"Only dare use your words for three purposes: to heal, bless, or prosper."
~ Florence SCOVEL ShiNN ~

The Writing as Ritual class series for children is centered on valuing creative expression as a vital life process - no less important than breathing or sleeping. Further, this class focuses on the act of writing as a central component of creating the life we each desire to live.

Writing in a journal is a natural catalyst for birthing our many human gifts from the ethers into reality. The best aspect is that it's doable anywhere, any time, and it's always productive. It doesn't matter how "good" you are or how much you write. What matters is how engaged you are in the act itself, and the intention behind your words.

It's a process. It's a practice. It's a ritual.

Writing facilitates the slowing down of the mind when it's done by hand, and it provides a refuge for immediate release when done quickly on a notetaking app. Once writing becomes a pleasurable routine, it can be incorporated into any and every single life path a child chooses to follow. A simple journal entry can be transformed into a poem, a meme, a short story, an article, a book, a script, a resolution, or a gift. It will make their chosen career or vocation infinitely more doable, and their overall life much more intentional and of their own creation. The possibilities are abundant.

At an even deeper level, writing as ritual can also lead to a better understanding of one's Self. Putting thoughts down on paper creates a personal map of sorts; a timeline of one's growth and unfolding. A ritualistic writing practice can lead to breakthroughs, revelations, and life changing plans - and creative, honest communication is fodder for healthier relationships, too.

I believe it is important to centralize embodied creation as a fundamental life value, one that improves our health through its prioritization of joy, beauty and connection. Writing is a beautiful and doable place to start befriending one’s inner creator - and developing the skill itself serves many purposes. Beginning this practice in childhood will facilitate a secure connection between a child and their inner, intuitive, visionary voice, allowing them to have more say in the world they are a part of while also being true to themselves.

An integrated love of writing IS BENEFICIAL to all life paths a child chooses to follow.

Writing as Ritual is here to show children the blueprint of how to take ownership of their inner and outer narratives. By understanding the power of their words, how to root their words in love and authenticity, how to make their handwriting beautiful, how to share their message(s) and how to appreciate the creations of others, students will feel confident in their ability to thrive as clear and effective communicators in their community.

ETHOS

  • We are here to create and enjoy the creations of others.

  • Nature is Earth's creation and we too are nature.

  • All of nature creates continuously.
    Yes, us too.

  • When creating harmoniously, we create beauty and prosperity.

  • Your creative expression shapes your world.

Prerequisites

  • All ages

  • Ability to read
    (“Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons” is the book I recommend to meet this goal quickly and efficiently - my daughter learned in 40 lessons)
    FYI: I am an affiliate of bookshop.org and will earn some money if you purchase the book using this link.

  • Basic understanding of how to write and guess on spelling

  • Willingness to participate

  • Willingness to work in a self-directed manner

  • Willingness to listen to others respectfully

CONTENT INCLUDES:

  • Intentional honoring of each letter in the English alphabet

  • Integrated lessons on handwriting letters in print and cursive

  • Spelling and definitions of unique and inspiring words

  • Exploration of synonyms and antonyms to enhance the richness of our writing

  • Experiencing and understanding the seasons and their shifts, as well as moon cycles, and using this knowledge to inform our creative inklings

  • Understanding nature and human life through a metaphorical lens

  • Mixed media artistry (collage, textured paper and a variety of writing instruments to use)

  • Public speaking via reading aloud what has been written for class

  • History of words and language

  • Exposure to various writing formats and styles in addition to the work of well-regarded writers

  • Developing a relationship with the breath via meditation

  • Embodiment as a prerequisite for conscious creation

  • Creating space for slowness and ritual

  • Creating a mood board prior to beginning a project

  • The power of the word, both written and spoken, when it comes to co-creating our shared reality

  • Respect for others and their artistic style

intended series structure

sessions 1 & 2: Journaling - ABCD/EFG

Documentation | Dreams

sessions 3 & 4: Manifestation - HIJK/LMNO

"Your Word is Your Wand" | Memes as Truth Bombs (matching words with imagery)

sessions 5 & 6: Storytelling - PQR/STU

Letters as Literature | Hero's Journey

sessions 7 & 8: Poetry - VWX/YZ

Potency of Poetry | Songs are Poems

also included

Take-home prompts for the days in between sessions. The children are welcome to share their responses with me for critique and/or for witnessing.

one-hour individual session FLOW

  • 5 minutes: Setting up our writing space with reverence

  • 5 minutes: Connection and intention setting

  • 15 minutes: Today's featured letters, words, and writing lesson

  • 5 minutes: Breathing/embodiment meditation

  • 20 minutes: Writing and 1:1 feedback with me

  • 5 minutes: Closing shares and expressions of gratitude

  • 5 minutes: Clean up and pack up

  • * Parents are invited to participate but critiquing is only available for the children due to time constraints.

two-hour group session FLOW

  • 5 minutes: Circling up and setting up our writing spaces with reverence

  • 15 minutes: Opening shares and intention setting

  • 20 minutes: Today's featured letters, words, and writing lesson

  • 5 minutes: Breathing/embodiment meditation

  • 55 minutes: Writing and 1:1 feedback with me

  • 15 minutes: Closing shares and expressions of gratitude

  • 5 minutes: Clean up and pack up

  • * Parents are invited to participate but critiquing is only available for the children due to time constraints.

MATERIALS

Bring your own: journal (larger is better), set of pens and pencils of child’s choosing, glue stick, scissors
Provided: decorative media, dictionaries and thesauruses, examples of inspiring written works

Scribble poem translated into symbols that can be read by adults. Yes, even three-year-olds have the power to write creatively and honestly.

Gratitude Exchange

$50 per one-hour session per child
Group sessions are two hours long and are priced at $100 per session, per child
These are private sessions (group or individual), so dates and times are TBD based on our collective scheduling needs.
~ Blue Ridge Funds Accepted ~

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