New Resource: A Theology Of Children

Barnardos And Plunket Launch New Resource: A Theology Of Children

Barnardos New Zealand and Plunket are proud to be jointly launching a new publication, A Theology of Children.

The 24-page booklet, which has a foreword by Wellington’s Bishop Richard Randerson, is aimed at supporting and strengthening Pacific parents, grandparents, and caregivers with strategies for non-physical discipline of children within a theological context. Dr Elizabeth Clements penned the summary.

“A Theology of Children was produced with the support of the Ministry of Social Development initiative SKIP (Strategies with Kids/ Information for Parents)”, says Murray Edridge, Chief Executive of Barnardos New Zealand.

A Theology of Children is written by Reverend Nove Vailaau, who is very passionate about clarifying the issue of physical discipline in Christian theology, and is particularly aimed at Pacific peoples throughout New Zealand.

“We are very pleased with this wonderful piece of work, as it informs parents, grandparents, caregivers and educators, as well as church leaders in the way they interact with, and relate to, children”, adds Mr Murray.

”The strength of A Theology of Children comes from its acknowledgement of the historical and current place of churches within Pacific communities”, says Plunket CEO Jenny Prince.

“This new resource also provides an opportunity for discussion about parenting practices in Pacific communities and within New Zealand in general.”

A Theology of Children aims to help guide parents and caregivers through the six principles of effective discipline: love and warmth, talking and listening, guidance and understanding, limits and boundaries, consistency and consequences, and a structured and secure world.

The launch will be on Tuesday, 17 November 2009, at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Auditorium, 3 Heriot Drive, Todd Park, Porirua, and will begin with a Pōwhiri and morning tea from 9.40 – 10.45am. The launch starts at 11am and closes with lunch.

Media are invited to attend the launch.

ENDS

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