How Faith Can Help Children Thrive
Life can be confusing and complicated, especially for children. Faith can give children something solid to hold onto when times are tough, or life doesn’t seem fair. With a strong foundation, children can thrive as they find their place in the world. Here are some of the ways faith guides children and helps them become their best selves.
Encourages Generosity
Rather than just telling children it’s good to be generous, faith-based organizations like churches and Catholic schools give children opportunities to lend a helping hand to those in need. They emphasize that by helping others, children can spread God’s love to their communities. Children learn that there’s a connection between doing good and their place in heaven. By doing the work, children learn about the problems in their communities and are more likely to stay involved as adults.
Reduces Anxiety
When children of faith don’t feel empowered to talk to anyone about their problems, they always know they can turn to God. Sometimes saying things out loud or thinking them over through prayer can help children come up with solutions. They also know they have a community to fall back on at their church or school. This alone can lift children up when they’re feeling down.
Builds Community
Children benefit in many ways from being part of a community. Being part of a church, Catholic school class or even a faith-based extracurricular group can help children feel included. The great thing about a faith-based community is that it goes beyond people they already know. Children can build deep connections with anyone who lives the same faith or has similar values.
Discourages Risky Behaviors
Most faiths provide guidelines that lead to healthy habits. Some religions discourage eating unhealthy foods and low-quality meat. Others discourage followers from drinking alcohol, gambling and stealing. There’s also an emphasis on weighing what’s right and wrong in almost every faith. This can help children set standards for themselves and resist the temptation to do things that won’t benefit them in the long run.
Our Orlando Catholic schools encourage children to live fully in their faith. For more than 50 years, the Diocese of Orlando has been helping children grow to their fullest potential and become leaders within their communities. We offer unique and dynamic learning environments that engage students and encourage them to become confident and responsible adults. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us today.