through storytelling, artwork, playtime, and hands on activity:
- How Do Members of A Community Treat Each Other?
- Who is a Hero? What is Heroic Action?
- Who Else Lives in the World? What Are Their Lives Like? How Are We Alike? How Are We Different?
⇒ Register for Ethics for Children Program
Juniors (Third to Fifth Grade)
Children in this class explore how to relate to others who have different perspectives through games, dramatic role play, field trips, community service projects, and social engagement
- What Is Diversity? How Does Diversity Effect How We Relate To One Another?
- How Do Different Religions Compare?
- How Do We Resolve Conflict?
⇒ Register for Ethics for Children Program
Senior Ethics (Sixth to Eighth Grade)
As children progress through the Ethics for Children program, the curriculum becomes more abstract, while still retaining a focus on developing active and responsible citizens. Activities include viewing and discussing relevant videos, debate, writing, cooperative group games, role-playing and opportunities for community service. Children are continually asked to explore, examine, and develop their own beliefs in the context of our discussions and activities. Here classes include:
- What Injustices Do People Face in The World Today? How Can I Impact Change For the Future?
- How Does Sports and Popular Culture Shape Our Moral Lives and Moral Issues In Society?
- How Can We Take Care Of The Earth?
⇒ Register for the Ethics for Children Program
Graduation Year Project: 8th Grade
In their final year of the Senior Ethics Program, every graduating student will work with a mentor and devote his/her final year to a social service project of their choice. At the Graduation Ceremony, the student shares their accomplishments with the whole Society. Graduation Year Projects have included videos on the effects of bullying, working at an animal shelter, mentoring Special Olympics contestants, and building houses with Fuller Center for Housing.
Youth Group: 9th Grade to 12th Grade
As children progress through the EFC program, additional projects and groups are available. In Youth Group, High School youth join with adult advisors to plan and implement their own discussions and activities focused on areas of interest and importance to teens. Teens may participate in the national program, Youth in Ethical Societies (YES), and attend annual weekend conferences.
Childcare is offered for younger children at no charge – see our Ethical Culture Society Nursery School.