Identity Development and Early Christian Education

It’s possible to begin influencing the development of a child’s identity from the very beginning. This generally happens within the family, but other people and factors also influence this development for better or worse, usually without even knowing it. This creates an opportunity for the intentional church to begin shaping the child’s identity from the very earliest days. We need, then, to give significant attention to identity development and early Christian education if we hope to have a long-term impact on an individual’s identity.

Be Intentional, But Don’t Rush

Identity development is not something that happens quickly or suddenly. It is, however, happening constantly, which means it can be influenced at any point. Christian educators must recognize the value of an ongoing relationship with the child and, hopefully, its family. We must resist the temptation to reduce our educational “strategies” to a single lesson plan and attractive programs. Identity development continues throughout our entire lives so it’s not something we should rush. We can, however, recognize the unique opportunity we have while children are young to shape their identities for the rest of their lives. We should, therefore, be intentional in our efforts, but not feel the need to rush. Whatever we do to help a child form a biblical identity, it’s going to be a slow process.

Identity Development in a Preschooler

While acknowledging that identity development is a complex process for anyone of any age, we would also contend that a preschooler develops a unique identity (learns who he or she is) by…

Developing attachments. How well a baby develops relational attachments with significant and loving people will have a massive impact on how they think about themselves.
Confronting reality. It is here that a young child begins to discover that he or she, and all things, are defined by limits, boundaries, and distinction.
Discovering time. The movement of time impacts how we understand ourselves in the context of the past, present and future. We are who we are in the context of time.

These three ongoing, developmental experiences (developing attachments, confronting reality, and discovering time) occur quite naturally as a preschooler matures and moves toward grade school age. A newborn is not able to grapple with the realities of time or boundaries. They can, however, develop meaningful relational attachments that impact their brain development. Toddlers are, of course, notorious for “testing” the limits of behavior and are clearly confronting reality as they hear “no no” over and over and over. Older preschoolers are discovering the significance of time as they begin to engage in scheduled activities and learn that time is a huge, and unavoidable, factor in life.

It’s important to note that preschoolers don’t move through any one of these phases and then simply leave it behind. Significant attachments remain important to us throughout our lives. Relationships continue to impact a preschooler even as they are confronting realities and discovering the power of time. Similarly, children don’t struggle with boundaries only when they’re toddlers. Even as adults, we’re still learning the limits of reality in our lives. It’s also important to note that there’s overlap between these phases. As babies develop attachments, they are also, to some degree, confronting reality and discovering time. This three-fold progression merely reflects the developing maturity of the young child, but it also reveals an opportunity to develop strategies and procedures for guiding this development at appropriate ages and in appropriate ways. So, in subsequent articles, we’ll dive a bit deeper into each of these three phases of preschool development.

This article is one of a series related to identity.

Find Helping People Develop a Biblical Identity here.

Find We Are More Than We Think here.

Find Identity Runs Deep here.

Find Shaping Identity in the Local Church here.

Find Identity and the God of the Bible here.

Find Identity, Relationships, and Distinction here.

Find Attachments and Identity here.

Find The Power of the Individual in Shaping Identity here.

Find The Power of the Community in Shaping Identity here.

Find The Surrounding Environment and Identity here.

Find A Biblical Identity Model here.