Nurturing Young Hearts: Introducing Children to God

We all desire to nurture the minds and hearts of the little ones in our lives, whether you are a parent, a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, or even a family friend. We all strive to give the children in our life the tools that will help them to better move through the world.

If you are a spiritual person who places a lot of importance on the Divine, it’s only natural that you should want to teach the children in your life about God. It has also been shown that raising children with spirituality may protect their mental health. Teaching a child about God can give them more empathy for their fellow humans, encourage a sense of awe and gratitude, and help them to be more compassionate and understanding as they grow.

Introducing the children in your life to the concept of God can be daunting. How do you explain something to a toddler who doesn’t quite have the capability to understand an idea quite so complex? How do you teach your child about spirituality? About the interconnectedness between all beings? About the divine inner wisdom within? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Set a Loving and Compassionate Example

One of the most powerful ways to introduce children to the concept of God is by embodying love, compassion, and kindness in our daily lives. It is through our actions that we can demonstrate the qualities of caring and empathy. This is essential when it comes to nurturing their understanding of something greater than themselves.

Children learn by observing the world around them, and they are very perceptive. When we consistently embody these positive and loving qualities, we create a safe, peaceful environment that encourages spiritual values.

What if your child saw you being warm and friendly to a cashier, smiling at another driver as you let them change lanes in front of your car, or committing an anonymous act of kindness for a stranger? How would that help them to learn about the importance of love?

2. Embrace Teachable Moments from Nature

Nature offers a magnificent tapestry of wonder and beauty, inviting us to explore the mysteries of life. By exposing young children to the natural world, we can foster a sense of awe and reverence.

Take them on enchanting nature walks where they can observe the marvels of the birds, flowers, and trees. Encourage them to appreciate the balance and harmony found in nature, igniting a sense of wonder and deepening their spiritual understanding.

Children already have a sense of awe and wonder around nature, typically. Giving them time in nature gives them opportunities to find that inner peace, that stillness within, even if they don’t quite have language to express it. (Although, do any of us?)

Teaching a child about God can give them more empathy for their fellow humans, encourage a sense of awe and gratitude, and help them to be more compassionate and understanding as they grow.

3. Share Rituals and Stories

Storytelling is an extremely powerful tool for introducing abstract concepts to young minds. Choose age-appropriate books that explore things like love, gratitude, and kindness.

This could be anything from finding the awe and appreciation in books like Goodnight Moon or telling the story of Daniel and the lions’ den. These stories can be from varying cultural and religious backgrounds, emphasizing the common threads that unite these traditions.

Also, rituals can be an excellent tool for spirituality or even just family. Rituals can be anything from a bedtime prayer to lighting a candle before mealtime to having family happiness parties once a month.

4. Engage in Mindful Practices

Introducing children to mindfulness practices can support their development. Studies have shown that teaching children mindfulness can enhance life satisfaction and help to create a positive outlook.

Simple activities like deep breathing exercises, gentle stretching, or guided visualization can help children become more aware of their emotions, thoughts, and the world around them, fostering a sense of unity and connection.

We understand you might need help introducing the little ones in your life to the concept of the Divine. That’s why we have created God Is!: The Prayer for Protection, a beautiful board book that combines gorgeous art and scenes from nature with the “Prayer for Protection” by James Dillet Freeman. And check out our Resources for Children and Families collection to find inspirational articles, videos, and products to uplift your family.