Education for Dialogue in the Catechesis for Children

Anna Zellma

Abstract

Preparing children at the pre-school and school age for a dialogue-favouring attitude has been an object of studies in social sciences for a long time. A number of approaches have been developed in such education. In recent years, a lot of attention has been devoted to the principles of the education syllabus for dialogue in pre-school and school education. Such discourse on education for dialogue is also present in catechetics. Researchers usually analyse this subject matter in connection with the development of attitudes of students who attend catechesis and participants of catechetic meetings at parishes. In dialogically-oriented religious education for children, it is regarded as wise and responsible to provide consistent support in developing readiness to understand other people, to develop personal bonds and collaborating with people with a view to learning the truth and passing it on to others or working for the common good. Along with passing on the knowledge about the dialogue with others and with God, emphasis is placed on developing the ability to express one’s thoughts, to share one’s personal knowledge and experiences, to solve problems in a team and to cooperate. This requires a mature and creative personality of a catechist. The catechist’s communication competences are also important. They are expressed, inter alia, in skilful communicating with students, other teachers and parents and in creating an atmosphere of dialogue, in winning trust, acceptance of the students, sensitivity, kindness, openness. No less important is the knowledge of etiquette, good manners and a sincere and heartfelt smile. All this boosts the ability to raise children for dialogue and to support them in developing their openness to God and another human being, sensitivity and curiosity.

Keywords:

education, dialogue, catechesis, children, pre-school, school, pedagogy, cate­chetics