Baha'i spiritual education for children is intended to nurture spiritually vibrant and healthy young people who will grow up without prejudice and with a positive, powerful sense that they are important to God and have a role to play in serving humanity. In communities around the world, Baha’is are developing neighborhood children’s classes to help foster this spiritual development of children.
What distinguishes Baha’i sponsored neighborhood children’s classes from current educational practices?
Baha’i teachers believe in the nobility of every student, that each one is “a mine rich in gems of inestimable value”. They study the nature of spiritual qualities and develop knowledge of human talents and capacities so they can help their students discover these gems in themselves and actively polish them. Baha’i teachers understand the importance of helping students develop habits and behavioral patterns in keeping with a spiritual life.
Who are the Baha’i teachers of neighborhood children’s classes?
These teachers are people who believe that Baha’u’llah has been sent by God with a divine plan to unite all people and to build a new world. They long to help in this urgent educational effort for children. Baha’i teachers have participated in the training classes especially focused upon education of young children. These teachers live in neighborhoods throughout the greater Milwaukee metro area, and they also travel to assist with classes in different neighborhoods.
"Children are even as a branch that is fresh and green; they will grow up in whatever way ye train them. Take the utmost care to give them high ideals and goals, so that once they come of age, they will cast their beams like brilliant candles on the world...."
~ Abdu'l-Baha
If my child participates in a neighborhood children’s class, will I be expected to participate?
You will be invited to attend the class with your child so that you can relate to the kinds of information and activities your child will share with you. The youngest children (5- and 6-year-olds), especially enjoy the classes when their parents are with them. We realize that at times your child may need to attend without you. The classes are offered as a service by the Baha’i community and are free.
Will my child be exposed to indoctrination?
No. Baha’i children’s classes differ from classes of indoctrination that are common in many other religions. Students of neighborhood children’s classes are instructed in the principles, teachings and basic beliefs of the Baha’i Faith; however, instruction emphasizes learning to think, to reflect and to apply spiritual laws to the life of the individual student and to society. Baha’i children’s class teachers see all religions as one and believe in that they all come from the same Source, the Unknowable Essence we call God.
Should I let my child grow up without any religious instruction? Maybe my child's generation will be able to create a better world without any spiritual education.
Some people think their children should be left to themselves to make a free choice about religion through their interactions with society. To a very great degree, laxity in providing religious instruction has led to the present state of moral disintegration. Humanity, when left to its own devices without divine guidance, has produced chaos, injustice and suffering in the world
.
What is the main focus in the neighborhood children’s classes?
The purpose of these classes is to develop in the child the attitudes and spiritual qualities that will bring him closer to God. Later, when the foundation of the child’s character has been established, there is time to develop the skills of acquiring knowledge.
What is a typical lesson like in a neighborhood children’s class?
Because this program of neighborhood children’s classes is used throughout the world, there is a simple and beautiful plan for teachers to follow. Teachers use what is called the "Creative Word" to awaken the spiritual susceptibilities in the children:
Creative Word: excerpt from "Perspective: Literacy and Development", One Country Newsletter, April-June 2004:
In virtually all of the world's great religions, there is an emphasis on the creative power of the “word” — especially the Word of God — as the key to human transformation, empowerment, and advancement.
“The Word of God is the king of words and its pervasive influence is incalculable,” wrote Bahá'u'lláh. “The Word is the master key for the whole world, inasmuch as through its potency the doors of the hearts of men, which in reality are the doors of heaven, are unlocked.”
Teachers help the children to memorize verses such as "Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues." During the class, children also learn songs, play games, and listen to stories which directly reinforce the ideas presented in the memorization verses. There are also pictures to color that reinforce the theme of the lessons. The simplicity of the materials used makes it possible to offer these lessons to children in all parts of the world.
How do I sign up my child for children’s classes?
We welcome you to join us. During the school year, there are regular children’s classes at the Milwaukee Baha’i Center on Sunday mornings. Neighbhorhood children's classes are held throughout the Milwaukee area at various times. Please contact us for details.
Some
of the programs listed below may have breaks for the summer months. Please call the phone numbers above to confirm the dates that classes are
held.
Belgium/Cedar Grove: Every Other Sunday Morning – 10 am at the home of Brian Carlson and Fahimeh Vahdat. For more information on this event, please call Brian at (414) 217-7196.
Cedarburg:
Every Sunday Morning - 10 am at the home of Tom and Patty Kubala with devotions followed by classes for children, youth, and adults. For
more
information, please call Patty Kubala at (262) 377-5623.
Delafield:
Every other Friday Morning - 10 pm at the home of Carolyn and Mike Paik.
For more information on this event, please call Carolyn at (262)
646-3769.
Milwaukee:
Every Sunday Morning - The Sunday program at the Milwaukee
Bahá'í Center starts at 10 am with group singing and devotions, followed by classes
for all age groups and then refreshments and fellowship. The
Milwaukee Bahá'í Center is located at 2526 West Vliet Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53205. The information phone
line for the center is (414) 342-7636. You can also call Kathy Wurzer at (414) 962-0780.
Milwaukee:
Every Monday Evening - Unity in Motion Literacy and Martial Arts
Program These classes, with an inter-generational family focus, begin on Monday evenings
at 5:30pm at the Milwaukee Baha'i Center, 2526 West Vliet Street, Milwaukee. For more information, call Allen and
Judi Ruppel at (414) 665-2044 (days) or (414) 961-0166 (evenings).
Waukesha
County: Every Sunday Morning in Fall and Spring - The Dawning Place Bahá'í School takes place at the Brandy Brook Community Center, S11 W29980
Summit Avenue (US Highway 18), in Delafield. The program starts at 10 am with classes for various ages of children as well
as adults. The program continues at 11 am with music and devotions and
then oncludes with socializing and light snacks. For more information,
please call Diane Loftus Parker at (262) 649-3696.
For Bahá’ís, the years of youth are a special time of high potential. Indeed, the young have been at the forefront of activity at every notable point in the history of the Bahá’í faith. From the Baha'i Faith’s inception, youth have played an outstanding role as some of the Faith’s foremost champions and teachers. The Báb was only twenty-five years old when He declared His mission. 'Abdu'l-Baha served His Father from a very young age. Shoghi Effendi was a student when he assumed his responsibilities as Guardian at the age of twenty two. And a host of other youth sacrificed themselves as martyrs and teachers for the Cause.
There can be no definitive list of what Bahá’í youth do, but remarkably, a lot does get done. From years spent abroad helping people to realize a sustainable future, to litter collecting in inner-cities, to teaching children basic principles of morality at community schools - each young member of the Bahá’í community is encouraged to take responsibility both for his own development and for contributing to the well-being of others. Many choose to devote an entire year to some form of service to humanity. Known as a Year of Service, this experience frequently sets the pattern for a life of generosity of time, energy, finances and spirit.
Young Bahá’ís actively contribute to decision-making processes, and understand that their efforts will exercise greater influence when informed by the experiences and successes of others. In this way, they seek to maximize the effect of their efforts to serve humanity by placing their creativity in a framework of coherent and structured plans.
The Bahá’í community is able to provide encouragement to its young members by giving them real responsibility for its affairs and imparting a profound sense of ownership of shared goals. Each Bahá’í, whether young or old, listens to and learns from others: there is a tangible sense of moving forward together. The motivating impulse is one of love for humanity. The Baha'i community also places great emphasis on the moral and spiritual education of children and youth, with a focus on providing ongoing opportunities for developing a sense of world citizenship and a lifelong commitment to serve humanity.
For more information, please call the Baha'i information number, 1-800-22UNITE (1-800-228-6483)
of this website, please email the webmaster at: mueller-david@sbcglobal.net
