Children’s Classes

“That which is of paramount importance for the children, that which must precede all else, is to teach them the oneness of God and the Laws of God.”
— Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í Education

Many communities across the United States and around the world offer classes for children of all ages using Core Curriculum methods and materials. These materials are broad and comprehensive in scope, and organized into three strands, or major categories of study:

The Central Figures of the Faith

The Principle of Oneness

The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh

These strands are sequenced in systematic Levels appropriate to the ages or capacities of learners. These levels of study may be adapted to meet the needs of learners of all ages and varied backgrounds.

Themes of Study

Each strand has several themes:

The Central Figures of the Faith

The Báb
Bahá’u’lláh
‘Abdu’l-Bahá

The Principle of Oneness

The Oneness of Religion
The Oneness of Humanity
Race Unity
The Equality of Women and Men

The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh

The Covenant
The Institutions of the Faith
The Guardianship
Huqúqu’lláh and the Bahá’í Funds
A Life of Service

Within each theme, specific learning goals and topics systematically guide the learner to increasingly deeper levels of knowledge, understanding, spiritual insight, and action.

Lesson Planning Guides

Richly detailed Lesson Planning Guides provide teachers with learning objectives and fully-developed sample activities utilizing the arts, sciences, crafts, and other learning methods suggested in the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. A growing collection of illustrated children’s storybooks enhances the lessons being taught.

To order Core Curriculum Materials, please visit www.bahaibookstore.com. For more information about Core Curriculum, please feel free to contact the Office of Education and Schools at schools@usbnc.org.

To see the downloadable guides currently available, please click on the age or level:

Ages 3–5 — Preschool

Ages 6–8 — Level One

Ages 9–11 — Level Two

Ages 12–14 — Level Three

Core Curriculum Storybooks

A growing collection of illustrated children’s storybooks enhances the lessons being taught using the Core Curriculum Lesson Planning Guides.

You may view a sample story here.

The storybooks currently available are:

The Central Figures: Bahá’u’lláh — Volumes One, Two, and Three

The Central Figures: The Báb — Volumes One and Two

Be a part of the effort! Dozens of authors and artists have contributed their time and skills to this storybook series, and you could be one of them! Send us an email if you would like to be considered. If possible, please attach samples of your work.

Coming editions:

The Central Figures: The Báb — Volume Three

The Central Figures: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá — Volumes One, Two, and Three

The Principle of Oneness — Volumes One, Two, and Three

The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh — Volumes One, Two, and Three

To order Core Curriculum storybooks, contact the Bahá’í Distribution Service, (800) 999-9019, or visit www.bahaibookstore.com.

Scope and Sequence

The Core Curriculum Scope and Sequence is designed to assist teachers and communities in planning a curriculum for Bahá’í classes and creates an integrated sequential program for nine years of instruction. The Scope and Sequence Chart is presented in a large grid format. Please view and print the chart. You may read a more detailed explanation of the scope and sequence including some creative options for school or class implementation.

Teacher Resources

Supplementary materials assist teachers with planning and organization for engaging and systematic classes. These include a Teacher’s Spiritual Education Planning Guide and Student’s Spiritual Education Record. All these materials may be freely downloaded.

Teacher Training

In the United States, the Core Curriculum teacher training is designated by the National Spiritual Assembly as the branch of teacher training courses for people interested in teaching children’s classes. Although there are no prerequisites for Core Curriculum teacher training, Ruhi Book 3 provides important community development by fostering a proper attitude towards children, teachers of children, and children’s spiritual education throughout the Bahá’í community. Individuals inspired to become teachers of children through their study of Ruhi courses may wish to seek teacher training through the Core Curriculum.

Ages 6–8 — Level One

Level One topics are appropriate for ages 6–8 years old, or for anyone at a beginning level of knowledge and understanding of the Bahá’í Faith and its principles. Please click on the titles below to see the downloadable files.

Central Figures: Bahá’u’lláh

Central Figures: The Báb

Central Figures: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Principle of Oneness — All Topics

World Order — All Topics

Ages 9–11 — Level Two

Level Two topics are appropriate for ages 9–11 years old, or for anyone at an intermediate level of knowledge and understanding of the Bahá’í Faith and its principles. Please click on the titles below to see the downloadable files.

Central Figures: Bahá’u’lláh

Central Figures: The Báb

Central Figures: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Principle of Oneness — Religion and Equality

Principle of Oneness — Humanity and Race Unity

World Order — Institutions

World Order — The Covenant and The Guardianship

World Order — Life of Service, Huquq’u’lláh and Bahá’í Funds

Ages 12–14 — Level Three

Level Three topics are appropriate for ages 12–14 years old, or for anyone at a higher level of knowledge and understanding of the Bahá’í Faith and its principles. Please click on the titles below to see the downloadable files.

Central Figures: Bahá’u’lláh

Central Figures: The Báb

Central Figures: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Principle of Oneness — Humanity and Race Unity

Principle of Oneness — Religion and Equality

World Order — Institutions

World Order — The Covenant and The Guardianship

World Order — Life of Service, Huquq’u’lláh and Bahá’í Funds

Preschool Lessons

NEW! These lessons on the Oneness of Religion, Oneness of Humanity, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Greatest Holy Leaf, and Shoghi Effendi are intended to draw the hearts and minds of young children to their Creator and to help them begin to realize their own capabilities for service. These lesson plans are for parents as well as teachers, since parents, being the first educators of their children, are instruments in any successful spiritual education program.

Download or order yours today!