Humanist Kids
Our Humanist Children’s Program is open to children from infants through 8th grade. We’ll have a variety of activities each week including stories, discussions, crafts, games, and more!
We ask that you use this form to register your family in advance. For more info, contact our Children’s Program Director.
Our Humanist Children’s Program is open to families with children ages 5 – 11 (K – 5th grade). We’ll have a variety of activities each week including stories, discussion, crafts, games, and more!
We ask that you register your family in advance. For the registration form, or more info, contact our Children’s Program Director.
Our Humanist Children’s Program is open to families with children ages 5 – 11 (K – 5th grade). We’ll have a variety of activities each week including stories, discussion, crafts, games, and more!
We ask that you register your family in advance. For the registration form, or more info, contact our Children’s Program Director.
We focus on the Humanist ideals of living life ethically and joyfully.  Join us as we explore the world and our place in it through discussions, play, crafts, critical thinking, and social action projects. We welcome all families, regardless of religious backgrounds. Many families with mixed traditions, or just a desire to instill ethical values without religious dogma, are comfortable here.
We work together on service projects like, making sack lunches for a local shelter, neighborhood cleanups, making toys for shelter animals, volunteering at a local nature center, and drives to collect various goods to donate to those in need. In the classroom, we have activities and discussions based around the Ten Commitments of Humanism.
Ten Commitments of Humanism
Critical Thinking: I will practice good judgment by asking questions and thinking for myself.
Ethical Development: I will always focus on becoming a better person.
Peace and Social Justice: I will help people solve problems and handle disagreements in ways that are fair for everyone.
Service and Participation: I will help my community in ways that let me get to know the people I’m helping.
Altruism: I will help others in need without hoping for rewards.
Humility: I will be aware of my strengths and weaknesses, and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of others.
Environmentalism: I will take care of the Earth and the life on it.
Global Awareness: I will be a good neighbor to the people who share the Earth with me and help make the world a better place for everyone.
Responsibility: I will be a good person—even when no one is looking—and own the consequences of my actions.
Empathy: I will consider other people’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Newcomers are always welcome! You can register your family in advance here. We have a sliding scale tuition structure, but Humanist Kids program fees are waved for Supporting families. (See our Join Us page for more info on that.)
Contact Alli Cook, our Program Director, with any other questions.
FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions, but feel free to contact us to discuss it further!
It depends on how many children are in the program at any given time. We try to break the kids up into reasonable groupings to foster a sense of belonging, and so that each child will have the space and attention they need.Â
Currently, we have 3 groups – babies/toddlers, K —3rd grade, and 4th—8th grade.Â
We love to know in advance if you’re planning to drop in, but if you don’t get a chance to fill out our Registration Form, just drop in anyway! We’ll get your names and get to know you then.Â
Parents of younger ones are welcome to stay in the classroom as long as your child needs you to feel safe and comfortable. Please see the Program Director to discuss.
Most often we introduce the topic of the week by reading a story, watching a short video, or a guided discussion with the teacher. Then we talk about it a little by posing questions for the kids to answer. In the younger groups, this might be a very short time, with the older kids, the discussion can get very involved! Kids can have a lot to say when they’re given the opportunity!Â
After the topic, we usually have a craft project to work on together. Sometimes it ties in with the lesson, and sometimes it’s just for fun!Â
For the last 10 – 15 minutes of class, we gather all the age groups together for a snack and free play. We try to keep the snacks healthy, and encourage families to volunteer to bring in fresh fruit, cheese, or another healthy and fun treat to share. We finish at noon, and the children are officially back in the care of their parents, but they are free to hang out in any of the public areas or the classrooms, as long as they are supervised by a parent or Humanist Kids volunteer.
A few times a year, we keep the whole Sunday School together for a big group project like a neighborhood cleanup walk, a work day at the nearby Emily Oaks Nature Center, or even a party or game day.Â
Our goal is to foster community, build self-esteem, promote empathy and equity, cultivate critical thinking, and enjoy each other’s company in a fun, safe, and nurturing environment.
We have a suggested tuition that is based on sliding scale. This is spelled out on our registration form.Â
We do need resources to continue our Sunday School, but we don’t want this to be a hindrance to your child benefiting from our program. Reach out to the Humanist Kids Program Director if you have questions about options.
For EHS members at the Supporting level and above, tuition is free for your family. To become a member, see our JoinUs page.Â
Our teachers are either volunteers from our membership, other Humanist Kids parents, or hired teachers. Sometimes, we have young adults who have grown up in the EHS and come back to teach the next generation.Â
All our teachers, or anyone who volunteers with the children, go through a thorough screening process.
We are a cooperative community, and we rely on our families and the whole EHS community for support, encouragement, energy, and the work it takes to keep this awesome program going! Â
Yes! We have a detailed Child Protection Policy that is available for review by families upon request. It includes background checks and screening for all teachers and volunteers, open viewing in all classrooms, and specific guidance on who is allowed in the classrooms when children are present.Â
