A wonderful discovery

I recently came across a treasure of resources and reflections by a woman named
Linda Qualls on the spiritual education of children. Her essays have been such a source of inspiration and are well worth taking the time to read.

I often reflect on this excerpt in particular:

"...We need to convey Baha'i principles, values, concepts, and information concerning the Central Figures to children's hearts. Attract their hearts. It is not so much the factual, rational information, its the spirit of the instruction, of the class, of the teacher, of the interpersonal atmosphere, the physical environment, and the beautiful, joyful experiences which touch and bond children's' hearts to the Baha'i Faith. These are the impressions which will remain with them, which will influence them most deeply and ground them in the Faith. It is a very similar process to teaching the Faith to adult non-Baha’is. It is essentially a spiritual process (which is facilitated by the concrete). How often the Baha'i Writings emphasize this aspect concerning teaching the Faith: It is not so much the words, its the spirit of the fireside, its not so much the intellect which draws people to Baha'u'llah, its the attraction of the heart to the unity, love, spiritual warmth and beauty present in the interaction.

...If one wants to reach children's hearts, one must use concrete means. This not only increases the children’s receptivity, it also elucidates spiritual subtleties and truths, (as well as factual and intellectual information.) Children's hearts are like sponges; they soak up spiritual concepts, but most effectively through the tangible."