Peering into the clouds of glory: explorations of a newborn child’s spirituality

Abstract

This article seeks to understand spirituality in newborn children through an exploration of Wordsworth’s clouds of glory. First the article explores adult reactions reflecting a newborn child’s spirituality. Objective manifestations of spirituality in newborn children, such as love, presence and connection, wonder and meaning, and faith, are explored next. Third, in the light of the perspectives developed in the first two sections an attempt is made to describe a wider understanding of spirituality in very young children as they may experience it. Some suggestions are made in context for potentially productive avenues for contemplation, research and practice about spirituality at birth and in the early years.

Keywords:

• spirituality
• newborn child
• experience
• love
• presence