EYFS Why do some Christians put a cross on their Easter gardens? PowerPoint Lesson 5

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The EYFS Unit 4, ‚”Why Do Christians Put a Cross on Their Easter Garden?‚ introduces young learners to the Christian celebration of Easter through a hands-on, reflective approach. Designed for the Early Years Foundation Stage, this unit explores one of Christianity‚”s most important stories: the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Children begin by hearing simple versions of the Easter story, with a focus on themes of new life, sadness, hope, and celebration. The cross‚-an important Christian symbol‚-is introduced gently and meaningfully, with age-appropriate discussion about Jesus‚” death on Good Friday and the joy of Easter Sunday. Pupils are encourages aged to reflect on the emotions in the story, helping them begin to understand feelings of loss, hope, and renewal in the context of their own lives.

A key feature of the unit is the creation of Easter gardens, which allows children to express their learning through creative and sensory play. These miniature gardens include elements such as a hill, a tomb, and a cross, symbolising parts of the Easter narrative. The cross becomes a central point of reflection, helping pupils understand that Christians see the cross as a symbol of love, sacrifice, and new beginnings.

The unit supports areas of the EYFS curriculum such as Understanding the World, Expressive Arts and Design, and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. It fosters respect for religious traditions, while giving children space to explore their own responses to big ideas like life, death, and celebration.

By connecting the Easter story to a tangible, visual project, the unit offers a memorable and meaningful way for young learners to engage with Christian beliefs and symbols. It helps lay the foundation for religious literacy, empathy, and spiritual development in the early years.