Nurturing the Hearts and Souls of All Young Children: Using Peer-Mediated Interventions to Support Children’s Spirituality as Being Directive and Transformational for Children With Disabilities

• In Event: Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Spirituality and Education: Selective Papers

Abstract

Research concerning children with disabilities and spirituality in literature is quite limited (Bredding & Hood, 2008). Few researchers have studied the implications of the spiritual domain for children with disabilities receiving peer-based interventions from typical peers. Recommended as best practice for ensuring young children with disabilities benefit from participating in inclusive early childhood settings with typically developing young children, peer-mediated intervention involves learning experiences designed to prompt young children to initiate social interactions with peers. This paper addresses the need for how peer-based interventions promote directive and transformational spirituality and responsive to relationships and community. Children of the twenty-first century are “spiritual seekers.” Time has emerged to “seek visibility” for all children and foster kindness into children’s hearts and souls.

Author

• Kathleen I. Harris, Seton Hill University