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This is a collection of the experiences of catechists and how they have found their own individual ways to make their religion programs work. ... Read more

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The definitive resource for children's ministry leaders and home schoolers. Expected to become the textbook and reference guide for Christian educators, this handbook outlines development stages, curriculum, activities, and goals for specific age groups from birth to age 12. Includes sample job desriptions, budgets, program proposals, and supplemental resource information. ... Read more

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This 6" by 9" paperback, with larger than average print, and with 206 pages,shows teachers how to teach by utilizing Jesus' own teaching principles, and by using parables, maxims, stories and visual aids, also by using experiences, etc. Really an interesting book, with nine Chapters. ... Read more

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(1) Peanut butter. (2) Jelly. (3) Bread.It takes all three to make a PB&J sandwich.

(1) An understanding of childhood development. (2) Years of classroom experience. (3) A firm grasp of Catholic doctrine. It takes all three to make a solid, practical resource for parents, teachers, and directors of religious education.

That vital combination is what makes the writing of authors Ana Arista White and Joseph D. White, Ph.D., distinct. That "complete recipe" is what makes their Teach It, Early Childhood, and its hands-on approach to learning, the hands-down favorite in parishes and dioceses nationwide.

Written and designed specifically for volunteer catechists teaching 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds, here are both an examination and explanation of the six tasks outlined in the Vatican’s General Directory for Catechesis: doctrine, liturgy, moral decision-making, prayer, community life, and mission.

Teach It, Early Childhood includes:

Know-It pages providing the catechist with an adult-level overview of the topic and information on how developmental factors will affect the children’s understanding of that subject.

Teach-It pages discussing specific techniques for getting the material across to the children. (Many active-learning lessons are suggested, such as games, crafts, songs, and a variety of prayer experiences.)

Share-It reproducible pages (in Spanish and English) giving parents additional background on the topic and suggestions for activities and discussions that will reinforce the material at home. Teach It, Early Childhood: The one resourcethat meets so many classroom needs. ... Read more

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Only Guy P. Leavitt could have written TEACH WITH SUCCESS. Other men are successful Christian journalists. Other men are dedicated leaders in the Sunday School movement. Other men possess enthusiastic, outgoing personalities that are capable of generating enthusiasm in others. But unique is the man who possesses all of these qualities; and who after distilling them through an experience-packed lifetime, pours the essence into such an easy-reading,action-inspiring volume. Guy P. Leavitt was that man. ... Read more

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How do children experience and understand God? How can adults help children grow their life of faith? Throughout more than a decade of field research, children's spirituality experts Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May listened to children talk about their relationships with God, observed children and their parents in learning and worship settings, and interviewed adults about their childhood faith experiences. This accessibly written book weaves together their findings to offer a glimpse of the spiritual responsiveness and potential of children. Through case studies, it provides insight into children's perceptions of God and how they process their faith. In addition, the book suggests how parents, teachers, and ministry leaders can more effectively relate to and work with children and pre-adolescents to nurture their faith, offering a helpful picture of adults and children on the spiritual journey together. The book also includes color illustrations created by some of the children the authors observed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Learning from the Children
This review originally appeared on the Englewood Review of Books and my blog, Jacob's Café, and was made possible by a complimentary copy from the publisher.

As a child psychologist with a particular passion and speciality in spirituality, particularly spiritual formation, I was very excited to review Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May's Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey. This book discusses the results from multiple projects exploring childhood Christian spirituality. Before thinking it may be boring, allow me to assure you that it's not. While it could definitely be used in an academic setting (the publishing house emphasizes that), it really is meant for laity, not academics.

I recently began a spirituality group as part of my organization's child partial hospitalization program for psychiatric problems. This book was helpful in developing some activities to initiate discussion on spiritual topics. However, it really is meant for a parents and church-based ministries rather than therapists. And it is focused on Christian spirituality. So if you're looking for ways to explore the spirituality of atheist children, this book is probably not what you're looking for (although I would also argue it's techniques could be altered for the appropriate spiritual context).

Stonehouse and May begin their tome by beautifully introducing their passion for developing child spirituality and discussing their research methodology. It's detailed enough to moderately satisfy those of us with a critical eye on methodology (their more detailed appendix helps), but does not get bogged down in academic technicalities so as to lose readers of the intended audience. They then wisely move into beginning to tell some of the stories of kids' responses to various prompts. I think it was wise for them to begin this way because it emphasizes that children can and do talk about deep spiritual concepts... when given the opportunity. I can vouch for this in the groups I have run. In fact, as I discussed on my blog, I think children are just as sophisticated as many adults. What often seems to happen is that we, as a society, do not develop children's spiritualities, so as adults, we are essentially stunted at the childhood developmental level.

Stonehouse and May do not make this argument, but I saw continued evidence for this as I read the stories. The child participants are often more willing to ask questions than most adults. They are also able to more vibrantly verbalize their experiences with God and Christ. In fact, their desire to truly be with God far surpasses the desire of most adults I know (including myself).

From this foundation, they continue to tell stories, weaving in various techniques to stimulate spiritual discussion and also challenge children to grow. These are the techniques that are both useful for research and are incredibly practical for use in homes, churches, youth groups, schools, etc. At the core of many of the practices is a concept of reflective engagement, the idea of letting the children meditate and contemplate spiritual ideas for themselves. Some are done with others, some individually. While some people may think children may not be able to do this, Stonehouse and May's anecdotes passionately prove otherwise.

While this book is intended to help people develop children's spirituality, I think it has just as much potential (if not more potential) to help form adult's spirituality. In fact, several of the reflective engagement practices are conducted with the whole family or in dialogue with adults. It is meant to let everyone experience God together, in a true corporate worship experience. And then seeing the innocent and pure love of Christ cannot not affect the adult hearts that have been hardened by cynicism, pain, and suffering. Truly, we will learn from the children. ... Read more