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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can describe how a baby is welcomed into a humanist family.

Key learning points

  1. Some people choose to have a humanist naming ceremony for their child.
  2. The humanist naming ceremony is personal to each family.
  3. Humanist guide parents help to look after a child.

Keywords

  • Humanism - a non-religious way of thinking based on human values

  • Humanist - a person who follows humanism

  • Naming - giving a name to someone or something

Common misconception

Everyone has a faith ceremony.

Some people have a humanist naming ceremony.

Teacher tip

Teachers may wish to contact Humanists UK and invite a speaker to visit the school to talk about their own experiences of a naming ceremony and the reasons why a humanist may consider a naming ceremony a special moment to welcome and celebrate a new life.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
How might a Christian welcome a new baby?

Correct answer: take them to a church
Correct answer: have an infant baptism ceremony
take them to a mosque
Correct answer: have a dedication service

Q2.
What do Christians mean when they talk about their church family?

a group of people connected through playing sport together
a group of people connected through work
Correct answer: a group of people connected through their beliefs about Jesus

Q3.
Match these keywords to their meanings.

Correct Answer:welcome,to show you are happy to see someone

to show you are happy to see someone

Correct Answer:tradition,a way of doing something that has existed for a long time

a way of doing something that has existed for a long time

Correct Answer:ceremony,an event to celebrate a special occasion

an event to celebrate a special occasion

Correct Answer:celebration,a way of marking a happy day or event

a way of marking a happy day or event

Q4.
What is the name of the special ceremony involving water that welcomes a baby into the church?

a confirmation
a marriage
Correct answer: a baptism

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of these statements do humanists agree with?

Correct answer: you should make the most of having one life
God is important
Correct answer: you should be happy and make other people happy
prayer is important

Q2.
What do people do at a humanist naming ceremony?

say prayers
Correct answer: make promises to always be there for the baby
go to church

Q3.
What is the name for a person who makes promises at a humanist naming ceremony?

a godparent
Correct answer: a guide parent
a vicar

Q4.
Put these events in the correct order.

1 - A baby is born.
2 - The parents choose guide parents for their child.
3 - The guide parents make special promises.
4 - The guide parents help and support the child as they grow up.

To help you plan your 1 religious education lesson on: Humanists celebrate new life, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...