Beginning in 1954, in Rome, Italy, Sofia Cavalletti (a Hebrew scholar) and her collaborator,Gianna Gobbi (a Montessori guide), developed an approach which not only appealed to the profound religious intuition of
children, but which evolved from the children themselves.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is held in a room called the atrium.  This environment is carefully prepared to be a calm and inviting place for children.  The adult CGS catechist will present aspects of Bible and Liturgy to the children each week; then the children will be able to choose and use the materials in the atrium that will help them grow in their love relationship with God.

Materials used in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd have been designed over the last 50+ years to meet the developmental needs of the young child.  These materials are based on the Montessori method of education, a method that addresses the needs of the whole child: body, mind and spirit.  Also, children are divided into groups according to their developmental needs.  Level I for 3-6 year olds; Level II for 6-9 year olds, and Level III for 9-12 year olds.

The National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was formed in 1984 in North America with its main aim being that of “involving adults and children in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood are predominate.”

For more information, go to: www.cgsusa.org

To compare traditional educational methods to Montessori educational methods, go to:

http://www.montessori-namta.org/A-Paradigm-Shift

For an introduction to the Montessori Method of Education, go to:

http://www.montessori-namta.org/About-Montessori

For reading material about the Montessori Method, go to:

http://www.montessori-namta.org/Introductory-Book-List