Spirituality and morality
All children have a capacity for forming moral judgements. Carl Rogers believed that children and adults are able to reach their full potential as people if the core conditions of warmth, empathy and positive regard are met. This perhaps suggests that children need their spirituality and moral development nurtured by empathic adults.

Spirituality, morality, religion and ethics are closely linked. Most religious belief systems have concerns about the sanctity of life, respect and care for the family, community and others. This may be enshrined in a moral code, or practices connected with food or dress or festivals. Much of this practice will be positive for a child, giving meaning to births, coming of age, marriages or deaths in the family. Many people turn to religious beliefs and rituals to help them through times of stress or to celebrate a transition. Children who belong to faith communities need to have such practices continued when away from home. While the abuses of religion and the strife caused by sectarianism cannot be denied, a religious belief or affiliation can provide support and/or inner resilience in times of difficulty.

Neglect of childrens' sense of truth, justice or mystery may leave them expressing their terrors and pain in ways which society may find unacceptable. Anger and despair can be expressed outwards, as violence towards others, or can be turned inwards onto themselves, which can result in depression or self-harm. It is therefore important to respect and nurture general spiritual qualities in children and young people rather than to leave a vacuum, which may have unwanted, sad and in some circumstances, tragic consequences.

The spiritual dimension of children's development is part of a holistic understanding of the needs and rights of children, young people, families and communities.

References
Bradford J. (1995) Caring for the Whole Child, London, The Children's Society.
Crompton M. (1996) (ed) Children, Spirituality & Religion, London, CCETSW.
Hay D. (1995) Children and God, The Tablet, 74 pp 1270-1.
Nye R. (1996) Spiritual development, Children Religion & Spirituality, pp 2-6,
Hayward (ed) (1964) The Oxford Book of Nineteenth-Century English Verse., Oxford, Clarendon Press.
Rogers C. R. (1961) On Becoming a Person, Boston, Houghton Mifflin.
Sendak M.(1967) Where the Wild Things Are, Harmondsworth, Penguin.
Webster S. (1998) Poem, Positive News, No15, Winter/Spring, The Editor, 9/5.
Winnicott D. W. (1985) Home is Where We Start From, Harmondsworth, Penguin.