in reading the links given in previous post i have found some interesting articals on childrens place in the church

in this artical we have this..

Rediscovering the Dignity and Complexity of Children: Resources from the Christian Tradition
by Macia J. Bunge

"4) Fully Human and Made in the Image of God
[32] Fourth, although children are developing, they are, at the same time, whole and complete human beings made in the image of God. Thus, they are worthy of dignity and respect. The basis of this claim is Genesis 1:27, which states that God made humankind in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Thus, all children, regardless of race, gender, or class, are fully human and worthy of respect. Although children are developing, they are, at the same time, whole and complete human beings.

[33] This theme has often been neglected in the Christian tradition, and we find in the tradition the language of children as “almost human” or “beasts” or “on their way to becoming human.” But there are some theologians who have emphasized the full humanity of children, such as the 20th century Catholic theologian, Karl Rahner. In contrast to those who claim that children are not quite fully human or are beings “on the way” toward humanity, Rahner asserts that children have the value and dignity in their own right and are fully human from the beginning. Thus, he believes that we are to respect children from the start. We need to see them as a “sacred trust” to be nurtured and protected at every stage of their existence."

Heart of a Child

by Linda Lee Nelson

here i found this ...
"two additional studies on theologians who, although they hold quite pessimistic views on the nature of children, do not endorse physical discipline: the Reformer John Calvin and the 18th-century American Calvinist Jonathan Edwards. Barbara Pitkin writes that "Calvin himself appears not to have advocated the use of physical force in response to sin in children; though he recognized the need for parental discipline, his explicit remedies were baptism and education (albeit strict and structural) into faith and morality.""

" Discipline is not about punishment but about promoting an orderly life. . . But to exact compliance through fear of punishment only nurtures the lower self-consciousness, which naturally seeks to avoid painful experiences. Parents ought to instill in their children a love for the good, irrespective of rewards and punishments."