Spiritual literacy at primary school
Vol.33,No.2(2023)
The study introduces into the pedagogical debate the neglected topic of cultivating the spiritual dimension of humanity, already at primary school. The theoretical outline accepts the literature-based definition of spiritual literacy in the dimensions of relationship to self, to others, to nature and transcendence. With regard to the holistic development of children and their future self-realization, the aim of the paper becomes to point out ways in which spiritual literacy can be developed in the secular environment of public education. A systematic review of English-language texts chosen according to selected criteria from the Web of Science and Scopus databases (n = 21) is followed by a content analysis of a specific sample of them (n = 6) using the open coding method, with regard to the techniques and tools applied in the development of non-religious spiritual literacy in primary school pupils at the first level. The results present a rich field of meaning in seven main categories (drawn from 103 codes), namely, introduction to schools, free environment, rituals, aids, put their mindful bodies on, pupils, fruits of spiritual literacy. The topic, which has been neglected so far, deserves a wider professional discussion on whether the concept of spiritual literacy should be more reflected and its content included in the educational activities of Czech schools.
non-religious spirituality; literacy; mindfulness; ritual; transcendence
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