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< /p>
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.
efficient cleaning crew Lake Forest ..When it comes to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity... Read More
For many adults, reading a book or newspaper seems effortless.... Read More
Many times, we are so conditioned in how we speak... Read More
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain... Read More
It was the homework that did it. Each night became... Read More
Picture this. Your child comes home with a special assignment... Read More
Time devoted the better part of an issue to it.... Read More
There are a LOT of alternative treatments for sale out... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
Advocate: you've probably heard the term before. But what does... Read More
You know that children can get into trouble. The older... Read More
To the untrained eye, it might look like a piece... Read More
Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More
Back in college, I wrote for a five-day-a-week, award-winning campus... Read More
The popularity of EEG Biofeedback Training continues to grow both... Read More
Valentine day has always been a special day in my... Read More
I will cherish this moment. I will not let it... Read More
KIDS AND THE NEWSMore than ever, children witness innumerable, sometimes... Read More
"You can learn many things from children. How much patience... Read More
Having a baby is one of the most exciting times... Read More
Nail biting in all its various forms is problematic... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Nothing touches the heartstrings of a parent or teacher more... Read More
Encouragement comes when you focus on your child's assets and... Read More
The formula is pretty straightforward: energy in/energy out. This is... Read More
green cleaning service Deerfield ..Mommy (Daddy), Why do those people want to hurt everyone?Last... Read More
For many adults, reading a book or newspaper seems effortless.... Read More
Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More
Public-school teaching is structured in such a way that it... Read More
Most of us really don't like it when someone is... Read More
Maintaining a safe home environment for your childrenAs adults and... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
You can learn a lot from children.The best part of... Read More
How do we deal with our seriously distressed children and... Read More
Parents, do you have children who do poorly in school,... Read More
I recall somewhere in the recesses of my aging brain... Read More
The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More
It can be said that any man who procreates is... Read More
Courage means doing the right thing when it is hard,... Read More
Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal... Read More
"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't... Read More
How on earth can you help your family cope with... Read More
We need a grass roots campaign targeted towards parents to... Read More
Q. Our 17-year-old son wants us to let his girlfriend... Read More
Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More
Jason Meridith's two-year old son whines when he wants more... Read More
"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine,... Read More
Your child's first year of school should be a fun... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers... Read More
Parenting |