Marife Turkish Journal of Religious Studies

Abstract

Emotional Development and Religious Education in Childhood Period The childhood is characterized by swift development process experienced in all aspects which gives rise to the formation of innate emotions, as well as lying foundation of the religion in adulthood. For this reason, the childhood period is of utmost importance both for emotional and religious developments of the child. As religion is often experienced emotionally in childhood period, the emotional aspects of religion are the most influential factor in establishing a religious belief properly. Therefore, the degree of child’s emotional development plays distinctive role in forming the religious belief, attitudes and behaviors to be adopted in the adulthood. The religious training based on the scientific principles allows development of robust feelings and believes, whereas religious training based on the oppression and strain falls short in suiting to child’s development level may give rise to alienation to the religion. Therefore, it is indispensible to obtain precise information on child’s physical, mental and emotional levels of development, together with the religious development level, should the religious training given be effective on the child. Underlying purpose of this article is to obtain basic principles for the development of religious understanding g specific to the childhood by looking at the sentimental and religious courses in regard to more effective and efficient religious training