Biblical Values in Early Childhood Education and Development
Biblical values in early childhood education emphasize the spiritual and moral development of children from their earliest years, viewing them as gifts from God capable of glorifying Him [1]. The Bible consistently highlights the importance of instructing children in God's ways and nurturing their faith from infancy.
A foundational principle is that children are a gift from God (Genesis 33:5; Psalm 127:3) and are capable of glorifying Him (Psalm 8:2; 148:12-13; Matthew 21:15-16) [1]. Therefore, their upbringing should reflect this divine origin and purpose. Scripture encourages bringing children to Christ (Mark 10:13-16) and bringing them early to the house of God (1 Samuel 1:24) [1]. This suggests an early introduction to spiritual practices and community.
Instruction in the ways of God is a recurring theme. Deuteronomy 31:12-13 and Proverbs 22:6 both advocate for teaching children divine principles [1]. Proverbs 22:6, in particular, states, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse is often understood as a call for judicious and consistent training [1]. Similarly, Psalm 34:11 refers to children as subjects of instruction [4]. The apostle Paul also emphasizes this, noting that Timothy knew the "holy scriptures from a child," literally "from an infant," suggesting that lasting impressions of faith can be made at a tender age [7]. These scriptures, in themselves, are described as "able" to make one "wise unto salvation through faith" [7].
Beyond formal instruction, biblical values stress the importance of parental guidance and authority. Children are exhorted to attend to parental teaching (Proverbs 1:8-9), honor their parents (Exodus 20:12; Hebrews 12:9), fear their parents (Leviticus 19:3), and obey them (Proverbs 1:8) [1]. Ephesians 6:4 further instructs parents to bring up their children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." This holistic approach encompasses both moral and spiritual formation within the family unit.
The concept of spiritual "milk" is used in the New Testament to describe elementary Christian truths suitable for those new in faith or immature in understanding [6]. For instance, 1 Peter 2:2 exhorts believers to desire "the pure spiritual milk" as "new-born babes" [2, 8]. This "milk" is contrasted with "guile, hypocrisies," and other negative traits, suggesting it represents the simplicity of Christian doctrine for a childlike spirit [2]. While some passages, like 1 Corinthians 3:2 and Hebrews 5:12-13, use "milk" to denote elementary truths in contrast to more advanced doctrines, in 1 Peter, it refers to the foundational word of grace that aids in regeneration and spiritual growth [2, 6]. The author of Hebrews urges believers to move beyond these basic teachings, or "the principles of the doctrine of Christ," to attain maturity [5, 9]. This implies a progression from foundational truths to deeper understanding, a process that God initiates [9].
The early Christian tradition also recognized the significance of early nourishment. Ancient physicians, as noted by Barnabas, suggested honey as the first food for a child, followed by milk [3]. This practice is paralleled in Isaiah 7:15, which mentions Immanuel eating "curdled milk and honey," interpreted by some, like Horsley, as signifying Jesus' real humanity and his being fed as other infants [3]. This highlights the natural and spiritual nourishment essential for early development.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:2: new-born babes--altogether without "guile" (Pe1 2:1). As long as we are here we are "babes," in a specially tender relation to God (Isa 40:11). The childlike spirit is indispensable if we would enter heaven. "Milk" is here not elementary truths in contradistinction to more advanced Christian truths, as in Co1 3:2; Heb 5:12-13; but in contrast to "guile, hypocrisies," &c. (Pe1 2:1); the simplicity of Christian doctrine in general to the childlike spirit. The same "word of grace" which is the instrument in regeneration, is the instrument also of building”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 7:15: Butter--rather, curdled milk, the acid of which is grateful in the heat of the East (Job 20:17). honey--abundant in Palestine (Jdg 14:8; Sa1 14:25; Mat 3:4). Physicians directed that the first food given to a child should be honey, the next milk [BARNABAS, Epistle]. HORSLEY takes this as implying the real humanity of the Immanuel Jesus Christ, about to be fed as other infants (Luk 2:52). Isa 7:22 shows that besides the fitness of milk and honey for children, a state of distress of the inhabitants is also implied, when, by reason of the invaders, milk”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 34:11: children--subjects of instruction (Pro 1:8, Pro 1:10).”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 6 (introduction): WARNING AGAINST RETROGRADING, WHICH SOON LEADS TO APOSTASY; ENCOURAGEMENT TO STEADFASTNESS FROM GOD'S FAITHFULNESS TO HIS WORD AND OATH. (Heb 6:1-14) Therefore--Wherefore: seeing that ye ought not now to be still "babes" (Heb 5:11-14). leaving--getting further forward than the elementary "principles." "As in building a house one must never leave the foundation: yet to be always laboring in 'laying the foundation' would be ridiculous" [CALVIN]. the principles of the doctrine--Greek, "the word of the beginning," that is, the discussion ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:2: (Heb 5:12). milk--the elementary "principles of the doctrine of Christ."”
- 2 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Timothy 3:15: from a child--literally, "from an infant." The tender age of the first dawn of reason is that wherein the most lasting impressions of faith may be made. holy scriptures--The Old Testament taught by his Jewish mother. An undesigned coincidence with Ti2 1:5; Act 16:1-3. able--in themselves: though through men's own fault they often do not in fact make men savingly alive. wise unto salvation--that is, wise unto the attainment of salvation. Contrast "folly" (Ti2 3:9). Wise also in extending it to others. through faith--as the instrument of this ”
- 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 2:2: As new born babes,.... The Syriac version renders it, "be ye simple as infants"; and as if it was a distinct exhortation of itself, and from that which follows; though it seems rather to be descriptive of the persons spoken to, and a character of them, under which the apostle addresses them; which carries in it a reason strengthening the exhortation after given: he takes it for granted that they were begotten again, according to the abundant mercy of God, and born of incorruptible seed, by the word of God, and that they were just, or lately born; and which is to be un”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:1: 6:1-3 In light of the hearers’ immaturity (5:11-14), the author urges them to move beyond basic teachings. The six basic teachings here were all foundational elements of Jewish instruction. The author might be challenging them to move beyond these basic teachings to further understanding about the person of Christ, which he elaborates in 7:1–10:25. 6:1 Let us go on: Or Let us be carried on, suggesting that God initiates growth to maturity (Phil 2:12-13) and that it is an ongoing process. • Repenting and faith are the basic commitments that initiate a person to the”