At what age do you start teaching or talking to your children about God?
By vijigopi
@vijigopi (991)
United States
March 27, 2008 1:54pm CST
Some people tend to think "Teach them when they are yound, that is when their minds are supple and receptive". Did you just casually say something about God or did you have a 101 talk with them about the subject?
3 responses
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
14 Jun 08
I believe that children should be taught this right from the time they can understand things. Even from when the child is able to see properly and lift both hands in namaskaram there is nothing wrong in making him prostate before God and do it like us. It is very sweet when you see the child do this. I used to expose my son to temples and Sudharsanathazhwar right from an impressionable age. He used to walk round [doing pradhakshanams] the shrine along with me. My husband used to teach him sthothrams right from his mazhalai days. I used to sing classical songs, and nursery rhymes in his presence within his hearing and as a result he has a very good flair for music [he has an innately good ear].After he became an adult he got exposed to my true form [smiles] and that is a lot of fun, frolic, film music etc.., So, now we can talk about ragas in Ilaya raja and fusion in ARRehman. The taste once cultivated never disappears. He is a voracious reader and has formed his own thoughts now, but the fundamental faith, belief in the existence and guidance and unfailing support of God to us are all firmly ingrained in him and he is a very open minded contented fellow. I think, a deep faith and good sense of values are the cause of this...Iwas very scared that in this world one can never be sure of good friends and anything can occur if a person falls into wrong company.That is why I thought it fit to teach him certain things before he could even start asking ‘why?’ ‘But this was done very painlessly [especially because he was an only child and all our time was devoted to him].He picked this up in a very natural way.
I never condemn any religion [in fact I know the values taught by Christianity so much that my husband and son remark that I am a Christian ==in jest] but I believe that children should first be exposed to our own religion [this would create firm faith without confusion and moreover we have such enchanting beautiful stories in our Hindu mythology [like those of Krishna, Hanuman, Gajendra Moksham etc..The task becomes easier and it would be a pleasure to read those Amar Chithra stories to the little ones [my memories are evergreen and my son also fondly recalls those now],]
1 person likes this
@vijigopi (991)
• United States
15 Jun 08
You have brought back fond memories to me. Since my son was born, everytime he finishes his bath, I take him to the puja place and recite some shlokas and my own prayers. He is now 21 months but hasn't started to speak a lot. He says a few words but everytime he finishes his bath, I don't have to tell him to go to the puja room. He goes there on his own without anybody telling him to. Some days he even has his own version of shlokas (some little mumblings I can't understand
) and a namaskaram. As you say, it does look very sweet to see them do it. Like you said, Hindu mythology has a lot of enchanting beautiful stories and I grew up listening to a lot of them and reading Amar Chitra Katha. The earlier stages of life are the most supple and this is when it is much easier for children to accept faith and God in their minds. When they grow up they will have many questions and then if we are able to answer them to their satisfaction, then the children have a strong hold on their faith, and instilling a deep sense of moral responsibility will also put them on their guard with faced with the unending line of temptations that we have these days.
By the way, thank you very much for bringing back the good old memories to me.
) and a namaskaram. As you say, it does look very sweet to see them do it. Like you said, Hindu mythology has a lot of enchanting beautiful stories and I grew up listening to a lot of them and reading Amar Chitra Katha. The earlier stages of life are the most supple and this is when it is much easier for children to accept faith and God in their minds. When they grow up they will have many questions and then if we are able to answer them to their satisfaction, then the children have a strong hold on their faith, and instilling a deep sense of moral responsibility will also put them on their guard with faced with the unending line of temptations that we have these days.
By the way, thank you very much for bringing back the good old memories to me.1 person likes this
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
16 Jun 08
Ya I can understand how wonderful it is to hear these little ones mumble all those slokams unintelligibly . This is the power of that young age when children absorb anything very naturally.I am happy that I have brought back fond memories; Now, has your son started saying tha tha and other easy words?
I sent you a message and hope to send some forwards later.
Bye for now,
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@rup011 (725)
• Germany
21 Jul 08
My daughter learned praying and worshiping God from the age of 1. From the age of two she started singing bhajans(holy songs). Now she is 3 and she chants mantras with me and she loves doing it. She knows all the bhajans and mantras fluently and this make me feel very good. There is no age bar. Just let your child accompany you when you pray and tell your child that God is everywhere and loves all of us a lot. He will understand this and become more and more spiritual with age. Its absolutely important to be spiritual and if taught slowly from an early age is very beneficial.
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@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
24 May 08
I used to run the nursery in a church we attended and the older little kids (2, 3 and 4 year olds) would color and draw Bible stories. They new the basic concept of Jesus. Deep and Wide was one of their favorite songs along with Jesus Loves Me. I think as soon as they are old enough to start learning you should encourage them. I don't think they should be forced to learn or attend church but they should be encouraged.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
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