幼兒的上帝概念之研究--以一所基督教教會附設幼稚園的大班幼兒為例

Young Children's Concept of God--Taking A Christian Church Affiliated Kindergarteners as an Example

蕭志真(Hsiao Chih-Jen)

指導教授 ： 黃迺毓

國立臺灣師範大學/教育學院/人類發展與家庭學系在職進修碩士班/碩士(2003年)

摘要

本研究的目的在於探討幼兒的上帝概念及探討信仰教育的實施對幼兒上帝概念的影響為何。主要透過質性研究、半結構訪談的方式來進行。研究的現場是一所基督教教會附設的幼稚園。這所幼稚園的課程安排包含了基督教信仰教育（主要是福音課程）。研究對象從四個大班選取男女各15名幼兒，共30名。其中有基督教信仰家庭為11人，沒有基督教信仰家庭為19人。利用一對一的訪談，觀察並記錄下幼兒的反應再加以分析。本研究的發現如下：
一、幼兒的上帝概念，來源是教會、家庭與幼稚園。
二、幼兒描述上帝的長相時，根據所認識的耶穌有具像的描繪，但幼兒又認為上帝在天上，所以看不到祂。上帝的朋友是人類和耶穌的學生。幼兒回答上帝的家庭出現各種答案，包括：耶穌、天父、馬利亞、約瑟、天使、人類。
三、幼兒心中上帝的能力包括創造、醫治、主耶穌復活的大能及趕走小黑黑。上帝的無所不能與無所不在是幼兒現階段無法全部瞭解之處。
四、幼兒相信上帝是真實的，是會生氣也會高興，對於好的事情上帝會喜歡。並且幼兒認為上帝愛他。
五、透過禱告，幼兒能感受到上帝，在生活中也能經歷到上帝的幫助與保護。
六、男孩、女孩對上帝的認識是類似的，但在感受與表達上是有差異的。
七、有基督教信仰背景的家庭與沒有基督教信仰背景的幼兒一開始對上帝的認識是沒有差異的，但在回答較深入的問題時，可以發現仍有所差異。
八、幼兒所接觸的環境（幼稚園、家庭、教會）與幼兒相處的人（父母、老師、同儕、手足）都可影響到他的上帝概念。
最後綜合研究發現，研究者針對幾項要點提出討論，並根據研究結果、參考文獻資料及個人研究心得，提出研究建議，以為本研究之相關人物：家長、老師、教育當局做推行生命教育之參考。
關鍵字：幼兒，上帝概念，基督教，生命教育，信仰教育，靈性教育。

關鍵字

幼兒 ； 上帝概念 ； 基督教 ； 生命教育 ； 信仰教育 ； 靈性教育

並列摘要

The purpose of this study was to explore young children’s concept of God, and the influence of the practice of religion education on their conception of God. The study was mainly conducted through the method of qualitative research with semi-structured interviews. The study was done in a Christian Church affiliated kindergarten. The curriculum includes education on the Christian religion (mainly gospel lessons). The study sampled 15 male and 15 female children. 11 of them were from Christian families, the other 19 were from non-Christian families. After one-on-one interviews, the children’s response and reaction were observed, marked, and then analyzed. This study had made the following findings:
1. The concept of God of these children came from the church, family, and kindergarten.
2. When the children described the appearance of God, they could make concrete descriptions about Jesus based on their knowledge. However, the children also thought that God was in Heavens and could not be seen. The friends of God were the mankind and the disciples of Jesus. There were various responses when the children are asked about God’s family members. The answers included Jesus, Heavenly Father, Maria, Joseph, the Angels and the mankind.
3. In the minds of these children, the abilities of God included the power of creation, healing, resurrection, and driving away the “dark forces”. The omniscient and omnipresent power of God was what the children at this age could not fully understand.
4. The children believed that God was real and got angry or happy. God would like good things. And the children thought that God loves them.
5. The children could feel God through prayers. And they experienced God’s help and protection in daily lives.
6. The boys and girls had similar knowledge of God. But they differed in feelings and expression.
7. Whether from Christian families or not, the children’s initial knowledge of God did not show differences. But differences can be found when the children were asked deeper questions.
8. The environment where the children were in (the kindergarten, family, church), and the people around the children (parents, teachers, friends, brothers and sisters) had influences on their conception of God.
Finally, based upon the study findings, the researcher proposed a few points for discussion. And drawing on the study results, references and personal observations, the researcher also gave suggestions on the practice of life education for the reference of relevant parties of this study --- parents, teachers, and the educational authorities.
Key words: Young Children, Concept of God, Christian, Life Education, Religion Education, Spiritual Education.

並列關鍵字

Young Children ； Concept of God ； Christian ； Life Education ； Religion Education ； Spiritual Education

參考文獻

黃德祥（1994）。青少年發展與輔導。台北市：五南。

Fowler, J. W (1981) Stage of faith: the psychology of human development and the quest for meaning.

Ludwig, D. L., Weber, T, & Iben, D. (1974). Letters to God: A study of children's religious concepts. Journal of psychology and theology, 2, 31-35.

Nye, W. C.＆Carlson, J. S. (1984) The Development of the concept of God in children. The journal of genetic psychology, Volume145, First Half, September 1984

Ratcliff, D. (1988) The religious concepts of preschoolers.In Handbook of religious education.