Inquiring, Connecting, Learning: Framework for Early Years Spirituality and Religious Education

Townsville Catholic Education publication

Inquiring, Connecting, Learning:
Framework for Early Years Spirituality and Religious Education

Inquiring, Connecting, Learning: Framework for Early Years Spirituality and Religious Education, is designed for young children in the year prior to their formal schooling, comprises two components:

The Catholic Early Years Spirituality & Religion Learning Framework: The educational component or curriculum comprises Concept Mapping of Unit, Spirituality and Religious Education Learning Outcomes and the Inquiry Learning Model;
Celebrating Prayer in Catholic Early Years Settings: The liturgical component includes prayer celebrations that complement each curriculum unit and liturgical

This book can also be used in primary schools as a resource to support the Religious Education in particular, in the early years.

Inquiring, Connecting, Learning emphasises the spiritual aspects of children’s lives, identity and learning (DEEWR, 2009) paying attention to children’s spiritual wellbeing. When young children’s spirituality is intentionally nurtured, the subjective dimension of their wellbeing, that is, how they see themselves, connect with others, and feel a sense of belonging, is activated (Bangert, 2014). Further, children’s innate spirituality and spiritual awareness provide natural starting points for their religious awareness and education, and for some, their religious faith (Bradford, 1999; Nye & Hay, 1996).

In addition to nurturing young children’s spirituality, Inquiring, Connecting, Learning aims to develop young children’s spiritual and religious knowledge, understanding and language, so that they are able to communicate religion, that is, stories of Jesus, religious symbols and celebration, as well as come to some appreciation of the place of religion in people’s lives.

To purchase the book: Inquiring, Connecting, Learning: Framework for Early Years Spirituality and Religious Education please send an email to REbook@tsv.catholic.edu.au . Hard Copy: $39.95