An In-depth Look at the Three Stages of Education and Growth in Narrations

The process of growth and education and especially the three stages of growth and education in Islam have received special attention. Nevertheless, there is less comprehensive in-depth investigation in this area. The current research aims to extract the three stages of growth and deal with questions related to them. In addition to extracting the stages of growth and education, it has addressed more complete questions and issues. This research explored the stages of education with a qualitative method through conceptual analysis of the intended narrations. It has answered seven questions pertaining to the subject-matter.According to the findings of this research, seven narrations refer to three stages in education. The different ages mentioned in the narrations are due to the difference of people and cultures and they are flexible. The narrations have specified the principles governing the process of growth and education in all the periods. During the first period one has to help and tolerate the child and behave with him like a friend. One should not be strict and hasty in educational affairs. Instead, he should try to play with him and entertain him.  In the second period, the parents should give importance to the child's literacy and education. And in the third stage, the parents should continue to educate the child in order to teach him discipline and ḥalāl and ḥarām things. Therefore, disciplining and training take place in all stages of development. To particularize certain characteristics for the mentioned periods is not acceptable. It is for all trainers and planners to consider these principles.