Character classes for kids

Children spend years in school learning math, science, and history, but rarely learn directly how to develop good character and spiritual qualities.

We guide children's academic development because we know they need teachers for those subjects. Why would we assume they can develop spiritually without guidance?

Without spiritual education, children absorb whatever values surround them, often the materialism, selfishness, and confusion prevalent in society. They need a moral framework to navigate life's choices and contribute to a better world.

Spiritual education gives children the tools to recognize their noble nature, develop virtues like detachment and justice, and understand their purpose beyond personal success. Just as we teach literacy and numeracy as foundations for learning, we must teach spiritual principles as foundations for living.

Children of all backgrounds are welcome. Most families in the program are not Baha'is.

The curriculum comes from the Ruhi Institute, a nonprofit educational organization that began several decades ago in rural Colombia. The Ruhi Institute draws on Baha'i teachings to develop moral and spiritual education programs used worldwide today.

Teachers of children's classes come from diverse backgrounds, but are often young adults or parents from the neighborhood who care deeply about the education of their own family members and want to be of service in their own communities. Teachers are trained, work together, and are background-checked to ensure the safety of children.

Since classes generally only meet once a week, and parents are fundamental to the education of their children, teachers collaborate with parents to reinforce and practice the ideas learned in class throughout the week at home.

The classes draw on Baha'i teachings, but the virtues themselves are universal: honesty, kindness, generosity, justice. Children also hear stories from many traditions and cultures. The goal is character development, not religious instruction.

That said, the curriculum doesn't hide its roots. Children learn prayers from the Baha'i writings and explore the idea that virtues come from God. If your family has a belief in the divine, your child will find these concepts resonate with what you already teach at home, as they are universal and exist in every faith.

Yes. Prayer is woven into the classes naturally, not as a ritual but as a practice. Children learn short prayers by heart and recite them together at the start of class. The prayers are from the Baha'i writings and are simple, beautiful, and focused on qualities like love, gratitude, and service.

For many children, this is their first experience of prayer as something personal and meaningful rather than formal. Parents often say their children begin praying at home on their own.

The program is spiritual, not doctrinal. It doesn't ask children to accept any belief system or identify as Baha'i. It does take seriously the idea that human beings have a spiritual nature and that developing it matters as much as developing the mind.

If you're looking for something that goes deeper than "be nice" but doesn't impose a specific religion, this is what the program is designed to do.

Children's classes are offered in neighborhoods across Boston, meeting in homes, community centers, or public parks. If there isn't already a class near you, we're happy to help organize one in your area. Contact us, and we'll explore what's possible.

Yes, completely free. There are no fees, no materials cost, and no fundraising.