Nurturing Children's Development & Faith through Meaningful Conversation

by Nathan Jones, Interim CEO of the The Ugly Duckling Company, qualified counsellor and founder of the Mental Health Charity Teens in Crisis.

Developing Faith through conversation

Children and young people love to ask questions and given the opportunity and asked in the right way will be more than willing to express what they are thinking and feeling. Yet too often adults can fall into the trap of just imparting information, telling children and young people what they need to think or asking questions that are not likely to invoke much of a response.

“All it takes to have a great conversation is space, time and a great question”

Conversation with one another is a fundamental aspect of our lives. It allows us to connect, understand, and learn from each other. It helps us to express our thoughts and feelings as well as explore ideas and develop a healthy understanding of ourselves, those around us, the wider world and also our understanding of God.

From the start of the Bible in the creation story we see ‘conversation’ at work. The trinity talk together and say ‘let us make’ and then we see God in conversation with Adam and Eve as well as them in conversation with each other. Throughout the Bible we see conversations and how these are used to help people develop community and their understanding of God. Jesus himself loved talking with people, meeting them, holding a conversation and telling stories that would often lead to much discussion.    

Talking is important for everyone, but it’s particularly crucial to the mental, spiritual, emotional health and development of children and young people.  

Language Development through conversation

Conversations with children, especially during their early years, significantly contribute to their language development. As infants, children begin to recognise and respond to the tone and rhythm of speech. By engaging in simple conversations with them, we can help in expanding their vocabulary and building a foundation for future language skills. As children grow older, conversations become more complex, encouraging them to express their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. These interactions help in refining their grammar, sentence structure, and articulation, making it easier for them to communicate effectively as they progress through different stages of their lives.

Cognitive Growth through conversation

Conversations are not solely about language; they also stimulate cognitive growth in children. When engaged in meaningful dialogues, children are exposed to new ideas, concepts, and perspectives. This exposure enhances their critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. Asking open-ended questions and encouraging them to ponder different scenarios helps develop their analytical minds. Furthermore, conversations often involve storytelling, whether it's sharing personal experiences, narrating imaginative tales or sharing stories from the Bible. Storytelling has been a cornerstone of human culture for generations, passing down knowledge, values, and truth. Listening to stories not only captivates children but also enhances their memory, imagination, and empathy.

Social Skills and Empathy through conversation

Conversations play a vital role in shaping a child's social skills and empathy. Interacting with parents, peers, and caregivers allows children to practice turn-taking, active listening, and understanding different perspectives. These skills are crucial in establishing successful relationships throughout their lives. By engaging in conversations with children about empathy and compassion, adults help them understand the feelings and needs of others. This understanding fosters empathy, teaching them to be kind, considerate, and respectful towards others.

Spiritual Growth through conversation

Conversations can play a significant role in fostering spiritual growth and development. It can help people grow in their understanding of God. Conversations in faith communities can also help to create a sense of belonging and connectedness. Sharing spiritual experiences and beliefs with like-minded individuals can be comforting and validating. Learning from those who are walking the journey of faith can inspire us all to deepen our own spiritual practices and beliefs. Spiritual growth also involves grappling with doubts, questions, and uncertainties so being able to ask questions is an important aspect of spiritual growth.

All it takes to start a great conversation is time, space and a great question. Here at the Ugly Duckling Company we believe that conversations have the ability to change lives and we have spent the past 25 years developing resources that enable conversations. We have recently developed new card packs for use with pre-schoolers and early years, primary aged children and families. We also have a range of packs for use with young people and adults alike.

Conversations are a powerful catalyst for growth across all aspects of our lives. Conversations with children and young people are not just casual exchanges of words; they are the building blocks of their overall development and especially their faith. By nurturing language skills, cognitive growth, emotional intelligence, social abilities and spiritual development through conversation we are providing children and ourselves with a strong foundation for success in all aspects of life.

As parents, caregivers, and educators, taking the time to engage in genuine and attentive conversations with children can make a world of difference in their growth, to the development of their faith and well-being.

Nathan Jones is the Interim CEO of the The Ugly Duckling Company and founder of the Mental Health Charity Teens in Crisis.

He is also a qualified counsellor and author of 10:10 a youth well-being resource.

Nate lives in Herefordshire with his two teenage daughters.