First Day School

Sundays during Meeting for Worship
11:10am – 12:15pm

The First Day Program seeks to nurture young people’s connection to their inner Light and the Meeting community, within a safe and welcoming setting. The program helps young people build friendships and grow in skills of relationship and responsible community life. We remain awake to inner guidance, and trust that children and youth are also guided to receive that which nurtures their lives.

Believing that people learn when curiosity and creativity are engaged, we teach through story, art, group discovery, discussion and service that may nurture that of God in each. We show respect for each participant by supporting differing needs, abilities, emotional development, and learning styles. Each class is taught by two adult Friends who are centered in Quaker life. We believe our lived example is a profound way of passing our tradition along.

Summer activities with children and youth are currently taking place. We gather downstairs in the Meetinghouse and on the back patio for summer games, crafts, stories, and play. A nursery is also available for infants and toddlers ages 0-3.

We began our new FDS year on Sunday, September 15th

Classes

• Ages 0-3: Children engage in unstructured play in our nursery room. Parents are welcome to stay or attend Meeting for Worship.  
• Ages 4-6: Children learn Quaker faith and practice through stories, activities, and centering practices. We seek to nurture community by helping children interact with kindness and respect. This year we’re using the Godly Play curriculum.
• Ages 7-11: This year’s curriculum is Quaker Time Machine. Each week, a member from the meeting house comes dressed in costume as a famous Quaker. Just some of the people who will be visiting us this year: George Fox, Margaret Fell, John Woolman, Alice Paul, and Joan Baez. Classes are active and involve conversations with adult Friends and include art, games, and centering practices.
• Ages 12-18: Through discussion, activities and service projects, youth learn Quaker faith and practice, build healthy friendships, and serve the wider community. This year students will be using the curriculum Quaker Affirmations along with monthly antiracism lessons.

Upcoming activities:
October 20th from 11:10-noon: Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF party. We’ll spend the morning playing fun Halloween games (with prizes!) then after meeting for worship children and youth will go “trick-or-treating” amongst Friends in the meeting house to raise money for UNICEF.

November 17th from 11:10-noon: Children and youth will learn how to turn plastic shopping bags into plarn (plastic yarn). There’ll be stations for sorting, cutting, weaving and crocheting the plarn to make sleeping mats for the houseless.

December 8th: A Nifty Gifty holiday crafting party. Children and youth (and adults!) will make gifts for family and friends made from recycled materials. After crafting they’ll have an opportunity to wrap their gifts. Cookies, hot cocoa, music and fun will be provided!

December 15th: Holiday program. Join us during meeting for worship for a performance by the children and youth of MMM.

Past Activities:
September 15th: Pancake Breakfast to celebrate the first day of FDS.
August 25th: Boating on Lake Wingra. Join us at Lake Wingra from 10am to 12pm to celebrate the upcoming FDS year!

For more information, email the Children’s Program Coordinator at FDSprogram@madisonfriends.org.

First Day School Registration Form
You can also receive a hardcopy at the Meetinghouse. See our program coordinator for more information