Promoting Spiritual Moments and Social Justice in Early Childhood Education: Teaching "Tender Spiritual Topics" Using Children's Literature

• In Event: 25.086 - Sheraton Roundtable Session One - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 25.086-10 - Spirituality and Education SIG: Roundtables

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the incorporation of critical literacy and children’s literature focusing on social justice and spiritualty to support themes incorporating Catholic Social Teaching in early childhood classrooms. Early childhood pre-service teachers were introduced with an understanding of how literature can address children’s multiple perspectives about Catholic Social Teaching while promoting their spiritual development. Results indicate pre-service teachers gained an appreciation of how important it is to promote positive attitudes toward literacy experiences while developing spiritual awareness addressed in Catholic Social Teaching. Finally, pre-service teachers had the opportunity to analyze and reflect the importance of ‘tender spiritual topics’ for promoting kindness, empathy, and the awareness of spiritual moments in the lives of young children.

Author

• Kathleen I. Harris, Seton Hill University