In the December 2nd e-newsletter, parents had the chance to reflect on a scripture passage (Matthew 18:1-4) describing Jesus' thoughts on children.  Jesus stated, "Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  Parents could ask themselves:  What does it mean to become like little children?  What are little children like?
 
In the book Mustard Seed Preaching by Ann M. Garrido, Chapter 3 is entitled "The Child as Theologian."  Garrido writes, "When we speak about children's theological reflections, there are nine characteristics common to early childhood that catechists of the Good Shepherd have observed most influence the way in which children hear and interpret the Gospel.  This doesn't mean these traits belong exclusively to young children.  Rather, they are human traits that are in some way true of each one of us no matter how old we are, but they are traits that are particularly dominant during early childhood."  Garrido goes on to describe the nine traits.  It is almost guaranteed that, as parents read each of these, they'll be able to see the characteristic in action simply by remembering a recent experience with their child.
 
Children are small.  This one seems obvious.  But there is perhaps no characteristic more influential to the child.  They are very small people living in a big-person world.  So, they hear scripture through a perspective of smallness and weakness.  They identify with God's use of the small and with God's transformation of the small into the big.
 
Children are drawn toward what is most essential.  Have you ever found yourself lecturing your child, and explaining something to them in multiple ways in the hope that something will stick ... only to find out that they tuned you out completely after your first sentence?  Children seek the greatest truth in the least amount of words possible.
 
Children want to be oriented to reality.  Children spend a huge amount of play time trying to figure out how the world works.  This enables them to survive, to make sense out of life, and to figure out how they fit in.  They are drawn to the real.
 
Children are filled with awe and wonder.  Just take a moment to reflect on any time that your child exhibited extreme fascination with a crawling bug or a trickling stream or a dripping icicle.  Children have an incredible ability to be drawn in by things that adults take for granted.  Experiencing things anew with such passion is one of the greatest gifts a child gives their parent.  Children's earliest prayers are of gratitude, and only later petition.  Those prayers of gratitude are born of their sense of awe and wonder.
 
Children are attracted to the beautiful.  Children are drawn to beauty in nature and in their environment, but also in words and music.
 
Children are filled with joy.  Garrido writes, "When children encounter what is beautiful, awesome, and essential, they express unreserved joy.  [Sofia] Cavalletti [CGS founder] notes that just as increased height and weight are signs that the child's physical needs have been met, joy is the sign that a child's spiritual needs are being met."
 
Children have a deep desire and capacity to be in loving relationship.  Garrido writes, "[Relationship] is their deepest need and, when it is met, it is their greatest joy."  Also, "only in God, does the child's need and capacity fully meet its match."
 
Children possess absorbent minds.  Before developing reasoning skills, children learn through a process similar to osmosis.  This is the way they learn about the natural world, their culture, and their language.  They literally soak in their environment and all that is around them.
 
Children learn best through the repetitive work of their hands.  To touch and work with is far more powerful than simply to hear or see.  And children repeat a work time and again until they master that work.
 
These characteristics have been carefully considered and honored in every presentation and every work of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  Every presentation and every material has been carefully chosen and perfected to meet the core needs of the child.  Parents, too, can consider these characteristics and how they relate to the spiritual journey on which the child and parent collaborate.