Bahai Education/Child Psychology

V. CHILD PSYCHOLOGY

V-100. PRINCIPLES

a. if allowed to remain in his original condition, the corrosion of lusts and appetites will destroy him: Baha'u'llah, Bahá'í Education, #10, p. 3 1) if left to natural proclivities, without education, child will embody all human defects: 'Abdu'l-Baha, talk in America, in SW IV:6, pp. 105-106

b. a child who removeth himself from the religion of God will not act in such a way as to win the good pleasure of his parents and his Lord. For every praiseworthy deed is born out of the light of religion, and lacking this supreme bestowal the child will not turn away from any evil, nor will he draw nigh unto any good: Baha'u'llah, Bahá'í Education, #12, p. 3

c. lacking the fear of God an infinity of odious and abominable actions will spring up, and sentiments will be uttered that transgress all bounds...should the children not attain this greatest of all adornments [religion], they will not obey their parents, which is a certain sense means that they will not obey God. Indeed, such children will show no consideration to anyone, and will do exactly as they please: Baha'u'llah, Bahá'í Education, #14, p. 4

d. natural proclivities are innately good but must be trained: in nursing child see signs of desire, anger, temper: SAQ:LVII:250-251 1) natural aggressiveness, instinctive antagonism, claws and bites mother: 'Abdu'l-Baha, talk in America, SW IV:6, pp. 105-106

e. as a branch fresh and green: SWAB:#110, 136; #111, 137

f. as young plants: SWAB:#115, 139

g. children of two kinds: mature and immature; a child wise beyond his years is sign of heavenly preparation: 'Abdu'l-Baha to Miss Sara Herron, 1900, in SW VII:15, pp. 141-144