PASTORAL CARE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CHILDREN IN MAINLINE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN HARARE-ZIMBABWE

Author's Name: Tendai Chikutuma
Subject Area: Social Science and Humanities
Subject Other
Section Research Paper

Keyword:

Early Childhood development, Pastoral care, Bible, sermon, drama, songs, stories, affective, Sunday School, Preaching.


Abstract

The study sought to establish the quality of pastoral care offered to ECD children in the mainline Christian churches. The qualitative research design based on questionnaires, interviews and observations was used. Participants in the study were parents, Early Childhood Development (ECD) children, priests, and religious instructors. Data was thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that some ECD children got Sunday school classes while others did not. Results highlighted that the Christian churches lacked expertise in dealing with ECD children. Advocacy by knowledgeable ECD stakeholders was recommended. The study also recommended a training curriculum for trainee priests emphasizing the pastoral care of ECD children.

Download Full Paper