Please find further resources on Children & Young People within this section of the site.
Resources list for Schools - This list has been put together by Spiritual England researchers to start you off on your journey of making schools more spiritual places! Please note that you need to check out the resources for yourselves to make sure they will be acceptable and appropriate for use in your schools.
Teen Spirit - a new book for teenagers, a book full of inspiration and information for today's teenagers - published in November 2011 by Spiritual England. The author is Lindsay Ullmann, a singer song-writer who was bullied at school but went on to fulfill her dreams. It's full of quotes, advice and stories for teenagers - from teenagers and also from some adults who have shared their insights into life. It has a multi-faith angle -with contributions from Christians, a Pagan, a Hindu, a Muslim and a Buddhist, as well as people with no faith. Buy now through the Spiritual England online shop! Only £7.99 Spiritual England - Shop
A Quiet Revolution - Encouraging and sharing postive values with children. By Frances Farrer with contributions from Neil Hawkes. Published in 2005 by fn books. The original (longer) version was published by Random House. This book describes the genesis of Values Education in West Kidlington Primary School, Oxfordshire. This is a rapidly spreading, popular 'revolution' - and it's now international. http://www.values-education.com/about.php
Glimpses youth work and spiritually - Resources and ideas to aid exploration and reflection by Steve Bullock and Nigel Pimlott. Published: February 2008 by The National Youth Agency. This pack uses visualisation techniques and aims to get youths to look into the basics of day to day activities, covering a variety of aspects such as reflections, atmospheres, essences, stations and breaths. It encourages philosophical debate and helps young people to consider the importance of other peoples’ actions as well as their own. The resources will enable you to explore a variety of different subjects using tried and tested approaches. Website: www.fyt.org.uk
International Journal of Children’s Spirituality - Editors, Clive Erricker, Jane Erricker, Cathty Ota. Published: November 2008 by Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. The journals encourage debate across cultures, childhood and adulthood, nationhood, ethnicity and religious identity. Articles aim to stimulate further awareness and debate in the field, and to encourage the development of research and the academic study of spirituality in children and young people. Website: www.tandf.co.uk/journals/carfax/1364436X.html
‘Don’t just do something, sit there’ - Developing children’s spiritual awareness by Mary K Stone. Published: December 1995 by RMEP. This handbook enables children to reflect on their own thoughts and feelings. It encourages spiritual development. Mary Stone explains in detail about how teachers can help a class not used to ’just sitting there’ to learn the skills of being physically and mentally still, yet alert and able to concentrate through creative visualisation techniques.
The Living Classroom - Teaching and Collective Consciousness by Christopher M. Bache. Published: August 2008 by State University of New York Press. Christopher M. Bache explores the dynamics of collective consciousness in the classroom. He examines the subtle influences that radiate invisibly around teachers as they work - unintended, cognitive resonances that spring up between teachers and students in the classroom. Described as a joy to read with a new vision for educators.
The Search for Spirituality: Our Global Quest for Meaning and Fulfilment, by Ursula King. Published: 30 March 2009 by Canterbury Press. This publication discusses the rich and diverse spiritual landscapes of our world and asks whether we are experiencing a spiritual renaissance, revival, or revolution. It explores the search for the spiritual life in religious traditions and examines what spirituality means in different faith and cultures. Click here to listen to an interview with Ursula King. Website: www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/02/2009_14_thu.shtml
Meditation in Schools, Calmer classrooms - Edited by Clive Erricker and Jane Erricker (Main Contributor: Gina Levete) Published: March 2001 by Continuum International Publishing Group. This introduction to meditation in education is written as a resource and practical guide for class teachers. Parents will also find it valuable, though its main focus is on using meditation in schools. The purpose of this publication is to inspire and to provide concise, practical and general information and techniques that can be explored before introducing primary or secondary students to meditative experience.
The Spiritual Dimension of Childhood - Authors: Dr Kate Adams, Brendan Hyde, Richard Woolley. Published by Jessica Kingsley Publisher, 2008. This is an excellent guide for adults who wish to understand what goes on inside the mind of a child in terms of spirituality and also what questions to expect from them. Every chapter offers practical suggestions for those working with children to help them recognise and nurture their individual spiritual thoughts. The authors outline exactly what is understood by contemporary spirituality, and explore some key issues such as children’s voices and how they are often lost in the context of spirituality and what the implications of that loss are; children’s worlds, such as how children draw on the spiritual as a means of addressing notions of meaning and value in life. Other chapters include hearing the child’s voice and sharing the spiritual, identity and the search for one’s voice such as allowing children freedom to grow and the variety of spiritual experience such as the afterlife. This book will certainly enrich the working practices of educator and enlighten other professionals who work with children. This will also be of interest to parents or anyone who is interested in children’s spiritual growth.
Spirituality To Go - Ritual and Reflections for Everyday Living by Olive M. Flemming Drane. Published: April 2006 by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd. Olive Drane considers our day to day rituals and offers inspiring thoughts, ideas, prayers and stories. A wonderful book that you can carry with you anywhere for reassurance and guidance whether read from start to finish or simply just a tool to use for daily ritual in itself. Whichever, this book guarantees enlightenment and comprises a wealth of grounded wisdom.
The Joyful Child by Peggy Jenkins, Ph.D. Published: April 1996 by Aslan Publishing. An uplifting and motivating book that encourages families and classrooms to take an alternative look into the general wellbeing of children. This book is full of joy, art, music, philosophy and movement, which are all positive aspects to self-programming and attaining a positive attitude in life.
A Good Childhood, Searching for Values in a Competitive Age by Richard Layard, Author of ‘Happiness’,andJudy Dunn. Published: February 2009 by Penguin Books. A clear-headed and compassionate book that argues whether childhood really is as it should be, or whether it has been spoilt by broken homes, junk food and alcohol. It takes a look at society as a whole and questions the lifestyles of children and parents.
The Lonely Tree by Nicholas Halliday. Published: June 2006 by Halliday books. This book has been described by Stephen Fry as ‘utterly, completely and splendidly charming. Originally illustrated and delightfully told’. A beautiful, positive and imaginative story that takes you on a journey through the nature of life and its changing seasons thus dealing sensitively with the subject of death.