Explaining Easter to Children

The concept of Jesus dying and coming back to life can be difficult for both young and adult minds to understand. It’s natural for children to have questions about Easter! As parents, we must consider our options and make the decision that’s best for our children. Consider these different ways you can share the Easter story:Focus on the ResurrectionFor younger children in particular, the more brutal parts of the story can be spared or at least told without great detail. Focus on the joy of the Resurrection, and remind your child that Jesus will always love her and always be with her! As she gets older and grows in the Word, you can add more details. Make sure she knows that it’s okay if the story makes her sad; Jesus suffered so we don’t have to go through pain and sadness alone. Incorporate a Book or ActivityRead the Easter story from a children’s Bible, download and print Easter coloring pages, watch VeggieTales together, or find an Easter-themed puzzle set. You can use these activities to initiate conversations about the holiday.Use an AllegoryA teacher named Ruth Thomas told BBC News that she teaches the crucifixion to children in a less dramatic way, through a folk tale called “The Song of the Robin.” Children can better relate to the story and to the friendship with Jesus and the bird, and they understand the magnitude of Easter without being exposed to details they aren’t ready for yet.The Jelly Bean PrayerThe jelly bean prayer is a short and sweet way to teach your children about Easter. Each color represents a different part of the Resurrection story. Read the poem out loud to your child, and give her a jelly bean of each color as you share its symbolism. Stop at each line to explain what it means. After you’ve read it, ask your child to read it back to you (or share what she remembers if she can’t read); as she goes through each color, give her another jelly bean. Resurrection RollsThese classic, delicious rolls are a simple way to demonstrate the meaning of Easter. Your child will marvel at the disappearing marshmallows! Talk about how the marshmallow is missing from the crescent roll, just like how Jesus was missing from the tomb.  Kissimmee private schools proclaim the Gospel message within an academic environment of excellence that challenges students to be creative and critical thinkers. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us at 407-246-4800.