67 13.3: Summary

A families’ spirituality and religion may affect the values and beliefs children have, the way they understand, note, and celebrate life transitions, their concepts of good and evil, and how they relate to, respect, and honor religious figures and the natural world. Children may have particular clothing, hairstyles/head covering, and food/eating practices that are important to their families’ religious beliefs. It is important for early childhood education programs to know, understand, respect, and honor the religious and spiritual beliefs of the families and children they serve.