Exploring Spiritual Education for Children from the Holism Perspective and Its Critique with Emphasis on the Islamic Teachings

The purpose of this article is to explore spiritual education for children from the perspective of holism and its critique with emphasis on Islamic teachings. For this purpose, in the first part of the article, using the method of integrated research or synthesis research, the holistic approach to children's spiritual education in the dimensions of philosophical foundations, the concept of spiritual education for children, and its educational implications are explained. In the second part, employing the method of critical philosophical exploration and emphasizing the Islamic perspective, the holistic approach to the spiritual education of children is criticized. To achieve the research goal, also using the snowball method, the most important thinkers of holistic education in the West in the field of spiritual education for children were selected and according to special criteria, their most important works were selected and examined. The research findings showed that the philosophical foundations of the holistic approach are incompatible with the Islamic instructions. Because the reference of the spiritual in the whole approach is an ambiguous and imaginary thing. Also, this approach implies a kind of unity of existence based on all divinity, and the unity of man, nature and God. While according to the Islamic teachings, the source of spirituality is a single existence (Allah) that can be known through his attributes and actions. At the same time, this approach has useful and appropriate training tips and methods that are compatible with the Islamic instructions. Such as paying attention to the nurturing of the child as a whole, the use of artistic education.