Dr. Holly Catterton Allen reveals that spirituality is crucial to childhood resilience. She explains that children are born as spiritual beings with an inherent capacity for deep relationships with self, others, and God. She challenges traditional approaches to children’s faith formation by emphasizing contemplative practices and “wondering questions” instead of formulaic answers.
328. Forming Resilient Children
Dr. Holly Catterton Allen reveals that spirituality is crucial to childhood resilience. She explains that children are born as spiritual beings with an inherent capacity for deep relationships with self, others, and God. She challenges traditional approaches to children's faith formation by emphasizing contemplative practices and "wondering questions" instead of formulaic answers.
• Children are born spiritual beings, not just physical, emotional, and intellectual ones.
• Spirituality encompasses three essential relationships: with self, others, and God.
• Research shows spirituality ranks as a key protective factor in childhood resilience.
• Creating space for questions without immediate answers builds authentic spiritual growth.
• Simple practices like asking "Who are you in the story?" can open meaningful spiritual conversations.
• Children don't need all protective factors to be resilient if they have a meaningful connection to God.
• Knowing God as present, understanding, and healing provides "the most powerful resilience armor."
Try asking the children in your life open-ended "wondering questions" this week, and see how it enriches your conversations and deepens your connections.
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Forming Resilient Children
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