In the General Directory for Catechesis in paragraphs 177 - 180, we read the following about children's catechesis:
GDC #177: As a child of God, in virtue of the gift of Baptism, the child is proclaimed by Christ to be a privileged member of the Kingdom of God.(66) For various reasons today, rather more than in the past, the child demands full respect and help in its spiritual and human growth. This is also true in catechesis which must always be made available to Christian children. Those who have given life to children and have enriched them with the gift of Baptism have the duty continually to nourish it.
GDC #179. Pastors should remember that, in helping parents and educators to fulfil their mission well, it is the Church who is being built up. Moreover this is an excellent occasion for adult catechesis.(71)
In the National Directory for Catechesis, there are several important passages dealing with children's catechesis:
"... In a certain sense nothing replaces family catechesis, especially for its positive and receptive environment, for the example of adults, and for its first explicit experience and practice of the faith.' The catechesis of infants and young children nourishes the beginnings of the life of faith." (Part E, Section 1, p. 202)
Further on in the same section, the Directory reinforces the role of parents in catechizing their children by saying, "Parents are also the most effective catechists of prayer for their young
children. They know what their children are capable of understanding and can easily teach their children basic prayers and the fundamental attitude of prayer." (p. 204)
