It is more difficult to make such generalisations and identify milestones within moral, spiritual and cultural development. This is because there are many factors which influence their development - nationalitites, cultures and families all do things differently.
Moral development:
Morality is the ability to learn the difference between right or wrong and understand how to make the right choices. Children do not usually demonstrate moral behaviour and beliefs until they are around the age of two. At this point many children also start to show empathy-based guilt when they break rules.
As with other facets of development, morality doesn't form independently from the other areas of development. Children's experiences at home, the environment around them, and their physical, cognitive, emotional and social development influence their understanding of right versus wrong.
Spiritual development:
Spiritual development is often closely linked to moral development. It includes beliefs, whether religious or not, the search for meaning or purpose, relationships, creativity, a sense of otherness, wonder and awe, self-knowledge, feelings and emotions.
A child is likely to have the same opinions as their caregivers until they are of an age where they can decide for themselves.
Spiritual development continues throughout a person's life.
Cultural development:
Culture refers to the customs, practices, languages, values and world views that define social groups such as those based on nationality, ethnicity, region or common interests.
Culture affects many areas in a child's life, including the foods they eat, the behaviours they are allowed to exhibit, the holidays they celebrate and the activites they participate in.
Failure to expose the spiritual person to the Word of God is the number one hindrance to spiritual development. This exposure, like the exposure of the plant to the sunlight, needs to be done daily.
ReplyDeleteIlchi Lee