How to Explain Easter to Children

The story of Jesus’s death and resurrection can be a tricky subject to approach with your children. However, while it may feel impossible to explain, these age-appropriate guidelines can help your child better understand Easter and why we celebrate it.PreschoolersChildren this age really only need the basics to accept the celebration of Easter. They aren’t old enough to grasp the meaning of words like “crucifixion,” “resurrection,” or even “perfect.” Instead, begin building the foundation. Explain to your child that people who didn’t believe in Jesus put Him on the cross, and He now lives in Heaven because He’s the Son of God. Young (Elementary Age) ChildrenWhen your child is a little older and can understand more details, include that Jesus was unfairly tried and sentenced to death on the cross by people who did not believe He was the Son of God. You can walk them through a simplified version of the cross, sharing that He was beaten before being crucified, died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and after three days, God raised Him back to life. This is a good time to emphasize and define keywords like “crucifixion” and “resurrection.” Try to limit your conversation to a few minutes to hold your children’s attention, and ask them questions to check for their understanding.Older ChildrenThis is when you can dive into the details and help your child understand why Jesus’s trial was unfair. Start by sharing the story of Pontius Pilate and how he repeatedly said he found Jesus guilty of no crime; he tried to use the custom of releasing a prisoner during the festival as a reason to let Jesus go, but the crowd would not accept it. Instead, they screamed for the release of another prisoner, Barabbas. Pilate appealed three times to the crowd for them to choose sensibly, but out of fear of his actions being reported to the emperor, Pilate symbolically washed his hands of the matter. He allowed the crowd to choose, and Jesus went to the cross. Explain the pain and agony Christ felt from being beaten and hung. By this age, your child likely has a good understanding of Christ’s death and resurrection, so filling in the details is important. Finally, explain how although Jesus’s sacrifice was painful, it is ultimately a thing to celebrate.Every child is unique and can understand different parts of the story at varying ages. Ultimately, it is up to you to determine what details your child is ready to hear. Do your best, and remember that as long as your child knows that God’s love for them is why Jesus went willingly to the cross, you are on the right path.The Orlando Catholic school's blog page has helpful hints for parents to encourage their children to excel academically, spiritually, and socially. To learn more about private schools in Orlando, contact us at 407-246-4800.