The pastoral care needs of children and their families are unique and multi-layered. The purpose of this course is to develop a spiritual, psychological, neurological and ethical understanding of the developmental of children and the practical skills needed for effective pastoral care. We will explore how the pastoral care of children relates to the pastoral care of the family in the midst of diverse cultural, socio-economic, religious and spiritual factors.
Exciting aspects that will be explored: (1) Neuroscience continues to provide new understanding into human development. How can understanding the developing brain help you to be more skillful with children? (2) Many of these neuroscience insights relate to ancient spiritual wisdom about religious training and spiritual development. How can spiritual development be skillfully supported through the experiences of trauma, loss, life transition, and social and familial pressures? (3) A child’s experience of bonding and attachment set a pattern for primary relationships. How do these patterns inform or not inform one’s relationship to a divine creator? (4) Our own developmental patterns construct the lenses through which we relate to others. How can understanding one’s own developmental story be critical to the level of pastoral skillfulness that creates authentic human contact and avoids boundary disturbances.
This course is for you if: (1) You desire to provide skillful pastoral care for children in a variety of pastoral settings. (2) You are willing to honestly explore your own developmental history in order to be increasingly self-aware, awake, and skillful in creating healthy relationships with children. (3) You respect the spiritual and developmental journey of children. (4) You understand the need to provide pastoral support in complex theological, social, medical and familial situations. (5) You wish be theologically, ethically and morally grounded in order to do no harm in traumatic and life-challenging situations involving children.
REQUIRED READING: Siegel, D., Bryson, T., (2011). The Whole Brain Child . New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 978-0-553-90725-4
REQUIRED READINGS, Students choose two:
Armstrong-Dailey, A., Zarbock, S., (2009). Hospice Care for Children . New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-0195340709
Berryman, J., (1991). Godly Play: a Way of Religious Education . New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishing. ISBN: 0806627859
Coles, R., (1990). The Spiritual Life of Children. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0-395-55999-5
Dawn, M., (1997). Is It A Lost Cause? Having the Heart of God for the Church’s Children. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN: 0-8028-4373-5
Grossoehme, D., Koenig, H., (1999). The Pastoral Care of Children . Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press. ISBN-13: 978-0789006042
Koenig, H., Friesen, M., (2000). Spiritual Care for Children Living in Specialized Settings: Breathing Underwater . Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press. ISBN-13: 978-0789006301
Lester, A., (1985). Pastoral Care with Children in Crisis . Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press. ISBN-13: 978-0664245986
Lester, A., (1987). When Children Suffer. Phildelphia, PA: Westminster Press. ISBN-13: 978-0664221782
Muller, W., (1992). Legacy of the Heart: The Spiritual Advantages of a Painful Childhood . New York, NY: Fireside. ISBN: 1-62071-025-0
Oaklander, V. (1988). Window to Our Children . Gouldsboro, ME: The Gestalt Journal Press. ISBN-13: 978-0939266067
Painton, M., (2007). Encouraging Your Child’s Spiritual Intelligence . New York, NY: Atria Books. ISBN: 1582701490
Requarth, M., (2006). After a Parent’s Suicide: Helping Children Heal . Sabastopool, CA: Healing Hearts Press. ISBN-13: 978-0977746804
Solomon, A., (2012). Far From the Tree, Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity . New York, NY: Scribner. ISBN:0743236726
Stonehouse, C. (1998). Joining Children on the Spiritual Journey: Nurturing a Life of Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.ISBN:0801058074
Weaver, R., (2002). Counseling Families Across Stages of Life: A Handbook for Pastors and Other Helping Professionals. Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press. ISBN:0687084156
See Taylor Library's list of online book sellers for purchasing options.
Incompletes: If incompletes are allowed in this course, see the Master's Student Handbook for Policies and Procedures.
Pass/Fail: Masters students wishing to take the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by the second class session.
Academic Integrity and Community Covenant: All students are expected to abide by Iliff’s statement on Academic Integrity, as published in the Masters Student Handbook, or the Joint PhD Statement on Academic Honesty, as published in the Joint PhD Student Handbook, as appropriate. All participants in this class are expected to be familiar with Iliff’s Community Covenant.
Accommodations: Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs. Students are encouraged to contact their assigned advisor to initiate the process of requesting accommodations. The advising center can be contacted at advising@iliff.edu or by phone at 303-765-1146.
Writing Lab: Grammar and organization are important for all written assignments. Additional help is available from the Iliff Writing Lab, which is available for students of any level who need help beginning an assignment, organizing thoughts, or reviewing a final draft.
Inclusive Language: It is expected that all course participants will use inclusive language in speaking and writing, and will use terms that do not create barriers to classroom community.
Other Course Readings
| Date | Day | Details | |
| Jan 24, 2014 | Fri | Assignment 1 - First Book Review | due by 06:59AM |
| Feb 07, 2014 | Fri | Assignment 2 - Book Review | due by 06:59AM |
| Feb 21, 2014 | Fri | Assignment 3 - Verbatim | due by 06:59AM |
| Mar 07, 2014 | Fri | Assignment 5 | due by 06:59AM |
| Mar 07, 2014 | Fri | Assignment 4 - Personal Developmental Notebook and Paper | due by 06:59AM |