A SPICE 2004 Program
A Developmentally Appropriate Preschool Faith Education Program
St. Raphael Early Childhood Center
Raleigh, North Carolina
St. Raphael Early Childhood Center employs a developmentally appropriate faith education program. Its goals are to nurture the young child's spirituality and offer an invitation to the child's family to do the same. Because we wish that the love of Christ influence the total life of the school, implementation of this all-encompassing program involves the entire school community—the school leader, teachers, parents and students.
A formal developmentally appropriate faith formation program, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, has been incorporated. However, faith is at the heart of all classroom activities, so St. Raphael's program includes active involvement of regular classroom teachers as well. Leadership support of this role of the teacher is addressed.
A teacher classroom resource guide explains how the young child's spirituality is nurtured in the course of normal classroom activities throughout the year. Children's learning activities, service projects and worship opportunities are evaluated for meaningfulness.
The success of the program is also influenced by ensuring that the Catholic mission of the preschool is evident in communications to parents and providing many opportunities for parent involvement.
