ERIC Number: EJ1463997
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0141-6200
EISSN: EISSN-1740-7931
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Is There a Place for Young Children in the Modern-Day UK Church? Investigating Approaches to Faith Nurture in the Early Years
Sarah E. Holmes1; Emma Olorenshaw2; Ann Casson3
British Journal of Religious Education, v47 n2 p156-170 2025
This phenomenological study examines lived experiences and perceptions of Christian parents of young children to investigate their approaches to faith activity and nurture and the extent to which this includes authenticity of welcome for young children in the modern-day church. Online survey data was analysed thematically through the lens of established theories regarding the nature of faith in the early years. Findings revealed that families with young children "do" wish to engage with their local church and wider Christian community, but often find existing approaches unsupportive and unhelpful. Significant adjustments are therefore required to church-led ethos and approaches to faith nurture to better serve the needs of young children. Recommendations are made for more flexibility and inclusivity within the church environment, enhanced partnership with parents, and greater church focus on co-constructing faith nurturing pathways within the home and church context to align more with relationships within the child's microsystem.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Religious Education, Churches, Religious Factors, Well Being, Christianity, Young Children, Spiritual Development
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Early Childhood, School of Education, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK; 2School of Education, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK; 3National Institute for Christian Education Research (NICER), Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK