The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is an approach to the religious formation of children, aged 3-12. The catechesis is based on the belief that the child and God are in relationship and that the child has a deep need to experience and a unique capacity to enjoy the presence of God. Utilizing principles of Montessori education, children are able to intimately experience God at their level. These principles direct that all items are age appropriate to the children who will utilize the space, as well as allowing for the children to have the freedom, within limits, to explore the materials in their own way. The child’s relationship with God is cultivated in the “Atrium”, a special room for the nurturing, development and preparation of children to experience full participation in the life of the church. The Atrium is a place in which every object is a help to knowing God. It is a place to gather in community, for work and prayer.
The core curriculum for CGS has been constructed to accommodate and nurture the faith, moral, and psychological states of a child’s growth. The program originated in Rome in 1954, started by Sofia Cavalletti, a biblical scholar. The curriculum is a direct result of her observation and study of what children responded to at certain ages, regardless of their cultural background. All of the materials used in the Atrium respond to a specific need of the child. Thus, children are grouped together in different age levels. The Level I child is age 3-6. The Level II child is age 6-9. The Level III child is age 9-12.
The curriculum is separated into the following areas:
- Covenant
- Christology
- Liturgy
- Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist
The atrium room is set up in centers, areas where related materials are grouped together. The catechist provides presentations to the children on a particular work, providing them with the tools they need to explore independently. Children are taught to walk slowly and speak softly, so that even though they are active and engaged, a peaceful silence fills the Atrium.
Additional information or reading resources on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd can be found at www.cgsusa.org.
