This book takes an in-depth look at spirituality and its continual expression in children, to support those working with children in developing their own perceptions and interaction with them.The authors outline exactly what is understood by contemporary spirituality, and discuss the importance of context in a consideration of spirituality. They explore key issues in understanding children's spirituality under three broad headings: children's voices - how they are often lost in the context of spirituality and what the implications of that loss are; children's worlds - how children draw on the spiritual as a means of addressing notions of meaning and value in life; and children's lives - how context shapes the spiritual dimension.Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives, this accessible book will enrich the working practices of educators and other professionals who work with children, and will also be of interest to parents and anyone interested in children's spirituality.
Introduction. Clearing the Ground: A Geography of Contemporary Spirituality. Section One: Children's Voices. 1. Silenced by Society: Hearing the Child's Voice. 2. Identity: Spirituality, the Self and the Search for One's Voice. Section Two: Children's Worlds. 3. Children's Worlds: the Variety of Spiritual Experience. 4. Connecting to Something Greater: Spirituality and Respect for Personhood. 5. The Construct of 'Spiritual Intelligence': Is It Really Plausible? Section Three: Children's Lives. 6. Relatedness: Spirituality and Children's Worldviews. 7. The Significance of Context for Spirituality: 'Australian Spirituality' as a Case Study. 8. Unforgettable Dreams: the Impact of Spiritual Dreams Upon Children's Lives. 9. Conclusion. References. Index.
The authors of this book were inspired to write it by their shared experiences and enthusiasm for the spiritual lives of children. The book draws on the results of their research in the areas of the significance of dreams for children and how they interpret them, aspects of children's spirituality and the implication this has in the primary school context and how children's spirituality impacts on global citizenship education. I found this book exciting because it recognises the challenge and reward in being able to support children appropriately in discovering and expressing the spiritual dimension of their lives. It is also thought provoking because the authors demonstrate, using current and very relevant issues, that when children can voice their spirituality, their self-esteem increases and allows them to make informed choices and decisions about their lives. I believe this book will be of great interest to those who work with children and are fully committed to the development of the whole child.
