Early Phase of Education

A few days ago my son graduated from preschool. He's five and he wore a gown and received a certificate and everything like a real graduation. A few years ago I would have scoffed at this idea. After all a graduation ceremony is supposed to celebrate real achievement. What did the preschoolers achieve? What is the accomplishment? As it turns out, there is something to be said for having these ceremonies for the children.


During the program, the children had the opportunity to display some of the wonderful things that they learned during the two years that they spent at the preschool. Some sang, recited poetry, sang in Spanish, performed gymnastics and so on. Clearly the children were happy to perform for the admiration of their parents and the parents were happy to see their children perform.

I was asked to give a short talk at this ceremony. And this started me examining the idea of the first phase of the children's education and its impact on the rest of their lives. I have heard that the personality of the child is formed in the first five years of their lives. Basically, you are stuck with whatever you develop in those few years.

I started off by looking at the idea of education from the Baha'i perspective.

Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.

(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 259)

In this excerpt from the writings of Baha'u'llah I found that a person is created with a measure of capacity. Education is then the process of revealing this capacity rather than filling an empty vessel. These capacities, or treasures, become evident as the education of the individual continue. We have started seeing some of these treasures in our children from just a few short years.

The children learned to read and write, do basic mathematics, Spanish and gymnastics. They also learned to interact with their peers, and to be involved in a group. Valuable lessons for their future. Isn't this enough to celebrate?

Another point from the above passage is the fact that mankind will benefit from the education of the individual. This is only true if the education of the child include spiritual education. Without a spiritual education the individual will be a monster in this society and work only for his own benefit. A person with a spiritual education however, will work for the betterment of the world.

As to thy question regarding the education of children: it behoveth thee to nurture them at the breast of the love of God, and urge them onward to the things of the spirit, that they may turn their faces unto God; that their ways may conform to the rules of good conduct and their character be second to none; that they make their own all the graces and praiseworthy qualities of humankind; acquire a sound knowledge of the various branches of learning, so that from the very beginning of life they may become spiritual beings, dwellers in the Kingdom, enamoured of the sweet breaths of holiness, and may receive an education religious, spiritual, and of the Heavenly Realm.

(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 142)

With these thoughts I had to reflect on the quality of education, both spiritual and academic, that my son receives. And that is the real benefit of this graduation ceremony. Hopefully, we can remain conscious of this over time and continue to ensure that he does receive the right education.