SYMBOL W WYCHOWANIU RELIGIJNYM DZIECKA PRZEDSZKOLNEGO
Symbol in religious early-childhood education

Summary/Abstract: The symbol is an educational tool which broadens the cognitive emotional and spiritual sphere of man's life and builds the bridge linking the unconscious with the conscious, what is known with what is unknown, what is recognized with what id doubted. Therefore, it contributes to the growth of awareness and emotional maturity. It also draws attention to what is inaccessible for direct cognition - to mystery and transcendence. Among various kinds of symbols the religious symbol can be distinguished. The specific features of the religious symbol make it the structure mediating between man and God. This is possible due to the fact that the religious symbol discovers and demonstrates the diversity of transcendebtal reality as well as making it more tangible. It expresses man's expereiences and feelings and is able to break through indefference and stimulate religious commitment. This paper discusses the role played by the symbol in the religious education of the child. The issue of the religious symbol is analyzed with reference to antural processes and mechanisms inherent in the child's development. Therefore, the emphasis i put on the significance of the development of the symbolic function and on the symbolic bases of animization and anthropomorphization. The role of two crucial symbols - light and darkness - for religious education is also presented. The implications for religious education are suggested.

• Details
• Contents