Weekly Circle of Joy
Ananda Washington is providing “Circle of Joy” Sunday School every Sunday at the Blue Lotus Temple, 10:15-11:10 (approximate).
Who may participate: Children 4-10
Parents have the option to join us downstairs or stay in the Sanctuary.
How does it work? Children will stay with parents upstairs in the sanctuary until after the first chant; then they go downstairs with teachers to the large classroom. Children will be brought back upstairs to join their parent/caregivers in the sanctuary for the “Touch of Light” blessing during the Festival of Light.
Sunday School and Parent Support Schedule
Each Sunday, during Circle of Joy, a spiritual quality will be emphasized which is the theme of the month. In addition, a parent support meeting is offered once a month after Circle of Joy. Child care is provided during the parent meeting.
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January
- Circle of Joy Theme: Concentration
- (No Parent Support Meeting this month)
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February
- Circle of Joy Theme: Happiness
- Parent Support Meeting: February 16, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “Coping with Big Feelings”
- Topic: “Coping with Big Feelings”
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March
- Circle of Joy Theme: Energy
- Parent Support Meeting: March 9, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “How to Refresh Yourself as a Parent”
- Topic: “How to Refresh Yourself as a Parent”
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April
- Circle of Joy Theme: Humor
- Parent Support Meeting: April 13, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “Understanding Your Child’s Friendships”
- Topic: “Understanding Your Child’s Friendships”
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May
- Circle of Joy Theme: Patience
- Parent Support Meeting: May 4, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “Screentime and Your Child”
- Topic: “Screentime and Your Child”
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June
- Circle of Joy Theme: Work/Service
- Parent Support Meeting: June 8, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “Your Child and Spirituality”
- Topic: “Your Child and Spirituality”
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July
- Circle of Joy Theme: Will Power
- Parent Support Meeting: July 13, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “How to Support Your Child in Creating His/Her Own Shrine”
- Topic: “How to Support Your Child in Creating His/Her Own Shrine”
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August
- Circle of Joy Theme: Forgiveness
- Parent Support Meeting: August 10, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “Guardian Angels”
- Topic: “Guardian Angels”
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September
- Circle of Joy Theme: Self Control
- Parent Support Meeting: September 14, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “Our Spiritual Guide and Death”
- Topic: “Our Spiritual Guide and Death”
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October
- Circle of Joy Theme: Kindness
- Parent Support Meeting: October 12, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “Siblings and Friends”
- Topic: “Siblings and Friends”
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November
- Circle of Joy Theme: Gratitude
- Parent Support Meeting: November 2, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “Building Friendships”
- Topic: “Building Friendships”
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December
- Circle of Joy Theme: Sharing
- Parent Support Meeting: December 14, 12–1 (small classroom)
- Topic: “Adjusting to Big Changes (moves, new schools, divorce)”
Activities on a Sunday morning
- Getting acquainted games
- Ananda children’s songs
- Short yoga/relaxation time
- Storytime – based on character values, stories from teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and saints like St. Francis
- Simple snack
- Art/craft time
Topics
- Stories of Paramhansa Yogananda’s life, Jesus Christ and saints such as Saint Francis
- Spiritual values: kindness, will power, truth, love, positive attitude, higher consciousness
Who are the Teachers?
Ellen Morris
Lead teacher and coordinator.
She directed the Kid’s Yoga Day Camp summer 2023, at the Lynnwood Ananda Community. She is a retired Montessori teacher and Ananda meditation teacher.
Sharon Traeger
Co-lead Teacher.
She is a retired pre-school teacher and Ananda meditation teacher.
Support for Parents
Books:
- Education for Life by Swami Kriyananda
- Calm and Compassionate Children by Susan Usha Dermond
- Awake and Ready by Susan Usha Dermond
- Sharing Nature with Children by Joseph Bharat Cornell
- How to Talk so Kids will Listen and How to Listen so Kids will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
- Siblings without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
- Trauma-proofing your Kids by Peter Levine
- The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Seigel, MD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD
- The Explosive Child, a New Approach by Ross W. Greene, PhD
Website:
Education for Life Home
Other Sunday school teachers will be part of a rotating team and they will be trained by Ellen Morris. If you would like to be one of them, please contact Ellen Morris at ellen@anandawashington.org.
Yoga Day Camp
When
Where
The Camp will once again be held at the beautiful 5-acre Ananda Community campus located at 20715 Larch Way in Lynnwood, WA 98036. The campus includes organic gardens, wooded trails, open lawn for games, large kitchen for cooking projects, yoga studio, creative art room, covered stage for creative expression, playground equipment, a sandbox and a swimming pool.
Sample Daily Schedule
Payment Breakdown
$25