Children participate actively in discussion, by sharing and also by questioning.” They train their senses to reason and construct their own philosophies. Children learn through stories and symbols as they explore the different stations. Other resources, such as hand-written prayer cards, cushions, flowers, crayons, colours, rulers and scissors are also available for the children. Resources include models of Biblical figures and of the city of Jerusalem and items used in the church like the altar and vestments. Christina says that “The Atrium is a place of prayer, work and study for the children. The children are given some activities to do at each station. Instead, the room is divided into different stations. The Good Shepherd Catechesis doesn’t take place in a normal class with students on long benches or big chairs listening to the teacher. Photo: Christina Gatt The Child In Class – “The Hands Are A Pathway To The Brain” The Good Shepherd Catechesis is like an add-on to what Maria Montessori had already created in education.” Catechist Christina Manara. It is built on research, and tried and tested in practice. The Good Shepherd Catechesis is strongly based on the Bible and the liturgy, framed by the Montessori principles of education. I pursued the method because I realised that it was an amazing way to reach children. Sofia Cavalletti once said “The child, whom God is searching for, is asking us without words “Help me to come close to God by myself”.Ĭhristina starts by recounting how she got to teach with this method: “I fell in love with this catechism programme after I heard nuggets of information about it. Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori trained educator. It was not Maria but two of her followers, who started the Good Shepherd Catechism –Dr Sofia Cavalletti, a Biblical Scholar, and Prof. Maria Montessori recognised the child’s need for independence in discovering his/her own capabilities when she overheard a young child saying, “Help me do it by myself”. The Good Shepherd Catechesis is grounded in the renowned Maria Montessori’s way of teaching. She explains why (Montessori) children educated in the Montessori way enjoy their catechism classes so much. Good Shepherd catechist and Montessori teacher Christina Manara from Malta, shares her experience as a Catholic Good Shepherd Catechist which she has been doing since 2015. This process helps children to develop an authentic prayerful relationship with God who loves them, through the use of sensorially rich materials. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, also known as the Montessori Catechesis, is an educational process of religious formation for children aged 3 to 12 years.
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