Author Topic: Catechism book for a preschooler? (Read 1695 times)

Iuvenalis · « **on:** September 04, 2012, 09:46:38 AM »

Looking for something accessible for a preschooler.

She's been asking some questions in the last month or so and I don't want to "cop out" by using words/explanations that are over her head.

Baltimore is not very conversational (I have that in e-book).

Someone said to check materials from Catholic homeschool curriculae but they are pricey and there are several (Kolbe, Seton) so I didnt want to buy without checking with other.

Some samples of the nature of her questions so you know what sorts of explanations I'm trying to simplify
-"Why did God letthem hurt his son?"

-"Why do they eat Jesus?"

-"Why did God have a son if we're his kids?"

-"Why did God make us?"

-"Why are they priests?" (i.e. How are they different from us/why aren't we up there at the altar?)

-"Why does she be (become) a nun?"

etc

Elizabeth · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2012, 10:29:47 AM »

We have the 9 volume blue hardbound series of the Baltimore Catechism. Reprint of 1942

It is the Living My Religion Series. The Primer is charmingly illustrated, and it has a very detailed Teacher's Manual by Sister M. Imelda.

by Rt. Rev. Msgr. William R. Kelly, M.A, LL.D

Vy. Rev. Msgr. Edmund J. Goebbel, Ph.D

Sister Mary Imelda, S.L., M.A.

Rev. Daniel M. Dougherty

Rt. Rev. Msgr. M.A. Schumacher, M.A., Litt.D.

Your daughter sounds really bright! and I'd sure have to search for some of the answers to her questions.

Tell her God said so, which the conviction of a confident Faith.

This was sort of expensive but it's really really good. In a perfect world of No Math or , I'd use it as the main curriculum for homeschooling.

Here are two indulgenced prayers to offer before teaching, from this series:

teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge, O Lord: for I have believed Thy commandments(Ps. 118:66) 300 days

O Glorious Saint Catherine, wise and prudent virgin, thou who didst set the knowledge of Jesus Christ above all other knowledge, obtain for us the grace to remain inviolably attached to the Catholic Faith, and to seek in our studies and in our teaching only the extension of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Our Lord and of His holy Church both in ourselves and in the souls of others. Amen. 300 days.

Does anyone know if this is to St. Catherine of Alexandria? I think it is but suddenly am not sure?

Iuvenalis · « **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2012, 11:30:53 AM »

So, you mention the Baltimore because you're recommending that?

Sorry for my confusion.

Or are you saying the Baltimore *and* Living my Religion?

As I said, I have Baltimore and while some answers are simple/accessible, several just create more questions about what something means. While that is well and good for her, I want fewer topics at a time that 'stick' rather than a "let's boil the ocean" conversation about everything at once.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #3 on:** September 04, 2012, 11:53:04 AM »

"Books 1 to 5 contain verbatim the text of the Confraternity Revised Baltimore Catechism No. 1. Books 6,7,and * contain verbatim the text of the Confraternity Revised Baltimore Catechism No.2" p. iii
Nihil Obstat: John M.A. Fearns, S.T.D.
Imprimatur: Francis Cardinal Spellman
Archbishop of New York

Elizabeth · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2012, 11:54:56 AM »

The Primer is nice and simple, but allows for a child to practice the faith.

Iuvenalis · « **Reply #5 on:** September 04, 2012, 07:07:07 PM »

Elizabeth, regarding the prayer for students you include above:

The Raccolta doesn't say, but yes, most attribute it to Catherine *of Alexandria*.

Iuvenalis · « **Reply #6 on:** September 04, 2012, 07:42:40 PM »

I also found this:
"Religion for young Catholics Pre-K"
http://www.setonhome.org/see-inside/?ToView=P-RLPK-10

MaterDominici · « **Reply #7 on:** September 04, 2012, 08:42:08 PM »

Our Lady of Victory uses a book called Chats with God's Little Ones. While I meant to order it over a month ago, I've not yet done so, so I can't tell you anything about it other than it might be something for you to take a look at.

Iuvenalis · « **Reply #8 on:** September 04, 2012, 11:54:44 PM »

Quote from: MaterDominici

Our Lady of Victory uses a book called Chats with God's Little Ones. While I meant to order it over a month ago, I've not yet done so, so I can't tell you anything about it other than it might be something for you to take a look at.

Thank you, if you do order it let me know what you think!

I went ahead and ordered the Seton Pre-K book and will let you know.

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #9 on:** September 05, 2012, 12:30:00 AM »

Quote from: Iuvenalis

Looking for something accessible for a preschooler.

She's been asking some questions in the last month or so and I don't want to "cop out" by using words/explanations that are over her head.

Baltimore is not very conversational (I have that in e-book).

Someone said to check materials from Catholic homeschool curriculae but they are pricey and there are several (Kolbe, Seton) so I didn't want to buy without checking with other.

Some samples of the nature of her questions so you know what sorts of explanations I'm trying to simplify
-"Why did God let them hurt his son?"

-"Why do they eat Jesus?"

-"Why did God have a son if we're his kids?"

-"Why did God make us?"

-"Why are they priests?" (i.e. How are they different from us/why aren't we up there at the altar?)

-"Why does she be (become) a nun?"

etc

Preschool, eh? Sounds to me like you have a budding genius on your hands.

Congratulations. You'll need it!

As for "Why did God make us?" the Baltimore should give you the answer,
"God made (me) to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world,
so I can be happy with Him forever in the next." This is a tremendously
important answer for her to know, because it will start her off on solid
footing. She will then be able to see that you can't love something you
don't know, so that's why it's important to know God first, so you can love
Him, and by loving God and serving God in this life, you make it possible
to be with Him forever in the next life. They actually don't teach this any
more in local parish religion class! (Independents, SSPX, CMRI, etc. do but
Novus Ordo mostly do not.)

Fr. Dominic Radecki in Newhall, CA (CMRI) showed a new reprint of a beautiful
catechism type book which is the Bible in pictures for children. I highly
recommend it. You can contact him by email or phone or letter. He's on
the Internet. I think the book was about $30, but well worth it. Large
format, and about 3/4" thick.

Iuvenalis · « **Reply #10 on:** September 05, 2012, 12:43:57 AM »

Neil, as I said in a previous post, I have the Baltimore (e-book) and I *do* use it, and I did use it for "To know Him, love Him, etc" but some of her questions require long answers and I'm worried I'm not cutting to the chase. I believe their attention span is quite short.

As for the picture bible your priest in Newhall mentioned, I would think it's his:

http://www.setonbooks.com/viewone.php?ToView=P-RLPK-17

Except that that's surely not 30 bucks.

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #11 on:** September 05, 2012, 12:47:59 AM »

The Bible in pictures book is a reprint of a European edition from
1905 or so. It's high quality color, glossy paper, 9 x 12 or so,
hardcover, smythe sewn binding, embossed front cover. It's the
kind of book you only see OLD, but this one is new. It takes
various Bible stories and shows original, full page artwork that
resembles the paintings of the masters, and the text is easy
to read, large print, not too difficult for children. I think your
little girl would really like it. But be ready for more questions!

Neil Obstat · « **Reply #12 on:** September 05, 2012, 01:35:35 AM »

Quote from: Iuvenalis

Neil, as I said in a previous post, I have the Baltimore (e-book) and I *do* use it, and I did use it for "To know Him, love Him, etc" but some of her questions require long answers and I'm worried I'm not cutting to the chase. I believe their attention span is quite short.

As for the picture bible your priest in Newhall mentioned, I would think it's his:

http://www.setonbooks.com/viewone.php?ToView=P-RLPK-17

Except that that's surely not 30 bucks.

That's not the book he had. Like I said, it's a really classic style
book with beautiful artwork, similar to Carraveggio,
Michealangelo, that kind of thing. Here are some examples that are similar:

Round figures, the book I'm talking about is easily worth $50, but he had a
limited supply for less than $30. This was about a month ago. I don't know
if he has any left, or if more are on order, or what.

As for your answers, try to be simple and direct, which is sometimes hard
to do. Their attention spans are short, true, and it puts you on the spot to
come up with terse quips. I'm sure you'll do fine.

The one thing that I would like to say from experience, always try to respond
immediately to a child's needs. They can't wait around for when it's
convenient for you to answer questions. Their learning window is not going
to be open forever, and now is your chance to give them the answer you want
them to have. If they don't get it from you, they will look elsewhere! You are
both learning together, you know. The child teaches you by instinct and you
teach the child by experience, mostly.

And it pays off, because when they see that you are responsive to them, they
learn that they are important, and that you love them. They will like that, and they
will learn to be responsive to others, too. And then some day, they may even be
responsive to you when you need them....................

Darcy · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2012, 03:01:00 PM »

Quote from: Iuvenalis

Neil, as I said in a previous post, I have the Baltimore (e-book) and I *do* use it, and I did use it for "To know Him, love Him, etc" but some of her questions require long answers and I'm worried I'm not cutting to the chase. I believe their attention span is quite short.

As for the picture bible your priest in Newhall mentioned, I would think it's his:

http://www.setonbooks.com/viewone.php?ToView=P-RLPK-17

Except that that's surely not 30 bucks.

What are you looking for to know that she understands?
She is not yet seven which is the age of reason. Her repeated questionings are typical of her age and development. Understanding these abstractions will come later for her. Sounds like you are doing a good job already.