The desire to raise children who are strong in the family faith pushes parents to seek activities that will enhance their child’s religious experience. Parents who believe in the importance of grounding their child in a faith base carefully consider the activities that their child is allowed to participate in.
These parents desire that their child associates with children who have similar belief systems. Regular involvement in a community of worship is often required of the children. As often as possible, these parents create opportunities for their children to understand their faith. Many parents believe that as their sons and daughters pursue interests and activities that are faith-related, that their children will grow to be adults that value faith and believe strongly in a Higher Power.
Religious Expression
Children should be encouraged to express their religious faith from an early age. Engaging children in this way allows them to find their voice as they learn about the faith of their parents. A son that is invited to produce a short film, write a song, or draw a picture of his beliefs is given license to communicate the spiritual lessons that he is being taught. Sharing the finished product with relatives and friends allows the child to associate positive feelings with his religious expression.
Tangible Faith
Sitting one day with a daughter and writing down the things she associates with religion and spirituality allows her to see how she views the lessons that she is learning and permits her to see in a tangible way what faith is to her. When the family worships together, children should have an integral part. Children who are old enough can read from the sacred text. They should be allowed to choose at least one of the songs that are sung.
Religious Camps
Whether Buddhist, Jewish, Christian or Muslim, religious camps are places that foster spiritual growth through regular camp activities. Children love time spent at campfires that mix prayer and singing. Having counselors and other staff who take the time to answer questions about religious life is invaluable.
While at these camps, children have the freedom to survey their religious faith without their parents’ guidance. This freedom can help a child become more secure in his religious faith. He will begin to see his religion as his own and not just that of his parents.
Memorizing Scripture
Whether the holy book of a family is the Tipitaka, the Torah, the Quran, the Bible or another book, part of having a child grounded in one's faith comes with knowing what the holy text says. Children should be challenged to memorize parts of the scripture that contains the guidance for their religion. In order to make it more interesting, parents should make a game of the memorization.
Parents can give their child a list of scriptures for them to memorize, and challenge them to memorize a certain number in a month. Have the child set a goal that states how many she wants to memorize. A prize, that will be given as a reward after the goal is completed, should be picked. The child should be lavished with praise when the goal is met.
Songs should be invented that will help the child learn the verses more quickly. Time spent playing hang-man with a child will help solidify the verses in her mind. Remember that a child is more likely to memorize more if she feels that the activity is enjoyable.
Teach Charity to Children
It is important that children are taught early the importance of charity work as it relates to religion. Parents have many options to build a charitable spirit in their children. Choosing a child to sponsor with a child is an excellent way to involve him in giving back.
Picking a project from ADRA’s Useful Gift Catalog and saving throughout the year to support the project will leave an indelible impression on a young mind. Working together at a religious run homeless shelter can teach children to be grateful for what they have. Encourage a child to clean out his closet and give what he is not using to another child and he will learn compassion.
Benefit of Religious Activities
Finding religious activities that stimulate spiritual growth in children can be a challenge. However, these activities are vitally important for raising children that value the faith of their parents. The effort put into creating and participating in these activities will render children who are strong and happy spiritually.
Tamara McGee Andersen - Tamara McGee Andersen lives with her husband, Allan,and dog,Coco. She loves traveling, especially in Italy, writing, music and dancing.
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