LEVEL 1 ATRIUM
Join in the Wonder of the 3-6-Year-Old Child
CONTEMPLATION AND ENJOYMENT OF GOD
The 3-6-year-old child is particularly capable of receiving and enjoying the most essential elements of our faith—the announcement of God’s love especially experienced through Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who died and is risen. Materials on the life of Jesus Christ and his teachings help to make the mystery of God concrete for the child. The heart of the catechesis for children under six revolves around the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus announces that he is the Good Shepherd who calls each one by name. The sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and follow him.
The 3-6 year old child enters the mystery of the Eucharist by first learning the names of the articles used on the altar and then through the most important gestures including the preparation of the chalice, the epiclesis and offering, and the sign of peace. Through the experience of seeing these gestures, presented one by one, the Mass emerges as the Sacrament of the Gift. The child becomes acquainted with the historical character of the liturgy through the events of the Last Supper, Christ’s death, and His resurrection.
We believe that God and the child have a unique relationship with one another, particularly before the age of six; that growth of this relationship should be assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God; that children need their own place to foster the growth of that relationship; and that the child’s spiritual growth is best served through tangible but indirect means.
He walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. John 10:4
PHOTO GALLERY
THE ATRIUM
The atrium (or prepared environment) is one of the important elements that helps the relationship between God and the child to flourish. After a theme has been presented, the child is free to choose an activity that will make possible the inner dialogue with the “Interior Teacher.” How does the atrium help to nourish this relationship?
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The atrium can be compared to a retreat house facilitating recollection and silence.
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The atrium is a place for religious life, community, and worship—not a classroom for instruction.
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The atrium is a place of meaningful work through which the child can have a conversation with God.
THE MATERIALS
The materials in the atrium are often three-dimensional wood representations of a particular scripture or are items that represent what can be found in Baptism or Eucharist. They are attractively displayed and invite the children to explore and deepen their experience of the presentation at their own rhythm. The most important characteristic of the materials is their close link to the biblical and liturgical sources. The shelves might include maps of Israel and miniature environments representing the elements of the parables or the historical events from the infancy or paschal narratives that have been shown to satisfy the spiritual needs of the child. The model altar and its articles convey the centrality of the Eucharist. The Baptismal font and other liturgical items initiate the child into the liturgical life of the church.
THE ADULT
The catechist’s role is to prepare the environment and to give selected presentations from scripture and liturgy that “call forth” the child’s response rather than “pour in” information. The catechist listens with the child and together they ask, “God, who are you? How do you love us?” The adult reflects with the child on the questions generated by the presentations with the materials offered to the child to aid the child’s reflection.
The attitude of the adult has to be marked by humility before the capacities of the child..establishing a right rapport with the child, that is to say, respecting the personality of the child, and waiting for the child to reveal themselves.
The tasks of the catechist include:
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going deeper into the Christian message through the knowledge of the biblical and liturgical sources and of the ongoing living tradition of the church;
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preparing an environment and maintaining order in that environment (the atrium) so that it fosters concentration, silence, and contemplation in both the child and adult;
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preparing the materials oneself as much as possible while collaborating with others in areas that are beyond one’s abilities.
QUESTIONS?
For questions and registration information or if you are interested in becoming an assistant or a fully trained catechist, please contact Ticia Gallo at 850-585-2482 or ticia@saintritaparish.org.
Click on the brochure icon to download a printable version of our CGS brochure to learn more.