Canadian children’s perceptions of spirituality: diverse voices

Abstract

Few researchers have explored children’s understandings of spirituality. Thus, Canadian children from different religious, spiritual and cultural backgrounds were asked open-ended questions concerning their spiritual thoughts, beliefs and experiences. Parents of participants completed a demographic questionnaire and reported children’s religious affiliation. Regardless of children’s religious background, six prominent themes emerged: (1) Positive feelings when praying or thinking about God, (2) God’s location, (3) God helps, (4) God as a listener, (5) Soul and spirit and (6) God is a comforter. Despite diverse faith orientations, children’s responses reflected similar conceptualisations of God as a listener and helper, and conversations with God served as a source of comfort and elicited feelings of happiness. Discussion involves educational implications of children’s spirituality for diverse learning contexts.

Keywords:

• spirituality
• children
• diversity
• faith

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Canadian Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Award. SSHRC fund number 820-2008-1011.