Developmental Psychology and Young Children's Religious Education

This book explores younger children's religious education, challenging the belief that they lack the ability to conceptualize God in abstract terms. It provides statistical evidence from a study with 431 children and 47 teachers, revealing a discrepancy between teachers' perceptions and children's actual abilities. The author argues for teacher-training courses to include contemporary developmental research to enhance children's conceptual abilities and understanding of abstract concepts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 129 pages
Publication date: 16 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book explores the conceptual prerequisites for young children's religious education learning and highlights the challenges that children and their teachers encounter in the RE educational process. Conducted on a study with 431 children aged 5 to 7 years from diverse schools, including faith-based and non-faith institutions, and 47 teachers from the same schools as the children, this book offers a insightful look into younger children's religious education, providing statistical evidence to dismantle the belief that young children lack the ability to conceptualize God in abstract terms.

The information obtained from these children and their teachers reveals a significant discrepancy between the teachers' perceptions of young children's conceptual abilities for RE learning and the children's actual abilities revealed in their responses throughout the study. Based on the evidence described in the volume, Petrovich argues that teacher-training courses for primary RE need to be designed to include a substantial component of contemporary developmental research that is directly relevant to children's conceptual abilities and understanding of abstract concepts.

Developmental Psychology and Young Childrens Religious Education is a vital resource for students and researchers in developmental psychology, religious education, teacher education, education studies, and cultural anthropology. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive development of young children and the implications for their religious education learning. By addressing the challenges and discrepancies between teachers' perceptions and children's actual abilities, this book offers valuable insights into designing effective teacher-training programs that support children's conceptual development and understanding of abstract concepts in religious education.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367436193