From Birth To Teen, Spirituality In Children
|
Until about the age of six, children do not generally have the aptitude to think in abstract terms. But they do have an imagination, and they do fantasize... it is just that they reduce or compare the fantasy to something real that they can comprehend. If they fantasize about a "universal mind" or a "universal being" or God then they usually conjure up an image that is real to them.
Then, until about twelve, it is the family traditions and their observations of family faith that are the motivations for their spiritual thinking. This is the age... from about six to twelve... that family values of Right Action and moral behavior have the most profound influence on spiritual values. That is why it is so difficult for children from dysfunctional homes or broken marriages to craft their adult belief systems easily.
By the teenage years, spirituality has been established, sometimes unbeknownst to the teen! For those from well grounded homes, spirituality is evident... through both words and behaviors. But many teens that are not subject to daily demonstrations of faith do, never the less, manage to evolve as spiritual beings. It is, after all, an inherent legacy in us all.
So, empowering children with Spirit is an adult quest to which we should all aspire. It means recognizing that children at an early age, when they are only able to think in concrete terms, be empowered with the real visions that they can comprehend. It means answering questions and allowing them to express their ideas. It mean encouraging good thoughts and discouraging mean spirited ideas and actions.
Abstracted from the book "Empowering Children." If you want to read more, see:
http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-2331-6
Dr. Malkin holds a B.Sc. in Business and a Masters and Ph.D. in Religion. He has made hundreds of visits to schools with a moving and effective motivational presentation, urging teens to do their personal best. His mentoring programs have empowered many, many children. His quest for years has been to teach the power of Right Action, working towards the goal of a better world.
|
|
|
The Graceful Art Of Defrazzling - For Mothers
"I wipe my baby's chin with my college diploma and wonder, 'How did I ever get here?'"-- Joy Rose from the band "Housewives on Prozac"I'm sure any mom on the planet can relate to that quote and the sense of exhaustion and bewilderment that it implies. Let's face it, ladies, after cooking, cleaning, caring, chauffeuring, and "career-ing" we're pretty frazzled - physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. We dream of lives...(related: Parenting)
Summer Marks The Time To Remember Active Supervision Around Family Swimming Pools
LOS ANGELES (May 19, 2005) - With Memorial Day weekend, and summer fast approaching, EMS, first responders, and water safety advocates, are bracing for the unthinkable ? the unfortunate drowning accidents in backyard swimming pools that annually cl...(related: Parenting)
Misplaced Passion
"Before every action, ask yourself: Will this bring more monkeys on my back? Will the result of my action be a blessing or a heavy burden?" --Alfred A. MontapertIt's that time of year again. Plans are underway for end-of-year recitals, end-of-year concerts, and end-of-year teacher appreciation brunches. I'm in the midst of them, getting ready for violin book graduations, three orchestra concerts, and a middle school graduation. The high school has already phoned asking for my contribution to Teacher Appreciation Day.These are exciting times, but unfortunately they can also be times of unnecessary stress. One reason: misplaced passion.One of the things brought to my attention over and over again in my ROCKET MOM! seminars is the ...(related: Parenting)
The Symtoms Of Meningitis And Septicaemia
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by either a virus o...(related: Parenting)
Book Review: The Ring Bear Depicts Turmoil Of Becoming A Stepchild
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident David Michael Slater (Flashlight Press, 2004), a single mother and her son, Westley, love to play rascally pirates. Like many single parents and their kids, it's clear the mom and her son are incredibly close: They've created their own fantasy world about Westley the Wicked and Mom the Mean.Enter Stan, Mom's boyfriend, who sometimes co...(related: Parenting)
Building Your Childs Self-esteem
According to researchers, most children enter school with a good sense of self-esteem (at least as defined by psychologists) and yet leave high school with a poor sense of self-esteem. What happens in those years between starting school and finishing school?
If we are to define self-esteem as "having feelings of worth or value," then people ...(related: Parenting)
Managing Your Stepfamily
If you are a member of a stepfamily, you know how difficult it can be to integrate all of the new members and adjust to the new boundaries and rules. The following ideas may help you make a successful transition during this challenging process.Have patience. Establishing ...(related: Parenting)
Parenting Your Teenager: How To End The Curfew Battle
Q. Things have been relatively calm and OK with our 16-year-old son so far. Now all of a sudden, there is a huge battle about curfew. He wants to stay out later and later, and we don't think he is ready. How do we set appropriate curfew in our house?A. Here are a few basic principles on which you and your teen can build:*Curfew is for the convenience of the parents, not the teens. Parents want...(related: Parenting)
Tips For Single Parents
Prioritize.
Learn to say No.
Steal some time for yourself.
Don't be too proud to ask for help.
Don't be too proud to accept help.
Listen to those people around you that have been there, done that and got the t-shirt to prove it.
Don't l...(related: Parenting)
site-map - Copyright © 2006 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved. | Parenting