Early Childhood Religious Education (0-5) and Later Faith Retention

Executive summary

Research in developmental psychology and religious education consistently indicates that a child's spiritual foundation and worldview forms substantially within the first six years of life. Children aged 2-5 already exhibit morally-based behaviours shaped by their environment, and faith-based early childhood settings produce measurable advantages in social-emotional skills, academic readiness (approximately 12 months ahead), and behavioural outcomes. A 2025 Pew Research study found that 69% of U...