This book focuses on the question of how different contexts are relevant in the shaping and expression of individual spirituality spanning from early childhood to young adulthood. Past decades have witnessed a strong expansion of research on spirituality and spiritual education. This expansion has proved to have many advantages in understanding the experiences, values, identities and behaviours of individuals and communities. Such research has benefitted from different research disciplines and methods, from its openness toward different faith traditions and non-religious belief systems, and from the agility in adapting to diverse and evolving contexts. These aspects are essential in producing robust and timely international knowledge on children’s spirituality and their education. This volume is one such ambitious endeavour. The chapters describe issues related to religious and spiritual development in different contexts of growth, such as school and church, and spanning from early childhood to young adulthood in Finland, UK, Turkey and Malta. In addition, the authors utilise diverse methods in their studies. Furthermore, the studies are based on conceptions of spirituality ranging from holistic spirituality and religiosity to world view based definitions. Finally, the chapters represent foundational research on spirituality, applied research on spirituality and contextualised research on spirituality – a typology suitable for assessing future studies on spirituality. Issues in Spiritual Formation in Early Lifespan Contexts will be a key resource for academics, researchers, and advanced students of Religion, Religious Education, Education, Educational Research, Developmental Psychology, Research Methods, and Sociology. The chapters included in this book were originally published as a special issue of International Journal of Children's Spirituality.

This book offers multidisciplinary and inclusive perspectives on children and young people’s spirituality and its research in diverse socio-cultural contexts. It brings together a collection of select research articles that were published over a period of nearly two decades (2003-2021) in the International Journal of Children’s Spirituality (IJCS), to celebrate the journal’s 25th anniversary. Featuring contributions by leading international scholars from U.K., U.S., Canada, Finland, Australia, Hong Kong, and China, this edited volume focuses on different and complementary perspectives on children’s spirituality in diverse and changing contexts. Chapters cover topics such as: the study of children’s spirituality as a natural form of human awareness; a proposed pluricultural approach; the potential contributions of psychoanalytic tradition and cognitive psychology; possible influences of tradition(s), multidisciplinarity and perceptions on understanding children’s spiritual experiences; Christian perspectives on children’s spirituality in relation to living and dying in Quebec, Canada; Finnish pre‐adolescents’ perceptions of religion and spirituality; using technology, specifically tablets, as a component for understanding children’s spirituality; and cyber spirituality. This volume will be an invaluable resource for researchers and postgraduate students majoring in education studies, life, and moral and spiritual education and those majoring in psychology and religious studies.

This book offers various perspectives on children’s spirituality and its relation to life and values education from diverse socio-cultural and educational contexts. It brings together a collection of select research articles that were published over a period of two decades (1999–2020) in the International Journal of Children’s Spirituality (IJCS), to celebrate the journal’s 25th anniversary. Featuring contributions by leading international scholars from U.K., U.S.A., Canada, Hong Kong, China, and Australia, this volume offers a multidisciplinary snapshot of children’s spirituality and its relation to life and values education. It highlights the importance of socio-cultural and religious traditions, as well as perspectives on religious education and the spirituality of children shaped by religious, cultural and educational systems in specific societies and contexts. Chapters cover topics including the links between mirror neurons and human empathy and education; the relationship between spirituality and citizenship; the notion of inclusive spiritual education and the perspectives of spiritual education through the conceptual lens of transcendence, raised awareness and spiritualism; how outdoor play spaces can contribute to a child’s spiritual development through enriching activities; and approaches to help nurture students’ spiritual growth in their aspects of themselves (self), others, the environment, and with a Transcendent Other (transcendence). This volume will be a key resource for researchers and postgraduate students interested in understanding children’s spirituality and its implications for spiritual, life and values education.

How important is childhood in the spiritual formation of a person? How do children experience God in the context of their lives as they grow? What does God do in the lives of children to draw them to himself and help them grow into a vital relationship with him? How can adults who care about children better support their spiritual growth and direct it toward relationship with God through Jesus Christ? These are critical questions that church leaders face as they consider how best to nurture the faith of the children God brings into our lives. In this book, over two dozen Christian scholars and ministry leaders explore important issues about the spiritual life of children and ways parents, church leaders, and others who care about children can promote their spiritual formation.

This Element provides a comprehensive yet concise account of scientific research on children's religious and spiritual (RS) development. After providing a historical sketch of definitional issues in the science of RS, the first section reviews basic descriptive information on children's RS development as well as wholistic theoretical models and measures of children's RS development. The second section covers evidence about links of child and parental RS to children's psychosocial adjustment, and highlights the need for more research that discriminates specific positive and negative manifestations of RS for children's development. The third section summarizes evidence about the robust influence of parents on their children's RS development and parents' perceptions of their role in this process. The fourth section focuses on cognitive-developmental research on children's cognitions about God/deities and prayer. The Element concludes with a synopsis of key themes and challenges that researchers face to advance the science of children's RS development.

This Handbook draws together leading social scientists in the world from multiple disciplines to articulate what is known and needs to be known about spiritual development in childhood and adolescence.

Emerging Adults' Religiousness and Spirituality seeks to understand how the developmental process of meaning-making encompasses American emerging adults' religiousness and spirituality. This volume does not focus on disentangling religion and spirituality conceptually, but rather emphasizes their centrality in the psychology of human development.

Bridging Theory and Practice in Children's Spirituality explores the different contexts, methods, and situations that influence and foster a child's spirituality and faith development. Through a blend of theoretical understanding held in tension with practical application, it equips those who are in, or being prepared for, the varied contexts where children are spiritually formed. It represents a broad range of Christian expression writing from a Christ-centered perspective that furthers the conversation about the next steps in children's spirituality and faith development. Moving beyond the basics of faith nurture and what makes for effective ministry, this resource deepens our understanding of the practices in children's lives by bringing together the best of theory and practice and includes contributions from: Dr. Scottie May (Wheaton College) Dr. Kevin Lawson (Biola University) Dr. Erik Carter (Vanderbilt University) John Roberto (Vibrant Faith) Dr. Dana Kennamer Pemberton (Abilene Christian University) Dr. Shirley Morganthaler (Concordia University - Chicago) Dr. Holly Catterton Allen (Lipscomb University) Dr. Robert Keeley (Calvin College and Calvin Seminary) Dr. Mimi Larson (Wheaton College) Lacy Finn Borgo ( Renovaré Institute) and others. Pastors, professors, seminary students and children's ministry leaders and practitioners all believe that nurturing a child's spiritual development is important. Yet often they are unsure about which current trends should be embraced. This book will help equip these people with the grounding needed to evaluate trends and with specific suggestions for moving forward. With short, accessibly written chapters it helps pastors and leaders stay up to date with current trends and is an excellent resource for teaching in college and seminary classrooms.

Increasingly, it is being recognized that spirituality, defined here as "a multiform search for a transcendent meaning of life that connects them to all living beings and brings them in touch with God or ‘Ultimate Reality,’" is an aspect of almost every sphere and aspect of social life. It appears in humanity’s dealings with nature, home and community, healing, economics and business, knowledge, and education. The Routledge International Handbook of Spirituality in Society and the Professions is a stimulating collection that summarizes the most important issues, frameworks, discussions, and problems relating to spiritually inspired activities in different fields of social life. The contributors explore how spirituality is a part of existence and present approaches and models for professionals working in diverse areas. Presented in seven parts, the book provides a full overview of current research and practice. Part II, "Facets of spirituality," explores topics including philosophy, psychology, theology, and culture. Part III, "Nature," looks at ecology, agriculture, cities, and tourism. Part IV, "Home and community," presents chapters on various life stages, disability, gender, and culture. Part V, "Healing," examines medicine, mental and physical health, and ill-health. In Part VI, "Economy, politics, and law," contributors discuss business, leadership and the workplace, peace, and policing. Part VII, "Knowledge and education," includes chapters on science, design, fashion, literature, and the arts. In the final part, "Way forward," the editors look to the future with a chapter on inter-spirituality and the renewal of social practices. Driven by contemporary research and new developments, this Handbook is an innovative and interdisciplinary collection that provides an essential overview of contemporary spirituality and society from an international selection of contributors. The Routledge International Handbook of Spirituality in Society and the Professions offers accessible, diverse, and engaging international research, and its scope will appeal to academics and students of a wide range of subjects, including aging and addiction, psychology, theology, religious studies, sociology, business studies, and philosophy. It will also be an important work for professionals in medical and social services, the clergy, education, business, the arts, religious communities, and politics, and members of organizations looking at the links between spirituality, religion, and society.