Children and Spirituality ― Searching for Meaning and Connectedness

Hyde (National School of Religious Education, Australian Catholic U.) delineates four characteristics of children's spirituality--the felt sense, integrating awareness, weaving the threads of meaning, and spiritual questing--and how they can be recognized and fostered by teachers and parents. In addition, he addresses how material pursuit and trivializing issues of meaning and value in life can inhibit a child's expression of spirituality. The introductory section explores spirituality from religious, biological and neuro-scientific, sociological, and psychological perspectives and ongoing research in different countries. Besides the suggestions given at the end of each chapter, he offers general recommendations and a pedagogical framework for classroom contexts in the conclusion. The book is based on a study conducted at primary schools in Australia, but can be applied to educational settings in other Western countries. It is intended for educators, policy makers, parents, and those who work with children. Separate subject and author indexes are provided. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Brendan Hyde PhD is a lecturer in the National School of Religious Education at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, and a Member of the Australian College of Educators. Brendan has authored several scholarly articles and book chapters exploring the spirituality of children, and he regularly presents his work at international conferences.