Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The young child is in a sensitive period for developing relationships, first with parents and continuing to other family members, neighbors, and friends. The young child is also in a sensitive period for developing a relationship with God. It is during the period from birth to age six when the child most easily establishes a loving relationship with God. When the child, who has a great capacity for love, meets God, who is love, the child experiences unconditional love, peace, and great joy.
Our school utilizes the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program to meet the spiritual needs of the young child who asks, "Help me come closer to God, by myself." (Cavalletti, Religious Potential of the Child) Developed by Dr. Sofia Cavalletti in Rome beginning in the 1950's, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program contains concrete materials to help the child develop a loving relationship with God through Christ, the Good Shepherd. The children receive presentations on the catechesis materials approximately once per week in a small group or individual format. Each child is then free to work with the materials just as they would in the other areas of the environment. Group celebrations at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter celebrate God's love expressed through time and history and present for us today.
For more information on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program click on the "Resources" tab and go to web link section.