B for Belief

Source

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. - Buddha

We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing. - Louisa May Alcott

Everyone needs to believe in something. This could be God, it could be an unerring belief that there is no God. It could be something more tangible like equality for all people, vegetarianism or democracy.

Children are not born with beliefs, they develop them as they learn from their parents, community and education. What do you believe in? What is important for you to teach your children to believe?

The most important beliefs to nurture however is what one believes about themselves.  

Advice and activities to explore belief with your child at home.

Try to make your beliefs, spiritual or otherwise, a part of your everyday life.  For example, a belief in charity could be nurtured by encouraging your child to give their old toys away, explaining that they are being given to help people who don’t have toys or perhaps enough food to eat.  

If you have a religious faith, encourage your child to ask questions of you.  It is important they find their own way to their beliefs.  

As your child gets older, they may not completely agree with your strongly held beliefs but if you are respectful of their opinions, they will develop respect for yours and those of others.