Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
....a Montessori approach to religious education
Maria Montessori made the child her object of study and discovered the various planes of development from birth to adulthood. With each period, the child grows and changes, experiencing sensitive periods in which learning can occur naturally and almost effortlessly.
Sofia Cavalletti entered the realm of religious instruction of children quite by accident. In 1954, she was living and working in the academic world, a scholar of Hebrew and Scripture. A young mother wanted religious instruction for her son and persisted until Sofia relented. It was an experience that changed the course of the rest of her life.
From these two women who never met in life, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd began. The curriculum is divided into three levels. Throughout the different levels, themes and presentations increase in detail and sophistication as the child matures.
The Atrium of the Good Shepherd for ages 3 to 6
The 3- to 6-year-old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith: the announcement of God's love in the person of the Good Shepherd who died and has risen. Our purpose is to help the young child develop his relationship with Jesus Christ through a wide range of interactive materials. They meet Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
The Atrium of the True Vine for ages 6 to 9
The imagination of the older child and the concept of time are powerful stimuli to explore the past and the future. They explore the history of salvation from the redemption to the return of Jesus and the many gifts from God, especially that of his son, Jesus Christ.
The Atrium of the Parousia for ages 9 to 12
To find their place in God's kingdom and the world, children of this age seek to understand the plan of God in history by studying civilizations who have come before and by studying Old Testament and New Testament scripture and prophesies. The emphasis is on the unfolding generosity of God and the responsibilities that come with receiving God's great gifts.
We are the place for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in Charleston! For more information on visiting the atria, please contact the church office by phone (843.722.2024) or the Director of Christian Education by e-mail (Scarlett@holycomm.org).
