Infants, Children & Youth
Parents are welcome to bring children to Meeting for Worship with them for as much of the Meeting as they wish and to come and go as the children's needs dictate. The Meeting cherishes and delights in children.
We welcome young people of all ages to our Young Friends Meeting (Sunday school) while their parents attend Meeting for Worship. In the summer, we may spend time outdoors and at the playground in the School yard or do arts, crafts and stories upstairs in the Meetinghouse. During the school year, children learn about Quakerism through stories, crafts, projects, discussion, and opportunities to join in the life and rhythms of the Meeting.
Infants and very small children may be dropped off at 10:25. Older children may wish to join their parents in Meeting for Worship for the first 15 minutes. Feel free to join the childcare group if you or your child wishes.
Our Young Friends Meeting committee determines the curriculum and activities and includes a monthly update in the Meeting's newsletter about what is happening.
2024-2025 School Year Update:
This year our Young Friends (First Day School) will begin to explore the history and meaning of Quakerism through monthly Faith and Play stories supplemented by related activities and lessons. Faith and Play stories are appropriate for all ages and are intended to encourage spiritual wondering in participants. From pre-school aged to adults, there is something for everyone in these stories!
We will begin in September and continue monthly through the school year.
For more information about the Faith and Play curriculum, please visit:
https://quakerfaithandplay.org/
On September 15, we will begin with the story "Prayer and Friends Meeting for Worship," which explores how and why Friends gather as a community and listen for God.
On October 6, we will continue with "Living the Ways of the Spirit," a story about the Quaker testimonies.
Note: Childcare is available every Sunday for children of all ages from 10:30-11:45 in our lovely classroom spaces regardless of planned lessons and scheduled activities.
On November 24, the children learned the story of George Fox's Big Discovery.
On December 15, we enjoyed an intergenerational Faith and Play version of the Nativity in the Meeting Room.
On February 9, we explored "Gifts," a story about the gifts God gives to each of us
On March 9, the children will hear the Godly Play parable of The Good Samaritan, after which they will work with Meeting member Dr. Meg Lytton, retired Family Medicine Physician, to explore how we all have the power to be good Samaritans, in this case by helping some ailing stuffed animals feel better!
Note: Childcare is available every Sunday for children of all ages from 10:30-11:45 in our lovely classroom spaces regardless of planned lessons and scheduled activities.
Isaiah playing with the Faith & Play materials.
We continue to have periodic Intergenerational Events and Faith and Play events.
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting has programs for families and younger children (K-5th), middle schoolers, high school-aged folks and adults who care for youth.