Encouraging Your Child's Spiritual Intelligence

More and more children are expressing spiritual qualities, and parents, caregivers, pediatricians, teachers, and therapists are increasingly taking notice of children's spiritual lives. Mollie Painton, Psy.D., a well-known child therapist, helps parents understand this phenomenon in the framework of spiritual intelligence. By understanding this concept, we can honor our children's gifts and develop our own spiritual intelligence along the way.

Any parent whose child has had an imaginary friend, talked with a deceased relative, or been receptive to the pain and emotion of others will find guidance and inspiration in 'Encouraging your Child's Spiritual Intelligence'. Dr. Painton's thoughtful quizzes and advice provide added support and insight throughout the book. Adults, who have had their own spiritual experiences in childhood dismissed, will rediscover their original spiritual connection and become valuable spiritual partners with their children.

Parents and teachers of 'new', 'indigo', or 'crystal' children will particularly appreciate the framework Painton provides. Using the branches of a tree as a metaphor, she shows us how different children have different gifts and need different kinds of support. The branches of her 'Tree of Spiritual Life' are:

1. Wisdom and Intuition
2. Compassion, Belonging, and Connection
3. Physical Death
4. A World of Spirit
5. Light and Darkness, Good and Evil
6. Healing Play
7. Transformation