An interesting side benefit: experience proving that calling small groups is MUCH better than working with large groups - meet the children where they are at, worry less about grade level or age, focus on capability and NEED, and allow such children who are in different experiential places to be just where they need to be. We have mixed age classes to focus on the individuals after all!
It can be SO HARD for catechists to present to small groups. In formation courses, leaders are encouraged to present to small groups as well, but dynamics force the use of whole-group presentations. As a previous formation leader, I experimented with the small groups in a full atrium session setting, and it worked wonderfully!
Catechists are going to present to the children as they received in their formation courses. It's just how it is. Add in very large groups of children, limited time and limited number of sessions, along with local parish or diocesan requirements to "get it all in" and you have a recipe for weak presentations, shallow meditations and children who don't readily connect with the Holy Spirit through the materials and experiences in the atrium.
Let's get back to the small group presentations and allowing the Holy Spirit to be the the One True Teacher!
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