Katherine talks about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd sessions.

Tell me a bit about your experience with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

I was living in Sydney. I was a nanny at the time, and became interested in Montessori because the child I was looking after went to a Montessori Preschool. A mum I knew from church was a catechist, and when she heard I was interested in Montessori she told me about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and invited me to observe a session. So nine years ago, I went along, and I was really taken by the peacefulness of the environment, the very natural materials, the independence of the children and just the respect that was shown to these young children. Two weeks later I signed up for a catechists’ course and started training.

What ages is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for?

Level 1 is for ages 3-6, level 2 is for ages 6-9, and level 3 is for ages 9 to 12. The kids move up when they’re ready, and there’s a bit of flexibility.

What’s different about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

The Montessori method, which underpins Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, is a teaching and learning style. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is based on the Montessori understanding of the developmental stages of children and their needs, and uses a lot of physical and natural materials.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is really about facilitating an environment where a child can build their relationship with Christ. We’re supporting the family, not trying to teach every aspect of the faith.

What does a typical session look like?

The children come for a two hour session every week during the school term.

The children arrive, and we usually begin by presenting a new work to groups of children, or one on one depending on their need and developmental stage. Some children may go and choose their own work and be presented to later in the session. We don’t use the term play in a Montessori environment, we talk about work. Majority of the time is then spent by the children choosing their own works from the works they’ve been presented. At the end of the session we come together for a short time of communal prayer.

An example of a scripture work is the parable of the Good Shepherd. When we present from the Bible, we don’t change the language, we read it as it is and then act out the parable with a little wooden shepherd, wooden sheep, and little wooden sheepfold. We then break open the scripture using pondering questions. If the children don’t respond we don’t give them all the answers. We ponder it together, and accept that, over time, we’re going to go deeper and deeper in our understanding.

When they’re 3 we don’t expect them to understand everything about the Good Shepherd parable and we don’t read every verse of the parable to them. Their understanding builds from working with the materials themselves while having the parable read to them. We keep revisiting it and introduce different aspects of it until they’re like 9.

What’s your favorite thing about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

It’s probably the joy that I see in the children when they’re immersed in what they’re doing. I don’t know what the Holy Spirit’s doing in their hearts, I only get glimpses through their artworks, or through little things they say, or their demeanor. It’s probably those glimpses I get that make me realize it’s worthwhile.

What’s your advice to parents on teaching their kids about the Faith?

Do some age-appropriate things. A 3-6 year-old absorbs and learns through touching and moving, and physical interactions. So having some things that they can touch and tangibly feel, like acting out a Bible story with figures while you read it, is really helpful.

Have a prayer table in the family home, and rather than it being static, allow the children to set it up for communal prayer time with items appropriate to the liturgical season. You could have different liturgical coloured table cloths, a variety of statues or Holy cards to choose from etc. Involve the child; even if they’re 3, they can choose a song.

Focus on the child’s relationship with Christ.

For more information about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd see www.cgsusa.org, or contact Katherine Pawson at chch.childrens.atrium@gmail.com .