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
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