Asset of the Month – Spirituality
Spirituality. For many people this is a hard subject to discuss. But all people have a spiritual side, not necessarily religious, but a part of them that seeks to understand, and to make sense of the mysteries life presents. For some, this translates into an affiliation with a certain religion, and a belief in God; for others, it manifests itself in a commitment to a highly meditative pursuit, such as Yoga, or Tai Chi. Other people can feel spiritually connected by simply looking at nature, listening to music, or creating something beautiful. It’s whatever brings to your innermost being a sense of comfort, well-being, and harmony–what ever connects your soul to something larger than yourself. Children are extremely spiritual, and this sense needs to be nurtured and developed. Religious Community is our Developmental Asset for the month of January.
For the younger child, it’s very important to keep in mind that age-appropriate activities are the most beneficial.
• Read stories, listen to music, share other creative activities that have a spiritual or religious theme.
• Remember that all children have limited attention spans. Providing a quiet activity, such as a religiously themed story book, helps children sit through services that may outlast their interest.
• Make time for activities that involve other families who share your beliefs and priorities.
• Encourage your child to talk to you about what he thinks about spiritual things. Ask questions—you may gain an insight far beyond his years.
• Answer your child’s questions as honestly as you can. There’s nothing wrong with saying, “I’m not sure I have that answer—there are things I’m still trying to figure out. What do you think about that?”
For the older child, this is often an age of discovery and self-awareness.
• Encourage your child to talk, to ask questions, to share his/her spiritual beliefs and concepts. You don’t have to have all of the answers; just knowing that you have questions, too, creates a bond.
• Encourage your child to talk to other adults who have strong spiritual commitments or beliefs. Exposure to different concepts and beliefs can help a young person find his own way.
• Instill a sense that maybe there’s more than one answer, maybe all the questions haven’t been asked.
To learn more about this asset and the other thirty nine, go to www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets
Written by Diane Rumer.
