Religion in early childhood.

Religion in Early Childhood is one of those complex and sensitive areas, so we thought to unpack the concept and share our views.

A child’s culture and religion are intertwined and play a big part in their identity, their sense of belonging and the way they perceive and experience their world. For some children, religion plays a big part in their cultural and spiritual being and who they are becoming.

Speaking from experience, I still have vivid, fond memories of my childhood, growing up in a Greek Orthodox household. Baptism is one of the most important sacraments in our religion. Godparents are key figures in children’s lives. Holy Communion is taken by children regularly, particularly during certain religious celebrations, such as Easter. Some children may attend Sunday School scripture and attend Church regularly from a young age. Prayers are important, many Greek Orthodox children wear gold crosses (usually gifted by their Godparent at their Baptism), they may be named after Saints and therefore celebrating their name days are a big part of their lives. Their homes may be adorned with religious icons.

I just wanted to paint a picture of the religious layers that some children may come to your education & care settings with – layers that may not be obvious or spoken about, but are significant in the lives of your children and their families.

For this reason, we believe that it is important to introduce and instil an understanding and respect for our diverse religions from an early age. Authentic inclusion means incorporating elements of religion too. A great place to start? Acknowledging and celebrating the diversity of special religious festivals, particularly those that are meaningful to your children and families, such as Ramadan, Easter, Christmas, Hannukah.

Acknowledging that there are many ways of living, being and of knowing, the EYLF notes that children are born belonging to a culture, which is shaped by traditional practices, heritage, ancestral knowledge and the experiences, values, traditions and beliefs of individual families and communities. A very big part of this includes their faith.

When we dissect culture, we discover its various layers of diversity and ways of being, including ethnicity, race, ability, age, class and gender. Culturally responsive Educators embed inclusive practices to support every child’s unique inclusion fingerprint and individual inclusion needs, to ensure that each child’s identity, sense of belonging and being is nurtured and supported.

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), does not explicitly mention or focus on religion. We believe that this could be a contributing factor to the ambiguity and reluctance or  uncertainty Educators face around exploring religion with children. Almost as if it is a ‘no go’, ‘too hard’, grey area as it is not specified directly in the Framework. Furthermore, Educators may also lack the confidence to delve into areas they are not familiar with, and prefer not to incorporate religious aspects, for fear of offending or doing something wrong.

The EYLF however, encourages educators to support children’s development in ways that are respectful of diverse cultures and beliefs, which can include their religions and faiths. It is all in our interpretation of how we ensure all children are included.
 
Where the EYLF supports the introduction of religious perspectives:

Belonging, Being, and Becoming: The overarching themes of the EYLF are about helping children feel a sense of belonging, engage with their present, and develop a foundation for their future. The framework encourages creating a respectful and inclusive environment where all children's backgrounds, including their religious backgrounds, are acknowledged, valued and celebrated.

Cultural Competence and Responsiveness: The EYLF emphasizes the importance of respecting the cultural identities of children and families. This includes fostering a sense of respect for cultural and religious diversity, helping children understand and celebrate their beliefs, traditions, and practices and the diversity in these.

Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world: This outcome highlights the importance of children developing an awareness and appreciation of diversity, which can include religious beliefs. Educators are encouraged to guide children in building positive relationships with others and understanding the significance of being part of a diverse and interconnected community.

Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators: This outcome involves the development of children's ability to engage in a range of communication forms, including verbal and non-verbal expressions of beliefs and ideas. In an inclusive setting, children can explore and express their beliefs (including religious ones), while also learning about the beliefs of others. Although religion is not a central focus of the EYLF, Educators are encouraged to recognize and respect the role of religion in the lives of the children and families in their settings, where relevant. The framework advocates for the promotion of equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that children from all backgrounds, including those with different religious traditions, feel welcomed, respected, and supported in their learning environment. That programs are inclusive, meaningful and relevant, which means incorporating religious elements such as celebrations.
It’s important for educators to approach religious diversity with sensitivity, ensuring that all perspectives are treated with respect and that children have opportunities to learn about and appreciate various cultures and belief systems.

The benefits of introducing religion in Education & Care:
Introducing religion in Education and Care for children from a young age, can be important  for several reasons, depending on the context and the approach taken.                                      

Here are some potential benefits:

Cultural Awareness and Responsiveness: Understanding religious diversity can help children (and Educators) appreciate different cultures and belief systems. In a multicultural society, learning about various religions helps foster awareness acceptance, tolerance, reduces prejudice, and promotes social cohesion by encouraging respect for diversity.

Sense of Belonging and Identity: For children raised in religious families or communities, early education in their faith tradition can help them develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. This can contribute to their emotional well-being and resilience.

Critical Thinking and Open-mindedness: Learning about different religious viewpoints can promote critical thinking, as children can compare and contrast beliefs, ask questions, and form their own understanding of spiritual and philosophical matters. This process helps them become more future, open-minded, global and reflective citizens. There are child care centres in Australia that educate children about diverse religions, including Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and other world religions. The extent to which religion is incorporated into the curriculum varies widely depending on the type of child care service, the Service’s philosophy, and the cultural makeup of the community it serves. eg

Faith-based child care centres (religious organisations run Early Childhood Education & Care Services) where religious perspectives are embedded into the curriculum;
or
Multicultural and inclusive Child Care Centres that focus on multiculturalism and inclusivity, incorporate aspects of diverse religious traditions as part of their broader curriculum about world cultures and diversity. eg celebrating religious festivals that are meaningful to children families and Educators.

Tips & Strategies for Exploring Religion in Early Childhood:

Consult with families: Consider including a section in your enrolment form that asks about religious denomination and whether families have special requests for religious practices or any cultural/religious days that they celebrate. Eg halal food. Check in on their views around their children participating in religious based activities.

Parent Participation: Consult with families and invite them to lead or participate in religious based activities or faith based celebrations.

Explore Religious Diversity: Explore the range of denominations represented at your Service/in your classroom and the wider community. Discuss the similiarities and differences which may exist among religions. eg most religions celebrate a Festival of Light, all religions have symbols.

Practical Religious Experiences: Provide opportunities for children to share religios practice. This gives other children the opportunity to observe religions other than their own, in action. eg. Excursions to Buddhist Temple, Mosque, Hindu Temple, local Church.

Future Inclusive Citizens: Culturally inclusive programs that respect & reflect the religious backgrounds of all children, families & Educators in our settings help children develop positive attitudes towards religious diversity.

Religion in Early Childhood doesn’t have to be something that we avoid as Educators, because we feel it is challenging area to navigate. Take small steps, consult with your families and Educators, approach your program with sensitivity and respect for the diverse beliefs represented in your settings, keep it simple and developmentally appropriate, promote inclusivity for all, steer away from indoctrination, and be balanced in your approach, fostering children with an understanding and respect of the diverse world we live in.