The stages of ageing and how to deal with them

The lecture explains understanding the psychology of the child and how to deal with him spiritually and educationally within Sunday School service. It emphasizes that early childhood is a stage of receiving, not reasoning, and that whatever is planted in childhood remains stored in the subconscious and shapes faith and life.

First: General principles for all age groups

• The necessity of building a relationship of love and affection between the servant and the child, because service succeeds through love before teaching.

• Respecting the child’s personality and feelings, avoiding shouting, insults, or hurting his emotions in any way.

• Encouragement is more important than reprimand, and the kind word opens the child’s heart to receive teaching.

Second: Characteristics of early childhood

• The child behaves by senses, not by mind; therefore his senses must be engaged through movement, images, and simple explanations.

• Visual aids and church rituals nourish the senses and plant faith firmly.

• He loves repetition, singing, rhythm, and chorus; and he understands stories more than intellectual explanations.

• His memory is very strong and he has a great capacity for memorization, stronger than adults.

Third: What should be planted spiritually

• This stage is a stage of receiving: the child receives faith through watching and imitation (prayer, the sign of the cross, reverence before the altar).

• Doctrine can be given without philosophical explanation: “In the name of the Father…” he repeats and believes without argument.

• Present a positive image of God: love, care, giving… without fear.

• Avoid telling harsh martyrdom stories; instead focus on miracles and God’s love for the saints.

Fourth: The child’s psychological nature

• The child copies everything: words, expressions, movements… therefore the servant must be a model.

• He has a very wide imagination; he must not be accused of lying, but guided.

• The child is honest and does not keep secrets, and believes everything; therefore speech with him must be careful.

• He stores what he hears in his subconscious, which shows the seriousness of early formation.

Fifth: The responsibility of Sunday School

• The child will memorize… if not from the Church, then from the street or television.

• There must be a memorization curriculum (verses – prayers – hymns – stories).

• Losing the stage of receiving or memorization is a serious mistake that spiritually harms the child.

Spiritual conclusion

Raising the child in the Church is a sacred planting that must be done with love, gentleness, and wisdom. The child is a blank page who absorbs everything, and his faith is built through receiving and through the example he sees. Every word or action from the servant may remain throughout his life; therefore the service must be pure, gentle, and edifying.

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