Bahá’í Children’s Classes

Introduction

One of the important teachings of Bahá’u’lláh concerns the education of children. We are taught that children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future.

Bahá’í writings emphasize that education must be spiritual as well as material. Spiritual education embodies those virtues or attributes which, when kindled in the hearts and minds of children, not only guide their morals, but also enhance their material education. Providing classes for the moral and spiritual education of children is a service that Bahá’ís around the world happily provide for their communities. In addition to providing classes for children we also offer training and opportunities for youth and adults wishing to learn how to help with these classes. Spiritual and moral education for the next generation provides a valuable service to the community and can help to improve the world that we live in. In regards to service and its impact on the betterment of the world, Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, wrote:

“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value.
Education can alone cause it to reveal its treasures
and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”
-Baha’u’llah

These “gems” are the spiritual qualities that are latent in the soul of every person. Children’s classes help the children to discover and polish these gems from an early age and apply what they learn to everyday life. Without effort, training, and education these spiritual qualities cannot appear by themselves.

"Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess,
for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future"
Bahá’í Writings

This principle provides the foundation for the attitude of love and understanding that teachers should show to all their students. Through it we realise that each student is a unique creation of God, endowed with his or her own talents and capacities. No child is incorrigible. All can be good and all can develop spiritual qualities.

two children

It is important to understand that Bahá’í classes are not classes of indoctrination. The emphasis of the classes is on learning to think, to reflect and to apply spiritual laws to the life of the individual and society. Great attention is given to the development of spiritual qualities and to those beliefs, habits and behaviours that constitute the essential attributes of a spiritual being.

There are no course fees involved. This is a service project that is provided by trained volunteers for the purpose of building neighbourhoods and society. All teachers are police checked.

The Programme

The children’s class programme is well organised, systematic, and follows a curriculum that is designed to meet the needs of children at different age levels. Teachers in charge of classes are all trained and have police clearance. Teachers have assistants to ensure the smooth running of the classes.
Neighbourhood Children’s classes committed to bringing out the spiritual qualities of children through stories, music, crafts and service projects. All classes regularly make use of the arts and music. Memorisation of prayers and of other passages is regarded as important.
Every lesson is taught using methods that have proven effective worldwide. Each lesson emphasisses on nurturing and developing different spiritual qualities in children through five simple but effective components that help children learn.
The CRB Checked teachers have taken three courses to learn how to teach the children’s classes, using training materials from the Ruhi Institute. Parents are warmly encouraged to participate.
parents are welcome

Parental Participation

Parents are invited to study all the materials and lesson plans in the curriculum. These are available for all parents to access. Parents are also welcome to attend the classes and to assist the teachers with supervision. They may also apply to recieve the required training to become a teacher or assistant teacher.

bahai children classes

5 Methods used for Teaching Children

Songs
Memorising prayers and quotations
Stories
Cooperative games
Colouring

The Programme Overview

Spiritual Qualities taught in each lesson (Gems)

Lesson 1 – Unity
Lesson 2 – A pure, kindly and radiant heart
Lesson 3 – Justice
Lesson 4 – Love
Lesson 5 – Service
Lesson 6 – Truthfulness
Lesson 7 – Steadfastness
Lesson 8 – Humbleness
Lesson 9 – Preferring others before our own selves
Lesson 10 – Honesty
Lesson 11 – Generosity
Lesson 12 – Kindness
Lesson 13 – Obedience
Lesson 14 – Love for God
Lesson 15 – Trust in God

How to Participate

All of these activities take place on a regular basis all around South Warwickshire and you can find out about the nearest one to you by sending an email to cswarksbahais@gmail.com
Alternatively you can contact Robin on 01926-774453

Kenilworth Children Class

children showing art work