Towards Spiritually Responsive Pedagogy: A Note, an ABC Verse, an Advocacy and a Sketch Note

NOTE

According to an AI Overview [1], 'Spiritually Responsive Pedagogy' is an educational approach that acknowledges and integrates students' spiritual development alongside their intellectual, social, and emotional growth. It recognizes that spirituality, encompassing a sense of meaning, purpose, and connection, is a fundamental aspect of human experience and can be a powerful tool for learning and well-being. This approach emphasizes nurturing the inner child, fostering self-awareness, and promoting connection to something larger than oneself. "In essence, spiritually responsive pedagogy seeks to create a learning environment where students can develop a strong sense of self, connect with their inner wisdom, and find meaning and purpose in their live," it adds

ABC VERSE

ABC of Spiritually responsive pedagogy culled out is as follows. [2]

A: Approach that acknowledges and integrates students' spiritual development alongside their intellectual, social, ethical and emotional growth.

B: Basics aspects of spirituality encompassing include a sense of meaning, purpose, and connection ,

C: Central are development of the inner child and self-learning potential - which are considered to be sacred innate gifts - are meant to be fostered, nurtured and promoted through self-awareness, self-reflection and self-actualization skills

D: Deeming spirituality as a part of developmental domain of the child by creating a safe, supportive and inclusive classroom environment where students and teachers feel equally valued by building positive and supportive relationships.

E: Emphasis on interconnectedness of all things by promoting values of empathy, compassion, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

ADVOCACY

According to Lingley (2016) [3], a spiritually responsive pedagogy must involve and address the relational lives of children so as to enhance the connectedness they experience (a) in the process of learning, (b) in response to the learning environment, and (c) in the growth of their knowledge and awareness of the Self and of the other. He emphasise the need for providing an education for the children of today so that they will be better able to embrace the wholeness of being in all its diversity as they become the citizens and decision makers of tomorrow. He further advises the educators to bring the matter to the attention of policymakers, curriculum writers, parents, and the general public.

SKETCH NOTE