In this special edition of the journal, attention is being given to the two dimensions of spirituality and physicality. In this particular paper I argue that there is an unhelpful divide that is often assumed to exist between these two dimensions and that this divide can be transcended or "healed" through a holistic and hermeneutic approach to…

Quietly, ever so tentatively, science and spirituality are beginning to take a closer look at one another. Though this new relationship is a tenuous one at best, further research may produce a systemic change in the way we educate our children. If educators acknowledge that a holistic approach to teaching is most beneficial to students, it is…

As part of a larger research project into the practice and effectiveness of Life Orientation (LO), a compulsory subject in South African schools, this study investigated the views that teachers have regarding the constructs spirituality and religion within the context of LO. LO attempts to teach skills, attitudes and values from a holistic…

This paper explores the concept of promoting spiritual literacy as viewed through the eyes of a holistic educator of young children in an inner-city primary classroom. Similar to discussions of spirituality in education, the idea of spiritual literacy is often elusive and can create discomfort and tensions. Drawing on stories of experience, the…

Children need to sense that their way of being spiritual is honoured within learning environments that nurture the human spirit. This assertion rests on two assumptions: that children have different ways to express a desire to make the world a better place and that there are patterns to these ways that can be identified, understood and involved in…

On the basis of a comparison of the educational approaches of Andrew Wright and David Hay this paper illustrates the persisting problem of dichotomising cognitive and trans-cognitive aspects of spiritual development and education. Even though both Wright and Hay speak of the same topic--spirituality and spiritual education--they define these terms…

Of all the individuals that we call Transcendentalists, Bronson Alcott was the most devoted to education and nourishing children's spirituality in that context. At the Temple school in Boston he held conversations with children on spiritual questions that drew forth the children's inner wisdom. This paper describes his work as an educator and…

Seven spiritual identities are determined based on a study conducted on a group of 125 participants. The objective of the study was to examine (a) how spirituality is experienced individually and collectively; and (b) identify the commonalities and differences in spiritual experiences. The participants ranged in age from 17 to over 55, and were…

This article proposes that school communities are significant public places that help shape identity and can also contribute to social and emotional well-being. If school communities respond appropriately to crises and trauma that affect the young, learning becomes social and emotional as well as academic. School communities offer an opportunity…

A holistic approach to spirituality indicates a spiritual development that is relevant for all students and not just for those who have a religious background. However, debates in England surrounding spirituality in education often generally locate it within the religious domain (Blake, 1996; Carr, 1995, 1999; Isherwood, 1999). Conceptualizing…

OFSTED and schools are largely agreed on what is meant by "spiritual development" for schools though debate continues at the theoretical level on the broader question of what might be meant by a spiritual education. In this article, it is argued that cross-curricular "spiritual development" as a form of spiritual education is…

Johann Paul Friedrich Richter (1763-1825) adopted the pen-name "Jean Paul" in honour of Jean Jaques Rousseau. His "Levana or the doctrine of education" ("Levana oder Erziehlehre") was once a standard text and required reading in teacher education. Outside Germany the name of Jean Paul is now little known and the…

"Every Child Matters" is a major change programme aimed at integrating all services for children and young people in England. It seeks to enable a new holistic approach to their care and so improve a number of outcomes for children, thus improving their overall well-being. "Every Child Matters" seeks to address the rights of…

This paper demonstrates the significant potential for history teachers to contribute to the development of children's spirituality through the use of literature within the history curriculum. Using four case studies of history teaching in English comprehensive schools, the paper outlines a holistic approach to the subject--drawing upon art and…