Dr Brendan Hyde and Associate Professor Christine Robinson.
A trio of experts including Associate Professor Christine Robinson from Edith Cowan University's (ECU) School of Education have published a book aimed to equip early childhood professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to foster children's spirituality.
"Spirituality is a proven, yet often overlooked, foundation for children's lifelong growth and mental health," Associate Professor Robinson said.
"Having a strong sense of identity, belonging, connection and meaning are the core elements of spirituality."
Titled: A Framework for Young Children's Spiritual Capabilities, the practical guide is an Australian first, encompassing age-appropriate strategies designed specifically for children aged 0-8 years old.
The result of 20 years of groundbreaking research, the framework has been developed by three experts in early childhood education and spirituality: Associate Professor Christine Robinson (ECU), Dr Brendan Hyde (Deakin University and Chair of the International Association for Children's Spirituality), and Dr Megan Best (University of Notre Dame Australia).
Speaking at a recent launch event hosted by leading early learning provider, MercyCare, Associate Professor Robinson said by nurturing children's spiritual capabilities, educators can build their inner strength and set them up to thrive from the very beginning.
"The research is clear: when educators actively support children's spiritual development, they're helping to strengthen resilience, boost self-esteem, and promote positive mental health — all critical outcomes in today's world.
"The Early Years Learning Framework already calls on us to nurture the whole child — including their spiritual wellbeing and our new spiritual capabilities framework offers educators practical tools to meet that obligation."
Associate Professor Robinson said it was important to understand that spirituality is different from religion and lives in every child, regardless of religious background.
"It's about wonder, connection, identity and meaning — and it deserves a place in every early learning environment," Associate Professor Robinson explained.
Our hope is that the early learning sector recognise spirituality beyond religion, to understand the connection between spiritualty as a part of being human.
"If this can happen, we really can attend to the whole child."
Vicky Gonzalez Burrows, Executive Director Mission and Ethos at MercyCare said the organisation will support its early childhood educators to embrace the framework across its 12 early learning centres.
"Each of our early learning centres will receive tailored guidance to bring the capability framework to life in their daily practice," Ms Gonzalez Burrows said.
