Eleventh International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Play is learning in action, and essential for human growth and development. Play builds social, cognitive, and affective resources that are likely to last beyond the moments of action, and yet scientific investigations of play in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and connection to spiritual development needs increased attention. This study calls attention to the importance of breaking down the disciplinary silos of theology and neuroscience to enhance the understanding of spiritual experience and social play in this child population, a group of young people and families in need of adaptive coping and access to religious communities. Applying findings from brain science and theology, the lines of this research serve as a call to broaden our theoretical and methodological toolboxes for measurement of spiritual development by investigating the following four questions: (1) What are the Church leaders’ expectations of play across development? (2) How can neuroscience research help parents and Church leaders understand the significance of play and relationship to social, emotional and cognitive growth important for the building of connection to God? Specific avenues and concrete resources for theology and neuroscience scholars to work together fruitfully is also elucidated at various places throughout the paper.