Mrs. Kosco's Atrium Web Page

September 27, 2011

The "Atrium" is open.  The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children.  It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy for the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori.  Children gather in the "atrium," a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use. 

You may be wondering how these materials help the religious life of a child.  If an adult hears a beautiful passage from the Bible, the adult might take a Bible, find the passage, and read it slowly again and again.  He or she may think deeply about the words and perhaps speak to God in a thankful or hopeful prayer.  But a little child, too young to read, needs another way.  In an atrium the child can ponder a biblical passage or a prayer from the liturgy by taking the materials for that text and working with it - placing wood figures of sheep in a sheepfold of the Good Shepherd, setting sculpted apostles around a Last Supper table, or preparing a small altar with the furnishings used for the Eucharist.  Older children who do read often copy parables from the Bible, lay in order written prayers from the rite of baptism, or label a long time line showing the history of the kingdom of God.

Sophia Cavalletti, the founder of this program, defines the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as the ABC's of Christianity.

I have had the 3 levels of training (3 to 6 yr. olds, 6 to 9 yr olds, and 9 to 12 yr olds) therefore, I will be sharing the atrium with your child.  If you have any questions I will be at school on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 5:00.  You may see me before or after school.

If you would like to share your time and talent in making materials (sewing, woodworking, decorative painting, calligraphy, cutting) please call me or e-mail me.  These can be made at home.

Thank you and God bless!

Mrs. Dolores Kosco