Press reviews for: The Spiritual Dimension of Childhood
De Numine, The Magazine and Newsletter of the Alister Hardy Society
One of the strengths of the book is that its arguments are well supported with both academic references and children's own accounts of their experience - an important factor when dealing with a subject as elusive as "spirituality". The book is engagingly written because the authors are passionate about their subject. They persuade us that if we engage more fully with how children experience their inner world, we can better understand how the inner and outer worlds interact to shape the spiritual dimension of their lives. We are then in a better position to help children regain their spiritual voice, which many struggle to find... the authors' willingness to engage positively with so many of the issues raised is truly inspiring.
Adoption Today
I feel this book will benefit anyone working with children, teachers, social workers, foster carers, teaching assistants, counsellors and parents or carers. If we want to change the way children evolve let's be open to new ideas. We have nothing to lose by reading this book and much to gain.
Counselling Children and Young People
The authors of this book were inspired to write it by their shared experiences and enthusiasm for the spiritual lives of children. The book draws on the results of their research in the areas of the significance of dreams for children and how they interpret them, aspects of children's spirituality and the implication this has in the primary school context and how children's spirituality impacts on global citizenship education. I found this book exciting because it recognises the challenge and reward in being able to support children appropriately in discovering and expressing the spiritual dimension of their lives. It is also thought provoking because the authors demonstrate, using current and very relevant issues, that when children can voice their spirituality, their self-esteem increases and allows them to make informed choices and decisions about their lives. I believe this book will be of great interest to those who work with children and are fully committed to the development of the whole child.