GS and Child Podcast | Season 2

Episode 48 – History of Montessori with Carol Dittberner

Welcome back friends to the Good Shepherd and the Child podcast! We are excited to begin Season 2 with a series on all things Montessori as a way to understand the underpinnings and influence Maria Montessori’s discoveries of the child had on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Carol Dittberner began as a Montessori Guide after receiving her diploma at the 38th Indian Montessori Training Course in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India in 1974. The very next year, Sofia Cavalletti participated in an International AMI Conference in St. Paul, MN. After the conference, 30 of the primary Montessori guides, took the first course in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offered in the United States by Sofia Cavalletti. They covered all three levels and studied for 5 weeks. Later, she completed two degrees in Human Development, both her B.A. and M.A., the latter from St. Mary’s University. The first atrium in Minnesota began because her two children, who were adopted from the Missionaries of Charity in India, turned 5 and 3 years old. The atrium began in 1982 at the Church of St. Frances Cabrini, Minneapolis, MN.
In 2006, Carol received the Diploma from the Assistants to Infancy training at the Opera Nazionale Montessori in Rome, Italy. Carol was able to work with Silvana Montanaro and visit the Rome Atrium often. In the late 1980’s she began work as a Formation Leader and has given CGS catechist formation in all three levels over the last 30 years.
Sources for learning more about Maria Montessori’s life:

Association Montessori Internationale, Amsterdam

Montessori Organizations and Archival Libraries

American Montessori Society, New York City

Books by Maria Montessori:

The Secret of Childhood

The Child and Society

A New World and Education

Books about Montessori or her work available through the CGSUSA bookstore:

In the 2021 Journal, we seek to offer a rich study and deeper understanding of Montessori’s work, which is so integral to CGS.

LISTENING TO GOD WITH CHILDREN BY GIANNA GOBBI

COMMEMORATIVE JOURNAL: GIANNA GOBBI 1919-2002

MONTESSORI: ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

THE CHILD IN THE CHURCH (SOFTCOVER)

SILENCE IN THE SHADOW OF SPEECH

Previous episodes about Montessori and her work:

Episode 4 on Normalization

Episode 28 Montessori’s Epiphany

Episode 30 on Freedom and Discipline

Through their joy, their wonder and awe, their capacity for love and prayer, and their radical simplicity, the children offer adults a glimpse into what it means to fall in love with God. This has been the work of CGSUSA for almost 40 years now: to advocate for the child’s joy. Each year, CGSUSA provides catechist formation, publishes new books for continued study and contemplation, and continues to support catechists and religious leaders across the nation and the world in helping children find their own path to God’s love.  We humbly ask for your continued help and support in this effort, please give to our Annual Appeal.  Please donate so the work may continue.

[content_modules]

Follow Us

Formation for Adults

Adults are given the opportunity to embrace a method of religious education that will deepen one’s relationship with God.

Recent Updates from CGSUSA

Welcome to CGSUSA

We believe God and the child have a unique relationship with one another. Children need their own place to foster the growth of that relationship. The growth of this relationship is assisted by the adult, but is directed by the Spirit of God within the child.

The CGS Approach

Find an Atrium

CGSUSA
CGS in the Home
CGS in the Parish
CGS in the School

Discover CGS

What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd was born from the joy of the children’s encounter with God. It has been observed that children of the same developmental stage, even those from widely varying cultural backgrounds, respond to elements of the Christian message in the same way.

CGS in the World
CGS and Ecumenism
Roman Catholic Tradition
Episcopal Tradition
Orthodox Tradition
History
32 Points of Reflection
CBP en Espanol
Children with Disabilities
Justice and Solidarity

Learn with CGS

In Catechesis of the Good Shepherd adults are given the opportunity to embrace a method of catechesis (or religious education) that will deepen one’s relationship with God. Catechist formation in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is both instructive as well as experiential. It captivates both the head as well as the heart.

Courses for Adults
Host a Course
Register a Course
Scholarships & Grants

Good Shepherd and the Child Podcast

The Journal
Document Library
Resources

Connect to CGSUSA

We read in the Gospel of Mark that Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs, two by two; the journey was not meant to be a solitary one. It is essential for us as catechists to support one another as we prepare materials, work in the atrium, and observe the child. We come together in unity, as members of CGSUSA, to share the joy of this work.

Become a Member
Member Benefits
Individual Membership
Organization Membership
Regions & Regional Groups
CGSUSA Leadership: Staff & Board
Annual Meeting
CGSUSA Vendor Members - Digital Source List

Support CGSUSA

Through their joy, their wonder and awe, their capacity for love and prayer, and their radical simplicity, children offer us adults a glimpse of what it means to fall in love with God. This has been the work of CGSUSA for over 30 years: to advocate for the child’s joy.

CGSUSA
Leadership: Staff and Board of Trustees
Advocacy
Contact Us
Ways to Give
TLM Memorial Fund
Tribute Gifts
Sustainable Giving