Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation for Healthy Development

Name: Forming Resilient Children: The Role of Spiritual Formation for Healthy Development
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)

Holly Catterton Allen

Sep 2021 · InterVarsity Press

1 review

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200

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About this ebook

Many children today are growing up in the midst of adversity, whether brought on by family difficulties or larger societal crises. All children need to be able to deal with stress, cope with challenges, and persevere through disappointments. While we cannot protect children from all hardships, we can promote healthy development that fosters resilience.

In this interdisciplinary work, Holly Catterton Allen builds a bridge between resilience studies and children's spiritual formation. Because children are spiritual beings, those who work with them can cultivate spiritual practices that are essential to their thriving in challenging times.

This book equips educators, counselors, children's ministers, and parentswith ways of developing children's spirituality to foster the resilience needed to face the ordinary hardships of childhood and to persevere when facing trauma. It offers particular insight into the spiritual experiences of children who have been hurt by life through chronic illness, disability, abuse, or disasters, with resources for healing and hope.

Many children today are growing up in the midst of adversity, whether brought on by family difficulties or larger societal crises. All children need to be able to deal with stress, cope with challenges, and persevere through disappointments. While we cannot protect children from all hardships, we...

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Ratings and reviews

1 review

Spencer Robinson

July 22, 2025

Holly Allen’s Forming Resilient Children blends theology, psychology, and practical insight to show how children’s spirituality fuels resilience. She highlights the role of families, churches, and intergenerational communities in forming whole, hopeful kids. Though broader in scope than Instagram tips, Allen’s research-based guidance equips caregivers to nurture resilient faith in children through intentional, relational presence.

About the author

Holly Catterton Allen (PhD, Talbot) served as professor of Christian ministries and family science at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. She was the founding director of InterGenerate, an international biennial conference for those who are passionate about intergenerational ministry. She is the author of Forming Resilient Children.

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