How to Talk to Children about Spirituality
by guest author Chloe Trogden
Numerous studies have shown that there is a link between how spiritual people are and how happy they are. The same goes for even children. When people have a code of values and feel that there is a higher meaning to their life, they feel more fulfilled and more happy.
Of course, spirituality is not the same as religion, though it can be for many people. Instead, spirituality focuses on a sense of meaning. While it may seem intimidating to talk to children about such lofty ideas, it is important that you do so in order to help them develop their own sense of spirituality. Here are a few ideas for how you can talk to children about spirituality and spiritual growth:
Ask Kids What They Think About Spirituality
Start your conversations by asking your kids what they think about spiritual ideas. Ask them how they think the earth was created or whether they think that the family cat has a soul. Talk to them about what they think might happen after we die. Keep the conversation open, and just listen. It is important to help them think about these concepts and name their feelings – not necessarily to give them the answers. This kind of conversation will help them develop spiritually.
Make sure that you keep the conversation age appropriate. Very young kids may not yet have an understanding of death, for example.
Keep It Simple
Questions of the origin of life and the meaning behind it all are big and complex. Exploring the answers can be overwhelming even for adults. When talking with children, it’s best to keep the conversation simple. Here’s where it will help to listen to them talk and to be their guide in their spiritual development rather than jumping in with your own ideas.
Focus on simple concepts, such as fairness or togetherness. Talk about the importance of relationships as a way to instill meaning. You don’t have to tackle whether or not there is a god – and all the questions that inspires.
Talk about Connectedness
One of the principle components of spirituality is the concept of our oneness or connectedness – that all living things in the universe are connected as one, whether we understand how or not. You can explain this in terms that are age-appropriate for your child. For younger kids, you might talk about how we all have similar feelings, or how we all want to be treated well. As kids get older, you can explore more complicated concepts of togetherness, like the shared human experience or the fact that we are, literally, made of star dust.
Develop a Family Code of Values
You don’t have to believe in the Bible or any other holy book to have a moral code. You can develop your own family code of values, sharing with your child the things you believe. For example, you can say “This family believes in fairness” or “This family believes in being kind and helping others.” You can even write down this code and hang it in your home.
Read Books Together
Sometimes a good story can help to illustrate complicated concepts. Explore your local library for some age-appropriate books that explore spiritual growth and spiritual themes. Ask the librarian to give you some recommendations, and then preview each book before you take it home to read together. Reading together can help foster discussion and to explain complicated concepts.
Above all, don’t feel like you have to have all the answers – no one does. Just making the effort to have these conversations with your child can help to foster a sense of spirituality, which can help your child to develop a personal code of values as he grows.
How did you talk to your kids about spirituality and spiritual growth? Share your tips in the comments!
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Author Chloe Trogden is a seasoned financial aid writer and a major contributor at www.collegegrant.net. Her leisure activities include camping, swimming and yoga.
Photo credit: © imtmphoto – Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Angela,
I love to read to kids and believe, top. that books for children address every religion or spiritual idea out there and are a great way to get the message across.
Hi Betsy,
How are you? So nice to see you here. I think reading to kids about spirituality is a wonderful idea. I’m there are many, many great books out there that address these principles. You are right; reading to kids is a great way to get this message across.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
love the idea of “exploring” spirituality with kids. Great approach!
Hi Roe,
Great to see you here. Yes, it’s so important…..like teaching kids meditation is important too.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Chloe, what a wonderful article! This is a subject that I can pass on to our grandchildren. I would love to see them more involved about spirituality and what they can accomplish in their lifetime. My only regret is that I didn’t teach our children when they were young about all of the possibilities. Back at that time there just wasn’t a lot of information like this available to parents. Thank you Angela for sharing another wonderful article with us.
Dear Susan.
I’m so glad you are thinking of sharing this article with your grandchildren. What a wonderful idea! I too believe that being aware of God, values and following the golden rule is extremely important.
Thanks so much for coming by to share in the conversation. 🙂
Wonderful post Chloe. I particularly like this line – “You can develop your own family code of values, sharing with your child the things you believe.” Developing a value system early on with your kids can make the difference on the choices that they make as they grow into the teen years. Thanks for a great post! And thank you Angela! 🙂
Cathy,
I’m so glad you enjoyed this article. I agree that it is very important to instill a value system in your kids when they are young.
You’re welcome and thank you so much for commenting!
🙂
This is a fabulous topic. In our culture, we believe that children below five are closest to God..in fact, they are considered little Krishnas – divine, yet mischievous.
I do think children are spiritual whether they understand what it means or not. Who else can feel sorry for Tom in the cartoon series, Tom and Jerry? I’ve often seen children take the side of the undertrodden and the loser, because they feel bad for them. Children can be uniquely compassionate and understanding because everything is simple logic to them…black and white. They begin to see the shades of grey only as they grow up and lose their innocence.
Great post, Chloe! You have addressed a wonderful topic!
Thank you dear Angela. Hugs!
Dear Vidya,
Yes, isnt’ this a fantastic article by Chloe? I think this is a very important topic. I also agree with you that young children are quite close to God and very spiritual until their left brain hemisphere and societal imprinting begin to take over. There are countless stories of children who see spirits because they don’t know that they “can’t!”
Yes! Exactly! What you just said triggered a memory for me! Years ago, one of the wee ones in our family (ours was a joint family) kept insisting he could talk to someone who had passed away. No one took him seriously, of course. You know how children talk to themselves (so endearing!). Then one day, he seemed to be playing by himself, but kept pausing and looking at a particular spot and then carrying on with what he was doing. When asked what he was up to, he said the deceased person was teaching him how to do something. It was stunning. My wise Grandmother whispered a message in his ear for her. Amazing experience. 🙂 Children ARE close to spirits. No doubt about it.
This also reminds me of that Reese Witherspoon movie “just like heaven” – it was delightful. She is in an accident and in a coma..I won’t spoil it for you..but there is a point when she tries to communicate with her sister and her nieces can see her. 😀 Lovely film.
Vidya,
When I was little I saw people and heard voices but when I told my mother she always tried to make me think it was just my imagination. It was very confusing and frustrating for me. I will have to rent this movie. Thank you!