What is an Atrium?
The atrium (or prepared environment) is one of the important elements that help 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 the inner dialogue with the Holy Spirit possible.
What are 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 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 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 older child will dive deeply into scripture and using typology will begin to discover where our liturgy comes from and how we live the Sacred Scriptures within the Liturgical life of the Church.
Is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd new to the school?
St. Timothy school is a center for learning, where children come to be formed. Montessori tells us that the child’s relationship to his or her environment is different than an adult, the child absorbs their environment. What the child sees becomes a part of him, not just a memory, but forms part of his or her soul. The spiritual formation of the children, the educators, and the family is a priority for our school. By establishing Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at St. Timothy’s school from its inception it has been a gift for the entire school community. The spirituality that is nourished in the Atrium environment has permeated the entire school community and assisted the families in living their faith more authentically at home.