http://www.aish.com/f/p/The-Spiritual-Child.html?s=show
When I began my journey of connecting with parents after writing Raising a Child with Soul, there were some who could not fathom the idea that children are spiritual beings. I often recalled my father’s words as he gazed at my newborn son in the nursery. “Slova Chanalah, this little soul just arrived from the heavens above. He was learning Torah from the mouths of angels. He came into this world the purest of the pure. Watch over him and teach him well.” There was no doubt for me; children are born naturally spiritual.
Now, a Columbia University psychologist, Dr. Lisa Miller, has written a book asking us to think about our child’s spiritual journey in this world. We learn that there is EQ, IQ, and natural spirituality as well. Children possess an innate spiritual compass that is part of our biological endowment; it must be cultivated to flourish. Through highlighting psychological and neurological research she proves that children raised in a nurturing spiritual life are happier, more successful, more resilient, more optimistic, and better able to handle life’s challenges. These kids grow up to become adults who live with grit, are aware of their blessings, find purpose and mission in their careers, value their relationships and see hardships as priceless opportunities.
She compels parents to think about their children’s sacred growth through scientific research. A study of twins shows that a person’s sense of being connected to a Higher Being is inherited. In other words you can create a spiritual legacy and pass it on to your children. Any parent of teenagers will be thrilled to learn that they can help protect their teens from engaging in risky behaviors and even cope better with depression by helping them be in touch with their spiritual side. Miller takes the case for spirituality further by warning us that “spiritual stunting” can cause damage by preventing a child from developing a true sense of self and resiliency. Crisis occurs when a child’s spiritual development is neglected or denied.