A Pre-School through 8th Grade Theology of the Body Program
For Catholic Schools, Faith Formation, and Family Catechesis
The Body Matters is made to be used in many different settings. Follow the buttons below to view content for your specific needs.
What Sets
The Body Matters
Apart?
What is The Body Matters?
A culture in need
Schools, parishes, and parents have expressed the ever growing need for tools to combat the pervasive secularization and sexualization of our culture.
The perfect solution
Pope Saint John Paul II’s Theology of the Body (TOB) teaches the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of Catholicism. This teaching, often mistaken for Catholic “birds-and-bees,” provides a beautiful image of what it means to be made in the image of God.
Despite its ability to answer the problems our culture faces today, TOB remains relatively inaccesible to those without specialized degrees. We still need resources that can communicate Pope John Paul’s life-affirming message to everyone, especially our children.
TOBET answers the call
In November 2015, TOBET’s Episcopal Advisory Board, led by Archbishop Samuel Aquila, asked us to create a TOB program that would meet this need.
The Body Matters, teaches TOB to Children in an engaging, informative, and age-appropriate manner. This non-consumable program provides valuable lessons for children from PreK-8th Grade through easy-to-read and easy-to-teach lesson books that supplement any religion curriculum.
The Body Matters is available in English and Spanish!
* PreK and Storybooks in English only
The Body Matters Stats
The Body Matters is used in 205 parishes & schools, from 80 dioceses, across 17 countries, educating over 130,00 students.
Parishes and Schools
Dioceses
Countries
Students
“This theology of the body is the basis of… the most appropriate method of… man’s education….” TOB 59:3
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sex-ed?
No. Theology of the Body is what we call “Christian Anthropology”. That’s a technical way of saying, a Christian view on what it means to be human. Our books don’t mention sex or sexuality at all until 7th grade—and even then, only in a veiled, sacred manner.
Do kids need to start at the beginning, or can they jump in at any level?
While our curriculum is designed to be vertically aligned, each level also stands alone. We always recommend starting an education in Theology of the Body as soon as possible, but it’s never too late to start!
What does the program look like practically?
- 2 Lesson Books per level: Each 48-page book is non-consumable with 4 lessons per book. Kindergarten books only have 2 lessons, and PreK has a classroom set of 3 board books.
- Educator Guides: PDFs that contain instructions, activities, assessments. Schools receive guides for free with purchase of books.
- Parent Guides: Guides parents to learn and engage with their children. Schools receive guides for free with purchase of books.
- Storybooks: TOB themed stories for our K-2nd grade levels. Sold separately.
How is it used?
We recommend each child have a book in hand. We designed the illustrations and diagrams to engage children as they learn the material. The experience of holding the book and reading along, as opposed to seeing a projection of the book on a screen, helps with this engagement.
Take a Look at Select Pages from Our Books:
Testimonials
“…reach children with the wonderful truth of ‘who’ they are…”
“We need to reach children with the wonderful truth of ‘who’ they are and God’s design for their bodies, before they are inudated with confusing, even toxic, messages from the culture. That’s why I recommend TOBET’s The Body Matters.”
“It builds a foundation in a way they can understand… Best Foundation Ever”
“The dialogue that we are having with the students using TOB language and examples is essential! It builds the foundation in a way they can understand. They see the relevance of TOB in their everyday life as children. They can intentionally apply the truth of God’s inner circle of love in their life right now, in the relationships that are most meaningful to them at this stage in their life. Helping them understand what full gift of self means and how they can live it out—Best Foundation Ever. We are preparing them to be able to engage their intellect when it comes to topics of sexuality.”
“…My mom and I read it in the car together…”
“The Body Matters is really cool. My mom and I read it in the car together. It helps me have a good understanding about the body and the gift of self and the love God gives to us through our bodies.”
“…helped me in my work with own children…”
“[The Body Matters] books are just brilliant! They have really helped me in my work with my own children and schools…to incorporate TOB… and build an understanding with students of a Christian Anthropology.”
“…No other curriculum is as authentic to St. John Paul II’s vision of the human person…”
“This curriculum brings out St. John Paul II’s thoughts and ideas about the human person in a clear, concise, and age appropriate way. No other curriculum is as authentic to St. John Paul II’s vision of the human person as The Body Matters series by Monica Ashour and her team.”
“… I highly recommend TBM!”
“I am really impressed at the way The Body Matters (TBM) reaches children–including my own–with insightful, repetitive, catchy language that captures their imagination while teaching them profound truths about themselves and God. I highly recommend TBM!”
“…Thank you again for all of your labor pains.”
“A discussion in my catechetics class made me appreciate that TOBET has tackled gender issues appropriately for third graders in The Body Is God’s Design. This is done through teachings on the existence of natures, identity, limits, and uniqueness. Thank you again for all of your labor pains.”