Seton Religion for Young Catholics

Seton Press

Seton offers Catholic religion textbooks as well as religion correspondence courses based on the Baltimore Catechism. In the correspondence courses, all levels except kindergarten study the Catechism, guided by a textbook. Texts are provided for church history, and miscellaneous smaller books on a variety of topics are also included. Courses are available for kindergarten and above.

Seton publishes its own textbooks for grades K-7 ($12-15 each), which can be purchased independent of the correspondence courses. For kindergarten, Seton offers Kindergarten Catechism ($12), an introductory course that uses about 50 key catechism questions as springboards for expanded explanations. Levels 1-7, called Religion for Young Catholics, are serious courses covering the Ten Commandments, the sacraments, creation and the fall, the life of Jesus, and basic doctrine every year. The first two levels include prayers, and the Creed receives particular attention in levels 4 through 7. (The content has been approved by the Archdiocese of Arlington.) The above topics are covered in varying depth at the different levels with continual repetition and review of key concepts. Lessons are designed to focus on a group of catechism questions each week that must be memorized then reviewed throughout the year.

Levels 2 and above incorporate some questions within the daily lessons, and answer keys are provided with the texts. Black-and-white illustrations add visual interest. Minimal direction is provided for parents within the texts, but it seems evident that lesson content should be discussed to ensure that children understand what is being taught. Of course, interaction is also required for catechism work.