Baha’í children’s classes instills virtues vocabulary early on

Today, Bahá’ís everywhere are partnering with others in their neighborhoods, cities and towns to offer spiritual education to children of all backgrounds. These classes provide the space, the opportunity and the vocabulary to amplify inherent spiritual qualities. 

Bahá’í communities see the young as their most precious treasure, for they hold the promise of the future. For this promise to be realized, children need to receive spiritual education. Classes for the spiritual and moral education of children are often among the first activities to be pursued by Bahá’ís in a locality. The classes aim to help children to identify spiritual qualities such as love, truthfulness and generosity, develop patterns of behavior that lead to a fruitful and productive life and become aware of God’s love for humanity and His unfailing assistance.

Shogi Effendi wrote, “…attach importance to the training of the children, for whatever they learn in that early stage of their development will leave its traces upon their whole life. It becomes part of their nature.”

Classes draw on the elements of prayer, understanding and memorization of the Word of God, stories, songs, art, cooperative games and music. Families are welcome to participate in classes and associated activities. This spiritual education becomes the foundation of a healthy community life, one where each person has an opportunity to unlock their spiritual potential and be of service to others.

“What better way to realize that you are a spiritual being,” says Luthando Mazibuko.  “You grow up expressing and doing whatever you are doing knowing that …you are noble, you are worthwhile, you are here for a purpose…being of benefit to other people.”

The Ruhi Institute process is a spiritual educational program based on the Baha’i Writings that builds capacity for service in your community. The third book in the training institute Book 3: Teaching Children’s Classes helps to build capacity to conduct classes and tend to the vital spiritual education of children in your community.

The materials being developed for use by the institutes emphasize the acquisition of spiritual qualities. Grade 1, for example, focuses on virtues: justice, truthfulness, generosity, purity of heart and kindness, giving the children a vocabulary to talk about the attributes of God that are reflected in the mirror of the human heart.

“All the people that I know from children’s classes I’m still close to today, and we’ve grown up together to be a really close-knit family,” says Corinne Strolger. “You always knew you were safe. There was always this feeling of love.”

Year after year, the materials build on the understanding of these qualities and add lessons related to the history and the Writings of the Bahá’í Faith. The goal is for the children to reach a stage in which they can understand and act upon the imperative to tend to their own spiritual development and contribute to the well-being of society. 

“I think the real purpose of children’s classes is to teach that we are virtuous beings, that’s our real identity,” says Carmel Kleinhenz.

Cora Hays started a children’s class in Illinois several years ago. Here are some of her suggestions for getting started:

1. Be genuinely friendly to everyone who comes. If veritable friendships aren’t formed among the parents, the class tends to languish and be a LOT of work for the teacher.
2. Be sustainable. Set a regular schedule you can keep and stick with it for at least three months before changing it up.
3. Expand the circle of friends. Find out where the new parents are talking (on local social media groups or in person) and put that class invitation out there.
4. Define the space. Use small pillows or carpet squares in a circle to designate a space for the class. That helps little ones stay focused. They also enjoy helping set up the room for class and cleaning up afterwards. That gives them ownership.
5. Use music. Few things hold the attention of little ones better than music. Live music is best. Even if you’re not a “musician,” use well-known songs and encourage the class to join in and sing with you.
6. Include motions or signs. Movement encourages engagement in the songs and assists with development for pre-verbal little ones.
7. Memorize together. Challenge the group to memorize short passages. This incorporates the Writings naturally into the classes and little ones really enjoy it.

Keep stories short. 

1. Expect roaming. Don’t worry or even hesitate if little ones get up and wander around during class. As their attention returns, so will they.
2. Ask ALL the parents to assist. Once a format is established, asking the parents for help can create a strong bond of joyful collaboration in the group.
3. Co-teach and accompany. Find a friend to do this with you. A second parent who is willing to attend each time and potentially fill in to lead the class when you can’t be there for a week is invaluable.
4. Invite the elders. A teacher does not make a successful children’s class go in isolation. Some of the most valuable help I received with my class was from the elders and retired friends who came each week to help hold babies, redirect toddlers, sing along, and visit with conversation-starved parents.