By Mônica Etes
Early in the 20th century, Henri Wallon, a child psychiatrist, was one of the theorists who proposed changes in education. He claimed that emotions are fundamental in the human development process.
In Spiritism, we also find quotes that point in the same direction: “love one another, that is the first teaching; instruct yourselves, that is the second. (The Spirit of Truth – The Gospel According to Spiritism – ch. 6, item 5).
Our feelings of dedication and love are imprinted in the ambient fluid. The spiritist educator who is really committed to the truths he preaches, used to praying before starting his doctrinal activities, prepares the spiritual ambience in such a way as to enable a salutary fluidic absorption by the children and young people present, who will feel affected by this atmosphere. Without knowing how to explain it, this ambience will help them to reflect, broaden their thinking, and favor understanding.
Listening to what they have to say about a certain subject, in a safe environment of respect and love, will contribute to strengthen, in the group, a feeling of belonging to Spiritism, fundamental to foster loyalty to the exposed teachings.
The spiritist educator, as a mediator and facilitator of knowledge, in turn, will have to dive into studies in order to transmit it correctly to the hearts of children and young people. After all, Spiritism is the Promised Consoler.
The use of group dynamics and experiences, in the sense of involving them, is an important part in the task of educating these spirits. In addition, it is necessary to present situations that raise awareness, such as stories of altruism, renunciation, and overcoming. After all this journey, the more robust reflections are indispensable to conduct the reasoning of those who are in the process of learning.
Little by little, the conscience awakens as it becomes aware of the passages in Jesus’ Gospel, added to the profound reflections expounded by the mediator of the meeting.
Particularly in relation to adolescents, we know that working on moral education is not easy. The puberty crisis brings continuous changes. At one moment they are focused on themselves and at another they are focused on external relations with the world. The desire for opposition and conformism, altruism and rebellion alternate. We cannot be discouraged by these characteristics. Through observation, we can perceive in which moment they are living and act
accordingly.
It is important to always develop in young people the interest for the work in the Christian field, creating projects in which they can act and feel their own results.
Many times we want to attribute a very valuable meaning – deservedly so – to an important theme, such as reincarnation planning, by means of a doctrinal exposition. Young people, however, watch it with little interest, with rare exceptions. In fact, just passing on knowledge does not always work. It is necessary to sensitize them first, to influence them, so that they realize the real value of what is being brought to them.
According to Wallon, what touches us interferes in our choices. Desire, or repulsion, induces our reasoning. Affection is related to the emotions and feelings that we experience. We are affected in a pleasant or unpleasant way, both by our internal world and by what comes from the outside world. Contrary to popular belief, affectivity is not synonymous of love. It is the capacity to be affected, according to this psychologist.
All the actions, dynamics and activities offered by the spiritist educator must integrate moral and spiritual education of quality. To sensitize, provides a more beautiful construction of the reasoning for your inner world.
These experiences lived in the youth classrooms, of ever deeper reflections, are never lost. All it takes is for the young person to be faced with a situation in life that has something similar to it, to bring out all its nuances.
Many times we do not see the immediate result, but let us persevere in the good sowing. The seeds sown in the soul help to develop the divine potentials of the being, and to participate in this process is a great joy.
