Mihaela BRÂNZĂ - Religious Education in Early Childhood – The Power of Faith in the Contemporary Orthodox Christian Family

Mihaela BRÂNZĂ*

PhD Candidate Faculty of Orthodox Theology, “Babeș-Bolyai” University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Abstract:

Today’s Orthodox Christian parents insist on giving priority to the religious education, even if their limited time obstructs them from participating in the service of a church as much as they would prefer. The Orthodox Christian communities lack the practice of getting together for purposes connected with specific parental interests. Early childhood is the most important period for a person’s development. Preschool time necessitates the maximum attention from the parents. The model provided by the close adults is absorbed by children thanks to the rapid evolvement of the brain till the age of five. Parents’ religious life influences the connection between the child and the living God. The parents’ involvement in the activity of a parochial church contributes enormously to the child’s emotional development. Social abilities are easily acquired when preschoolers enjoy multifold opportunities to interact with other children. The dynamics of an Orthodox Christian family is endorsed by its devotion to the religious aspect of life. Staying close to God and fulfilling His commandments changes the entire life.

Keywords:

religious life, early childhood, parental interests, parochial church, emotional development.

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