Family Life Education: Introducing Blessed & Beloved
Many parents may be familiar with Fully Alive, the Family Life Education program that has been part of Ontario Catholic schools for many years. Family Life Education complements Religious Education and helps children learn about themselves, their families, relationships, growing and changing, and human dignity—all through the lens of our Catholic faith.
The Institute for Catholic Education (ICE), working under the direction of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario and with Catholic education partners, has developed an updated Family Life Education Curriculum for Grades 1–8. The curriculum provides the expectations for what students will learn, while classroom programs provide the lessons and resources teachers use to bring those expectations to life.
As part of this renewal, Blessed & Beloved is gradually replacing Fully Alive in Ontario Catholic elementary schools. The new program continues to place our Catholic understanding of the human person at its heart: every child is created and loved by God, made in God’s image, and deserving of dignity and respect.
Family Life Education also connects with areas of Ontario’s Health and Physical Education curriculum. As children grow, age-appropriate learning includes topics such as personal safety, healthy relationships, boundaries and consent, mental health, puberty, human development and sexuality. The Catholic Family Life curriculum approaches this learning gradually and with what ICE describes as “gentle accompaniment,” recognizing both the developmental needs of children and the important role of parents as their first educators.
So, what will my child actually be learning?
Our accompanying OAPCE infographic provides parents with a quick introduction to the curriculum, the Catholic foundation behind it, the difference between Religion and Family Life, parent communication, assessment, and where to find additional information.
As Blessed & Beloved continues to roll out, we encourage parents to connect with their child’s school and ask about the Family Life program being used in their child’s grade, upcoming units, and the resources available to families.
Informed parents are important partners in Catholic education. Learning more about what is being taught helps us continue these important conversations of faith, family, dignity and relationships at home.
