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 NZ.

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 NZ.

 “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 Edridge.

“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 NZ 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.