Children grow in their faith in four ways:
• by how they experience their faith in their family setting and personal relationships.
• by what they are taught about the faith informally at home or more formally in a religious education
   or school setting.
• by how they express their faith in prayers, devotions, and participation in the sacraments.
• by how they apply what they have experienced and learned about their faith to how they act.   
These checklists provide a simple and easy way for parents to evaluate how well they are contributing the the faith formation of their children.  Under each age group, we list various ways parents help their child experience, learn, express and act on their faith. 
You can download these checklists as a worksheet by clicking on the link at the end of each section.

Directory by Age.
Click on the age group you want.

• Ages 6 to 24 Months
• Ages 3 to 6 Years
• Ages 6 to 12 Years
• Ages 13 to 18 Years

•   •   •

Ages 6 to 24 Months

Part 1. Helping Children Experience Faith

1. Establish a family atmosphere that is warm, safe, loving and peaceful.
2. Provide for the child’s basic physical needs like food, sleep, clean diapers, baths and exercise.
3. Develop and maintain a dependable schedule for daily routines, especially at waking, eating, transitions and bedtime.
4. Take time to touch, hold, cuddle, talk and play with your child.
5. Avoid loud noises, music or behavior which can be disturbing to your child.
6. Avoid circumstances in which your child sees or hears your frustration, anger, fear or disappointment get out of control.
7. Encourage your child’s initiative and curiosity; reward effort more than success.
8. Model an attitude of wonder and gratitude about human life and nature.
9. Limit your child’s exposure to electronic media, including television and DVDs.
10. Invite extended family members like grandparents, aunts and uncles, godparents and good friends to participate in the care of your child.
11. Choose child care options that are consistent with your personal and spiritual values.
12. Take positive steps to resolve conflicts between you and your spouse which can have a negative impact on your child.
13. Take immediate steps to remove your child from circumstances in which they are in danger of being emotionally or physically abused.

Part 2. Helping Children Learn Faith

1. Talk to your child; name and explain what your child is observing or doing to the extent that he or she is able to understand.
2. Tell or read your child stories that help your child learn about themselves, people, and the world around them.
3. Display and explain signs and symbols of faith such as statues, pictures, the church and religious practices to the extend that your child is able to understand.
4. Tell or read bible stories adapted for very young children and other simple children's stories with faith themes, bible heroes, saints, and examples of Christian values.
5. Model a routine for your personal prayer, study and spiritual growth as an individual and as a couple.
6. Participate in formation, education and spiritual enrichment programs for adults and parents.

Part 3. Helping Children Express Faith

1. Encourage your child to express himself or herself with music, song, arts, crafts and play.
2. Provide a good balance between structured and free play.
3. Use simple prayers at meals and bedtime; invite your child to participate when they are able.
4. Use religious symbols and objects (candles, pictures, statues, etc.) in family prayer and celebrations; explain these to your child to the extent that they are able to understand.
5. Use simple blessings or prayers for special family occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
6. Establish family rituals to celebrate religious seasons and events like Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter, feast days and holy days.
7. Adapt or develop family customs and traditions which express religious faith and values.
8. Establish a routine for your personal prayer, study and spiritual growth as an individual and/or as a couple.
9. Make an effort to resolve any conscious or unconscious conflicts you have with the Church.
10. Model an example of church attendance and participation.

Part 4. Helping Children Act with Faith

1. Teach children to share, to be fair, and to be honest with friends and playmates.
2. Give your child an opportunity to make simple choices which are appropriate for his or her age and development.
3. Teach children to respect nature as part of God's creation.
4. Teach your child the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behavior toward themselves and others.
5. Accept your child’s natural curiosity about human bodies, but teach them the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behavior and touch.
6. Limit children's exposure to conflicting values and lifestyles depicted on TV, other media, and advertising.
7. Model appreciation and respect for social, cultural and economic differences among people.
8. Model an example of concern, respect and service to others, especially the less fortunate.
9. Be patient with your child’s behavior.  Correct misbehavior by re-directing it toward more appropriate behavior.
10. Encourage and praise your child’s efforts to learn and grow; do not set unrealistic expectations by comparing your child to siblings or other children.

• Download this section as a worksheet.

•   •   •

Ages 3 to 6 Years

Part 1. Helping Children Experience Faith

1. Establish a family atmosphere that is secure, loving and forgiving.
2. Cultivate and model an attitude of wonder and gratitude about human life and nature.
3. Develop parenting styles which reflect Catholic/Christian convictions about the dignity and value of every person.
4. Choose child care options that are consistent with your personal and spiritual values.
5. Invite extended family members (grandparents, aunts and uncles, Godparents, friends) to participate in the care and faith formation of children.
6. Set expectations for the child's behavior which promote confidence and self-esteem.
7. Recognize mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
8. Encourage initiative and curiosity; reward effort more than success.
9. Preserve family time and opportunities for one-on-one nurturing between parent and child.
10. Participate in adult spiritual renewal and personal enrichment programs.

Part 2. Helping Children Learn Faith

1. Talk about God, Jesus, the church and your faith.
2. Help children identify signs of God's presence in nature and in their own life experiences.
3. Explain signs and symbols of faith (eg, the church, its furnishings, statues, pictures, etc.)
4. Read/watch bible stories adapted for children and other children's stories with faith  themes, bible heroes, saints, and examples of Christian values
5. Limit children's exposure to contrary values and role models on TV and other media.
6. Enroll children in pre-school religious education programs.

Part 3. Helping Children Express Faith

1. Teach your child the Sign of the Cross; use simple prayers at meals and bedtime.
2. Use simple blessings or prayers for special family occasions (birthdays, anniversaries, first and last-time events, life-changes and family problems)
3. Use religious symbols and objects (candles, pictures, statues, etc.) in family prayer and celebrations.
4. Celebrate religious seasons and events (Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter, feast days, holy days)
5. Adapt or develop family customs and traditions which express religious faith and values
6. Sing songs and tell stories; develop arts and crafts activities that express your faith and values.
7. Model an example of church participation and an adult prayer life.

Part 4. Helping Children Act with Faith

1. Teach children to share, to be fair, and to be honest with friends and playmates.
2. Teach children to appreciate and respect nature as part of God's creation.
3. Limit children's exposure to conflicting values and lifestyles depicted on TV, other media, advertising.
4. Model appreciation and respect for social, cultural and economic differences among people.
5. Model an example of concern, respect and service to others, especially the less fortunate.

• Download this section as a worksheet.

•   •   •

Ages 6 to 12 Years

Part 1. Helping Children Experience Faith

1. Establish a family atmosphere that is encouraging, affirming, understanding and forgiving.
2. Adjust parenting styles and discipline to the child's developing ability and needs.
3. Use family meetings to discuss and decide important family decisions and issues.
4. Strive to balance time between family, work, school, sports, church and other responsibilities.
5. Spend time individually with your child on a regular basis.
6. Identify and invite other adults to serve as mentors for your child.
7. Set expectations for children's behavior that encourage cooperation, not competition; use mistakes and failure as opportunities to learn, not punish.
8. Participate in parish activities for children and families.
9. Participate in parenting education and enrichment opportunities.
10. When necessary, get professional counseling for special needs, family or marriage problems.

Part 2. Helping Children Learn Faith

1. Enroll children in a formal religious education program (Catholic school, parish faith formation, etc.)
2. Provide access to children's bibles, books and videos with stories about Christian values and Christian heroes.
3. Discuss the content of TV and other media in terms of Catholic faith and Christian values.
4. Identify and explain basic concepts of Catholic faith and Catholic practice.
5. Share your personal thoughts and convictions about God, faith, and church.
6. Explain personal and family decisions in terms of your faith and moral values.
7. Discuss Catholic/Christian values related to sexuality, money, time, death, and social justice.
8. Participate in preparation for sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion)
9. Participate in adult education and family education opportunities in the parish.

Part 3. Helping Children Express Faith

1. Use meals and bedtime as occasions for family and individual prayer.
2. Help children learn traditional prayers and devotions by praying them regularly.
3. Invite children to participate in developing prayers and rituals for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, first and last-time events, life-changes, and family crises.
4. Participate as a family in Sunday Eucharist and the other sacraments.
5. Celebrate religious seasons and feast days, especially Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter.
6. Attend the Easter Triduum (Holy Week) services as a family.
7. Participate in parish retreats or spiritual renewal programs.
8. Adapt and practice some of your family's religious customs and traditions.
9. Identify and practice healthy ways to express powerful emotions like anger, fear, grief, and sorrow.
10. Participate in liturgical ministries, when possible and age-appropriate.

Part 4. Helping Children Act with Faith

1. Teach children how to be good stewards of their time, friendship, possessions and money.
2. Teach children to respect human life and the environment.
3. Help children identify ways they can use their personal talents to help others people and protect nature.
4. Participate as a family in service or social justice programs at school, in the parish or community.
5. Give children opportunities to meet and appreciate people from other cultures, races, economic means and handicapped persons.
6. Compare the values and lifestyles depicted on TV, in other media, and in real life with your values and lifestyle as a Catholic Christian.

• Download this section as a worksheet.

•   •   •

Ages 13 to 18 Years

Part 1. Helping Children Experience Faith

1. Choose parenting styles and discipline which promote self-accountability and responsibility.
2. Encourage teens to choose other adult mentors who are good role models of Christian faith.
3. Affirm teens’ effort and success; avoid unnecessary criticism and pressure to excel or compete.
4. Model and teach good decision-making skills which apply Catholic/Christian values and principles to family and personal decisions.
5. Participate in parish activities for families and teens.
6. Encourage teens to participate in spiritual renewal and development programs for adolescents (Quest, lock-ins, retreats, TEC, CLI, etc.)

Part 2. Helping Teens Learn About Faith

1. Listen openly to teens’ questions and criticisms about religion.
2. Explain personal and family decisions in terms of your faith and moral values.
3. Discuss TV and media, current events, social and political issues in terms of Catholic/Christian values, principles and convictions.
4. Discuss Catholic/Christian values related to human sexuality, money, time, and social justice.
5. Encourage young adolescents to enroll in youth formation programs in the parish.
6. Encourage teens to choose other adult mentors (teachers, coaches, godparents, friends’ parents) who are good role models of Christian faith.

Part 3. Helping Teens Express Faith

1. Allow teens to participate in family prayer, religious customs, and church rituals in ways which are not embarrassing or uncomfortable.
2. Participate as a family in Sunday Eucharist and Reconciliation.
3. Invite teens to consider celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation; participate in their preparation.
4. Observe religious seasons such as Advent and Lent, and feast days in your family.
5. Encourage teens to participate in prayer and liturgy with their peers.
6. Encourage teens to participate in programs, retreats, and renewal experiences for young adults.
7. Encourage teens to participate in liturgical ministries and other parish leadership opportunities.
8. Identify and model positive ways to express powerful emotions like anger, fear, grief and sorrow.
9. Encourage teens to create and use a spiritual journal.

Part 4. Helping Teens Act on Faith

1. Encourage teens to be good stewards of their time, material possessions, talent, and money.
2. Support teens’ participation in service and social justice projects at school, in the parish or community.
3. Support and encourage teens to develop respectful and responsible personal and sexual relationships.
4. Encourage teens to explore career options which will allow them to be useful, responsible adults.
5. Help young adults understand and appreciate the responsibilities and rewards of marriage and parenting.
6. Clearly define limits and explain the consequences of inappropriate sexuality, alcohol and drug use.
7. Help teens find professional counseling or spiritual direction when necessary or helpful.

Download this section as a worksheet.