What are children’s classes?

The Bahá’í writings attach great importance to the periods of childhood and youth, providing clear guidance to parents and communities to raise children in a nurturing environment. Children’s classes are the community’s offering towards fulfilling this purpose, and these are open to children of all backgrounds.

Children’s classes are about building the spiritual capacity of children, which is viewed as the basis for their own happiness and sense of well-being. These spiritual capacities are viewed as a powerful force for social change. Bahá'ís believe that moral, spiritual, and values-based training for children is essential in order to nurture these capacities.

Classes seek to develop essential virtues such as the knowledge of God, trustworthiness, honesty, and justice. They aim to build a strong moral framework that will assist children to achieve excellence in material, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of life.

A new approach to education

“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value,” wrote Bahá’u’lláh. “Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”

In accordance with that inspiration, Bahá’ís are working to bring forth these “treasures”—the nobility and beauty that are part of every person’s inborn nature. The training they offer is a compelling response to the flood of messages that promote materialism and neglect the ideals of a healthy and prosperous society.

The classes, offered in increasing numbers by Bahá’í communities around the world, can help to ensure that our children grow strong intellectually, morally, and spiritually.

What is taught?

Some of the themes that might be taught include, but are not limited to, the spiritual nature of people, the importance of prayer and reflection, developing respect and courtesy for others, elimination of prejudice, the underlying oneness of world religions and the equality of women and men.

The children’s class programme is well organised, systematic, and follows a curriculum that is designed to meet the needs of children at different age levels. Teachers in charge of classes are all trained. Teachers often have assistants to ensure the smooth running of the classes.

All classes regularly make use of the arts. Memorisation of prayers and of other passages is regarded as important.

Where and when?

Many state schools across Australia offer Bahá’í scripture classes. Community based children’s classes can also be found in local communities across the country. Increasingly, individuals, families and small groups are offering such classes at the neighbourhood level too, making it easily accessible and relevant to local needs.

The easiest way to find out about classes in your area is to get in touch with your local Bahá'í community. Email us and we'd be happy to email you back with the relevant contact details.

“Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future…” - Universal House of Justice, supreme governing body of the international Baha’i community.

Bahá'í Children's Class resources

Coming soon…

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