Nature's Role in Children's Spiritual Development

Authors

  • Deborah Schein

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.24.2.0078

Abstract

A research study on spiritual development collected data during interviews with early childhood educators to determine a definition and a framework for nurturing spiritual development of young children living in 21st century United States. Data analysis resulted in a preliminary definition of spiritual development as a system of children’s deep connections leading first to self-awareness, and later to the nurturing of basic and complex dispositions ignited by moments of wonderment, awe, joy, and inner peace that develop into the prosocial personality traits of caring, kindness, empathy, and reverence. The system requires love and attachment, spiritual modeling, and time spent by children within spiritual moments. Participants described specific attributes for spiritual moments in time, space, nature, within relationships, and with big questions capable of taking children beyond themselves. These spiritual moments are often created when children spend time in nature. This article will discuss the findings of this research study on spiritual development and its implications for greening early childhood programs in the U.S.

Published

2023-01-06