Writer & Photographer
What: First Unitarian Church, Children and Youth Enrichment Program
Why: “To exemplify liberal religion in Central Florida by empowering and engaging our youth as a foundational part of their lifelong spiritual growth.” As such, 1U is committed to providing continuity of enrichment despite the changes and challenges brought on by COVID. To do this, at the height of the pandemic, I helped them pivot to online remote learning. New technology and personalized support were combined to keep the congregation's children learning, while also maintaining inclusive pastoral care.
Category: Articles, Online
1U Newsletter article
First Unitarian Church of Orlando
happy to recommend her!"
- Sarah Gray, First Unitarian Church
professional and I am
with, she is personable,
"Emma is a delight to work
recommendation
It's Playtime!
by Emma Dixon, Interim Coordinator of Family Programming at 1U
One of the reasons we include activities with our RE kits, is to promote the power of play.
Studies have shown that playing provides a safe and necessary way for young learners to be able to practice and experience a variety of life skills, including problem solving within a peer group while gaining and enhancing language skills.
Through daily play, young children gain valuable life experiences through a variety of roles that will support growth and ultimately translate into adulthood. According to research, play is an essential aspect of the development of key skills including social, behavioral, language, and cognitive. For example:
Cognitive skills – math and problem solving in a pretend grocery store
Physical abilities – balancing blocks and running on the playground
New vocabulary – the words needed to play with toy dinosaurs
Social skills – playing together in a pretend car wash
Literacy skills – creating a menu for a pretend restaurant
These skills developed through play as children will grow into beneficial and essential skills used not only throughout childhood, but also into adulthood.
Playtime also helps children reduce stress, creating a joyful outlet for any anxiety they might feel. It also acts as a fabulous conversation starter, as children are more likely to talk about their feelings when they’re relaxed.
So don’t underestimate the superpower of playtime - it can take our children far.
If you would like to receive the RE newsletter, please email
recoordinator@orlandouu.org
If you would like to receive the RE newsletter, please email
recoordinator@orlandouu.org
"It's Playtime!" article, published in the 1U Newsletter
During Covid, Religious Education kits were developed, created and distributed to the congregation's children.
The program was run from my studio, where I wrote and published RE newsletters, RE articles and activity books.
Newsletters and articles were also distributed to keep communication flowing freely during the pandemic.
