Investigation into New Zealand early childhood teachers' perspectives on spirituality and wairua in teaching. Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Greenfield, Cheryl Faye
• Is Part Of: International journal of children's spirituality. Volume 23:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 290
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Spirituality -- early childhood education -- wairua; Moral education -- Periodicals; Religious education -- Periodicals; Spirituality -- Periodicals; Children -- Religious life -- Periodicals; 155.25
• DOI: 10.1080/1364436X.2018.1460333
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-436X

Abstract

Abstract: The New Zealand early childhood Te Whāriki Curriculum's vision statement draws attention to the responsibility teachers have to create environments in which children can develop holistically; including spiritually. This paper outlines the findings from a small qualitative research project that explored teachers' perspectives on their understanding of spirituality and 'wairua' and the role they have in fostering these aspects in children's development. Participants were in agreement that the concept of wairua and spiritualty are interwoven with both being about the spirit, soul, inner being, heart, the sum of who you are. Participants were in agreement that fostering this aspect of a child's development was part of a teacher's responsibility. All respondents identified implications for their practice which included having environments that were inviting, stress free, engaging and filled with natural resources. The study highlighted that their initial teacher education programmes failed to cover these aspects in spirituality in any depth.