Less is Always More

In Monday's Catechesis class we learned about the four planes of human development, from infancy to maturity. During each stage- ages 0-6, 6-12, 12-18, and 18-24, there is a three year period of intense growth, followed by a three year sub-plane period of refinement. I was amazed to learn that between six months and 3 years of age, 80% of a child's intellectual development takes place! It's phenomenal to imagine all that is going on in their little minds. Before age six, children have what's called an "absorbent mind", and they learn effortlessly.... after age six learning takes more effort and hard work. A handout we received on the Absorbent Mind describes, "Through the absorbent mind, all learning becomes a permanent part of the child."

So ages 3-6 in the Atrium are all about the basics, such as one word prayers at the prayer table. "Amen" or "Alleluia" or "Rejoice" is all that is necessary for now. More can be added in later years, but simplicity is just right for ages 3-6. In Stephanie's words, "We give them rich food, but not too much of it." I love that, and it reiterates what we learned last week- let the Scripture and the beautiful materials speak for themselves. Through repetition and play, the children internalize the message.

Another quote often stated in the Montessori method that, upon googling, is originally attributed to Dante, is: "Let thy words be counted." Don't say too much or you'll lose the child's interest or muddle the main point. In working with older kids there will be discussion, questions, and elaboration, but for now we stick to the fundamentals or building blocks of liturgy and scripture.

We also talked about the theology mystery, and how God is the greatest of all mysteries. Yet Cavalletti teaches that mysteries are not something we need to solve. She says that the purpose of mystery is to draw us into a deeper relationship with God. What a profound thought to contemplate, and what a good meditation for those of us who struggle with the pull of this task-oriented, fast-paced, over scheduled era. It's tempting to always want the answer, the outcome, the solution. And to assume that's the goal of the process. Done and done, move on to the next challenge. But how much do we miss out on if we're only focused on results instead of the path we took to get there?

Children are naturals with this, though, as anyone who has tried to urge a toddler to go from Point A to Point B.... they are all about process and not product. Stephanie talked about watching a child wash hands over and over, or spoon beans, or pour water during the practical life works. They revel in the repetition. It's a one person work, it's theirs, and our job is to allow them to repeat that work as many times as they'd like. In our impatient adult minds this repetition may seem silly or redundant, but children "create" themselves through repetitive work of their hands. Our initial presentation is the least important part of the work. We give it and then get out of the way.

We closed in the Atrium with Stephanie showing us the work on the Eucharist/Communion. She slowly and methodically presented and named each piece of the altar table- using different vocabulary from the Episcopalian tradition, but the key elements are the same and we'll make it our own at IPC! After slowly rolling out the altar cloth and presenting the cup, bread, and cross, she lit two candles. Here again, silence is alright. There seems to be a human tendency to fill it, but there is no need to. We have to learn to be comfortable with the mystery of "What did the children get out of this?" For in the end, each lesson in the Level I Atrium is a gift. God gives us a gift, we present it to the kids, and then we wonder with them in the stillness.

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, " Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  

And he called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, 

Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

-Matthew 18: 1-4