The Religious Potential of the Child: Experiencing Scripture and Liturgy With Young Children

by Sofia Cavalletti

This classic book describes an experience with children from ages three to six, an experience of adults and children dwelling together in the mystery of God. Known as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, this way of religious formation is profoundly biblical and sacramental, and it is, at the same time, deeply respectful of the nature of young children, who make their way to God in freedom and joy.'The Religious Potential of the Child' is not a 'how-to' book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent 'Help me come closer to God by myself.' Here we can see the child's spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information.

Genres: Parenting, Education, Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction, Theology, Spirituality

256 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 1992

Reviews

[Mara Cortona]

I read this book for my Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training. It totally just crushes the simplistic scholasticized Sunday School fluff, instead proposing an approach to catechesis that is carefully considerate of the child's development, respectful to his/her needs, historically accurate and deeply essential (not cartoonish or oversimplified), designed to aid the child in his/her natural inclination to draw close to Jesus in the ways Sofia Cavalletti and Maria Montessori found most effective in their scientific observation of children spanning many decades in cultures all over the world. CGS is revolutionizing the catechesis of young children in the Catholic church and nearly every other denomination. One of my favorite parts of this book were where Cavalletti talked about how the catechist is merely a guide, and needs to be so careful to step aside, facilitating a relationship with Christ but not intervening, letting Christ speak to the child in His own words. Another was where she explained the incredible importance of reaching the child during early childhood - between the ages of 3 and 6, during the prescholastic time when he or she is "free from any preoccupation and open to the encounter with God and to the enjoyment he derives from it" (Cavalletti 155). During the plane of childhood spanning from 6 to 12, the child is in a sensitive period for morality and right/wrong, and if introduced to God then may come away seeing him as a judge overly preoccupied with sin and proper behavior. Finally, I enjoyed the careful sensitivity to observing and recognizing the particular face of God the child needs at this specific point in his or her development, and balancing that with a staunch emphasis on not censoring, modifying, or watering down essential realities or the Word of God.

[Katherine Prezioso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed. Aspects of this were fantastic, some so great, so obvious, they almost went without saying. And some I wasn't so sure made sense. 


Notes:


Good things:

Christocentric (missing trinitarocebtric tho)

Attentive to chid

Give them direct access to Scripture, not paraphrased 


This is excellent: 

"The meditation that follows the reading of the biblical text is an opportunity for both the catechist and the children to reconsider and continue to savor the text with love and increasing wonder at its inex- haustible richness. With this aim in mind, the catechist poses a few, carefully chosen meditative questions. What is critical to understand is that these questions are not of a scholastic nature; they are not in search of a right answer; rather they serve only to open our hearts and minds to what we hope will be a lifetime of progressive discovery and enjoy- ment of the parable's riches." Pg 37


Connecting all material back to the parable of the Good Shepherd-- all points of doctrine to relate back to the Paschal Mystery and Christ's love for us


Love this about prayer:

"If this is the situation of the child's prayer, what then can the adult do? It is clear that we intend to speak about education to prayer and not to prayers. In teaching prayers, often we do not initiate children into prayer, that certain interior agility by which the heart turns to God to listen and respond to Him. Prayer is the most personal and jealous expression of the relationship with God; no one can really teach another to pray. Much less here than for the other points set forth in this book do we intend to give exact indications that are to be followed to the letter. In this sphere, even more than in the other areas we have been speaking about, the cat- echist should call forth all his respect for the mystery and for the child, and for all the child's sensitivity and creativity.


In our consideration, what the adult can do is to establish the premises that will help prayer to arise. Such premises should be as indi- rect in character as possible, so as to allow the greatest space for the child's personal response." Pg 97


Giving words to build children's prayer, such as titles of Jesus 

Silence as aid to prayer, but as interior silence, a help to meditative spirit, not imposed on the child

Feeding child's wonder, especially through parable that contrast the small and great, the great that comes from the small (the mustard seed, etc) 

If a relationship with God is nurtured early on, then when it comes time that the child is able to make moral decisions, those are rooted in a foundation of love of God


If introducing Christ's death, always linking it to the Resurrection 


Don't agree: 

General Montessori principles are too complicated. We can't possibly need all these incredibly specific things to pass on the Faith

In my opinion, it overcomplicates how we can explain Mass to children

I don't know how I feel about minimizibg the sacrificial aspect of the Mass until children are older and focusing solely on Mass as a gift; that God offers to us and we give back to Him. 

Skipping the Passion and death for young children?



Summation: 


"The subjects to which the children have always responded in the same manner are:


1. The Good Shepherd parable received by the younger children primarily as the expression of God's personal and total love.


As we have said this aspect is gradually integrated with other aspects of God's love as the child passes from childhood, through adolescence, to the age of maturity.


2. The Paschal mystery presented through the darkness-light contrast, and thus Baptism as the means by which this light of the resurrection is transmitted to us, that is, as the partic- ipation in the light-life of the risen Christ.


3. The Eucharist as linked to the Good Shepherd parable, and presented as the "sacrament of the gift" of His presence in our life and most particularly in the Mass.


4. The parables of the kingdom that present it as a mysterious and powerful reality that is realized in the passage from the small to the great and in its inestimable beauty and value."

[Mariclare Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essential. Even if you don't have kids.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspirational, full of heartwarming anecdotes and some philosophy, short on practical advice for getting started, and, I suspect, rather a product of its age. I would be interested to see a study of the rate at which children raised with Catechesis of the Good Shepherd leave the faith, compared to contemporaries with either no catechesis, or traditional catechism.

[Stephanie Fries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've found that many liturgical living or homeschool resources are a great fit for families with little kids AND big kids. How do I cultivate a spiritual life when my children are all little? This book begins to answer these questions through the understanding of the young child. Whether applying Montessori and CGS principles in an atrium or home, there is so much wisdom to contemplate in the pages of this book.

[Risa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful ministry I hope to serve in one day.

[Alison Ramento · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children have access to many modes of stimulus with little time to slow down and reflect. The Catechesis of the Good Shepard (CSG) is heavily based on the Montessori Method which engages children in experiencing their relationship with the Holy Trinity. The lessons are very purposeful and intentional to relate Parables to Mass and unveiling the mysteries of the signs. One of the most powerful messages is for adults (catechist) to act as servants to God through listening to children and allowing children to experience what they saw through meditation and discussions. In education we go from concrete to abstract but CGS goes from abstract to concrete. I would recommend this book to those who are interested in the Montessori Method and applying them to their daily lives.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book presented ideas about how to build the religiosity within children, under the umbrella of Catholicism. Because I did not grow up under that faith, some terms were unfamiliar, but the author defined them. In regards to working with young children, I appreciate that the author recognized that children are capable of grasping complexity, rather than needing to utilize 'baby talk,' or speak in vague terms. In addition, when it comes to working with teens, I liked how the author understood their developmental stage and what is important to them. Too often, I feel that religious books deny their sexual discovery. This book had good ideas that can be used in other faiths.

[Meg Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sofia Cavaletti is a genius, this book inspired my own faith and also provided a solid foundation on how to explain the faith to young children. In her own words:

“Today we try to be so attentive to, so respectful of, the child's needs; how serious it would be then to stop at the threshold of the child's deepest exigence: the opening to the transcendent…The "metaphysical" child, the "essential" child, will find the full realization of himself only in the world of the transcendent, a world in which he has shown he moves completely at his ease.”

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book! Really explains how to immerse children within their religious potential. This will be great information as we delve into Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I look forward to utilizing this resource in the future.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has indelibly changed my perspective on teaching religious education and added a new depth and beauty to my own faith. Too beautiful to put into words, but I’m so grateful for it. I will use as both a mom of 3-6 year olds, and as a catechist.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was really hard to stick with this book. The author seemed to write for professional educators and much of it went over my head.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an easy read, but thought provoking. Read in preparation for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd training.

[Susana Monedero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro fundamental para todos aquellos que deseen profundizar en la catequesis del buen pastor, en la educación religiosa del niño desde la perspectiva Montessoriana.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foundational for understanding the purpose and progress of Christian catechesis for the youngest children. A rich study of and meditation upon the capacity of a child's faith.

[Haley Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a skimming book. Aspects were great and super helpful.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It confirmed a lot of what I have experienced with young children and their grasp of faith. The illustrations done by the children are wonderful. My only complaint is that it didn't give enough of the nuts and bolts, but that is probably because I always want more details. I highlighted a lot and will go back often, I am sure. I appreciated how she emphasized Christ, not just a vague concept of "God." Definitely a keeper.

[TKT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book but you need to be in study mode

[David Tristianto]

i want to read the religious potential of child. would you help me?