What Age Should Children Start Following The Mass?

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Willing_Spirit

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My daughter is turning 4 soon, and I’m just wondering when I should be raising my expectations. Currently, I still just settle for keeping her quiet and somewhat still, letting her lay in the pew looking through saint books and stuff. Should I start making her kneel, stand, and sit at the appropriate times? Should I at least keep her facing forward and continuously promt her to watch and pray, and remind her what is happening at each part of the Mass? Would it be better if I just stay immersed in the Mass myself, and wait until she is mature enough to copy by example? Is it too distracting to be wispering to children all of Mass and positioning them accordingly?
 
My son never quite adapted to Mass. At about age 10, we learned that he was on the Autism Spectrum. No - I’m not saying that’s your daughter. My only point is that each kid is really unique developmentally. Your proposed approach of staying immersed, removing her only when she’s a distraction is a wise one.

I do wish that churches would step up to the plate and engage kids more. By that, I mean the opposite of what you think I may mean. I’m not really into “dumbing it down” for kids.

I still remember being a small child enthralled by candles, incense, fresh flowers, quiet reverence (looking at you, chit chatty adults!), and stained glass. I’m not even making a big TLM statement here, (I’m pretty OF as Catholics go). But just by engaging the senses to let kids know they’re in a sacred space, we do our part to include them. I say all of this without knowing what your parish is like . . .
 
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