Introduction

A note to parents and other caregivers

As Spiritists, we know that God has entrusted us with a special mission to raise our children the best we are able, because we know that it is not by mere chance they have come to be within our care. Not only must we make sure they have food, shelter, and clothing, and lots of love and nurturing, there is also the important aspect of teaching them about their own spirituality, about God, and the purpose of life.

In order to accomplish this last aspect, if we are lucky enough to attend a Spiritist Center, which provides this instruction to assist us in our efforts in this area, we have help in providing the necessary spiritual knowledge to our children. If we do not have a Spiritist Center for our children to attend, the responsibility lies solely with us.

We must impart the knowledge of God and spiritual matters as early as the child can intellectually and emotionally comprehend them. You are the sole judge of what your child can handle.

 This book is only a simple guide in starting the basics. One must still use daily situations in everyday life to consistently teach about spiritual matters. As a mother of three, a grand- mother of two, and an aunt of seven, (in ages ranging from 2 to 25 years old) and teaching what I call "Sunday School" to children, for a period spanning over twenty years, it was been fulfilling and astonishing to see the children grow in their spiritual awareness and knowledge and, how easily they comprehend the intricacies of the Spiritist Doctrine.

Spiritists, if we neglect this aspect of our children’s education, if we consider ourselves true believers in the Spiritist Doctrine, it will have been to have failed in the most important aspect of  our mission as parents.

The Spiritist Doctrine contains the spiritual knowledge which can provide the spiritual sustenance our children will need to be able to weather the trials and tribulations of their life, AND, the ability to comprehend the true purpose of life.

It is our sacred and solemn duty to provide this information to them. If,  indeed, we have done our best to teach them, it will then be up to them to use this knowledge if they so choose, in following their own path in life. We, as their caretakers, will have fulfilled our obligations to them, and God.

Preface :: Educating children about Spiritism

Many Spiritists have asked me," How do we educate children about Spiritism when they are not very many Spiritist books available in English for the American public?"

First, let’s talk about children and some of their needs. Children must be raised as responsibly as possible by their parents and by any other substitute caregivers.

Children must be provided with the basic necessities of life and plenty of nurturing, to grow into well-adjusted and resilient individuals, who will become independent, responsible, self-supporting and productive members of society.

Various important aspects of their being must be addressed for maximum development of the individual, in order for them to reach their possible potential.

These aspects are:

Physical, social, emotional, intellectual, and the spiritual. How these individual aspects are addressed depends on the child. One addresses each child differently, depending on their aptitudes, personality, physical and mental abilities or weaknesses. Each child is a unique individual and should be treated as such. But each child should be shown equal love by their parents.

The aspect which we are primarily concerned with to answer the question above is the spiritual aspect. Part of the answer to this question lies in the behavior of the parents,  because what parents say and do affects this aspect of the child in regards to the topic of moral conduct and spirituality.

In other words, if prayer is considered important to a parent and the child sees this through observation, than the child will be taught this and deem it important.

If the parent stresses correct moral conduct: compassion, helping others, donations to the needy, discouraging fighting or hitting as solutions to problems, and, addressing problems and conflicts patiently and peacefully through communicative processes instead of denial or avoidance,  etc., the child is learning the parents’ values and these are the building blocks necessary for further specific spiritual instruction.

So the primary thing is basically to be as good and as moral a person as one can be, AND, to help others as one is able, to set the example for the child.

Secondly, one has to educate ourselves about the Spiritist Doctrine in order to relay the information to them and to be able to answer any questions our children may have. Families should attend a good Spiritist Center, if one is available. Many times only the parents attend and never the children. I find this very sad.

The following book was received by me one morning spontaneously, within a period of several hours, in its entirety by spirit communication through semi-automatic writing in 1993. I submit it now as a children’s beginning guide to spiritual knowledge. God-willing, it may help some to get started in teaching their children about spiritual truth.
 

GENERAL INDEX Chapter 1: WHAT ARE WE? Chapter 2: GOD Chapter 3: HERE AND THERE Chapter 4: SCARY, SAD, AND NOT-SO-GOOD TIMES Chapter 5: WHAT IS FAITH ? Chapter 6: OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL Chapter 7: GOOD AND BAD Chapter 8: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ?