Dr. Eboni Green
February 24, 2022
Caregiving is not only about taking care of physical needs. Holistic caregiving includes social, psychological, physical, intellectual, occupational, financial, and spiritual wellness.
When we are caring for a loved one, we all need to recognize that the individual we are caring for is not just a physical body. She or he has a soul, and they may have a sense of purpose of why they are here in this world. In the case of children, they are naturally spiritual and ask many questions. If you affirm their questions and thoughts, you inspire them to find meaning in their lives.
Spirituality is a personal process. It’s the connection or relationship we have with a higher force. Simply put, spirituality means recognizing that there is something higher than ourselves or this physical world. Some like to call it God, Allah, the Universe, or the Force. Although there are many definitions of spirituality, many experts associate it with feelings of interconnectedness. In other words, it means feeling part of “the greater whole.”1
Spirituality is often seen as valuable for humans, even outside religious frameworks. Research suggests that spirituality can be beneficial to strengthen a child’s identity or develop a strong/relationship between children and their environment.2
Children are naturally spiritual, so it’s not difficult to incorporate spirituality in childcare. Here are some examples:
Children have a lot of spiritual questions. They ask: “Why is the sky blue?”, “What’s outside the planet?”, “What happens after we die?”. They are curious and want to understand how the world works. So, listen to them when they have something to say. Don’t underestimate their questions or thoughts. Instead, inspire them to keep asking questions.
Many people associate spirituality with meditation and mindfulness practices. So, it’s a great idea to dedicate a few minutes of the day to meditating with your child. Mindfulness and meditation help children to regulate their emotions, improve their ability to focus, and live in the present moment.
Gratitude is a part of spiritual experiences. Show your child the importance of gratitude before each meal, after waking up, or when you see the sunrise. Make them reflect on how lucky we are for having those things.
Nature makes us feel interconnected with the universe. It reminds us that we part of a greater whole. When you go to the park with your child, show them how each plant, animal, or fungi has life, as we humans do. Connecting with nature makes children understand the value of life.
Spirituality is not a belief, a concept, or a dogma. It’s a personal experience. When you teach your children to be spiritual, you help them find meaning in life and feel connected to a greater whole. Children also have a lot of valuable lessons to teach us. They remind us that we need to keep asking questions, even when we don’t have the answers.
1Baskin, C. (2016). Spirituality: The core of healing and social justice from an Indigenous perspective. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2016(152), 51–60. DOI: 10.1002/ace.20212.
2Hart, L. (2011). Nourishing the authentic self: Teaching with heart and soul. In N. N. Wane, E. L. Manyimo & E. J. Ritskes (Eds), Spirituality, education & society, (pp. 37- 48). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense Publishers.
