Children as Spiritual Beings

Restoring Our Sense of Awe and Wonder

Authors

  • Younghee Kim Southern Oregon University
  • Paula Lynam
  • Rebecca Tree
  • Diane Gallas

Keywords:

Awe, wonder, holistic, play, spirituality, young children

Abstract

Children enter the world as spiritual beings, deeply connected to the spiritual world. Through

their involvement with the adult world, these spiritual aspects can become increasingly latent or invisible. Children's spiritual selves are often not seen, respected, and valued by the adults in their lives. It is vital that adults who engage with children experience awe, wonder, beauty, intuition, mystery, and respect for all life themselves. Adults may not need to construct nor contrive activities to cultivate and foster spirituality in children, but rather allow the space and time for children to unfurl, naturally. It is our work to offer children the space and time to be who they are. Natural play experiences combined with unhurried daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms foster security and trust, contributing to a solid foundation for their spirituality and overall well-being.

Author Biographies

Paula Lynam

Paula I. Lynam, M. Ed. founded and directed The Secret Garden Preschool and Kindergarten  for 20 years, is an adjunct faculty member at Southern Oregon University, and Rogue Community College. Paula has been working with children, educators  and families in a variety of capacities, including Parent/Child Facilitator, Handwork/Art Teacher, Educational Support Practitioner, Mediator, Games/Integrative Movement Teacher, and Waldorf Kindergarten Teacher and Mentor.

Rebecca Tree

Rebecca K. Tree, M. Ed. has over 35 years in the early childhood field. After serving as the Founder and Director of Roots & Wings Community Preschool for 25 years she joined The Community Preschool at SOU as its Director in addition to adjunct faculty in the Early Childhood Development  program. Ms. Tree received her Master’s in Education from SOU at the age of 62, proving that learning is a life-long endeavor and as long as we breathe we should be engaged in meaningful work.

Diane Gallas

Diane Michelle Gallas, M. Ed. owns and operates Imagine That…Creative Children’s Centers in Grants Pass. Her programs have received the Preschool Promise grant to support child care programs for preschoolers and partnership grants from the Oregon Childcare Career Development to support work with infants and toddlers. Currently, Michelle is an adjunct faculty member teaching ECE classes at Rogue Community College, and she is a mentor and a trainer for many fellow early childhood educators.

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Published

2024-12-07

How to Cite

Kim, Y., Lynam, P., Tree, R., & Gallas, D. (2024). Children as Spiritual Beings: Restoring Our Sense of Awe and Wonder. Holistic Education Review, 4(2). Retrieved from https://her.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/her/article/view/3233

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2024): Fall 2024

Section

Community Voices: Applications of holistic education worldwide