The Principles of Monotheistic Education in Childhood (Correction Period)

This study aims at investigating and extracting the principles of monotheistic education in the second 7-year period of life. It uses descriptive, analytical, and inferential methods to explore Islamic texts regarding the monotheistic education in the second 7-year period of life called ‘correction period’ in religious teachings. In that period, reduction of egoism and origination of obedience spirit as well as relative promotion of epistemic, emotional and practical parameters prepare the ground for initiation of formal education. In this study, monotheistic education is investigated with the aim of preparing the ground and creating mental readiness in the child in order to create a basis for establishment of monotheistic attitude in other stages of growth in cognitive, emotional and volitional (practical) dimensions. The followings are among its most important findings: facing the real meaning of life, preparing the ground for preliminary understanding of the concept of servitude to God, argumentative proof of God’s existence, making the child familiar with God’s attribute of glory and attribute of beauty, knowing God through external journey, formation of affection on the basis of cognition, fostering the sense of responsibility to God, fostering and promoting human’s internal proclivities, encouraging the child to establish relationship with God, creating readiness necessary for facing divine obligations, practical teaching of religious concepts with commitment, and contact with religious groups and communities.