Spirit of the Child

by David Hay

In this revealing and thoughtful book, David Hay explores the nature of children's spirituality and their understanding of God, and explores ways of nurturing the spiritual awareness of children in an age which is searching for authentic faith.

Genres: Education, Spirituality, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 9, 1998

Reviews

[Derek Winterburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clearly written book about the spiritual perception of children. The authors seek to combat the view that children need to be educated into spiritual matters. Rather. young children are innately able to experience and talk about the 'other', but as they grow older our culture's suspicion of religion leads them to turn away from what they had known. (A clear line is drawn between spirituality and religion.)

This book is presenting academic work to educators, and as such is technical in places, and is not as sharp in practical application as a how-to-book. Parents are never directly considered. Some of the author's language becomes opaque e.g. 'spirituality' in the second half of the book is re-badged as 'relational consciousness.' However some of the verbatim accounts of the researcher's conversations with children are wonderfully illuminating.

The overall conclusion is that adults could do better to encourage children to talk about the spiritual experiences and provide them with appropriate language and practises that help them grow into believing adults.

An important book.

[Rosemary]

Important for all who raise or teach children.