Development and well-being of our children

THE most effective way to shape the values, attitudes, behaviours and skills of our children is through education. Future generations will be better able to lead the affairs of humanity if today’s children are adequately cared for and their protection and full development are assured.

The Bahá’ís view education as a means for the discovery and the perfection of one’s capabilities and for instilling a commitment to serve the best interests of the community and the world as a whole.

These two goals of education are very closely linked because the development of talents and capacities generates the power to transform our communities, while service provides the channel.

The aim of education should be development of the child’s personality, talents, mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential. Children should be encouraged to acquire branches of knowledge which are of benefit. They are likely to get better results from their education and training if they are given the opportunity to choose a profession that they have an interest in and a natural ability for.

In our homes, we should create such conditions and an atmosphere which is conducive to the material and spiritual well-being and advancement of our children. The training which they first receive at home constitutes the strongest foundation for their future development.

Mothers in particular have a special role to play in the early training and education of children, especially during the first few years of life when the basic values and character of the individual is formed.

According to the Bahá’í Writings: “… it is in early childhood that a firm foundation must be laid. While the branch is green and tender it can easily be made straight.”

It is important for a child to grow up in a loving family and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. A caring and supportive environment is necessary for the full and harmonious development of the child’s personality.

Our children need to be nurtured spiritually. They should not be left to drift unguided in a world so laden with moral dangers. Spiritual education is essential for the victory of the child’s spiritual nature over his or her lower nature.

As stated in the Bahá’í Scriptures:

“…from the very beginning, the children must receive divine education and must continually be reminded to remember their God. Let the love of God pervade their inmost being, commingled with their mother’s milk.”

“Schools must first train the children in the principles of religion, but this in such a measure that it may not injure the children by resulting in ignorant fanaticism and bigotry.”

We should cultivate in our children tolerance, love, brotherhood and a belief in the equality of humanity, compassion, understanding, sacrifice, humility, and an active commitment to justice. While secular and spiritual education is complementary and both very important, special emphasis should be placed on the spiritual education of our children, as stated in the following quotation from the Bahá’í Writings:

“Training in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning. A child that is cleanly, agreeable, of good character, well-behaved — even though he be ignorant — is preferable to a child that is rude, unwashed, ill-natured, and yet becoming deeply versed in all the sciences and arts. The reason for this is that the child who conducts himself well, even though he be ignorant, is of benefit to others, while an ill-natured, ill-behaved child is corrupted and harmful to others, even though he be learned. If, however, the child be trained to be both learned and good, the result is light upon light”.

The type of education we provide for our children should make it possible for them to function effectively in an integrated world society. It should be the kind of education which will enable them to live in harmony and peace, in an atmosphere of understanding, dialogue and respect for others.

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